Chapter 94, Chapter 94, and Jia.

On the second day of the ninth lunar month, Yongkang was getting married. Daiyu only planned to attend the ceremony in the palace, so she didn't need to get up too early.

Chu Heng was greatly relieved by this, as he was very worried that Daiyu would get tired.

Daiyu knew her own body was in good condition, so of course she wouldn't push herself. Besides, the palace was very busy that day, and she only had time to say a few words to Yongkang. Yongkang wouldn't have had the time to say more.

Although Chu Heng was the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, there were people watching over the specific matters. On the wedding day, he didn't have to run around and had time to accompany Daiyu.

"When I first met Yongkang, I still thought she was a young girl, and now she's getting married." Daiyu looked at the sea of ​​red and sighed with emotion.

Chu Heng laughed and said, "She's only two years younger than you. The way you put it, it's as if she was just a six or seven-year-old girl back then."

These words touched Daiyu with memories of the past: "I was only six or seven years old when I went to the capital. In the blink of an eye, so much time has passed."

Chu Heng followed up on her question by asking, "Did you travel to Beijing by boat?"

Daiyu nodded: "Going north from Yangzhou, it was winter again, and I remember it getting colder and colder as we walked."

"You've suffered." Chu Heng held her hand with empathy. "When we leave the capital, it must be in the summer, so we can go fishing on a boat."

When Daiyu first went to the capital, she was still in mourning for her mother. Besides being sad, she was also very apprehensive. But the next time she left the capital...

Daiyu believed that it must be the relief of being free from all burdens.

Daiyu smiled and said, "We should walk slowly, or frequently stop the boat to enjoy the scenery along the way."

As they were talking, Zhao Qing came over to remind them: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the princess is getting married."

Daiyu quickly helped Chu Heng to his feet: "Let's go take a look."

"Be careful." Chu Heng gestured with his eyes for the maids and nannies to follow and protect Daiyu.

Amidst the music and ceremony, Chu Heng and Daiyu watched Yongkang being helped into the sedan chair by Granny Quanfu. Outside the palace gates, imperial guards appointed by the emperor would escort the bride.

Chu Heng laughed and said, "If she tries to bother you again in the future, it will be much easier for her than it was in the palace. I need to be more careful around her."

Daiyu couldn't help but laugh: "Why do you, as the older brother, always have to pick on your little sister?"

“Hey, that’s not right.” Chu Heng helped Daiyu back the way she came. “From childhood to adulthood, it’s always been her who’s finding fault with me, which is why I argue with her. And then it just became a habit.”

Daiyu shook her head and smiled, "You can argue all you want, just don't drag me into it."

Chu Heng squeezed her fingers: "Aren't you on my side?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "I just want some peace and quiet."

Chu Heng smiled and said, "Then let's go home. It's quiet at home."

“I’ll go back by myself, but you still need to keep an eye on things. I’ll need to talk to you if anything comes up.” Daiyu pushed his arm. “Don’t say anything else. This isn’t the first time I’ve walked this road home from the palace.”

Chu Heng had no choice but to say, "Alright, let Eunuch Zhao go back with you. Once you're home, have him go to the Princess's residence to find me."

After Daiyu left, Chuheng followed Yongkang's wedding procession to the princess's residence. Zhao Qinglai reported that the princess had arrived home safely, and he stayed until the evening when all the ceremonies were completed.

...

The day after the three-day return visit, Yongkang came to the Prince Duan's residence to talk to Daiyu. Chuheng did not have a day off that day, and he happened to be out of Yongkang's sight. He returned in the evening, and Daiyu told him about it.

"See? I told you this girl would keep bothering you," Chu Heng snorted.

Daiyu laughed and said, "You're wrong. She's only here to see me today. She won't have time for me after that. She'll probably only remember me after she's had her fun."

Chu Heng chuckled: "Once she's out of the palace, no one will be there to keep her in check. As long as she doesn't cause any major trouble, who can control her? Perhaps she'd like to invite you out, but it's not convenient for you right now?"

Daiyu blinked: "I'll go play with her again next year."

This time, Chu Heng didn't nitpick at Yongkang, but nodded: "That's not bad either, so you won't be bored at home by yourself."

Daiyu pushed the water cup beside her to him: "I have some interesting things to do. Today I had someone put chrysanthemums outside. They're in full bloom right now. Did you see them?"

"I took a look. We'll go admire the chrysanthemums together after we finish our meal." Chu Heng took a sip of water. "I'll go to the palace again tomorrow. Perhaps the flower room has cultivated new varieties again."

Daiyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Will the Emperor reward you?"

Chu Heng stroked the cup: "His Majesty ordered someone to summon me. Since he has something to instruct me on, he should at least give me some benefits."

Daiyu rose slightly: "What does His Majesty want with you this time?"

"I asked the eunuch who delivered the message, and it's not anything important." Chu Heng quickly pressed her hand to comfort her, "It's a matter concerning Fifth Sister's family. Fifth Sister went to the Emperor for help, but he didn't want to deal with it and wanted to push it onto me."

Daiyu thought for a moment and said, "Last month during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I heard Fifth Sister complain that her son should have received a favor, so why is it so difficult to get things done?"

Chu Heng said, "It's not difficult to grant a sinecure, but Fifth Sister wants to secure a future for her son. The Emperor has been making excuses and refusing, which is why the matter has stalled."

