Chapter 4, Wedding Date.
“Yesterday, Miss Lin went to the palace to express her gratitude. After the Empress Dowager met with her, she summoned the Chief Astrologer and invited Master Pingyi to the palace to calculate an auspicious day. The date for the six ceremonies has been set.” Shuangyun sat halfway on the embroidered stool and smiled at Chu Heng, “Your Highness, look.”
Zhao Qing accepted the bright red letter with both hands and presented it to Chu Heng. Chu Heng unfolded it and first glanced at the wedding date.
With less than ten months to go until next April, the Empress Dowager is in no hurry now compared to the speed of the arranged marriage.
Chu Heng asked, "Was the date set by Master Pingyi?"
Shuangyun smiled and replied, "That's right. The master said that these days are most compatible with the birth charts of the Prince and Miss Lin. In the future, the Prince and Princess will surely be free from all illnesses, healthy and long-lived."
Chu Heng: "..."
This old monk is so persistent in his deception; doesn't he know when to stop?
"Thank you for making this trip, Aunt." Chu Heng smiled slightly. Regardless of the old monk's character, it was more to his liking to come later.
"It's all my duty," Shuangyun said with a smile, leaning forward. "The Empress Dowager also asked me to say something to the Prince: Miss Lin is very good, and I'm sure the Prince will be pleased to see her."
The Empress Dowager was naturally aware of her son's thoughts. He had no interest in getting to know or accepting the princess he had never met. He did not refuse her outright, but it was simply because the imperial decree could not be disobeyed.
However, now that the Empress Dowager is a devout believer in Master Pingyi, she naturally hopes that her son and his wife can live in harmony in the future, so she thinks she should put more effort into this matter.
Chu Heng smiled and said, "Mother does...like Miss Lin very much."
The Empress Dowager is a discerning person, so for her to say "very good" shows that Miss Lin is indeed extraordinary.
It's just a pity that such a good girl is not well-matched. Chu Heng thought casually.
Chu Heng then thought that it was Miss Lin who had taken the initiative to request an audience with the Empress Dowager this time, which must have won the Empress Dowager a lot of favor.
"At least she's sensible and discerning," Chu Heng concluded, making his first assessment of his future queen.
Later, Chu Heng will realize that this was a wrong conclusion.
Shuangyun looked at his expression and smiled, "Although Master Lin has passed away, in terms of family background, Miss Lin is truly no less outstanding. Moreover, Miss Lin is beautiful, well-mannered, and can write poetry and prose. The Empress Dowager said that not only the daughters of noble families and high-ranking noble families in the capital, but even the princesses and empresses in the palace, I'm afraid none of them can compare to her."
“Since Mother likes it, let Miss Lin come to the palace more often to keep Mother company,” Chu Heng said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
They praised her as if she were a fairy. Chu Heng thought of the old monk's words and wondered if that Miss Lin really was a fairy.
Shuangyun choked. The Empress Dowager wants you to think the Princess is good and wants you and the Princess to be a loving couple. Does she need someone to amuse her?
Seeing that she had nothing to say, Chu Heng asked again, "Aunt, does Mother have any more words to tell me?"
Despite all the kind words, Prince Duan remained unmoved by his future bride. Shuangyun thought of the Empress Dowager's expectations and almost sighed, but she managed to hold back.
"The Empress Dowager told the Prince to take good care of himself..." Shuangyun continued to ramble on, saying many things that the Empress Dowager wanted to tell Chu Heng.
Chu Heng had heard these words for over a decade and could recite them by heart. He listened with a fixed smile, and after reciting the same set of words, Shuang Yun would leave.
This is a process that has been going on for many years.
When Zhao Qing saw Shuang Yun off at the mansion, he happened to run into Princess Wen'an's husband, who came to visit her. Seeing his aunt, who was with the Empress Dowager, he hurriedly went up to speak to her.
Shuangyun smiled and said, "Eighth Prince Consort, please don't be offended. The Prince rarely sees people while he is ill, but His Majesty and the Empress Dowager gave his permission long ago."
"My fifth brother is in poor health and should rest more. I just came to say hello. His eighth sister is very worried about him." The eighth prince consort naturally dared not say a word about Prince Duan outside, after all, everyone knows that the emperor and empress dowager have always doted on him.
But this didn't stop the eight prince consorts from secretly thinking to themselves that Prince Duan wasn't just rarely seeing people because he was ill; he had been avoiding people for decades. Not to mention his brothers-in-law, even the princesses rarely saw their younger brother more than a few times a year.
When the princes-in-law were having private banquets, they would mention this brother-in-law and even suspect that he might have some kind of shameful disease.
Of course, "cannot be seen by people" here means it literally, and does not refer to any unspeakable illness.
After all, his brother-in-law had been frail since childhood, and he probably couldn't even get close to women. Even if he wanted to get that kind of disease, he wouldn't have the chance.
After inquiring about Chu Heng's situation with Zhao Qing, the Eighth Prince Consort asked his attendants to leave some tonics before taking his leave.
Shuangyun gave Zhao Qing another instruction, telling him to take good care of the prince, before getting into the carriage to return to the palace.
When Zhao Qing turned back to the main courtyard, Chu Heng was examining the large red paper closely.
"Your Highness..." Zhao Qing asked cautiously, seeing the lack of joy on his face, "What are you looking at?"
Outsiders only thought that Prince Duan was favored by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, so he could do whatever he wanted without restraint. However, Zhao Qing had served by his side for many years and knew that his master was actually very measured and always kept in mind the distinction between ruler and subject. He was not someone who would be arrogant because of favor.
