Chapter 95 The Second Prince.

When the osmanthus trees were in full bloom again, Daiyu ordered someone to move a soft couch under the tree so that she could sit or lie down and rest when she got tired from walking.

The later the pregnancy progresses, the heavier the burden on the body becomes. Now, Daiyu's back hurts when she stands for too long, her back hurts when she sits for too long, and she is also uncomfortable when she lies down for too long.

Chu Heng counted down the days until Daiyu's delivery, but couldn't stop worrying about her. He had already arranged for experienced midwives, thoroughly investigating their family backgrounds and pasts, and he had personally met with them. The wet nurse for the baby after delivery had also been arranged and brought to live at the Prince Duan's residence.

Chu Heng was still worried, but this time he had experience and was able to keep his guard up in front of Daiyu.

"The osmanthus wine brewed last year needs at least a year before it can be opened, but we can't drink it this year." Daiyu leaned against the soft pillow, looking at the osmanthus flowers above her head, with some regret.

Chu Heng picked up a few petals from her hair and said with a smile, "What's the pity? If we brew it for another year, the flavor will surely be even more mellow. Next year, the three of us can open the jar together."

Daiyu chuckled: "How old is the child? What are you talking about?"

Chu Heng stroked her black hair: "Then let's drink more. We even brewed peach blossom wine in the spring. In the past two or three years, our family has never lacked wine."

Daiyu noticed that petals had fallen on his shoulder as well, and gently brushed them away with her hand: "I mentioned it to Yongkang the other day, and she liked it too. She even said that when we open the jar, we must invite her."

"Let her brew it herself." Chu Heng clicked his tongue. "We just took two pots of chrysanthemums last time. She's always eyeing our things. Is there nothing left in the princess's residence?"

Daiyu pinched his arm: "Look how stingy you are. Yongkang even said he would send you crabs transported from the south."

Chu Heng smiled and said, "You can't eat it anyway, what's the point of me eating it all by myself? Let her keep it for herself."

“Yongkang is thinking of you, don’t refuse her kindness.” Daiyu squeezed his arm again. “She didn’t even send it to the palace.”

Just as Chu Heng was about to speak, Zhao Qing came over to remind him, "Your Highness, it's time."

Daiyu glanced at the gold watch beside her: "It's time. Go back and change your clothes. I need to stay here a little longer."

Chu Heng instructed, "Don't catch a cold. We'll go back in a little while. If anything happens, just have someone call me."

Daiyu smiled and nodded: "I know, go ahead."

After Chu Heng left, Daiyu complained to the people around her, "It's always the same thing. The prince is so young, but he's like a nagging old man."

Zijuan smiled and said, "This is precisely because the Prince is always thinking about the Princess and can't let go of her. You are clearly very happy about this as well."

Daiyu gestured for Zijuan to help her up: "You silly girl, you've learned to say such flattering things. When I have time next year, I'll find you a husband. Just wait and see what I say then."

Zijuan blushed and refused to reply.

Daiyu then changed her words, saying, "Yongkang said he'll have someone deliver the crabs this afternoon and that they should be kept safe and steamed tomorrow."

Everyone agreed.

Daiyu, supported by Zijuan, walked slowly: "Let's go back, I'll sleep for a while."

...

After the autumn harvest, the Ministry of Revenue needed to compile statistics on taxes from various regions. Since Chu Heng held the title of Minister of Revenue, and taxes were of paramount importance, he couldn't slack off. He dealt with all sorts of account books every day, which made him dizzy.

Just when he was busy and overwhelmed, someone still managed to make things difficult for him.

Chu Heng was resting with his eyes closed when he suddenly heard people outside bowing and greeting him. He listened carefully and realized that it was the Second Prince.

The Emperor did not issue an edict ordering the Second Prince to gain experience in the Six Ministries. Chu Heng tapped the table, indicating that the Second Prince had acted on his own initiative.

His mind was racing, but Chu Heng's face remained motionless, as if he were truly asleep, and therefore he couldn't hear the sounds outside.

A moment later, Chu Heng heard the sound of the curtain being lifted and the footsteps of several people. Another person was speaking: "His Highness is probably busy. Please wait a moment."

Chu Heng then opened his eyes and asked in a casual, deep voice, "What's wrong?"

The man who had spoken earlier hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, the Second Prince has arrived."

"Oh." Chu Heng slowly got up, and after taking only two steps, the Second Prince came over.

"Fifth Uncle." The Second Prince bowed to him.

Chu Heng turned aside and said, "I wouldn't dare. I accidentally fell asleep and didn't hear Your Highness's voice."

The Second Prince said with concern, "Fifth Uncle, you've worked hard. Government affairs are important, but you must also take care of your health."

Chu Heng said, "It's my duty to share His Majesty's burdens; there's nothing difficult about it. But Your Highness, why have you come to the Ministry of Revenue? Does His Majesty have any instructions?"

The second prince laughed and said, "It has nothing to do with Father Emperor. I have not yet left the palace to establish my own residence, so it is inconvenient for me to visit in person. I could only come here to see my fifth uncle."

Chu Heng then said, "Your Highness, what is it? Please speak frankly."

The second prince's smile faltered slightly: "I... I'm not an outsider with Fifth Uncle, you don't need to be so formal."

Chu Heng said, "Your Highness is right, but etiquette must not be disregarded."

