Chapter 7 is strange.
The Empress Dowager ordered someone to serve the meal, thus lightly letting the matter pass.
Daiyu was puzzled. It seemed that the Emperor and Empress Dowager doted on Princess Yongkang, but their relationship was awkward and strange.
Seeing Chu Heng's nonchalant attitude, Daiyu guessed that such things must happen often, and he was the one who smoothed things over.
But after he came to his rescue, Princess Yongkang rolled her eyes at him, clearly not appreciating his kindness.
Chu Heng's response was to tilt his head and shrug, which was not an attitude of repaying evil with kindness.
Royal affairs are truly bizarre.
There are many rules in the palace, especially during meals. Daiyu needs to concentrate fully on dealing with them and has no time to think about these things.
After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager pulled everyone aside to chat, and Daiyu sat next to the Empress as usual.
This scene is somewhat similar to that in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, where daughters-in-law, granddaughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters all try to make the old lady happy, except that the palace makes Daiyu particularly reserved.
The emperor glanced at the water clock and smiled at the Empress Dowager, saying, "Mother, it's time for Jie'er to go to school."
The Empress Dowager released her arm from her grandson's, straightened his clothes, and said with a smile, "It's time. I was in such a good mood today that I forgot. Go on."
The Empress Dowager gave a few more instructions to the palace servants who were attending to the eldest prince before allowing him to leave her side.
The eldest prince paid his respects to each of the officials, and the emperor solemnly instructed him: "Study hard, and after school, call Tuo'er to come to the Imperial Study with you."
The second prince, Chu Tuo, was born to Consort Wu and was born in the same year as the eldest prince.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile faded slightly. She did not speak, but simply squeezed her son's hand.
As Daiyu watched the eldest prince's departing figure, she sensed the turbulent undercurrent beneath the calm surface. She turned to look at Chu Heng.
Princes of the imperial clan like Prince Duan should, according to custom, go to their fiefdoms. However, Chu Heng is favored by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, so he remains in the capital.
The power struggles of the previous generation have come to an end, but the competition among the princes has only just begun. As long as he is in the capital, Prince Duan, the emperor's favored uncle, will likely find it difficult to remain uninvolved.
Judging from the current situation, it is unlikely that His Majesty and Empress Dowager will take the initiative to propose that Chu Heng be sent to his fief.
Daiyu wondered if Prince Duan intended to leave the capital, this place of trouble and intrigue.
Just as Daiyu's thoughts were racing, the Empress Dowager brought up the topic of her and Chu Heng again: "They both like that calligraphy. Your Majesty, who do you think I should give it to?"
The emperor smiled and said, "Mother, you've put your son in a difficult position. I did have one, but it's already in my fifth brother's residence, and I can't find another one right now."
Daiyu pursed her lips. She had something she wanted to say, but she couldn't find the right moment. Just then, Chu Heng spoke up.
"Give it to Miss Lin."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall turned to look at him.
The Empress Dowager's face lit up with joy: "Oh my, so you know how to be considerate now. Giving it to Miss Lin will eventually make it yours, so you won't lose out."
Daiyu was puzzled and even more surprised by Prince Duan's words. What did he mean by that?
But after the Empress Dowager said this, she was even more unable to speak, and could only lower her head and clutch her handkerchief.
Chu Heng said slowly, "Mother, you don't know this, but I already have two paintings, while Miss Lin only has one. It would be fair of you to give this one to her."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yongkang burst out laughing.
The Empress Dowager almost lost her composure and covered her lips with her handkerchief, her eyes fixed on Chu Heng.
Chu Heng looked at his mother innocently and smiled, "Could it be that you were just joking, Mother? Do you actually like this calligraphy so much that you don't want to give it to someone else?"
The emperor coughed lightly: "Fifth brother, you're about to get married, so you can't make such childish jokes anymore."
The atmosphere inside the palace grew increasingly strange, and Daiyu found herself increasingly unable to understand these eccentric royals.
“That’s right, Fifth Brother, you’re an adult now, how can you still speak so rudely?” Yongkang said with a grin.
She didn't think Chu Heng was referring to the Empress Dowager's usual favoritism; he was just happy to see the Empress Dowager suffer a setback.
There aren't many people who can leave the Empress Dowager speechless and visibly flustered; Fifth Brother actually has that ability. Yongkang clicked his tongue in amazement.
The emperor looked at her and said sternly, "Man'er, why are you still here? Shouldn't you be at school?"
Yongkang chuckled and said, "After disciplining his son, the Emperor is now disciplining his younger brother and sister. Fine, I won't get in your way anymore."
After saying that, she stood up, bowed, and quickly ran away, flicking her sleeves.
There was a moment of silence in the hall, and the Empress seized the opportunity to laugh, "Man'er, that girl, is always so impulsive."
The Empress originally intended to change the subject, but the Empress Dowager said, "Her manners are bad, Your Majesty. You should find two matrons to teach her properly. It's not good to spoil her like this."
The Empress smiled wryly and said, "Mother is right."
Having been a royal daughter-in-law for many years, the Empress knew the Empress Dowager's temperament very well. She didn't particularly like her youngest daughter, Yongkang, but she wouldn't allow anyone to mention it, much less interfere in Yongkang's affairs. Just like with her other children, the Empress Dowager was quite domineering.
Whether Yongkang is good or not is one thing, but whether the Empress dares to interfere is another matter entirely.
The emperor is a filial son, so the empress will be the one who suffers in the end.
