"He does have quite the discerning eye."
The Third Prince cast a glance at Yun Chuhuan, lips curved in a smile that wasn't quite a smile. With an air of deliberate leisure, he stepped back half a pace.
Yun Chuhuan blinked. "?"
Something about that smile made his instincts tingle. Before he could process why, a sudden warmth spread across his hand.
The smug little expression on Yun Chuhuan's face cracked apart like shattered porcelain.
"Did this little thing just do that on purpose?!"
Why was it that when Fifth Sister had held the baby just moments ago, he hadn't made a peep—yet the moment the child landed in his arms, he launched a sneak attack? What, did he look like a chamber pot?
Yun Chuhuan's entire worldview threatened to collapse. Off to the side, the Third Prince burst into such unrestrained laughter that he nearly lost his breath.
Tang Xinhua, at least, managed to restrain her amusement. She stepped forward and gently took the little bean bun back into her arms, then ordered a servant to help Yun Chuhuan change into fresh clothing.
Still, no gesture could truly soothe the wounded pride of someone who had just been peed on.
Seeing Yun Chuhuan's expression—one of utter disbelief, like a man struck by lightning—Yun Shu finally took pity. She stepped forward and gave his shoulder a light pat.
"Think of it this way. Maybe he thought you were too good-looking, like a flower. And he simply wanted to water the flowers."
Yun Chuhuan stared at her, dumbfounded. "???"
Water the flowers, seriously?
Then again... being compared to a flower was still leagues better than being mistaken for a chamber pot.
Grumbling quietly to himself, Yun Chuhuan begrudgingly accepted the explanation. He allowed a young attendant from the Third Prince's residence to lead him off to change clothes.
It was only after he left that Tang Xinhua finally gave in to her laughter. She patted the baby's little bottom as she giggled.
"You really like bullying your Sixth Uncle, don't you?"
"Ah! Ah!"
"Alright, alright, I get it. Mama will change your pants now."
"Ah ah ah!"
"Keep laughing, little one. If it weren't for your Imperial Aunt inventing the underfloor heating system, changing your pants eight times a day in the middle of winter would've left you howling from the cold."
"Ah ah, ah!"
No one quite knew how Tang Xinhua understood the mysterious baby-speak that consisted solely of one syllable. Yet somehow, mother and son carried on a full conversation.
Yun Shu watched in fascination as Tang Xinhua deftly changed the baby's pants. The little bean bun didn't cry or fuss—he simply lay on the bed, arms and legs sprawled, grinning like a fool.
Unable to resist, Yun Shu extended a finger and poked the baby's chubby, soft cheek again and again.
The baby didn't mind in the least. His large eyes, so similar to Yun Shu's, sparkled as he broke into delighted giggles.
After finishing the change, Tang Xinhua caught sight of the scene and couldn't help but smile.
"They say nephews take after their aunts. I didn't see it before, but now that the little one's grown a bit, those eyes of his really are just like Your Highness's."
"Truly?"
Yun Shu lifted the baby up, curiosity piqued. She studied his eyes closely.
"You're right. There's definitely a resemblance. You've grown well, little one."
She grinned and added teasingly, "You know your Imperial Aunt is better looking than your father, don't you?"
The Third Prince, standing off to the side and effectively being punished with a silent corner, sighed to himself.
Why did everyone keep arguing about who the baby thought was more attractive? He, the actual father, was no slouch either.
Feeling yet another invisible arrow pierce his heart, the Third Prince quietly exited the room.
Tang Xinhua heard the door close behind him and her eyes flickered. She glanced at Yun Shu, who was still playing affectionately with the child, then hesitated before speaking softly.
"Your Highness seems fond of children."
"Who wouldn't be? Such an adorable, well-behaved little one. What's not to like?"
Still cradling the baby, Yun Shu gave Tang Xinhua a knowing look.
"You're worried I might someday regret not marrying or having children of my own, aren't you, Cousin?"
"That's not all of it," Tang Xinhua admitted with a soft sigh.
"If Your Highness truly has no desire for children, then naturally it is your choice. But if you're only refraining because of your status as Crown Princess, because you want to devote yourself wholly to Tian Sheng, then…"
"You forget," Yun Shu interrupted gently, "when I petitioned Father Emperor for the right to choose my own marriage, I was not yet the Crown Princess."
She did not shy away from her cousin's concern.
"Let me put it this way. I adore fluffy little fox cubs, but I never once thought about giving birth to one myself."
She smiled faintly.
"Perhaps everyone's thoughts differ. I truly have no interest in marrying a man, nor in bearing children. So rest assured, Cousin. I've never been one to force myself into unhappiness."
"That much is certain."
Tang Xinhua couldn't help a laugh, remembering how Yun Shu had always been direct and unyielding. If she had a grudge, she settled it on the spot—none of that nonsense about a gentleman waiting ten years for revenge. No wonder not a single court official dared to provoke her anymore.
But with one concern resolved, another arose.
"And what if the court begins pressuring you in the future?"
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow.
"If I am unwilling, would any of them dare force my hand?"
She spoke with calm confidence.
"Everyone says childbirth is like stepping through the gates of hell. If they dare to push me too far, I'll accuse them of plotting to murder This Princess."
Tang Xinhua fell silent.
No wonder the ministers kept their distance.
She had only worried today because Yun Shu seemed to enjoy playing with the baby. But it seemed she had merely let her thoughts stray. Yun Shu had always seen things more clearly than most. These concerns of hers were likely unnecessary.
Tang Xinhua said no more on the matter.
Soon after, Yun Chuhuan returned with the Third Prince, now dressed in fresh robes.
When he saw the baby in Yun Shu's arms, giggling like a cherubic New Year's painting, he refused to accept defeat. Marching over, he scooped the baby up once more.
Thankfully, the little bean bun had already relieved himself earlier. This time, there were no more "watering the flowers" incidents.
After enjoying a meal at the Third Prince's manor, they departed in the early afternoon.
The streets of the capital bustled with life. With New Year's Eve just around the corner, the atmosphere was particularly festive.
Yun Chuhuan's eyes lit up.
"Fifth Sister, since we've got the day free, why don't we stroll about before heading back to the Palace?"
"Now?"
Yun Shu arched a brow. After a moment's thought, she nodded. "Why not? Where shall we go?"
"Wherever our feet take us!"
Yun Chuhuan's gaze swept across the street, then landed on something that made his eyes shine.
"Fifth Sister, over there. That sugar figurine vendor—I've never seen craftsmanship like his. Come, let's have a look!"
Sugar figurines?
Yun Shu followed his gaze and indeed spotted a stall across the street. Several sugar sculptures were displayed up front, but unlike the usual flat, two-dimensional kind, these were puffed up and blown into three-dimensional shapes.