“Chapter 058”

"Chapter 058"

"Lu Jingzhuo scooped her up effortlessly, and with a turn, Chu Yin found herself lying on top of him."

"Both of them were slender, but next to him, Chu Yin was like a willow branch."

"Lu Jingzhuo gripped her waist, 'All that time spent practicing martial arts and horsemanship, for what?'"

"She practiced for her health and strength, not for… this."

"Besides, with his stamina, even years of her training couldn’t compare. Chu Yin pouted, 'I’m useless, can Your Highness spare me? I’m afraid I won’t be able to get up tomorrow.'"

"This wasn’t a negotiation; it was an outright surrender."

"A flicker of amusement crossed Lu Jingzhuo's eyes, 'You do have some self-awareness.'"

"She always had self-awareness; why else would she exercise? Chu Yin wondered why he said that."

"'Then, Your Highness, please let me down. It’s almost time for dinner.'"

"But he still didn’t let go."

"His wife, fragrant and soft in his arms, made it mentally easy to let her go, but physically challenging."

"'Dinner can wait a bit.'"

"Chu Yin’s expression changed slightly, 'I’ve already pleaded…'"

"'Then, plead again later.'"

"The next day, Chu Yin’s voice was a bit hoarse."

"The reason was indescribable."

"Lu Zhen, more observant than her brother, quickly noticed something was off with her mother during the morning greetings, 'Why does mother’s voice sound different?' She asked, wrapping her small arms around her mother’s neck, 'Are you sick?'"

"Qi Niang glanced at Chu Yin, not daring to explain on her behalf."

"At four years old, children are easy to deceive, yet also difficult. Claiming illness would lead to questions about medicine. Chu Yin explained, 'It’s not an illness. I just talked too much, and my throat is tired. I need to rest.'"

"'Ah, the throat can get tired?' Lu Zhen was curious."

"'Of course, any part of the body can get tired if overused. Like the eyes, if you keep staring at something without rest, they can get strained and blurry.'"

"'Oh, I see,' Lu Zhen nodded, 'Then rest, mother. We won’t talk anymore.'"

"Chu Yin gently ruffled her hair, 'Such a good girl.'"

"But Lu Zhen immediately went to seek help from her father in the study, 'Father, mother’s throat is tired, what should we do!'"

“……”

"Lu Jingzhuo was well aware of how she had tired herself out."

"His wife was not only delicate in body, but her throat was also not very resilient."

"Fortunately, he had always been restrained; otherwise, Chu Yin would have been exhausted much sooner."

"He wondered how she could even think of keeping attendants."

"'I'll make sure she recovers quickly,' he reassured his daughter."

"Lu Zhen nodded, 'Okay.'"

"After his daughter left, Lu Jingzhuo immediately summoned Liu Yuanpan."

"He had suggested calling the imperial physician in the morning, but Chu Yin refused, claiming it was just a slight hoarseness that would heal in a couple of days. He knew she was too embarrassed to let the physician know how she got hoarse."

"He didn’t insist then, but now that his daughter was worried, he thought it best to consult."

"However, he didn't ask Liu Yuanpan to examine Chu Yin, partly because it wasn’t serious, and partly to spare her embarrassment. He merely asked Dong Ling to inquire about the treatment for overused and hoarse throats, and whether pulse diagnosis was necessary."

"Liu Yuanpan, thinking it was Lu Jingzhuo, quickly prescribed a remedy after understanding the situation."

"Rendong, waiting at the door, saw Liu Yuanpan leaving and promptly reported to Chu Yin."

"Called to the study, she assumed it was to examine Lu Jingzhuo. Was he unwell? In her memory, Lu Jingzhuo had never been sick in these years."

"His health had always been robust."

"Chu Yin hurried to the study."

"Seeing her, Lu Jingzhuo set aside the book he was reading."

"'Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?'"

"Her voice, usually clear and sweet, was now slightly hoarse, adding a unique charm. Yet she thought Liu Yuanpan was summoned for him, which amused Lu Jingzhuo."

"'Come here,'" he said.

"Chu Yin walked over."

"He effortlessly scooped her onto his lap."

"Chu Yin, accustomed to this, didn’t move, just waiting for his answer."

"'It wasn’t me,'" he said.

"'Then it’s…'"

"He tapped her nose, 'You.'"

"Chu Yin bit her lip, 'Didn’t you say you wouldn’t call for him?' 'How did you explain it to him?'"

"'I told the truth,' he lowered his head, his breath warming her neck, 'said you lost your voice from yelling last night.'"

“……”

"Even if he heard Liu Yuanpan discuss certain positions, he couldn’t possibly tell everything to the physician, right?"

"Chu Yin wanted to bite him, glaring at Lu Jingzhuo, 'You, you…' She was too angry to find the words."

"Her beautiful eyes were round and shining, like luminous pearls."

"He silenced her with a kiss, 'Speak less.'"

