Chapter 3. Thank you.

The Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

As Daiyu was lost in thought, she saw Zijuan smilingly welcoming the three Jia sisters and Xue Baochai and others into the room. This was the first time Daiyu had seen them since the arranged marriage.

Jia Tanchun laughed first, "The old lady said that since you can't go out in this hot weather, she sent us to talk to you and cheer you up."

Daiyu stood up and invited them to sit down, forcing a smile: "Thank you. It's quite hot coming from the garden. Zijuan, go pour some tea."

“We must try the Princess’s fine tea… Just now I was talking to Sister Bao about how, two years ago on Bao Yu’s birthday, we played a game of drawing flower lots. Sister-in-law said that you would not have a noble husband. I never thought that today, the Princess’s words would come true for you. But…” As she spoke, Shi Xiangyun lowered her eyes and said, “Poor Second Brother.”

Daiyu's expression changed, and she couldn't force a smile anymore.

On the day of the betrothal, Baoyu fell ill. Although the imperial physician was summoned immediately and he took some medicine, he gradually recovered. However, given his temperament, it was uncertain whether he would develop other illnesses later.

These words were so inappropriate and implicated her, that Xue Baochai quickly grabbed her sleeve and said with a nonchalant smile, "Feng'er said she gave you some kind of tea the other day, is this the tea you're referring to?"

Daiyu gripped her sleeve, trying her best to keep her voice steady: "It's Pu'er tea."

Shi Xiangyun pouted, but out of respect for her sister Baochai, she didn't say anything more, though she still felt indignant for her second brother.

The imperial decree is difficult to disobey, but how can one be so heartless as to refuse to even see the emperor?

Just then, Zijuan brought in several maids with tea, and Jia Tanchun took the opportunity to change the subject, skipping over this part.

Only after seeing everyone off did Daiyu finally let out a slow sigh.

Zijuan came over and advised, "Miss Shi is always straightforward, please don't take her words to heart."

Zijuan had tried her best to bring the young lady and Bao Erye together, but things have changed. Now, bringing it up would only make the young lady sad, so it's better not to mention it.

Daiyu whispered, "You heard it too."

Zijuan said, "The curtains are thin in summer, and besides, I had just gone out at that time, so I couldn't have heard it clearly."

“She wasn’t wrong,” Daiyu said sadly. “I am indeed going to be a princess.”

Zijuan listened sadly: "Miss, in the end... if Prince Duan is safe and sound, you will also be alright. Only then can we plan for the future."

Daiyu had always harbored a secret she couldn't tell anyone, but fate played a cruel trick on her, and now it was all just a mirage.

Once you've made a plan, it's easy to talk about, but the mental hurdle is not something you can easily overcome.

Moreover, although Daiyu did have the will to survive, many things were not up to her to decide.

Although Prince Duan is well now, Daiyu is still under the guise of a marriage to bring good fortune. If Prince Duan were to have even the slightest mishap in the future, the Empress Dowager would inevitably take her anger out on him.

Empress Dowager...

Daiyu frowned and pondered for a moment. Yes, the most important thing now is the Empress Dowager.

...

In the main room of Grandmother Jia, the old lady was flipping through an account book, while Yuanyang stood behind her massaging her shoulders. The contents of the book were clearly visible to her.

As the head maid who managed the old lady's private treasury, Yuanyang was not very familiar with this account book, because it was the inheritance left by the young master Lin to the young lady. It was temporarily kept by the old lady, and apart from a portion for the young lady's daily expenses, the rest would be used as her dowry in the future.

However, there was one thing Yuanyang knew: when the villa was built a few years ago, the old lady had secretly tampered with the money inside without Lin's knowledge.

The Rongguo Mansion is currently in huge deficit, and it will probably be difficult to make up for this debt. Yuanyang was pondering this when she suddenly heard Grandmother Jia instruct her, "Yuanyang, I have two amber bracelets. Go find them and add them to Lin's account."

Yuanyang responded and then reminded her, "Grandma, Miss Lin is getting married, so you'll need to add some more to your dowry."

While you're getting your makeup done, don't forget to add some extra touches, otherwise the old lady will lose face.

