"Handing the paper boat to Dong Ling to place in the study, Lu Jingzhuo sat down to dine."
"Chu Yin brought up the visit to the Princess's residence, curious about the reason."
"Lu Jingzhuo explained, 'My aunt mentioned it before the new year. There's no particular reason; she just wants to liven up her new home.'"
"Seeing no downside to getting closer to Princess Baocheng, and with his reassurance, Chu Yin didn't dwell on it further."
"After dinner, she instructed her maids to prepare gifts for their visit to the Princess's residence, then returned to her paper folding."
"After a while, she asked Qiniang to bring Lu Zhen to her."
"'Zhen'er, do you still have the flower Third Uncle gave you last time?'"
"'Yes.'"
"As expected, her daughter had kept it. Chu Yin negotiated, 'Can I borrow it to see how it's folded? I'll fold you a new one in return, alright?'"
"Lu Zhen generously agreed, 'You can take it, mother!'"
"A maid brought the paper flower over."
"Chu Yin carefully unfolded it, studying the intricate craftsmanship as she tried to replicate it."
"Sometimes, even murder requires such finesse. It's not always about blood and violence, but rather about stealth and silence."
"Emperor Jianxing didn't see things as simply as Princess Baocheng. Hearing of Yao Furen's death, he felt he had misjudged her. He had sent Qin Xiao to investigate and later learned that Li Yuan was also inquiring."
"He knew exactly who Li Yuan worked for but didn't mind the Crown Prince having a few capable aides. It was fitting for an heir apparent to have some ambition and understanding of the situation. However, meddling in the affairs of the Yao and Chu families indicated emotional involvement."
"Yao Furen's death clearly had the Crown Prince's influence behind it. Emperor Jianxing, recalling his son's recent changes, couldn't help but worry."
"What happens when the ice melts? Could it turn into an uncontrollable fire?"
"Previously, he couldn't see any resemblance between his son and his mother, Jiang Zhi, but now..."
"His son, being a man, wouldn't be as emotionally volatile as Jiang Zhi, but it remained a concern. After his demise, if the Crown Prince was too influenced by his wife, could it lead to the in-laws holding too much power?"
"Although the Crown Princess seemed flawless for now."
"Emperor Jianxing suddenly furrowed his brows in deep thought."
"The next day, Lu Jingzhuo and his family rode out of the palace to visit the Princess's residence."
"Lu Zhen and Lu Zhen, brimming with excitement, peered eagerly out of the carriage window."
"At an age filled with curiosity about everything, they wanted to explore and question everything they saw. The bustling streets particularly intrigued them, though they often had to abandon their dreams of joining the crowd due to their father's stern demeanor."
"Despite the Princess's residence being grand and luxurious, it held little allure for children raised in the palace. They found the city streets far more interesting, and once at the residence, they quieted down."
"Princess Baocheng personally welcomed the family of four."
"'My brother never liked Pingxi (traditional plays) since he was young, and after moving to Qingzhou, he stopped inviting troupes altogether. Today, you'll get your fill of performances,' she said, patting Lu Jingzhuo's arm. 'If Jingzhuo, like my brother, doesn't enjoy it, consider it a new experience. It's not hard on the ears.'"
"Chu Yin thought to herself that he hardly ever took to anything enthusiastically, save perhaps for riding and archery, though he had stopped even that after ascending the throne."
"Lu Jingzhuo merely nodded, while the children, hearing about 'troupes', eagerly questioned their great-aunt."
"Princess Baocheng initially explained, but soon found it tiring, pinching their cheeks with a smile, 'You'll understand once you hear them perform.'"
"The troupe performed two pieces, 'The Palace of Eternal Life' and 'The Legend of the White Snake'."
"With their captivating appearance and voices, Chu Yin enjoyed the performances thoroughly. Lu Zhen and Lu Zhen, witnessing it for the first time, were utterly engrossed, especially Lu Zhen during the martial arts scenes, wishing he could get closer to the stage."
"Lu Jingzhuo, however, remained disinterested."
"Sneaking a glance at his impassive face, Chu Yin leaned in and playfully asked, 'Does Your Highness really share the Emperor's lack of interest in such performances?'"
"He inquired in return, 'Do you like it?'"
"'Yes, it's quite interesting.'"
"'As long as you like it, that's what matters.'"
"'But my liking it has nothing to do with Your Highness's preferences. I was asking about you.'"
"'It's a bit noisy,' he admitted honestly."
"Chu Yin looked towards their children, 'Zhen'er and Zhen'er don't seem to mind the noise.'"
"'Because they're noisy enough on their own,' he said seriously."
"Chu Yin couldn't help but laugh."
"After the play, they had lunch at the princess's mansion."
"'I'm truly grateful for auntie's invitation. I never knew Pingju opera was so fascinating,' Chu Yin said as she ruffled her son's hair, 'Zhuang and Zhen watching intently from beginning to end was quite an eye-opener.'"