"Instead of scolding him, she ended up being kissed."

"Chu Yin bit his tongue tip lightly."

"Of course, she didn’t bite through; the time she had bitten his lip was in a moment of urgency. Even though she was angry now, she wouldn’t seriously hurt her husband. She just wanted to bite him hard enough to make him think twice before speaking so bluntly next time."

"Lu Jingzhuo paused, then kissed her even more passionately."

"A knock on the door came from outside, with Dong Ling saying, 'The imperial physician has sent the medicine.'"

"Lu Jingzhuo lifted his head, 'You go get it.'"

"Soon, Dong Ling entered with a white-glazed porcelain medicine bottle."

"Palm-sized and elegantly shaped like a gourd, it was sealed with a wooden stopper."

"'The instruction is to take one pill three times a day, dissolving it in the mouth.'"

"Lu Jingzhuo took out a handkerchief and poured a pill from the bottle."

"About half the size of a fingernail, brown in color, it had a bitter yet fragrant smell."

"'Eat it,' he said."

"Chu Yin shook her head, 'I don’t want to.'"

"Clearly, she was being petulant, but Lu Jingzhuo didn’t lose patience, 'I’ll feed it to you. Open your mouth.'"

"He was trying to coax her."

"Chu Yin pursed her lips, her eyes shifting, weighing her options."

"He added, 'I didn’t tell Liu Yuanpan who it was for. Dong Ling asked, and he thought it was for me.'"

"Chu Yin immediately smiled and opened her mouth."

"He placed the pill between her lips."

"After tasting it, she glanced at him, 'You're deceiving me now, Your Highness.'"

"He just wanted to see her flustered."

"Lu Jingzhuo asked, 'How does it taste?'"

"'Slightly sweet and quite refreshing.'"

"Watching her dissolve the pill for a while, he leaned in to kiss her."

"Chu Yin was startled, 'There’s still some left...'"

"Without a word, he took the opportunity to explore her mouth, sharing the taste of the medicine."

"The sweetness mixed with the medicinal flavor melted on their tongues. Chu Yin’s face gradually reddened, and she became somewhat intoxicated, involuntarily wrapping her arms around his waist."

…………

"After the Lantern Festival, another flurry of snow fell, like willow fluff, briefly floating before stopping, leaving almost no trace."

"Tang Feiyan stood by the window, gazing outside, yearning to step out but restraining herself."

"Her child was long-awaited, and she couldn't allow herself any mistakes, such as slipping... She beckoned two maids to support her, slowly walking over to the couch to sit down."

"Beneath her was a thick cushion, very comfortable, with a pillow also placed behind her back."

"Turning slightly, she picked a piece of golden yam cake from the table and began to eat."

"Lu Jingchen entered, glancing at her plump face, 'How many have you had today?'"

"'This is the third one, I'm keeping count!' Tang Feiyan replied, 'Since the physician said it’s better to be thinner, I won't overeat... Besides, yam cake doesn't cause weight gain, it’s not like a meat pie.'"

"After being reminded by Chu Yin that day, Lu Jingchen took it seriously, consulting the physician. Upon learning it wasn't good for the baby, Tang Feiyan immediately controlled her appetite, stopping her weight from 'soaring'."

"'Just be mindful,' Lu Jingchen sat beside her, first gently touching her belly, 'No matter what, it’s hard on you. Once you safely deliver the baby, I'll give you anything you want.'"

"Internally, Tang Feiyan scoffed, thinking it was just empty promises. Could he give her the position of Crown Princess if she desired it?"

"But now understanding their situation and knowing Lu Jingchen's difficulties, she could only endure this period."

"If she gave birth to a son, gaining their father's favor, there might be a chance in the future."

"Though slim, it was still hope, and that’s what people live on."

"How's aunt's situation?" Tang Feiyan asked, clinging to his arm, "Did she actually ask father to arrange a marriage for her?"

"'Aunt can’t keep things to herself. She must have mentioned it during New Year's visit. No news by now probably means father didn’t agree…' Lu Jingchen touched his nose, 'Duke Song’s influence is indeed great, even surpassing our aunt.'"

"Tang Feiyan chuckled, slightly gloating, 'Our dignified aunt has been snubbed. Duke Song is really bold to refuse anyone, even her. Now, no matter how much she likes him, she can only regret from afar!'"

"Their recent cold treatment from Princess Baocheng had left Tang Feiyan feeling aggrieved, so Lu Jingchen understood her sentiment, 'It’s okay to say it at home, but you mustn't…'"

"'I won’t step out until the child is born, what are you afraid of?' Tang Feiyan huffed, 'Scold me again, and I’ll keep the child in!'"

“……”

"Knowing this was impossible but acknowledging the whims of his pregnant wife, Lu Jingchen quickly shut his mouth."

"By early February, the courtyard was lush with green grass and blooming peach blossoms."