Grandmother Jia nodded with a stern face. Her granddaughter had just survived a life-or-death ordeal, and the thought of her marrying someone else made the old lady feel very uneasy.

If only I hadn't delayed all these years, no matter what my second son's wife thought, I would have arranged the marriages of the two girls with my second son first. Otherwise, none of this would have happened today.

However... back then, Grandmother Jia always thought that, regardless of whether this marriage could be forced, the fact that the mother-in-law disliked it would make Daiyu's life difficult in the future, and Baoyu would also be caught in the middle and would be in a dilemma. So she could never bring herself to do it. At that time, who could have known that the royal family would interfere!

“Grandma…” Yuanyang quickly returned, her hands empty. “Miss Lin is here.”

Grandmother Jia hurriedly closed the account book and placed it under the soft pillow. Daiyu had already turned around the screen and curtsied, saying, "Grandmother."

"Yu'er, come here." Grandmother Jia smiled and took her hand. "The sun is still scorching, why did you come?"

Daiyu nestled down beside her grandmother and said slowly, "I came from the corridor, where it wasn't too sunny. I have something I'd like to ask of you, Grandmother, and I didn't dare delay."

Grandmother Jia put her arm around her and asked, "What is it? I'll have someone take care of it."

Daiyu said, "First, His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon us, and yesterday His Majesty and the Empress Dowager also bestowed those gifts. According to etiquette, I should go to the palace to express my gratitude, but no message has been sent from the palace. I have no way to reach them, so I can only ask my maternal grandmother to ask the Empress Dowager on my behalf."

Grandmother Jia was a duke's wife, a first-rank imperial consort, and had the right to request an audience with the Empress Dowager and the imperial concubines.

Upon hearing Daiyu's words, Grandmother Jia let go of her hand and took a closer look at her. The frail girl's eyes were bright, revealing a hint of determination.

Grandmother Jia knew that Daiyu, though seemingly a delicate and frail young lady, was learned, capable, and shrewd, surpassing all the wives and daughters of the Jia family.

Grandmother Jia never intended to send Daiyu to curry favor with the imperial family. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and with no way to change the situation, for the sake of the Jia family and for Daiyu's sake, the old lady had to give it more thought.

Yuan Chun was not favored in the palace, while Prince Duan was the apple of the eye of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Daiyu said in a low voice, "What's done is done, Grandmother, we shouldn't be impolite."

However, Daiyu probably doesn't have that thought yet... Grandmother Jia frowned, but quickly relaxed, which is normal, after all, she is still a young lady who has not left her boudoir and has not experienced any major events.

Grandmother Jia thought that she could teach her slowly in the future.

“Yu’er is a good child.” Grandmother Jia touched Daiyu’s cheek. “Tomorrow, I will go to Renshou Palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.”

Daiyu paused, realizing that she no longer had any real family members, and that the interests of the Jia family were not in conflict with hers, both publicly and privately.

Daiyu bowed her head and said, "Thank you, maternal grandmother."

...

Two days later.

Of the Empress Dowager's two daughters, the older one, Hejia, was about the same age as the Emperor and had been married for many years, while the younger one, Yongkang, was only thirteen years old and had not yet been engaged.

At this moment, they are visiting the ailing Prince Duan at his residence.

Chu Heng had just recovered from a serious illness. Seeing that her younger brother was indeed getting better, He Jia did not want to disturb him while he was recuperating, so she was about to take her leave. However, Yong Kang sat on the stool without moving.

"Man'er." He Jia called out his little sister's childhood name and frowned, "It's fine if you joke around with your fifth brother on ordinary days, but he's sick now, so you're not allowed to cause any trouble."

Yongkang chuckled and said, "Who said I was being silly? Fifth Sister, you've forgotten something."

Chu Heng asked, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Yongkang said with a smile, "Fifth Brother, your princess requested an audience with Mother yesterday, saying she wanted to go to the palace to express her gratitude. Today, Mother summoned her to the palace, and I think the wedding date will be set soon."

"Congratulations, Fifth Brother."

Chu Heng never mentioned marriage and had refused the Empress Dowager several times. This time, because of the master's reputation, the emperor issued an imperial edict, and Chu Heng had no choice but to obey, but it might not be to his liking.

These words of congratulations probably didn't please Chu Heng.

