“If Your Highness goes to the southern frontier to search for my father, I only have three words—that’s not necessary.” Yun Chu approached. “Before my father went south, he had someone cast a divination. This journey would have some turbulence, but ultimately everyone would be happy. There’s no need to worry excessively. If Your Highness goes to the southern frontier at this time, I’m afraid it will invite various suspicions and schemes. I’m mainly worried about the impact on the two children.”

Chu Yi glanced at Yun Chu.

Then looked at Lin Shi.

He truly didn’t see any worry or anxiety in their eyes.

It was as if General Yun’s disappearance wasn’t a big deal at all.

At this moment, Yun Ze also walked over. “My father is a military genius. Nothing will happen to him. Your Highness needn’t be concerned.”

He had previously misunderstood Chu Yi.

He had thought Chu Yi was the same type as Xie Jingyu and Qin Mingheng.

Only now did he realize Chu Yi was also a victim.

He felt apologetic for the thoughts he had harbored before.

“Your Highness, let’s go have some tea.”

Yun Ze and Chu Yi went to the front courtyard. Servants brought tea, and the two sat facing each other.

“I wonder if Your Highness has ever thought about sitting in that highest position?”

Chu Yi took a sip of clear tea.

A few days earlier, he might have shaken his head.

But after that moment—

The moment when Father Emperor ignored his advice and stamped the jade seal on the marriage decree—a desire for power truly arose in his heart.

The current ruler was his Father Emperor, who wouldn’t deliver a fatal blow to him.

But if it were Crown Prince Brother or Second Imperial Brother, what would his fate be?

Chu Yi’s expression turned cold and heavy.

“Imperial princes competing for succession—nine deaths for every life. My Yun family never thought of participating, but now, the Yun family has no choice in the matter.” Yun Ze shook his head. “The Eighth Prince will go to his fief in the future and can stay away from these disputes, but you, Your Highness—before His Majesty closes his eyes, he probably won’t let you go to a place as far as Luochuan for enfeoffment.”

Chu Yi’s eyes darkened. “Are you saying the Yun family has decided?”

“For Yu’er and Changsheng’s sake, does my Yun family have any other choice?” Yun Ze smiled. “As long as Your Highness can guarantee Yu’er’s position as heir, my Yun family will do our duty without hesitation.”

The implied meaning in these words was already very clear.

Chu Yi naturally understood.

He raised his teacup. “I’ll substitute tea for wine and drink it down.”

Yun Ze clinked cups with him and drained his tea in one gulp.

A momentous matter was settled over tea.

That very evening, Chu Yi was summoned to the palace by imperial decree and was naturally scolded bloody by the Emperor.

For the sake of one woman, giving up princely enfeoffment, title, and fief, and even moving out of the residence—it was utterly ridiculous.

Yun Chu couldn’t guess how His Majesty would punish him.

After all, for someone who wanted nothing anymore, any punishment seemed unimportant.

Moreover, Chu Yi was an imperial prince whom His Majesty greatly valued. No matter how he was punished, it wouldn’t really be severe.

Yun Chu didn’t think much about this problem.

Yu’er still had to attend the Imperial Academy.

Because of her physical condition, Changsheng had no academic arrangements. Apart from painting, she didn’t know anything.

Yun Chu took out a Three Character Classic. First, she read it to the child herself. After Changsheng became familiar with listening, she taught the child to read along slowly, word by word.

“At birth, human nature is fundamentally good.” She was extremely patient. “This means that everyone is born a kind person…”

The little girl had limited stamina. Reading and reading, she tilted her head and fell asleep.

Yun Chu smiled tenderly, carried the child to the couch, and gently covered her with a blanket.

“Miss, Prince Pingxi has arrived.”

Tingxue tiptoed in to report.

Yun Chu stood and walked out, seeing Chu Yi standing on the other side of the gate opening.

As she drew closer, she saw a faint red handprint on the man’s face. Presumably, he had received a slap from His Majesty.

