Chapter 016

Chapter 016

Time seemed to stop for a moment, and everything around them fell silent.

Chu Yin felt like she was back in her previous life, that day in Qianqing Palace.

He had kissed her just like this.

She didn't know if she was too surprised or too happy, but she was completely frozen.

However, what happened next was different from her previous life.

He quickly lifted his head, breaking off the kiss himself.

Their eyes met, both expressions somewhat complicated.

Suddenly, the voice of Lu Zhen came from behind: “Daddy kissed mommy, look, brother!”

“What? Where?” Lu Xue hurried over, tilting his little face up, “Daddy, kiss again, I didn’t see.”

“……”

For the first time in his life, Lu Jingzhuo wanted to cover his son's mouth.

Chu Yin’s face also reddened, instructing Xiao Dou and Qi Niang, “Take Xue and Zhen to eat.”

“No, I didn’t see it, Mommy,” Lu Xue protested, waving his little hand, “I want to see.”

Chu Yin felt a headache coming on.

Seeing the situation, Xiao Dou quickly performed four somersaults on the ground.

"Wow, you can do that too." Lu Xue's eyes widened, instantly distracted.

Clever move, Chu Yin silently praised Xiao Dou in her mind, then turned to look at Lu Jingzhuo.

He was expressionless, as if he hadn't just kissed her.

But Chu Yin knew it was a significant change.

"In his previous life, it was only after ascending the throne that he took such actions. Doing it over two years in advance is akin to a monk breaking his vows – a pity it was so brief, like a dragonfly skimming the water, ending before any real feeling could be experienced."

"This was dissatisfaction, but more so, it was delight."

"Chu Yin stepped forward and took his hand: 'Your Highness, isn't it time for a meal? We should head to Chunhui Pavilion soon, or we'll be late.'"

"Her actions were flirtatious, and so was her voice, sweet like sugared water."

"His loss of control just now was mostly due to Chu Yin's behaviors affecting him."

"Lu Jingzhuo closed his eyes briefly."

"One can make mistakes, but they should not be repeated over and over again."

"From now on, he would only cooperate with Chu Yin in their efforts to have children, but he wouldn't indulge her in other aspects."

"She's been spoiled to the point of not resembling a crown princess at all, always clinging bonelessly, demanding kisses and to be fed. Where's the dignity and moderation in that?"

"Lu Jingzhuo withdrew his hand: 'Walk properly.'"

"Chu Yin: '...'"

"He changes faces so quickly, having just kissed her moments ago."

"Is it because he's shy?"

"For someone who goes to great lengths to hide their feelings, not wanting others to know, feeling embarrassed when suddenly exposed is only natural."

"She found it a bit amusing."

"Never mind, I won't get angry with him."

"Having not visited the palace for a while, Princess Baocheng, accompanied by Jiang Yuyuan, came to see her brother today, bringing him the iced sour plum juice he used to enjoy in his youth."

"A bit too sweet for Jianxing Emperor's current taste, but for the sake of old memories, recalling the days spent with his sister in the palace, he still drank half a bowl."

"Princess Baocheng, fanning herself, said, 'It wasn't easy for me to bring this. I had a special copper box made, first filled with ice and then the sour plum juice. By the time I reached the palace gates, all the ice had melted. It's unbearable in the capital these days. Brother, would you like to escape the heat? You've lost weight recently. Life is short; you should enjoy yourself. Why not join me at Wenshu Monastery in Yanshan?'"

"Jianxing Emperor glanced at her: 'It was hot the past two years too, but you didn't go then.'"

"Ah, I've been troubled by something and needed to clear my mind."

"'Troubled?' Jianxing Emperor was surprised, 'Who dares to trouble you now?'"

"Princess Baocheng explained, 'It's not exactly trouble. It's about Yuyuan's marriage...'"

"The young girl standing behind her sister, dressed in a pink summer robe embroidered with magnolias, had a delicate waist accentuated by a silk sash."

"Jianxing Emperor glanced at her: 'What, she was rejected? Who would dare to do such a thing?'"