I shouldn't have spoken so rashly. The Empress secretly regretted it.
Once the harmonious atmosphere was broken, it could never be restored. The emperor was somewhat annoyed and said, "Mother, I still have some memorials to review, so I will take my leave now."
The Empress Dowager nodded, and everyone rose to respectfully see the Emperor off.
When she sat down again, the Empress Dowager had regained her warm and kind expression. She smiled at Daiyu and said, "Since it is Heng'er's wish, Lin girl, I will bestow this calligraphy upon you."
Daiyu rose and bowed in gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "I am also tired. You may all leave."
After bowing together, everyone left the main hall.
The Empress, holding the eldest princess's hand, smiled and said, "I also have some matters to attend to, so I'll head back first. Fifth brother, you may escort Miss Lin back to her residence."
The Empress always acted according to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's moods. The Empress Dowager had been working hard to bring them together. Having just offended the Empress Dowager, the Empress felt she had to show her filial piety and win her favor.
Chu Heng leaned forward and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, please take care."
After Daiyu finished her greetings and waited until the Empress rode away in her carriage, she turned to Chu Heng, curtsied, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
This ordeal has finally come to an end. Although Daiyu was unwilling to let Chuheng escort her, the Empress had given her instructions beforehand, and she did not want things to go wrong in the end.
Fortunately, Chu Heng shared the same thought. He nodded and asked, "How did you get here?"
Daiyu said, "I will ride in a sedan chair."
Chu Heng considered for a moment, then turned and walked away: "Take my carriage, and have your men carry the sedan chair back."
The carriage would be faster. Although Chu Heng didn't want to sit with Daiyu, he could make the sacrifice for the sake of appreciating Gu Dajia's calligraphy and completing today's task as quickly as possible.
Daiyu caught up with him and asked in surprise, "Want to ride in your carriage?"
"Quickly," Chu Heng explained, "and it will give me more time to look at that calligraphy."
Daiyu was taken aback. The first reason was one thing, but the second...
If you're so reluctant to part with that calligraphy, why offer it to me willingly? The royal court is full of strange things.
Daiyu said, "If Your Highness likes it, I dare not take it away. Please take it back to your residence and enjoy it at your leisure."
"No need," Chu Heng refused quickly.
He said that giving the calligraphy to Miss Lin was merely a way to say the words that displeased the Empress Dowager. Before doing so, he knew what the price would be and had no reason to go back on his word.
Unsure of his meaning, Daiyu added, "Your Highness doesn't want this calligraphy, but... it's a keepsake from my late father. Filial piety is paramount, and I absolutely cannot give it away to someone else."
Chu Heng pondered her words and found them rather amusing: "Miss Lin, do you think I'm going to steal your calligraphy? Don't worry, while I'm not exactly a gentleman, I wouldn't do such a thing."
Prince Duan spoke too bluntly, and Daiyu blushed, saying, "It was my petty mind, Your Highness, please forgive me."
Chu Heng casually replied, "Mm."
Daiyu knew she was in the wrong, so she didn't criticize his attitude.
They remained silent the entire way until they boarded the carriage. Daiyu handed over the scroll and said, "Please, Your Highness."
Chu Heng raised his chin, gesturing for Zhao Qing to take it.
Zhao Qing said with a forced smile, "Miss Lin, please leave it to me."
Daiyu had been carrying it all the way, and her wrists and arms were sore. She had no mind to worry about this little thing and just wanted to relax as soon as possible, so she silently handed the scroll to him.
Chu Heng was able to bring people into the palace, but Daiyu was not. She could only rely on herself, rubbing her wrists and kneading her arms.
Chu Heng was so engrossed in appreciating the calligraphy that he didn't notice what was happening to Daiyu. Zhao Qing did notice, but there was no one else in the carriage, and he didn't dare to remind the prince, so he could only lower his head and pretend not to see.
The journey was incredibly agonizing for Zhao Qing. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the carriage entered Ningrong Street, he heard people talking outside.
"Your Highness's arrival is a great honor; I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."
Zhao Qing asked softly, "Miss Lin, is this a high-ranking official from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion?"
The voice sounded unfamiliar, and it took Daiyu a moment to realize that it was her maternal uncle's voice.
Presumably, it was the servants who carried the sedan chair who rushed back to report. Knowing that Prince Duan had personally escorted her back to the mansion, the Jia family would naturally have to personally greet her.
Chu Heng looked up, somewhat bewildered: "Who's speaking?"
Daiyu replied, "Your Highness is my maternal uncle, a first-class general of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion."
"Oh." Chu Heng closed the scroll, handed it to Daiyu, and then asked, "Where did you come in from?"
“West Corner Gate will suffice.” Daiyu replied, then glanced at Chu Heng and added, “Your Highness, I must first pay my respects to my uncle.”
Zhao Qing hurriedly said, "We're still outside, Miss Lin shouldn't show her face in public. I'll take the liberty of going down to pay my respects on your behalf. What do you think?"
It wasn't that Zhao Qing was rushing to curry favor with the future princess; it was simply that Miss Lin's reputation now represented the reputation of their prince, and he had to protect his master's face.
Daiyu said, "I wouldn't dare trouble you, sir."
“It’s alright,” Chu Heng said immediately.
It's just a small matter; Chu Heng wouldn't be so petty.
Moreover, once the marriage agreement is made, the fact that the couple will share both honor and disgrace is unchangeable.
Prince Duan was willing to give her face, and Daiyu accepted his kindness: "Thank you, Your Highness."
A note from the author:
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