Reunion

Aunt Sun smiled upon hearing this: "What you say is true, young lady. Everyone can see how good the young master is to you. I heard from Xiao Qing that the young master often cooks for you personally. This is a rare thing, not to mention in the families of officials, even in the homes of ordinary people."

Zhao Youyi looked down at the glutinous rice balls in the bowl. Indeed, Chu Chanyin often washed his hands and cooked for her, a habit that Chu Chanyin had developed when they were at Yongliu Villa.

At that time, her maternal grandparents hired a tutor to impart knowledge and invited General Xie Bizheng to be their teacher. When Zhao Youyi was a child, she was a picky eater. The dishes cooked by the cooks at the manor were not delicious enough and did not suit her taste. So Chu Chanyin learned to cook for her and did so for several years. Zhao Youli often said that Chu Chanyin would spoil her, but Chu Chanyin just smiled indifferently and continued to treat her wholeheartedly.

Zhao Youli was four years older than Zhao Youyi, so he went to school and started learning martial arts earlier than her. As they grew older, the two spent less and less time together. Most of the time, Chu Chanyin would accompany her running around the yard, acting more like an older brother than Zhao Youli, who was her older brother.

At that time, Zhao Youyi also asked Chu Chanyin why he was so good to her.

Chu Chanyin pondered for a long time before finally blurting out, "Because you are my younger sister, I want to take care of you."

Chu Chanyin's thoughtfulness and care for her were etched into her bones since childhood, and she never forgot them even after six years of separation.

“Girl,” Aunt Sun walked to her side and hugged her, patting her back like a loving mother. “It’s not easy to meet someone who is wholeheartedly good to you in this life. Why bother about the motives behind that goodness? Whether it’s love or guilt, sincerity is enough.”

Zhao Youyi nestled against her waist and rubbed against her like a young animal that had found its den. She had been tense these past few days, and when she suddenly remembered the past, it was as if she had suddenly found an outlet for her frustrations, and she poured all her dissatisfaction onto Chu Chanyin. Even if Chu Chanyin did not love her, it was absolutely sincere. From beginning to end, he had been offering his burning heart, waiting for her to show her mercy. She should not be too harsh on him.

“Auntie, I understand.” Zhao Youyi’s eyes were brimming with tears in the candlelight. Auntie Sun’s slightly calloused fingers gently stroked her eyebrows and eyes, her tone loving: “Auntie watched you grow up. My old man doesn’t know about your feelings for each other in the past, but I saw it all clearly back then. Perhaps the young master doesn’t have romantic feelings for the young lady now, but he is absolutely sincere towards her. Instead of being sad alone, why don’t you talk things out with the young master?”

Zhao Youyi nodded. "Once I've finished dealing with things here, I'll go to pay a visit to the Prince of Chu's residence."

It no longer matters what Chu Chanyin's feelings for her are. In any case, he never intended to harm her; on the contrary, he has always been tolerant and caring towards her. It is neither reasonable nor emotional for her to avoid him when she comes to Fuzhou.

The next day, after Zhao Youyi finished his business business, he brought gifts to the Chu Prince's residence, only to be told that His Highness the Chu Prince had not returned to the residence for more than a month and had been living in the military camp all day.

"Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea, Miss Zhao? I'll have someone inform the Prince right away." Steward Li looked at her eagerly, his eyes full of expectation. "His Highness misses you very much."

Zhao Youyi originally wanted to go to the military camp to find Chu Chanyin, but then she thought that as the commander of the Zhao family army, it would be inappropriate for her to go to the territory of the Chu army rashly. Although she knew that Chu Chanyin would definitely not mind, it was inevitable that the people around him would be dissatisfied. After all, it was not easy for Chu Chanyin to rise to power in the first place, and now the nominal queen was an orphan girl like her with no power. She was afraid that many people in the army would have some complaints.

"Then I'll go into the manor to see Mu Qing." Zhao Youyi only regretted not bringing Zhao Zhile along, as the little girl had been clamoring to see Chu Mu Qing every day.

Butler Li invited the person in and led them to Chu Muqing's courtyard.

Chu Muqing was brandishing a small wooden sword in the courtyard when she saw Zhao Youyi. Overjoyed, she quickly dropped the sword and ran to Zhao Youyi, exclaiming, "Aunt, you've come!"

Zhao Youyi pinched his chubby little cheeks. "Yes, I'm here. Did Mumu miss me?"

Chu Muqing nodded excitedly, "Mumu misses her aunt very much, and she also misses her sister!"

Zhao Youyi didn't know why the two children were so close after only meeting once, and could only sigh that the two families were destined to be together.

"Has your uncle not come back recently?" Zhao Youyi took out a handkerchief to wipe the little dumpling's sweat.

Chu Muqing nodded unhappily, "Uncle hasn't been home for a month! He's practically made the military camp his home!"

Zhao Youyi hesitated for a moment, then turned to Steward Li and asked, "Has someone been sent to summon His Highness?"

"I'll send someone to fetch him right away," Butler Li said, turning to leave.

“Wait,” Zhao Youyi called out to him, “Prepare some food and send someone to tell His Highness that I’m taking Mumu to see him.”

