Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 71

Chapter 71 - Even If It Is Difficult, I Must Go

Yunchu quickly stood up and bowed.

"Madam Xie, please, no need for such formalities," Chu Yi said. "I have a favor to ask of Madam Xie."

God only knew how difficult it was to catch a glimpse of Madam Xie.

There were no women of the household in his manor, nor any legitimate pretext to invite her over.

If he were to call at the Xie residence, it was impossible that the Xie family would have the mistress of the house entertain a male guest.

He could only have people keep a close watch on the Xie residence. Finally, when she stepped out the front gate, he immediately spurred his horse and followed.

Walking into this teahouse, he spotted her sitting by the window drinking tea at a glance—clothed in a moon-white dress with her jet-black hair pinned up, revealing a fair, slender neck... Noticing this, he immediately averted his gaze.

He stood in place for quite a while before finally walking over to address her as Madam Xie.

How could Yunchu possibly know of the turbulent thoughts running through his mind? She was merely a bit surprised to realize that the Prince of Pingxi had sought her out on purpose rather than by chance encounter.

Lowering her gaze, she said, "Being able to be of service to Your Highness is this humble wife's honor. Please, Your Highness, give your orders."

The designation "this humble wife" caused Chu Yi to frown slightly.

Brushing aside this trace of subtle discomfort, he spoke, "A few days ago, my unworthy son and little daughter mistakenly entered the Xie residence. I trust they did not disturb Madam Xie."

The expression on Yunchu's face stiffened.

She abruptly raised her head, meeting Chu Yi's pitch-black gaze.

She had thought she concealed everything well that day, but in truth, this man had seen right through it all along.

So, was he here to call her to account?

Yet it didn't quite seem like it; his demeanor and expression were far too gentle, not at all resembling someone looking for trouble.

Quickly withdrawing her gaze, Yunchu replied, "This humble wife did not mean to conceal it deliberately. That day, the young heir and the little princess..."

"I do not mean to blame Madam Xie," Chu Yi sighed. "Ever since my daughter returned to the prince's manor that day, she has been depressed for days on end, spending every single day painting. All of them are portraits of Madam Xie. She must wish to see Madam Xie again. I wonder if Madam Xie might grant her this wish?"

Upon hearing that Changsheng was depressed, Yunchu's heart felt as though it were being clutched by someone.

Without needing the slightest hesitation or thought, she nodded directly.

Chu Yi let out a breath and said in a slow voice, "For Madam Xie to visit the prince's manor directly might draw unwanted attention. I will have someone take the children to the Yin family residence."

Yunchu knew that the Yin family was the maiden family of Chu Yi's late birth mother.

Chu Yi's mother had originally been nothing more than a lowly palace maid who caught the Emperor's fancy and thereby conceived a child. After giving birth to the Third Prince, she became a Noble Lady, and was later elevated to the rank of Concubine once Chu Yi established military achievements.

Chu Yi's mother was never one of the four high-ranking imperial consorts. The head of the Yin family, Lord Yin—who was Chu Yi's biological maternal uncle—was merely an obscure, sixth-rank minor official. Consequently, even though Chu Yi wielded military power and enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, he never aroused the wariness or suspicion of the Empress and the Crown Prince...

Chu Yi rode his horse in the lead.

Yunchu sat in a carriage, following at a distance behind.

Tingshuang sat by her side, asking with a hint of worry, "If Madam is overly close with the young heir and the little princess, might it cause the Prince of Pingxi to misunderstand?"

"Could it be that simply out of fear of his misunderstanding, I should refuse to see Yu'er and Changsheng?" Yunchu also battled with her inner thoughts. "Changsheng is only four years old, yet she has been sickly for over three years. She wishes to see me; no matter how difficult it is, I must go."

The carriage moved forward leisurely, passing through the most bustling streets before turning into a small alleyway, finally arriving at the Yin family residence.

Concubine Yin had originally been a low-ranking palace maid, so it was easy to imagine that the Yin family was no illustrious clan. If the Yin family managed to enter official circles today, it was entirely thanks to the prestige of Concubine Yin.

