Chapter 014

Chapter 014

Since June, there had been only one rainfall, and the continuous sunny days turned the entire capital into a steaming cauldron. Even with ice mirrors in the palace, it was nearly unbearable.

The ice was melting too quickly, and Chu Yin had to temporarily stop practicing her exercises, fearing heatstroke.

At her maternal home, Lady Chu had already sent people to inquire about the officials, finding five families with suitable daughters, some of whom she knew. She was very pleased and planned to arrange for Chu Ge to meet these young ladies in July. If there was mutual liking, they could finalize the marriage arrangements.

This resolved one of Chu Yin’s worries.

Now, only Lu Jingrui remained…

She held silver shears, trimming flower branches, planning to arrange another vase of flowers for the study.

The previous bouquet had long since withered.

"What are Xuzi and Zhen doing?" she asked.

Rendong replied, "The young masters are too hot to move. Xiao Dou is showing them how to play with pellet drums."

Considering the effort Xiao Dou must be putting in, Chu Yin smiled and said, "Reward him with ten silver taels."

"Yes," came the reply.

Chu Yin carefully arranged the white peony in her hands into a celadon vase with carved floral designs from the Ling kilns.

"Take it to the study."

Lian Qiao summoned a strong palace maid to carry the vase.

Chu Yin reclined on a divan, resting on a summer mat woven from fine reeds from Jinzhou, soft and cool. She closed her eyes to rest for a while, then suddenly said, "Lian Qiao, go to the Kunning Palace and invite Chen Mammy here. Tell her I have questions about the exercises."

Lian Qiao left with an oil-paper umbrella for the Kunning Palace.

As the request came from the Crown Princess, Chen Mammy reported to Empress Dowager Jiang before promptly following Lian Qiao to the Eastern Palace.

Chu Yin offered her a seat on a brocade cushion and served her a bowl of ice cream.

Made from milk and involving numerous steps, this ice cream, a delicacy not available at the Chengwang Residence, was a treat in the palace. As Empress Dowager Jiang disliked cold foods, Chen Mammy had never tried ice cream before and was quick to express her gratitude.

Chu Yin wasn’t in a rush to speak, waiting until Chen Mammy had eaten half the bowl before asking, "I called you here to ask if there are any less exhausting exercises than the Five Animal Frolics and the Eight Pieces of Brocade? Look at this weather, one sweats with just a little movement, I really can’t continue."

Chen Mammy wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, smiling, "Crown Princess, why rush this month? You can resume the exercises once the month is over."

"Don’t you know any other exercises?"

"I do, but they are rather insignificant. Exercises are effective because they are strenuous. It’s best for you to rest recently."

"Indeed," Chu Yin took a spoonful of ice cream, smiling softly at her, "Chen Mammy, you are so knowledgeable. No wonder my mother-in-law trusts you so much. When did you join the Chengwang Residence?"

"Your Highness, I was an accompanying maid in the Empress Dowager's dowry, two months younger than her."

"No wonder, nearly thirty years of service together... But why is my mother-in-law in such poor health? Didn’t she practice any exercises when she was younger?"

Chen Mammy hesitated, seemingly on the verge of speaking.

Empress Dowager Jiang, troubled by love in those years, once nearly jumped off Tingyun Tower in front of her own son. The fact that she didn’t actually seek death was a relief. What more could be expected? Chen Mammy carefully said, "Back then, Her Majesty was just a consort, burdened not only physically but also emotionally. Such matters of the heart cannot be mended by mere physical exercises."

Chu Yin agreed, "Mother-in-law had to take care of Father Emperor and three children. It wasn’t easy. Just take the third brother, for instance. Mother-in-law almost arranged a marriage for him, but he refused... You were there that day, right? What exactly did he say? Was mother-in-law not angry?"

"Not at all, Her Majesty is kind-hearted and wouldn’t blame His Highness for that."

"Is she really kind-hearted? I think she dotes on the third brother too much, treating a concubine’s son as her own. Such an empress is rare throughout history," Chu Yin placed the jade bowl on the table, sighing softly, "I’m genuinely worried that one day her affection for him might surpass her affection for His Highness."

"That’s impossible," Chen Mammy hurriedly said, "Her Majesty knows what she’s doing. Her kindness to the third brother is because..."

"Because of what?" Chu Yin asked, sitting up straight, "Just tell me. I don’t want to speculate and worry that mother-in-law’s favoritism might cause His Highness to be wronged."

Chen Mammy became visibly uneasy.

Chu Yin took a more emotional approach, “You know His Highness’s nature. He’s reserved, not good at comforting people. He's not sweet-talking like the Third Prince. I'm not being overly anxious. When His Highness chose his wife, it was a matter of simple choice, unlike the Third Prince. Now, the Third Prince seems honest, but who knows what the future holds. If the Empress Dowager continues to indulge him…”

Chen Mammy realized that Chu Yin was deeply concerned for the Crown Prince.

Both princes had been raised under Nurse Chen’s care, but her affection for Lu Jingzhao was evidently deeper. Like Empress Dowager Jiang, she hadn’t considered other possibilities, but now she felt a bit alarmed.

Chen Mammy respectfully said, "Your Highness, you are wise and far-sighted. It's no harm in telling you. Besides being kind-hearted, Her Majesty feels guilty towards the third prince... It happened ten years ago. One day, Her Majesty took both princes out for an excursion. Due to negligence, the third prince fell into a trap in the forest. He was severely injured and barely survived. His right arm was crippled, rendering him unable to ride or shoot again. Her Majesty has been guilt-ridden ever since, hence her leniency towards him."

His right arm was crippled?

She had always thought Lu Jingrui was left-handed, never inquiring the reason.

