Chapter 68 I only love being with you.
When Daiyu celebrated her birthday in the spring, Chu Heng mentioned the family's small opera performance. He then entrusted Zhao Qing with the task, and by the end of May, everything was ready. However, they still hadn't had time to listen to it together.
Chu Heng's birthday was on the last day of May. The emperor and empress dowager each gave him gifts, and the princesses of the imperial family each sent him gifts. He had to go to several places in the palace to pay his respects. The empress dowager kept him for a meal, and he was busy for most of the day. By the time he returned to his residence, it was already past Shenshi (3-5 PM).
"Fortunately, it's only my birthday once a year." Chu Heng covered his mouth and yawned.
Daiyu also looked tired: "I won't be able to have a peaceful birthday next year either, but fortunately I'm still more than ten years younger than you."
Chu Heng pinched her cheek, feigning displeasure: "Hearing you say that makes me even more unhappy."
“Hmm…” Daiyu tilted her head, “How about we have someone come and perform for you?”
Chu Heng looked distressed and shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, I just had a bad experience in the palace, my head is still buzzing."
Daiyu also disliked the lively and auspicious plays in the palace: "They gave me a headache."
Chu Heng quickly said, "Let me massage you."
Daiyu pressed his hand down: "No need, take a bath and rest for a while. You've been up all day and are really tired."
Chu Heng then said, "Okay."
After taking a bath, the two went to sleep. Some time later, Chu Heng woke up first.
Chu Heng glanced at the gold watch beside his pillow in the dim light. It was past dinner time. He turned to look at Daiyu and saw that she was fast asleep. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and couldn't bear to wake her.
I've already slept too much, and if I sleep any longer, I'll definitely have even less sleep at night. Besides, I barely touched my chopsticks at the palace banquet, so I must be hungry by now.
Chu Heng thought for a moment, then pinched Daiyu's cheek, then her nose, and then fiddled with her fingers. Before long, he woke her up.
"...What?" Daiyu was still dazed and confused, her voice full of displeasure.
"If you don't wake up soon, Miss Lin, you won't be able to sleep at all tonight," Chu Heng said with a light laugh.
Daiyu blinked in confusion: "You were tormenting me the other day, and when I told you to stop, you wouldn't..." She slowly came to her senses, realized what she had said, and immediately blushed with embarrassment.
Chu Heng chuckled in a deep voice, "Hmm, if you put it that way, it seems like I'm just taking on this responsibility for nothing if I don't do anything..."
"Shut up!" Daiyu hurriedly covered his mouth. Because she got up too quickly, she swayed a few times. Fortunately, Chu Heng supported her so that she did not fall onto the bed.
Chu Heng's hands and mouth were not idle either. With a slight movement, he pursed Daiyu's palm, and she immediately felt as if she had been burned by fire, and hurriedly put her hand behind her back.
"Slow down." Chu Heng lowered his head and rubbed her forehead, smiling affectionately.
Daiyu's rosy face was quite captivating, but she refused to speak.
Chu Heng smiled and said, "I'm not teasing you anymore. It's getting late. I'm calling you to have lunch. Are you hungry?"
Daiyu observed him cautiously for a moment before saying, "Yes, I am a little hungry."
"It's getting late, have something easy to eat." Chu Heng got out of bed first, called the maids in to serve him, and then asked Zhao Qing to serve him the meal.
After washing up, Zhao Qing and his men had just set out a table of meat and vegetable dishes, soup, and snacks.
Zhao Qing bowed and smiled, "Today is the prince's birthday, and there is also a bowl of longevity noodles."
Chu Heng had eaten quite a bit of noodles today, and seeing that there were more noodles available, he frowned and said, "I'm not eating anymore."
Daiyu smiled and said, "Just for good luck, I'll at least have a bite."
Chu Heng squeezed her hand: "Okay, I'll listen to you." After saying that, he took the bowl, took a bite, and then told Zhao Qing to remove the longevity noodles from the table.
Daiyu couldn't help but laugh and said, "Next year, have someone make a bowl of sweet noodles; I'm sure you'll love it then."
Chu Heng raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Okay, next time it'll be your birthday first, you can try it for me, okay?"
"I don't like sweets," Daiyu said with a shake of her head and a smile.
Even though it was summer, Chu Heng was worried that the food would get cold, so he said, "Let's eat first, and then we can talk when we go out to cool off."
Daiyu raised an eyebrow and said, "Who is it that won't shut up?"
Chu Heng kept his mouth shut and picked up some food for Daiyu.
Daiyu smiled, and the two then ate their meal in silence.
...
The next day it was June, and the heat was intense. The matter of the Prince of Qi's rebellion had not yet been dealt with. Every day when he went out, Chu Heng would put a basin of ice on the carriage. He wanted to put in a few more basins, but Daiyu was afraid that he would get cold, so she wouldn't allow him to put in more.
Aside from going to the palace to pay her respects, Daiyu had no other obligation to go out. The social interactions at Prince Duan's residence always involved only giving and receiving gifts, which made it convenient for Daiyu to stay at home and escape the summer heat.
In the middle of the month, the case of Prince Qi's treason was closed. He himself was given poisoned wine, his confidants were cut in half at the waist, and his entire family was implicated. These were orders personally issued by the emperor. The remaining crimes were judged according to their severity, and the emperor made additions and subtractions based on the proposals in the memorials. Afterwards, they were all implemented.
Wen'an's son-in-law escaped a calamity. He was not guilty of treason, but he was spared the death penalty. He was imprisoned for nearly a month and lost his honorary position. From then on, he could only rely on his family and Wen'an for support.
