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Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 188

Chapter 188 - A Widow May Remarry

Upon hearing Liu Qianqian's words, Yun Ze couldn't help but chuckle.


Shaking his head, he said, "Qianqian, you're being too naive... Even if the Prince of Pingxi were muddled that night and committed something he shouldn't have, he ended up raising the children himself. Moreover, he currently allows Chu'er to spend time with the two children. The deeper the emotional bond between mother and children, the more advantageous it is for him... In truth, he is well aware of the evil he committed, and step by step, he is forcing the Yun family to board his ship."


"I feel that the Prince of Pingxi is not that kind of person," Liu Qianqian said as she supported her swollen belly and sat down. "When Chu'er was injured and staying at the Yun residence previously, the Prince of Pingxi came to visit a few times. I could tell that the Prince of Pingxi genuinely harbors deep feelings for Chu'er."


"Chu'er is the foremost beauty of the capital; which man doesn't have feelings for Chu'er? Even a beast like Xie Jingyu reserved a place in his heart for Chu'er," Yun Ze said, gently supporting his wife's shoulders. "You are pregnant right now and filled with maternal instincts, so you see the good in everyone. I don't blame you for that."


Liu Qianqian furrowed her delicate brows. "Is that so?"


"Actually—" She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Without harming the children, there is a very simple way to bring them back by your side."


Yun Chu immediately pressed for details, "Sister-in-law, please tell me."


"It's just that..." She sighed softly. "You are currently a widow. Although a widow remarrying is considered unconventional, it is not explicitly forbidden by our dynasty's laws. If you were to marry him and become the Princess of Pingxi, all these issues would be resolved instantly."


Yun Chu was utterly dumbfounded.


She had never once considered this path...


Yun Ze immediately vetoed the idea. "If a daughter of the Yun family marries into the Prince's estate, the Yun family will openly become part of the Prince of Pingxi's faction. Wouldn't that be walking right into his trap? He drove Chu'er to such a miserable state, yet my Yun family would still help him ascend to that position—that would be the ultimate humiliation for both the Yun family and Chu'er."


Liu Qianqian said nothing further.


She could offer suggestions when it concerned Yun Chu, but the moment it involved the imperial court's struggle for succession, it went beyond what a woman like her could participate in.


She changed the subject. "Let's have dinner first."


The group walked toward the dining parlor.


Madam Lin had been waiting for a while. Looking at Yun Chu, she said, "Chu'er, you might as well move back home to live."


Yun Chu smiled and replied, "I've purchased a courtyard in Yulin Lane right behind the Yun residence. Once I formally leave the Xie family, I'll move right in. When that happens, I'll come home every single day to freeload meals—Mother just mustn't find me annoying."


"You child, you always spend money recklessly when you have a bit of spare cash," Madam Lin said with a disapproving expression. "The courtyard you lived in before your marriage has always been kept for you. Why waste money buying another place?"


Yun Chu didn't argue with her mother over this and happily began dining with the family.


After the family finished their meal, a servant came to report: "The Prince of Pingxi has arrived and has gone to the Old General's courtyard."


Yun Ze's brow immediately darkened. "What is he doing seeking out Grandfather?"


He stood up and strode directly toward the courtyard where Old General Yun resided.


"What is up with your eldest brother?" Madam Lin was startled. "Why does he look like he's heading over to pick a fight with the Prince of Pingxi? I'm going to go take a look."


Worried that her elder brother might lose his cool and blow things out of proportion, Yun Chu quickly stood up and followed along with Madam Lin.


Before they even stepped into the Old General's courtyard, Yun Chu heard a hearty, booming laugh.


"Prince of Pingxi, you're a fine lad!" Old General Yun was patting Chu Yi on the shoulder. "That notorious tyrant of Jiangnan held his ground in Eastern Mountain for over twenty years, yet you subdued him in a single move without losing a single soldier or a single arrow. Brilliant, truly brilliant!"