The second prince was already quite displeased that he was treated with the same politeness as the emperor and not with any intimacy. However, he was still thinking that he had not yet achieved his purpose for coming here, so he continued, "I heard that a few days ago, my fifth uncle obtained a few pots of rare chrysanthemums from the emperor. It is clear that he appreciates the beauty of chrysanthemums very much. It just so happens that I am going to hold a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet and would like to invite my fifth uncle to attend."

As he spoke, he personally presented the invitation.

"Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness, but as you can see, I am very busy and have no free time." Chu Heng refused without hesitation. "Your Highness is aware of the heavy taxes, and His Majesty is waiting for my report... Please do not take offense, Your Highness."

The second prince forced a smile: "Yes, of course the imperial decree is paramount, and Fifth Uncle is here to share Father Emperor's burdens..."

The second prince was filled with regret. He thought that he had caught Prince Duan red-handed in the Ministry of Revenue, and that Prince Duan would have to give him face because of these people and would definitely accept the invitation.

He was so confident that he did not heed the Grand Tutor's instructions and did not write down how to reply when Prince Duan politely declined his offer.

Having lived in the palace for so many years, the Second Prince was naturally good at saying polite things, but at this moment he was so angry, furious, and ashamed that his mind couldn't process what he was saying, and he couldn't utter any nice words.

Fortunately, Chu Heng really didn't want to get entangled with him, so he spoke first: "If Your Highness has nothing else, I have important matters to attend to."

The second prince gave a stiff smile: "Alright, Fifth Uncle, you're busy... no need to see me off."

As he was leaving, the Second Prince realized that although Prince Duan had spoken politely, he hadn't even poured him a cup of tea, nor had he invited him to sit down!

Prince Duan truly didn't take him seriously at all!

The second prince left the Ministry of Revenue in a fit of rage. As he walked away, he ran into his future father-in-law, the Left Censor-in-Chief, Lord Fu.

"Your Highness," Lord Fu asked, "why are you so angry?"

The second prince recounted what had just happened in a cold and hard tone, and finally said through gritted teeth, "I am, after all, the Emperor's son. Even though Prince Duan is an elder and a prince, he cannot treat me with such disrespect!"

Lord Fu sighed: "Your Highness, this time, you should thank Prince Duan."

The second prince, enraged, laughed coldly: "I should thank him, I..."

"Your Highness!" Lord Fu was afraid that he would say something outrageous again. The Second Prince was really someone who was easily blinded by emotions. "Prince Duan is now used by His Majesty, but he has never made friends with anyone. Do you know why?"

The second prince said irritably, "Father forbids it. The Grand Tutor once taught me, Fu Qing, what do you want to say?"

Lord Fu said earnestly, “What Prince Duan has done is entirely in accordance with His Majesty’s will. It is fine that he does not associate with court officials, and it is also fine that he does not associate with Your Highness. If Prince Duan could be on good terms with Your Highness, His Majesty would act as a go-between without Your Highness having to do anything. Since His Majesty has not said anything, Your Highness, you should not do anything.”

The second prince felt as if he had been doused with cold water. He had heard similar words from the Grand Tutor, but...

The hot-blooded second prince refused to listen to others and tried to prove his abilities, but ended up making a fool of himself.

The second prince was deeply resentful, but he couldn't do without the support of these people, so he had no choice but to clench his fists and swallow his anger for the time being.

Having been taught a lesson by the emperor these past few days, he still knew how to put on a show: "What you say is absolutely right, Fu Qing. I will remember this lesson."

Lord Fu earnestly said, "Your Highness, it's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost. Please go back and immediately go to the Emperor to apologize." He then told the Second Prince the words he would use to deal with the Emperor.

The second prince suppressed his anger and agreed, but because he was still holding a grudge, he was afraid of giving himself away in front of the emperor, so he planned to go the next day.

The next day, behind closed doors, the Second Prince was given a severe scolding by the Emperor.

Chu Heng was forced to enter the palace to listen to the emperor's complaints. The old man was slow-witted, and he had thought his second son was clever, but he turned out to be impulsive and prone to showing off. The emperor was now quite dissatisfied with both of his sons.

Unlike his previous insincere words, this was the first time Chu Heng had heard the emperor's most honest evaluation of his two older sons.

The emperor originally thought he only had one thing to worry about: how to bypass the eldest prince and put the second prince on the throne. Now, looking back, he discovered something even more troubling.

Neither the eldest nor the second eldest is suitable for that position.

Looking at the emperor's worried face, Chu Heng could only offer some superficial words of comfort, and could not say anything else, after all, he had to guard against the emperor bringing up old grievances one day.

The emperor can scold his own son however he wants, but if someone else says something bad, who knows if he will hold a grudge?

The emperor grumbled, but life had to go on. He couldn't retract his decree to send his eldest and second sons to court, nor could he retract his decree to grant them marriage. He could only patiently and diligently teach them.

This time, the second prince was no longer favored. Now the emperor felt that the eldest prince's strengths could be discovered, and what if he was more suitable to be entrusted with the throne than the second prince?

The emperor's attitude caused both joy and sorrow, but it also achieved a temporary balance.

The second prince dared not do anything presumptuous again, and the first prince always listened to advice and, as always, avoided trouble.

Chu Heng was very satisfied with this situation. With the arrival of winter and the approach of Daiyu's delivery date, he no longer wanted to deal with the messy affairs of the court and only wanted to devote himself to Daiyu.