In the Duke of Rong’s Residence.
Daiyu was lost in thought when she saw Zijuan smiling and ushering in the three Jia sisters, Xue Baochai, and others. This was the first time Daiyu had seen them since the imperial decree of marriage.
Jia Tanchun spoke first with a smile: “Grandmother said you couldn’t leave in this hot weather, so she sent us to keep you company and help you pass the time.”
Daiyu stood up, invited them to sit, and managed a smile: “Thank you. You must be quite warm coming over from the garden. Zijuan, please pour some tea.”
“We certainly want to try the Princess’s good tea… Just now, I was telling Sister Bao that two years ago, when Baoyu had his birthday, we drew flower slips for fun. Elder Sister-in-Law [Wang Xifeng] even said you wouldn’t marry a distinguished husband. Who would have thought that today, the words ‘Princess’ would come true for you, only…” At this, Shi Xiangyun lowered her eyes and said, “It’s a pity for Second Brother.”
Daiyu’s face changed, unable to force out even a trace of a smile.
Baoyu had fallen ill the day the marriage was decreed. Although a physician was immediately summoned and he had taken several doses of medicine and was gradually recovering, given his temperament, there was no telling if he would cause other troubles later.
The comment was utterly ill-timed and implicated Daiyu. Xue Baochai quickly tugged on Xiangyun’s sleeve and smiled as if nothing happened: “Didn’t Sister Feng [Wang Xifeng] say she gave you some kind of tea the other day? Is that the one you’re pouring?”
Daiyu gripped her sleeve, struggling to steady her voice: “It’s Pu’er.”
Shi Xiangyun pouted, but out of respect for her Sister Bao, she finally kept silent. Yet, in her heart, she still felt injustice for Second Brother.
An imperial decree was difficult to defy, but how could one be so hard-hearted as to refuse even a single meeting?
Just then, Zijuan arrived with a few young maids carrying the tea. Jia Tanchun took the opportunity to change the subject, letting this matter drop.
It was only after seeing everyone off that Daiyu slowly sighed.
Zijuan came over to comfort her: “Miss, Miss Shi has always been straightforward. Please don’t take her words to heart.”
Zijuan had once tried her best to bring about a match between her mistress and Second Master Bao, but circumstances had changed. Bringing up the matter now would only make her mistress sad, so it was best left unsaid.
Daiyu whispered: “You heard it too.”
Zijuan said: “The curtain is thin in the summer, and I had just stepped out, so yes, I heard it clearly.”
“She wasn’t wrong,” Daiyu said forlornly. “I truly am going to be a princess.”
Zijuan was distressed to hear this: “Miss, regardless… If Prince Duan is well, you will also be well, and only then can you plan for the future.”
Daiyu had a secret worry she couldn’t share with anyone, but fate had played tricks on her, and now it was all but a mirage.
Planning for the future sounded easy, but the hurdle in her heart was not one that could be easily overcome.
Moreover, although Daiyu truly had a desire to live, many things were not within her control.
Even though Prince Duan was better now, Daiyu was marrying him under the pretext of ‘bringing good fortune’ or ‘averting disaster’ (Chongxi). If, in the future, Prince Duan were to have the slightest relapse, the Empress Dowager would inevitably lay the blame on her.
The Empress Dowager…
Daiyu frowned in thought for a moment. Yes, the most crucial person now was the Empress Dowager.
In Grandmother Jia’s main chamber, the old lady was looking through an account book. Yuanyang stood behind her, massaging her shoulders, with the contents of the book fully visible to her.
As the head maid in charge of the Old Ancestor’s private treasury, Yuanyang was not very familiar with this particular account book, as it contained the inheritance left by the late Governor Lin to Miss Lin. It was temporarily kept by the old lady, and aside from a portion for Miss Lin’s daily expenses, the rest would be used as her dowry later on.
However, there was one thing Yuanyang knew: when the Provincial Visit Villa was being built a few years ago, the old lady had secretly used some of the money from this account without Miss Lin’s knowledge.
The Duke of Rong’s Residence was now deeply in debt, and it would likely be difficult to replace the silver. As Yuanyang pondered this, she suddenly heard Grandmother Jia instructing: “Yuanyang, I have two amber bracelets. Go find them and add them to Miss Lin’s account.”
Yuanyang acknowledged the order and then reminded her: “Old Madam, you still have to give Miss Lin a wedding gift when she leaves.”
It was necessary to replace the funds, but they couldn’t forget the gift, or the old lady would lose face.
