The carriage traveled smoothly and soon arrived at the hot spring estate.

Winter was gradually approaching, the weather getting colder. More and more wealthy families were coming to enjoy the hot springs, with many carriages and horses stopped at the estate entrance.

Yun Chu led the two children down from the carriage, with Chu Yi following behind the three of them, maintaining some distance.

Just as they were about to enter the estate gates, suddenly Chengxu came galloping on horseback. “Your Highness, the bandit king who escaped half a month ago has appeared in the capital outskirts…”

Chu Yi’s hawk-like eyes were full of cold intent. “Just when I need him, he appears.”

After taking command of the Yun Family Army, he had handed over eight thousand elite bandit-suppression soldiers. Those eight thousand troops were coveted by countless people—it was time to reclaim them.

Since he had decided to compete for the highest position.

“This prince will personally go meet this bandit king.”

Chu Yi made a gesture toward Yun Chu.

Yun Chu knew that once bandits appeared, common people would suffer. Not even a moment could be delayed.

She gave him a reassuring look.

Chu Yi mounted his horse. “Where in the capital outskirts? Lead this prince there immediately!”

Chengxu was shocked. “Your Highness, that bandit king has eighteen fierce generals by his side. We must return to the capital to request His Majesty’s permission for Your Highness to lead troops…”

“You and I—that’s enough.”

Chu Yi’s horse galloped ahead.

Chengxu had no choice but to follow.

His heart trembled slightly.

That was the notorious bandit Yang Hedong, famous throughout the land. A peasant army of a thousand men had once been annihilated by Yang Hedong and his eighteen fierce generals—blood had flowed like rivers.

Just the two of them going—wasn’t this delivering their heads?

If only the residence still had guards. Unfortunately, after moving out, His Highness had sent all the guards back to the palace.

Why didn’t His Highness send him away too…

Chengxu severely condemned himself inwardly. Between His Highness and his own life, he had actually chosen his life. Shameful!

“Your Highness, wait for this subordinate!”

Chengxu kicked his horse’s belly hard and quickly caught up.

Yun Chu watched as Chu Yi sat on his prized steed. On horseback, he stood upright as a mountain. The horse’s hooves echoed resoundingly across the sky. Like lightning, in the desolate early winter wind, he quickly disappeared from sight.

Chu Hongyu clenched his fist. “When I grow up, I want to be as formidable as Father!”

Yun Chu smiled gently. “Then you must study hard now and practice martial arts diligently, so in the future you can protect the common people like your father.”

The mother and two children walked hand in hand into the hot spring estate.

At the entrance, Tingshuang and Jiu’er came out to greet them.

Tingshuang now had the standard appearance of a married woman. Her speech and actions were increasingly composed—she was fully worthy of being the head manager of this grand estate.

Jiu’er by her side was also very different from before. That thin, weak little girl from back then had gained weight in her cheeks and looked much more cheerful.

“Greetings, Miss.”

Tingshuang and Jiu’er bowed in unison.

“Miss, the hot springs are all prepared. Doctor Bi has just arrived as well. No rush.”

Yun Chu led the two children inside.

As they passed a small courtyard entrance, a voice suddenly rang out.

“Isn’t this Madam Xie?”

“What Madam Xie? She’s long been a widow after her husband’s death, then was driven out by the Xie family. Isn’t she an abandoned wife now?”

“Already driven out by the Xie family—why is she still bringing those Xie family concubine-born sons and daughters?”

Several richly dressed women walked over.

Their eyes scrutinized Yun Chu, sweeping toward the two children beside her.

Chu Changsheng was afraid of crowds and burrowed into Yun Chu’s embrace.

Chu Hongyu frowned at these women who had suddenly appeared, his small face tense, looking ready to spring into action.

Yun Chu pulled Chu Hongyu’s hand and shielded the little fellow behind herself.

When going out today, because Chu Yi had initially been accompanying them, she hadn’t brought those nannies and guards. The two children only had Ah Mao with them.

It was normal that these women hadn’t recognized the children’s identities.

“The Yun family has fallen to such a state, yet Miss Yun still has the leisure to bring children to the hot springs?” The leading woman covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed. “I must say, Miss Yun is truly a good legitimate mother. No wonder everyone says she’s a model of noble womanhood.”

The speaker was someone Yun Chu could be considered acquainted with.

Back then, Yun Chu had been the young miss of a first-rank general’s household, while she had only been the daughter of a fourth-rank family. She had repeatedly tried to curry favor with Yun Chu, only to be ignored.

Later, Yun Chu married into the poor Xie family, while she became the wife of the third-rank Zou family. She had laughed for three days and nights at home.

Now the Yun family was accused of treason and selling out the country. The great mansion was about to collapse.

Yun Chu no longer had any support.

She could finally stand straight in front of Yun Chu.

Yun Chu’s lips curved in a smile. “I almost didn’t recognize you. So it’s Madam Zou. After all these years, has Madam Zou still not seen a physician?”

Madam Zou frowned. “See a physician for what?”

“Madam Zou has foul breath when speaking. Has no one told Madam Zou about it?” Yun Chu sighed. “This illness cannot be delayed. Madam Zou should see a physician soon.”

Having said this, she led one child with each hand and walked on.

It took Madam Zou quite a while to react. “She—she actually said I have bad breath…”

She looked and discovered that the several women around her with whom she had good relationships were all lightly pressing handkerchiefs to their noses with expressions of distaste.

Madam Zou was so angry her lungs nearly exploded.

Yun Chu brought the children to the courtyard exclusively for them, then gave instructions. “Tingshuang, from now on, on the first and fifteenth of each month, we won’t receive any visitors.”

Today was her oversight, letting the two children encounter such an unpleasant matter.

Fortunately, Changsheng had recovered. She changed into gauze clothing and was playing with Yu’er in the hot spring pool.

But as soon as Doctor Bi appeared, the little girl’s face turned pale with fright. She turned and threw herself into Yun Chu’s embrace, trembling slightly.

Doctor Bi smiled bitterly. “Young Princess, this old man is not some monster or flood beast. After five or six more acupuncture sessions, the princess’s illness will be nearly cured. Don’t be afraid…”

Yun Chu coaxed gently, “Changsheng, be good. Mother will stay with you the whole time. Don’t be afraid.”

Chu Hongyu held his sister’s small hand. “Brother will stay with you too. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”

The little girl slowly stopped trembling. She emerged from Yun Chu’s embrace, took a breath, and slowly spoke. “Mother… brother, I… I can do it… myself!”

One sentence, spoken over a long time, was finally completed.

As she spoke, she walked to the fixed position in the pool and obediently sat down by herself.

Yun Chu wanted to go over, but the little girl firmly shook her head.

Looking at the small, soft figure sitting alone in the center of the vast hot spring pool, Yun Chu’s heart felt as if it were being gripped by a large hand. It hurt terribly.

“Changsheng, you’re amazing.” Chu Hongyu gave a thumbs up. “Brother believes you can definitely do it alone.”

Yun Chu actually very much wanted to accompany her, but the little girl was being strong for once. She didn’t want to shatter the child’s strength. She forced a smile. “Changsheng, Mother is right here with you. Don’t be afraid.”

Doctor Bi glanced at Yun Chu.

During the last acupuncture session, the young lord had called this lady Aunt Yun.

This time, it had changed to Mother.

It seemed a happy occasion was approaching at the Prince’s residence.