"Feeling her brother's concern, Princess Baocheng sighed, 'I didn’t want to mention it, as marriage should be consensual. But this Chu Ge... he's Ayin's older brother and only a scholar. He disdained Yuyuan. Brother, is this fair? Yuyuan's background might be humble, but everyone knows I cherish her like a daughter. The Marquis of Xuanning's house is practically her parental home. The Chu family surely knows this. Brother, shouldn’t I be angry?'"

"It turns out to be the natal family of his future daughter-in-law."

"Jianxing Emperor coughed softly, taking another sip of the sour plum juice."

"Had his sister come a few days earlier, he might have helped. But Chu Yin had recently achieved great feats, solving the locust plague and exposing corrupt officials. How could he reprimand Chu Yin? Besides, in matters of marriage, suitability of families is key. He glanced at Jiang Yuyuan again; orphaned and parentless, it was normal for the Chu family to object. His sister’s eloquence couldn't change this fact."

"'If Chu Ge is just a scholar, why force a match? I'll help you find a better suitor.'"

“……”

"Clearly, he had no interest in passing judgment!"

"Princess Baocheng's mouth fell open in surprise, wondering why the Jianxing Emperor was so protective of the Chu family. Could it be because of Lord Chu?"

"But even Lord Chu, as influential as he was, was still a subject. Her brother wouldn’t refuse to speak up for such a reason."

"Just as she was about to press further, Jiang Yuyuan suddenly knelt down and said, 'Your Majesty, it's all my fault that auntie is troubled. I really don't wish to marry right now. Please don't worry about me, Your Majesty. I just want to devote myself to serving my aunt and uncle.'"

"Finding a suitable match for his sister would have been troublesome anyway, so Jianxing Emperor took the opportunity to say, 'See how understanding your niece is? Don't rush this matter. If I remember correctly, she's only sixteen. There's no need to hurry.'"

"Princess Baocheng pressed her forehead in frustration."

"She sensed her brother's bias towards the Chu family and, though discontented, dared not press him further to take her side."

"'Alright then, let's wait a while. But brother, please agree to my request about escaping the summer heat. Seeing you so overworked pains me. We'll only be away for half a month, and Jingzhuo can handle affairs in our absence.'"

"She understood that maintaining her current lifestyle hinged on keeping a good relationship with her brother."

"Escaping to Yanshan for the summer was an excellent idea. It would give the siblings a chance to bond away from worldly affairs, strengthening their relationship."

"The capital was indeed sweltering lately, and having already disappointed his sister, he didn't want to let her down again: 'Alright.'"

"Princess Baocheng was overjoyed: 'Then I'll start preparing as soon as I return. You should prepare too, brother. We'll leave the day after tomorrow... Oh, will you be bringing sister-in-law along?'"

"It would be somewhat lonesome with just them, but bringing his queen along would be akin to inviting misery. Jianxing Emperor said, 'I’ll take Xuer and Zhenr,' referring to his grandchildren. He seldom saw them, and they were quite distant. It might be a good opportunity to bond. But if the grandchildren were coming, then his daughter-in-law had to come too... Well, might as well invite his second son and his wife for a livelier atmosphere."

"Realizing that the two children were coming, Princess Baocheng figured Chu Yin would have to join as well. But whether she came or not didn't matter. Could her role as a daughter-in-law compare to her own relationship with her brother?"

"Her only concern was Lu Jingzhuo."

"He was her brother's only legitimate son, and for any other prince to usurp his position as crown prince would be difficult unless fortune favored them, like her brother. The late emperor was also an only legitimate son with no heirs, and thus the throne passed to her brother, a son born out of wedlock."

"Princess Baocheng, with Jiang Yuyuan in tow, went to Chunhui Pavilion to see Lu Jingzhuo."

"Her aunt had already persuaded the Jianxing Emperor, so in the coming month and a half, with Chu Yin and the children away in Yanshan, Jiang Yuyuan hatched a plan."

"Princess Baocheng, not wishing to disturb Lu Jingzhuo while he was attending a lecture, waited patiently until it was over before entering with a smile."

