Before long, the two children finally calmed down and sat in their own seats eating snacks.

Madam Yin accompanied Yun Chu in drinking tea and spoke: “Yi’er is constantly away on business and rarely spends time with the two children. It would be good if there were a princess consort, but Yi’er has made up his mind stubbornly—no matter what, he refuses to marry a princess consort into the household. The children suffer from not having a mother’s love.”

Otherwise, how could they cling to Madam Xie calling her “Mother”?

“The Prince must have his own calculations.” Yun Chu knew that in his previous life, Prince Pingxi remained unmarried even into his thirties and forties. If nothing unexpected happened, this life would likely be the same.

The children truly needed a mother, but no one could guarantee whether a future princess consort would genuinely care for these two children.

Prince Pingxi must have considered this point, which was why he delayed taking a wife.

While the two women discussed this matter, Chu Yi and Master Yin were also talking about it in the study.

“Yi’er, you’re twenty-five this year. Your marriage should be put on the agenda.” Master Yin took a sip of tea. “A few days ago, your aunt entered the palace, and Consort Yin gave her a list, asking her to help select a few women for you to review. Your aunt has been afraid to handle this matter, worried you’d be displeased. In the past, your refusal was acceptable, but now, you’ve also seen how much Yu’er and Changsheng need a mother’s companionship. Surely you can’t have them see Madam Xie every time the children want their mother?”

Master Yin shook his head. “Once or twice would be fine—Madam Xie won’t say anything. But over time, don’t you think Madam Xie might develop resentment? They’re clearly the children of your Prince Pingxi’s residence—why should an unrelated person always have to comfort them? Furthermore, General Yun is on good terms with you. If you frequently invite Madam Xie to the Yin residence and someone with ulterior motives sees it, it could damage Madam Xie’s reputation, which would also affect your friendship with General Yun.”

Chu Yi raised his head.

Outside the window was the pavilion. Madam Yin and Yun Chu sat drinking tea, while the two children crouched on the ground playing with something.

The children would play for a while, then look up at Yun Chu before continuing their play.

Changsheng, who had been melancholy these past days—where could one see she was a child who resisted communicating with others? Her eyes were shining, her lips curved in a smile.

He could feel that Changsheng truly liked Madam Xie.

If only Madam Xie were not yet married…

Thinking this, Chu Yi was startled. How could he have such thoughts?

He spoke: “I understand Uncle’s good intentions. Let’s proceed according to my mother consort’s wishes.”

Master Yin couldn’t believe it, then was overjoyed: “Good, good, good! After your aunt selects suitable women, she’ll send their portraits for you to review.”

Chu Yi drained the tea before him in one gulp.

Seeing the time was about right, he left the study and walked to the pavilion’s edge.

Seeing him emerge, Yun Chu was shocked to realize it was already nearly evening. Time with the children had passed far too quickly.

“Your Highness, this subject’s wife should take her leave.” As soon as Yun Chu’s words fell, she felt someone clutching her legs. Looking down, she saw two children gazing at her with tear-filled eyes.

She crouched down, stroking the two little ones’ heads. “Young Lord, young princess, it’s getting late. You should also be going back.”

“No!” Chu Hongyu’s nose felt sour. “Auntie Yun, I won’t go back, and you shouldn’t go back either. We should be together forever!”

Though Chu Changsheng couldn’t speak, she clung to Yun Chu with both arms and legs, fully demonstrating her thoughts through actions.

“Chu Hongyu, Chu Changsheng.” Chu Yi spoke coldly. “Before inviting Madam Xie to come, what did you promise me?”

His voice was stern. Upon hearing him speak, the two children immediately released Yun Chu and stood obediently to the side, their two pairs of dark eyes gazing pitifully at Yun Chu.

Yun Chu forced herself to put on a smile: “Young Lord, young princess, we’ll see each other again next time.”

Her relationship with the two children had now been openly acknowledged. It should be easier to see them in the future.

