Chu Yi was about to leave the palace gates.

When he was stopped by the old nanny from Consort Yin’s service.

“Your Highness, Her Ladyship requests your presence.”

Chu Yi glanced sideways at her.

The old nanny quickly lowered her head.

The Prince’s gaze had always been ice-cold, and the bone-deep chill emanating from him spread through the surroundings, merging with the cold autumn night air, making one involuntarily step back.

Just when she thought Chu Yi would refuse.

The man strode toward Changqiu Palace.

It was already the end of the hour of the dog, and the lights in many palace halls had been extinguished. The sound of footsteps echoed through the silent corridors.

Soon he arrived at the great hall where Consort Yin resided.

As Chu Yi reached the doorway, a cup came flying straight at him.

He didn’t even need to dodge.

Because he knew his mother consort would never harm him.

The cup shattered three steps away from him.

“Look at you! In just these few short days, how much trouble have you caused!” Consort Yin pushed aside the beaded curtain and emerged. “First, you defied the imperial decree and refused the marriage. Then you took command of the Yun Family Army without authorization. And now you actually dared to kill someone from the Empress Dowager’s inner circle. Nanny Qin was someone who could walk sideways through the palace, yet you chopped off both her arms. You—you—you’re staging a rebellion!”

“If I truly wanted to rebel, how could I have left the Imperial Study unscathed?” Chu Yi poured a cup of tea and handed it to Consort Yin. “Mother Consort, calm your anger. This small matter isn’t worth getting upset over.”

How could Consort Yin be in any mood for tea? She frowned and asked, “The matter with the Empress Dowager—is it just going to end like this?”

“Father Emperor has his own arrangements for this matter. Mother Consort need not worry further.” Chu Yi spoke. “During this time, apart from morning greetings, do not go to Kangning Palace again.”

Consort Yin was a palace veteran and naturally sensed something unusual in the air. Upon hearing this, she immediately nodded.

Having finished speaking, Chu Yi stepped forward to leave.

“Wait!”

Consort Yin’s voice came from behind.

Chu Yi turned back. “Does Mother Consort have other matters?”

Consort Yin sat leisurely in her chair, taking a sip of tea before speaking. “That woman in your residence—I had someone investigate her.”

“Mother Consort, you…” Disbelief crossed Chu Yi’s face. “Mother Consort actually investigated me?”

Consort Yin smiled slightly.

Although this son of hers had strong opinions, as long as she, his mother, wanted to investigate something, she would definitely find it out.

In this world, what son could escape from his mother’s grasp?

“Yi’er, you are the dignified Third Imperial Prince, the Prince Pingxi personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. With your status, you shouldn’t have any entanglement with a peasant girl.” Consort Yin spoke earnestly. “Moreover, I also discovered that this peasant girl served at the Xuanwu Marquis Estate five or six years ago. With such status, she isn’t even worthy of carrying your shoes.”

Chu Yi’s expression turned cold. “Since Mother Consort knows, then I won’t hide it anymore. No matter how lowly her status, I will marry her as my principal consort.”

“What did you say? Have you gone mad?” Consort Yin slammed her teacup heavily on the table. “The young ladies from the Tan family and Fang family that I selected for you—which one isn’t better than that peasant girl? You…”

Chu Yi directly interrupted her. “There are tens of thousands of noble ladies in the capital, but there is only one woman in my heart. I will petition Father Emperor to grant us a marriage decree.”

“You dare?!” Consort Yin was so angry her temples throbbed. “Your Father Emperor will absolutely never agree to grant such a marriage. Don’t delude yourself!”

“If Father Emperor doesn’t agree, it’s no matter. I’ll persuade him slowly.” Chu Yi pressed his lips together. “Mother Consort is in a bad mood, so I won’t have Yu’er and Changsheng disturb Mother Consort’s rest.”

He instructed the nanny to bring the two children out.

The nanny glanced at Consort Yin, and seeing no reaction from her mistress, brought out the two already-sleeping children.

“Mother Consort, please rest early.”

