Chapter 026

Chapter 026

Seeing her daughter blooming like a peony, radiant and full of life without a hint of illness, Madam Chu was relieved.

“It seems you’ve really recovered,” she held her daughter’s hand, “Last time, Princess Baocheng mentioned you were weak and under the physician’s care.” She had also mentioned the Crown Prince taking care of her daughter, which she found unlikely.

Not to mention her son-in-law being the Crown Prince, even her own husband couldn’t manage that. Men prioritize their careers; how many can focus on their homes, on their wives? Besides, they had been separated for a long time.

“About His Highness,” Madam Chu began to ask but then saw Lu Jingzhuo approaching with the children. She quickly moved forward to greet him, then smiled, “I didn’t expect Your Highness to be here… Are we interrupting your lessons?”

“It’s rare for you and Hua Jin to see Ah Yin. It's fine to miss a day’s lesson,” Lu Jingzhuo looked down at the children, patting their backs, “This is your maternal grandmother, your uncle.”

The siblings, very obedient in greeting people, raised their faces and loudly said, “Greetings to grandmother, uncle! Wishing grandmother, uncle well!”

“Very good, very good,” Madam Chu beamed, “They barely spoke in Qingzhou, and now they’re so articulate.”

“They’d better be at almost four years old, or I’d worry myself to death,” Chu Yin thought. Her son was to be the Crown Prince; he couldn’t be slow, “Mother, they listen to stories now, and I’ve started teaching them ‘Thousand Character Classic’.”

“Is that so? They should be able to read and write soon,” Madam Chu looked at her daughter, “Your calligraphy will certainly come in handy.”

“And she can teach them painting,” Chu Ge added, turning to Lu Jingzhuo, “Ah Yin is very skilled at fine brushwork, Your Highness, did you know?”

“Yes, I’ve seen the paintings she did at Wenshu Monastery.”

When her sister accompanied Emperor Jianxing to escape the summer heat, the procession was grand. Watching from afar with their mother, Chu Ge smiled faintly, “Ah Yin, having grown up secluded in her boudoir, must have been delighted to go out for such a summer retreat.”

Not really.

Her primary concern was not wanting to be apart from him, and she had been quite coquettish for those fifteen days. However, after that trip, things changed...

Lu Jingzhuo responded with a noncommittal “Hmm.”

Chu Yin, concerned about her brother’s marital prospects, quietly asked her mother, “Has it been decided?”

“We met a few young ladies recently. I find two of them quite suitable, but A Ge seems undecided. Perhaps you should talk to him.”

Chu Yin’s heart skipped a beat.

She hoped her brother wouldn’t end up interested in his wife from her previous life, which she couldn’t accept.

Once everyone was seated in the hall, Chu Yin instructed the maids to serve tea.

Lu Zhu and Lu Zhen had no memory of their grandmother and uncle and looked at them curiously. Chu Yin explained, “You also have a grandfather. He’s in a faraway place, so we can only meet him another time.”

“Grandfather?” Lu Zhen asked, “Does he have a beard like the emperor's grandfather?”

“Yes, much longer than his,” her father had a splendid beard.

The children found it hard to imagine such a beard.

Initially sitting beside Lu Jingzhuo, Chu Yin turned to him, “Could you look after Zhu and Zhen for a bit, Your Highness? I need to talk to my brother about something.”

Why couldn’t she ask in front of everyone? Lu Jingzhuo wondered but still took the children onto his lap.

Madam Chu noticed and couldn’t help smiling, “Your Highness seems very close to the children.”

That was likely Chu Yin’s doing.

She often told him the children adored him, and gradually, he began to feel the same.

Holding them had become a habit.

His gaze shifted to Chu Yin, who was pulling at Chu Ge’s sleeve, their heads close together as if sharing secrets.

Chu Ge’s lips moved, but his words were inaudible. She gently shook his arm.

Her actions were very natural.

Lu Jingzhuo suddenly realized that he might have always misunderstood Chu Yin.

He had thought her inherently modest and reserved.

Since their marriage, no, even from their first meeting, Chu Yin had always shown such demeanor before him. He never saw her other side until she started changing recently.

Now it seemed she must have been affectionate with her family since childhood, only becoming more restrained after getting married.

