CHAPTER 43

In the evening, when Yunmiao was brought back to the palace, her mood was visibly very good!

At the dining table, several adults asked her about her first day at the new kindergarten, and the feedback they received was all very positive.

"My classmates are all very nice!" With excitement, Yunmiao waved the small silver spoon in her hand. "They even wanted to give gifts to Yunmiao. But Yunmiao didn't have anything prepared to give in return, so I didn't take their things."

Chu Yu praised her with a smile. "Yunmiao is amazing."

Yunmiao wiggled her little bottom on the children's chair. "Because Mom said we shouldn't just take other people's things."

The Empress Dowager wiped away a bit of food residue from her face, feeling a bit sorry for her well-behaved granddaughter. "You don't have to be so cautious. If you want to take something, just take it. Are you afraid you won't be able to reciprocate? As for giving gifts, it's okay to make up for it next time if necessary."

Chu Yu looked at the Empress Dowager and reminded her, "Mother, Yunmiao has her own way of making friends, and she can judge who is good or bad. It's not that she can't afford other people's things, but she's afraid of being approached by someone with ulterior motives."

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and didn't continue speaking.

After dinner, Yunmiao followed Shu Yanyan and Chu Yu back to the bedroom, and soon she received the second good news of the day that made her jump for joy.

She kneeled on the bed, hugging Chu Yu's waist tightly, and confirmed with Shu Yanyan, "Really? Mom, can you really sleep with us tonight?"

Chu Yu and Yunmiao, mother and daughter, had reached a high level of agreement regarding Chu Yu sleeping in the bedroom. Their two pairs of expectant eyes turned towards her, and Shu Yanyan felt for a moment that she couldn't resist—

As if she were the villain in a fairy tale, desperately trying to prevent the reunion of the main characters.

"Ahem, alright." Shu Yanyan dispelled those strange thoughts in her mind and looked at Yunmiao. "Yunmiao, you haven't taken a bath yet, so you can't get on the bed. Come to Mommy, Mommy will take you to wash up."

Yunmiao shouted, "Okay!"

Her efficiency had never been so high. In order to please Shu Yanyan, as soon as the words left her mouth, she almost instantly jumped off the not-so-high bed. She ran towards Shu Yanyan, causing even Chu Yu to be startled, following her and shouting, "Slow down, slow down."

Yunmiao hugged Shu Yanyan's thigh tightly, then turned around when she had a moment and exchanged a victorious look with Chu Yu.

The mother and daughter smiled at each other.

Shu Yanyan's heart warmed as she watched, but she didn't show it on the surface. Calmly, she picked up Yunmiao and entered the bedroom.

Chu Yu followed closely behind, finally starting to learn how to take care of their little girl.

Although she wasn't skilled at it, because she devoted great concentration, even her foolish actions were adorable. Shu Yanyan patiently taught her from beginning to end, without a trace of impatience.

After cleaning Yunmiao, both of them washed up one after the other and finally lay down on the bed.

The already spacious king-size bed had more than enough room for the family of three. Yunmiao experienced for the first time the feeling of being surrounded by two mothers on the bed, and she was more excited than usual.

Chu Yu and Shu Yanyan took turns playing with her throughout the evening and finally managed to coax her to sleep a little later than usual, half an hour past bedtime.

Shu Yanyan lay on her side and lightly patted Yunmiao's chest. After confirming that her breathing was steady and she was truly asleep, she shifted her attention and glanced at Chu Yu across from her.

Chu Yu was still tense, and she asked her in a very soft voice, "...Is she asleep?"

Shu Yanyan nodded.

Chu Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

It was as if she had just finished a tough battle and finally had a moment to catch her breath. After relaxing, a few beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Shu Yanyan was still surprised.

She spoke softly, asking, "Were you very nervous?"

Chu Yu nodded, confirming her thoughts.

Shu Yanyan found it somewhat amusing. "Why?"

It was just putting Yunmiao to sleep, not a major event. Why was Chu Yu performing so differently compared to usual?

Chu Yu looked at Yunmiao seriously, pondered for a while, and then answered, "I don't know..."Maybe I just cherish this opportunity so much..."

Shu Yanyan was momentarily stunned.

She regained her senses and a faint smile appeared on her lips as she teased, "Silly."

Chu Yu didn't refute her description. She murmured an explanation, "For you, putting her to sleep is just an ordinary thing, but for me, reuniting with you both before recovering my memories is a miracle."

