Chapter 63. You are in my heart.

When Chu Heng returned in the evening and heard Fang Lanyi's purpose, he was quite incredulous: "The Empress Dowager's family has such people? They certainly have excellent judgment!"

Daiyu: "..."

Daiyu said, "I was thinking that I wasn't familiar with them, and as an elder, it would be awkward for me to go, so I declined. But the way you put it makes it sound like I look down on the Fang family."

Chu Heng said matter-of-factly, "Isn't it right to look down on the Fang family? They're all in cahoots with the Empress Dowager."

Daiyu chuckled: "Indeed, but the Fang family still has one or two people who remain untainted by their surroundings."

“But you can’t let your guard down!” Chu Heng said immediately, “This girl from the Fang family is from the Empress Dowager’s family. The Empress Dowager has always treated the girls in her family well. Nobody knows what they might be gossiping about to the Empress Dowager behind her back.”

Daiyu grasped his hand and smiled, "I know, I'll only talk to her about poetry, I won't say anything else."

Chu Heng nodded reluctantly and said, "When you go to the palace to pay your respects another day, casually mention this matter to the Empress Dowager and see how she reacts."

Daiyu tilted her head: "You suspect she might have been sent by the Empress Dowager?"

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Chu Heng said. "The Empress Dowager loves to plant spies around us; anyone could be one."

The example of Zhao and Wang serves as a warning, so Daiyu quickly replied, "I understand."

Chu Heng added, "I forgot to mention yesterday that His Majesty bestowed upon me a piece of calligraphy..."

Mentioning yesterday, Daiyu blushed and glared at Chu Heng. He guiltily touched his nose and deliberately misinterpreted her meaning: "Next time, I will definitely stay at home to keep you company."

Daiyu snorted softly, "There won't be a next time."

Chu Heng leaned in and put his arm around her shoulder. When she didn't refuse, he couldn't help but smile gently: "After we finish this matter, we'll go out and have some fun. Last time we only explored half of the western street. Next time we can go to the eastern side."

Daiyu pursed her lips and nodded, then asked, "Are you busy today?"

"It's alright." Chu Heng thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled mischievously. "I found something interesting today."

Daiyu knew then that this was not bad news for them, so she asked with a smile, "What is it?"

Chu Heng said with great enthusiasm, "My eighth brother-in-law has been in close contact with the Prince of Qi in private. Not to mention the letters, there are also financial exchanges between them."

Princess Wen'an was the eighth in her family, and Chu Heng's eighth sister's husband was her consort.

Daiyu was genuinely shocked: "Does Prince Qi really intend to rebel? The Eighth Prince Consort is getting involved in all this, does he even want to gain merit by supporting the emperor?"

The princes of this dynasty have always been without troops or power, and the imperial sons-in-law of this dynasty only receive a salary and have no real power whatsoever. If these two people team up to rebel against the emperor, even if they are not reported, they have no chance of succeeding in this lifetime.

Chu Heng said, "Among the evidence of his return to the capital with the Prince of Qi, there are weapons he had privately hoarded, including more than a thousand knives and bows and arrows, as well as more than two hundred warhorses."

“The evidence is not much, but it’s enough to prove his rebellion,” Daiyu said. “If Prince Qi has been convicted of treason, what will the Eighth Prince Consort’s case be?”

Chu Heng twirled his fingers and said, "Today I had him locked up in the Imperial Clan Court. He's a prince consort, a member of the royal family; they wouldn't dare touch him easily."

Daiyu pondered for a moment: "Then... do you think Eighth Sister will come to you to plead for her?"

"She has to go to the Empress Dowager first, then the Emperor, and finally come to you for help," Chu Heng chuckled.

Daiyu disagreed: "If it doesn't work with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, what's the use of asking me? Do you think my words are more effective than those of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?"

Chu Heng nodded seriously: "Maybe."

“I’m being serious with you.” Daiyu frowned. “Eighth Sister came to me because she wants me to plead with you on her behalf. How could you possibly show favoritism?”

Chu Heng smiled and said, "I certainly couldn't persuade others, but I can convince you, so I'll show you some favoritism."

Daiyu's heart softened; so that's what he meant.

Daiyu grasped his hand and said with emotion, "I know your feelings, but there are countless eyes in the court watching you right now. Don't worry, I will definitely not do anything to make things difficult for you."

Chu Heng's eyes flickered at the mention of "heartfelt intentions." He instinctively reached out and took Daiyu's hand into his palm, whispering, "I know, you... don't overthink it. Whatever it is, it's something I did willingly for you."

Daiyu's eyes welled up with tears. She bit her lower lip and suddenly understood what Chu Heng meant. So... he had already made up his mind, but he just didn't want to tell Daiyu.

He feared that Daiyu would be overly worried and anxious, and he worried that his feelings would become a burden to Daiyu.

“I…” Daiyu felt as if her throat was blocked, and she choked up, unable to speak. Chu Heng’s feelings were heavier than she had imagined.

"It's alright." Chu Heng gently touched the corner of her eye that was stained with red. "We are already husband and wife. I know you are willing to spend the rest of your life with me."