It was a skill she had always possessed, no wonder she used it so effortlessly.

While Lu Jingzhuo was discreetly observing his wife, Chu Yin was unaware, urgently saying, “Brother, just tell me. I shared all my thoughts with you before my marriage, don’t pretend you don’t remember.”

Back then, her brother had specifically asked her if she disliked Lu Jingzhuo, offering to persuade their father otherwise.

She had discussed the pros and cons with her brother without holding back.

Seeing his sister genuinely concerned, Chu Ge said, “There’s one young lady who seems quite good, Dou Zuo’s eldest daughter, Dou Jinfang. But I'm not sure if she's interested…” His cheeks warmed slightly, “Perhaps I need to meet her again.”

A weight lifted from Chu Yin's heart, and she smiled, “As long as you have someone you like, I was worried you wouldn’t find anyone, setting your standards too high. That would really trouble me.”

“I’m not like your husband, born into such high status. I know my place, you worry too much.”

“No longer worried now, I just hope you find true love.”

Chu Yin felt pleased.

After observing her for a while, Lu Jingzhuo, now curious, asked, “What were you discussing with Hua Jin?”

Seeing no need to hide it, Chu Yin replied, “About my brother’s marriage.”

“Not settled yet, but soon,” she glanced at the children and noticed Lu Zhu fiddling with the cord of a jade pendant. Quickly intervening, she said, “Zhu, why are you tampering with Daddy’s things?” She gently tapped her son’s hand and then skillfully readjusted the jade pendant for Lu Jingzhuo.

This was certainly the behavior of a virtuous wife.

But seeing her fair, slender fingers, and her hair bun with the scent of orchids almost touching his chin, he felt an inexplicable urge to pull her onto his lap.

The thought passed, and Lu Jingzhuo tensed.

With his mother-in-law and Chu Ge sitting there, how could such a thought cross his mind?

Chu Yin wasn’t being coquettish with him!

His brows slightly furrowed, Lu Jingzhuo suddenly put the children down from his lap.

It couldn’t be because of the jade pendant, could it? Chu Yin looked up, “What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered something. I need to go to the study.”

“Alright,” Chu Yin didn’t insist on him staying.

With Lu Jingzhuo gone, her mother and brother would find it easier to talk to her.

As expected, once he left, Madam Chu couldn’t stay seated. She came over with a smile, “I noticed the Crown Prince seemed quite fond of the children. Does he take time out to be with them? That’s quite rare.”

Rare? The Lu Jingzhuo she saw after her death was the rare one.

Chu Yin replied, “My husband is not only good to the children but also treats me very well. Mother, you need not worry.”

Madam Chu beamed, “No wonder you look so radiant. Alright, I won’t worry anymore.”

Inside the study, Lu Jingzhuo sat quietly, his gaze falling on the black and white plum vase on the desk that had been empty for a long time.

Ever since Chu Yin stopped being coquettish, she also stopped sending him flower arrangements.

He thought she had changed completely, but she didn’t restrain herself in front of her family.

Reflecting on those days, he began to wonder if it was his influence that caused Chu Yin’s change.

He had told her to stop talking like that.

Perhaps Chu Yin took it to heart. Although she was coquettish again the night before their separation, it was the last time.

From a young age, women are taught from the "Nüjie" and follow the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues," being compliant to their husbands after marriage. She must have thought he disliked coquettish behavior and thus obliged him, but in reality, she probably used it as a way to conceive a child, otherwise, she wouldn’t have diligently practiced her exercises.

In hindsight, he might have been too strict with Chu Yin, to the point where she’s now too shy to even hint at wanting children.

Since she has been accommodating him in everything, he definitely needs to make it up to her and help her conceive sooner.

With his decision made, Lu Jingzhuo’s previously unsettled mind finally calmed.

He slowly opened the "History of the Five Dynasties" on his desk.

Dong Ling asked softly, “Aren’t you joining them, Your Highness?”

“I’ll go over at mealtime.”

He could still sense his mother-in-law’s unease, while Chu Ge was a bit more relaxed.

Dong Ling didn’t say anything more.

