Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 33: I Like You So Much

The night was tranquil.

Chu Hongyu was too excited to sleep, wrapping his arms and legs around Yun Chu.

Yun Chu felt utterly overwhelmed. Although she had personally raised Xie Shiyun, he had never dared to be this unrestrained.

"Don't close your eyes, let's talk," the little one insisted, prying her eyelids open as he lay atop her.

"Young Son, do you know what time it is?" Yun Chu said with a headache. "Children who sleep early grow taller. Go to sleep."

"My name is Chu Hongyu. Call me Yu Ge'er—it feels more intimate," the child said softly, wrapping his arms around her neck. "Then what should I call you?"

Yun Chu truly didn’t know how to handle him. "Call me Auntie."

"No, 'Auntie' sounds too distant." Chu Hongyu tilted his head and thought for a while. "Can I call you Mother?"

Yun Chu was startled. "Yu Ge'er, you mustn’t say that again. If someone hears, I’ll be the one in trouble."

The little one quickly added, "I know you’re already married, so you can’t be my mother. Then how about 'Mommy'? When no one is around, I’ll call you Mommy. That way, you won’t get into trouble, right?"

"You..."

The words of refusal lingered on the tip of Yun Chu’s tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Her heart softened completely. She had initially pretended to be cold in hopes that the child would leave sooner, but now she couldn’t control her emotions. She reached out and pulled him into her embrace.

"Mmm, you smell so nice," Chu Hongyu murmured, closing his eyes. "Just like the scent of Mother in my dreams. I really like you so much..."

The child muttered to himself and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Yun Chu gently stroked his head.

This child had the exact same face as the one in her dreams. Her heart had long opened up to him.

How she wished her child were still alive, how she wished her child could be sleeping beside her. But all of it remained nothing more than a futile hope...

Yun Chu slowly fell asleep.

The next day, an itch on the tip of her nose made her sneeze, and she opened her eyes.

There was the little one, holding a thread and deliberately tickling her nose. Seeing her sneeze, he grinned triumphantly.

"Mommy, you’re awake! Good morning."

The word "Mommy" melted any resistance Yun Chu might have felt.

She picked the child up. "Yu Ge'er, get dressed. Let’s have breakfast first."

Chu Hongyu obediently let her dress him, then held her hand and followed her to the side hall.

Because she was ill, those who came to pay their respects were turned away by Ting Shuang at the courtyard gate. The other maids in the courtyard were busy with their tasks, and only the most trusted servants were in the side hall.

"What does Yu Ge'er like to eat?" Yun Chu asked him gently. "These steamed buns with lamb filling are quite tasty. Would you like to try one?"

Chu Hongyu lifted his little chin. "I want you to feed me."

Expecting to be refused, he was surprised when Yun Chu picked up a bun and brought it to his lips. He took a bite. The taste was similar to the buns in his manor, but for some reason, these were exceptionally delicious. He ate one after another—seven or eight in total—all fed to him by Yun Chu herself.

"Mommy, you’re so good to me. I like you so much!"

He had never felt this happy before, as if he were soaking in a jar of honey, like a dream come true.

Yun Chu smiled at him. "Are you full?"Chu Hongyu patted his round little belly. "I've never eaten so much before."

Yun Chu stood up. "Since you're full, it's time to go."

These words struck Chu Hongyu like a bolt from the blue, leaving him stunned in place.

Had this woman suddenly been so kind to him just to smoothly send him away?

The happiness he felt moments ago was now matched by equal sorrow.

His eyes blinked, and tears began falling like golden beans.

Yun Chu maintained her hardened heart. "The Young Son has stayed out overnight. It's time to return."

"Waaah—"

Chu Hongyu suddenly burst into loud sobs, crying until he could barely catch his breath.

Ting Xue spoke up: "Madam, this servant went out early this morning to inquire. Prince Pingxi is currently suppressing bandits in the mountains dozens of miles outside the city and won't be returning to the capital for some time..."

When the third young master was raised by the madam previously, she had been the main maid serving him. She understood the temperament of children this age very well, and she could clearly sense that this Young Son genuinely liked their madam.

The madam had suffered too much. Having someone who sincerely cared for her stay here wouldn't be bad.

She hoped the Young Son could help the madam emerge from her gloom soon...

Ting Shuang also whispered: "The Prince of Pacifying the West Manor remains peaceful, indicating no one knows about the Young Son's disappearance. Madam needn't worry."

Yun Chu sighed.

She suddenly felt some pity for this child.

Only four years old, gone for a whole night, and in that vast manor, not a single person had noticed.

If this child had a mother, how could he have gone missing without anyone realizing?

Ting Feng entered to report: "Madam, the Master has arrived."

Yun Chu checked the time. He should have just finished morning court. Previously, after court, Xie Jingyu would need to handle official duties, then socialize with colleagues after work, typically not returning until dark. But now, with no duties and no social engagements, she could guess why he had come to Sheng Residence at this hour.

She reached out to wipe Chu Hongyu's tears clean and said: "If you want to stay with me, you must behave obediently and not let anyone outside this place discover your presence. Can you do that?"

Chu Hongyu's eyes showed disbelief: "Mother, you're really not sending me away?"

"Only letting you stay temporarily." Yun Chu ruffled his hair. "Stay put quietly. Don't make a sound."

She stood and walked out of the side hall.

Standing on the steps, she saw Xie Jingyu under the corridor eaves.

At twenty-eight, Xie Jingyu still resembled a dashing young man who could attract all the maids' attention.

In her previous life, she had willingly raised so many illegitimate children, secretly hoping that one day Xie Jingyu would notice her.

But the her who had been reborn felt only utter disgust for this man.

"Master, why have you returned to the residence so early?"

Her voice was light as she asked knowingly.

Xie Jingyu inquired with apparent concern: "Is your health better now?"

Yun Chu nodded. "I'm fine."

Seeing her reluctance to say more, Xie Jingyu didn't press further. He paused before saying: "Old Madam's birthday is in two days. Will you be able to attend?"

"My appetite has been poor these days. I fear my presence might affect the guests' enjoyment of the feast. However—" she changed her tone, "since the Xie family didn't hold the flower appreciation banquet this year, this birthday banquet is the only occasion for everyone to gather and enjoy some festivity. Naturally, I should appear to greet the guests. Don't worry, husband."

Xie Jingyu breathed a sigh of relief.He had thought it would take a lot of persuasion, but Yun Chu agreed so readily.

He had been judging a gentleman's heart by his own mean measure.

Just as he was about to speak, Ting Yu suddenly entered the courtyard carrying a bowl of soup: "Madam has been ill for a long time without recovery, so I specially prepared nourishing soup. I didn't expect you to be here too, my lord."

Xie Jingyu's expression remained indifferent: "Take good care of your madam."

After saying this, he turned and left the Sheng Residence.

Watching his retreating figure, Ting Yu's face was full of disappointment. It was rare to encounter the lord, yet they could hardly exchange a word.

Yun Chu had been about to enter the side hall when she saw Ting Yu approaching her with the bowl of soup.