Chapter 110 Chapter 110 Younger Man/Older Woman.
Before long, the year was drawing to a close. Due to the numerous affairs of the court, the emperor, who refused to rest properly, could no longer hold on and fell ill again. He had no choice but to truly hand over full power to Chu Heng.
After that, the ailing emperor suddenly began to summon the sixth prince frequently, personally selecting a tutor to enlighten him, appearing like a loving father, a stark contrast to his strict treatment of the fourth and fifth princes.
The fifth prince envied the heir of Prince Duan, and then envied his own sixth brother. In the end, it was his own stupidity that prevented him from winning the emperor's favor.
The fourth prince was extremely anxious. He had already prepared to go to court, but because of the second prince's rebellion, the emperor put the matter aside. He was to get married after the New Year, and if the matter of going to court was not mentioned again, would he have to study in the Imperial Study with the fifth prince after he got married?
There are not many people the Fourth Prince can consult right now. The Emperor's ruthless methods are terrifying, and the court officials still have a clear smell of blood in their nostrils. They dare not rashly curry favor with the Prince for the time being, lest they lose their lives.
Even the fourth prince's maternal family and in-laws repeatedly advised him not to rush things. They said that it was best to remain calm and wait for the emperor to pass away. The emperor's health might deteriorate at any time, and the fourth prince was the only older prince who could succeed to the throne. They just needed to wait patiently.
Back then, the eldest prince had also heard such words. He was an honest man and took them to heart. But the fourth prince was different. Having learned from the previous example, the fourth prince knew that as long as the emperor did not issue an imperial edict, he would not be the crown prince and there was a possibility of something unexpected happening to him.
But what can the fourth prince do?
After all, he dared not ask the emperor for help; he had been scolded so much these past few days that he dared not even lift his head.
The fourth prince could only worry and fret alone. At this critical moment, the emperor was showing particular favoritism towards the sixth prince. He couldn't help but wonder if the emperor had taken a liking to the sixth prince.
The fifth prince is foolish, and the fourth prince never thought he would be his match, but the sixth prince... The emperor is getting old, just like King Wuling of Zhao back then, who knows what might happen if he makes a foolish decision because he favors his youngest son.
No one knew what was going on in the Fourth Prince's mind. There were many things to do at the end of the year, including matters in the court and family affairs. Everyone wanted to take advantage of the New Year to wash away the bloodshed that had plagued the capital.
Although it's impossible to have a lively celebration during the national mourning period, there's still some joy in celebrating the New Year, which can wash away the gloom in our hearts.
This was Chu Yang's first time spending the New Year in the capital. Since he had stopped studying at the Imperial Academy in December, he continued to read, ride, and shoot as usual when he returned home. Daiyu wanted him to relax a bit, so she led him to see some New Year's goods sent from various estates and then took him to stroll through the streets.
Chu Yang was still young, and soon he was having so much fun that he forgot all about it.
Chu Heng had a bunch of messy things to do, and even with the imperial court's seal on him, he couldn't be idle. He finally returned home a little early that day and ran into Daiyu and her son Chu Yang, who were happily returning from the street.
"Sigh." Chu Heng rubbed his wrist. "I'm so tired, no one will care."
Chu Yang quickly tiptoed and handed the candied hawthorn to his father: "Dad, you've worked hard. Have this, it's sweet and sour, and it's delicious!"
"Good boy." Chu Heng rubbed his head, took a bite of a hawthorn, and handed the candied hawthorn back to him. "It's so sour."
Daiyu smiled and said, "Yang'er loves eating this. She only ate one skewer, but she bought another one when she got back."
Chu Heng looked at her: "What about me? Don't you miss me?"
Daiyu patted his arm and said reproachfully, "I bought you candied fruit, Your Highness. You're getting more and more jealous."
“Miss Lin, this is all your fault. You need to reflect on whether you have been neglecting me lately.” Chu Heng held her hand.
Chu Yang stuck out his tongue, grabbed the candied hawthorn, and ran off. "Don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't listen to what you shouldn't hear!"
Daiyu scoffed, "You're turning the tables on me. It's clearly because you've been too busy to think about me."
"I only think of you because I'm busy!" Chu Heng hurriedly protested. "The busier I am, the more I miss you. I just want to finish quickly so I can come back and see you."
Daiyu felt sorry for him when she heard this: "You may be busy, but don't rush. First, it's easy to make mistakes, and second, if you get anxious and upset, it will be counterproductive."
Chu Heng nuzzled her hand: "I know."
The couple walked hand in hand for a while before suddenly remembering, "Where's Yang'er?"
Chu Heng glanced at him and said, "Where did this child run off to? He's such a worry."
Fortunately, a maid who had been following them from a distance came over and said that the wet nurse and the others were with the young master. Chu Heng and Daiyu were relieved and slowly returned to the main courtyard.
Chu Yang had finished eating the candied hawthorn and was telling his nanny that he wanted to eat more when Daiyu overheard him and immediately said, "You've already eaten too much today. You're not allowed to eat any more sweets for the next few days."
Chu Yang pouted and asked, "Mother, how many days can I not eat?"
Daiyu thought for a moment and said, "Wait until after the first day of the month."
Chu Yang let out a wail and came over to cling to his father, pleading, "Father, Father, please plead for me, please, please, please!"
Chu Heng said helplessly, "I have to listen to your mother too. Look..." He pointed to the oil paper package that Daiyu had just put down, "Two candied fruits a day, no more."
Chu Yang blinked: "Then... Dad, can you give me one?"
Daiyu laughed and said, "Your father can't."
Chu Yang lay on his father's stomach, sighing for a while, then looked at Daiyu with bright eyes and asked longingly, "Mother, I want to eat cherry meat and squirrel mandarin fish."
