“Can you please stop crying?”

“My ears are going deaf.”

“Can you two stop crying? Be quiet!”

The Emperor couldn’t bear it any longer and finally couldn’t help but raise his voice and coldly command.

The two little ones immediately stopped crying, holding back their tears, but the tears still flowed. This silent weeping was even more heartbreaking.

“Poor Yu’er, poor Changsheng. What wrong have the children done? They only want a mother…” Imperial Consort Yin wiped away tears with her handkerchief. “That Miss Liu died so inexplicably. Never mind the two children—even I, someone who never met her, feel distressed…”

The Emperor waved his large hand: “Eunuch Gao, bring out some gold, silver, and jade objects from the treasury.”

Two young eunuchs came forward carrying over ten trays of jade objects. The Emperor let the two children choose freely—whatever they picked, they could take away.

Chu Hongyu shook his head while crying: “No, I don’t want them…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Imperial Consort Yin covered his mouth.

These jade objects were all treasures from the previous dynasty. His Majesty didn’t easily take them out to reward people, and most of them were here today. She had to take at least some—to keep as betrothal gifts for Yu’er and as dowry for Changsheng.

“Yu’er, didn’t you want a vase?”

“Changsheng, this jade ruyi is quite nice.”

“This jade flute Yi’er should like. It can ease the pain of losing a beloved.”

Imperial Consort Yin couldn’t help herself and took seven or eight items. Only then did the unhappiness in her heart dissipate somewhat.

But the two children were still crying.

The Emperor was about to go mad: “Go, have the children from the Eastern Palace come over, and summon the younger princes as well to celebrate your birthdays with you two.”

“No, I don’t want to play with them.” Chu Hongyu said breathlessly. “They all have mother consorts. Only Changsheng and I don’t have a mother’s love. We’re the most pitiful, waaah…”

The Emperor: “…”

This won’t work, that won’t work—what exactly would work?

“Eunuch Gao, now, immediately, at once, summon Chu Yi to the palace. Whoever’s children, they can manage them themselves. Stop bothering me!”

“Yes!”

Eunuch Gao rushed off to fetch him.

Chu Yi had just exchanged a few words with Yun Chu and hadn’t yet tasted any sweetness when he was summoned to the palace.

“Yi’er, how could you tell the two children about last night’s matter?” The Emperor said coldly. “How old are they? What do they understand?”

“That person who died was the mother they recognized. Of course they should know.” Chu Yi lowered his head, looking unable to bear his sorrow. “However, your son did indeed do wrong. I shouldn’t have made them sad and upset on their birthday today.”

The Emperor’s tone softened somewhat: “In this world, there is no child who doesn’t need a mother’s love. I was thinking that we still need to find a mother for Yu’er and Changsheng.”

Imperial Consort Yin immediately nodded: “Indeed, it should be so. Yi’er, I know you feel bad about losing your beloved, but you can’t be immersed in sorrow. You must think more about the two children.”

Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng hugged Chu Yi’s legs, sobbing and crying.

Chu Yi seemed to have made some difficult decision. He raised his head: “If it’s for the two children, I’m willing to accept this. But my beloved has died. No matter whom I marry makes no difference to me. Therefore, I have only one requirement—it must be someone both Yu’er and Changsheng like. In that case, I’m willing to bring her home in an eight-carrier bridal sedan chair.”

Imperial Consort Yin was overjoyed.

A noble lady from a first-rank family might not stoop to please two children.

But those daughters from second-rank, third-rank, or even fourth-rank families would definitely gain the children’s favor unconditionally in order to become a princess consort.

As long as Yi’er agreed, could the marriage be far off?

Imperial Consort Yin’s mood became wonderful again.

“Yu’er, Changsheng, did you hear? Your father king has agreed to find you another mother.” She said gently. “Rest assured, this mother will definitely be good to you. Don’t cry anymore, good children.”

Chu Hongyu sniffled and spoke: “As long as my sister and I like her, it can be anyone?”

Imperial Consort Yin didn’t dare answer this and looked at the person on the dragon throne.

The Emperor tapped the table.

If that woman came from a noble family, she could perfectly become the third son’s right-hand support.

If that woman’s birth was too lowly… but no matter how low, she should be better than a farm girl.

“It can be anyone.” The Emperor took out two jade pendants from a tray and handed them to the two children. “At the New Year’s Eve palace banquet in a few days, whichever woman you want to be your mother, give her the jade pendant, and Imperial Grandfather will grant marriage between your father king and that woman.”

The palace New Year’s Eve banquet could only be attended by officials of fifth rank and above along with their families. In other words, no matter how the two children chose, that woman would at least be from a fifth-rank official’s family.

A daughter from a fifth-rank official’s household, though not quite matching the position of princess consort.

But as long as the two children liked her.

Taking a step back wouldn’t hurt.

Imperial Consort Yin thought the same way. No matter what, it would be much better than a farm girl.

Chu Hongyu grasped the jade pendant and stretched out his finger: “Imperial Grandfather must keep his word. Let’s make a pinky promise.”

Afraid this boy would cry again, the Emperor had no choice but to patiently extend his hand and make a pinky promise with him.

Chu Changsheng also stretched out her finger and made a pinky promise with the Emperor.

The matter was thus happily settled.

Chu Yi left the two children in the palace and rapidly rode his horse back to the residence.

He passed through the gate tunnel and reached the entrance to Yun Chu’s courtyard. Tingxue went in to report, then let him enter.

“Chu’er!”

Chu Yi walked in.

Yun Chu raised her face, her lips curved in a smile as she looked at him: “Your Highness, please sit.”

“Didn’t I tell you to call me Yi Lang?” Chu Yi walked toward her. “Everyone calls me Your Highness. I hope you’ll be different.”

Yun Chu was silent for a moment and said: “Then what if I just call you Chu Yi?”

No one else addressed him directly by name, right?

“Good.” Chu Yi sat down across from her, paused, and spoke. “I’ve wronged you.”

He couldn’t openly and properly propose to her.

He couldn’t declare his feelings for her to everyone.

He couldn’t tell everyone that she was the one and only.

“I’m not wronged.” Yun Chu curved her lips. “I know you’re protecting me.”

If he told Imperial Consort Yin that he wanted to marry her.

Then she would definitely be scrutinized by Imperial Consort Yin, made difficult for, humiliated, and subjected to rules…

It would bring many unnecessary troubles.

“Father Emperor will grant the marriage at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet.” Chu Yi looked at her steadily. “Very soon, I’ll be able to marry you as my wife.”

His gaze was too intense, making Yun Chu uncomfortable all over.

She thought of that day’s kiss, which had made her dizzy and confused.

Afraid that things would spiral out of control, she stood up: “The wintersweet outside seems to have bloomed. I should break off a branch to put in a vase.”

Chu Yi picked up a cloak, draped it over her, and walked out together with her.

In the courtyard were only a few scattered plum trees, blooming alone against the cold wind. Their elegant, subtle fragrance floated about, extraordinarily beautiful.

Chu Yi reached out and broke off the reddest branch from the highest point, handing it to Yun Chu.

The beauty’s face and the plum blossoms reflected each other in red, stirring the heart.