Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 260: Choosing Their Own Mother

"Can you stop crying?"

"My ears are about to go deaf."

"Can you two please stop crying? Silence!"

The Emperor could bear it no longer, finally raising his voice in a cold command.

The two little ones immediately stifled their sobs, holding back their cries, though tears continued to stream down their faces. This silent weeping was even more heartbreaking to witness.

"Poor Yu Ge'er, poor Changsheng. What fault lies with these children? They merely long for a mother..." Yin Fei dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "That Lady Liu died so inexplicably. Not only the children, even I, who never met her, feel deeply troubled..."

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "Gao Gonggong, bring some gold, silver, and jade artifacts from the treasury."

Two young eunuchs arrived carrying over a dozen trays of jade pieces. The Emperor told the children to choose whatever they liked and take it with them.

Chu Hongyu shook his head tearfully. "N-no, I don't want..."

Before he could finish, Yin Fei covered his mouth.

These jade pieces were all precious artifacts from previous dynasties, rarely bestowed by the Emperor. Most of them were here today, and she intended to acquire several - for Yu Ge'er's future betrothal gifts and for Changsheng's dowry.

"Yu Ge'er, didn't you want a vase?"

"Changsheng, this jade ruyi scepter is quite nice."

"Chu Yi would probably like this jade flute. It might ease the pain of losing his beloved."

Unable to restrain herself, Yin Fei took seven or eight items, her discontent finally somewhat alleviated.

But the children continued to weep.

The Emperor was nearly driven mad. "Go, summon the children from the Eastern Palace and have the younger princes come too. Let them celebrate your birthdays with you."

"No, I don't want to play with them." Chu Hongyu sobbed breathlessly. "They all have mothers, only Changsheng and I have no mother to love us. We're the most pitiful, wuwu..."

The Emperor: "..."

This doesn't work, that doesn't work - what exactly do you want?

"Gao Gonggong, now, immediately, at once, summon Chu Yi to the palace. Let him manage his own children and stop bothering me!"

"Yes!"

Gao Gonggong hurried off to fetch him.

Chu Yi had just exchanged a few words with Yun Chu, not yet having tasted any sweetness, when he was summoned to the palace.

"Yi'er, how could you speak to the children about last night's events?" the Emperor said coldly. "How old are they? What could they possibly understand?"

"The deceased was the mother they recognized. Of course they should know." Chu Yi hung his head, appearing to struggle with grief. "But I was indeed wrong to make them sad and upset on their birthday."

The Emperor's tone softened slightly. "No child in this world can do without a mother's love. I think we must find a mother for Yu Ge'er and Changsheng."

Yin Fei immediately nodded. "Indeed we should. Yi'er, I know you're suffering from losing your beloved, but you cannot remain immersed in sorrow. You must think more of the children."

Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng clung to Chu Yi's legs, weeping with hiccupping sobs.Chu Yi seemed to have made a difficult decision as he raised his head. "If it's for the sake of the two children, I am willing to accept this matter. However, since the one I love has passed away, marrying anyone makes no difference to me. Therefore, I have only one requirement: whoever it is must be liked by both Yu Ge'er and Changsheng. If that is the case, I am willing to welcome her into the household with a grand wedding procession."

Yin Fei was overjoyed.

A noble daughter from a first-rank aristocratic family might not stoop to please two children.

But those daughters from second, third, or even fourth-rank families, in their desire to become the Princess Consort, would undoubtedly go to any lengths to win the children's affection.

As long as Yi'er agreed, could the wedding be far off?

Yin Fei's mood brightened once again.

"Yu Ge'er, Changsheng, did you hear that? Your father has agreed to find you another mother," she said softly. "Don't worry, this mother will surely treat you well. Stop crying now, be good."

Chu Hongyu sniffled and asked, "As long as my sister and I like her, can it be anyone?"

Yin Fei dared not answer this and looked toward the person seated on the dragon throne.

The Emperor tapped the table.

If the woman came from a noble family, she could become a valuable ally for the Third Prince.

If her background was too low... but no matter how low, it would surely be better than a peasant girl.

"Anyone will do," the Emperor said, taking two jade pendants from a tray and handing them to the children. "At the palace's New Year's Eve banquet in a few days, whichever woman you want as your mother, give the pendant to her. Your grandfather will bestow a marriage upon your father and that woman."

The palace's New Year's Eve banquet was only open to officials of the fifth rank and above, along with their families. This meant that no matter how the children chose, the woman would at least come from a fifth-rank official's household.

Though a daughter from a fifth-rank official's residence might not be worthy of the Princess Consort position,

as long as the children liked her,

it would be acceptable to make a concession.

Yin Fei thought the same—no matter what, it would be far better than a peasant girl.

Chu Hongyu clutched the jade pendant and extended his little finger. "Grandfather, you must keep your word. Let's pinky swear."

Fearing the child might start crying again, the Emperor patiently extended his hand and made the promise.

Chu Changsheng also extended her little finger to pinky swear with the Emperor.

And so, the matter was happily settled.

Chu Yi left the two children in the palace and swiftly rode back to his residence.

He passed through the gate and arrived at the entrance to Yun Chu's courtyard. Ting Xue went in to announce him, then allowed him to enter.

"Chu'er!"

Chu Yi walked in.

Yun Chu lifted her face, a smile playing on her lips as she looked at him. "Your Highness, please sit."

"Didn't I ask you to call me Yi Lang?" Chu Yi approached her. "Everyone calls me Your Highness. I want you to be different."

Yun Chu fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then how about I call you Chu Yi?"

Surely no one addressed him so directly.

"Alright," Chu Yi replied, sitting down opposite her. After a pause, he added, "I've wronged you."

He couldn't openly seek her hand in marriage.

He couldn't declare his affection for her to everyone.

He couldn't tell the world that she was the most unique one.

"It's no wrong," Yun Chu said, her lips curving. "I know you're protecting me."

If he told Yin Fei that he wanted to marry her,

she would undoubtedly be scrutinized, harassed, humiliated, and subjected to endless rules...

It would invite many unnecessary troubles.

"His Majesty will bestow the marriage at the New Year's Eve palace banquet," Chu Yi said, gazing intently at her. "Soon, I will be able to welcome you as my wife."His gaze was too fervent, making Yun Chu feel uneasy all over.

She thought of that day's kiss, which had left her dizzy and disoriented.

Fearing things might spiral out of control, she stood up: "The wintersweet outside seems to have bloomed—perfect for cutting a branch to place in a vase."

Chu Yi picked up her cloak, draped it over her shoulders, and walked out with her.

In the courtyard, only a few scattered plum trees stood blooming alone against the cold wind, their elegant fragrance drifting through the air, exceptionally beautiful.

Chu Yi reached out and plucked the reddest blossom from the highest branch, handing it to Yun Chu.

Her face and the plum blossom mirrored each other in rosy hues, stirring the heart.