Chu Yi uncomfortably shifted his body slightly.

How did he feel like he was always getting beaten—if not with the paddle, then with slaps?

It was really a bit embarrassing.

Yun Chu made a gesture to Tingxue.

Tingxue quickly brought over a jar of medicinal ointment.

“Your Highness can apply this ointment.” Yun Chu handed it over. “In about two days, it won’t be visible anymore.”

Chu Yi had actually already obtained ointment from Consort Yin, but that didn’t prevent him from taking another jar. “Thank you, Miss Yun.”

He carefully put away the ointment, then lightly clapped his hands.

Chengxu appeared from behind, holding a dog in his arms. He passed through the gate opening and walked before Yun Chu.

Just as he passed through, he suddenly realized something was wrong and immediately retreated, standing behind Chu Yi again. He coughed and said, “His Highness has ordered that without Miss Yun’s instruction, people from the Prince’s residence must not cross this boundary.”

Yun Chu: “…”

No wonder this man had been standing on that side of the gate opening talking to her.

A bit strange.

She stepped aside. “Your Highness, please.”

Only then did Chu Yi nod and step through the gate opening.

Clearly it was the same sky, the same ground, and the same distance from Yun Chu herself, but after crossing through this gate, even his mood was different.

Yun Chu’s gaze fell on the dog in Chengxu’s arms.

Looking at this dog, it seemed somewhat familiar.

“Does it look very similar to the dog you saved when you were young?” Chu Yi spoke. “That dog has returned to your side in a different form.”

This was a little puppy, very small, fluffy, nestled in Chengxu’s embrace.

Yun Chu reached out her hand. The puppy sniffed at her hand. Perhaps because she had just fed Changsheng some pastries and the scent lingered, the puppy licked her finger.

She took the opportunity to hold the puppy. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The dog she had saved in childhood ultimately died before her eyes—it was a small regret.

And now, even such a small regret had been filled by someone.

Chu Yi gazed steadily at her. “Why doesn’t Miss Yun give the puppy a name?”

“What should I call it?” Yun Chu stroked the puppy’s head. “What does Your Highness think?”

At this moment, Chu Yi had an illusion, as if the two of them were naming a child belonging to both of them.

“It has a patch of white fur on its head. How about calling it Snow Wolf?” After thinking for a moment, Chu Yi said, “I hope it will become a dog that can rival wolves in the future.”

“Then let’s call it Snow Wolf.” Yun Chu smiled gracefully. “Changsheng will definitely like Snow Wolf.”

Mentioning Changsheng, Chu Yi spoke. “Changsheng now receives acupuncture once every half month. This afternoon she needs to go to the hot spring estate for acupuncture.”

Yun Chu’s heart suddenly tightened.

But she knew this was a process Changsheng had to go through.

She nodded. “I’ll take Changsheng there.”

“I’ll go with you.” Chu Yi paused before saying, “Doctor Bi said after about three more months of acupuncture, the treatment will probably be finished. Don’t worry.”

After finishing the midday meal, Yun Chu and Chu Yi took the two children together to the hot spring estate in the capital’s outskirts.

The carriage passed through the capital’s most bustling street. Chu Hongyu couldn’t help lifting the carriage curtain to look outside. “Wow, so lively! I really want to get off and play. Mother, when we return after sister’s acupuncture is finished, can we stroll around the street?”

Yun Chu gently agreed. “Alright.”

Her gaze swept past the carriage window and she suddenly froze.

She actually saw Tingyu.

After leaving the Xie family, apart from occasionally hearing news about Xie Shi’an’s movements from Ganlai, she hadn’t cared about how the other Xie family members were doing.

She saw Tingyu dressed in new clothes, seemingly the peach-red outfit she wore after becoming Concubine Yu back then—probably Tingyu’s most expensive garment.

With the Xie family fallen to such a state, why was Tingyu dressed like this? Where was she going?

Yun Chu kept this matter in mind. She would have Ganlai inquire about it later.