Chapter 108 is even more important.
The osmanthus trees were still in bloom in September, but Daiyu did not feel the same way as in previous years. She sighed sadly.
"Worried about Yang'er?" Chu Heng had just walked to Daiyu's side when he heard this sigh. He leaned down to look at the expression on Daiyu's face and asked with concern.
Daiyu grasped his hand: "Yang'er had such thoughts, which startled me at the time, but after thinking about it carefully, I'm even more afraid. He's in the palace now, and if he reveals even the slightest hint of it, wouldn't he be doomed?"
Chu Heng took her hand in his palm, sat down beside her, and said gently, "Don't you know how smart this kid is? He only says whatever comes to mind in front of us. We've all seen how tight-lipped he is outside."
Daiyu knew her own child best, and of course she knew Chu Heng was right, but...
Daiyu frowned and said, "Yang'er is still just a child."
“Yang’er is a good child who cares about his parents. We already told him that day what his thought would bring us. He won’t be ignorant,” Chu Heng comforted Daiyu, stroking her arm.
Daiyu thought for a moment. In Chu Yang's eyes, his parents were naturally the most important people. He acted like a well-behaved and clever child in front of outsiders, all for the sake of his parents.
Daiyu thought about it and felt that the child was being treated too unfairly: "Yang'er has suffered."
Chu Heng also looked worried: "I only hope that His Majesty will recover soon, so that our family can leave the capital as soon as possible and never come back."
The couple sighed in unison.
Chu Heng continued, "Today, someone in court brought up the matter of establishing an heir again, and His Majesty lost his temper. If it weren't for the ministers' advice, he would have dragged the person out and beheaded on the spot."
Daiyu frowned: "This great chaos is all because His Majesty has been reluctant to establish an heir. Now he is ill, and the ministers are worried that if something happens to him, there will be more turmoil in the court. They suggest that an heir should be established as soon as possible to stabilize the country and the people's hearts. What is wrong with that? His Majesty is really showing more and more signs of being a foolish ruler!"
Chu Heng shook his head: "It is because of this great chaos that His Majesty is unwilling to hear about the succession. He does not blame himself, but blames the princes for coveting the throne."
Daiyu clicked her tongue: "They coveted it, wasn't it all because the Emperor indulged them? And now he feels wronged!"
Chu Heng sighed and said, "His Majesty is getting old and ill, and he cares more and more about the power in his hands, and will not allow others to touch it."
Daiyu sneered: "He insists that Yang'er go to the palace to study with the Fifth Prince, isn't it because he has no choice but to use you, and he's also afraid that you've developed ambitions too!"
Chu Heng had always avoided getting too involved in court affairs and had gone to great lengths to stay away from the capital. The emperor had clearly seen this all these years, but still judged him with the mind of a petty person.
Chu Heng thought for a moment and said with a wry smile, "Yang'er said those words a few days ago. I wanted to scold His Majesty, but I felt I was in the wrong."
Chu Heng had indeed never coveted the throne, but his son, at such a young age, somehow...
Chu Yang was well-read and intelligent from a young age. He knew that there were many things he shouldn't think or say, but since he had already said them, they couldn't just treat them as children's words.
As Chu Yang's parents, they absolutely never taught him such things, nor did they ever show any ambition whatsoever.
Chu Heng and Daiyu both just wanted to live peaceful lives, but Chu Yang seemed to have developed a burgeoning ambition.
Thinking of her son, Daiyu felt helpless: "Now that the first two princes are gone, the third prince has fallen ill and has no children, and the Emperor has three sons, how could it possibly be our family's turn? Yang'er is really..."
Parents instinctively want to give their children what they want, but what Chu Yang wants is something they truly cannot give him.
Chu Heng said softly, "Once things are settled in the capital, we'll take Yang'er back to Qingzhou and let him play for a few years until he gradually forgets about this idea."
“This child… is so stubborn,” Daiyu said worriedly. “But we have no other choice. Who knew he would come up with such a thought?”
Chu Heng said, "Yes, I was born into the royal family and have seen too much infighting and bloodshed since I was a child. I'm really fed up with all of this and just want to stay far away. But this child seems to be eager to go there..."
The couple was struggling with their son's education when Chu Yang returned from his studies at the palace. He had changed his clothes and was followed by his wet nurse and maid.
"Dad, Mom!" Chu Yang jumped up and down, laughing happily, "The osmanthus smells so good!"
From this perspective, he seems like just an innocent and adorable child; what ambition could he possibly have?
Daiyu saw him laughing and laughed along with him: "Tell the kitchen to make you some osmanthus cake."
Chu Yang nodded vigorously: "I want it sweeter, Mother, I want something sweet."
"No!" Chu Heng refused him. "Eating too many sweets will give you toothaches. You've already started losing your baby teeth, so you can't have a sweet tooth anymore."
Chu Yang pouted: "Dad, can't I even eat two less pieces?"
Chu Heng shook his head firmly: "No."
"Sigh." Chu Yang frowned. "Well, what can I do? I'm an obedient and good kid."
Chu Heng and Daiyu both smiled, and each of them took one of his hands, and the family of three slowly walked towards the main courtyard.
Daiyu asked, "Yang'er, how was your day at school?"