The marriage has already been arranged by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, so he will absolutely not disobey. Moreover, Zhao Qing has never seen his master arbitrarily take his anger out on others. Even if he dislikes his future princess, the prince will absolutely not torment her.
However, Zhao Qing thought it was impossible for the prince to only make things difficult for himself. Given his master's indifference to life and death, he would soon realize that having another person in the family was no big deal.
Chu Heng pondered for a moment, then said abruptly, "Hmm... no rush."
"What business does Your Highness require? This servant will remember it for you," Zhao Qing hurriedly replied.
Chu Heng nodded and said, "Okay, remember this. After the New Year, have someone prepare a spacious courtyard. Remember, make sure it's far away from me."
Zhao Qing was stunned. The Prince Duan's residence was a mansion built to the standards of a prince, covering a vast area. Currently, the prince was the only master there. In terms of spacious courtyards, ten or eight could be furnished. The problem was, the prince's purpose couldn't be...
Zhao Qing asked cautiously, "Should we arrange it according to the prince's preferences?"
“I’m not staying here,” Chu Heng said.
Zhao Qing was now certain that this courtyard was for the future princess. He planned to stay far away from the princess even before the marriage was finalized, so whatever thoughts anyone might have had were doomed to fail.
Thinking about it, Zhao Qing sighed.
Chu Heng glanced at him and asked, "Father-in-law, do you have some past connection with the Lin family?"
Zhao Qing didn't understand for a moment: "This servant entered the palace at a young age and does not know the Lin family."
"Then why are you sighing?" Chu Heng handed him the note.
Zhao Qing then understood her master's meaning and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this servant is looking forward to the Princess Consort's arrival, so that things will be more lively in the future..."
"I don't like crowds." Chu Heng waved his hand, signaling him to leave.
Zhao Qing had to swallow his remaining words. A more lively atmosphere would make life seem more promising. The Prince's mansion was always cold and quiet, and one could see the end of one's life at a glance. That's why the Prince always lived like this, indifferent to life and death.
...
Early in the morning, Daiyu was practicing calligraphy by the window when birds chirped and chattered under the eaves. Yuanyang came over and handed a bird's nest to Zijuan, saying softly, "When Madam came to pay her respects, she said that Second Master Bao is much better. The old lady is afraid that if he sees Miss Lin, it will aggravate his old illness, so she doesn't allow him to come over for the time being. Please mention it to Miss Lin so that she won't feel bad about it again."
Zijuan also said softly, "Miss and Master Bao have grown up like siblings all these years, so it's inevitable that we'd worry about each other. Now that Master Bao is better, we're all relieved."
Yuanyang nodded, quite satisfied with her explanation.
The old lady knew all the gossip among the servants in the mansion. The Xue family's talk of a "golden and jade marriage" had become common knowledge in the mansion, so she let the rumors spread that Master Bao and Miss Lin had made a deal.
But such words must not be spoken now, as Miss Lin is already the Princess Consort of Duan, and if this gets into the ears of the royal family, it may cause trouble.
After seeing Yuanyang off, Zijuan instructed Xueyan to stew the bird's nest. Turning around, she saw the young lady tidying up paper and brushes, so she quickly went over to take them and told her what Yuanyang had said.
After hearing this, Daiyu nodded slightly, then seemed lost in thought.
Despite her hopes, over the past year or two, she has become increasingly aware that her second aunt would not allow her wishes to come true. However, when her hopes are truly shattered, she cannot simply let it go and will still feel heartbroken.
Daiyu coughed a few times, covering her mouth. Zijuan gently patted the girl's back. Before she could think of how to comfort her, she saw the girl frown and say, "Zijuan, I'm a little cold."
Although it was a bit chilly on a June morning, it was still summer, and the girl was not dressed lightly. Zijuan knew immediately that the girl was unwell again.
After reporting back to the old lady, I took the name card and invited the imperial physician to examine her. He said that there was nothing serious, just a slight chill, and that she would recover after taking two doses of medicine and resting for a few days.
Unexpectedly, news of Daiyu's illness reached the Empress Dowager's ears that day. She sent her preferred female physician to examine Daiyu and bestowed upon her a lot of medicinal herbs and tonics.
In no time, the news spread throughout the entire Jia family.
Grandmother Jia was naturally pleased. The day before yesterday, Daiyu went to the palace to express her gratitude, which can be considered as winning the favor of the Empress Dowager. Today, she was also cared for by the Empress Dowager and given face. This way, she looks like a proper daughter-in-law.
Despite her joy, Grandmother Jia still harbored a lingering regret. Just then, Lady Wang, taking advantage of Baoyu's recovery, wanted to arrange a marriage for him with a virtuous woman from a high-ranking family. Grandmother Jia was even more displeased, but she was worried about her second son's wife's judgment and still had to put on a brave face for her beloved grandson.
On the second branch of the family, Lady Wang's heart was entirely focused on her son. As long as she thought that Daiyu was ultimately inferior to her daughter, the Empress Dowager's reward was nothing to Lady Wang.
Aunt Zhao was green with envy. She had submitted the birth dates of both Tan Chun and Dai Yu, but why did they choose the Lin family's girl? What if her daughter became a princess...
Just as jealous as Aunt Zhao was Madam Xing from the first wife, but no matter how jealous they were, they could only utter a few sour remarks.
Daiyu is currently recuperating and not going out, so these gossips will not reach her ears for the time being.
However, the Empress Dowager heard everything clearly in Renshou Palace.
A note from the author:
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