Chapter 76 Autumn and Winter.

The Prince Duan's mansion has an imperial estate bestowed by the emperor, and rent is collected in the autumn. Chu Heng had never cared about this in previous years, but this year, because Daiyu started to take care of it, he also started to inquire about it.

After spending a long time together, Daiyu felt that Chu Heng's past life was completely laid bare; he truly didn't care about anything or anything.

Now that he is willing to take care of these trivial matters, Daiyu no longer tries to persuade him to stay busy at the Imperial Clan Court. He can rest at home. In Daiyu's eyes, it is a very good thing that he has become interested in these mundane matters.

This year, the weather has been favorable, and the harvest is plentiful. The whole country is full of praise, and the emperor is all smiles. He also decided that the eldest prince and the second prince should come to the court to learn how to perform official duties.

"Have the two princes had any disagreements?" Daiyu asked casually as she rested after looking at the account books for a while.

Chu Heng lay down beside her, both of them with their eyes closed, resting: "Not at the moment. Although they are young, they each have a group of cunning strategists behind them. As long as they behave themselves, they won't cause any trouble for the time being."

Daiyu said, "Since they've all been obedient, why wait a moment?"

Chu Heng smiled: "Are two grown people really going to just follow orders and be manipulated like this? Young people have hot tempers; they're bound to cause some trouble in the future."

“That’s true.” Daiyu shifted to a more comfortable position and added with concern, “If they start making a scene, you should stay far away.”

Chu Heng was both troubled and worried: "This is a bit difficult. I am their uncle, and I'm afraid I won't be able to avoid it. I'll have to act as a mediator."

Daiyu thought for a moment, then sighed, "That's true. Then you should try to mediate and not take sides."

"And don't offend either side," Chu Heng added.

"Sigh." The two of them sighed at the same time. This was life under the emperor's nose.

Chu Heng groped for Daiyu's hand and placed it on his heart: "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. It's getting colder every day, and winter is just around the corner. When the first snow falls, how about we go to the manor to soak in the hot springs?"

The Prince Duan's residence has two imperial-bestowed hot spring resorts, which have special greenhouses where fresh flowers are presented every winter.

“Okay,” Daiyu readily agreed. “But it doesn’t matter when. Whenever you’re free in winter, we can go over. I also want to see their winter flower room.”

Chu Heng smiled and said, "When I was looking at the account books before, I remembered that there was a manor that raised deer. We can have hot pot with the fresh meat then."

Daiyu nodded and then asked, "The mutton hot pot is good too. Do they raise sheep there?"

Chu Heng thought for a moment and said, "I don't remember. It's okay if we don't raise them. If you want to eat them, just ask them to send them over."

The two of them planned to soak in the hot springs and have hot pot. Daiyu then brought up furs: "We've already made several large fur coats, but I see that the furs that have been delivered this time are also of good quality. Let's have them make you two bright red crane cloaks, which will be perfect for wearing during the New Year."

Chu Heng smiled helplessly and said, "Fine, big red it is."

Daiyu tilted her head and looked at him: "You don't like it?"

Chu Heng turned his head and opened his eyes to look at her: "You like seeing me dressed, how could I not like it?"

Daiyu feigned displeasure and said, "It's as if I'm forcing you."

"I dress up for those who appreciate me. If you think I look good, I'll dress however you want me to." Chu Heng leaned closer and nuzzled her nose.

Daiyu smiled with satisfaction: "I'll also make two red ones for you to wear."

Chu Heng's gaze deepened: "You're too eye-catching when you wear red. I don't want others to see you."

Daiyu blushed at his gaze, nudged him, and sat up: "Does this mean I'll never go out again?"

Chu Heng played with her earlobe and said in a deep voice with a smile, "You'll be unhappy, so I won't do such a thing."

Daiyu looked down at him, and after a moment she lowered her head and gently kissed him. Just as she was about to pull away, someone pulled her into their arms.

Daiyu placed her hand on his chest and whispered, "Don't think about... that kind of thing."

Chu Heng kissed her lips: "But you were the one who provoked me first."

Daiyu was only acting on impulse and had no intention of doing anything in broad daylight. She quickly shook her head: "No, you're wronging me."

"Hmm... I'll play along, okay?" Chu Heng's fingers slowly traced Daiyu's waist, leisurely fiddling with her sash.

Daiyu shook her head repeatedly and said in a low voice, "Zijuan and the others are outside..." She paused, then continued shyly, "Let's talk about it tonight, shall we?"

Chu Heng felt the person in his arms trembling slightly, so he gently comforted him, "Don't be afraid, they won't hear. I just... miss you so much."

Daiyu pressed herself against him, and she could clearly feel Chu Heng's arousal. She couldn't help but feel her heart flutter as well. However, she was also reminded by her clear-headed reason that it was daytime and there were still maids outside.

However… Daiyu trusted Chu Heng, so she relaxed her body and relied on him with complete trust.

Chu Heng was touched by Daiyu's trust, but inwardly he was also groaning. He clearly couldn't bear to make her even slightly unhappy, yet he had to provoke her. In the end, he was the one who suffered. He had really brought this trouble upon himself.

However, with Daiyu in his arms, Chu Heng experienced a constant stream of sweetness and peace amidst the torment.

...

