The Imperial Academy’s coursework was quite heavy, and students only returned home at the hour of shen each day.

At this time, Yun Chu would have the kitchen prepare Yu’er’s favorite snacks and set them out in the flower hall.

The little one would eat some snacks and play around with Changsheng for a while, and it would be about time for dinner.

However, Yun Chu noticed that today this little fellow seemed somewhat unhappy.

She asked gently, “What’s wrong? Are the snacks not tasty?”

“They’re tasty, very tasty.” Chu Hongyu let out a long sigh. “Mother, am I really terrible?”

“Why would you ask such a thing?” Yun Chu held him on her lap. “In Mother’s heart, you are the most capable and wonderful child. Never have such thoughts again.”

“But they all say I’m terrible.”

“Who are they?”

Chu Hongyu made a bitter face. “Sixth Imperial Uncle, Seventh Imperial Uncle, and their whole gang of followers always say I’m the worst student in the Imperial Academy.”

Yun Chu frowned slightly.

As far as she knew, before entering the Imperial Academy, some noble children would study at their clan schools for three to five years, meaning they would formally enter the Imperial Academy at around eight years old.

But Yu’er wasn’t even five years old yet. Having only studied the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, and Thousand Character Classic before this, he naturally couldn’t keep up with those children older than him.

She said, “The oldest child in the Imperial Academy is your Sixth Imperial Uncle, who is almost fourteen years old. Yet he’s learning the same things as you, a small child. Who do you think is actually more terrible?”

Chu Hongyu’s eyes lit up.

Put that way, he was actually quite impressive.

“You can’t quite understand some of the classes at the Imperial Academy right now. This isn’t your fault. How about this—don’t go to the Imperial Academy for now. Mother will hire a tutor to teach you at home for two years.” Yun Chu touched his head. “At home, Changsheng can also study together with you.”

“Sister’s body is so weak, she doesn’t need to work hard studying these things. When I grow up, I’ll protect Sister.” Chu Hongyu clenched his little fist. “Also, since I’ve already entered the Imperial Academy, I absolutely cannot give up halfway. I insist on studying at the Imperial Academy and surpassing Sixth Imperial Uncle and the others. Let’s see if they dare mock me again in the future.”

Yun Chu saw the blazing competitive spirit igniting in his eyes.

She knew that no matter what else she said, this little fellow would not give up on the Imperial Academy.

“Mother, we still need to hire a tutor.” Chu Hongyu blinked his big eyes. “From now on, I’ll study at the Imperial Academy during the day, and when I come back at night, the tutor will teach me. I don’t believe I can’t catch up.”

Yun Chu’s eyes were full of disapproval.

Although Yu’er’s health was somewhat better than Changsheng’s, it was only slightly better in comparison. A premature child with congenital deficiencies was difficult to make up for later.

What Yu’er most needed was to take care of his health. Reading and studying shouldn’t occupy all of a five-year-old child’s time.

“Yu’er…”

Yun Chu had just started speaking.

Her mouth was covered by a small hand.

Chu Hongyu said seriously, “I am a man. I must protect Sister, I must protect Mother. For that, I must learn many, many things and become strong!”

Chu Changsheng ran over from the side, speaking softly and sweetly, “I, I also, with Brother… study, together.”

Chu Hongyu held his sister’s hand. “Changsheng, you should say it like this: ‘I also want to study together with Brother.’ That’s a complete sentence.”

“I also want to study together with Brother.” Chu Changsheng repeated the sentence completely like a parrot, paused for a moment, then continued, “I, I am also a man.”

Chu Hongyu laughed heartily. “You’re not a man at all. You’re the sister who needs protection.”

As they were talking, they heard the sound of servants paying respects. Yun Chu looked up and saw a tall figure standing by the door opening.

The man wore official robes, a deep purple robe that made his imposing aura all the more overwhelming. At his waist was embroidered the python and cloud pattern only imperial princes were allowed to wear. Several tokens hung from a golden belt. His entire person radiated the aura of someone in a position of authority, causing the maids in the courtyard to lower their heads and unconsciously step back several paces.

“Miss Yun, I brought some snacks for you and the children.”

Chu Yi raised his hand, holding a greasy paper package.

Yun Chu knew he had gone to interrogate the bandit king Yang Hedong. She hadn’t expected that on his way back, he would actually buy snacks.

She stepped forward to meet him and took the paper package. It was fried crispy pork, a new trendy snack popular in the capital recently. Tingfeng had mentioned it once before.

She took a bit and fed each of the two children a bite. Both little ones’ eyes lit up as they ate with great relish.

Yun Chu only had time to put one piece in her own mouth to taste before the crispy pork in the paper package was already gone.

“The flavor is really quite good.” She couldn’t help eating it all in one bite. “It’s just a bit too oily. The two children can’t eat it often.”

“As long as you like it.” Chu Yi felt around in his sleeve and pulled out a box. “Look at this. Do you like it?”

Yun Chu instinctively thought it was some kind of food. Opening it, she saw a golden jade hairpin with a butterfly wrapped in silk threads.

The butterfly was lifelike, trembling gently as if about to take flight.

This man had given her many things.

The short sword she carried on her person every day was a gift from him.

The red jade pendants of the same material that she and the children wore were made from uncut jade he had given.

On her vanity table was a small mirror he had given her.

In her room was an unopened green crystal, also a gift from him.

At this moment, a small white dog ran to her feet—the snow wolf, also a gift from him.

He had given her so very many things.

Yun Chu picked up the dog, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “I wonder what Your Highness lacks?”

Chu Yi’s heart leaped with joy.

Actually, he had long coveted the sachets at the children’s waists.

The red jade pendants the two children wore were identical to the one on her person—he wanted one too.

And each of the children had a doll she had made with her own hands. It would be wonderful if he had one too.

But one must not be too greedy.

He glanced at the children’s waists and said, “Would making a sachet be too much trouble?”

Yun Chu also looked over. The sachets at the children’s waists had quite distinctive patterns, but they weren’t made by her hands—she wasn’t very good at needlework.

Tingxue had sewn them, drawn the patterns, and embroidered the edges. She had just added a few stitches, and the two children liked them very much.

She touched the snow wolf’s head. “Tingxue still has several more. I’ll have her give you one.”

Chu Yi: “…”

He coughed, saying shamelessly, “One made by Miss Yun would probably be better.”

Yun Chu raised her eyes. “Your Highness, are you certain?”

Her needlework was truly rather embarrassing to show.

Chu Yi nodded eagerly. “I’m troubling Miss Yun.”

Yun Chu: “…”

Fine then. It was just a sachet. She could make one in a day—it wasn’t much trouble.

A smile appeared on Chu Yi’s face.

His cold, hard features became gentle.

The bleak wind of early winter brushed past him, and he seemed to become just one among the most ordinary men in this world.

He stood there, gazing at the woman before him, watching the laughing children.

He thought to himself that life was truly worth living.