The night was tranquil.

Chu Hongyu was too excited to sleep, wrapping both his hands and feet around Yun Chu.

Yun Chu was utterly overwhelmed. Although she had personally raised Xie Shiyun, Xie Shiyun had never dared to be so unrestrained.

“Don’t close your eyes. Let’s talk.”

The little fellow lay on top of her, forcibly prying her eyelids open.

“Young Lord, do you know what time it is now?” Yun Chu had a headache. “Children who sleep early grow tall. Go to sleep.”

“My name is Chu Hongyu. Call me Yu Brother, it sounds more affectionate.” The little fellow hugged her neck and said softly, “What should I call you then?”

Yun Chu really had no way to deal with him: “You can call me Auntie.”

“No, Auntie is too distant.” Chu Hongyu tilted his head and thought for quite a while. “How about I call you Mother?”

Yun Chu was truly startled: “Yu Brother, you can’t say such things carelessly anymore. If someone hears it, I’ll be the one in trouble.”

The little fellow quickly said, “I know you’re already married, so you can’t be my mother anymore. Then how about Mother-dear? When no one is around in the future, I’ll call you Mother-dear. That way you won’t get in trouble, right?”

“You…”

The words of refusal were on the tip of her tongue, but Yun Chu couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Her heart had softened to the extreme. Originally she had pretended to be cold, hoping this child would leave soon, but now she could no longer control her emotions and reached out to embrace the child.

“Mm, you smell so nice.” Chu Hongyu closed his eyes. “Just like the Mother-dear in my dreams—the same fragrance. I really, really like you…”

The child murmured to himself and soon sank into slumber.

Yun Chu gently stroked his head.

This child had the exact same face as that child in her dream. Her heart had long since opened to him.

How she wished the child was still alive, how she wished the child could sleep by her side, but everything could only ever be wishful thinking…

Yun Chu slowly fell asleep.

The next day, her nose itched and she sneezed, opening her eyes immediately.

She saw the little fellow holding a thread in his hand, deliberately tickling her nose. Seeing her sneeze, the little rascal revealed a triumphant smile.

“Mother-dear, you’re awake. Good morning.”

That single call of “Mother-dear” made it impossible for Yun Chu to feel any resistance toward him.

She picked up the child: “Yu Brother, put on your clothes. Let’s have breakfast first.”

Chu Hongyu obediently let her dress him, docilely holding her hand and following her to the side hall.

Because she was ill, people coming to pay morning respects were turned away by Tingshuang at the courtyard gate. The other maids in the courtyard were each busy with their tasks. Only the most trusted maids were in the side hall.

“What does Yu Brother like to eat?” Yun Chu asked with a gentle smile. “These goat’s milk steamed buns taste quite good. Want to try one?”

Chu Hongyu lifted his little chin: “I want you to feed me.”

Thinking she would refuse, Yun Chu instead directly picked up a bun with chopsticks and brought it to his lips. He took a bite. The bun tasted about the same as those at the prince’s manor, but for some reason it was especially delicious. He ate one and wanted another, eating seven or eight in a row, all personally fed to his mouth by Yun Chu.

“Mother-dear, you’re so good to me. I like you so much!”

He seemed to have never been this happy before. His whole being felt as though it was soaking in a honey jar, like he was dreaming.

Yun Chu smiled at him: “Are you full?”

Chu Hongyu patted his round little belly: “I’ve never been this full before.”

Yun Chu stood up: “If you’re full, then let’s go.”

These words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving Chu Hongyu stunned in place.

This woman had suddenly been so good to him just so she could smoothly drive him away?

However happy he had been moments ago was how sad he felt now.

With a blink of his eyes, tears fell like golden beans, streaming down.

Yun Chu maintained a hard heart: “The Young Lord has stayed out for a night. It’s time to go back.”

“Waaaaaah—”

Chu Hongyu suddenly burst into loud sobs, crying until he was breathless.

Tingxue spoke up: “Madam, this servant went out early this morning to inquire. Prince Pingxi is currently suppressing bandits on a mountain dozens of miles outside the city. He won’t be returning to the capital anytime soon…”

Back when Third Young Master was raised by Madam’s side, she was the main maid serving Third Young Master. She understood the temperament of children this age very well. She could clearly sense that this Young Lord truly liked their Madam.

Madam had suffered too much. Having someone who genuinely liked Madam stay here wouldn’t be bad.

She hoped the Young Lord could help Madam emerge from the shadows soon…

Tingshuang also said in a low voice, “Prince Pingxi’s manor is currently completely peaceful, which shows that no one knows about the Young Lord’s disappearance. Madam need not worry.”

Yun Chu sighed.

She suddenly felt some heartache for this child.

Only four years old, gone an entire night without returning home, yet in that vast prince’s manor, not a single person had noticed.

If this child had a mother, how could he go missing without anyone detecting it?

Tingfeng came in to report: “Madam, Master has arrived.”

Yun Chu glanced at the time. Court had just let out now. In the past, after morning court, Xie Jingyu would need to handle official business. After the tasks were done, he would socialize with colleagues. Generally he would be busy until nightfall before returning. But now, with no duties and no socializing, she could roughly guess why he was coming to Sheng Residence at this hour.

She reached out to wipe away Chu Hongyu’s tears and said, “If you want to stay here with me, you must obediently listen. You cannot let anyone except those here discover your existence. Can you do that?”

Disbelief showed in Chu Hongyu’s eyes: “Mother-dear, you’re really not driving me away anymore?”

“I’m only keeping you temporarily.” Yun Chu ruffled his hair. “Stay here obediently. Don’t make a sound.”

She stood up and walked out of the side hall.

She stood on the steps and saw Xie Jingyu under the covered corridor.

Xie Jingyu, already twenty-eight years old, still looked like an elegant young scholar, able to attract the gazes of all the maids.

In her past life, she had willingly raised so many illegitimate sons and daughters, actually hoping that one day Xie Jingyu would see her, hadn’t she?

But having been reborn, she felt nothing but complete disgust toward this man.

“Why has Master returned to the manor so early?”

Her voice was bland as she asked knowingly.

Xie Jingyu inquired with a face full of concern: “Are you feeling better?”

Yun Chu nodded: “I’m fine.”

Seeing she was unwilling to say more, Xie Jingyu didn’t press further with questions. He paused and said, “In two more days it will be the Old Madam’s birthday. Will Madam be able to attend?”

“These past days I’ve had poor appetite. I’m afraid attending the banquet would affect the guests’ appetites. However—” she shifted her tone, “the Xie Manor didn’t hold the flower-viewing banquet this year. Only this birthday banquet can bring everyone together for some liveliness. I naturally must come forward to greet the guests. Husband can rest assured.”

Xie Jingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

He had thought he would need to expend considerable effort persuading her, but unexpectedly Yun Chu agreed so readily.

He had judged a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind.

He was about to speak when suddenly Tingyu entered the courtyard carrying a bowl of soup: “Madam has been ill for so long without recovery. This concubine specially stewed nourishing soup to bring over. I didn’t expect Master to be here as well.”

Xie Jingyu’s expression was bland: “Serve your madam well.”

After saying this, he turned and left Sheng Residence.

Watching his retreating figure, Tingyu’s face was full of disappointment. She had finally encountered Master, yet often couldn’t even exchange a word with him.

Yun Chu had been about to enter the side hall when she saw Tingyu carrying a bowl of soup and walking up to her.