Yun Chu pressed her hand to her forehead.

She had made three identical pendants. If she were to make one for Prince Pingxi as well, what would that mean?

But this matter couldn’t be explained clearly to a child just over four years old.

She took out another bundle and said with a smile, “With the remaining raw jade, I made a set of jewelry for Changsheng and a jade ornament for you.”

“Wow, I love it so much.” Chu Hongyu’s face burst into delight. She had completely forgotten about her royal father and said happily, “I’ll hang this jade ornament on the sword that Imperial Grandfather gave me. It will definitely look especially good.”

The little girl danced around with the jewelry in her hands.

Yun Chu said gently, “Changsheng, let me put it on you to try.”

This was a complete set of jeweled hairpin clusters with gold and jade hair ornaments, suitable for a young woman who had just come of age. Since the little girl was still young, Yun Chu only placed two flower-head hairpins on her.

Chu Hongyu clapped her hands and said, “Beautiful! Little sister looks so beautiful.”

Duling looked and said, “Chu Chu, I remember when you came of age, you also wore such a set of flower cluster gold and jade hair ornaments. The young county princess looks somewhat like you… especially the young county princess’s eyes—they’re similar, truly too similar, as if carved from the same mold… No, the more I look, the more I feel that you and the young county princess look alike, Chu Chu—the nose, mouth, face shape…”

Yun Chu’s fingers suddenly froze.

Her mother and eldest sister-in-law had also mentioned that she and Changsheng looked alike.

Now Duling was saying the same thing.

Not long ago at the hot spring estate, when she had fallen unconscious after mistakenly eating wild mushrooms, Prince Pingxi had mentioned that Changsheng had also had a major incident because of wild mushrooms when she was young.

Over four years ago on that snowy day, she had given birth to a pair of twins.

That same year, Prince Pingxi had gained a pair of children.

An incredible thought emerged from Yun Chu’s mind.

Could it be possible?

It was too absurd…

Her hands began trembling uncontrollably.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, but still couldn’t calm the blood rushing in her chest.

“Auntie Yun, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Chu Hongyu’s voice was full of concern.

Opening her eyes, she saw her own face reflected in the child’s large eyes. In his world, it seemed there was only her…

She forced herself to smile and said, “I heard your royal father say that you and Changsheng were born in winter. Which day is your birthday? Tell me in advance so I can prepare gifts for you.”

“I don’t know.” Chu Hongyu blinked her eyes. “I don’t want any gifts. I just want Auntie Yun to be with me that day.”

Yun Chu looked at him. “Then when we arrive, go ask your royal father what day you were born, all right?”

Chu Hongyu nodded vigorously.

It was already autumn now. By the coldest time of winter, it would be his and Changsheng’s fifth birthday. With mother accompanying them, this birthday would surely be especially different.

The two children were young and soon fell asleep in the swaying carriage.

One slept on Yun Chu, the other lay on Duling.

Duling said in a low voice, “Chu Chu, you’re getting so close to Prince Pingxi’s manor—is this the Yun family’s choice?”

Yun Chu said, “I’m a married woman. My actions cannot represent the Yun family.”

“But will the Empress think so?” Duling asked. “The Young Lord specifically went to the palace to request that the Empress issue an edict inviting you to come along. The two children even made a special trip to your carriage. This matter probably won’t escape the Empress’s notice either. The Empress will definitely think that the Yun family has already boarded Prince Pingxi’s boat.”

Yun Chu looked at her and said, “Then what about the Du family and the Ji family? Which boat have they boarded?”

Duling sighed. “Both the Du and Ji families are unwilling to get involved in the succession struggle, but no matter who they refuse, the other side will think they’ve turned to another faction. Invisibly, they’ve offended all the princes. My father’s intention is to be loyal to whichever Crown Prince His Majesty chooses. Whoever is the Crown Prince, the Ji family and Du family will support him.”

Yun Chu shook her head.

In her previous life when she died, the Crown Prince’s power was weak, sustained only by the Empress. It was only a matter of time before he was replaced. If the Crown Prince fell, the Du family would probably also…

As someone reborn, her lifespan in the previous life had been too short. She only knew which princes had been defeated, but didn’t know who had ultimately sat on that throne.

Choosing which boat was, for her, also a choice of fate.

One careless step and everything would be lost.

“Why talk about these things?” Duling changed the subject. “This isn’t something we women should worry about. Help me see, how can I make my hair ornaments look even better?”

Yun Chu had to admire her friend’s carefree nature. She said with a smile, “They’re already perfect.”

“Being with you, the capital’s foremost beauty, I must pay attention to my appearance, lest I be overshadowed by you.” Duling adjusted her hair. “Oh right, Xiaoying’s marriage has been decided.”

Du Ying’s future husband was the son of the Left Vice Director of the Censorate—quite a good family background.

Yun Chu thought about it but couldn’t recall what had become of this family in her previous life. However, no matter what, it was still better than becoming Princess An’jing.

The two chatted like this, talking about everything under the sun. Chatting and chatting, they finally arrived at the Yan Mountain area.

This was imperial land. Every autumn, people would gather here for hunting. The mountain had already been enclosed as a hunting ground, with tigers, leopards, and similar wild beasts driven away, leaving only herbivorous animals and small prey like rabbits and wild chickens.

The accompanying servants began setting up camp, while the masters prepared to begin hunting.

Yun Chu stood silently at the outermost edge of the crowd. She didn’t understand how these people had such good energy. After sitting in a carriage for most of the day, jolted until their bodies were nearly falling apart, how could they still have the strength to go hunting…

The Emperor, mounted on a tall horse, said, “There’s less than an hour until sunset. With one incense stick as the limit, whoever hunts the most prey will receive my prize.”

The princes, important officials, and young masters of meritorious families all enthusiastically cheered in support, creating quite a lively scene.

Yun Chu saw Prince An’jing following behind the Emperor, dressed in riding attire, in high spirits. Xie Ping’s eyes seemed glued to Prince An’jing.

She also saw Prince Pingxi. Among all the princes, Prince Pingxi’s figure was too conspicuous, because the other princes all followed scholarly pursuits. The Crown Prince was highly learned, the Second Prince had a reputation for virtue, the Fourth Prince’s build was still slender, and the other princes were even younger…

Prince Pingxi’s figure was upright and imposing—not brutish, but dignified; not coarse, but majestic. One could tell at a glance he was a martial artist…

As she was looking, suddenly the man on horseback turned his gaze toward her.

She was startled—she had actually been unconsciously staring at Prince Pingxi for quite a while.

She quickly produced a smile and pointed to the side, telling Prince Pingxi that the two children had already been taken away by their nursemaids.

Prince Pingxi’s lips curved, also revealing a smile in response.

“Third Brother?” Prince Gongxi looked at him and couldn’t help saying, “I think this is the first time I’ve seen Third Brother smile.”

Third Brother always had an ice-cold expression. Of course there were times he smiled, but they were either cold smiles or faint smiles—in any case, they never reached his eyes.

But this smile now was clearly one from inside out, with pleasure filling his eyes and brows.