Chapter 012

Chapter 012

It was rather abrupt.

After stiffening momentarily, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

His kiss was brief, quickly pulling away.

She protested, "That doesn't count."

There's a count for kisses? Quite a novel concept.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, "What counts, then?"

She wasn't sure how to describe it.

It should be passionate, at least like that time in her previous life when he kissed her during the day.

She regretted interrupting that kiss now, thinking if she hadn’t been concerned about the dirty dragon robe, he might have kissed her for much longer.

Seemingly inspired by a thought, her eyes sparkled like jewels, and he, feeling a tug at his heartstrings, leaned down again and captured her lips.

This time it wasn't so shallow; he delved deeper, prying open her teeth.

Her heart skipped a beat, then began pounding rapidly, almost as if it would burst from her chest, the intensity almost painful.

So, he was capable of it.

Her timid response, amidst his assertive and overwhelming force, was like a faint wave, but he noticed it, and abruptly stopped, ending the kiss after a moment.

In the night, even his cheeks were unusually flushed; Chu Yin saw it and smiled softly.

He looked at her and asked, "Does that count?"

"Yes, it counts." She was quite satisfied.

His wife was becoming increasingly peculiar. Not only did she desire a child, but now she was demanding kisses. Lu Jingzhao really couldn’t understand why she had changed so much.

However, he found the recent kiss rather pleasant.

His fingers left her chin, tracing the contours of her body back to her waist.

On this summer night, a long-absent breeze picked up, followed by a gentle rain that moistened the long-parched land.

The sound on the glazed tiles was particularly distinct, but Chu Yin was too sleepy to notice.

The ground was still wet in the morning, and the air felt less oppressive than the previous days.

Lu Jingrui went to the Yunying Hall to find Consort Hui.

Seeing him, Consort Hui’s face lit up with joy, like a blooming lotus: "Jingrui, come in and sit."

He had to admit, his birth mother was extremely beautiful. Even without cunning schemes, she had secured the title of 'Consort Hui'. Of course, it might also have something to do with her serving his father in Qingzhou, a fortune not shared by later selected consorts.

Lu Jingrui didn't sit down: "Mother Consort, please don't worry about my marriage anymore. I've already asked the Empress Mother to at least wait until my coming-of-age ceremony."

Consort Hui was taken aback: "Why? You're of age to marry... The Crown Prince has his consort, and the Second Prince and his consort are also very affectionate. Thinking of you, alone... I can't see you often either."

Was her concern too late now?

If she truly cared, she should have been braver when his father disliked him, instead of shrinking back, afraid to mention him. Later, some servants even dared to bully him, forcing him to find his own way.

Lu Jingrui said coldly, "I have the Empress Mother and my elder brother’s affection. I'm not lonely. Please don't make decisions for me in the future, or else don’t expect to see me again."

Consort Hui hurriedly replied, "Alright, alright, I promise you. Jingrui, please stay a bit longer."

He intended to leave immediately but eventually sat down for a while.

Chu Yin didn’t practice her exercises that day, resting on the couch.

The two children, finding this odd, surrounded her, asking, "Mother, why didn’t you practice today?" They enjoyed either joining her in practice or watching her, always finding it interesting.

Chu Yin replied, "I can't practice every day. Mother is tired and needs to rest."

While practicing the Five Animal Frolics and the Eight Pieces of Brocade was tiring, it was a morning exhaustion; now she felt exhausted at night.

She regretted suggesting that Lu Jingzhao kiss her.

Although he was frequent before, each time was within her tolerance; last night, however, he lost control slightly.

Maybe it was the kiss that stirred his emotions?

Chu Yin's lips curled up slightly, a mix of joy and worry. She couldn't handle it every time, but a kiss during the day would be easier, as he wouldn’t make love during daylight.

She wasn’t sure why, but suspected it was his conservative nature, opposing the idea of "declaring obscenity in daylight."

But indeed, performing such intimate acts in bright light could be quite embarrassing...

Imagining it, she couldn't help but blush.