Chu Yi carried one child in each arm and turned to leave Changqiu Palace.

“What kind of disaster have I given birth to!”

Consort Yin lay on the couch in anger, having the palace maids press her acupressure points, otherwise the headache would keep her from sleeping well all night.

“Nanny Guo, tell me—if His Majesty really grants a marriage between the Third Prince and that peasant girl, what should be done?”

The old nanny shook her head. “How could a peasant girl be worthy of our Prince? Even being a foot-washing maid in the Prince’s residence would be climbing above her station. But the Prince refused marriage for that woman’s sake, which shows he’s already fallen for her. The Prince knows His Majesty and Your Ladyship won’t agree, which is why he secretly brought her to the residence… With that woman by the Prince’s side, whispering pillow talk night after night, this old servant worries that for his beloved’s sake, the Prince might truly do something outrageous and treasonous.”

Consort Yin’s expression grew heavy.

The Third Prince defying the imperial decree and refusing marriage, taking command of the army without authorization, executing the Empress Dowager’s confidant—which of these three matters wasn’t outrageous and treasonous?

If he did anything more, it wouldn’t seem strange at all.

His Majesty’s patience had limits and wouldn’t indulge the Third Prince’s recklessness time and again.

She must deal with that peasant girl.

The autumn night was cool as water.

At dawn, a layer of frost formed.

Chu Hongyu opened his eyes and discovered these weren’t the bed curtains from the palace. He immediately pushed his sister beside him. “Changsheng, wake up quickly! We’re home—we can go see Mother now!”

Although the palace was fun too, he wanted to be with Mother even more.

The little girl rubbed her eyes, looking left and right with a bewildered expression, then jumped down from the bed.

“Oh my, young princess, you mustn’t step barefoot on the ground—you’ll catch cold.” Nanny Zheng arrived just in time. “This old servant will first dress the princess…”

The palace maid waiting outside brought in water and attended to the two young masters’ dressing and washing.

At this moment, Chu Hongyu, who had sharp ears, suddenly heard sounds from the front courtyard. “Huh? Why do I seem to hear Imperial Grandmother’s voice?”

Nanny Zheng finished arranging his clothes and said with eyes observing the nose, nose observing the heart: “The young lord must have heard wrong. Breakfast is already prepared. This old servant will attend to the young lord and princess for the meal.”

Chu Hongyu rubbed his ears.

Perhaps having left the palace, he was missing Imperial Grandmother a bit.

At the same time.

In the front courtyard of Prince Pingxi’s residence, Consort Yin, accompanied by dozens of palace servants, confronted Chu Yi.

“Yi’er, don’t force Mother Consort to make this ugly.” Consort Yin’s expression was extremely grim. “You know it’s not easy for me to leave the palace. Since I’m here, I must take that peasant girl away.”

Chu Yi spoke. “Mother Consort, in this lifetime, it’s not easy to meet one’s beloved. Since I’ve brought her into the residence, I will certainly protect her.”

Consort Yin laughed bitterly. “What—you’re going to stand against your own birth mother for the sake of one woman?”

Chu Yi shook his head. “It’s Mother Consort who chose to stand against me.”

“Yi’er, are you forcing me to search the Prince’s residence?” Consort Yin enunciated each word. “You are an Imperial Prince of our Great Jin Dynasty. The mistress of your residence should be a model of noble womanhood, should be a refined young lady who can hold her own, not some peasant girl. If you truly like that woman, keeping her is no problem. I can petition your Father Emperor to let her become a concubine. That would already be giving her tremendous face.”

Chu Yi’s expression darkened.

Nanny Guo quickly tried to mediate. “Your Highness, that woman’s status truly only qualifies her to be a concubine. However, if she bears children in the future, Your Highness could elevate her to secondary consort. Wouldn’t that make everyone happy? Your Highness shouldn’t quarrel with Her Ladyship over such a small matter.”

Consort Yin’s brow furrowed.

She had already conceded many steps. She hoped this son wouldn’t disappoint her too greatly.