"The greatest joy for a host is their guests' enjoyment and satisfaction. Princess Baocheng joked, 'A-Yin, you and Zhuang and Zhen have better taste than Jingzhao. Sometimes he really is as dense as wood.'"
"He's been dense in both lives, but only now has he begun to change," Chu Yin thought, smiling to herself.
Lu Jingzhao was reserved and spoke little at the table, with Princess Baocheng mostly conversing with Chu Yin. Mid-conversation, she suddenly asked, "Has your brother gotten engaged?"
Previously, Princess Baocheng had sought a marriage alliance with the Chu family, but things had ended unpleasantly. Chu Yin, uncertain of her intent, hesitated before responding, "My brother got engaged last year to the eldest daughter of the Deputy Minister of Dali Temple, Dou."
"That's wonderful. Has a lucky date been set?"
"April 6th."
Princess Baocheng smiled, "Then I must come over for a celebratory drink."
Her willingness to let bygones be bygones was clear. Chu Yin smiled back, "My mother will be delighted to see you then."
"Chu Da Ren will be there too, right? A father should be present at his son's wedding. I'm sure your brother will allow him to return to the capital for it."
"Right, father will be there," she remembered, having forgotten to mention it. In her previous life, she couldn't attend her brother's wedding and had only sent a gift. She hadn't seen her father for a long time, not until she became the empress.
"It was a price she had to pay. But even if she weren't the Crown Princess or the Empress, how often can married daughters freely visit their parental home?"
A fleeting look of resignation crossed Chu Yin's face, "Auntie is right, it was an oversight on my part."
Lu Jingzhao glanced at her, then slowly averted his gaze.
By the time they returned from the princess's mansion, it was late afternoon.
The children, quite exhausted, had fallen asleep in the carriage.
The breeze wafted in through the half-open lattice windows, carrying the scent of various pastries.
Chu Yin rested her head on Lu Jingzhao's shoulder, "I suddenly remembered our trips to those counties."
"Although we were careful not to buy random food, just strolling around was quite enjoyable."
The memory surfaced in Lu Jingzhao's mind too, bringing a slight smile to his face as he held her hand.
"I wonder how the crops the farmers planted are doing? Do you know, Your Highness?"
"They should be fine. Otherwise, father would have surely questioned me," he said. The responsibility for his actions was his to bear.
"True, with Yi Jian there, what's there to worry about?"
"We're just waiting for the bountiful harvest in September."
"As the weather gradually warmed, the charcoal brazier was completely removed from the hall, and her hands no longer felt cold while folding paper."
"Chu Yin had mastered making paper flowers and had already given two to her daughter. Now, she was contemplating deconstructing the paper horse."
"Hearing that his mother intended to dismantle the paper horse, Lu Zhuang shook his head vehemently like a bobblehead."
"Why would you want to take it apart? It'll be ruined," he questioned, puzzled.
"I've learned how to fold them now; I'll make you a new one," Chu Yin explained.
"But what if you can't learn it?" he asked.
"... Why so little faith in me!" she thought, somewhat offended.
"Haven't you noticed that I can make flowers now?"
"But flowers are not as impressive as horses," he remarked.
"A son really doesn't have the same thoughtfulness as a daughter," she mused. When she asked her daughter for a flower, she received it immediately. Chu Yin felt a tinge of displeasure, but could she really hold a grudge against a four-year-old child? He always had a fondness for horses. Thinking it over, Chu Yin proposed, "How about you lend this horse to your mother, and I'll have your father take you riding, ten rounds, does that sound good?"
She decided to betray Lu Jingzhao.
This strategy worked wonders; Lu Zhu didn't hesitate to agree.
After receiving the paper-folded horse, Chu Yin carefully unfolded it.
Folding a horse was several times more difficult than folding a flower.
Chu Yin genuinely wondered who Lu Jingrui could have learned this from. It surely couldn't have been his own idea?
That evening, she asked Lu Jingzhao.
"Not sure, maybe it was Empress Hui. Why do you ask?" he replied.
"Just curious," Chu Yin said. "This paper folding is really challenging." Before Lu Jingzhao could object, she added, "But the challenge is what makes it interesting, like horse riding and archery. I really want to master it."
Her son's earlier comment also played a part in her determination to learn, eager to show off her skills to him.
Remembering the boat she had given him, Lu Jingzhao remarked, "Persistence isn't a bad thing."
Seeing his support, Chu Yin smoothly brought up another matter: "I promised Zhu'er that you would take him horse riding... He's been missing it all winter."
Lu Jingzhao said, "I'll arrange it tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Yin couldn't help but smile in triumph.
However, when the two children came to greet them, their son, quite outspoken, ended up revealing the "deal" to Lu Jingzhao, telling him how his mother borrowed the horse folded by his uncle, so his father had to take him for ten rounds of riding.
Children have their ways of being troublesome, just look at how smoothly he spilled everything.
