Chapter 92: Her Heart Was Like Still Water
"Your Highness, it was entirely this humble subject's daughter's fault for failing to properly care for the Young Son. I beg for Your Highness's punishment."
Tan Er Xiaojie's face was ashen, clearly terrified beyond measure.
Upon seeing Prince Pingxi's arrival, she hurried over, curtsying with lowered head, her heart filled with extreme unease.
On his way there, Chu Yi had already been briefed on the entire incident. Although the servants didn't dare explicitly state that the Young Son had falsely accused Tan Er Xiaojie, as the child's father, how could he not understand just how mischievous this child could be?
It came as no surprise to him that the boy would go to such lengths to achieve his goals.
Chu Yi spoke: "It is I who should apologize on behalf of my unworthy son."
Tan Er Xiaojie was somewhat surprised.
Prince Pingxi had achieved remarkable military feats on the battlefield at just fifteen. Everyone in the capital said he had a peculiar temper, yet he seemed quite reasonable to her? Despite her grave mistake, not only was Prince Pingxi not holding it against her, but he was actually apologizing to her?
"Tan Er Xiaojie, I will compensate Minister Tan for the time you've spent these past few days." Chu Yi turned to the servants beside him. "You there, escort Tan Er Xiaojie back to her residence with proper care."
"Yes!"
Two guards and two matrons stepped forward, simultaneously making gestures of invitation.
Tan Er Xiaojie was no fool. Upon hearing Chu Yi's words, she immediately understood: these past few days of being summoned in turn by various members of the royal family had all been for nothing. No matter how satisfied the royal family might have been with her, the Young Son was displeased. Moreover, she had caused the Young Son to fall into the water... This incident alone made it absolutely impossible for Prince Pingxi to marry her.
The only consolation was that Prince Pingxi said he would compensate for her wasted time these past few days. She could only hope this would prove somewhat beneficial to her father's official career.
"Then this humble subject's daughter takes her leave."
Tan Er Xiaojie performed another curtsy before turning to board the carriage.
While Chu Yi and Tan Er Xiaojie were speaking, Yun Chu had already wrapped herself in Ting Feng's garment and stood upright.
She glanced at the little one being carried away by Matron Zheng - still having enough energy to talk, he was probably fine.
She approached Chu Yi, maintaining a distance of about five or six steps, and curtsied: "Thank you for saving me, Your Highness. This humble wife will take her leave now."
"It is I who should thank Madam Xie." Chu Yi looked at her, only able to see her dripping wet hair. "If not for Madam Xie risking her life to save him, my son would likely have... It's about half an hour's journey back to the capital. Madam Xie might catch cold traveling all that way. Coincidentally, I have a manor nearby. Would Madam Xie care to change clothes before departing?"
Yun Chu lowered her head, considering how to refuse.
Just moments ago, she had been held in this man's arms while soaked through. As a married woman, she shouldn't have been so close to another man.
In her previous life, she would have been deeply troubled by this incident, even feeling guilty toward Xie Jingyu.
But now, her heart was like still water - she no longer cared about such matters.
Of course, not caring didn't mean she was willing to follow Prince Pingxi to his manor.
Just as Yun Chu was about to speak,
she felt someone tugging at the hem of her skirt.
Looking down, it was Chu Hongyu.
The little fellow had somehow jumped down from Matron Zheng's arms at some point. Lifting his small head, he said: "Mother, Changsheng drew a dress for you and had the servants make it overnight. She said she'd give it to you as a gift next time she saw you. I'll have someone fetch it from the manor for you to wear right now. It will definitely look especially beautiful on you."
Before Yun Chu could say anything, he ordered A Mao to hurry and fetch it.A Mao vaulted onto a sweat-blood steed and vanished from the path in the blink of an eye.
Upon hearing the young master address Yun Chu as "Mother," Matron Zheng and her retinue were utterly stunned.
Yet their astonishment reached its peak when they noticed the Prince showed not the slightest surprise...
Matron Zheng’s heart gave a sudden jolt—could it be that their Prince favored a woman like Lady Xie?
Heavens, no wonder the Prince had remained unmarried all this time. So that was why...
She turned to cast a warning glance at the maids and servants beside her, signaling that this momentous secret must not be divulged...
Yun Chu’s initially resolute refusal softened instantly upon hearing Changsheng’s name.
Though Changsheng could not speak, she was skilled at painting. Yun Chu found herself genuinely curious about the design of the dress the child had painted—never before had she anticipated a gift with such eagerness.
With so many servants in attendance, it wouldn’t be considered improper.
Chu Yi had a carriage brought forth. Yun Chu boarded with her two maids, while Yu Ke took the reins upfront.
The estate was indeed nearby—Yun Chu felt she had barely settled into the carriage when they arrived. Lifting the curtain, she saw a modest-sized manor.
The advance party had already notified the estate. Servants waited at the gate to welcome them with bows before escorting Yun Chu and her attendants to the nearest courtyard, where hot water and other amenities were prepared.
Ting Shuang, also drenched, went to bathe in the adjacent room.
Ting Feng attended to Yun Chu’s bath.
Being on another’s property, she couldn’t afford the leisure of home. After swiftly cleansing the grime from her skin and hair, she rose immediately.
Just then, a servant sent to the Prince’s residence to fetch clothes returned. A maid knocked and entered, standing respectfully beyond the screen. "Lady Xie, I’ve placed your garments here."
The maid set down the tray and withdrew soundlessly.
Ting Feng shook out the dress and gasped, "Heavens, this gown is exquisite! How is the Little Commandery Princess so talented?"
Yun Chu observed a long skirt made of water-cloud brocade, embroidered with camellias in myriad soft, elegant hues. Though colorful, the palette was subdued and harmonious, evoking a refreshing, delicate beauty.
At the cuff, she spotted two characters: "Yun Chu."
Likely painted by the Little Commandery Princess and embroidered by a seamstress, the childish script was unmistakable.
Besides this dress, the tray held an outer robe identical in color to her previous one—so similar that a casual glance wouldn’t reveal she had changed.
Ting Feng helped her into the dress, styled her hair, and lastly draped the outer robe over her.
Chu Hongyu had been waiting impatiently at the door. Seeing Yun Chu emerge in the robe, he pouted, "Mother, let me see how the dress looks! I want to tell Changsheng all about it when I return home."
Yun Chu lifted the robe slightly, revealing only the hem.
Chu Yi, seated in the pavilion outside the room, found his gaze drifting toward her.
He saw a woman in a rainbow-hued dress standing at the doorway. The flowers, embroidered with gold and silver threads, shimmered as sunlight fell upon her—the skirt glowed, and she herself seemed to radiate light.
As she approached, he even caught the fragrance of her bath.
Realizing what he was doing, Chu Yi swiftly averted his eyes and held his breath. Uncomfortable, he looked into the distance and said, "The carriage is ready. This way, Lady Xie."Yun Chu nodded and followed him out.
Suddenly, her skirt seemed to be stepped on. Before she could check what happened, she felt a push against her lower back, causing her to lose balance and pitch forward uncontrollably.
Chu Yi, who was walking ahead of her, instinctively caught her falling body.
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