Chapter 005

Chapter 005

Emperor Jianxing was a busy man, his days filled with reviewing petitions, negotiating with officials, and his nights with entertaining concubines, leaving little time to bond with his sons.

However, craving familial closeness, he held monthly gatherings, inviting his sons and daughters-in-law to the Kunning Palace.

Of course, he always sought the approval of his ailing Empress first.

Empress Dowager Jiang, truth be told, never wished to see her husband's face again, but for the sake of her children, she always agreed.

Receiving the invitation, Chu Yin’s expression was inscrutable, a chilling mix of a frozen lake’s surface - icy and cold on the outside, with turbulent undercurrents beneath.

This left Lianqiao and Rendong feeling apprehensively cautious.

As they prepared to leave, Chu Yin returned to her usual demeanor, holding her children's hands and teaching them to call out "Imperial Grandfather, Imperial Grandmother."

In the carriage, Lu Zhu asked, "Mother, where's my nurse?"

He hadn't seen her for several days.

Chu Yin pinched his cheek gently, "Do you miss her?"

Lu Zhu pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Hmm."

"Zhu'er, if Mommy were to leave, would you miss me?"

"Of course." Lu Zhu didn't need to think about this question.

Chu Yin, pleased, rubbed his head, "Your nurse had to attend to matters at home and won’t be coming back. Mommy will always be with you, okay?"

"Okay, but..."

"No 'buts'," Chu Yin said. "I'll ask your father to find you an interesting attendant who can ride horses, juggle, and even... watch ants with you. How's that?"

Lu Zhu's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Yes, yes!"

The mention of watching ants thrilled him. Chu Yin pondered, not understanding the fascination – she never had such interests as a child.

Could it be an influence from Lu Jingzhao?

She decided to inquire about it later.

As the carriage approached the Kunning Palace, they coincidentally met Lu Jingzhao coming from the Chunhui Pavilion.

The siblings ran to him, tugging at his robe and calling "Daddy."

Lu Jingzhao bent down, affectionately ruffling both children’s heads, "Do you still remember what your grandfather and grandmother look like?"

The siblings hesitated, unsure whether to nod or shake their heads.

They seldom saw them, so their memories were vague, but not entirely forgotten.

Chu Yin explained, "They only see the Emperor two or three times a month. The impression isn't strong; they'll remember better when they're older."

"Hmm," Lu Jingzhao didn't object.

"I just told Zhu'er you’d find him an attendant who can ride horses, perform juggling, and even watch ants with him."

Lu Jingzhao paused mid-step: "Juggling?"

"It's just to amuse the children. Simple tricks like somersaults or catching balls should suffice... Surely there's an attendant capable of that?"

"There should be," Lu Jingzhao instructed Dongling, "Find one."

"Yes," Dongling quickly left to carry out the task.

The children were walking slowly, so Chu Yin asked Qi Niang to carry Lu Zhen, and then said to Lu Jingzhao, "Your Highness, please carry Zhu'er."

Previously, it was always Madam Zhou who carried him.

Lu Jingzhao glanced at her.

Chu Yin could manage it, but in her previous life, she had taken on all responsibilities for the children, leaving Lu Jingzhao's bond with them quite superficial. That's why, after her death, Lu Zhu became more attached to Madam Zhou than to his father, Lu Jingzhao.

"Zhu'er looks forward to your return every day. He really likes you."

Really? He was skeptical, but when he looked at his son, the boy was already reaching out his arms.

Lu Jingzhao bent down.

Daddy's tall and strong arms were more comfortable than the nurse's. Lu Zhu, embracing his father's neck, smiled and asked, "Daddy, can you ride a big horse?"

"Yes."

"When will you teach me?"

"When you're a bit taller."

"How much taller?"

"...Twice as tall as you are now."

Chu Yin, listening from the side, had a slight smile on her lips.

As they neared the main hall, she suddenly noticed a young man standing under the eaves.

He wore a moon-white robe with silver bamboo embroidery, his features delicate. In a dress, he might even be mistaken for a woman. Chu Yin halted, her fingers curling into fists inside her sleeves.