So it turns out…

But after Lu Jingrui ascended the throne, he used his right hand to write the imperial edicts arresting her family members!

That right hand represented all his hidden desires, unleashed only at that moment.

The surge of anger nearly made Chu Yin smash the jade bowl in her hand. Suppressing it, she asked, "To what extent was the third brother’s right arm damaged? Couldn’t he even write?"

"That seems likely. Her Majesty had sought many renowned physicians, but none could heal it, so His Highness later adapted to using his left hand."

And then he always used this “crippled” hand to evoke guilt in their mother.

But what about Lu Jingzhao?

At the time, he was fourteen. Perhaps he felt responsible as an elder brother for his half-brother’s welfare? Part of it might be due to this, and another part might be because of their mother.

Lu Jingrui really used this thread of guilt to bind two people.

Of course, he masked his intentions well, lying low and avoiding interaction with officials. Any sign of ambition would not have been tolerated by Lu Jingzhao, which might also explain why he waited until after Lu Jingzhao’s demise to make his move.

"Mammy, I’m grateful you shared the whole story with me. Now I have a better understanding," Chu Yin rewarded Chen Mammy with silver.

After a while, she fetched a book titled "Plum Blossom I Ching" and sent it to Lu Jingrui.

Knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.

He can pretend, but can't she do the same? Lu Jingrui doesn’t know she has been reborn. As long as she uses her status as his sister-in-law wisely, she will eventually find his weak spot and reveal his true nature.

The "Plum Blossom I Ching" was soon delivered to Lu Jingrui.

He flipped through it, quite surprised.

He had felt Chu Yin’s aloofness at the recent family banquets and wondered if he had offended her. Hence, Chu Yin not allowing him near Xuzi, and her indifferent tone. But now, it seemed she was just in a bad mood, otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent this book.

He had mentioned his interest in "I Ching" last time, and his sister-in-law had clearly remembered.

Lu Jingrui went to his bookshelf, picked out "Flower Annotations," and had it sent back to her.

It was a gesture of reciprocation.

The book was quite new, seemingly seldom read, but indeed suited Chu Yin's taste. She frowned, trying to recall when she had ever mentioned her interest in flower arrangement to Lu Jingrui.

However, he hadn’t sent "Flower Annotations" in her previous life. Perhaps it was because she had taken the initiative this time?

Chu Yin leaned back in her chair and began to read slowly.

The next time she encountered Lu Jingrui, Chu Yin planned to have a conversation with him.

Due to the heat, Lu Jingzhao returned earlier than usual.

By the time he entered the palace, his forehead was covered in sweat.

Chu Yin asked Lian Qiao to fetch a bowl of ice cream from the kitchen, then inquired of Lu Jingzhao, “With the heat like this, you probably didn’t go for your equestrian practice, did you?”

It seemed she hadn't given up on the idea of him teaching her.

Whether he was willing or not, or whether her intentions were genuine, with her delicate hands and legs, just a few rubs from the bow or saddle would bruise her.

She’d cry if he exerted a bit more force in bed; wouldn’t she cry even more if injured? He put down his hand towel and replied, “No, I'll wait until the end of the hot season... Did you also skip your exercises today?”

She didn’t look as exhausted as before.

“Yes, I was afraid of overheating and feeling suffocated... Xuzi and Zhen are too hot to move as well, just watching Xiao Dou's tricks. I rewarded him with some silver for his hard work.”

“That’s fair. In a couple of years, Xuzi should start practicing his writing and studying, not just playing like now.”

During their conversation, the ice cream was brought in.

“You look overheated too. Have some ice cream, it’s very refreshing.” Chu Yin scooped up some with a silver spoon and brought it to his mouth.

Caught off guard, Lu Jingzhao hesitated.

In his memory, Chu Yin had only ever fed the children, never him.

Why today of all days…

In reality, Chu Yin’s thought was simple: she just wanted to feed him.

In her previous life, Tang Feiyan often did this in front of her. Truth be told, she was a bit envious. Couples feeding each other seemed very sweet, but she had never tried it.

But Lu Jingzhao refused to open his mouth.

She couldn’t help but urge him, “Come on, eat. My arm is getting tired.”

He was tall, and she had to hold her arm up continuously.

However, Lu Jingzhao hadn’t been fed by anyone since the age of five and was unaccustomed to it, saying indifferently, “No need, I can do it myself.”

Chu Yin felt deflated like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, tempted to twist his arm in frustration.

Being fed by someone you like is such a blissful thing. Why would he refuse? It was utterly unreasonable.

“Then you feed me,” she handed the silver spoon to him.

“……”

It seemed that in their dynamic, one of them had to be fed, or she wouldn’t let it go.

Lu Jingzhao looked down at the silver spoon for a moment, then took it and fed her.

She couldn’t help but laugh again.

Her red lips parted to accept the spoon, savoring the ice cream.

Her eyes and brows seemed to be touched by a hint of spring, radiating joy.

Lu Jingzhao couldn’t quite understand.

What’s so delightful about being fed? She’s not a child…

However, the experience was novel for him, especially watching her lips open and close, and the cream on her lips stirred something within him.

Lu Jingzhao placed the spoon back in the bowl, “Is that enough? It’s still early for the meal, I’ll head to the study.”

Chu Yin didn’t insist on his staying, as she had just sent him a new floral arrangement and hoped he would see it.

“Alright, you go ahead.”

Lu Jingzhao headed straight for the study.

On the ebony-raised desk, there was a new plum vase added, containing a large white peony, as white as snow and jade, exuding a heavenly fragrance.

Without a doubt, it must be a gift from Chu Yin.

Today, she had tried to feed him ice cream and sent flowers, going to great lengths to show intimacy. It seemed he would have to exert some effort tonight.

But in such hot weather, could she handle it?