Shaking her head to clear these thoughts, Chu Yin called her children to her side, "How about I recite 'Thousand Character Classic' for you?"

Starting them at three was a bit early, but it was good to introduce them to some knowledge.

"The first lines of 'Thousand Character Classic' are 'Heaven is black, the earth is yellow, the universe vast, a wild expanse; sun and moon wax and wane, stars and constellations stretch across the sky,'" Chu Yin explained, "It describes the colors of heaven and earth, the chaos of the universe..."

The children were utterly baffled, their eyes wide.

Chu Yin smiled gently, "Just listen for now; you'll understand it gradually."

Eventually, the children dozed off to her reading and were carried back to their rooms by Xiao Dou and Qi Niang.

After lying down a bit longer, Chu Yin got up and called Lian Qiao to grind ink.

Her mother had asked her to propose some potential daughters-in-law; it was time to get to work.

Chu Yin picked up a red sandalwood brush and wrote down the names of fifteen officials on Xuan paper.

If she didn't die young in this life, she would be Empress for a very long time. Thus, her family's in-laws were crucial: they must be from disciplined and strict households, incapable of burdening her family or her.

These fifteen officials were those she had learned about while accompanying Lu Jingzhao in reading memorials and managing state affairs as a spirit.

They were men of her father's age, patriotic and talented, sure to be reliable in-laws.

However, she wasn't sure if these officials had daughters of suitable age. Her mother would need to send someone to investigate. If there was a suitable match and both her brother and the girl's family agreed, it would be a joyous outcome.

Chu Yin sealed the Xuan paper and instructed Rendong to have a servant deliver it.

Upon returning, Rendong said, "The Emperor has once again requested the Empress to organize a family banquet."

Chu Yin held her forehead in her hand.

This family banquet was entirely for her father-in-law's self-satisfaction.

Because, apart from him, probably only her second brother and his wife enjoyed it.

But attendance was mandatory.

Fortunately, she wasn’t in her menstrual period; though tired from the previous night, she still had enough energy for a visit to the Kunning Palace.

As evening approached, Chu Yin set off with her two children in a carriage.

"Are we going to see the Imperial Ancestor again?" Lu Zhen clutched the jade bracelet on her mother's wrist.

"Yes, Zhen'er, do you remember what the Imperial Ancestor looks like?"

"Mhm, the Imperial Ancestor has a beard, it’s prickly and hurts."

Chu Yin: "......"

It was progress, albeit vague. While many men had beards, only her father-in-law had a short one during the family banquet. She turned to her son, "Xuzi, did you hear your sister? Remember to call him 'Imperial Ancestor.'"

"Okay," Lu Xuzi agreed.

This time, Lu Jingchen and his wife arrived early, already inside the hall.

Upon seeing Chu Yin, Tang Feiyan asked, "Where’s elder brother? Why didn't he come with sister-in-law?"

She wasn't sure either; usually, Lu Jingzhao would arrive at the Kunning Palace around the same time as her. Perhaps he was held up at the Chunhui Pavilion today.

"Zhen'er, Xuzi, come and pay respects to the Imperial Grandmother," Chu Yin said, bypassing Tang Feiyan's question and first guiding her children to greet their grandmother.

The twins, resembling a pair of celestial children, were irresistibly adorable. Tang Feiyan felt a pang of envy, thinking why she hadn’t conceived yet. Her eyes flickered towards Chu Yin, "Sister-in-law, how have you been feeling lately?"

Touching on a sensitive topic, Lu Jingchen elbowed her gently.

"What's wrong with asking sister-in-law?" Tang Feiyan retorted, "Last time I wanted to give her a remedy, but you hurried us away."

"...Sister-in-law is well taken care of by the imperial physicians; she doesn’t need your help," Lu Jingchen apologized for his wife, "Feiyan can be impulsive, please forgive her, sister-in-law."

Chu Yin smiled slightly, "No need for such formality, second brother. I believe my sister-in-law genuinely cares for me."

