Yun Chu grasped Lin Shi’s hands.

She had concealed this from Mother before because she feared Mother would reveal something in front of Prince Pingxi.

Now that the misunderstanding between her and Prince Pingxi had been cleared up, it didn’t matter if Mother knew these things.

“It’s my fault…” Yun Chu said softly. “I should have told Mother earlier. Actually, my pair of children are still alive, living well. They’re already over four years old, almost five.”

“What did you say?” Lin Shi’s eyes widened. “Chu’er, you’re not talking in your sleep, are you?”

“It’s true, Mother.” Yun Chu’s face was full of gentle smiles. “The children are really still alive. In a few more days, I can take Mother to meet the children.”

Lin Shi was overjoyed. “That’s wonderful, wonderful! The children are still alive! All these years, your father has blamed himself. He protected millions of common people but couldn’t protect you. This has been your father’s greatest regret in his life. Now that they’re alive, your father can finally set his mind at ease! Chu’er, quickly tell me, where are the children? Why aren’t they living with you?”

“The children…” Yun Chu paused. “Their father is Prince Pingxi.”

Lin Shi covered her mouth. “Which means Hongyu and Changsheng are our Yun family’s bloodline. Oh heavens, no wonder I took such a strong liking to those two children the moment I saw them. No wonder Changsheng looks exactly like you… The children are alive—there’s nothing better than this! Chu’er, now that you have children, what do you need a man for? Living alone from now on is quite good too. Just like this is good. We won’t see that Marchioness of Zhounan!”

Yun Chu smiled. “Hongyu and Changsheng are in the palace keeping Consort Yin company. They’ll be back in a couple days. Mother, don’t be anxious.”

“I must go back and tell your grandfather this good news!” Lin Shi hurriedly stood up. “Chu’er, you stay steady. Our whole family will discuss properly how to get the children back!”

After she finished speaking, she left.

Only after she went out the door did Chu Yi emerge from the inner chamber.

This was his first time entering a woman’s boudoir. The scent belonging to Yun Chu lingered at the tip of his nose. His nose breathed it in wantonly, but his eyes didn’t dare look around too much.

Finally, Lin Shi had left.

“I’ve wronged Your Highness.”

Yun Chu looked at him with a face full of apology.

Originally, there was nothing between her and Prince Pingxi. By hiding him like this, it seemed like there was something going on.

It felt inexplicably awkward.

“Yun Chu.” Chu Yi spoke, directly calling her name. “If—I’m saying if—the Emperor allowed me to take you as my princess consort, would you agree?”

Yun Chu shook her head without any hesitation. “I apologize, Your Highness. I have never thought about remarrying.”

This answer was within Chu Yi’s expectations. After a moment of distraction, he continued, “Not even for the children?”

“If it were for the children…” Yun Chu paused. “For the children, I would be willing to do anything.”

Chu Yi looked at her deeply. “Good. I understand.”

He had fallen for her.

But she had no such intentions.

Even if he truly married her, it would only be for the children’s sake.

He wouldn’t force her to marry him.

There would come a day when she would willingly marry him.

And not for any other reason.

“It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave first.”

Chu Yi picked up the osmanthus cakes that had already gone cold and stepped over the threshold.

By this time, the sky had completely darkened.

Chu Yi rode his horse to the palace gates, then walked directly to the Imperial Study.

“Rebellious son, you still dare to come!”

The Emperor was so angry his beard trembled and his eyes glared, his eyes seeming to shoot fire as he looked at Chu Yi.

Chu Yi lifted his robe and knelt straight on the ground. “This son has committed a tremendously rebellious act. I beg Father Emperor to punish me!”

“You actually know it’s a tremendously rebellious act!” The Emperor smashed a teacup. “The Empress Dowager is advanced in years, and you’ve made her so angry she fell gravely ill. What punishment do you deserve!”

