All things considered, Daiyu believed that her gloom over the course of that short day and night had, in truth, little to do with Chu Heng. It was simply that she did not wish to reveal her real thoughts from the day before, so she had concocted a reason at random, which also gave her an opportunity to say certain things in advance.
As for Chu Heng’s apology gift, she absolutely could not accept it.
But Chu Heng was very earnest. He firmly believed that the fault lay with him, that he needed to offer Daiyu an apology, and he even promised that in the future he would never make decisions on her behalf.
The two went back and forth for quite some time. In the end, Daiyu truly could not argue him down and could only say, “Your Highness’s kindness is hard to refuse. I will choose one piece, but the Wang Youjun one is absolutely out of the question.”
An original work by Wang Youjun was not merely priceless—it was beyond price. Daiyu truly could not take it.
Seeing her resolute attitude, Chu Heng thought it over. Once she married into the princely residence, he could give her that piece then; surely she would not be so distant at that time.
Thus, Chu Heng nodded. “Very well. Choose another one, then.”
Zhao Qing led people to unfold the other scrolls for Daiyu to select from. Though they were also original works by masters of previous dynasties, with several being exceedingly rare, there were still one or two that would not shock people senseless.
Because of the earlier exchange, by the time Daiyu finished choosing, it was already getting late. She handed the case to the matron behind her and rose with Zijuan’s support. “Your Highness, I must return to change clothes, or I fear I’ll miss the evening recitation.”
Chu Heng took out his gold pocket watch and checked the time. “We do need to head back. Shall we go together?”
Daiyu smiled. “After you, Your Highness.”
Walking back at an unhurried pace, Daiyu thought of Prince Duan’s handwriting from yesterday, prompted by all those famous works they had seen today. Clearly, Prince Duan had considerable attainment in calligraphy.
“Does Your Highness practice calligraphy often?” Daiyu asked.
Chu Heng replied, “It’s been a habit for many years. Every night before sleeping, I write a few sheets; otherwise, I can’t fall asleep.”
Daiyu smiled. “No wonder Your Highness’s handwriting is so refined—it turns out you’ve put in great effort.”
Accustomed to seeing the works of masters, Chu Heng held himself in low regard and shook his head with a smile. “My writing is still far from good enough, but… thank you.”
Daiyu said seriously, “I’m not flattering you. Your Highness’s writing is indeed a bit inferior to the masters at present, but given time, you will surely develop your own distinct style.”
Chu Heng was surprised for a moment, then smiled solemnly. “Thank you. I’ll take that as a good omen.”
Returning this way, they reached Daiyu’s courtyard first. She entered with her maids and matrons, and the case was set down by Matron Zhou. Smiling, the matron said, “This servant doesn’t understand such things, but judging from today, the prince treats you well. With that, you’re bound to have great fortune ahead, miss. The Old Madam can also be completely at ease.”
Daiyu sat down on the arhat couch. Zijuan and Xueyan brought her the clothes and shoes she was to change into. She leaned back against the soft cushion, intending to rest for a moment first.
Hearing Matron Zhou’s last words, Daiyu smiled. “Nanny, sit down and rest as well. Our household has always had its rules. Nanny, don’t let such small matters disturb the Old Madam—it wouldn’t be good to make her worry.”
“Yes,” Matron Zhou answered at once. “Miss, rest assured. We’ve remembered this all these years.”
Daiyu nodded lightly. “Of course I trust you, Nanny. I just wanted to say it once more.”
The four matrons by Daiyu’s side had all been assigned to her by Grandmother Jia when she first entered the Jia household. Over the years, they had taught the young lady, and the young lady had in turn set rules for them.
From the senior and junior maids to the matrons inside and out, everyone around Daiyu had always been managed in good order by her, with hardly any incidents.
After resting and changing clothes, Daiyu went out together with Chu Heng to the Empress Dowager’s courtyard in front, just in time to run into Yongkang.
Yongkang saluted unwillingly. “Fifth Brother.” Turning to Daiyu, however, she broke into a bright smile. “Sister Lin.”
Daiyu smiled and returned the greeting. “Your Highness.”
Chu Heng smiled without speaking. He and Daiyu had been walking side by side, but Yongkang insisted on squeezing in, forcibly wedging herself between them and linking arms with Daiyu.
Worried she might be jostled and lose her footing, Chu Heng had no choice but to step aside, teasing, “Yongkang, have you gained weight?”
“I’ve been eating vegetarian fare these past few days—I’ve already wasted away to skin and bones!” Yongkang protested. “Fifth Brother, if you have eye trouble, call the imperial physician. Don’t avoid treatment!”
These words sounded familiar. Daiyu thought about it, recalled an earlier incident, and nodded inwardly. Princess Yongkang had even added a bit more flair—clearly she had practiced.
Chu Heng laughed. “If you weren’t fat, such a wide path wouldn’t be too narrow for you. You had to come over and squeeze me.”
Yongkang stuck out her tongue and laughed. “Then you’re the one who’s fat! Sister Lin…” She tilted her head and blinked her big eyes at Daiyu. “Tell me—has Fifth Brother gotten fat?”
Daiyu had no desire to be dragged into the siblings’ skirmish. Hearing this, she rubbed her forehead and narrowed her eyes. “The sun is rather strong right now. Your Highness, Princess, let’s walk in the shade.”
Seeing that Daiyu wasn’t helping her, Yongkang wrinkled her nose. “Hmph, Sister Lin—starting today, I’m going to call you Fifth Sister-in-law!”
That left Daiyu with no easy reply.
Chu Heng slapped Yongkang lightly on the back of the head. “If you don’t rein in that mouth of yours, Mother will punish you with copying the Book of Rites and the Classic of Filial Piety again.”
