Chapter 72: Agreeing to Marry a Princess Consort
Before long, the two children finally settled down and sat in their seats eating snacks.
Lady Yin accompanied Yun Chu in drinking tea and said, "Yi'er is often away on business and rarely spends time with the children. It would be better if there were a Princess Consort, but Yi'er is stubborn as a mule and refuses to marry one no matter what. It's just hard on the children not having a mother's love."
Otherwise, why would they cling to Lady Xie calling her mother?
"The Prince probably has his own considerations," Yun Chu knew that in his previous life, Prince Pingxi remained unmarried until his thirties or forties, and if nothing unexpected happened, this life would likely be the same.
Children indeed need a mother, but no one could guarantee whether the future Princess Consort would truly care for these two children.
Prince Pingxi had probably considered this point, which was why he delayed marrying.
While the two of them were discussing this matter, Chu Yi and Lord Yin were also talking about it in the study.
"Yi'er, you're twenty-five this year. It's time to bring up the matter of marriage," Lord Yin took a sip of tea and said. "A few days ago, your aunt entered the palace, and Yin Pin gave her a list, asking her to help select a few women for you to consider. Your aunt was afraid you'd be displeased and didn't dare to handle this matter. In the past, you refused, but now, as you can see, Yu Ge'er and Changsheng are in great need of a mother's companionship. Do you mean that every time the children want a mother, you'll have them see Lady Xie?"
Lord Yin shook his head. "Once or twice is fine, and Lady Xie won't say anything. But if this goes on for a long time, do you think Lady Xie might grow resentful? After all, they are the children of Prince Pingxi Manor. Why should an unrelated person always have to comfort them? Moreover, General Yun is on good terms with you. If you frequently invite Lady Xie to the Yin residence, it might be seen by those with ill intentions and could damage Lady Xie's reputation. Eventually, it might affect your friendship with General Yun as well."
Chu Yi looked up.
Outside the window was the pavilion where Lady Yin and Yun Chu were sitting and drinking tea, while the two children were squatting on the ground, unsure of what they were playing.
The children would occasionally look up at Yun Chu while playing, then continue with their own activities.
Changsheng, who had been depressed these past few days, now showed no signs of being a child who resisted communication. Her eyes were shining, and a smile graced her lips.
He could sense that Changsheng genuinely liked Lady Xie.
If Lady Xie were not yet married...
At this thought, Chu Yi was startled. How could such an idea cross his mind?
He spoke, "I understand Uncle's thoughtful concern. Let's proceed according to my mother's wishes."
Lord Yin was incredulous at first, then overjoyed. "Good, good, good! Once your aunt selects suitable candidates, she will send their portraits for your review."
Chu Yi drained the tea in front of him in one gulp.
Seeing that it was about time, he finally left the study and walked to the edge of the pavilion.
Noticing his arrival, Yun Chu suddenly realized that it was almost evening. Time had flown by so quickly while she was with the children.
"Your Highness, this subject's wife should take her leave," Yun Chu had just spoken these words when she felt two pairs of arms wrap around her legs. Looking down, she saw the two children gazing at her with tearful eyes.
She crouched down, patting the little ones' heads. "Young Son, Little Commandery Princess, it's getting late. You should head back as well."
"No!" Chu Hongyu's nose tingled with emotion. "Aunt Yun, I don't want to go back. Don't you go back either. Let's stay together forever!"Although Chu Changsheng couldn't speak, she clung to Yun Chu with both arms and legs, fully expressing her thoughts through action.
"Chu Hongyu, Chu Changsheng." Chu Yi's voice was cold as he spoke. "What did you promise me when we invited Madam Xie to come?"
His stern tone made both children immediately release Yun Chu and stand obediently to the side, their dark eyes gazing pitifully at her.
Yun Chu forced a smile. "Young Son, Little Commandery Princess, we'll meet again next time."
Now that her relationship with the two children was out in the open, it should be easier to see them in the future.
She steeled herself and turned to leave.
Chu Yi escorted her out, while Lady Yin quickly followed to avoid any improper appearances.
At the mansion gate, Yun Chu turned and bowed in farewell once more.
"Thank you for being willing to come, Madam Xie," Chu Yi said. "Your eldest son's name will be on this autumn's Imperial College student roster."
Yun Chu understood immediately.
After Xie Shi'an achieved the top score in the examinations, he should have naturally become an Imperial College student. However, because the Xie family had offended Marquis Xuanwu, who had manipulated the situation behind the scenes, that placement had been lost.
But now, since she had soothed Prince Pingxi's two children, the prince was willing to intervene out of gratitude and restore this opportunity to the Xie family.
Yun Chu lowered her head. "I came because I genuinely care for the Young Son and Little Commandery Princess, not to use the children to gain anything. Your Highness's gesture insults the sincerity of my affection for them. Please withdraw your offer."
Chu Yi frowned. "This rightfully belongs to your Xie family."
"Gaining something is fortune, losing it is fate. Nothing in this world inherently belongs to anyone," Yun Chu said calmly. "If Your Highness truly wishes to thank me, then please devote more attention to the Young Son and Little Commandery Princess. I take my leave."
With these words, she turned and entered the carriage.
In the evening sunset, the Xie family carriage gradually disappeared down the lane.
"Madam Xie is truly a gentle and magnanimous person," Lady Yin couldn't help remarking. "Yi'er, you should marry someone like her."
Chu Yi shook his head. "Aunt, please don't say such things anymore."
He didn't want to tarnish Madam Xie's reputation.
He entered the courtyard and beckoned to the children. "Come, it's time to go home."
Chu Hongyu reluctantly walked toward him, but after a few steps realized his sister wasn't following. Looking back, he saw her head bowed, playing with her hands as usual—her fingers twisting and turning like flowers. This was his sister's favorite activity, something she could sometimes do all day, which was particularly concerning.
He walked over and called loudly, "Changsheng! Let's go home!"
Hearing his voice, the little girl woodenly raised her head, her dark eyes slowly shifting before she finally took her brother's hand and walked toward Chu Yi.
Chu Yi's heart ached.
Just moments ago, Changsheng had been a lively little girl.
But after Madam Xie left, she had reverted to her usual self—always dazed, as if unable to hear the outside world, unresponsive to everything.
Chu Yi knelt down. "Changsheng, let Father hold you."
The little girl tightly clutched Chu Hongyu's hand, not even glancing at him.
He sighed. "The kitten I promised you has just arrived at the mansion. You can see it when we get back."
Only then did Chu Changsheng's eyes show a flicker of response, and she extended her small arms toward Chu Yi.
He lifted the tiny girl into his embrace.In her world, there used to be only her brother and the cat, but now Lady Xie was added.
He spoke: "Changsheng, Yu Ge'er, your father has decided to find you a mother consort. Let's choose one together."
"Let Aunt Yun be our mother consort!" Chu Hongyu said happily. "Both Changsheng and I like Aunt Yun. You'll surely like her too, Father."
Chu Yi's expression remained indifferent: "She is already married. Choose someone else."
"Can't she marry again?" Chu Hongyu asked eagerly. "I really like her so much."
Chu Yi said nothing more.
He thought of that year when he was fifteen, following General Yun on the expedition. She stood on the city wall seeing them off—back then, she was only ten years old.
Five years later, when he returned to the capital with General Yun after the campaign, he went straight to the Yun residence with the general and drank at her wedding banquet.
Just like that, she was married.
Many things were too late to ponder, and there was no way to ponder them.
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