She steeled her heart, turned, and walked out.

Chu Yi escorted her out, and Madam Yin hurried to follow, lest anyone see and find it improper.

At the residence entrance, Yun Chu turned and bowed farewell again.

“Thank you for being willing to come, Madam Xie.” Chu Yi spoke. “This autumn, the name of Madam Xie’s eldest son will be on the Imperial Academy student roster.”

Yun Chu understood immediately upon hearing this.

After Xie Shi’an passed the examination as top scholar, he would naturally become an Imperial Academy student. But because the Xie family had offended Marquis Xuanwu, with Marquis Xuanwu’s machinations, this spot would naturally be lost.

However, now that she had comforted Prince Pingxi’s two children, out of gratitude, Prince Pingxi was willing to intervene and return this spot to the Xie family.

Yun Chu lowered her head: “This subject’s wife was willing to come because I like the Young Lord and young princess, not to use two children to gain something. Your Highness’s action insults this subject’s wife’s sincere feelings for the two children. Please withdraw this command, Your Highness.”

Chu Yi frowned: “This originally belonged to your Xie family.”

“Gaining it is fortune, losing it is fate. In this world, there’s no such thing as something that originally should belong to anyone.” Yun Chu spoke softly. “If Your Highness truly wishes to thank this subject’s wife, then pay more attention to the Young Lord and young princess. This subject’s wife takes her leave.”

Having finished speaking, she turned and boarded the carriage.

In the evening sunset, the Xie family carriage slowly disappeared into the alley.

“Madam Xie is truly a gentle and magnanimous person.” Madam Yin couldn’t help saying. “Yi’er, you should marry a wife like her.”

Chu Yi shook his head: “Aunt, please don’t say such things anymore.”

Don’t tarnish Madam Xie’s reputation.

He walked into the courtyard and beckoned to the two children: “Come here, we’re going back.”

Chu Hongyu reluctantly walked toward him. After two steps, he realized his sister hadn’t followed. Looking back, he saw his sister with her head lowered, constantly playing with her hands, her fingers twisting like flowers—this was his sister’s favorite activity. Sometimes she could play like this all day. It was particularly frightening.

He walked over and shouted loudly: “Changsheng! Time to go home!”

Hearing the sound, the little girl woodenly raised her head. Her pitch-black eyes slowly turned before she took her brother’s hand and walked toward Chu Yi.

Chu Yi’s heart ached.

Just moments ago, Changsheng had been a lively little girl.

Once Madam Xie left, she reverted to her former self—always dazed, as if unable to hear the outside world’s sounds, showing no reaction to anything.

Chu Yi crouched down: “Changsheng, Father Prince will hold you.”

The little girl tightly held Chu Hongyu’s hand and didn’t even glance at him.

He sighed: “The kitten Father Prince promised to let you raise was just delivered to the prince’s residence. You can see it when we get back.”

Only then did Chu Changsheng’s eyes show a slight ripple. She extended her two small arms toward Chu Yi.

He picked up the tiny girl.

In her world, previously there had only been her brother and the kitten. Now Madam Xie had been added.

He spoke: “Changsheng, Yu’er, Father Prince has decided to find a mother consort for you. You’ll choose together with Father Prince.”

“Let Auntie Yun be our mother consort!” Chu Hongyu said happily. “Changsheng and I both like Auntie Yun. Father Prince, you’ll definitely like her too.”

Chu Yi’s expression was calm: “She’s already married. Choose someone else.”

“Can’t she marry again?” Chu Hongyu asked hopefully. “I really like her so much.”

Chu Yi said nothing more.

He thought back to when he was fifteen years old, when he followed General Yun on campaign. She had stood on the city wall to see them off. At that time, she was only ten years old.

Five years later, when he returned to the capital with General Yun’s victorious army, upon just arriving in the capital, he followed General Yun back to the Yun residence and drank at her wedding ceremony.

Just like that, she had married.

Many things came too late to consider, and there was no way to consider them.