"Wow, when I live to be ninety-nine, how old will you be then, Auntie... Let me do the math," Chu Yu was very serious.
The Princess of Zhen Guo smacked him, "You heartless thing, daring to imply your aunt is an old demon!"
"I wouldn’t dare. Even if Auntie were an old demon, she’d be the most adorable old demon," Chu Yu replied with a grin.
The Princess of Zhen Guo burst out laughing.
This child, she thought, was worth her favoritism.
Her own eldest grandchild was several years older than Chu Yu, and when Chu Yu and Jinfeng were born, their mother simply vanished. The birth of boy and girl twins was considered an auspicious omen, and naturally, the Emperor showed favoritism.
Later, when Chu Yu was afflicted with a strange poison, she felt empathy for him, thinking of her own fifth-born, and showed him extra care and affection.
The temper of these two children was not easy; they were like little tyrants. But to those who were good to them, they were always grateful and willing to return favors.
Yuwen Ming stepped forward with a bow, "Greetings to Uncle Rui!"
Chu Yu waved his hand dismissively, "No need for formalities!"
He pulled out a round, lustrous bead of Imperial Green jade from his money pouch and handed it to Yuwen Ming, "Here, take this to play with!"
Yuwen Ming was delighted, taking it with thanks, "Thank you, Uncle Rui!"
Chu Yu looked at Yun Jinnian, and Yuwen Ming was also looking at Yun Jinnian, even the Princess of Zhen Guo was watching her.
Yun Jinnian had no choice but to brace herself and step forward to perform a courtesy, "Greetings to His Highness Prince Rui!"
Chu Yu’s heart was joyful, and he also took out a round bead of Imperial Green jade, "Here, take this to play with!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Yun Jinnian took the bead and passed it behind her to Yuwen Ming.
Chu Yu chuckled, "We’re all acquainted here, no need to pretend you don’t know me, Auntie is not an outsider!"
Yun Jinnian was startled, looking at Chu Yu in disbelief.
She couldn’t fathom what he was up to.
After her initial shock, the Princess of Zhen Guo quickly understood. Chu Yu had informed her in a secret letter that the poison in his body had been cured.
At the time, she had her doubts, but now as she thought about it, with Yun Jinnian’s exceptional medical skills and Chu Yu referring to her as an acquaintance, it dawned on her that the person who had cured Chu Yu was indeed Yun Jinnian.
Realizing that Yun Jinnian could cure the poison in Chu Yu meant that perhaps she could cure her fifth-born as well...
The Princess of Zhen Guo looked at Yun Jinnian differently now but feigned ignorance as she asked, "Do you two know each other?"
"More than that, she’s the one who cured the severe poison in me!" Chu Yu said, and then boasted, "Auntie, don’t be fooled by her young age, her medical skills are extraordinary!"
"Yes, last night we also had her to thank!" The Princess of Zhen Guo said, her fondness for Yun Jinnian growing.
Yun Jinnian was silent.
She wasn’t foolish, she understood many things upon a moment’s reflection.
There was a certain bitterness in her heart.
Was Chu Yu using her as a pawn for his own ends?
What if her medical skills had fallen short and she hadn’t been able to cure him?
Thinking this, Yun Jinnian became even more modest and subdued, silent!
Yuwen Ming hadn’t expected Yun Jinnian to be so capable and grabbed her hand excitedly, "Sister Jinnian, is it true? Did you really cure Uncle Rui of his poison?"
Yun Jinnian nodded lightly, smiling softly and gently, yet her eyes revealed a slight, scarcely perceptible detachment.
Chu Yu had been watching Yun Jinnian all along, and naturally sensed the subtlety and change in her demeanor, and his heart skipped a beat.
He sat up straight unconsciously, feeling somewhat nervous.
The Princess of Zhen Guo also watched Yun Jinnian, her vast experience allowing her to perceive the minute shift in Yun Jinnian’s emotions. Seeing Chu Yu’s nervousness, she found it amusing. She knew Yun Jinnian had a compassionate heart and a proud spirit; she wouldn’t go back on her word. Her displeasure stemmed from Chu Yu’s presumption, suspecting that he had not discussed with Yun Jinnian about treating her or her fifth-born. Now, by some fluke, Yun Jinnian happened to save her first, and Chu Yu was rashly claiming they were old acquaintances. It would indeed vex Yun Jinnian not to be annoyed. The Princess entertained herself with the unfolding drama.