Spring’s dawn arrived gradually earlier now.

When Chu Yi opened his eyes, daylight already filtered in from outside.

This was the first time in many years he had slept until this hour.

He gazed at the woman beside him—her dark hair scattered across the pillow, her cool, refined features still lost in slumber, revealing a hint of languid contentment.

He couldn’t help but plant a gentle kiss on Yun Chu’s forehead.

Only then did he rise carefully, donning his robes before stepping outside. Two maidservants stood guard at the door, about to enter, when Chu Yi said in a low voice, “Wait half an hour before going in to attend to her.”

Tingxue and Tingfeng acknowledged the command and continued standing with lowered heads.

“Your Highness, the hour grows late. It’s time to enter the palace to express gratitude.” Nanny Er entered the main courtyard, head bowed as she said, “This old servant will go in to attend to the Princess Consort’s morning ablutions.”

Though she called herself an old servant, she wasn’t actually old—in her forties, with jet-black hair severely coiled atop her head. Her eyes looked up from the corners when regarding others, giving her a rather imposing presence.

Last night, when the Prince and Princess Consort had requested hot water, Nanny Er had insisted on carrying a bucket of hot water into the inner chamber herself, only to be firmly blocked by Tingxue.

And now, Nanny Er wanted to enter again. With the Prince present, Tingxue knew she had no place to speak.

She clenched her palms, pursing her lips as she rapidly considered her options.

“Tingxue manages the Princess Consort’s courtyard,” Chu Yi said calmly. “Has Tingxue arranged for Nanny Er to attend inside?”

Tingxue couldn’t help but freeze.

Nanny Er was the Prince’s wet nurse, managing the entire rear courtyard of the residence, which naturally included the servants of the main courtyard.

The Prince was actually making his wet nurse follow her arrangements?

Nanny Er was equally stunned.

She was someone close to the Prince. Volunteering to attend to the Princess Consort’s ablutions meant acknowledging the Princess Consort as her mistress.

Yet the Prince was using an inexperienced young maid to suppress her authority. How could she establish her dignity before the Princess Consort’s dowry servants in the future?

The Prince had been nursed on her milk—now that he had taken a wife, did he no longer regard her at all? Was it because the Princess Consort had whispered pillow talk?

Nanny Er lowered her head. “This old servant has overstepped. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Just then, two children came running in from outside.

Nanny Zheng followed behind them. “Young masters, slow down! Be careful not to fall…”

“Father is up!” Chu Hongyu called out in greeting, pulling his sister along as they ran toward the steps.

Chu Yi scooped them both into his arms. “Your mother is still sleeping. Don’t go in and disturb her.”

Inside the chamber, Yun Chu covered her face and sat up.

Not only had she risen later than Chu Yi, but both children were already up while she still slept. She truly had no face to show anyone.

She threw on a robe, pushed back the covers, and rose, clearing her throat softly.

Tingxue and Tingfeng immediately said, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort is awake. We servants will go in to attend her.”

Chu Yi nodded, gathering up both children and following them inside.

Nanny Er remained outside, her eyes darkening somewhat.

Standing to the side, Nanny Zheng spoke up. “Nanny Er perhaps doesn’t know—the two young masters are very fond of the Princess Consort. For this reason alone, the Prince will always respect the Princess Consort.”

Nanny Er said softly, “Have you considered what might happen if the Princess Consort has legitimate children of her own?”

Nanny Zheng fell silent.

If a woman had children of her own, she would certainly scheme to secure benefits for her biological offspring.

What was the greatest benefit in the Prince’s residence? Naturally, the position of heir apparent.

“Regardless, this is not something you or I should worry about,” Nanny Zheng said. “Just do the tasks at hand and don’t meddle in other matters.”

Nanny Er pressed her lips together.

“Mother, I missed you so much…”

Chu Hongyu kicked off his shoes and climbed up, nestling into Yun Chu’s embrace.

