CHAPTER 31

The atmosphere during dinner was even better than at lunchtime. After the matter was discussed, the relationship between the few people visibly became closer.

The Empress Dowager once again embraced her well-behaved granddaughter, feeling so satisfied that she didn't even have time to hold Chu Yu accountable.

After dinner, the Empress Dowager invited Chu Yu and Shu Yanyan to the garden together to relax.

Of course, "relaxing" was just a pretext. She had important matters to discuss with the two of them.

"Now that your relationship is clear, we can start planning the wedding." she said as she held Yunmiao. "After you go back tonight, you can discuss and decide on a suitable date."

Shu Yanyan was caught off guard. "...Are we already considering the wedding?"

She felt that everything that had happened in the past two days was a bit magical. The pace of everything was too fast, and she was having trouble keeping up.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised by her response.

She looked at Shu Yanyan, her expression slightly anxious. "Child, what's wrong? Don't you want to?"

"I know that Chu Yu can be a troublesome child, but she still has her merits, such as... such as... um, you know!"

Shu Yanyan: "..."

She couldn't come up with a response and could only smile foolishly and agree, "Yeah."

Chu Yu rubbed her forehead and couldn't help but call out, "Mother..."

She confirmed, "Am I really so bad that you can't even think of one good thing about me?"

The Empress Dowager didn't feel guilty at all. "You still have the nerve to say that. Look, even your wife doesn't like you."

Chu Yu looked at Shu Yanyan.

Shu Yanyan's cheeks flushed.

It was a bit difficult for her to admit in front of the Empress Dowager that she liked Chu Yu, but since they were now trying to save Chu Yu's face, she cleared her throat and said, "I-I'm not..."

"I just feel that... we've only just reunited, and we're already talking about marriage. Isn't it a bit rushed?"

Chu Yu didn't agree with this viewpoint. "Rushed? What do you think is rushed? Or is there something you still need to clarify?"

Her opinion was actually the same as her mother's. Since Shu Yanyan and Yunmiao had been found and their relationship had been restored, granting Shu Yanyan and Yunmiao their rightful status was the most important thing to consider next.

Even if the Empress Dowager didn't bring it up tonight, Shu Yanyan would find a time in the near future to consult her mother about this matter.

Shu Yanyan pursed her lips.

At this point in the development of things, she no longer doubted her love for Chu Yu, but...

Just because two people like each other doesn't necessarily mean they are suitable to be together.

With this in mind, Shu Yanyan took a deep breath.

She glanced at Yunmiao in the Empress Dowager's arms, not wanting the child to hear what she was about to say. So she leaned closer to Chu Yu and lowered her voice to express her thoughts, "I think both of us, not just me, need a transitional period to be together as lovers."

As she mentioned the word "lovers," she shyly lowered her head. "You mentioned before that your memories haven't fully returned. In that case, why don't we start over and try again? Only then can we truly determine if we are right for each other."

Chu Yu, though somewhat unable to understand, nodded. "Hmm."

She smiled at Shu Yanyan. "Don't be nervous. No one will force you."

Shu Yanyan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded gently.

Chu Yu looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "Let's put the wedding on hold for now. Shu Yanyan also needs time to adapt to palace life."

The Empress Dowager didn't try to persuade them further.

When Chu Yu hadn't shown any preference for anyone before, she had patiently waited, not to mention now that the Empress had been chosen.

The main reason she had hastily brought up the matter was for Yunmiao's sake—

Her precious grandchild should have a proper status.

"Since that's the case, let's go with what you've said," the Empress Dowager spoke. "But don't delay for too long. We can't let my dear grandchild suffer."

When Yunmiao heard her own name that she understood, she looked up and said, "Oh, Yunmiao didn't go to school today..."

The Empress Dowager asked, "Where does Yunmiao go to school?"

Yunmiao replied, "Qimingxing!"

Shu Yanyan explained, "It's just an ordinary school on the Imperial planet. You might not have heard of it."

The Empress Dowager made a decisive decision. "Then find some time to go and withdraw from school!"

She wouldn't let anything inconvenience her grandchild. From now on, whether it was schooling or expanding education, it would be arranged according to royal standards.

Yunmiao pouted. "Why do I have to withdraw from school?"

Although there were people she disliked at kindergarten, there were also many friends she liked.

The Empress Dowager was a bit hesitant. "Don't you want to leave there?"

Yunmiao nodded. "I don't want to leave my little friends!"

"Well..." The Empress Dowager looked to Shu Yanyan and Chu Yu for help.

Chu Yu thought for a moment. "Yunmiao, Grandma is doing this for your own good. And besides, don't you want to attend the same school your mom went to?"

Yunmiao widened her eyes. "Did Mom go there?"

Chu Yu nodded.

She hugged Shu Yanyan and explained to the two of them, "The school I attended before was near the palace, so it would be convenient to transfer there. And the new school will have many lovely friends waiting for Yunmiao to get to know. Yunmiao will also learn many new things there."

Yunmiao looked at Shu Yanyan.

Shu Yanyan understood that Yunmiao was seeking her opinion and smiled. "Mommy doesn't have any objections. What do you think, Yunmiao?"

Yunmiao thought for a moment but couldn't resist the temptation. "I-I want to go to the same school as Mom!"

"Ah, our Yunmiao is amazing!" praised the Empress Dowager.

Although she didn't particularly like her own daughter's temper, she had to admit that Chu Yu had always been among the most outstanding individuals.

Chu Yu's education before high school was based on her royal status, but after high school, all the schools she attended were based solely on her abilities, and she consistently ranked first in her class.

"Grandma believes you can do it!" the Empress Dowager praised again.

Shu Yanyan looked at Chu Yu, puzzled.

From the Empress Dowager's expression, she faintly felt that her daughter had unknowingly set up a huge challenge for herself.

Chu Yu noticed her gaze and shrugged calmly.

"Don't worry, it's fine."

Shu Yanyan withdrew her gaze, half-believing and half-skeptical.

But as she looked at her own daughter, who was smiling foolishly in the Empress Dowager's arms, she slowly let go of her guard.

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