Chu Yang replied cheerfully, "The Hanlin Academy scholars are very knowledgeable, Mother. I like studying in the palace!"
Chu Heng and Daiyu exchanged a glance, both seeing unspoken emotions in each other's eyes. This child loves to study, and he's naturally happy to have met a good teacher, leaving his parents at home to worry.
"I'm glad you like it." Chu Heng patted his head and reminded him, "Be careful in the palace. You can't go wrong with etiquette and rules, and you have to speak less."
Chu Yang said helplessly, "Father, you've said it so many times, don't worry, I know everything."
Chu Heng was still a little worried. He thought for a moment and then asked, "Don't you feel constrained studying in the palace? You have to follow so many rules and think twice before you speak."
“No, how can studying be restrictive? There are rules at home and rules outside. Following the rules doesn’t make you restrictive,” Chu Yang said. “Besides, I think they’re a bit slow.”
Chu Heng frowned slightly: "Who's stupid?"
Chu Yang replied, "Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince, today the teacher called us together and gave us questions to test us. They are both older than me, but much dumber. If I hadn't deliberately failed to answer, they would not have been able to match me."
After hearing his words, Chu Heng and Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Heng added again, "You are young, so it is only natural that you are not as learned as the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince."
Chu Yang looked up at his father with a mournful expression. He had clearly surpassed him, even the fourth prince who became a father before marriage couldn't compare to him.
Daiyu patted his head and said, "Yang'er has been wronged."
How can I avoid feeling wronged?
Chu Yang tugged at his parents' hands, urging them to kneel down and listen to him: "Dad, Mom, can't we really give it a try?"
Try it? Try what?
Chu Heng rubbed his forehead and whispered, "Son, if we try this, we might end up losing our lives."
Chu Yang has recently been reading history books with his parents, and it is indeed extremely difficult for someone of his status to ascend to the throne.
"Yes." Chu Yang held his parents' fingers and said firmly, "It's more important that our family is alive and together."
Chu Heng and Daiyu were almost moved to tears; their son was so incredibly thoughtful.
...
Chu Yang abandoned his dangerous idea and settled down to be the heir apparent of the Prince of Duan. He also began to calculate the day he would return to Qingzhou with his parents. Chu Heng and Daiyu were relieved and could focus on dealing with matters of state.
The emperor now only attends court once every ten days or so, and his approval of memorials depends entirely on his mood. Matters that require his decision are being handed over to Chu Heng. The court officials privately say that this is practically a move to make Prince Duan the regent.
Knowing that the emperor was currently sensitive and suspicious, Chu Heng would not act on his own. He consulted with important court officials on matters large and small, met with the emperor every day, reported the results of the discussions to the emperor, and only issued orders after the emperor nodded in approval.
The courtiers quietly praised that after several years, Prince Duan had become more cautious, and his ability to govern had improved considerably. Unfortunately, he was only the emperor's younger brother, not his son, and could only temporarily rule the country.
Prince Duan, wielding great power, should have been a coveted figure, attracting many to flatter and fawn upon him. Fortunately, because the emperor had previously dealt ruthlessly with those who plotted rebellion, no one in the capital dared to provoke the emperor's sensitive nerves, allowing Chu Heng and Daiyu to deal with fewer people.
As for why Daiyu was busy even though Chuheng was clearly in the court, it was because Princess Duan was the strategist behind the scenes for Prince Duan. Chuheng had no advisors or retainers to discuss political affairs and court matters, and he was afraid of giving others a handle to use against him. Daiyu was full of talent and learning, so she was just right to assist Chuheng.
Chu Yang also enjoyed snuggling up to his parents after dinner and listening to them discuss matters of the court. They would talk about everything from the capital to other parts of the country. The world was vast, and although he had not yet traveled to many places, he had already memorized them all.
He studies hard during the day, so his energy is naturally low at night. Sometimes he falls asleep while listening to music.
The little guy was quite sturdy, and the wet nurse had some difficulty picking him up. Daiyu whispered, "Slow down, don't drop the young master."
Another wet nurse draped a cloak over the young prince and shielded him with her hands, whispering, "Your Highness, rest assured."
After they left, Daiyu listened to the wind outside and said with some concern, "I'll have Yang'er go back to sleep earlier tomorrow. It's getting colder at night, and getting sick from the cold is no joke."
Chu Yang is only seven years old, not old enough to be immune to illness.
“We’re busy right now. He spends all day studying in the palace and only stays there for a little while in the evening. If we call him back earlier, I’m afraid he won’t agree,” Chu Heng said.
Not only would Chu Yang refuse, but Chu Heng and Daiyu would also be reluctant. In all these years in Qingzhou, when have they ever gone an entire day without seeing their child?
Thinking this way, the couple couldn't help but want to curse the emperor in the palace, but cursing him wouldn't change the current situation.
Daiyu asked, "Is His Majesty's health gradually improving?"
Chu Heng shrugged: "He can't let go of the political situation at all. Every time I go to see him, he tells me to focus on recovering from my illness and that I can make the decisions. But every time he has to listen to everything and make the decisions himself. How can he recover properly like this?"
Regardless of their health, an emperor who has experienced a rebellion could never relinquish the power he held.
Unless he closes his eyes and breathes his last.
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