"'Jingzhuo, you're so focused, you didn't even notice me.'"

"Lu Jingzhuo turned his head, 'Aunt, when did you arrive?'"

"'I've been here for nearly half an hour.'"

"'You could have interrupted,' Lu Jingzhuo maintained politeness, recognizing Princess Baocheng's tact. 'By not doing so, it's I who seem impolite as the younger generation.'"

"At this point, Jiang Yuyuan stepped forward to greet him, her voice somewhat weak, 'Cousin, auntie always cares so much for you, that’s why she keeps visiting... She didn't even mention how tired she was sitting for so long, and there's no ice mirror in the side room – she's been sweating.'"

"'Thank you for your efforts, Aunt.'"

"His words were appropriate, but his expression remained as stern and unapproachable as ever. Jiang Yuyuan fingered her handkerchief, recalling the last time he embraced Chu Yin. His actions were right, yet his face bore no warmth."

"She wondered how the two of them were doing now."

"'Jingzhuo, I just visited the Emperor. He has decided to join me in escaping the summer heat to Yanshan. He will be taking Xuer, Zhenr, and Ayin with him,' Princess Baocheng said with a smile, 'I’ve persuaded our brother to let you oversee the state affairs in his absence. It's only for half a month.'"

"Lu Jingzhuo was quite surprised. His father was actually going to take a summer break and bring Chu Yin and the children along..."

"He responded, 'Father has worked hard over the years; it's appropriate for him to take a rest.'"

"'Alright, I won't keep you from your meal any longer.'"

"As Princess Baocheng was about to leave, Jiang Yuyuan surreptitiously pinched her leg, then staggered with a muffled groan."

"'What’s wrong, Yuyuan?' Princess Baocheng looked at her in alarm."

"'I don’t know, I suddenly feel very dizzy,' Jiang Yuyuan’s face turned pale, and tears rolled down her cheeks."

"'Oh dear, could it be... your monthly cycle?'"

"At these words, Jiang Yuyuan's face flushed red, and she spoke softly, 'No, auntie, I... I don't know what's wrong.' Her eyelashes fluttered as she quietly moaned, apologizing to Lu Jingzhuo, 'I’m sorry, cousin, for disturbing you. Auntie, we should go. I can manage...' but her attempt to move again made her seem as if the world was spinning."

"Princess Baocheng was anxious: 'Jingzhuo, quickly call for the imperial physician... summon Master Ma from the Medical Academy.'"

"Mentioning Master Ma reminded Lu Jingzhuo of Chu Yin's peculiarities. Opting for Liu, the vice-president of the Medical Academy, he sent Dongling to fetch him."

"'Yuyuan, come, sit inside,' Princess Baocheng ordered her maid to support Jiang Yuyuan."

"If it were only Jiang Yuyuan, Lu Jingzhuo would have already left, but he couldn’t depart now, needing to consider his aunt, Princess Baocheng."

"'Could it be heatstroke?' It was a reasonable assumption in the sweltering heat."

"'Maybe,' replied Jiang Yuyuan, 'My head hurts and I feel nauseous.'"

"Princess Baocheng comforted her, 'Don’t worry, you’ll be fine once the imperial physician examines you.'"

"Usually, Lu Jingzhuo would have returned to the Eastern Palace for his meal by this time, but today he was delayed due to Princess Baocheng, or more precisely, because of Jiang Yuyuan."

"She suddenly felt unwell at Chunhui Pavilion, and Lu Jingzhuo had called for Master Ma to attend to her."

"This incident had not occurred in his previous life."

"Jiang Yuyuan had feigned illness before, but never this early."

"What was going on?"

"Chu Yin pondered for a moment, then stood up, 'Prepare the carriage.'"

"She wasn't worried about Jiang Yuyuan's scheme succeeding, but now that she was aware of it, and with both Lu Jingzhuo and Princess Baocheng at Chunhui Pavilion, it seemed inappropriate not to visit. Besides, she was curious about why this was happening."

"Could it be a result of changes she made since her rebirth?"