Yun Chu looked down at Changsheng’s waist.

She had used the red jade that Chu Yi first gave her to make three pendants—one each for herself and the two children, all hanging at their waists.

Now the red jade pendant belonging to Changsheng was missing.

She looked toward the Crown Prince’s second daughter, only to see the child hiding behind the Crown Princess, not daring to show her face at all.

She extended her hand, suppressing her anger: “Return it.”

“I didn’t take it.” The Crown Prince’s second daughter poked out half her head. “She can’t even speak clearly yet, but she’s already learned to frame people!”

The Crown Princess said mildly: “The Eastern Palace has everything. Lan’er isn’t a shallow-minded child. That thing must have been dropped somewhere. Have people search carefully for it.”

Yun Chu raised her head, looked into the distance, and called out: “Yu’er, come help Changsheng find her red jade pendant.”

After finishing his meal, Chu Hongyu had been looking for Yun Chu. Hearing her call him, he came running over. Only when he got close did he notice the atmosphere was wrong, and moreover, his sister’s eyes were red—clearly she had just been crying. He hurriedly asked: “Changsheng, what’s wrong?”

Chu Changsheng choked out: “Brother, my red jade, jade pendant was, was snatched away by her…”

“I didn’t!” The Crown Prince’s second daughter shrieked. “Since I was little, I’ve gotten whatever I wanted. I wouldn’t even look at your things.”

The moment her words fell, Chu Hongyu leaped over like a rabbit.

Though he was younger, he was a boy, and his movement was unexpected. He directly knocked down the Crown Prince’s second daughter and straddled her.

The Crown Princess was greatly startled. By the time she reacted, Chu Hongyu had already pulled a red jade pendant from the Crown Prince’s second daughter’s palm. In the twilight, the pendant reflected the candlelight, shimmering brilliantly and looking exceptionally beautiful.

Chu Hongyu shouted: “You did take it! And you still won’t admit it! Thief, liar!”

The Crown Princess was completely shocked.

Her daughter was actually being straddled by a stinking little boy. If word of this got out, it would be terrible!

It was just a broken pendant—was this necessary?!

She reached out to push Chu Hongyu away.

But another hand was faster and picked up the little fellow first.

Yun Chu took a step back: “It’s just children playing around. Fortunately the pendant has been found. How about everyone return to rest early?”

She returned the Crown Princess’s earlier words back to her verbatim.

The Crown Princess’s expression darkened.

“Wah wah wah…” The Crown Prince’s second daughter cried loudly. “Mother Consort, my head hit the ground. It hurts so much, it hurts…”

The Crown Princess looked coldly at Yun Chu.

But she saw Yun Chu also looking at her with cool, clear eyes.

She knew that if she pursued Chu Hongyu’s disregard for propriety in bullying Lan’er, then Yun Chu would definitely pursue the matter of Lan’er snatching the pendant.

Disregarding propriety would at most earn a few scoldings from the Emperor.

But snatching valuable items—bandit behavior—if this matter blew up, it would be too detrimental to Lan’er’s reputation.

The Crown Princess took a deep breath: “Lan’er, ultimately this matter was your fault. Apologize to Little Sister Changsheng.”

“No, I won’t…” The Crown Prince’s second daughter cried loudly. “Chu Hongyu dared to hit me! I’m going to tell Imperial Grandfather and have him teach him a good lesson!”

The Crown Princess coldly pressed down on her daughter’s shoulder: “I’ll say it once more—apologize.”

The Crown Prince’s second daughter’s crying was scared back. Sobbing, she said: “I’m, I’m sorry…”

Only then did Yun Chu speak: “Yu’er, you should also apologize.”

Chu Hongyu said readily: “Sister Lan’er, I was wrong just now. Another day I’ll treat you to candy.”

The Crown Princess pursed her lips and looked at her eldest daughter: “You’re already ten years old, yet you let your sister do such things right under your nose. You should also apologize.”

The Crown Prince’s eldest daughter lowered her head: “Changsheng, I’m sorry…”

“Third Sister-in-law, I failed to teach my daughters properly.” The Crown Princess said to Yun Chu. “Another day I’ll host and invite Third Sister-in-law for tea.”

Yun Chu smiled: “Children quarreling is a common occurrence. Crown Princess shouldn’t take it too much to heart.”

The two exchanged some polite words and then parted.

Yun Chu took the two children to find Consort Yin.

On the way, she got the full story. It turned out Changsheng had picked several pretty stones to give to the sisters, but the Crown Prince’s second daughter Chu Lan looked down on them. Instead, she took a liking to the red jade pendant at Changsheng’s waist. When Changsheng was unwilling to give it, the Crown Prince’s second daughter reached out and snatched it away, and the two sides quickly got into a conflict.

“Oh my, my little darling, what happened? Why such crying?”

Consort Yin looked up to see Chu Changsheng’s eyes as red as a rabbit’s and immediately took the child into her embrace.

Chu Hongyu climbed onto Consort Yin’s knee and recounted everything in complete detail.

Consort Yin’s heart skipped a beat.

She didn’t know why, but she felt somewhat guilty as she looked up at Yun Chu.

It was she who had said she would accompany Changsheng and told Yun Chu to go eat. Once Yun Chu left, she was called away by another consort and then sat talking here.

Chatting away, she completely forgot about Changsheng. Who knew such a thing would happen?

“Mother Consort.” Yun Chu’s voice was calm. “Changsheng is different from other children. She needs someone to accompany her. If next time Mother Consort doesn’t have time, you must remember to send someone over to tell this daughter-in-law.”

Consort Yin spoke awkwardly: “I’m Yu’er and Changsheng’s own grandmother. How could I not know what’s important? Today was just an accident.”

Yun Chu nodded: “I know.”

She didn’t blame Consort Yin. On Changsheng’s journey growing up, Consort Yin’s affection was indispensable. She knew Consort Yin truly doted on this granddaughter.

Today was indeed just an accident.

“It’s getting late. I’ll take the children back to rest first.”

Yun Chu picked up her daughter, held her son’s hand, and turned to walk out.

Consort Yin watched Yun Chu’s figure. She didn’t know why, but as the biological grandmother, she somehow felt lacking in confidence before Yun Chu, this stepmother.

It was as if Yun Chu were the children’s birth mother.

The imperial mausoleum was built very large. Members of the imperial family could basically all be assigned a small courtyard. On the way back with the children to rest, Yun Chu faintly heard people discussing.

“I heard Prince Pingxi’s Consort got into a conflict with the Crown Princess over those two children.”

“She’s only been married into the Prince’s Manor for how long? Could she really have such deep feelings for the two children? I’m afraid it’s just for show.”

“Does she think doing this makes her a good mother? Children who aren’t one’s own can never be truly devoted.”

“She used to be the mistress of the Xie family, raised so many children for the Xie family, and in the end wasn’t she still driven out of the household? Hasn’t she learned her lesson?”

“But does she have a choice? I heard she can’t bear children. Aside from doing this, she has no other path.”

“Then in the future she’ll definitely be driven out of the Prince’s Manor too…”

Yun Chu’s steps halted.

She raised her head to look at the group of gossiping clan women.

As her gaze swept over them, the group immediately closed their mouths and looked away one after another, pretending to admire the night scenery.

Yun Chu turned her eyes toward Princess Consort Gongxi standing not far away.

When she had the dispute with the Crown Princess, only Princess Consort Gongxi was present among those there. It seemed Princess Consort Gongxi had turned this matter into gossip fodder.

She showed Princess Consort Gongxi a smile.