"I have a long, long time. I will try my best. Would you be willing to be with me one day, with hearts full of love and affection?"

Daiyu nodded with tears in her eyes: "I do."

Chu Heng gently kissed the corner of her eye, his eyes filled with a satisfied smile: "That's great."

Is that all it takes to make you so satisfied and happy?

Daiyu's heart fluttered. As Chu Heng stepped back, she tilted her head back and planted a kiss on his lips. Chu Heng was startled for a moment, but quickly reacted and pulled her into his arms.

Daiyu closed her eyes, and soon she was completely engulfed in a captivating kiss, with no energy left to think about anything else. It wasn't until she was breathing heavily and almost couldn't catch her breath that Chu Heng reluctantly released her.

"Take a breath." Chu Heng's breath brushed lightly against her lips as he spoke, and Daiyu involuntarily trembled her eyelashes.

A gentle kiss landed on his lips, and Chu Heng's voice grew lower and hoarse: "Are you feeling better?"

Daiyu slowly nodded, leaning against Chu Heng's chest. After a long while, she said, "I... I am willing too, not just to be your queen, but also to be your wife."

After saying these words, the blush that had been fading returned to Daiyu's face. She lowered her eyes shyly, but still spoke her heart out: "But, your feelings are too deep. I am not as good as you, am I..."

"No, no, no!" Chu Heng excitedly grabbed her delicate shoulders, staring intently into her eyes. "You have me in your heart, don't you? You have me in your heart?"

Daiyu nodded firmly: "You are in my heart."

"That's wonderful, really wonderful," Chu Heng murmured in disbelief. He knew that Daiyu was willing to marry him, that Daiyu was willing to be his queen.

Over the course of their time together, he could sense that Daiyu was growing increasingly close to him, and he could also sense that Daiyu was not entirely without feelings for him.

However... this is different from what Daiyu herself said.

Infected by his uncontrollable emotions, Daiyu stroked Chuheng's face and repeated, "You are in my heart."

“You know…” Chu Heng touched noses with hers, then slowly pulled away, still wanting to look into Daiyu’s eyes, “You know I like you, I love you, I admire you, right?”

Daiyu looked back at him: "I know, I also want to love you the way you love me, but I... I just realized how heavy your feelings are. I am not as good as you now, I..."

“You have me in your heart, Daiyu, that’s enough,” Chu Heng said sincerely. “Nothing more is needed.”

For Chu Heng, to have Daiyu's affection was the greatest joy.

Moreover, since one's mind is determined by one's heart, how can one judge the importance of something?

For Yu Chuheng, nothing was more important than the fact that Daiyu held him in her heart.

"Yes, I need it." Daiyu placed her hand over his. "Yes, I need it."

She said it twice, word by word, very resolutely.

Chu Heng looked at her, blinked, and a tear rolled down his cheek: "Okay."

Daiyu asked him, "Are you willing to wait for me?"

"I'm willing," Chu Heng replied immediately. "I'm willing."

Daiyu climbed onto his shoulders and hugged him, while silently promising that this day would come soon.

Daiyu once thought that most couples in the world were arranged to marry without their consent, and that mutual affection and commitment were stories in plays, not things that would happen to them.

However, fate ultimately smiled upon her.

They were indeed in an arranged marriage, but they were truly in love and devoted to each other.

Daiyu was certain that this marriage, which came about by imperial decree, would eventually bear sweet fruit.

Chu Heng held Daiyu tightly, wishing they could never be apart, but dinner time was fast approaching, and he couldn't let Daiyu go hungry.

Chu Heng gazed at Daiyu with deep affection, his eyes filled with tenderness. When Daiyu looked back, her eyes were also filled with gentle, autumn-like eyes.

The servants knew nothing about their masters. When serving them meals, they would occasionally glance at them curiously. Although they never found out anything, there was one thing they did know.

The prince and princess lived a life of blissful happiness, and the servants, who had no worries about serving them, were naturally happy as well.

After dinner, Daiyu took out the chess score from the afternoon and asked Chuheng to sit opposite her and play chess.

Chu Heng held her hand, saying incredulously, "Are you bullying me like this?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "I want to complete this incomplete score. You just need to sit opposite me and make your moves. I'll tell you how to play."

"Oh." Chu Heng sat down opposite Daiyu and tried to make amends, "Actually, my chess skills are only slightly worse than yours, but not that bad compared to others."

Daiyu couldn't bear to tell him that if the other people he was referring to were the Empress Dowager, then in terms of chess skills, he was indeed like a frog in a well with a limited view of the sky.

Daiyu asked calmly, "Besides the Empress Dowager, who else have you played chess with?"

Chu Heng answered honestly, "And His Majesty and Yongkang."

Daiyu thought for a moment and realized that the Emperor would definitely not ask her to play chess, so there was only Yongkang left. She said, "If Yongkang plays chess with me, remember to remind me to refuse."

Chu Heng nodded subconsciously, then after a moment he realized what he meant and smiled helplessly: "Is it really that torturous?"

Daiyu said jokingly, "Eunuch Zhao understands this very well."

Chu Heng laughed out loud.