His gaze was like cool water on an autumn day, a gentle splash falling upon her.
But Chu Yin didn't withdraw her hand.
They were husband and wife, after all. What was wrong with a little pinch? Lu Jingchen was even feeding Tang Feiyan meatballs.
She boldly pinched him again under his intense gaze.
Her fingers were beautiful - long, white, with nails painted a soft pink, glowing softly. But Lu Jingzhao wasn't in the mood to appreciate this. He just felt that Chu Yin was too eager for another child, doing things she normally wouldn't.
Of course, he didn't think Chu Yin loved him.
Her marriage to him was purely for the position of Crown Princess, desiring power and status. But he didn't see this as a flaw. Being too caught up in love was the real flaw, leading to hysteria, madness, and loss of reason.
So, in his eyes, Chu Yin was well-suited for him.
It's just that she had been acting a bit unusual lately.
But no matter, having another child wasn't a bad thing; he would satisfy her desires tonight.
He withdrew his gaze.
Just then, Emperor Jianxing suddenly questioned his sons about their opinions on Minister Chen's proposal regarding the "Equal Field System."
Chu Yin remembered this incident from her previous life.
She knew that Lu Jingzhao's perspective was correct: regardless of the type of taxation, effective implementation was key. Without it, all proposals were mere rhetoric, likely to start with fanfare and end in failure, wasting time.
Emperor Jianxing smiled upon hearing this, "Then, Jingzhao, according to your view, how should it be implemented?"
Lu Jingzhao responded, "I believe that reforming the bureaucracy and curbing factionalism must come first. Otherwise, even with officials dispatched, the implementation will face significant hurdles."
Seeing that the Emperor only questioned his eldest son, Tang Feiyan became anxious. She tugged at Lu Jingchen's sleeve under the table, urging him to speak up.
However, Lu Jingchen dared not interject.
As the heir apparent and future emperor, his brother's discussion of state affairs was appropriate, but his own situation was different. Touching on sensitive issues required caution; less was more. He held his wife's hand, signaling her to refrain.
Lu Jingrui was all seriousness, admiringly watching his father and elder brother.
Chu Yin's icy gaze briefly fell on him before she withdrew it.
The seventeen-year-old boy – was he already harboring thoughts of seizing power?
If he was, he truly had patience.
To think he even waited until Lu Jingzhao's demise...
And what if Lu Jingzhao had not passed away? Would Lu Jingrui still have made his move?
That remained unknown.
The two children, still young, did not join the adults at the table but were being looked after by Qi Niang and the palace maids, eating elsewhere.
By the time the adults finished their meal, the children had also finished theirs.
Empress Dowager Jiang, noticing their chubby little faces, expressed her fondness: "It's a pity my health isn't good, otherwise I would have taken them to stay with me for a few days."
"Mother, your illness isn't contagious to them, it shouldn't be a problem." In her previous life, her mother-in-law suffered deeply from the loss of her husband, son, and the imprisonment of her grandson. This time, it wouldn't happen again.
Empress Dowager Jiang shook her head, "Still, it's better to be cautious. I'm happy just to see them occasionally."
After enjoying the family meal, Emperor Jianxing immediately went to spend time with one of his consorts, while Lu Jingzhao planned to return to the Eastern Palace with his wife and children.
Just before leaving, he suddenly asked Empress Dowager Jiang, "Do you have any maids here who know the Five-Animal Frolics or the Eight Pieces of Brocade?"
Chu Yin: "..."
She wasn't sure whether to be happy or worried.
Happy that he remembered, but worried because he was still so rigid, unwilling to teach her himself.
Empress Dowager Jiang, puzzled, asked, "What Five-Animal Frolics?"
"A'Yin is weak, and Liu Yipan suggested she practice the Five-Animal Frolics," Lu Jingzhao thought, since Chu Yin was so keen on having another child, she needed to start strengthening her body immediately.
Empress Dowager Jiang turned to Chen Mama.
Chen Mama replied, "That's easy, I know them. I'll teach the Crown Princess tomorrow."
Lu Jingchen and his wife, who were behind, overhearing the conversation while coming to bid farewell to Empress Dowager Jiang, heard everything clearly.
Tang Feiyan remarked, "Big sister-in-law is physically weak? Why didn't you say so earlier? I have a remedy you could try."
Chu Yin was cautious, "I'm already taking tonics, thank you for your concern."
"Tonics aren't as effective as my family recipe, big sister-in-law. My ancestors were..."
Lu Jingchen interrupted her, "Mother, elder brother, sister-in-law, we shall take our leave now."
Seeing Tang Feiyan being almost dragged away, Chu Yin couldn't help but find it amusing.
Compared to her sister-in-law, her second brother seemed more measured, although he shouldn't have aspired to replace the Crown Prince; he wasn't suitable, lacking the cunning of Lu Jingrui, and his efforts would likely backfire.
Thinking of Lu Jingrui, Chu Yin turned to him and suddenly asked, "Third brother, did elder brother used to watch ants when he was young? Zhu'er seems fascinated by them recently, I wonder if he's like him."
Lu Jingzhao: "..."
Lu Jingrui paused, then smiled, "Sister-in-law, I'm seven years younger than the elder brother, he was already grown when I was born."
"Is that so? I forgot about the seven-year gap." Could it be that Lu Jingzhao doted on him like a younger brother? Chu Yin asked, "Did the Crown Prince often take you out to play when you were young?"
Before Lu Jingrui could answer, Empress Dowager Jiang's voice chimed in, "It's getting late, and I'm tired. You all should head back."
With her saying so, it wouldn't be appropriate for anyone to stay longer.
As the weather grew hotter, the sounds of summer insects became louder.