Grandmother Jia nodded with a strained expression. Her granddaughter had narrowly escaped a life-or-death situation, and the thought of her marrying someone else made the old lady feel very uncomfortable.
If only she hadn’t delayed all these years. Regardless of what her second daughter-in-law [Wang Furen] thought, if she had settled the marriage between her two ‘Yus’ [Baoyu and Daiyu] earlier, how could things have come to this?
However… Grandmother Jia had always thought that setting aside whether she could force the marriage to happen, simply having a mother-in-law’s hatred would make Daiyu’s future life difficult, and Baoyu would be caught in the middle. Thus, she could never bring herself to act decisively. Who could have known at the time that the Imperial Family would interfere!
“Old Madam…” Yuanyang soon returned, empty-handed. “Miss Lin has arrived.”
Grandmother Jia quickly closed the account book. Just as she placed it under the soft pillow, Daiyu had turned around the screen and curtsied: “Grandmother.”
“Come here, Yu’er,” Grandmother Jia said, smiling as she took her hand. “The sun is still fierce. Why did you come over?”
Daiyu sat down, leaning against her grandmother, and slowly said: “I came through the covered walkway, so I wasn’t exposed to the sun much. I have something to ask of you, Grandmother, and dared not delay.”
Grandmother Jia embraced her and asked: “What is it? I will instruct people to take care of it.”
Daiyu said: “First, there was the Emperor’s decree of marriage. Yesterday, the Emperor and Empress Dowager bestowed those gifts. By custom, I should go to the palace to express my thanks, but no message has come from the palace. I have no access, so I can only ask Grandmother to request an audience with the Empress Dowager on my behalf.”
As the wife of a Duke and a First-Rank Lady, Grandmother Jia had the qualification to request an audience with the Empress Dowager and the imperial consorts.
Hearing Daiyu’s words, Grandmother Jia couldn’t help but release her hand and scrutinize her closely. The frail girl’s eyes were bright, showing a hint of determination.
Grandmother Jia knew that though Daiyu appeared to be a weak, delicate young lady, she possessed scholarship, capability, and shrewdness, surpassing all of the Jia family’s daughters-in-law and young ladies.
Grandmother Jia had never intended to send Daiyu to attach herself to the Imperial Family. However, through a series of accidents, and with no way to turn back, the old lady had to consider many things, both for the Jia family and for Daiyu.
Yuan Chun was not favored in the palace, and Prince Duan was the person the Empress Dowager and the Emperor held dear in their hearts.
Daiyu whispered: “The die is cast, Grandmother. We shouldn’t fail in our courtesy.”
But perhaps Daiyu does not yet have that intention… Grandmother Jia frowned, then quickly relaxed. That was normal, after all. She was still an unmarried girl who hadn’t gone through major events.
Grandmother Jia thought, she could slowly guide her later.
“Yu’er is a good child,” Grandmother Jia said, stroking Daiyu’s cheek. “Tomorrow, I will request an audience with the Empress Dowager at the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity.”
Daiyu’s heart skipped a beat. She no longer had true immediate family, and in public and private matters, the interests of the Jia family and hers were not at odds.
Daiyu lowered her head and said: “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Two days later.
Of the Empress Dowager’s two daughters, the elder, Princess Hejia, was around the same age as the Emperor and had been married for many years. The younger, Princess Yongkang, was only thirteen and her marriage had not yet been settled.
At this moment, they were visiting Prince Duan’s residence to inquire about his health.
Chu Heng was newly recovered from a serious illness. Princess Hejia saw that her younger brother was indeed getting better and did not want to disturb his recovery, so she prepared to leave, but Princess Yongkang sat motionless on the stool.
“Man’er,” Princess Hejia called her younger sister by her childhood name, frowning. “It’s fine when you tease your fifth brother normally, but he is sick now, and you must not be mischievous.”
Princess Yongkang smiled brightly and said: “Who says I’m being mischievous? Fifth Sister, you forgot something.”
Chu Heng asked: “What else do you have to say?”
Princess Yongkang smiled sweetly: “Fifth Brother, your Princess Consort requested an audience with Mother yesterday, saying she wanted to enter the palace to express thanks. Today, Mother summoned her to the palace. I think the wedding date will be set soon.”
“Congratulations, Fifth Brother.”
Chu Heng had never brought up the matter of marriage and had refused the Empress Dowager several times. This time, because of the Master’s reputation, the Emperor issued an imperial decree. Chu Heng could not avoid it and had to comply, but it might not be what he wanted.
The word ‘congratulations’ might not sound particularly joyful to Chu Heng’s ears.