This was Lu Jingrui, Lu Jingzhao's half-brother from the same father, and the son of Concubine Hui.

It was he who later usurped the throne from her son and imprisoned her family.

In her previous life, she hadn't suspected him, finding this half-brother charming for his ready smile, unlike Lu Jingzhao's constant sternness. He affectionately called her "Sister-in-law" with a pleasant voice.

He also greeted Lu Jingzhao with laughter, calling him "Big brother," but Lu Jingzhao's demeanor towards him was no different from others.

She had thought their brotherly relationship was just ordinary.

However, after Lu Jingzhao ascended the throne, he didn't send Lu Jingrui to govern a fief but kept him close, instead sending Lu Jingchen and his wife to Huai Province.

Only then did she realize their relationship was extraordinary, but she didn't dwell on it, until after her death, when she discovered Lu Jingrui's true nature.

He had bided his time for twelve years, waiting until Lu Jingzhao's death to make his move against Lu Zhu.

Anger in Chu Yin's heart nearly burst forth like flames.

As they approached, Lu Jingrui greeted them with a smile, "Big brother, sister-in-law, you're early. The second brother and his wife haven't arrived yet," his gaze fell on Lu Zhu in Lu Jingzhao's arms, "Zhu'er, long time no see. Do you still recognize your third uncle?"

His hand was even reaching out to pinch the child's cheek.

Chu Yin stepped forward swiftly, positioning herself between him and her son.

Lu Jingrui nearly bumped into her shoulder and quickly withdrew his hand, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

He even dared to ask her what was wrong.

Despicable, shameless, cold-hearted!

Chu Yin almost burst into curses, but doing so would only make her seem unhinged.

"Zhu'er is still young and doesn’t know his own strength, I’m afraid he might accidentally scratch you," she made an excuse.

"No matter, how strong could he be at his age..."

"Third brother, is our father in the hall?" she quickly changed the subject.

Interrupted twice, Lu Jingrui finally abandoned the idea of pinching the child’s face: "He's not here yet, but should be arriving soon."

Empress Dowager Jiang's voice echoed from inside, "Is that Jingzhao and A'Yin?"

"Yes, Mother," Chu Yin linked her arm with Lu Jingzhao's and walked in beside him.

Empress Dowager Jiang beckoned them over, "Zhu'er, Zhen'er, come here, let your grandmother have a look."

The two children said in unison, "Greetings to Imperial Grandmother."

Empress Dowager Jiang beamed, "Such good children... growing up so beautifully." She reached out to touch the grandchildren’s faces, "A'Yin, it's all your doing. You’ve raised them so well in Qingzhou."

"It’s also thanks to the imperial physician you sent to Qingzhou, I dare not take all the credit."

Empress Dowager Jiang felt increasingly proud of her foresight in choosing such a daughter-in-law.

Decisive and courageous, prioritizing the greater good, a true helpmate.

Unlike herself.

As a young woman, she had fallen head over heels for Lu Chang and was determined to marry him. But Lu Chang was fickle, taking concubines just two years after their marriage.

A more capable woman would have simply secured her position as the principal wife, ignoring the concubines, focusing on winning over her husband and raising her children. But she couldn’t do that. She fought with Lu Chang, cried, even used her son in an attempt to win back his undivided attention. It took her years to understand that she couldn’t change his nature, and thus, she gave up.

Such turmoil only worsened her health. Now, she was grateful just to be alive.

The only thing she could do for her son was to live a little longer.

At that moment, footsteps approached; Emperor Jianxing and the Lu Jingchen couple had arrived.

Tang Feiyan was still flattering the Emperor, "Father, you truly are a once-in-a-millennium monarch, insisting on holding court early in the morning even in such weather, punishing corrupt officials. You truly love your subjects like your children. Any other emperor would have already retreated to the summer palace by now!"

Emperor Jianxing laughed heartily, "Only you have such sweet words."

