Chapter 58. Something's up.
Afterwards, Chu Heng instructed Zhao Qing to arrange for someone to keep an eye on Grandmother Jia to prevent her from plotting to marry the princess again. The next day, they learned that Grandmother Jia was ill.
After listening, Daiyu remained silent for a moment, then said, "I hope the old lady can rest and recuperate in peace."
Chu Heng comforted her for a long time, and then ordered someone to keep an eye on the medical records of Grandmother Jia in the Imperial Hospital, so that they could know immediately if anything happened.
Two days later, Zhao Qing completed Chu Heng's previous orders and brought people to report on the Jia family's affairs.
While Daiyu was taking a nap, Chu Heng listened carefully to the two of them finish their story and couldn't help but exclaim, "Two Duke's mansions, how wonderful!"
Chu Heng grew up in the palace and knew he had seen and heard many sordid things, but incest was just too shocking—the last person he knew to have done it was Li Longji.
Among them was a story about Daiyu being gossiped about by the servants. The servants dared not speak of it, and it was Zhao Qing who eventually recounted it to Chu Heng.
Now Chu Heng had no time to watch the spectacle: "Even the servants of the Jia family dare to gossip about Miss Lin behind her back? Outrageous! They're incredibly audacious!"
Zhao Qing hurriedly said, "Your Highness, it's fine if people outside don't know, but revealing it would be bad for the Princess. Fortunately, the Princess has already left that hellhole, so you don't need to worry."
That's just how the world is. A woman shouldn't be talked about too much. Whether people say good things about her or bad things, it's considered dignified not to mention it easily.
These words touched on another of Chu Heng's concerns: he had been much slower in getting to know Daiyu.
Unable to vent his anger for Daiyu, and resentful that he had met Daiyu too late, Chu Heng had nowhere to vent his anger, so he could only hide in the outer study and sulk.
As luck would have it, someone from the palace came and said that His Majesty had summoned Prince Duan to the palace.
Chu Heng responded respectfully on the surface, but secretly rolled his eyes. He ordered someone to quietly bring him his court robes so as not to disturb Daiyu.
Unexpectedly, it was Daiyu who pushed open the door and entered, followed by maids carrying clothes, a golden crown, and other items.
Daiyu had obviously just woken up. She had only dressed casually and wiped her face. She hadn't even had time to comb her hair properly, so she just tied it up haphazardly.
"Did I wake you?" Chu Heng strode over. "His Majesty's edict came at an inopportune time..."
Daiyu laughed and said, "That's nonsense. Quickly change into your court clothes and go to the palace."
Chu Heng complained, "My leave wasn't over yet, and I don't know what important matter has to come up so quickly. I don't know how busy I'll be next! We're newlyweds, and His Majesty is so inconsiderate."
“You said it yourself, it’s an important matter. The affairs of the court are far more important than our wedding.” Seeing that he was about to speak, Daiyu quickly glared at him. “You are not allowed to argue. Just do your job well and don’t think about anything else.”
"Oh," Chu Heng readily agreed.
The maids helped Chu Heng get dressed, and as he was about to leave, he turned back and asked, "What will I do if I miss you?"
Daiyu couldn't help but laugh: "If you don't leave now, I'll kick you out."
"I'm leaving now." Chu Heng went into the palace looking pitiful.
Daiyu, supported by Zijuan, went back to combing her hair. Xueyan said with a smile, "The prince is so pitiful, Miss. Why don't you say something nice to comfort him?"
Daiyu glanced at her: "Now you're making fun of me too?"
"No, no!" Xueyan laughed. "I'm afraid His Highness will be displeased!"
Zijuan continued, "The prince would never be unhappy with our young lady, no matter who else he is unhappy with. His smile never fades when he sees her!"
Xueyan nodded solemnly: "Sister Zijuan is right, I was wrong. The Prince treats you the best!"
Daiyu then realized what was happening. She pointed at the two girls and laughed, "You two maids, you're ganging up on me! I'll punish you later!"
"How can you say the young lady is biased? The nannies say so, but the young lady doesn't punish them," Xueyan protested.
Daiyu then said, "Oh, then I'll punish all the nannies as well, what do you think?"
Xueyan was speechless. She looked at Zijuan pleadingly, "Sister Zijuan, why don't you say something..."
Zijuan smiled and said, "Miss, your hardships have finally come to an end. We are so happy for you!"
“After hardship comes happiness…” Daiyu pondered these four words and slowly smiled. “Yes, it can indeed be said that after hardship comes happiness.”
Who could have imagined that the imperial decree granting them marriage last year would be the beginning of a long and happy life?
At that moment, Daiyu was unaware that the emperor who issued the imperial edict was furious.
"Outrageous! Utterly outrageous!" the emperor roared. "Corruption, bribery, selling official positions, and oppressing the people—they even dared to plot rebellion! Their crimes are heinous! They must be severely punished! Severely punished!"
The people below echoed in agreement. It was the first time Chu Heng had experienced something like this, so he imitated them and sang a couple of lines.
It's really not interesting. He thought to himself.
"Prince Duan!" the emperor suddenly called out.
Chu Heng had no choice but to reply, "Your subject is here."
"You, along with the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review, must investigate this thoroughly. I want to see what else this lawless scoundrel can do!"
