Chapter 286: The Prince's Mansion's Er Momo
The spring dawn arrived gradually earlier.
By the time Chu Yi opened his eyes, daylight had already appeared outside.
This was the first time in so many years that he had slept until this hour.
He looked at the woman beside him. Her dark hair was scattered messily across the pillow, her cool and elegant face still deep in sleep, exuding a touch of laziness.
He couldn't resist gently kissing Yun Chu's forehead.
Only then did he rise quietly, drape his clothes over himself, and walk outside. Two maids were guarding the door, about to enter, when Chu Yi said softly, "Wait half an hour before going in to attend."
Ting Xue and Ting Feng acknowledged the order and continued standing with bowed heads.
"Your Highness, it's getting late. It's time to enter the palace to express gratitude for the imperial favor," Er Momo entered the main courtyard, lowering her head as she spoke. "This old servant will go in to assist the Princess Consort with her washing."
Although she referred to herself as an old servant, she wasn't actually old. In her forties, with jet-black hair meticulously coiled atop her head, she looked at people from the corners of her eyes, appearing quite imposing.
Last night, when the Prince and Princess Consort requested hot water, Er Momo had insisted on carrying a bucket of hot water into the inner chamber, but Ting Xue had firmly stopped her.
And now, Er Momo wanted to enter again. With the Prince present, Ting Xue knew it wasn't her place to speak.
Clenching her palms, pursing her lips, she quickly considered countermeasures.
"The Princess Consort's courtyard is under Ting Xue's management," Chu Yi said calmly. "Has Ting Xue arranged for Er Momo to enter and serve?"
Ting Xue couldn't help but be startled.
Er Momo was the Prince's wet nurse, in charge of the entire rear courtyard of the Prince's mansion, which naturally included the servants of the main courtyard.
Was the Prince really making the wet nurse follow her arrangements?
Er Momo was also taken aback.
She was the Prince's person. By actively offering to serve the Princess Consort with her washing, she was acknowledging the Princess Consort as her mistress.
But the Prince was using some young, inexperienced maid to pressure her. How could she maintain authority in front of the Princess Consort's dowry attendants from now on?
The Prince had grown up drinking her milk. After taking a wife, he no longer regarded her at all. Was it because the Princess Consort had whispered in his ear?
Er Momo lowered her head: "This old servant has overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Just as she spoke, two children came running in from outside.
Zheng Momo followed behind: "Oh, you little ancestors, slow down, be careful not to fall..."
"Father is up!" Chu Hongyu offered this as a greeting, holding his sister's hand as they ran up the steps.
Chu Yi scooped them both into his arms: "Your mother is still sleeping. Don't go in and disturb her."
Inside the room, Yun Chu sat up covering her face.
It was bad enough that she had gotten up later than Chu Yi, but now even the children were awake while she was still sleeping. She truly had no face to show anyone.
She draped a garment over herself, threw off the covers, and got up, coughing lightly.
Ting Xue and Ting Feng immediately said, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort is awake. We'll go in to attend to her."
Chu Yi nodded, picked up the two children, and followed them inside.
Er Momo remained outside, her eyes darkening.
Zheng Momo, standing nearby, spoke up: "Perhaps Er Momo doesn't know, but the two young masters greatly adore the Princess Consort. For this reason alone, His Highness will always respect the Princess Consort."
Er Momo said softly, "Have you considered what will happen if the Princess Consort has her own legitimate son?"
Zheng Momo fell silent.
If a woman has children of her own, she will inevitably scheme to secure benefits for her biological children.
And what is the greatest benefit in the Prince's mansion? Naturally, it's the position of heir."No matter what, this is not something you or I should worry about," said Zheng Momo. "Just focus on doing your own tasks well, and don't interfere with other matters."
Er Momo pressed her lips together.
"Mother, I miss you so much..."
Chu Hongyu kicked off his shoes and climbed up, nestling into Yun Chu's arms.
Ever since his mother had moved back to the Yun residence, although he could often visit, it wasn't as comfortable as when they had lived together before.
Finally, when his mother married into the prince's residence, Zheng Momo said he could no longer sleep with his mother.
"Mother, I don't want my own courtyard, not at all," the little one snuggled against Yun Chu. "I'm only five, still a child. I'll be scared sleeping alone. I want to sleep with Mother."
Chu Changsheng nodded: "Today... brother and I... sleep here."
Chu Yi's face darkened, and he was about to speak.
But Yun Chu hugged both children and said: "Alright, you'll sleep with Mother tonight."
"Then what about me?" Chu Yi asked with a dark expression. "Where do I sleep?"
"Ah, Father, you can sleep anywhere," Chu Hongyu tilted his head. "If there's really no place, you can sleep in my courtyard. Zheng Momo said my courtyard is in the Star Observation Pavilion."
Chu Yi: "..."
Yun Chu couldn't help but laugh.
With Ting Xue and Ting Feng's assistance, Yun Chu quickly finished dressing and grooming.
The couple brought the two children into the palace to express their gratitude.
The carriage soon arrived at the palace gate. Yin Fei had specially arranged sedans for the children to ride in. They first went to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to thank the Empress.
The Empress wore a gentle smile as she drank the tea offered by Yun Chu, then gave gifts according to protocol.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yun Chu curtsied and accepted the gifts, then took a pair of shoes from her maid and presented them to the Empress.
The Empress examined them and expressed her liking.
This was all ceremonial, and both parties appeared to have a pleasant conversation.
Next, they went to pay respects to Yin Fei at the Everlasting Autumn Palace.
Just as they were about to leave, crying sounds came from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, you must stand up for the Sixth Prince..." Consort Yuan cried as she entered, her makeup streaked with tears, clearly not feigning her grief.
The Empress immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation and quickly asked: "Sister Yuan, what has happened?"
"Yesterday, the Sixth Prince attended the Third Prince's wedding banquet. On his way back to his residence in the evening, something terrible happened." Consort Yuan sobbed breathlessly. "I just received the news that the Sixth Prince's ear was torn off... The Sixth Prince is of royal blood, how dare someone commit such violence against imperial lineage right under the Emperor's nose..."
Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng shrank back in fear, hiding in Yun Chu's arms.
Chu Yi frowned: "The banquet ended around the end of You hour yesterday evening. The streets were still lively then. How could such a thing happen?"
The Empress's expression turned grave: "Consort Yuan, accompany me to see the Emperor."
As the mother of the nation and legal mother to all princes, she would be held responsible if anything happened to a prince, and needed to take immediate action.
Consort Yuan wiped her tears: "The Emperor is currently in court session. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to seek Your Majesty's help."
"Then we'll wait outside the Golden Chime Hall."
The Empress stood up and walked out, with Consort Yuan immediately following.
Yun Chu and Chu Yi also led the children out of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. On their way to the Everlasting Autumn Palace, Yun Chu asked quietly: "What do you think about this matter?"Chu Yi said slowly, "The sixth prince has an ostentatious temperament. While he was still in the palace, palace regulations kept him in check. But after being enfeoffed as a prince and moving out of the palace, he often bullied men and women at will. It's only natural that someone would seek revenge. I just wonder who would dare to be so bold."
Yun Chu nodded. "Since the sixth prince, Cheng Wang, encountered trouble on our wedding day, you should step forward and investigate thoroughly."
Chu Yi tightened his grip on her hand. "We finally have three days off. During these three days, I want to spend quality time with you. Nothing should disturb us."
Yun Chu's face suddenly flushed red.
Looking up, they had arrived at the Everlasting Autumn Palace. She quickly withdrew her hand.
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