"I cherish every moment I spend with you both."

Shu Yanyan's face reddened, and she quietly lowered her head without saying a word.

After a while, she spoke again, "It's getting late, let's sleep."

Chu Yu replied, "Mmm."

She lifted her upper body and leaned closer to Shu Yanyan, crossing over Yunmiao, until she lightly kissed her forehead and then retreated.

"Goodnight." Chu Yu said.

Shu Yanyan rubbed her flushed cheeks and closed her eyes with a feigned casualness."

...Goodnight."

A night of sweet dreams.

Yunmiao spent her three days in this wonderful night.

Every morning, she woke up and could see her beloved mommy to her left and snuggle into her Mom's embrace to her right. It was like floating on a cloud, surrounded by such beauty.

The good mood that started in the morning stayed with her throughout the day. Even at the dining table, she ate almost half a bowl more than usual.

The Empress Dowager watched it all, feeling a mix of happiness and concern.

Finally, on a day when Shu Yanyan was helping Yunmiao with her homework, the Empress Dowager seized the opportunity to catch Chu Yu.

Seeing her mother standing in front of her with her arms crossed, Chu Yu's internal warning system instantly went on high alert.

The Empress Dowager looked at her and went straight to the point, "Hmm? Yanyan's anger doesn't last more than three days, right?"

Chu Yu, of course, understood what her mother meant.

She awkwardly scratched her face. "...Yes, Yanyan stopped being mad at me a long time ago."

"Oh, I see." The Empress Dowager chuckled. "Seems like you're practicing abstinence by your own ability."

Even though she had managed to appease her daughter-in-law, she still couldn't enjoy the benefits. It was indeed "abstinence by her own ability."

Chu Yu felt a bit embarrassed, but she managed to maintain her composure and replied, "Ahem, it's for Yanyan's considerations. And besides... "

She smirked: "Yunmiao also enjoys sleeping with us. As her mothers, Yanyan and I should spend more time with her."

The Empress Dowager was so frustrated that she could almost bite her handkerchief on the spot. "I'm her grandmother, I should spend more time with her too!"

Chu Yu suggested, "How about we send her back to sleep with you in a couple of days?"

"A couple of days? How many more days?" The Empress Dowager widened her eyes. "You promised me before that it wouldn't exceed a week. It's already been four days, how much longer do you expect me, your mother, to endure being alone?"

Chu Yu replied, "..."

She reminded her, "Mother, the term 'being alone' isn't used like that..."

The Empress Dowager acted spoiled, "I don't care! If you don't hurry and send Yunmiao back, you're torturing your frail and powerless old mother!"

Chu Yu looked at the young noblewoman in front of her, whose cheeks appeared even healthier and rosy due to her anger. "...Where do you look old?"

"When you and Yanyan are together, others would think you're her sister."

The Empress Dowager proudly patted on her eye corner and after feeling the smooth and wrinkle-free skin, her mood improved slightly.

But she didn't forget about the main issue just because of a few sweet words. "I know how young I am, I don't need you to sweet-talk me here. Don't change the subject. Tomorrow, just tomorrow, find an opportunity to send Yunmiao back to me."

She pointed at Chu Yu. "If you still won't comply, I'll invite Yanyan and Yunmiao to live in my palace. The three of us, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, living together, isn't it better than staying here and causing trouble for you?"

Chu Yu widened her eyes. "...It wouldn't come to that, Mother, you're..."

"Hmph." The Empress Dowager raised her chin. "You think I would not go to that extent?"

After saying that, she was about to head back to her chambers. As she passed by Chu Yu, she raised her hand and patted her shoulder. "I'm not really going to do that. Just think about it carefully. If you send Yunmiao back, you and Yanyan, well, you can, you know, get closer and conceive my second grandchild, right?"

"Wouldn't that be great? Each of us has one, and no one has to blame anyone, isn't that nice?"

Chu Yu had already planned this out without her mother needing to say anything.

At this point, she had caught a small handle on her mother and made a request, "Then, could you praise me more in front of Yanyan?"

Empress Tai pursed her lips. "You think I haven't?"

She endured her disdain and continued, "For the sake of the overall situation, I've been praising you even when it goes against my conscience. I've been helping you like this, but you haven't made any progress at all. Aren't you lacking?"