The Crown Prince spoke. “Third Brother, quickly explain clearly to Father Emperor why you killed Imperial Grandmother’s seven trusted confidants, why you severed Nanny Qin’s arms, why you caused Young Master Feng to fall from his horse and die. As long as you explain clearly, Father Emperor will certainly not punish you.”

Second Prince, Prince Gongxi, flashed a glint in his eyes. “I heard that Miss Yun, the eldest daughter of the Pillar General, was also there. Is this true?”

“It is true.” Chu Yi didn’t avoid the question. Raising his head, he said, “That young eunuch, under the Empress Dowager’s instructions, led Miss Yun to the Jinying Hall with the intention of taking Miss Yun’s heart’s blood to treat Prince Zhuang’s illness. If Miss Yun died in the palace, the Yun Family Army would certainly riot! Everyone in the entire Great Jin Dynasty knows that the Yun Family Army can fight ten to one. A troop of just a hundred men can break into the enemy camp and take the main general’s head. What would happen if such a brave and skilled army sought justice for Miss Yun?”

“Outrageous!” Prince Gongxi, Chu Mo, said coldly. “A mere Yun Family Army—do they really think they can break through the city gates and charge into the imperial city?”

“Second Imperial Brother is wrong.” Chu Yi’s voice remained cold and hard. “The key to this matter isn’t the Yun Family Army but the Empress Dowager! The Empress Dowager intended to provoke conflict between the Yun family and the court. What was her purpose? Second Imperial Brother may not understand, but I think Crown Prince Imperial Brother should be able to see clearly.”

The Crown Prince said coldly, “Imperial Grandmother is not that kind of person.”

The Emperor glanced at his eldest son and imperceptibly shook his head.

The Crown Prince he’d established was his first son and born of the Empress, so he became the master of the Eastern Palace from birth.

In reality, the Crown Prince was entirely propped up by the Empress.

Even the younger Seventh and Eighth Princes could probably understand such a simple court situation, yet the Crown Prince still believed in the Empress Dowager.

Chu Yi continued speaking. “I personally heard Nanny Qin at the Empress Dowager’s side discussing major matters with those seven palace servants. Besides taking Miss Yun’s heart’s blood, there was also the heart’s blood of the Right Vice Minister’s daughter, the Minister of War’s daughter, the Grand Preceptor’s daughter… The purpose was to incite conflict between the court’s important ministers and Father Emperor… If it were Crown Prince Imperial Brother or Second Imperial Brother, I think both Imperial Brothers would also be unable to tolerate such a group of people scheming against Father Emperor right under your noses! Sparing Nanny Qin’s life was to tell the Empress Dowager that those who dare to scheme against Father Emperor, even if they’re elders, I will absolutely show no mercy!”

Prince Gongxi gritted his teeth, unable to speak words of denial.

He never imagined that this Third Brother bastard could be so skilled at sophistry. Having clearly committed a grave error and angered the Empress Dowager into illness, he should have been severely punished.

But putting it this way, Father Emperor would be too moved to even consider punishment.

“Good!” The Emperor clapped his hands and sighed, then his expression sank. “Even so, Yi’er, you shouldn’t have wielded your blade to kill. You must go personally to the Empress Dowager to apologize!”

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened in shock.

Just moments ago, Father Emperor had been calling him “rebellious son” with every breath. How did it change to “Yi’er” in the blink of an eye? What had happened?

Prince Gongxi watched the Crown Prince with cold eyes.

Look at that—the stupidity in Crown Prince Imperial Brother’s eyes was so clear. How could such a person deserve to sit on the dragon throne…

Chu Yi left the Imperial Study and headed to Kanning Palace.

Arriving at the entrance to Kanning Palace, after the nanny at the Empress Dowager’s side went in to report, she came out and said, “The Empress Dowager is resting. Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”

“Now it’s pitch dark. Let Imperial Grandmother rest well. Yi’er will take his leave first.”

Chu Yi turned and left.

The Empress Dowager, who had intended to make Chu Yi stand obediently outside all night, was so angry she smashed her medicine bowl.