Even though he was a close nephew, He Jia's son was still surnamed Gu. The emperor was still unhappy because he hadn't dealt with the Fang family properly. Now that He Jia had come along and wanted to get a good official position for his son, he naturally refused.

"This timing... is indeed too unfortunate." Daiyu understood the reason and said helplessly, "But you're going to have to suffer again."

Chu Heng held her hand: "Fifth Sister knows what kind of person the Emperor is, but she's just being stubborn for the sake of the child. I'll try to persuade her, and she'll understand."

Daiyu nodded: "That's good then."

The next day, Chu Heng went to the palace to see the emperor, received his orders, and asked for several more pots of new varieties of chrysanthemums.

He ordered someone to send the chrysanthemums home first. Chu Heng took a carriage to Princess Hejia's residence, where he happened to run into Yongkang playing with his two nieces.

Chu Heng laughed and said, "You just got married, why are you never home?"

Yongkang declared confidently, "I finally escaped that big cage, so of course I have to enjoy myself for a while!"

Yongkang and the prince consort got along well, but at the moment, having fun was the most important thing in her mind.

"You guys have fun, I have important business to attend to Fifth Sister." Chu Heng waved his hand and walked away.

Yongkang stared at his back for a while, then, out of curiosity, turned to his niece and asked, "Do you know why he came here?"

Both girls shook their heads: "Our mother never said that."

Yongkang stroked his chin, deciding to ask Sister Lin another day.

Inside, He Jia and Chu Heng sat down as host and guest, respectively. He Jia ordered tea to be poured, but Chu Heng smiled and said, "No need for tea. I just have a few words to say before I have to go home."

He Jia smiled and said, "I know you two are a good couple. So, what's up?"

Chu Heng said, "His Majesty wants Gu Xun to come with me to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs to do some work. Let him be the Vice Minister of the Court first. What do you think, Fifth Sister?"

He Jia stopped smiling: "Since you asked directly, I will be frank with you. I don't think it's a good idea. His Majesty clearly knows what I'm asking for. Since he granted my request, why are you making excuses like this?"

"Fifth Sister clearly knows, why ask when you already know?" Chu Heng said calmly.

He Jia placed her hand on the table: "Just because my son's surname is Gu, does that mean he's destined to be mediocre for the rest of his life?"

Chu Heng shrugged: "Fifth Sister asked me? Do you think I can answer you?"

He Jia looked at Chu Heng, and after a moment her fingers curled slightly: "I know you had no choice in the matter."

The maid placed the tea beside Chu Heng, and he glanced down at it: "I remember that Fifth Sister clearly did not want your young lady to get involved in the palace. The court is not stable now. Fifth Sister should observe the situation quietly, rather than letting Gu Xun get involved in this murky water."

He Jia said, "Do you think I haven't been through this before? It's not like the whole court will be involved. Xun Ge'er should protect himself for now. Once the court situation stabilizes, there will be a path to promotion."

"That's good." Chu Heng chuckled twice. "But Fifth Sister, you just said that you're not in control of your own destiny, and protecting yourself is not an easy task. You've been through it. Think about what happened before. Just because they could protect themselves doesn't mean Gu Xun can."

He Jia hesitated. She knew her son's abilities all too well; compared to the shrewd people in the court, he was far too inexperienced.

Thinking of the perilous time the emperor had faced when he fought for the throne, He Jia was filled with dread. Compared to his future, his life was naturally more important.

“This is really…” He Jia clenched his fist, “This is such a bad time.”

Seeing this, Chu Heng said, "Fifth Sister, may I go back to report to the Emperor?"

He Jia looked at him: "Your Majesty."

Chu Heng smiled slightly: "Your Majesty."

“I knew it all along. Before, he was just the Crown Prince. Now, he is just the Emperor,” He Jia said. “Originally, I thought you and Yongkang wouldn’t have to go through this.”

Chu Heng did not respond.

He Jia then said, "Go and report back."

Let's follow Chu Heng for now, and wait for the future... let's wait for the court to stabilize before we plan anything else.

He Jia sighed deeply, "I was born at the wrong time."

The emperor was very satisfied with Hejia's pragmatism and also with Chuheng. Such a task could not be left to the court officials, and Chuheng was the most suitable person among the imperial clan.

Keeping Prince Duan in the capital and not allowing him to go to his fiefdom was indeed a very correct decision.

Daiyu had heard Chu Heng say that, since she was also going to be a mother, she was quite moved: "The Empress, Consort Wu, and today's princess, no matter what, all have a mother's heart for their children."

Chu Heng pulled the blanket covering her up a little higher: "Kindness is one thing, but whether it's good or not is another."

"When I returned to report, I happened to find the First Prince and the Second Prince being reprimanded by His Majesty. The two of them were arguing, and judging from their posture, if they hadn't been in front of His Majesty, they probably would have come to blows." Chu Heng continued, "Fortunately, you don't have to go to the palace now, otherwise the Empress and Consort Wu might have come up with some foolish tricks to win them over."

Daiyu asked in confusion, "Wasn't it said that the Second Prince had been quite settled lately? Why is he arguing with the First Prince again?"

Chu Heng said, "The outside is the outside, and no one dares to spread this outside the Emperor's presence."

Daiyu shook her head: "Given the current situation, it's best to stay away. Perhaps one day in the future, Fifth Sister will be glad."