Princess Hejia shook her head upon hearing this. Her younger brother and youngest sister always bickered when they were together, which was truly exasperating.
Chu Heng also smiled sweetly: “Thank you for your concern. If you are truly envious, you should marry one too.”
“Marry what! I’m going to marry out… Bah! Who wants to marry!” Princess Yongkang said angrily.
Chu Heng spread his hands: “I wish you a speedy fulfillment of your wish.”
Princess Yongkang stomped her foot in annoyance: “Wish for what! You should be the one whose wish is fulfilled! Fifth Brother, wait until I return to the palace and tell Mother. I guarantee your wedding date will be set very soon! I’ll make sure you marry your Princess Consort quickly!”
“Fifth Sister, you heard everything. Don’t forget to tell the Emperor and Mother that Yongkang is eager to marry and that they should select a consort for her soon,” Chu Heng leaned back on the soft pillow, giving a lazy yawn.
“You…” Princess Yongkang had only just begun her retort when someone grabbed her arm.
Fearing that the argument would become endless, Princess Hejia said sternly: “Man’er, if you say another word, I won’t bring you out of the palace next time. It’s getting late, I’ll escort you back.”
Princess Yongkang angrily shook off her sixth sister’s hand and stomped away resentfully: “Go back, then go back! I knew you all favor him!”
Princess Hejia said helplessly: “You clearly started it first. How am I favoring him now? What do you mean ‘you all’? Who else is here?”
Princess Yongkang ignored her and walked away, stomping her feet forcefully. Princess Hejia gestured to Chu Heng and slowly left, supported by a maid.
Zhao Qing came over to help Chu Heng lie down, looking somewhat hesitant: “Your Highness…”
“Speak,” Chu Heng said.
Zhao Qing hurriedly said: “Your Highness, regarding the wedding date, should you ask the Empress Dowager about it?”
Chu Heng lifted his hand to pull the brocade quilt up to his neck, his eyes half-closed: “The wedding date is for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to decide. The Court of the Imperial Clan Affairs will act upon their orders. I don’t need to say anything.”
“Understood,” Zhao Qing replied glumly.
Alas, even if he marries a Princess Consort, if His Highness doesn’t care, nothing will truly change.
With the imperial decree preceding them, Grandmother Jia first took Daiyu to pay respects to the Emperor and express gratitude for his profound grace. After receiving the salute, the Emperor praised the Old Madam of the Duke of Rong’s Residence for her excellent instruction, granted them gifts, and then allowed them to proceed to the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager, seated in her high position, coldly observed the young lady performing the salute below. She had a beautiful appearance, perfect etiquette, and an elegant demeanor, even surpassing the young lady from the Duke’s Residence of yesteryear.
Without waiting for a summons, Miss Lin had voluntarily indicated her intention to enter the palace to express her thanks, which also greatly pleased the Empress Dowager.
However, she looked a little too frail. The Empress Dowager secretly wondered, if she marries such a Princess Consort, will she be able to serve Chu Heng well in the future?
But only this girl could make Chu Heng better. Thinking of the report from the eunuch of Prince Duan’s residence just now—that Chu Heng had gained some spirit and could eat better these two days—the Empress Dowager tossed that small doubt aside.
As long as Chu Heng could get well, nothing else mattered.
Just then, Daiyu finished her salute, and the Empress Dowager smiled: “Shuangyun, quickly help Miss Lin sit down.”
Daiyu curtsied: “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
Grandmother Jia secretly observed the changes in the Empress Dowager’s expression and felt relieved. She smiled: “The Empress Dowager is too kind to Miss Lin.”
“She is Aijia’s daughter-in-law…” the Empress Dowager smiled. “I forgot to ask, what is Miss Lin’s given name?”
Daiyu stood up and replied: “My childhood name is Daiyu.”
The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled: “A good name. It is very suitable for Heng’er.”
Grandmother Jia felt a little uncomfortable hearing this but still maintained a smile.
Daiyu lowered her head and said: “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
She looked like she was shy and dared not look up, but her face remained clear, though a ripple of emotion had crossed her eyes.
Prince Duan, Chu Heng. Yesterday, Daiyu had heard some things about him from her grandmother.
Chu Heng was twenty years old, had been sickly since childhood, and rarely appeared in public even when he was a prince. After leaving the palace to establish his residence, he rarely interacted with others. Very few people in the capital had ever seen him.
More than ten years ago, when Chu Heng was three or four years old, Grandmother Jia had seen him twice and vaguely recalled him as a bright and lively child. As for what he was like now, Grandmother Jia was not entirely sure.