Hearing this, He Jia shook his head. His younger brother and sister always bickered whenever they got together, which was really frustrating.

Chu Heng smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble. If you're really envious, you should marry one too."

"What marriage! I'm going to get married... Bah! Who wants to get married!" Yongkang said angrily.

Chu Heng shrugged: "I wish you all your wishes will come true soon."

Yongkang stomped his foot angrily: "What do I wish for? It's you who should get what you want! Fifth Brother, wait until I go back to the palace and talk to Mother. I guarantee your wedding date will be set soon! I'll let you marry the Princess Consort as soon as possible!"

"Fifth Sister, you heard everything. Don't forget to tell the Emperor and Mother that Yongkang is eager to get married. We should find her a husband as soon as possible." Chu Heng leaned back on the soft pillow and yawned lazily.

"You..." Yongkang had only just begun to retort when someone grabbed his arm.

Fearing that the argument would go on and on, He Jia said with a stern face, "Man'er, if you say another word, I won't take you out of the palace next time. It's getting late, I'll take you back to the palace."

Yongkang angrily shook off his sixth sister's hand and said indignantly, "Let's go back to the palace then! I knew you were all biased towards him!"

He Jia said helplessly, "You clearly started it first, so how come I'm being biased again? What do you mean by 'we'? Who else is here?"

Yongkang ignored her, stomped his feet and walked away. Hejia gestured to Chuheng, then slowly walked away with the help of the maid.

Zhao Qing came over and helped Chu Heng lie down, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't: "Your Highness..."

"Speak," Chu Heng said.

Zhao Qing hurriedly said, "Your Highness, regarding the wedding date, should you perhaps consult the Empress Dowager?"

Chu Heng raised his hand and pulled the brocade quilt up to his neck, half-closing his eyes, and said, "The wedding date will be decided by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. The Court of Imperial Clan Affairs will follow orders and there is no need for me to say anything more."

"Sigh," Zhao Qing replied with a worried expression.

Well, even if we marry the princess, the prince doesn't care, so it won't change anything.

...

Because there was an imperial edict in front of them, Grandmother Jia first led Daiyu to kowtow and thank the emperor for his great favor. After the emperor accepted the gift, he praised the old lady of the Rongguo Duke for her excellent teaching and gave her a reward. Then he asked them to go to Renshou Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager, in her high position, coldly observed the young woman bowing below. She was beautiful, well-mannered, and exuded elegance, surpassing even the young lady from the Duke's mansion of yesteryear.

Before being summoned, the Lin family's daughter took the initiative to indicate that she wanted to go to the palace to express her gratitude, which pleased the Empress Dowager.

She looked rather frail, and the Empress Dowager secretly wondered if marrying such a princess would be able to serve Heng'er well in the future.

But only this girl could make Chu Heng better. Thinking of what the eunuch from the Prince Duan's mansion had just reported, Chu Heng had regained some energy in the past two days and was able to eat. The Empress Dowager then put this thought out of her mind.

As long as Heng'er gets better, nothing else matters.

Just then, Daiyu finished her greetings, and the Empress Dowager said with a smile, "Shuangyun, quickly help Miss Lin to sit down."

Daiyu curtsied and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Grandmother Jia secretly glanced at the Empress Dowager's expression and breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too kind to Lin girl."

"She is my daughter-in-law..." the Empress Dowager said with a smile, "but I forgot to ask what Miss Lin's maiden name is?"

Daiyu stood up and replied, "My childhood name is Daiyu."

The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, "A good name, it suits Heng'er very well."

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt uneasy, but she still had to smile.

Daiyu lowered her head and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

She looked shy and embarrassed, but her face remained fair and clean, though a hint of emotion flickered in her eyes.

Prince Duan, Chu Heng—Daiyu heard some things about him from her maternal grandmother yesterday.

Chu Heng was only twenty years old and had been sickly since childhood. He rarely appeared in public when he was a prince, and even less so after leaving the palace to establish his own residence. Very few people in the capital had ever seen him.

More than ten years ago, when Chu Heng was three or four years old, Grandmother Jia had seen him twice and could vaguely recall that he was a fair-skinned and lively child. Grandmother Jia was not very clear about his current situation.

A note from the author:

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