Both of these dishes are on the sweeter side, yet he still hasn't given up.
Chu Heng smiled at Daiyu, "Have pity on the child." Daiyu then said, "Today we can only eat cherry meat. Tomorrow we'll have squirrel-shaped mandarin fish."
"Okay!" Chu Yang ran over happily and hugged his mother.
...
The emperor could not possibly be replaced in the year-end sacrificial ceremony. He drank a strong bowl of medicinal soup and forced himself to complete the entire ceremony. After returning, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy immediately gave the emperor acupuncture and two more bowls of medicine.
Even so, the emperor could no longer accept homage on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, otherwise he really wouldn't live to see the New Year.
The emperor decreed that this year's court rites would be waived. The court officials and noblewomen were both happy to be spared the ordeal of a winter morning and inevitably worried.
The emperor's health is deteriorating, and he refuses to appoint a crown prince. If he were to pass away one day, the court would descend into chaos, leading to another bloody upheaval.
Therefore, the emperor, who was recuperating from illness for a year, was not happy, and his ministers were not happy either.
Chu Heng and his family of three were not unhappy at all. Following their old habits in the capital, the Prince Duan's mansion did not invite anyone or attend any banquets. The three of them closed their doors and celebrated the New Year in a warm and lively manner.
The court officials and the emperor alike noticed Prince Duan's wise self-preservation.
The emperor is now extremely suspicious, and no matter how careful and cautious Chu Heng is, he is clearly not the exception when the emperor dislikes everyone.
During the Lantern Festival, the emperor hosted a small family banquet, inviting only He Jia, Chu Heng, Yong Kang, and their families to the palace.
"Mother has just passed away, so it's not appropriate to have too much commotion. However, it's the Lunar New Year, so we brothers and sisters should get together." The emperor sat on the couch at the head of the table, with soft pillows on either side of him to lean against, his sickly appearance still visible.
"This year has been eventful; Your Majesty has worked hard." He Jia raised his glass, "I toast Your Majesty."
The emperor's hand trembled slightly as he held up the wine cup. He tilted his head back and drank the cup of wine, his pale face slowly regaining its color: "Although I am suffering, I am fortunate to have my fifth brother by my side to share my burdens. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have been able to get through these days."
Chu Heng stood up and said, "It is all thanks to Your Majesty and Your Majesty's proper use of people. The court officials are all very diligent. I am just a figurehead. I dare not accept what Your Majesty has said."
The emperor coughed lightly, a displeased smile appearing on his face: "Fifth brother, we're brothers, why are you being so distant?"
Chu Heng said in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, I will never forget our brotherly bond, nor will I abandon the proper etiquette between ruler and subject."
The emperor nodded and smiled, "Good, Fifth Brother is sensible. Don't stand, sit down."
Chu Heng sat down as instructed.
Everyone sensed that something was wrong, and Jia Yongkang sighed inwardly. The emperor used to favor Chu Heng, but now he was starting to reprimand him. No wonder everyone said that the emperor's temperament had changed drastically after his illness.
The fourth prince was secretly excited. The emperor disliked Prince Duan, so Prince Duan's heir could no longer expect to receive any good words. Finally, he wouldn't have to be overshadowed by that brat anymore.
The fourth prince had just given a smug smile when the emperor beckoned and ordered a eunuch to bestow a dish from his table upon the heir of Prince Duan.
"Yang'er studies hard, he needs some nourishment," the emperor said with a smile.
Chu Yang stood up and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The fourth prince's smile froze on his face, and he glared fiercely at Chu Yang.
Immediately afterward, the Emperor asked, "Consort De, don't let Bo'er stay up all night. Take him back to rest."
The sixth prince was still a child and was already dozing in his mother's arms. Upon hearing this, Consort De quickly picked up the child, got up to thank her, and then gracefully withdrew.
The Fourth Prince immediately switched his glare to someone else. He disliked the Prince Duan's heir because the Emperor always praised him, and he disliked the Sixth Prince out of resentment.
The sixth prince is just an ignorant child. No matter how much the emperor values him, he still has to consider whether his own body can support him until he grows up!
While the Fourth Prince was not paying attention, Chu Yang glanced at him. He naturally felt being stared at like that.
The Fourth Prince is even more foolish than the Fifth Prince. Chu Yang thought to himself.
Chu Yang not only thought this way, but also shared it with his parents when he returned home.
The sixth prince was a child and couldn't stay up all night, and the emperor was a patient and even less able to stay up all night. Even though he still wanted to take the opportunity to pick a fight with a few people, his body couldn't hold up, and he didn't want to show weakness in front of outsiders, so he had no choice but to ask everyone to leave.
Chu Heng smiled and said, "Whether the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince are stupid or not is none of our business."
Chu Yang said, "But, Father, if they are so stupid, and they become emperors, the country will be in turmoil and the people will suffer. We will not be able to live a peaceful life either."
Daiyu ruffled Chu Yang's hair: "The Fourth Prince seems quite fierce, while the Fifth Prince is more peaceful. However, the Fourth Prince is now the eldest..."
Chu Heng looked at his knees and after a long while said, "Actually..."
The emperor can no longer fully control the court and has had to delegate power to Chu Heng. If Chu Heng is willing, he can indeed accomplish a lot, but...
Chu Heng has always been a person who only cares about his own affairs and doesn't care about the world.
But his son cares.
Moreover, if the world is in turmoil, their family will certainly not be at peace.
Chu Yang didn't understand his father's meaning, but Daiyu did. She held Chu Heng's hand and whispered, "Think about it again. We all need to think about it again."
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