Upon hearing this, Steward Li's face visibly lit up with excitement. "Hey! Your Highness, if you take the young prince to see His Highness, he will surely be delighted. I'll immediately have someone prepare food and a carriage!"

After saying that, he ran off like a shot, afraid that Zhao Youyi would hold it against him for calling her "Princess".

"Is Aunt no longer angry with Uncle?" Chu Muqing asked, observing Zhao Youyi's expression.

Zhao Youyi squatted down and patted Chu Muqing's little head, then reached out and gently pinched his nose: "Hmm, we're not having any more children. Let's go see if your uncle has been taking good care of himself these days."

Chu Muqing blinked, looking innocent, and said, "Aunt, Mumu really wants to go with you, but Mumu hasn't finished her homework for today. How about Aunt goes alone?"

"Huh?" Zhao Youyi was a little surprised to see him pick up the small wooden sword and continue to swing it. She had only thought of bringing Chu Muqing along because she was afraid that it would be awkward for the two of them to meet. She didn't expect that this little dumpling was so clever and would think of giving them some space alone.

Chu Muqing nodded earnestly, "Aunt, please go quickly and bring Uncle back. He hasn't been home for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi could no longer refuse. She had come to see Chu Chanyin in the first place, so there was nothing wrong with going to pick him up. Maybe the two of them could chat on the way, and who knows, they might even open up to each other.

Thinking of this, Zhao Youyi no longer hesitated. Just then, Steward Li came over with a food box. Zhao Youyi took the food box, walked out of the gate of the Chu Prince's Mansion, and got into the carriage.

She originally wanted to ride a horse, but she didn't know the way to the Chu army's garrison, and since she was carrying a food box, it would be more convenient to take a carriage.

"Your Highness!" Ying Liu rushed in with a beaming smile, "The Princess Consort has arrived!"

Chu Chanyin, who was handling official business, looked up from a pile of documents. He had been training with his soldiers for the past month and had lost a lot of weight. Dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with his hair half-tied up, he looked exceptionally dashing.

"Who's here?" Chu Chanyin asked incredulously.

"Your Highness! Your Highness has arrived!" Shadow Six exclaimed excitedly.

Chu Chanyin subconsciously stood up, grabbed a cloak from the side, put it on, and walked out of the tent.

A woman stood in the bleak autumn wind, her snow-white brocade dress making her look exceptionally beautiful. Her dark hair was simply tied up with a few jade hairpins, and a few loose strands were blown by the breeze. She took a few steps forward, carrying a food box, and said in a gentle voice, "Cousin, it's been a long time. You've lost quite a bit of weight."

In an instant, Chu Chanyin felt the world turn upside down, forgetting even where he was. He could only instinctively take a few steps forward and pull her into his arms.

Startled by the sudden embrace, Zhao Youyi froze, hearing only the whistling wind and the deafening pounding of his own heart.

Realizing what was happening, Zhao Youyi reached out and put her arm around him, patting his back reassuringly, "Cousin."

Hearing that title again, Chu Chanyin felt forgiven and finally dared to hold her tightly, treating her with the care of a rare treasure.

"Cousin, everyone's watching," Zhao Youyi said somewhat embarrassedly, ignoring the gazes of the surrounding soldiers.

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers around them immediately started looking at the sky and the ground, ignoring the two of them. Chu Chanyin released her and carefully examined her face. "You've lost weight."

Zhao Youyi smiled and said, "Why don't we go inside and talk?"

Chu Chanyin took the food box from her hand and, through her clothes, pulled her wrist and led her into the tent.

It had been three months since they last parted ways, and they were overwhelmed with emotion, yet they didn't know where to begin.

Zhao Youyi took out the warm food from the food box, and frowned slightly when she saw his slightly pale face: "Cousin must not have been eating well these days, he doesn't look well."

Chu Chanyin subconsciously touched his face and asked cautiously, "Does it look bad?"

Zhao Youyi stared at him silently, unsure whether to laugh or be angry. What was wrong with this man? She was concerned about his health, but he thought she was criticizing his looks? Although she, Zhao Youyi, valued good looks, she hadn't gone to such a depraved degree!

As he spoke, Chu Chanyin's eyes were pitiful and moist, like a puppy worried about being abandoned by its owner. His lips were tightly pursed, and he looked at her with a nervous expression.

Zhao Youyi's heart softened suddenly. The last time they had a falling out, she had kissed him forcefully and then ignored him, which was really wrong of her.

“No, cousin, you look as good as ever,” Zhao Youyi smiled at him.

Upon hearing this, Chu Chanyin breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn't know why Zhao Youyi had come to see him, it was ultimately a good thing. Since she had already labeled his kindness to her as stemming from guilt, the only thing that could attract her to him was his face.

"Why does my cousin care so much about his appearance?" Zhao Youyi laid out the dishes and pulled him to sit down. "I thought my cousin only had lofty ambitions, but I didn't expect that my cousin would also care about his appearance."

Chu Chanyin took the chopsticks she handed him, lowered his eyes and said with a dejected expression, "It's probably because this is the only thing that can attract my cousin, so naturally I have to value it."

Zhao Youyi had no idea where he had heard the rumors. She wasn't that kind of person!

"Why do you say that, cousin?" Zhao Youyi placed a piece of lotus root sandwich into his bowl and gently comforted him, "Your kindness is never based on appearance."