Chapter 26. Betrothal.
Before we knew it, the day of betrothal arrived.
Princess Hejia personally visited the Jia family mansion. Grandmother Jia, along with Madam Xing, Madam Wang, and others, dressed in their finest attire according to their rank, greeted her. After going through various formalities, the group sat down in Rongqing Hall.
It was inappropriate for Daiyu to appear on such an occasion.
Although He Jia felt a little regretful that they could see each other sooner or later, he did not presumptuously call Daiyu out, but simply followed the rules to complete the betrothal ceremony.
The gift list was presented to Grandmother Jia, and Hejia took out the brocade box that Chu Heng had given her, and said with a smile, "This is a gift from my younger brother to Miss Lin. Please pass it on to her, Grandmother."
Grandmother Jia stood up and took the box, smiling, "Thank you for your trouble, Princess." She then turned and handed the brocade box to Madam Xing, who in turn gave it to Wang Xifeng.
Wang Xifeng personally escorted Daiyu to the back courtyard of Grandmother Jia, where Daiyu was reading. She went in and said with a smile, "Sister, you are so calm."
"Why has Sister Feng come over?" Daiyu asked with a smile as she stood up, and then ordered Zijuan to pour tea.
“There’s no room, the princess is still here in front.” Wang Xifeng said with a smile. “This was brought by the princess at the prince’s request. He said it was for you alone. Sister, you should give her a return gift.”
Knowing this would happen, Daiyu was prepared. She ordered Zijuan to bring a purse she had embroidered herself and handed it to Wang Xifeng, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."
"You're too kind to me, little sister," Wang Xifeng said with a smile. "I won't delay any longer; I'll come here for tea another day."
Daiyu then said, "There is one more thing I need to trouble Sister Feng with. Please convey to the princess that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are extremely kind and benevolent. I wish to go to the palace to express my gratitude in the next day or two. I wonder if His Majesty and the Empress Dowager would allow me to?"
The letter that Prince Duan sent included a zither. It was not a lie. It simply said that the Emperor and Empress Dowager always valued these formalities and that Daiyu must take the initiative to express her gratitude. Whether the Emperor and Empress Dowager agreed or not was not important; the important thing was to show them her attitude.
Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "What's so special about that? I'm actually able to speak with the princess thanks to my sister!"
Daiyu nodded and smiled, and after watching Wang Xifeng leave, she sat down again.
Xueyan glanced at the brocade box that the young lady had set aside and asked curiously, "Miss, aren't you going to open it and take a look?"
Daiyu shook her head.
After a while, the crowd dispersed, and Grandmother Jia returned, changed out of her formal attire, and ordered someone to invite Daiyu over and give her the betrothal gift list.
Daiyu refused to accept the handkerchief, holding it tightly, and said, "I don't understand these things either, so it's fine as long as Grandmother makes the arrangements."
"Take it, you can put it in your dowry later." Grandmother Jia forcefully stuffed it into her hand. "Your mother's dowry was all brought back back then, and I've been keeping it for you to take with you when you get married."
Mentioning her mother inevitably brought Daiyu to tears; she lowered her head and bit her lip.
Daiyu listened carefully to her father's explanation of the inheritance arrangements. Her mother's dowry would belong to Daiyu, but a portion of the Lin family's property would go to distant relatives in their hometown to support their ancestral worship in the future—also to ensure the continuation of the Lin Ruhai couple's ancestral worship for a hundred years.
As for the rest, Jia Lian should be given some benefits for handling these matters. He should also be filial to the old lady, and Daiyu's food, clothing and daily necessities should be left to the old lady. The rest can be used as Daiyu's dowry in the future.
Aside from some books and ancient paintings, Daiyu didn't have much money, nor did she own any land or property; all of it was managed by Grandmother Jia on her behalf.
Lin Ruhai had earnestly instructed her not to worry about how much money her maternal grandparents took from them, since she needed a place to stay. Although the old lady doted on her daughter, she was sure she wouldn't mistreat her granddaughter, but she should still be careful...
Thinking about these things again, Daiyu couldn't help but feel even more sad, and she quickly wiped her eyes.
Thinking of her daughter who died young, Grandmother Jia's eyes also welled up with tears.
"Although Grandmother is old, she still has some things around her that can be used as dowry for you." Grandmother Jia sighed, "The royal family is noble, so you should bring more things for your protection."
These words were spoken with heartfelt sincerity, and Daiyu listened with sadness: "Thank you, Grandmother. But no matter how I prepare, it can never compare to the royal family's prestige. You don't need to worry about me; I should keep more for myself."
Who will the old lady be able to rely on in the future among Jia's children and grandchildren?
Grandmother Jia was very pleased. She patted her hand and said, "Yu'er, you have always been a good child. You are understanding of other people's difficulties and know how to care for others. How many more years does your grandmother have to live? Besides, you still have your uncles and cousins. You don't need to worry about me. In the future, you should spend more time with your aunts and sisters-in-law. Your grandmother also hopes that you will support your sisters more."
Daiyu was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. It was true that the old lady loved her, but it was also true that the old lady of the Jia family was unwilling to think more about her.
Daiyu is already walking on thin ice, her future uncertain. Who knows how carefully she will tread in the future? The old lady is already thinking of having her help the Jia family...
The old lady wasn't wrong; she was the matriarch of the Jia family, not just Daiyu's maternal grandmother.
Daiyu simply said, "Grandmother, please don't say such things. You will surely live to be a hundred years old. I am willing to take care of you."
Hearing Daiyu's words, Grandmother Jia felt a pang of disappointment, but the girl was ultimately kind to her as her maternal grandmother, so she could only... slowly plan for the future.