The next day, Princess Duan missed breakfast again. She had no interest in looking at the account books and called over the young musicians in the family who were skilled in playing the qin and xiao, so she could rest first.

Zijuan and the others served her a late breakfast before they had someone clean up. Zhao Qing, who had gone out with Chu Heng early that morning, returned.

"Your Highness, the Prince has instructed me to come back and tell you that he will be back later this afternoon, so please do not wait for him for dinner."

Daiyu glanced at the clock in the room and turned to say, "It's not even noon yet, and the Prince already knows he'll be busy today. It seems there's something important going on."

Zhao Qing respectfully said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, His Highness is well. However, an old prince has passed away. In terms of seniority, the old prince was our prince's uncle. As a member of the royal family, the Imperial Clan Court cannot escape the funeral arrangements. Today is the first day since his passing, and His Highness is unable to leave for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu said, "In that case, our household must also prepare for a memorial service and funeral. There should be established procedures for this. Tell me about them."

Zhao Qing said, "The prince summoned me back for the same reason..."

Funerals are no different from other matters; any mistakes could lead to ridicule. This was the first time Daiyu had encountered such a situation since becoming the Princess of Duan, so she dared not be careless. After hearing Zhao Qing recount the past rules, she ordered people to prepare everything in detail.

When Chu Heng returned, it was already night. He first took a bath and changed his clothes in the front yard before going to the back yard to see Daiyu.

Daiyu had already ordered someone to prepare a meal: "I thought you were busy and tired today, so you should eat some meat. But then I thought that you are still my uncle, so you should also eat vegetarian food for a while."

Chu Heng squeezed her hand and smiled, "That's all for show in public. We're fine in private. Don't mistreat yourself."

Daiyu smiled and said, "You should not mistreat yourself first."

"I am indeed hungry." Chu Heng rubbed his stomach, sat down at the table, and didn't bother to talk for the time being.

Because of the funeral, Chu Heng was really busy for a few days. During this time, he also accompanied Daiyu to the palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. Because the eldest prince had chosen the sixth daughter of the Fang family and had begun to attend court, the Empress Dowager was in a good mood. She seemed to have temporarily given up the idea of ​​finding fault with Daiyu. However, Chu Heng and Daiyu still dared not relax.

The Empress Dowager secretly instructed the Fang family to pave the way for the eldest prince. The second prince, who was also entering the court, was not to be underestimated, as he had the support of his maternal grandfather's family and his future father-in-law. Not to mention that the emperor was actually standing behind the second prince.

On the surface, it is a struggle between the eldest prince and the second prince, but in reality, it is always the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, mother and son, who are fighting.

Once upon a time, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor won the game together, but now they stand at opposite ends of the chessboard.

In October, after Chu Heng finished the funeral arrangements for the old prince and reported back to the emperor, he was asked to stay behind for a talk.

In previous years, the emperor often talked to Chu Heng about trivial matters. In recent years, he has added political affairs to the conversation. He doesn't care whether Chu Heng understands or not; he just wants to find someone to vent to.

Between the inner palace and the imperial court, the emperor counted them and concluded that Chu Heng was the most suitable.

When Chu Heng was sick, he could simply pretend to be stupid and not understand. But now he couldn't do that anymore; he had to use his brain to deal with the emperor.

"People say that the student surpasses the teacher, but look at these two lads, they are no match for me back then." The emperor said with a hint of disappointment.

Chu Heng laughed and said, "Your Majesty is overthinking it. Like father, like son. The eldest and second princes are still young. They will be more mature in a couple of years."

The emperor waved his hand and sighed, "When I first entered the court, I was only a few years older than them. With such qualities, how can I entrust the country to them in the future!"

Chu Heng clicked his tongue inwardly. There can't be two suns in the sky, nor two rulers in a country. Yet the emperor said such things. Does this mean that the eldest prince and the second prince can ascend the throne at the same time in the future?

"It's only natural to want one's son to succeed. Your Highness's son is certainly not bad. Perhaps the teacher is not good enough. Why not invite a few more Hanlin scholars to teach him?" Chu Heng said with a smile, his eyes lowered.

The emperor said, "Hanlin scholars are not enough; I must personally teach them."

The way of the emperor can only be taught by the emperor himself.

But there were two people standing before the emperor.

Chu Heng twirled his fingers. The emperor already had a bias in his heart, which the empress dowager could not influence.

When he returned home, Chu Heng told Daiyu his speculation that the emperor must have favored the second prince in his teaching, in order to prove to the Empress Dowager that even though the eldest prince was the legitimate heir, he was not fit to succeed to the throne.

Daiyu said, "If His Majesty really has this plan, regardless of whether it will be revealed in the future, the Empress Dowager will probably have the same idea now, and she will definitely have to find a way to deal with it."

"Hmm." Chu Heng wiped Daiyu's black hair. "I think they're going to start fighting again soon. Let's go out and hide for a while. I've already asked the Emperor for leave."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu forgot all her worries about court affairs and turned to smile, "Shall we go soak in the hot springs?"

"Hey..." Chu Heng quickly loosened his grip to prevent pulling Daiyu's hair. "Your hair is still wet. Sit up straight."

Daiyu turned back and said, "The sun is shining brightly today, but if we go over there now, we won't be able to enjoy the snow."

Chu Heng laughed and said, "I begged and pleaded until I got half a month off. Let's wait a bit, maybe we'll see snow!"