Chapter 17: Chess and Fish.
Ultimately, Daiyu believed that her melancholy during that short day and night had little to do with Chu Heng. She simply didn't want to reveal her true thoughts from the previous day, so she made up a reason to take the opportunity to say a few words first.
She absolutely could not accept Chu Heng's apology.
But Chu Heng took it very seriously. He insisted that it was his fault, that he needed to apologize to Daiyu, and that he would never make decisions for Daiyu in the future.
The two argued back and forth for a long time. Daiyu finally couldn't persuade him and said, "Your Highness is so kind as to refuse, I will choose one, but the one by Wang Youjun is absolutely out of the question."
Wang Xizhi's original calligraphy is not only priceless, but practically invaluable; Daiyu really cannot accept it.
Seeing her resolute attitude, Chu Heng thought for a moment and decided that once she married into the royal family, he would give her the calligraphy, and she would probably not be so distant then.
So Chu Heng nodded: "Alright, you can choose another one."
Zhao Qing led the others to unfold the other scrolls so that Daiyu could choose from them. Although they were all genuine works by masters of the previous dynasty, and some were extremely rare, there were still one or two that wouldn't shock anyone.
Because of what had happened, by the time Daiyu had chosen her words, it was already quite late. She handed the box to the nanny behind her, and with Zijuan's help, she stood up and said, "Your Highness, I must go back and change my clothes, otherwise I'm afraid I'll miss my evening lessons."
Chu Heng took out his gold watch, looked at it, and said, "It's time to go back. How about we go together?"
Daiyu smiled and said, "Please, Your Highness."
As they walked slowly, Daiyu thought of the calligraphy by Prince Duan from yesterday, recalling the many masterpieces he had seen. She imagined that Prince Duan must be very accomplished in calligraphy.
"Does Your Highness practice calligraphy regularly?" Daiyu asked.
Chu Heng replied, "It's been a habit for many years. I write a few pages every night before bed, otherwise I can't fall asleep."
Daiyu then smiled and said, "No wonder the prince's calligraphy is so outstanding; it turns out he has put in a lot of hard work."
Having grown accustomed to the calligraphy of renowned calligraphers, Chu Heng held himself in low esteem and shook his head with a smile, saying, "My calligraphy is far from good enough, but... thank you."
Daiyu replied earnestly, “I am not flattering you. Your Highness’s calligraphy is indeed slightly inferior to that of the masters, but given time, it will surely develop into a unique style.”
Chu Heng was surprised for a moment, then smiled solemnly and said, "Thank you, I appreciate your kind words."
On the way back, we went to Daiyu's courtyard first. She and a group of maids and nannies entered the gate. The box was put down by Zhou Mama. She smiled and said, "Although I don't understand these things, judging from today's situation, the prince treats the young lady well. In this way, the young lady will have great fortune in the future. The old lady can rest assured."
Daiyu sat down on the daybed, and Zijuan and Xueyan brought her clothes and shoes to change into. She leaned back on the soft pillows, intending to rest for a while.
Upon hearing Granny Zhou's last sentence, Daiyu smiled and said, "Granny, please sit down and rest. It's always been the rule in our household, Granny, that we shouldn't bother the old lady with such trivial matters and cause her worry."
"Yes, Miss." Granny Zhou quickly agreed, "Don't worry, we've remembered all these years."
Daiyu nodded gently: "Of course I trust you, Granny, but this is just a casual remark."
The four nannies who served Daiyu were assigned to her by Grandmother Jia when she first entered the Jia family. Over the years, they taught the young lady, and the young lady also set rules for them.
Including the maids and servants inside and outside the house, Daiyu's people were always well managed by her, and there were few troubles.
After resting and changing her clothes, Daiyu went out with Chuheng to the Empress Dowager's courtyard in front, where they happened to run into Yongkang.
Yongkang reluctantly bowed, saying, "Fifth Brother." But when he turned to Daiyu, he beamed, "Sister Lin."
Daiyu smiled and returned the greeting: "Your Highness."
Chu Heng smiled but didn't say anything. He and Daiyu were walking side by side, but Yongkang insisted on stepping in and forcibly squeezed between them, taking Daiyu's hand.
Fearing she might lose her balance from being jostled, Chu Heng shifted slightly, teasingly asking, "Yongkang, have you gained weight?"
"I've been eating vegetarian food for the past few days, and I've become skin and bones!" Yongkang complained. "Fifth Brother, if you have an eye ailment, call the imperial physician. Don't hide your illness and avoid seeking medical help!"
These words sounded somewhat familiar. Daiyu thought for a moment, recalled past events, and nodded secretly. Princess Yongkang had even added some details, which showed that she had done her homework.
Chu Heng laughed and said, "This road is so wide, it can't even accommodate you, you just have to squeeze in here."
Yongkang stuck out her tongue and laughed, "That's because you've gained weight! Sister Lin..." She looked up at Daiyu with her big, bright eyes, "Tell me, hasn't Fifth Brother gained weight?"
Daiyu didn't want to be dragged into the war between the siblings, so she rubbed her forehead and squinted her eyes, saying, "It's a bit sunny right now, Your Highness, Princess, let's go for a walk in the shade."
Seeing that she wasn't on his side, Yongkang snorted and said, "Hmph, Sister Lin, from today onwards, I'll call you Fifth Sister-in-law!"
This left Daiyu at a loss for words.
Chu Heng slapped Yongkang on the back of the head: "If you don't keep your mouth shut, Mother will punish you by making you copy the Book of Rites and the Classic of Filial Piety again."