Since Mother had moved back to the Yun family home, though he could visit frequently, it still wasn’t as comfortable as when they had lived together before.

After finally waiting for Mother to marry into the Prince’s residence, Nanny Zheng had told him he could no longer sleep with Mother.

“Mother, I don’t want my own courtyard, not at all,” the little one said, clinging to Yun Chu. “I’m only five years old, still a child. Sleeping alone would frighten me. I want to sleep with Mother.”

Chu Changsheng nodded. “Today… I’ll sleep here… with brother.”

Chu Yi’s face darkened. Just as he was about to speak—

Yun Chu embraced both children. “Alright, tonight you’ll sleep with Mother.”

“What about me?” Chu Yi asked with a dark expression. “Where do I sleep?”

“Oh, Father, you can sleep anywhere,” Chu Hongyu said, tilting his head. “If you really have nowhere to sleep, then go sleep in my courtyard. Nanny Zheng said my courtyard is at the Star-Gazing Pavilion.”

Chu Yi: “…”

Yun Chu couldn’t help but laugh.

Under Tingxue and Tingfeng’s attendance, Yun Chu was quickly groomed and dressed.

The couple led the two children together into the palace to express gratitude.

The carriage soon arrived at the palace gate. Consort Yin had specially arranged sedan chairs for the two children to ride in. First, they went to Kunning Palace to give thanks.

The Empress wore a warm, gentle smile. She drank the tea Yun Chu presented, then bestowed rewards according to protocol.

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Yun Chu curtsied and accepted the rewards. Taking a pair of shoes from a maidservant’s hands, she presented them to the Empress.

The Empress examined them and expressed her pleasure.

This was all formality—both parties parted on amicable terms.

Next, they needed to pay respects to Consort Yin at Changqiu Palace.

Just as they were about to leave, crying sounds came from outside the hall.

“Your Majesty the Empress, you must give justice for the Sixth Prince…” Consort Yuan wept as she entered, her makeup streaked from genuine tears—clearly not feigned crying.

The Empress immediately discerned the gravity of the situation and quickly asked, “Sister Consort Yuan, what has happened?”

“Yesterday, the Sixth Prince attended the Third Prince’s wedding banquet. On his way back to his residence that night, something terrible occurred.” Consort Yuan sobbed breathlessly. “I only just received word—one of the Sixth Prince’s ears was torn clean off… The Sixth Prince is imperial blood. How dare someone lay hands on imperial blood at the very foot of the throne…”

Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng shrank back in fright, hiding in Yun Chu’s embrace.

Chu Yi’s brow furrowed. “The banquet dispersed at the end of the you hour last night. The streets were still lively then. How could such a thing happen?”

The Empress’s expression grew heavy. “Consort Yuan, come with me to see His Majesty.”

As mother of the nation, she was the legitimate mother to all the princes. If a prince met with misfortune, she could not escape blame and must step forward immediately.

Consort Yuan wiped her tears. “His Majesty is currently holding court. Otherwise, I would not have come to Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Then we’ll wait at the Golden Phoenix Hall entrance.”

The Empress rose and walked out. Consort Yuan immediately followed.

Yun Chu and Chu Yi also led the children out of Kunning Palace. On the way to Changqiu Palace, Yun Chu said in a low voice, “What do you make of this matter?”

Chu Yi said slowly, “The Sixth Prince has an arrogant temperament. Previously, palace rules constrained him, but after receiving his princedom and moving out of the palace, he frequently bullied men and violated women. That someone sought revenge is within reason—I just wonder who would have such audacity.”

Yun Chu nodded. “The Sixth Prince becoming a prince and meeting with trouble on our wedding day—you should personally investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Chu Yi squeezed her hand tightly. “After finally getting three days of rest, I want to properly accompany you these three days. Nothing shall disturb me.”

Yun Chu’s face suddenly flushed red.

Looking up, they had arrived at Changqiu Palace. She quickly withdrew her hand.