Their constant chirping was almost like a musical performance.
As she walked, Chu Yin pondered over the Empress Dowager's reaction.
Was she deliberately interrupting or was it unintentional? Something felt odd...
Maybe she should just ask Lu Jingzhao directly? She turned her head and saw that he was already holding Lu Zhu.
She wondered if it was the son's request or his own initiative.
Chu Yin, with a playful glint in her eye, remarked, "Your Highness can't be partial, always holding Zhu'er. What will Zhen'er think? You should take turns holding them. Look at Zhen'er, she's eagerly watching you."
One not enough, now two? Lu Jingzhao felt she was using the "children's affection for him" as a pretext to get him to do what she wanted.
Unexpectedly, their daughter actually called out, "Daddy, I want to be held too!"
She was adorable, with almond-shaped eyes just like Chu Yin's, clear and bright, exuding an innocence that no one could resist.
Left with no choice, Lu Jingzhao extended his arms to lift his daughter into his embrace as well.
Two children, with four little hands, clung tightly around his neck.
Chu Yin couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Naturally beautiful, her charm was enhanced under the moonlight, reminiscent of a half-open lotus in a pond. Lu Jingzhao's gaze landed on her face, his brows slightly raised, "Are you satisfied now?"
His words carried an unusual emotion, making him appear more animated than usual.
She nodded, "Yes, satisfied."
Playfully.
She then urged him, "Let's go!"
On the way back, the family of four rode together in one carriage.
The children, worn out, struggled to keep their eyelids open.
Chu Yin joked, "They had so much energy playing hide and seek, exhausting me. But now they can hardly stay awake after being fussed over by their grandparents."
This "fussing over" included being called to, cuddled, and kissed.
Lu Jingzhao's lips curled up slightly at this, recalling Chu Yin asleep in the courtyard.
Could it be that she was exhausted from playing hide and seek that day?
She truly loved children, no wonder she wanted another.
Lost in thought, he heard Chu Yin ask, "Was the third brother always like this as a child, always smiling? Such a pleasant temperament."
His thin lips pressed together briefly before he said, "Hmm."
Such a terse response suggested there might be something amiss, making Chu Yin hesitate to probe further.
Pushing too hard on a sensitive topic might cause resistance.
She shifted the conversation, "Did Your Highness watch ants when you were young?"
He answered quickly, "Don't remember."
"......"
Just then, the carriage arrived at the Eastern Palace.
Dongling was waiting at the entrance, accompanied by a servant who appeared to be in his late teens.
Chu Yin inquired, "Who is he? Can he perform tricks?"
"Responding to the Crown Princess, his name is Xiao Dou. He works in the vinegar and sauce department and has some skills..." Dongling raised his voice, "Xiao Dou, show something to His Highness and the Crown Princess."
Xiao Dou pulled out six pigeon egg-sized red juggling balls from his sleeve and tossed them into the air.
He deftly manipulated the balls, making them dance in the air.
Chu Yin hurriedly woke her son, "Zhu'er, look!"
Lu Zhu rubbed his eyes, then widened them in awe, "Wow, the balls are flying!"
Encouraged by the prince's delight, Xiao Dou put extra effort into his performance, juggling the balls in a dazzling display.
It wasn't a particularly sophisticated act, but it reminded Chu Yin of her carefree childhood when she would watch performers with her mother and brother during New Year festivities.
Those were worry-free days of youth, long gone since adulthood, and outings became rare. She turned to Lu Jingzhao, "Your Highness, he's good, let's keep him. Zhu'er seems to really like it."
Whether it was an illusion or not, her voice seemed a bit nasal, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Lu Jingzhao glanced at her, "If you're pleased, then it's settled."
Chu Yin then said, "Xiao Dou, from now on, focus on taking care of Zhu'er. You don't need to go back to the vinegar and sauce department."
"Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Crown Princess," Xiao Dou felt as if a golden path had unfolded before him. He knelt down excitedly, "I will serve the young master diligently and live up to your expectations."
Chu Yin instructed, "Alright, take Zhu'er inside."
"Yes," Xiao Dou said, trembling as he picked up Lu Zhu, his precious charge.
Qi Niang carried Lu Zhen.
The group entered the palace.
As Xiao Dou was new, he definitely needed to learn how to care for the royal grandson. Chu Yin instructed Qi Niang to teach him, ensuring no detail was overlooked.
Not just the children were tired; after finishing her tasks, Chu Yin also felt weary and sat down to rest before washing up and lying in bed.
Half asleep, she felt a hand slip around her waist.
Opening her eyes, she saw Lu Jingzhao above her, propping himself up with one arm, maintaining a distance for the moment.
She was a bit surprised.
In her memory, if she fell asleep first, he would not touch her. Such intimacy usually only occurred when both were fully awake.
Could it be that he was particularly in the mood tonight?
That was rare.
In her moment of doubt, her robe was being undone.
He leaned down and kissed her lips.
Such actions were never seen during the day and rarely at night.
It was as if he avoided it or considered it insignificant, usually not his choice.
However, Chu Yin suddenly remembered that after the coronation ceremony, his kisses had become slightly more frequent, once even in the afternoon when she went to Qianqing Palace to discuss matters, he suddenly kissed her.
That day, the sunlight fell on his eyelashes, glittering like broken gold.
Caught off guard, she leaned against the imperial desk, accidentally touching the inkstone behind her.
Her fingertips smeared ink on his imperial robe. In a panic, she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it off.
He said, "Leave it."
Knowing how much effort and money it took to weave such a robe, she couldn't just ignore it, hurriedly instructing a servant to call for the head of the Imperial Wardrobe...
Suddenly, her waist was grasped, interrupting her recollection.