"You're not allowed to tattle!" Yongkang shouted immediately.
Chu Heng said with a stern face, "You'd better learn to speak properly first, and then I won't tell on you."
Yongkang stamped his foot and said sullenly, "Okay!"
Chu Heng then said to Daiyu, "If she continues to speak or act recklessly in the future, Miss Lin, just tell me and I will teach her a lesson."
Yongkang hurriedly tugged at Daiyu's sleeve, and Daiyu, without thinking much, said, "Your Highness is too harsh on the princess. She has always been innocent and lovely, and besides, it's not like we're in front of outsiders."
“That’s right, that’s right!” Yongkang quickly chimed in, “Sister Lin isn’t an outsider.”
Chu Heng glared at her: "It's time to have the nanny teach you some manners again."
The siblings started arguing again, one after another. Daiyu quietly patted her chest; her heartbeat, which had been erratic, had returned to normal, as if it had been her imagination.
...
The next day, when Daiyu went to the river again, her mood brightened. She brought a chessboard and planned to invite Prince Duan to play chess.
She didn't want to bring up the events of the day before yesterday and yesterday, but having received the painting from Prince Duan, she felt she should give something in return. After thinking it over, she figured Prince Duan had nothing to do anyway, so it would be better for Daiyu to find something to keep him occupied.
However, Chu Heng's expression as he faced the chessboard was indescribable.
He was born a prince and received a top-notch education. Even though he often studied sporadically in his youth, he still learned everything he was supposed to learn.
However, learning something is one thing, but learning it to a certain extent is another.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the game of chess ended. Daiyu coughed lightly, wanting to say something, but she was afraid of not giving Prince Duan face. However, she couldn't think of anything to give him face at the moment.
Prince Duan's calligraphy and chess skills are worlds apart.
Chu Heng spoke first: "Miss Lin's chess skills are superb."
Daiyu: "..."
If he praised her, Daiyu would be happy, but chess...
I can't feel any joy at all.
Daiyu smiled and asked tactfully, "Your Highness... you rarely play chess with others, do you?"
Chu Heng was well aware of his chess skills. He lowered his eyes and picked up the black and white chess pieces on the chessboard, replying, "When I was young, my teacher taught me, and I often played chess with others, but I gradually stopped later."
“I have a set of chess pieces made of jade. I will have someone send it to Miss Lin after I return to the capital.” Chu Heng raised his eyes and winked at her. “Consider it compensation for Miss Lin. After all, even Eunuch Zhao is too lazy to play chess with me, which shows how torturous it is to play chess with me.”
Daiyu felt embarrassed, but at the same time couldn't help but find it a little funny. She knew that Chu Heng would definitely burst out laughing, which would only make things more awkward. She looked up at Zhao Qing and found that he was looking down at the ground, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Daiyu coughed lightly and smiled, "The prince just gave me a calligraphy piece and then a chess set, but I don't have a suitable gift to return the favor. I'm really in a dilemma."
“Hmm…” Chu Heng thought for a moment and said with a teasing smile, “Miss Lin, why don’t you give me that calligraphy by Gu Dajia? It’s the one the Empress Dowager bestowed upon you, but I’m afraid you won’t be willing to part with it.”
Daiyu realized he was joking, so she smiled and replied, "Your Highness wants..."
Chu Heng quickly stopped her: "No, no, no, please don't say it. If you say it, I'll really fall for you, Miss Lin. You'll regret it then."
Daiyu couldn't help but chuckle softly.
The two laughed happily for a while, and Chu Heng asked with a smile, "Miss Lin, would you like to play another round?"
Daiyu quickly shook her head: "Instead of playing chess, we'd rather go fishing."
This was just something Daiyu said offhand, but Chu Heng actually asked Zhao Qing to fetch the fishing gear. They lit some incense to repel mosquitoes by the river, and the two of them took their fishing rods and sat down to fish.
It's quite interesting, actually.
Daiyu gazed at the calm water, occasionally glancing at Chu Heng. He was unusually focused, not lost in thought, but intently watching the water.
After a while, the fish didn't bite, and tonight's evening class was about to begin.
Chu Heng couldn't help but sigh, "Today went by so fast."
Daiyu felt the same way, so she nodded, and the two agreed to come back to fish the next day.
After evening lessons, he had dinner with the Empress Dowager. During their conversation, the Empress Dowager mentioned that the Emperor would send the eldest and second princes to pay their respects to her on his behalf the next day. They would stay and serve the Empress Dowager until the twelfth, after which they would return to the palace with her.
On the way back, Yongkang whispered to Daiyu, "My brother prefers Tuo'er, but my mother prefers Jie'er. Once they come over, our peaceful days will be over."
Daiyu had heard Yongkang mention the former, but she only learned about the latter now.
Even though the imperial family may appear harmonious on the surface, there are still undercurrents beneath the surface.
Daiyu gently comforted Yongkang, but after Yongkang left, Chuheng said again, "Don't listen to that girl, she's stupid."
Daiyu asked, puzzled, "What is Your Highness talking about?"
Chu Heng took two steps closer to Daiyu, bent down, and whispered, "The Empress Dowager doesn't actually prefer the First Prince; she's challenging the Emperor."
"Huh?" Daiyu asked in surprise.
Chu Heng made a shushing gesture: "None of this matters to us. Whether it's the eldest prince or the second prince, we must stay far away from them."
No matter how the princes fight among themselves, all they need to do is protect themselves.
Daiyu nodded.
A note from the author:
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