Chu Yu smiled wryly. "You've certainly put in a lot of effort."

"As long as you know." The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "I'm leaving now. Don't forget, tomorrow I want to sleep with my precious grandchild."

She had already started calling Yunmiao "grandchild," clearly preparing for the arrival of their second child.

Chu Yu was in a good mood and nodded. "I understand, don't worry."

Although her daughter's personality was not likable, she was reliable enough. Chu Yu had rarely failed to fulfill her promises.

The Empress Dowager let out a "hmph" of satisfaction and finally left without looking back.

Chu Yu was finally able to hurry back to her own palace.

As she entered the living room, she saw Shu Yanyan and Yunmiao sitting on the soft carpet doing their homework.

Yunmiao was the first to notice Chu Yu and happily called out, "Mom is back!"

Shu Yanyan also looked up at her.

She was a bit surprised. "You're back so soon? Why didn't you spend more time with Auntie?"

Chu Yu rubbed her nose, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Mother just came to talk about something and left after she finished."

If it weren't for Yunmiao, her mother would never have taken the initiative to find her. Chu Yu was quite aware of that. If she really did as Shu Yanyan suggested and "spent more time," it would be the Empress Dowager who couldn't stand it in the end.

Shu Yanyan nodded. "Okay, then."

Chu Yu walked towards the two of them. "So, have you finished your homework?"

Yunmiao replied, "I've already finished the problems with Mommy, but we still haven't done Mother's questions yet."

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow. "There's also my homework?"

Her memories of kindergarten were already very distant. In her impression, the kids around her were all very boring, and she preferred to be alone reading books.

But she wouldn't neglect anything related to Yunmiao.

Chu Yu sat down next to them and asked proactively, "What are the questions?"

Yunmiao chuckled and pointed to the first question in their workbook, asking, "Mom, what's your favorite color?"

Chu Yu: "None."

Shu Yanyan & Yunmiao: "..."

Yunmiao looked at Shu Yanyan in confusion. "Mommy... How should I fill it in then? Should I just write 'none'?"

Shu Yanyan looked at Chu Yu and confirmed again, "...Really none?"

Chu Yu smiled. "I don't have a particular favorite color, but if I have to choose one... write down red."

Yunmiao: "Okay!"

After writing down the answer, Yunmiao continued to ask, "Then what's Mom's favorite animal?"

This time, Chu Yu didn't give any evasive answers. She blurted out, "little pig."

Yunmiao nodded. "Okay! Little pig—huh?"

Yunmiao turned back in confusion, looking at Shu Yanyan's hand holding her arm. "Mommy, why are you holding me? Yunmiao can't write!"

Shu Yanyan stared at Chu Yu. "You're not allowed to like little pig, choose another one!"

Yunmiao: "???"

Chu Yu laughed, "So domineering? I can't even like little pig?"

Shu Yanyan's face turned red. "You don't really like little pig... Anyway, choose another one."

When she mentioned that term, it would remind her of that day in the bathroom, and the shallow bite marks scattered across her body.

So, so embarrassing!!!

Chu Yu quietly shifted her arm and, in a place where Yunmiao couldn't see, grabbed Shu Yanyan's hand.

Her fingertips gently caressed the most sensitive skin on the palm of her hand as she lowered her voice and confirmed, "Do you really want to change?"

Shu Yanyan wanted to pull her hand back, but afraid of making too much movement, she could only turn her head away and firmly insist, "Yes!"

As soon as she turned her gaze, she saw the two lifelike robotic birds perched on the living room shelf and instantly had an idea. "You, you should like birds, right? Your mecha, as well as Guanguan, you've made them in the shape of birds."

Chu Yu curved her lips. "Birds have smaller bodies and don't take up much space."

The two robotic birds: "..."

Once again, they realized that they were nothing more than tools for their master.

Shu Yanyan continued to argue, "Then, at least you don't dislike them, right?"

Chu Yu squeezed her fingers, pondered for a moment, and said, "So you just don't like little pig, right? Fine, I'll change it."

She lowered her head and said to Yunmiao, "Write 'little rabbit.'"

Yunmiao obediently nodded.

This time, Shu Yanyan didn't stop her. As Yunmiao wrote, she smiled and asked, "Does Mom like cute little rabbits?"

"Yes," Chu Yu answered her question, but her gaze remained fixed on Shu Yanyan the whole time.

"I really like little rabbits."

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