"Yu Shizhang was leaving the palace. After Chu Yin's final horse riding lesson with her, they bade each other a reluctant farewell."

"Chu Yin wondered if Duke Song was still in the capital. If so, her initial guess might be wrong; perhaps Yu Shizhang met Duke Song in the capital and then married into his household."

"If that was the case, things would proceed more smoothly, without fear of any changes."

"Mulling over these thoughts, Chu Yin alighted from her carriage at the Eastern Palace gate."

"A burst of laughter came from inside."

"Listening closely, it sounded like her son Lu Xu, but there seemed to be another child’s voice too."

"The palace guard reported, 'Your Highness, the Third Prince has arrived, saying he brought folded paper toys for the young master.'"

"Chu Yin raised her eyebrows slightly, 'You let him in?'"

"The guard hurriedly explained, 'I dared not. I sent someone to ask the Crown Prince at Chunhui Pavilion first before allowing the Third Prince to enter.'"

"Satisfied that the guard understood protocol, Chu Yin quickly entered."

"Seeing his mother, Lu Xu showed her a paper-folded horse, excitedly exclaiming, 'Aunt, Third Uncle is so skilled, he can actually fold a big horse! But no lions today, he said he’ll fold one next time.'"

"This time it was white paper, meticulously crafted, with the horse’s head and tail clearly defined."

"Chu Yin smiled slightly, 'Did Third Brother spend a lot of time on this?'"

"'Just a few days,' was the reply."

"Chu Yin turned to her son, 'Did you hear that, Xu? Third Uncle spent days on this. You have your father to take you riding, no need to trouble your uncle.' She wasn’t keen on her son growing close to Lu Jingrui, 'And no more lions, Third Brother.'"

"Lu Jingrui, thinking she was concerned about his hands, chuckled, 'It’s okay, it’s just a way to pass time when I’m free.'"

"'There are other things you can do when free, don't indulge him.'"

"Lu Xu frowned, 'Mother, I just want a lion, nothing else.'"

"But that was debatable."

"She remembered Lu Jingrui had folded not only these but also elephants, qilins, turtles, and more for her son…"

"Chu Yin sternly said, 'No more nonsense!'"

"Lu Xu didn’t continue, but pouted."

"'Sister-in-law, let me fold the lion for Xu. I’ve promised him already and can’t break my word,' Lu Jingrui spoke up for his nephew, 'Please don’t blame him, sister-in-law. We had an agreement.'"

"At these words, Lu Xu’s pout deepened."

"Realizing insisting further would only make her son feel she was wrong and grow fonder of his gentle Third Uncle, Chu Yin pondered, 'Alright, then, please trouble Third Brother once more.'"

"At that, Lu Xu broke into a smile."

"After Lu Jingrui bid farewell, Lu Xu even voluntarily escorted his Third Uncle out."

"Seeing them hand in hand, Chu Yin wondered, did her son really like paper folding that much?"

"If so, perhaps she should learn too. If she mastered it, her son would watch her fold, growing closer to her, and not cling to Lu Jingrui anymore."

"Chu Yin asked Rendong to fetch a stack of paper and sat by the window, carefully contemplating."

"Noticing the sunny weather, Lu Jingzhuo thought it would be warm enough for archery practice in the afternoon, so he instructed Dong Ling to set up targets before leaving and fitted his thumb ring in the carriage."

"Rendong, seeing the servants busy, took out the previously stored armguards, handguards, and thumb ring."

"'His Highness will teach you archery again,' she informed Chu Yin, 'He should be here soon.'"

"Chu Yin, absorbed in paper folding, simply nodded."

"The orange-red light filled the room, casting a veil over the woman sitting by the window, her beauty enhanced by the shimmering light."

"Lu Jingzhuo stood watching for a while, then turned the thumb ring and asked Rendong, 'Did you really tell her?'"

"If Chu Yin knew from the morning, wouldn’t she have already tied the armguards, handguards, and worn the thumb ring, waiting for him?"

"Rendong, frightened, dared not answer."

"Lu Jingzhuo chuckled coldly and approached Chu Yin."

"With heavy footsteps, Chu Yin looked up and smiled, 'Your Highness is here? I’ll join you in archery in a bit.'"

"He looked at the paper folding on the table, 'Have you been working on this all this time?'"

"'Yes.'"

"'What for?' He seemed to recall his Third Brother folding flowers for the children."

"'I’m learning so I can fold them for Xu.'"

“……”

"'But this paper folding is quite difficult; I spent the whole afternoon just to barely fold a small boat,'" she showed it to Lu Jingzhuo.

"She could spend half a day to please her son, yet she was so lackluster in learning archery with him!"

"Lu Jingzhuo, uninterested in the boat, said indifferently, 'If it’s difficult, don't bother with it. Why should you do such things yourself? What is Rendong for? Let him learn and fold!' He instructed Dong Ling, 'Tell Rendong right now.'"

"Chu Yin: '…'"