Yun Chu and the Ding family of three moved to a different place to talk.

“…Upon observation, you have the sign of wind and clouds obscuring the moon. You possess talent and strategic wisdom. A great master wishes to take you as a disciple,” Yun Chu said with complete seriousness, showing no sign that she was making it up. “I wonder if you are willing?”

Ding Yiyuan looked confused. “Which great master? What kind of disciple?”

“Master Shanji, into the path of enlightenment,” Yun Chu said. “Enter this path and you will comprehend past and present, know the future, understand life and death…”

Ding Yiyuan tugged at his beard. “Isn’t that just like those fortune-teller charlatans on the roadside who swindle people? I, Ding, don’t believe in such things. I won’t enter this so-called path of enlightenment.”

Yun Ze: “…”

He couldn’t blame Ding Yiyuan. If it were him, he would also doubt Chu’er’s words.

“Master Shanji had already divined that you would refuse, so he cast a divination.” Yun Chu remained unhurried as she took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it over. “If you change your mind, within three days, deliver a message to Yatang Teahouse.”

After speaking, she and Yun Ze stood up and left.

Ding Yiyuan opened the letter. When he saw its contents, he looked at it as if it were some kind of joke.

The letter actually claimed that within this dilapidated temple where he was staying, within three days, there would be a vagrant like himself who would suddenly become a nobleman of the capital.

Those in the temple were all homeless people, each with a pitiful appearance. Could any of them become a nobleman within three days?

“Chu’er, how is it that your dreams even include such things?” Yun Ze was also full of wonder.

Yun Chu coughed.

She had only vaguely remembered this a few days ago while thinking about the shelter. The legitimate son of a household in the capital had been missing for over ten years and was later found at a dilapidated temple in the outskirts. This matter had been widely discussed throughout the wards.

The family reunion should happen next year. She had arranged for people to investigate the temple and found that the lost legitimate son was currently living in the temple, begging for survival.

She had originally planned to inform that household anyway, and now she could use this matter to make Ding Yiyuan believe.

“It’s a dream, but it might not be a dream. Perhaps it’s my experience from a past life,” Yun Chu smiled. “Let’s not discuss this anymore. Didn’t Elder Brother want to see the two children? It’s getting late, let’s go pick up Yu’er and Changsheng.”

Yun Ze had long wanted to see his two nephews, but meeting them for the first time in the capacity of uncle required preparing some gifts, which is why he waited until today.

The two drove the carriage to Prince Pingxi’s manor.

Just as they stopped, they heard the voices of two children.

“Mother!”

“Mother!”

Yun Chu glanced behind the two children but didn’t see Chu Yi.

Chu Hongyu very thoughtfully explained, “Father angered Imperial Grandfather and was beaten with twenty strikes of the rod. He’s still detained in the palace.”

Yun Chu: “…”

Why did this little one’s voice carry a hint of gloating? That was his own father.

It seemed the Emperor, to preserve Prince Pingxi’s dignity, had cleared everyone away when administering the beating, which is why the news hadn’t spread.

Yun Chu held the two children as they boarded the carriage.

When the curtain was lifted, Chu Hongyu saw Yun Ze sitting inside. He immediately straightened his posture and greeted him properly, “Lord Yun.”

Chu Changsheng was a bit timid, shrinking into Yun Chu’s embrace.

Yun Ze had seen these two children many times before, but each time, he had only glanced at them briefly. They were other people’s children, after all—nothing particularly interesting to see.

But now, knowing these were Yun Chu’s son and daughter, the more he looked at them, the more he liked them.

His large hand beckoned. “Yu’er, come sit beside me.”

Chu Hongyu was a bit unhappy. He wanted to sit beside Mother. With Father not around, he could slowly snuggle up to Mother—just thinking about it made him happy.

But whether he was happy or not, Yun Ze could no longer restrain himself and pulled the little fellow onto his lap.

He also wanted to put the little girl on his lap too, but Chu Changsheng was somewhat afraid of his enthusiasm and clung tightly to Yun Chu’s neck.

“Yu’er, see if you like this?” Yun Ze pulled out a novel item from under the seat. “I specially prepared this gift for you.”

Chu Hongyu instinctively wanted to refuse, but after seeing clearly what it was, his face filled with amazement. “It’s the nine linked rings! I’ve seen these at the military camp. Father said I was too stupid and wouldn’t know how to play with it, so he absolutely refused to give me one… Lord Yun, you understand me so well! Thank you for the gift, Lord Yun!”

Yun Ze corrected him. “You call Chu’er ‘Mother,’ so likewise, when there’s no one around in private, you can call me Uncle.”

Chu Hongyu grinned. “Uncle Yun!”

“Yes!” Yun Ze responded cheerfully, then looked at Chu Changsheng.

He rummaged below and pulled out a doll. “Changsheng, look, do you like it?”

Chu Changsheng shook her head.

The doll Mother had given her was much prettier than this one.

Yun Ze put down the doll and continued rummaging under the seat, pulling out a kaleidoscope. “What about this?”

The little girl didn’t dare reach out. Yun Chu helped her take it and placed it before her. The little girl looked once, and the corners of her mouth immediately revealed a smile as she played with it lovingly.

Yun Ze breathed a sigh of relief and was about to speak.

Then he saw Chu Hongyu, who was sitting on his lap, slip down and crawl completely under the seat, rustling around. “This is Huarong Dao, this is a puzzle box, and there’s a small mirror, and a rattle drum, ceramic ball… Uncle Yun, you’re so wonderful! You actually bought so many things for me and my sister. Thank you so much!”

Yun Ze greatly enjoyed hearing “Uncle” and said with a smile, “I bought many more at the Yun residence. Next time we meet, I’ll bring them for you siblings.”

Chu Hongyu tilted his head. “Why is Uncle Yun so good to me and my sister?”

Yun Ze stroked his hair. “You’ll know in the future.”

The carriage traveled to Yulin Alley. The party of four descended from the carriage, and the siblings held hands and rushed in first to play with the cats and rabbits.

Yun Ze said softly, “Let’s keep this from Mother for now. I’m afraid if she knows, she won’t be able to resist going to Prince Pingxi’s manor every day to find Yu’er and Changsheng.”

Yun Chu had the same thought.

Her mother’s thoughts were too transparent. What she was thinking easily showed on her face, so for some matters, concealment was better than honesty.

The servants brought out a sumptuous dinner, and the four sat around the table.

Yun Ze only had a son. Seeing the little girl Changsheng, he liked her immensely and insisted on squeezing in next to Changsheng. “Changsheng, will you let Uncle feed you?”

“N-no!”

The little girl shook her head, though the wariness and resistance in her eyes were no longer as strong as at the beginning.

Yun Ze persisted, working hard to display his kindness. Finally, the little girl actually ate a mouthful of food he fed her.

In that moment, Yun Ze was overjoyed to the extreme.

He finally understood why Chu’er had so many concerns regarding the children.

Too little scheming, and there might be no way to reclaim the children.

Too much scheming, and it might harm two such endearing children.

He spoke softly. “Yu’er, Changsheng, your father is constantly suppressing bandits. Have you ever worried about him?”

Chu Hongyu shook his head. “Father is very formidable. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But what if…” Yun Ze paused. “What if your father died under a bandit’s blade? What would you do?”

As soon as the words fell, his mouth was covered by a soft little hand.

He looked and saw Chu Changsheng’s big eyes brimming with large teardrops.

His heart softened.

The path of killing Prince Pingxi was no longer viable.