Is he afraid that he will be bullied and mocked like that group of people?
“Yunyu.”
The woman seated in elegant attire looked at him sternly, “Why do you look so unsettled? Have you forgotten the teachings of your tutor?”
Chu Yunyu quickly composed himself and sat up straight.
“I understand my mistake.”
His biological mother, now the Empress, slightly nodded, “How has your recent study been?”
Chu Yunyu replied, “It’s acceptable.”
“Hmm.” The Empress dismissed the attendants, her expression softening a bit as she said slowly, “I heard that you dealt with a young eunuch from the Hall of Archives today?”
Chu Yunyu was taken aback and didn’t expect the news to spread so quickly, but his mind began to race with possibilities.
If it was his mother who brought it up, then perhaps it was not impossible for Tongshui’s name to enter the royal genealogy. In that case, he could rightfully claim to be a prince.
Chu Yunyu raised his head, “Mother, I would like to ask you for something.”
“What is it?”
Chu Yunyu laid out his thoughts.
“Absurd!” The Empress’s face darkened as she placed her chopsticks down, “You wish to include the child of a lowly woman in the royal genealogy? How could you entertain such a ridiculous idea?”
Chu Yunyu quickly knelt.
“Yunyu, your father, the Emperor, is in poor health and spends his days with those Taoists on alchemy and cultivation. The court is dominated by the eunuchs led by Rong Jin, and we also face threats from Wala.”
“You are the legitimate son and the eldest. You should focus on your studies. You carry not just your own fate, but the glory and disgrace of the entire dynasty. Do you understand?”
Chu Yunyu lowered his head, “I understand.”
By the end of the meal, it felt tasteless for Chu Yunyu, and he emerged from the hall utterly fatigued, his ears nearly worn out with no outlet for his feelings.
He could not help but think of Tongshui again.
One of his attendants said, “Your Highness, it’s getting late. Aren’t you going back to rest?”
Chu Yunyu replied, “Go to the kitchen and bring some food.”
The attendant was puzzled, “Haven’t you just eaten?”
But he dared not ask why and complied obediently.
Meanwhile, in a rundown little house, Tongshui had found some straw, and was mending the tattered roof, using the straw to cover the gaps letting in the wind.
The system did not understand: [Chu Yunyu just extended an olive branch to you; why didn’t you take it? You wouldn’t have to stay in this shabby house anymore.]
“Do you just believe whatever others say?” Tongshui grunted, stuffing the straw, “If he wants to be nice to me today, what’s to stop him from wanting to squash me tomorrow? It’s all just words.”
System: [……]
It felt that its host underestimated its own charm.
Chu Yunyu’s gaze towards Tongshui was hardly innocent.
Not long after, there was a knock on the broken door.
Tongshui froze, “Who is it?”
Chu Yunyu stood outside with a food box, and seeing Tongshui, he looked a bit awkward and asked, “Have you eaten?”
Tongshui still held some straw in his hands and pretended to kneel.
Chu Yunyu quickly stopped him, “Why do you kneel when you see me? Didn’t I say not to kneel?”
Tongshui whispered, “Not kneeling brings punishment.”
Hearing this, Chu Yunyu felt uncomfortable but was currently unable to change the situation. He awkwardly said, “I’m sorry.”
Tongshui blinked, “What?”
His voice was too soft; Tongshui couldn’t hear clearly, so he instinctively leaned closer, the faint scent drifting from him.
Chu Yunyu’s ears immediately turned red as he hurriedly stepped inside, placing the food box on what barely passed for a table. “I said, if you don’t come eat soon, it will get cold.”
He opened the food box, and the room filled with the aroma of food.
Perhaps because he had been hungry for so long, Tongshui’s mouth watered madly at the scent, and his rationality disappeared in an instant.
He didn’t care about any status difference as he licked his lips and leaned closer, his eyes shimmering with excitement at the sight of the food.
Chu Yunyu quickly took out a handkerchief, wiping his grimy hands, “All done.”
Tongshui sat at the table and dug into the food, devouring it like a wolf, showing no semblance of decorum, his cheeks puffing with every bite.
Chu Yunyu couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.
Tongshui himself found it quite embarrassing, but his body’s overpowering craving for food made it hard to stop.
“Slow down, no one is fighting you for it.” Chu Yunyu poured him a cup of warm water, “Drink this before eating.”
Only then did Tongshui reluctantly pause, gulping down a large mouthful of water before continuing to eat.
Having grown up in the imperial palace, Chu Yunyu was never hungry; eating was more a ritual than an enjoyment of food.
But Tongshui’s eating style was particularly adorable, making Chu Yunyu, who had barely eaten a few bites, feel a bit hungry.
He casually picked up a piece of pastry.
Tongshui looked at him nervously, like a little wolf cub guarding its food, his expression questioning: Didn’t you say no one would take it from me?
Chu Yunyu was nearly overwhelmed by the cuteness, “What? Can’t I take a piece to eat?”
Tongshui seemed to struggle internally for a moment before finally nodding.
Only then did Chu Yunyu put the pastry in his mouth, and surprisingly, he found it to be the most delicious pastry he had ever tasted.
Tongshui resembled a hamster storing food, stuffing himself until he couldn’t eat anymore, then reluctantly stopping, running his hand over his bloated belly.
There were still some leftover pastries on the table.
In winter, these items don’t spoil easily, they should last a few days.
At least he wouldn’t be hungry in the short term.
However, to ensure a continuous supply of food, Tongshui looked at Chu Yunyu with bright, expectant eyes, “Will you come again later?”