He's still just a child; he doesn't know what's important.
...
In Renshou Palace, Hejia handed Daiyu's purse to Chuheng and said with a smile, "Although I haven't seen her, judging from her needlework, Fifth Sister-in-law must be very skillful."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager said, "Bring it here so I can take a look."
Chu Heng had already received it but hadn't had time to examine it closely. Upon hearing this, he could only hand it to the Empress Dowager, and He Jia's smile deepened upon seeing it.
"Hmm...it's not bad." The Empress Dowager smiled. "The Empress embroidered a headband for me the other day, but it doesn't look as good as this."
Chu Heng withdrew his hand, fearing that the Empress Dowager would also have Miss Lin do needlework for her, and that she would inevitably be compared with others and be nitpicked, so he smiled and said, "The embroiderers in the palace are indeed more skilled. The peony flowers on Mother's clothes look just like the real ones."
He Jia laughed and said, "How can this be compared? They specialize in this. If it weren't good, how could I dare to teach them to make clothes for Mother?"
The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "If you say that, then tell them to make you some clothes too."
He Jia smiled and said, "Thank you, Mother. I won't stand on ceremony. I'll have my fifth brother pay for the fabric for this dress as a thank you to the matchmaker today."
Chu Heng smiled and said, "Of course, I'll pay the reward myself. Thank you for making the trip, sister."
After exchanging a few jokes, Hejia continued, "Mother, my fifth sister-in-law is a very polite and well-mannered person. She specifically asked her sister-in-law to ask me, saying that the Emperor and Empress Dowager are extremely kind and she wants to go to the palace to express her gratitude. I wonder if you would allow it?"
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Lin is a good girl. It's enough that she has this intention in her heart. There's no need for her to make repeated trips. We'll see her often in the future anyway."
He Jia nodded.
After chatting with the Empress Dowager for a while, Chu Heng took his leave from Renshou Palace and went to Haiyan Palace to request an audience with the Emperor.
The young eunuch went to report, and Li Zhong came out to greet him with a smile: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence!"
Chu Heng smiled and asked as they walked, "How is Eunuch Li?"
Li Zhong said with a smile, "Thanks to Your Majesty, I am doing well. Your Highness is truly in high spirits when good things happen. I think you have become even more handsome lately."
Chu Heng smiled and said, "I am also thanks to His Majesty's blessing."
At the end of July, the ice chest was still placed in the hall. A cool breeze greeted him as he entered. Chu Heng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor laughed and said, "So many formalities again. You just came from your mother's place, haven't you? Today is your special day. Sit down and let's talk."
Chu Heng thanked the seat and said with a smile, "Fifth Sister has something to say to Mother, and I'm in the way, so I had to come and bother you, Your Majesty."
"It's been a while since we brothers had a proper conversation." The emperor rose from his desk and beckoned, "Come sit here."
Chu Heng followed the emperor to sit on the daybed on both sides. The emperor then said, "You look much better. We are all relieved."
Chu Heng lowered his head and smiled, "I'm sorry to have troubled you and my mother all these years."
The emperor waved his hand and laughed, "We're family, so let's not talk about that. I didn't give you any jobs before because I was worried about your health. Now that you're better and about to start a family, it's time for you to learn how to do things properly."
"Your Majesty knows that I have always been unlearned and incompetent. I can barely manage to be a bit of a connoisseur of refined tastes, but I'm afraid that I will not only delay important matters in court affairs, but also embarrass Your Majesty," Chu Heng said with an embarrassed smile.
The emperor patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "I didn't expect you to start right away. Learn slowly."
Chu Heng then smiled and said, "I'm busy with the wedding preparations right now, please allow me this opportunity, Your Majesty."
"I'll allow you to wait until after your wedding," the emperor said with a good-natured smile.
Chu Heng seemed to suddenly remember something: "I just remembered something, Your Majesty. My fifth sister told Mother that Miss Lin intended to go to the palace to express her gratitude to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, but Mother said that there would be another time to meet her in the future, so she postponed it."
The emperor's smile faded. It wasn't a big deal; if he wanted to speak, he wouldn't have sent someone over specifically. However, the emperor was still not happy that the Empress Dowager had made the decision on his own.
Chu Heng had no intention of sowing discord; he simply didn't want the emperor to find out about this in the future and take his anger out on Miss Lin.
Thus, this matter pertains to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, mother and son.
Chu Heng was only thinking about what excuse he should find to give Miss Lin something to please her next time, what he should write in the letter to make her happy, or whether he could see Miss Lin again.
Five days passed in this way. Chu Heng selected a few ancient zither scores and was writing a letter when Zhao Qing came in carrying a food box and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Princess Yongkang sent you a box of pastries, saying that they are various kinds of flower cakes newly made by the Empress Dowager's small kitchen."
"Snacks?" Chu Heng said, "Bring them here."
Zhao Qing tidied the table first before placing the food box on it. He opened the box and found two neatly arranged plates of flower cakes, but underneath was a letter.
"This is……"
As Chu Heng opened the letter, he said, "When did Yongkang ever think of sending me snacks? Anyone in the palace would know she has ulterior motives."
Zhao Qing smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Perhaps the princess has something important to discuss."
A moment later, Chu Heng, his face ashen, carefully put away the letter and ordered, "Prepare the carriage; I'm going to the palace."
Zhao Qing quickly responded, then cautiously asked, "Your Highness, what serious matter has occurred?"
Chu Heng sneered, "Someone is plotting to bully Miss Lin. Don't you think that's a big deal?"
A note from the author:
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