Her smile was bright and graceful, matching her impeccable attire and makeup. However, Tang Feiyan keenly sensed Chu Yin’s subtle condescension and indifference, as if she was a predestined victor.

But the end was far from here.

Lu Jingzhao only temporarily held the position of crown prince. The Emperor was still in his prime, capable of ruling for two or three more decades. Who knew what could happen in that time? Tang Feiyan found Chu Yin's composure unsettling.

She also smiled, "Of course, I mean it sincerely. I just hope sister-in-law recovers fully, to bless us with more nieces and nephews."

Chu Yin's eyes flashed at this remark.

In her previous life, she was supposed to have another child but miscarried, likely due to her frail health. But in this life, she was determined not to let such a tragedy happen again.

"Thank you for your kind words," she responded.

But if her health was indeed weak, all the well-wishing would be futile. The royal family valued heirs, and just one son was far from enough for Chu Yin. If she couldn't conceive again, Lu Jingzhao, as the Crown Prince, would inevitably take concubines.

Tang Feiyan looked outside, "Why hasn't elder brother arrived yet? Sister-in-law is frail; elder brother should be more considerate of her."

Chu Yin: "......"

As the half-moon rose, Lu Jingzhao's tall figure appeared in the distance, accompanied by someone else, Lu Jingrui.

Had the brothers been catching up?

Chu Yin didn't enjoy seeing such a scene.

The two brothers entered the hall side by side, paying their respects to Empress Dowager Jiang.

"So elder brother was with the third brother," Tang Feiyan glanced at Chu Yin, "I just asked sister-in-law, but she seemed unaware," then turning to Lu Jingrui, "Were you at the Chunhui Pavilion?"

"I was seeking elder brother's advice on some matters," Lu Jingrui apologized to Chu Yin, "I hope I haven't caused sister-in-law any trouble. I'll be more mindful next time."

Was it just a little trouble he added?

Chu Yin smiled lightly, "It's fine, but I'm curious, what were these matters?"

"I've been studying the I Ching recently, and there were some parts I couldn't understand, so I sought elder brother's guidance."

She thought, he must be using this as an opportunity to build rapport with Lu Jingzhao. For the moment, Chu Yin realized she couldn't do much about it, hoping to find some leverage in the future to reveal his true character to the Empress Dowager and Lu Jingzhao.

Emperor Jianxing had not yet arrived, so everyone was finding ways to occupy themselves before they could sit for the meal.

Naturally, Chu Yin had Lu Jingzhao play with their children.

He had more time in the evenings.

Yet, Tang Feiyan just couldn’t leave her alone, continually flaunting her affection with Lu Jingchen in front of Chu Yin.

Chu Yin could pretend not to see it, but the thought of enduring such provocations at every family banquet in the future was truly tiresome.

It was all Lu Jingzhao's fault.

But it was strange, wasn’t it? He wasn’t blind; how could he always seem oblivious? Didn’t he have any thoughts about it?

Chu Yin tentatively asked, "Did you see second brother and his wife?"

"Hmm," he noticed the second brother was helping his wife adjust her hairpin and tidy her hair.

"Don't you think they seem very affectionate?"

Was that affection? If so, then their father was affectionate with every concubine. But Lu Jingzhao didn’t wish to comment, "That’s not our concern."

How could it not be? Didn’t he know how many times she had witnessed this in her previous life?

Because of him, Tang Feiyan constantly used this flaw to taunt and belittle her.

Chu Yin couldn’t help saying, "Actually, my sister-in-law is doing this deliberately. She wants to upset me."

“……”

Lu Jingzhao felt he was hearing something utterly absurd.

Setting aside whether their affection was genuine or not, even if it was, so what? Neither Chu Yin nor he were particularly sentimental, so why should it matter? She shouldn’t be upset by this.

But thinking back, his brother and sister-in-law did often display intimate gestures.

Were they all for show, just for Chu Yin to see?

To flaunt in front of her?

He truly couldn’t comprehend it.

Nevertheless, Chu Yin obviously seemed displeased, so after a moment of contemplation, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.