It had been less than five days since their first meeting, and they had met only twice. Daiyu and Chu Heng could be said to be complete strangers.
Yet between them was an unavoidable engagement, with the wedding date already set, and above them loomed the Empress Dowager, watching like a hawk. They were thus destined not to remain strangers.
The Empress Dowager’s sudden action had been both bewildering and infuriating, but it also reminded Chu Heng that if they were to perform harmony and affection, then the next time something like this happened, what they showed could not be mere stiffness—it also had to include emotions such as shyness.
Naturally, the closeness they displayed could not be limited to simply being in the same place. The distance between them when they interacted could not always be the distance strangers kept.
Daiyu took two steps back and stammered, “Th-this… this is not necessary, Your Highness… it is not in keeping with propriety.”
Chu Heng blinked. He lowered his head and looked at the back of his hand. He was merely asking Miss Lin to rest her hand on his wrist through her sleeve—was that really so excessive?
Chu Heng was not a gentleman, but before marriage, he would still observe the necessary proprieties.
Let emotion arise, but stop at ritual—although there was no emotion between him and Miss Lin, the principle was correct.
As for after the wedding…
Chu Heng could not help lifting his eyes to look at Daiyu’s fair, jade-like face, and suddenly felt his hands, palms, and even his face and neck grow hot.
This was too improper. He hurriedly averted his gaze.
Daiyu had also noticed Chu Heng’s hand. Seeing the few fingers that had suddenly turned rosy through pale skin, she realized, a beat too late, what Prince Duan meant.
Daiyu: “……”
She nearly wanted to sink into the ground, and yet also found it absurdly funny.
She was the one who had misunderstood, and she felt embarrassed—so what was Prince Duan doing now?
Could it be that he was embarrassed on her behalf?
Daiyu thought to herself that, in that case, he was actually rather nice.
There was truly no way for Chu Heng to keep standing face to face with Daiyu here. He gave a light cough and said, “Let’s… head back.”
“…Mm.” Daiyu lowered her head and responded. Seeing that Chu Heng still had not withdrawn his hand, she hesitated for a moment, then finally rested her hand on his wrist.
Chu Heng had thought Daiyu unwilling to agree to this way of closing the distance. He had merely forgotten to withdraw his hand while lost in his own thoughts. He had not expected that in the end, his goal would still be achieved.
At first, Chu Heng had done this simply to show others that Prince Duan and his fiancée got along very well.
Now, because of those earlier thoughts, his action seemed to take on a different flavor—
—at least, in Chu Heng’s heart, it gained an unusual meaning.
When the Empress Dowager had clasped their hands together, it had been skin against skin, yet Chu Heng had only felt torment, unable to sense the owner of the other hand at all.
Now, separated by a sleeve, Chu Heng instead felt Daiyu.
Reaching Chu Heng’s courtyard first, Daiyu withdrew her hand. “Your Highness, please go first.”
Chu Heng moved his wrist slightly and replied softly, “Mm.”
Zhao Qing and the others respectfully saluted Daiyu before following their master inside. Hot water was prepared, and Zhao Qing attended to Chu Heng as he washed his hands and face.
Chu Heng rubbed the towel and thought that getting along with Miss Lin was actually… not bad. Daily interactions would not be unbearable.
Meanwhile, Daiyu went into her room and sat down. She clenched the hand she had rested on Chu Heng’s wrist. There was no choice—she would have to adapt slowly.
Fortunately, she had formed an alliance with Prince Duan. In the future, many matters would be more convenient.
“Zijuan, pour me some tea,” Daiyu instructed. But she saw Zijuan looking at her with a strange, questioning expression.
Daiyu asked, “What is it?”
As she poured the tea, Zijuan smiled. “I was just wondering what sort of agreement you and Prince Duan have made.”
When Daiyu and Prince Duan made their agreement, only the two of them were in the carriage. The driver and Zhao Qing could hear from outside, but aside from that, no one else knew.
From what she had heard today between Daiyu and Prince Duan, those around her would naturally be curious. Daiyu had no intention of explaining. She merely smiled and said, “In any case, it’s not a bad thing.”
It was not that Daiyu did not trust Zijuan. Rather, an alliance with Prince Duan to deal with the Empress Dowager was something that would likely frighten her if she knew.
Moreover, matters succeed through secrecy; the fewer who knew of this, the better.
Daiyu took a sip of tea and added, “It’s not that I’m hiding it from you. There’s no one on Prince Duan’s side who knows either.”
Zijuan looked worried. “Prince Duan’s status is exalted. Miss, you must be very careful.”
Daiyu handed her the teacup and smiled reassuringly. “I know what I’m doing.”
From the first time she entered the palace to thank the Empress Dowager, Daiyu had begun preparing herself to face all of this.
Now, she had merely taken the first step.
…
At lunchtime, a female official came to convey the Empress Dowager’s instructions, telling them to remain in their respective residences to dine. Daiyu was happy for the peace and quietly ate a vegetarian meal alone.
The Jia household had a habit of resting at midday in summer. Although Daiyu did not need much sleep, after so many years in the Jia household, she had inevitably developed the habit of lying on a cool couch in the afternoon.
The mountain air was cool. Daiyu stopped Zijuan from fanning her. “You should rest as well. We’re going out in the afternoon, and in the evening we still have to accompany the Empress Dowager in chanting sutras.”
The monks of Longhua Temple had morning and evening lessons, and the Empress Dowager’s chanting also took place at those times. Of course, she would not mix with the monks in the main hall, but had her own private Buddha hall.
Zijuan smiled. “I’ve long heard of those summer villas for escaping the heat. I used to wonder how one escaped the heat. Now that we’re here, I finally know—up in the mountains it’s so cool, even more refreshing than using ice at home.”