They understood the virtue of knowing when to stop. Holding a sixth-rank official post, they advanced no further, content to live out their days simply as leisurely minor officials without participating in court struggles.

"Uncle, Aunt."

Chu Yi dismounted from his horse with a fluid motion and greeted them with cupped hands.

"Yi'er, what a rare sight today," Madam Yin said. "Whenever that little scoundrel Yu'er comes, doesn't he always chase dogs and climb roofs, turning the place upside down? Yet today he actually sits obediently in a chair drinking tea. He really has grown up and become sensible. And as for Changsheng, ever since she was born, she has never been willing to see external guests. Why is she willing to come to the Yin family today?"

Inwardly, Chu Yi was also secretly amazed.

Although Yu'er had an extroverted personality, he did not readily accept just anyone; for him to take a liking to Madam Xie was truly peculiar.

And then there was Changsheng, who naturally loathed communicating with anyone. Even as her father, it was exceedingly difficult for him to step into her inner world, yet Madam Xie had effortlessly captured Changsheng's thoughts...

Even as they spoke, the Xie family carriage slowly came to a halt before the Yin family gates.

Yunchu leaned on Tingshuang's hand as she stepped down from the carriage, offering a respectful bow: "Your Highness, Lord Yin, Madam Yin."

Madam Yin naturally recognized that this was the legitimate daughter of the General's Manor, now Madam Xie. Just as she was about to return the courtesy, she heard the patter of hurried footsteps from behind. Immediately following, two doll-like children rushed out from the front entrance, charging simultaneously from left and right straight into Yunchu's embrace.

"Mother!"

Crouching against Yunchu's chest, Chu Huongyu felt it wasn't enough and began scrambling upward with all four limbs, wrapping his arms around Yunchu's neck a moment later.

That single word—"Mother"—stunned everyone standing nearby.

Even Chu Yi, who was usually devoid of emotional fluctuation on his face, revealed a look of astonishment.

Was the word "mother" something that could just be casually shouted out?

The crucial point was that Madam Xie did not seem to find anything amiss about it in the slightest...

Could it be that whenever Madam Xie was alone with the children, Yu'er addressed her as mother at every turn?

"Ah, this..." Madam Yin was thoroughly bewildered. "Isn't this Madam Xie?"

Did she recognize the wrong person or something? How on earth did Madam Xie end up becoming the mother of these two children...

Oh, or perhaps this wasn't Madam Xie after all, but rather another young miss of the General's Manor who bore a striking resemblance to her?

Yet the woman standing before her was dressed in the attire of a married matron. How could Yi'er possibly allow a married woman to act as the mother of his children?

Yunchu finally noticed the expressions of the few people before her.

She abruptly came to her senses, realizing that the title of mother should not have existed at this moment.

Quietly, she pinched Chu Huongyu's bottom.

Coughing lightly, Chu Huongyu amended, "I meant to say, Auntie Yun looks just like my and Changsheng's mother..."

"I knew it," Madam Yin breathed a sigh of relief. "I've met Madam Xie a few times before, and I knew I couldn't possibly mistake her. Come, come, please step inside! Someone, serve tea."

She led the way in the front, with Yunchu following closely behind.

She held Chu Huongyu in her arms while taking Chu Changsheng by the hand.

Once they entered the courtyard and Yunchu had just seated herself, the little girl impatiently climbed onto her lap and forcefully shoved Chu Huongyu down.

"Chu Changsheng, don't you go too far," Chu Huongyu said fiercely, akimbo with his hands on his waist. "Mo—cough, Auntie Yun has two legs and two hands. We each get half, you're not allowed to push me anymore, humpf!"

Yunchu: "..."

With two children sitting on her lap and their limbs wrapped around her neck and waist, she had the distinct sensation of being tied up with ropes.

Yet she knew that such moments were fleeting; perhaps in less than an hour, she would have to part ways with the children.

It was also at this moment that Madam Yin learned that Chu Yi had brought the children to the Yin family specifically to arrange a meeting with this Madam Xie.