“You’re not allowed to tattle!” Yongkang shouted at once.
Chu Heng said sternly, “Learn to speak properly first, and I won’t tattle on you.”
Yongkang stamped her foot, sullen. “I know!”
Chu Heng then said to Daiyu, “If she speaks and acts without restraint again, Miss Lin, just tell me and I’ll discipline her.”
Yongkang hurriedly grabbed Daiyu’s sleeve. Without thinking, Daiyu said, “Your Highness is being a bit too strict with the princess. She’s always been innocent and lovable—and besides, it’s not in front of outsiders.”
“Exactly, exactly!” Yongkang chimed in at once. “Sister Lin isn’t an outsider.”
Chu Heng shot her a glare. “The matrons need to teach you proper conduct again.”
The siblings went back and forth again. Daiyu quietly pressed a hand to her chest; the heartbeat that had momentarily gone awry returned to normal, as if it had all been her imagination.
…
The next day, when they went to the river again, Daiyu’s mood brightened once more. She brought along a chessboard, intending to invite Prince Duan to play a game.
She did not wish to bring up the matters of the previous two days again. But having accepted Prince Duan’s painting, she felt she ought to offer something in return. After some thought, since Prince Duan had nothing to do anyway, it would be good for Daiyu to find something for them to do together to pass the time.
However, when faced with the chessboard, Chu Heng revealed an expression that was hard to describe.
Born a prince, he had received the finest education. Even though he had often slacked off in his youth, everything he was supposed to learn, he had learned.
But learning something was one matter; the level one reached was another.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the game was over. Daiyu cleared her throat, wanting to say something, yet afraid of not giving Prince Duan face. But if she were to give him face, she truly could not think of how.
Prince Duan’s calligraphy and his chess—one was in the heavens, the other on the ground.
Chu Heng spoke first. “Miss Lin’s chess skills are superb.”
Daiyu: “……”
If he praised her calligraphy, she would feel pleased. But chess…
She truly felt no joy at all.
Daiyu smiled and asked tactfully, “Your Highness… you don’t play chess with others very often, do you?”
Chu Heng knew his own level well. He lowered his eyes and gathered the black and white pieces from the board, replying, “When I was young, the tutor taught me, and I often played with others. Later on, it gradually became less frequent.”
“I have a set of jade chess pieces,” Chu Heng looked up and blinked at her. “When we return to the capital, I’ll have them sent to you. Consider it compensation for Miss Lin—after all, even Eunuch Zhao can’t be bothered to play chess with me. That shows how tormenting it is to play against me.”
Daiyu instantly felt awkward, yet could not help finding it a little funny. At this moment, if she looked at Chu Heng, she would surely laugh out loud. To avoid further embarrassment, she glanced at Zhao Qing and found him looking down at the ground, as if he had heard nothing at all.
Daiyu cleared her throat and smiled. “Your Highness has already given me calligraphy and now chess pieces, yet I have no suitable gift in return. It really puts me in a difficult position.”
“Hm…” Chu Heng thought for a moment, then said teasingly, “Miss Lin, why not give me that Gu master’s calligraphy—the one the Empress Dowager bestowed on you? I fear only that you’d be unwilling to part with it.”
Hearing that he was joking, Daiyu smiled and replied, “If Your Highness wants it—”
Chu Heng hurriedly stopped her. “No, no, no—don’t say it. If you say it, I’ll truly be tempted, Miss Lin. By then, it’ll be too late for regrets.”
Daiyu couldn’t help but laugh softly.
After laughing together for a bit, Chu Heng asked with a grin, “Miss Lin, shall we play another round?”
Daiyu quickly shook her head. “Rather than chess, we might as well go fishing.”
She had said it casually, but to her surprise, Chu Heng actually had Zhao Qing bring over fishing gear. Fragrant herbs were burned by the river to ward off insects. The two of them each took a fishing rod and sat by the river to fish.
It was quite enjoyable.
Daiyu gazed at the calm surface of the water, occasionally glancing at Chu Heng. He was rarely so focused, not drifting off, but staring intently at the water.
After a long while, no fish took the bait, and it was nearly time for the evening recitation.
Chu Heng couldn’t help sighing, “Today passed really quickly.”
Daiyu felt the same and nodded. The two agreed to come back to fish again the next day.
After the evening recitation, they accompanied the Empress Dowager for supper. Later, during casual conversation, the Empress Dowager mentioned that the next day the Emperor would send the eldest prince and the second prince to pay respects on his behalf, and they would stay to serve the Empress Dowager until the twelfth day, after which they would return to the palace with her.
On the way back, Yongkang whispered to Daiyu, “The imperial brother favors Tuo’er more, but Mother prefers Jie’er. Once those two arrive, our peaceful days will be over.”
The former Daiyu had heard Yongkang mention before; the latter she was hearing for the first time.
No matter how harmonious the imperial family appeared on the surface, undercurrents still ran beneath.
Daiyu gently comforted Yongkang with a few words. After Yongkang left, Chu Heng said, “Don’t listen to that girl—she’s foolish.”
Daiyu was puzzled. “What does Your Highness mean?”
Chu Heng stepped a couple of paces closer to Daiyu, bent slightly, and lowered his voice. “The Empress Dowager doesn’t actually favor the eldest prince more. She’s competing with His Majesty.”
“What?” Daiyu exclaimed softly in surprise.
Chu Heng made a silencing gesture. “For us, none of this matters. Whether it’s the eldest prince or the second prince, we must steer clear of them.”
No matter how the princes fought among themselves, all they needed to do was keep out of trouble.
Daiyu nodded.