"It's the plain truth," Tang Feiyan nudged Lu Jingchen, "Isn't that right, husband?"

Though a bit exaggerated, Lu Jingchen still had to agree, "Father, you must take care of your health. The heat will only intensify, please don’t overexert yourself."

Hearing the voices, everyone inside came out to greet them.

Emperor Jianxing glanced at his eldest son and daughter-in-law, "Where are my two adorable grandchildren?"

"They're with Mother."

Emperor Jianxing looked forward and caught a glimpse of the Empress's quickly hidden look of disgust.

He didn't blame her.

As his principal wife, she had the right to be angry, but he wasn't going to change.

Life is short. If one can't live the way they desire, what’s the point? After all, he was only sleeping with a few women, not committing heinous crimes.

Emperor Jianxing lifted a grandchild in each arm, "Do you know who I am?"

The two children hesitated.

Chu Yin said, "Father, they rarely see you, they might not recognize you... Zhu'er, Zhen'er, this is your Imperial Grandfather."

"Greetings to Imperial Grandfather," the siblings said in their sweet voices.

Emperor Jianxing kissed each of their cheeks, "Good children. Your grandfather will see more of you! Jingzhao, you can bring them to the Qianqing Palace. It’s spacious, and they can play as they like."

Lu Jingzhao replied, "...I fear it might disturb Father's work."

"I'm not asking you to bring them every day; just do as you see fit," Emperor Jianxing said as he sat at the table. "Come, everyone, it's getting late. Let's have dinner."

Chu Yin went to assist Empress Dowager Jiang.

Emperor Jianxing had a good appetite, eating heartily.

Chu Yin, sitting diagonally across, observed him covertly. She noticed his complexion was a bit pale, his eyes somewhat cloudy. Previously unaware of his impending demise, now knowing he had only two years left, she realized he was not in good health.

The exterior might still look presentable, but internally things were likely deteriorating.

"Big sister, why aren’t you eating?" Tang Feiyan suddenly asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I'm just not very hungry, I had some snacks earlier," Chu Yin replied casually.

Tang Feiyan thought to herself, perhaps Chu Yin was preoccupied with something.

Could it be related to Lu Jingzhao?

Every time she saw this couple, Lu Jingzhao was always serious and reserved. That was understandable given his status as the Crown Prince, but his demeanor towards Chu Yin was the same, indicating dissatisfaction with his wife.

Otherwise, why would he have left his wife and children in Qingzhou for two years?

So what confidence did Chu Yin have to disregard her? Did she really think her position as the Crown Princess was secure?

Tang Feiyan’s eyes shifted, her voice coquettish, "Husband, this meatball is so slippery, I can’t pick it up. Can you help me…" Her voice was perfectly pitched, loud enough for Chu Yin to hear, yet not reaching Emperor Jianxing’s ears.

Chu Yin: "..."

The subtle manipulations among women, often unnoticed by men. Lu Jingchen, oblivious, picked up a meatball and fed it to her.

After getting the meatball, Tang Feiyan beamed, praising him, "You're so good, husband."

Her behavior was the same as in Chu Yin's previous life.

Tang Feiyan enjoyed flaunting their affection in front of her, just to spite her. Back then, Chu Yin thought Tang Feiyan was rather childish. Her relationship with Lu Jingzhao might be lukewarm, but gains and losses were part of life, and she had much to be thankful for. Why fret over one small imperfection?

But now, she knew she needn't have had this imperfection at all.

If only Lu Jingzhao had shown his affection for her earlier, they could have been much happier together.

Yet, even in this second chance at life, he remained the same.

Chu Yin glanced at Lu Jingzhao, who was sitting stiffly beside her, expressionless, and felt a surge of frustration so intense she almost wanted to hit him. But then, thinking of the hardships he endured for eight years, her heart softened.

Torn between these extreme emotions, she suddenly extended her slender finger and gently pinched his arm.

Lu Jingzhao: "..."

What was this about?

Was she hinting at wanting another child again?

But wasn't she being a bit too impatient at this moment?