Chu Heng didn't care what others thought or whether they were satisfied with the result; he didn't even bother to look closely at the emperor's reward.
Now, all he wants to do is go home and rest.
Chu Heng changed his clothes, came over and lay down on Daiyu's lap, sighing, "I still just want to be a playboy prince who lives a life of leisure and idleness."
Daiyu combed his hair and said with a smile, "You've been in this business for twenty years, it's time you got some rest."
"I wouldn't mind working for another twenty years," Chu Heng said mournfully. "I'm not lucky enough to have that kind of fortune, so let our children enjoy it in the future."
Daiyu pinched his ear and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about in broad daylight?"
Chu Heng asked innocently, "Did I say anything?"
Daiyu didn't want to argue with him, so she put down the comb and nudged his shoulder, saying, "Get up first, I have something to do."
Chu Heng refused to move, instead holding and stroking Daiyu's wrist, asking, "What is it? I'll go with you."
"The fifth young lady of the Fang family sent a visiting card early this morning; she's coming over," Daiyu said. "Do you remember last month she said she wanted to give me some poems from her poetry club?"
Chu Heng nodded: "She's coming so soon, that'll take up a lot of your time. I'll stay with you. I've been very busy these past few days and haven't had much time to spend with you."
Daiyu lowered her head and smiled, "Your Highness, why are you so clingy?"
Chu Heng raised his hand and put it around her neck, urging her to get closer to him: "Miss Lin, I only love being with you."
The two lingered for a while longer before getting up to change into their guest clothes.
Fang Lanyi was surprised to see Chu Heng there. When she came in and saw the person in the main seat, she was taken aback. Why was Prince Duan, a grown man, getting involved in matters between women?
Fang Lanyi stepped forward to greet her, and Daiyu smiled and said, "No need for formalities, please sit down."
Fang Lanyi thanked him and sat down as instructed. As she did so, she glanced at Prince Duan, who was looking down at the book in his hand, as if she were just a decoration.
She overheard her mother and aunts talking about the Empress Dowager's troubles at home. They said that Prince Duan was too attached to his personal feelings and cared too much about his wife. Prince Duan was currently carrying out imperial orders, and she was worried that he would let his love for women affect important matters.
But just as Prince Duan finished his mission, they said that the Emperor had praised him, saying that he had become more sensible and capable since his marriage, and that he would be given more important responsibilities in the future. They said that since the Fang family and Prince Duan's mansion were related, they should not become estranged and should visit each other more often in the future.
Princess Consort Duan is clearly a virtuous and capable wife, so how could she teach Prince Duan badly? The Empress Dowager is really nitpicking.
Fang Lanyi used to think that her great-aunt was a respected and kind person, but now she realized that every mother-in-law would always find fault with her daughter-in-law. This was true in her family, and the Empress Dowager was no exception.
"But did my daughter disturb my uncle and aunt?" Fang Lanyi asked with a smile.
Daiyu smiled and said, "The prince and I were just at our leisure when he heard that you were coming. He thought he would ask you a few questions about your maternal grandparents' family so that he could pay his respects to the Empress Dowager at the palace another day and make her happy."
Chu Heng looked up and smiled at her in agreement.
It was a bit perfunctory. Fang Lanyi thought to herself that Prince Duan simply wanted to stay by the Princess's side. After all, although he was holding a book, he would glance at it and then stare at the Princess for quite a while, clearly indicating that his true intentions were not what they seemed.
Fang Lanyi replied cooperatively, "Everything is fine at home."
After exchanging a few polite words, Fang Lanyi presented the poem she had prepared to Daiyu: "Please give me your guidance, Aunt."
Daiyu smiled and said, "I am not worthy of your guidance..." As she spoke, she lowered her head to look at the poem.
Fang Lanyi looked at Daiyu expectantly, only to see her flipping through the papers in her hand. She would look at some of them for a longer time, while she would only glance at others with a slight frown before turning over them.
After a while, Fang Lanyi lowered her head, picked up her teacup, tasted the tea, and looked at Daiyu again. She saw that Prince Duan had hooked the Princess's little finger, and the Princess gently pushed him away with one hand and patted him reassuringly.
Fang Lanyi: "..."
She was already a grown woman, had a fiancé, and understood some things about relationships between men and women.
For example, at this moment, Fang Lanyi thought of the polite words she had said when she arrived, and realized that it was true; she had indeed disturbed the couple.
Fang Lanyi couldn't help but blush. Although the Empress Dowager was picking a fight, Prince Duan and his wife were indeed very loving, which made her think of her fiancé.
Although it was arranged by their parents, the marriage between Prince Duan and his consort was merely bestowed by the Emperor. Since they were so happy together after their marriage, Fang Lanyi couldn't help but feel hopeful.
After Daiyu finished reading the poems and praised them, Fang Lanyi's face gradually cooled down.
After all the poems had been reviewed, Fang Lanyi was completely immersed in them and no longer felt restless. Finally, she asked Daiyu to compose a poem as well.
Before Daiyu could speak, Chu Heng immediately perked up and ordered his men to fetch pen and ink.
Seeing the couple exchange a smile, and the princess looking somewhat helpless, Fang Lanyi felt uneasy again.
Fortunately, the writing materials were soon presented. Chu Heng ground the ink, and Daiyu picked up the brush and wrote the poem in one stroke. Fang Lanyi was once again immersed in the writing, completely forgetting herself.
Before leaving, Fang Lanyi asked to transcribe Daiyu's poems, and Daiyu agreed.
As for how much the young ladies who saw Daiyu's poems again regretted not being able to invite her to join the poetry club, Chu Heng and Daiyu had no idea.
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