The late emperor's fourth son, the Prince of Qi, was accused by the censor of committing all sorts of evil deeds in his fiefdom. Many local officials were colluding with him, and it was said that they even had the intention to rebel. Because the matter involved the imperial clan, Chu Heng, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, had to take up his post ahead of schedule.
The officials from the various departments who had been chosen by the emperor stepped forward and received the imperial decree together with Chu Heng.
As they left Haiyan Palace, Minister of Justice Chen, Vice Minister of the Censorate Fu, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu all looked at Chu Heng.
Lord Chen said, "We need Your Highness to decide where to begin investigating this case."
In terms of rank, the Minister of Justice and the Left Censor-in-Chief were both of the second rank, while the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review were both of the third rank. However, Chu Heng was a prince, so the other three were a head lower in rank.
Although they all thought in their hearts that this rumored sickly prince was incompetent and just there to fill a quota, since the emperor had mentioned his name first, they, as his subjects, had to show the proper attitude.
Chu Heng smiled: "You three are all veterans in criminal justice, case handling, and overseeing officials. What do I know? It's just that His Majesty appointed me because this matter involves the imperial family. Naturally, everything is up to you three."
After some polite exchanges, the three were only half-believing Prince Duan's words. After all, anyone could put on an act; only by truly working together could one know Prince Duan's true nature.
The Emperor greatly favored his younger brother, Prince Duan, appointing him as Minister of the Imperial Clan Court without a second thought, despite Prince Duan's previous neglect of even the smallest matters.
Few of the court officials had ever met Prince Duan, and even fewer understood his temperament. The three officials who were working with him today only hoped that Prince Duan would not be unreasonable, would be able to understand human language, and would not interfere with their important business. They asked for nothing more.
Fortunately, they quickly came to a conclusion: Prince Duan was a man of his word. If he said he didn't understand, he really wouldn't interfere. He examined the evidence and interrogated the witnesses, but he acted like an outsider throughout the process, letting them question him without saying a word. When they asked him, he would only say, "I don't understand, so you're making the decision."
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that although the task was tricky, at least Prince Duan wouldn't cause any unforeseen problems.
The matter involves a prince and dozens of officials, with a huge amount of witnesses and evidence. It certainly cannot be investigated in one day. As it was approaching dusk, Prince Duan, who never spoke and sat leisurely in his chair, said, "The three of you are busy. I must return to my residence to have dinner with the princess."
Everyone: "..."
Having said that, Prince Duan lifted his foot and indeed left with his attendants.
Everyone: "..."
Lord Fu said, "The prince is newly married; it's only natural..."
These high-ranking officials are one thing, but the people below them look pale and sickly. What's human nature to do that? Prince Duan doesn't do any work, yet they work so hard, and they might not even receive as many rewards as Prince Duan in the future.
Being born into a good family means you'll never have to worry about anything.
...
When Chu Heng returned home, the western sun was still warm. Daiyu was playing the zither by the window. He stopped and paused for a while until the music stopped and the maids bowed. Only then did he come back to his senses.
Daiyu only then realized he had returned home. She quickly got up and went outside, smiling, "Why don't you come inside? I've had some water cooled down. Have a cup to soothe your throat."
Zijuan quickly brought over some lukewarm water that was just the right temperature to drink. Chu Heng drank half a cup before saying, "This is the first time I've heard you play the zither. I must have made a fool of myself before."
Daiyu chuckled: "That's a lie. My zither playing is no match for yours."
“I appreciate your kind words.” Chu Heng pulled her hand and led her into the room. “Today, His Majesty assigned me a task that would take ten days or half a month to complete. It’s so annoying. But when I heard your music when I got back, my heart finally calmed down.”
Daiyu smiled and said, "I'll play the zither for you again tomorrow."
Chu Heng squeezed her fingers: "That's wonderful. I'm looking forward to hearing your music again."
"Rest well, I'll have someone bring you some food." Daiyu pressed his arm, and after he sat down, she blinked and smiled, "How about I have someone make you a bowl of steamed sweet cheese later?"
Chu Heng's eyes curved into a smile: "I want to eat it now."
Daiyu smiled, but shook her head: "Not now, I need to eat properly now."
Chu Heng raised his hand and pinched her cheek: "Do you really think I'm a child to be coaxed?" As he spoke, he pulled Daiyu into his arms, "Keep coaxing me..."
There were still many maids and nannies in the room. Daiyu hadn't expected him to act like this, and her face instantly turned bright red. She whispered, "You...you were just joking, why did you take it seriously?"
Chu Heng waved for the servants out of Daiyu's sight, then lowered his head to brush against her rosy cheeks and chuckled, "I was just teasing you, Your Highness. You can't just let the magistrate set fires while forbidding the common people from lighting lamps."
"You're twisting the truth!" Daiyu, fearing he would go even further, quickly reached out to shield his chest. "I only used words, I didn't lay a hand on him!"
"Oh..." Chu Heng nuzzled her nose and chuckled, "Do you want me to use my mouth?"
Daiyu involuntarily closed her eyes, her moist, rosy lips slightly pursed. However, a sliver of clarity remained in her mind. Although she could not muster any strength in her hands, she still said in a trembling voice, "No...don't do this, there are still people around."
Soon, a pair of hands gently stroked her back, and she leaned against a warm chest. A deep male voice comforted her, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I told them to leave a long time ago."
Daiyu blinked her watery eyes, slowly processing the meaning of Chu Heng's words, and her eyes widened in surprise.
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