Daiyu suddenly recalled something her mother had mentioned when she was young. As a child, she had once followed her parents and brothers to her family’s summer villa. But since coming to the Jia household, she had never heard of such a place again.
The Jia family was long past its former glory, yet still struggled to maintain the façade of a ducal house. The men outside cared only about pomp and indulgence, about feasting and pleasure.
Daiyu could not help but sigh. The Jia family had lost far more than just that one villa.
“Miss…” A little maid hurried in and reported from behind the curtain, “Princess Yongkang has arrived at the gate.”
Daiyu was startled. She put aside her thoughts, quickly rose with Zijuan’s help, straightened her clothes briefly, and went out to greet her.
Interaction with Princess Yongkang was unavoidable, and Daiyu had long prepared herself. Though sudden, it did not throw her into disarray.
“Greetings, Princess,” Daiyu went forward and curtsied.
Yongkang returned the salute with a smile. “You are my sister-in-law. It should be I who greets you.”
“The wedding has not yet taken place. I dare not receive the princess’s courtesy,” Daiyu said with a gentle smile.
Yongkang tilted her head and looked at Daiyu for a while, then smiled. “Miss Lin, you’re really nice. Can I play with you?”
Daiyu smiled. “I am delighted by Your Highness’s favor. Why don’t we go inside and sit?”
Yongkang grew even happier. “All right. Miss Lin… hmm, I’ll call you Sister Lin.”
“As the princess wishes,” Daiyu said, leading the way, her face wearing a warm smile.
After sitting down inside, Daiyu instructed someone to pour tea and then asked Yongkang, “What tea does the princess usually drink? I’m afraid I may not have it here, and you may have to make do.”
“It’s no trouble. I’ll drink anything,” Yongkang said, staring at Daiyu with curiosity. “Sister Lin, what tea do you usually drink?”
“I’m not particular either,” Daiyu replied with a smile. “To be honest with the princess, my health has never been very good. The physician advised me to drink less tea.”
Yongkang’s eyes widened slightly. “You too… oh, then you’re just like my Fifth Brother. The imperial physicians also won’t let him drink tea.”
When they first met at Renshou Palace, Shuangyun by the Empress Dowager’s side had mentioned that Prince Duan did not drink tea. Daiyu had not expected this to be the reason.
When Daiyu was young and with her parents, her father had repeatedly reminded her that after meals, she must wait a while before drinking tea, so as not to harm her digestion. Later, after arriving at the Jia household, she had no choice but to follow their rules and abandon her father’s advice.
Zijuan brought the tea over. Daiyu set aside her melancholy thoughts, took it, and handed it to Yongkang.
She then heard Yongkang say again, “Then you really are a match made in heaven. I thought Mother and Imperial Brother were talking nonsense.”
Daiyu: “……”
After these few encounters, Daiyu discovered that Princess Yongkang was truly… a wonderfully straightforward person.
Daiyu smiled faintly. “Princess, please have some tea.”
Yongkang took the cup, tasted it, and said, “This is this year’s tribute tea.”
“It was bestowed by the Empress Dowager a few days ago,” Daiyu said, taking a small sip and setting her cup back on the table. She smiled at Yongkang and added, “Although the princess and I have met several times, we have spoken little. I wonder how old the princess is?”
Yongkang lifted her chin and smiled. “I’m thirteen. Don’t let my age fool you—I even have two younger sisters!”
The late emperor had many children. The youngest princess was only seven this year, and the late emperor had passed away three years ago.
Grandmother Jia had told Daiyu about the affairs of the imperial clan, but…
Looking at Yongkang’s bright, sparkling eyes, Daiyu thought—this did not count as lying to a child; she was simply teasing one.
Daiyu smiled. “I’m fifteen. The princess should know that.”
“I know, I know. Mother has been talking about it in the palace for ages. I know lots about you,” Yongkang nodded, then added, “But Sister Lin, do you not know much about what goes on in the palace?”
Daiyu lowered her eyes and smiled. “I’m ashamed. I’ve lived within the inner quarters for a long time and have seen little of the world. I fear I’ll be a laughingstock to the princess.”
Hearing this, Yongkang sighed. “Then you’ll laugh at me too. Aside from palace matters, I know nothing at all about what goes on outside.”
After pondering for a moment, Daiyu said, “When I was young, I once traveled by boat from Yangzhou to the capital. Though it was winter, I did see some local customs along the way. If the princess does not mind, I would be happy to tell you about them.”
“Yes, yes!” Yongkang laughed happily. “Hmm… then I’ll only tell you about palace matters in exchange. They’re very boring, so don’t mind them.”
Daiyu curved her brows and eyes in a smile. “Then… shall the princess speak first, or shall I?”
Yongkang hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’ll go first!”
An hour later, Chu Heng sent someone to summon Daiyu. During that time, Daiyu had learned more detailed information about the imperial family from Yongkang than what Grandmother Jia had told her.
The emperor favored the second prince more than the legitimate eldest prince—Grandmother Jia did not know the inside story.
As for the fact that the Empress Dowager was not the late emperor’s first wife, but had been established after the former empress fell ill and died, Yongkang did not mention it.
Hearing that Chu Heng had sent someone to call for Daiyu, Yongkang suddenly leaned close to her. “Sister Lin, you and I have talked so well together. Are we friends now?”
Daiyu nodded with a smile. “Naturally.”
Yongkang smiled. “That’s good! Sister Lin, since you’re close with me, if I suffer at Fifth Brother’s hands in the future, you have to help me!”
Daiyu laughed. So this was what she had been waiting for all along!
“All right, I’ll definitely help the princess,” Daiyu said with a smile.