"A son really doesn't have the same thoughtfulness as a daughter," she mused. When she asked her daughter for a flower, she received it immediately. Chu Yin felt a tinge of displeasure, but could she really hold a grudge against a four-year-old child? He always had a fondness for horses. Thinking it over, Chu Yin proposed, "How about you lend this horse to your mother, and I'll have your father take you riding, ten rounds, does that sound good?"
She decided to betray Lu Jingzhao.
This strategy worked wonders; Lu Zhu didn't hesitate to agree.
After receiving the paper-folded horse, Chu Yin carefully unfolded it.
Folding a horse was several times more difficult than folding a flower.
Chu Yin genuinely wondered who Lu Jingrui could have learned this from. It surely couldn't have been his own idea?
That evening, she asked Lu Jingzhao.
"Not sure, maybe it was Empress Hui. Why do you ask?" he replied.
"Just curious," Chu Yin said. "This paper folding is really challenging." Before Lu Jingzhao could object, she added, "But the challenge is what makes it interesting, like horse riding and archery. I really want to master it."
Her son's earlier comment also played a part in her determination to learn, eager to show off her skills to him.
Remembering the boat she had given him, Lu Jingzhao remarked, "Persistence isn't a bad thing."
Seeing his support, Chu Yin smoothly brought up another matter: "I promised Zhu'er that you would take him horse riding... He's been missing it all winter."
............
Lu Jingzhao said, "I'll arrange it tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Yin couldn't help but smile in triumph.
However, when the two children came to greet them, their son, quite outspoken, ended up revealing the "deal" to Lu Jingzhao, telling him how his mother borrowed the horse folded by his uncle, so his father had to take him for ten rounds of riding.
Children have their ways of being troublesome, just look at how smoothly he spilled everything.
"Emperor Jianxing was quite surprised to see his eldest son: 'Why have you come at this time?'"
"Your Majesty, I have a request," the prince said.
"What is it?" the emperor inquired.
"On the day of Chu Ge's wedding, I wish to take A-Yin to the Chu family."
"That implies a visit to offer congratulations."
"Emperor Jianxing, holding his imperial pen, paused and inquired without betraying his emotions, 'Does A-Yin wish to return to her parental home?'"
"Of course she did, but she never said so."
"That's why she felt being unmarried was more liberating than being married."
"If she couldn't congratulate her brother on his marriage and see her family, she feared she might always hold this belief."
"He didn't want her to think that way."
"Lu Jingzhao said, 'A-Yin doesn't know about this; it's my idea. She hasn't seen her father-in-law for a long time, and now that he is rarely in the capital, I thought it would be a good opportunity for a family reunion.'"
"Though his request wasn't excessive, Emperor Jianxing was reluctant to grant it: 'It's not that I'm unsympathetic, but since last year, A-Yin has seldom left the palace, even accompanying you to supervise the agricultural affairs. Allowing her to visit her family now might give the impression that there is no discipline in our palace,' he paused, 'She can meet her father and daughter some other time. Chu Fangheng won't always be stationed in Jiangning, and I might transfer him to the capital someday.'"
"Clearly, his father was unequivocally refusing."
"Asking once might be permissible, but Lu Jingzhao found himself unable to request again: 'I was presumptuous. I take my leave.'"
"Watching his retreating figure, Emperor Jianxing suddenly threw his imperial pen to the ground."
"He didn't want to waver. He was quite satisfied with his eldest son, the crown prince, and didn't mind if the prince didn't love him, as long as he was a competent heir. He wanted to leave the great Yue in his capable hands, but now..."
"He couldn't let his son fall deeper and become like Jiang Zhi."
"The next day, Emperor Jianxing, under the pretext of missing his grandchildren, asked Chu Yin to bring the children to the Qianqing Palace."
"Until now, Emperor Jianxing had genuinely admired his daughter-in-law. But upon reflection, he realized she was not without ambition. Not only was she ambitious, but also clever, recommending Yi Jian, dealing with the theft of treasures by a palace eunuch, and excelling in supervising agricultural affairs. If she was behind Lady Yao's incident, influencing his eldest son, that was deeply concerning, especially if the crown prince still deeply loved her..."
"Emperor Jianxing, holding his grandchildren, said, 'The little ones have grown so much, already four years old. A-Yin, you've worked hard.'"
"'Zhuang and Zhen have their nursemaids and servants, it's not particularly hard for me. Besides, as a mother, worrying about one's children is natural.'"
"Emperor Jianxing smiled softly, lowering his head to gently pinch his grandson's ear, 'Current worries are nothing; it's when they grow up that the real headaches begin. Haven't you heard, 'To raise a child for a hundred years is to worry for ninety-nine'? You'll have more concerns in the future, and I believe someone should help you share the burden.'"
"Chu Yin felt a jolt in her heart upon hearing this."
"Her grandfather didn't spell it out, but her keen intuition sensed the implication of 'sharing the burden.'"
"The emperor wanted to take a concubine for Lu Jingzhao!"