Hearing about the visit of his mother-in-law, Empress Jiang didn't invite Madam Chu, but instructed Chen Mama to send some valuable gifts like lingzhi mushrooms, ginseng, and bird's nests. Madam Chu, aware of the Empress's frequent indisposition, wasn’t sure if she should visit her.

Chen Mama said, “Just accept the gifts, no need to visit. The Empress is resting,” then turning to Chu Yin, “And you don’t need to pay respects for the next couple of days.”

Madam Chu thanked her and asked Chen Mama to convey her greetings to Empress Jiang.

Chu Yin explained to her mother-in-law, “It's not that Mother is disregarding you…”

“How could I not understand? Your mother-in-law was always like this in Qingzhou. As long as she’s good to you, that’s all that matters.” Knowing her daughter was busy and content, Madam Chu didn’t want to overstay, gesturing to her son, “A Ge, let's go. Ah Yin must be busy with her duties.”

“Leave now? It’s almost time for dinner. Let's eat first, then go,” Chu Yin looked outside, wondering whether to fetch Lu Jingzhuo, but then saw him appear on time, prompting a small smile from her.

Soft and gentle, like a ripple of a small water flower touching the heart.

“Ah Yin had already arranged the menu yesterday, so please don’t let her efforts go to waste.”

Seeing the Crown Prince himself insisting, Madam Chu naturally ceased her eagerness to leave.

At the dinner table, she found herself increasingly fond of her son-in-law.

Although his face remained serious, showing no trace of warmth or tenderness, Madam Chu believed that appearances could be deceiving. Besides, as the Crown Prince of Dayue, wasn’t a certain degree of severity necessary to command respect?

Aware of her mother's overly blatant gaze, Chu Yin subtly nudged her, drawing her attention.

Not knowing when she could invite her mother and brother to the palace again, Chu Yin spent a long time chatting with them after the meal before seeing them off.

Since Lu Jingzhuo had behaved quite well from start to finish, Chu Yin thanked him in the evening.

“It’s what I should do,” he replied.

Again, just a few brief words, nothing superfluous.

But Chu Yin knew he genuinely meant it.

He was her husband, doing these things because it was his duty, not specifically for her as a person.

Fortunately, Chu Yin understood him and was readjusting to the way they had interacted in her previous life.

“In five days, it’s Mid-Autumn Festival. I wonder what Father has planned,” she mused, leaning against the headboard and pulling the brocade quilt up to her waist, “How did you spend the last few Mid-Autumns, Your Highness?” She was suddenly curious, having no idea.

“I spent them in the palace, no different from the regular monthly family banquets,” he sat beside her.

She didn’t lean closer, but the fragrance of her hair, body, and breath flowed like water around him.

He asked, “And you?”

Somewhat surprised, she paused briefly before replying, “I would invite my mother and brother to the royal residence, but last year, I spent it alone... well, with Zhu and Zhen, of course.”

Last Mid-Autumn Festival, he couldn’t remember if he had thought of her.

This year, if she and the children weren’t by his side, he would likely have thought of them.

Suddenly, he turned towards her and leaned in for a kiss.

Caught off guard, Chu Yin froze.

But she understood Lu Jingzhuo’s intention.

His kisses always had a singular purpose: they were either a prelude to or part of making love.

But they had just been intimate the day before, why was he initiating again so soon?

Chu Yin was filled with questions.

Lu Jingzhuo’s reasoning was straightforward: to compensate Chu Yin and hasten her pregnancy.

Yet, once he touched her soft lips, he found it hard to control himself. Even though she remained passive, he yearned to deepen the kiss and savor her completely.

The kiss lasted much longer than he had anticipated.

Chu Yin still felt the pain when it finally ended.

She couldn’t help but push him slightly.

He lifted his head, his fingers tracing her vivid lips, then moving to her slender waist. With a firm pull, he lifted her out of the brocade quilt and onto his lap.

Chu Yin’s face instantly flushed as red as a rose.

Before her marriage, her mother had shown her a “bridal book” with illustrations of various unimaginable positions…

But Lu Jingzhuo never tried any of them.

It was always him on top and her below.

What was going on with him tonight?

Chu Yin suddenly recalled how he had insisted on making love even in the sweltering heat of summer. A thought crossed her mind: could it be that he had consulted a physician and learned this position was more likely to result in pregnancy?