Since the founding of Great Jin, never had any imperial prince or grandson in the imperial family married a woman who had been married before.

To the imperial family members, this matter was even more absurd than the sun rising from the west.

The Emperor was certain that Chu Yi would absolutely never marry a woman who had been married before and served another man as his wife, because this son had never wanted to marry in the first place—wouldn’t he now have even more reason to refuse?

He directly called Chu Yi over: “What is your view?”

Chu Yi’s voice was cold and deep: “As long as Yu’er and Changsheng like her, this son is willing to marry Miss Yun into the household.”

“You…” Consort Yin’s expression changed instantly. “Yi’er, she won’t do. She really won’t do…”

The Yun family had already fallen—never mind that. The key issue was that Miss Yun had been married before. Her body was no longer pure. How could she be entered into the imperial genealogy?

The Empress’s eyes flickered.

She had previously worried that the two children would choose a noble lady from a first-rank family. Looking at it now, those worries had truly been excessive.

Although the Yun family still held a first-rank position currently, with Yun Silin’s fate uncertain, the Yun family was actually just an empty shell.

If Chu Yi married a Yun family daughter as his princess consort, then he would lack the most powerful support.

Thinking of this, the Empress said gently: “Yu’er and Changsheng just selected four people—Lady Shanya, the Eldest Princess, Lady Ji, and Miss Yun. I’ll only ask one question: among these four, which one is most suitable to be Prince Pingxi’s consort?”

With this question, everyone present fell silent.

Lady Shanya was over seventy years old, with children and grandchildren filling her halls…

The Eldest Princess was the Emperor’s own younger sister, Chu Yi’s own aunt…

Lady Ji was a daughter of the Du family who had married into the Ji family five years ago and had borne one son and one daughter…

Only Yun Chu had no husband’s family, no children, and her age was also appropriate…

Consort Yin was struck speechless.

The Emperor frowned: “Does the Yun family not have other daughters…”

Even a concubine-born daughter would be better than someone who had been married before.

“Wahhh!” Chu Hongyu suddenly burst into wails. “I want her! Wahhh! You’re not keeping your word! Wahhh! Imperial Grandfather, you’re the worst, the absolute worst. I’ll never like you again!”

“Insolent!”

The Emperor coldly struck the table.

The little fellow shrank his neck in fright and hid in Consort Yin’s embrace, beginning to cry silently.

The little girl also cried softly along with him.

Chu Yi suddenly stood up and picked up the two children, one on each side: “Since Father Emperor is not sincere, then in the future, do not use this matter to deceive the two children anymore.”

“Yi’er, sit down properly,” Consort Yin pulled at him. “Aren’t we still discussing this? Why are you being stubborn? Your Father Emperor is also thinking of your best interests.”

“Your Majesty, the sovereign’s word carries no jest,” the Empress said warmly. “The former court and rear palace—many people know of this matter. If Your Majesty breaks his word, I fear… I wonder if Your Majesty has noticed that the people Yu’er and Changsheng chose are all women who have given birth and raised children. Because those women have been mothers, the children instinctively feel fondness toward them. No matter how many times they choose, the final result won’t be any better than the current one.”

Consort Hui was Prince Gongxi’s mother consort. She couldn’t wait for Chu Yi to marry a princess consort without backing, so she chimed in: “Miss Yun knows how to raise children. In this respect, she’s actually much stronger than the other noble ladies in the capital.”

Consort Yun, seated to the side, had originally been drinking by herself, as this matter had nothing whatsoever to do with her.

But who would have expected that the two children would actually choose Chu’er?

Chu’er had married into the Xie family, managed household affairs for the Xie family, and raised so many concubine-born sons and daughters.

Now she had finally escaped the Xie family, only to turn around and marry into Prince Pingxi’s manor to raise children for Prince Pingxi again?

Consort Yun’s heart ached terribly for this niece of hers.

She said softly: “Chu’er actually doesn’t know how to raise children. The fact that those several children of the Xie family all turned out crooked is proof of that.”

“Those several children of the Xie family—their mother was a descendant of the He family. They were rotten from the root. What does that have to do with Miss Yun?” The Empress paused. “However, Consort Yun’s words do remind me—since we’re bestowing a marriage, it should be mutually willing. Why don’t we invite Miss Yun over to ask?”

In her view, for a divorced woman to marry into the imperial family would be an enormous honor. There was no reason for Yun Chu not to agree.

Senior Eunuch Gao glanced at the Emperor. Seeing the Emperor had no objection, he went down to summon Yun Chu.

Those many people seated below, although they couldn’t hear clearly what the imperial family members in the high positions were saying, still managed to discern some clues from the two children’s loud crying, Consort Yin’s anxiety, and Chu Yi’s cold expression.

Very clearly, the imperial family was dissatisfied with Yun Chu.

This was completely within everyone’s expectations.

“Miss Yun’s husband died, and then she was driven out by the Xie family. How could such a woman be worthy of Prince Pingxi?”

“I don’t know why the Young Lord and Princess would hand the jade pendants to her.”

“They just gave them randomly. The imperial family will definitely take the jade pendants back.”

“Prince Pingxi’s marriage matter is really too full of twists and turns.”

“Who says it isn’t?”

“…”

Amid everyone’s discussions, Yun Chu, holding the two jade pendants, walked to the high position. She stood below the steps, bent her knees, and paid respects to those seated on high.

“Miss Yun, rise and answer,” the Empress said with a smile. “Does Miss Yun know what these jade pendants signify?”

Yun Chu raised the jade pendants above her head and said with lowered head: “The Young Lord and Little Princess probably gave them to the wrong person. This subject’s wife has specially come to return them.”

“They weren’t given to the wrong person—they were meant for you!” Chu Hongyu said loudly. “Are you willing to be our mother?”

Yun Chu hesitated and didn’t speak.

The Empress said with a smile: “We women must eventually have a place to belong. We can’t rely on our fathers and brothers for an entire lifetime, isn’t that the principle? It’s rare that Yu’er and Changsheng like you. This can also be considered a fated connection.”

The Emperor’s face had remained somber all along.

Of course he wasn’t satisfied with this marriage, but he himself had spoken those words. To go back on them now would indeed make people question the dignity of imperial authority.

He spoke: “Marriage is the union of two surnames bringing harmony. If you’re unwilling, no one will force you to nod in agreement.”

Yun Chu said with lowered head: “In response to Your Majesty, since this subject’s wife divorced, she truly hasn’t thought about remarrying…”

Before she could finish the sentence, the two children burst into wails competing with each other.

“Wahhh, Changsheng and I are so pitiful. In this lifetime, no one will ever be willing to be our mother…”

“No one cherishes or loves Changsheng and me. We’re the most pitiful people in the world…”

The two little ones held each other and cried bitterly.

Yun Chu immediately bent down and squatted: “Good children, don’t cry anymore, don’t cry… I’m not unwilling to be your mother…”

“Not unwilling—that means you’re willing!” Chu Hongyu jumped three feet high. “Imperial Grandfather, Father Prince agreed, she also agreed, and little sister and I are also willing. Let’s settle this matter like this!”

The Emperor looked at Yun Chu with somber eyes: “Are you truly willing to be a mother to the two children?”

“This subject’s wife once lost two children, and these two children chose this subject’s wife to be their mother. Perhaps this truly is fated connection,” Yun Chu lowered her head. “This subject’s wife submits entirely to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress’s decision.”

Both children’s eyes were swollen from crying. How could she bear to continue pulling and contesting…

The Empress’s face bloomed with smiles: “Your Majesty, taking advantage of the New Year’s Eve banquet, bestow the marriage.”