Chu Yi couldn’t help but pick up Yun Chu and spin her around.

This frightened Lin Shi so much her breath stopped: “Quick, quick, put Chu’er down! The child has just settled in and isn’t stable yet. Be careful!”

Chu Yi hastily and carefully placed Yun Chu in a chair.

“Your Highness must not be so reckless in the future.” Lin Shi paused, then spoke: “When Chu’er gave birth before, she hemorrhaged heavily and damaged her foundation. This pregnancy requires extra care. Your Highness shouldn’t sleep in Chu’er’s room at night to avoid harming the child.”

Chu Yi: “…”

Suddenly he wasn’t quite so happy anymore.

Lin Shi thought for a moment—she still needed to instruct the two children. She called out: “Yu’ge, Changsheng, come here quickly.”

Several children were playing with spinning tops to the side. Hearing this, they immediately ran over.

Lin Shi was about to speak.

But Yun Chu tugged at the corner of her clothes. She saw Yun Chu gently shake her head.

Lin Shi suddenly thought of some rumors circulating in society.

No one knew that Chu’er was the biological mother of the two children, so people in the gambling dens had opened bets on whether Princess Pingxi would bear legitimate sons again.

Some people were also betting that if Princess Pingxi gave birth to a legitimate son, who would become the future heir of Prince Pingxi’s residence.

These adults knew how things were, but the two children might not be clear about it.

If they learned that Chu’er was pregnant with a new child and were then instigated by people with ulterior motives, it could create some unnecessary troubles.

“Maternal Grandmother, what is it?”

Chu Hongyu asked, looking up.

“Nothing.” Lin Shi smiled. “You haven’t even eaten your fill yet and you’re already playing wildly. Be careful of being hungry tonight. Come, eat a bit more.”

After finishing the meal at the Yun family home, the sky had completely darkened.

The family of four took a carriage back to the prince’s residence.

After being away for half a year, the prince’s residence was still as orderly as before.

Yun Chu took the two children’s hands and returned to the main courtyard. The maidservants and old women all came to pay their respects, then withdrew.

“Yu’ge, Changsheng, you two come here.” She smiled gently. “Mother has good news to tell you.”

The two little ones immediately gathered around Yun Chu. Chu Hongyu habitually tried to climb onto her lap.

Chu Yi lifted his hand and grabbed him by the back of his collar: “Sit properly by yourself.”

“I just want to sit on Mother’s lap.” The little one pouted. “Father, don’t go too far.”

Yun Chu grasped Chu Hongyu’s hand and placed his little hand on her abdomen, smiling: “You’re going to have a little brother or sister.”

Chu Hongyu froze, then jumped up excitedly: “Mother, you mean there’s a baby here now?”

Yun Chu nodded gently.

“I’m going to be an older sister!” Chu Changsheng’s curved eyes were full of excitement. “Wonderful, wonderful!”

The two children’s reactions were within Yun Chu’s expectations.

She knew Yu’ge and Changsheng would definitely accept their younger sibling.

But once news of her pregnancy spread, many people would say things they shouldn’t say in the two children’s ears.

Even the most innocent children, hearing such talk day after day, would develop negative feelings.

“A long time ago, Yu’ge and Changsheng grew in Mother’s belly too.” Yun Chu smiled as she spoke. “It’s just that due to certain reasons, you were separated from Mother as soon as you were born. The little room you two used to live in is now occupied by your little brother or sister, who will also be your closest family.”

Chu Hongyu carefully touched Yun Chu’s belly: “I hope it’s a little sister.”

Chu Changsheng nodded: “If it’s a little sister, that would be wonderful. I’ll give my prettiest dress to my little sister.”

Yun Chu rubbed her forehead.

She had wanted to tell the two children that she was their biological mother.

But the two little ones didn’t seem to care about this matter.

“Yu’ge, Changsheng, come here.” Chu Yi coughed and spoke. “Father has a few words for you.”

“I know, I know!” Chu Hongyu immediately said. “Father just wants to say that from now on we shouldn’t climb on Mother anymore, shouldn’t let Mother hold us, and can’t sleep with Mother. Did I guess right?”

“Not only that.” Chu Yi looked at the two children. “If someone says that after your mother has this child, she’ll never love you anymore, would you believe it?”

“How is that possible?” Chu Hongyu giggled. “I’m so smart and Changsheng is so adorable. How could Mother not love us?”

Chu Yi continued asking: “If someone says that after your mother gives birth to a legitimate son, you’ll no longer be the heir, what would you think?”

“If I’m not, then I’m not!” Chu Hongyu raised his chin. “I’ve said before, I want to make Mother the most noble woman in this world. I want to become Crown Prince—that’s much more impressive than being an heir!”

Chu Yi: “…”

Yun Chu: “…”

She quickly covered her troublemaking son’s small mouth.

“Father, I understand what you mean.” Chu Changsheng’s soft, gentle voice sounded. “Whether or not Mother gives birth to a little brother or sister won’t affect Father’s and Mother’s love for us, and it won’t affect Brother’s position as heir. Of course, if Brother isn’t excellent enough, that’s another matter.”

The little girl had traveled outside for half a year and had become increasingly lively and cheerful. She could now speak such a long passage without any pauses.

“I’m going to be Crown Prince—how could I not be excellent… mmph!”

Chu Hongyu’s mouth was covered again.

As soon as Yun Chu released her hand, he immediately said: “Don’t worry, Mother. I won’t say this carelessly outside. I’m deliberately saying it for Father to hear, to make Father work harder.”

Chu Yi: “…”

“Father, I’ll work hard together with you.” The little one grinned. “It’s still early. I’ll go practice martial arts for a while before sleeping.”

“So disrespectful!” Chu Yi pulled at the corners of his mouth. “This boy speaks without restraint. The people serving by his side must be carefully selected so he doesn’t cause a major disaster.”

Yun Chu spoke: “Ah Mao is a trustworthy child, but we still need to select a few more young servants to attend to him.”

When the children were still young, those serving by their sides were nannies and maidservants. Now that they lived in their own courtyard and were growing older, it would be better to have young male servants attend to them personally.

Two to serve their daily needs, two to serve during studies and martial arts training.

As Yun Chu pondered this, she slowly fell asleep.

Chu Yi wanted to sleep together with her.

But he was truly afraid of touching her belly.

He had heard several maidservants talk about her childbirth six years ago—the accidental fall that triggered premature labor, the massive hemorrhage, nearly three deaths…

Pregnant women were so fragile.

How could he dare take even the slightest risk?

He gently and carefully got up to leave, but Yun Chu grabbed his arm.

He could only sit by the bed again, letting Yun Chu hold onto him.

He didn’t know when he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Suddenly Yun Chu moved slightly and he woke up.

“Chu Yi, did you sit by the bed all night?” Yun Chu propped herself up and looked toward the window. “It’s almost dawn.”

“In any case, I don’t need to attend morning court and have nothing to handle.” Chu Yi didn’t feel tired at all. “It’s still early. Sleep a bit more.”

Yun Chu sat up: “I need to practice martial arts.”

“You’re pregnant—can you still practice martial arts?” Chu Yi rubbed her messy hair. “Mother-in-law said the first three months require bed rest to stabilize the pregnancy. You lie down properly. I’ll go bring breakfast over.”

Yun Chu came to her realization.

After becoming pregnant, she indeed couldn’t practice martial arts anymore. If she bumped into something or fell, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Having experienced one childbirth accident, she couldn’t afford to take even the slightest risk again.