"I am just a junior; the Old General can simply address me by my name," Chu Yi said, lowering his posture to the absolute minimum. "I came here to seek instruction from the Old General regarding the Battle of Maple Forest from over thirty years ago. I heard that with a mere two thousand troops, the Old General repelled thirty thousand enemy cavalry and recaptured a fallen city. I wonder what strategy the Old General employed?"


When Old General Yun talked about military campaigns, he could go on endlessly and was more than eager to share his tactical experience in commanding troops.


Chu Yi listened with rapt attention, interjecting words of flattery and praise from time to time, which thoroughly delighted the old general.


The Grand Secretary had told him the other day that it was precisely because he had gained the formal approval of his father-in-law that the father-in-law had later agreed to marry his daughter to him.


He could emulate that very approach.


Although he and Yun Chu had not reached that stage yet, winning the favor of the Yun family members in advance was a move that could never go wrong.


Just as the two men were talking, the three members of the Yun family walked in.


Yun Ze's gentle eyes were currently suppressing a surging fury as he stared coldly at Chu Yi.


Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Chu Yi turned and met Yun Ze's gaze with mild surprise. "Lord Yun, this is...?"


Yun Ze lowered his eyelids to conceal the emotions swirling in his eyes. "My grandfather's health has been somewhat frail; I was merely worried about his condition just now. I had no intention of offending Your Highness."


Old General Yun let out a yawn. "I am indeed rather tired. I'm going to sleep—you young people go on and chat."


Walking outside, Chu Yi turned to Madam Lin and said, "Madam Yun, I happened to acquire a bottle of Snow-Skin Jade Complexion Cream a few days ago, specially formulated for women over forty. I brought it as a gift for Madam Yun."


He took a white porcelain bottle from his attendant's hands and handed it directly to Madam Lin.


Madam Lin was a woman, and what woman didn't love beauty? Regardless of whether the ointment actually worked, since the Prince of Pingxi had personally presented it, she naturally accepted it.


Yun Ze sneered inwardly.


Did he think he could smooth over the harm done to Chu'er by buying off the Yun family with these trifles? Did he think he could make the Yun family willingly help him seize the imperial throne? It was sheer daydreaming.


"Lord Yun." Chu Yi looked toward him and spoke. "I heard that the Eldest Young Madam of the Yun family is pregnant. I specifically requested a specialized formula from Imperial Physician Li, which helps women have a smooth delivery and ensures the safety of both mother and child. It only needs to be taken once every three days during the final month before childbirth."


He handed a prescription slip directly into Yun Ze's hands.


The sneer vanished from Yun Ze's face.


This was an imperial secret prescription, something only members of the royal family could obtain.


Given the Yun family's lofty and influential status, if they humbled themselves to beg the Emperor, His Majesty would likely bestow it upon them.


Yet that would require swallowing their pride and begging.


And now, the Prince of Pingxi had delivered the secret prescription right before his eyes.


He had simply no way to refuse.


Madam Lin had already accepted the items with a beaming smile. "Many thanks, Your Highness. If Your Highness ever has any matters where our Yun family can be of assistance, please feel free to speak up."


Chu Yi maintained an open and candid expression. "Lord Yun and I are sworn friends; there's no need to thank me over such a minor matter."


Yun Ze's lips twitched.


At best they were acquaintances, and calling them friends was already a stretch—when had they ever forged such deep ties?


Sworn friends? He truly had to admire this man's ability to say such things with a straight face.


Only then did Chu Yi dare to look toward Yun Chu. After just a single glance, he said, "I came simply to pay my respects to the Old General, so I won't linger any longer. Farewell."


When evening arrived, Yun Chu would come to pick up the two children for dinner, and there would be plenty of opportunities to talk then.


After he left, Madam Lin looked somewhat astonished. "The Prince of Pingxi brought all these gifts and then just left like that? Why do I feel like something is not quite right?"


Yun Ze did not answer.


Chu'er had already decided to leave the Xie family, and he would never allow Chu'er to step foot into another den of wolves.


He needed to think carefully about how to bring his two nephews back to Chu'er's side…

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