Yun Chu arranged for people to keep watch over Xie Shi’an.

Then she boarded the carriage and set out, heading to Prince Pingxi’s residence.

She had added one more task to her daily routine, which was to pick up the two children to have dinner together. This would be the time she looked forward to most each day, and also the happiest thing.

The carriage arrived at its destination, and Yun Chu descended from the vehicle, having someone go inside to announce her arrival.

After standing for only a short while, she heard cheerful laughter. Without even looking, she knew it was Brother Yu.

She raised her head and saw the father and two sons walking out. Chu Yi was holding Changsheng in one arm and leading Brother Yu by the hand with the other.

Brother Yu quickly broke free from his grasp and scurried toward Yun Chu with rapid steps, throwing himself into her embrace.

Changsheng also climbed down from his father’s body and rushed toward Yun Chu.

“Mother.”

“Mother.”

The two little ones each secretly called out to her by her ear.

Yun Chu stroked their heads, stood up and said, “Your Highness, then I’ll take them with me first.”

“Ahem.” Chu Yi raised his hand to his lips and coughed. “The cook at the prince’s residence fell ill today. If Miss Yun doesn’t mind, may I come along as well?”

The head chef of the prince’s residence, who was currently braising pork knuckles, let out a loud sneeze.

Upon seeing the person before her, Yun Chu’s mood became complicated.

Toward Xie Jingyu and Qin Mingheng, she felt pure hatred and disgust. Toward Prince Pingxi, because of the two children, she added gratitude, and her emotions became somewhat complex.

Qin Mingheng had said that Prince Pingxi was a coward.

The word “coward,” applied to the man before her eyes, was clearly inappropriate.

However, he had indeed done such things, yet could act as if nothing had happened…

Was he really plotting to use the children as bargaining chips, truly planning to use them to make the Yun family surrender their allegiance?

He concealed it too well. If not for various coincidences and the natural mother-child connection, she would even doubt Qin Mingheng’s words…

Perhaps she could doubt Qin Mingheng a bit?

Seeing Yun Chu remain silent the whole time, Chu Yi spoke again, “Is it inconvenient?”

Last night, he had gathered several ministers for a late-night discussion. The Vice Minister of Personnel had said that the reason he won his wife’s heart back then was because he appeared before her every day.

That’s why he proposed to go along with the children.

He knew it went against propriety.

But it was precisely because etiquette and upbringing were carved into his bones.

So when Yun Chu had not yet reached the age of hairpin ceremony, he never dared reveal his feelings.

By the time she came of age, he was far away on the western frontier battlefield. When he returned to the capital, it was the day of her wedding.

He had missed too much.

He was unwilling to miss out again because of propriety.

“There’s nothing inconvenient.” Yun Chu spoke. “What kind of food does Your Highness prefer? I’ll have someone prepare it in advance.”

Chu Yi’s tightly clenched fist instantly relaxed. “I’ll follow the host’s arrangements. Anything is fine with me.”

Yun Chu nodded, took the children’s hands and boarded the carriage, while Chu Yi rode his horse alongside.

Yulin Alley was just behind the Yun family residence, not far from Prince Pingxi’s residence either, so they quickly arrived at the courtyard entrance.

The two children had been here once before and were already familiar with the place. Holding hands, they rushed in to find the cats and rabbits to play with. Yun Chu, meanwhile, instructed the servants to add a few more dishes.

Chu Yi stood at the main courtyard entrance and looked left and right. A peaceful retreat amidst the bustle—it was indeed a good place.

Stepping inside, he could see that this courtyard had been carefully renovated. The landscaping layout, flowers and trees, artificial hills and flowing water in the courtyard… every detail showed thoughtful consideration.

In other words, Yun Chu would at least come to this courtyard frequently in the future; otherwise, she wouldn’t have spent the time renovating it.

Chu Yi thought of what the Chief Censor had said last night—he and his wife were next-door neighbors, childhood playmates who naturally got married when they grew up.

He pondered whether he should buy the small courtyard to the right of this one, so that future matters would be more convenient…

“Your Highness, please sit.”

Yun Chu had someone bring tea and water, then without turning her head, went to find the two children.

The cats and rabbits kept in the courtyard were all very docile. No matter how much Brother Yu hugged and played with them, the small animals didn’t get angry, and the two children had a wonderful time.

After playing for about a quarter of an hour, dinner was ready.

Yun Chu had the servants set up a table in the side hall for Chu Yi to dine alone, while she sat with the two children on the other side in the flower hall.

The two dining locations were separated by a long corridor with a wall in between.

Chu Yi sat there alone, only occasionally able to hear the brat’s loud laughter. He couldn’t see Yun Chu, nor could he even hear her voice.

He instantly lost his appetite.

But he worried that Yun Chu might think he disdained the food here, which would make it difficult for him to come again next time.

Therefore, he could only steel himself and eat two large bowls of rice.

While the atmosphere on Chu Yi’s side was gloomy, the two children ate with particular joy. Both were premature babies with generally small appetites, but today they each ate two bowls.

“Mother…” Chu Hongyu, afraid his father would hear, said in a low voice, “If only I could sleep here, I really want to be with Mother every moment.”

“I… I want to too…”

Chu Changsheng mimicked his brother and said.

Yun Chu’s eyes suddenly reddened. Didn’t she want that too?

But now was not the time yet.

“That day will come…” She embraced the two treasures. “Before that day arrives, us spending time together like this is already very good.”

Chu Hongyu detected the sadness in her voice, but even more so, the hope.

After the meal ended, Yun Chu led the two children out from the flower hall and handed them over to their father.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Yun.” Chu Yi looked at her and said, “If there’s an opportunity, I hope to host, and have Miss Yun as a guest. I’ll certainly make Miss Yun feel at home.”

Yun Chu didn’t refuse. “Alright.”

On the return journey, Chu Yi didn’t ride his horse but sat in the carriage with the two children instead.

It was now dusk, and the golden autumn sunset shone down from the western sky. Lifting the carriage curtain, he could see Yun Chu standing at the small courtyard entrance. Her features appeared especially gentle in the sunset glow.

He deeply imprinted this beautiful countenance in his heart.

“Father, you’re blocking me!” Chu Hongyu pushed him aside with one motion, stuck his own head out, and shouted loudly, “Auntie Yun, see you tomorrow!”

Chu Changsheng imitated his brother’s manner and waved, stuttering, “Good… goodbye…”

The carriage left Yulin Alley and turned a corner. Only after they could no longer see Yun Chu’s figure did the two children sit properly.

Chu Yi spoke in a calm voice, “Brother Yu, do you really want to stay with her all the time?”

Chu Hongyu stuck out his tongue. “Wow, how does Father know my thoughts? You’re really like a tapeworm in my belly.”

Chu Yi: “…”

This brat really needed a good beating every three days or he’d tear the roof off.

He quirked his lips. “I have a way for you to be with her forever. Do you want to hear it?”

Chu Hongyu immediately leaned closer. “Father, stop being mysterious and tell me quickly!”

“Marry her and bring her home.” Chu Yi said steadily. “But this path is very difficult. I need your help.”

He thought he would receive his son’s full support.

Unexpectedly, the brat’s face showed a contemptuous expression. “Rather than counting on Father, I’d be better off counting on myself. Auntie Yun likes me so much that as long as I wait until I grow up, Auntie Yun will definitely marry me. I don’t need anyone’s help to marry Auntie Yun. Father is not even as good as me, a child. Hmph!”

Chu Yi: “…”