“One moment it’s the Golden-Jade Match, the next they’ve settled on Miss Lin.” The Empress Dowager placed her teacup down and smiled meaningfully. “The Grand Madam of the Jia family truly dotes on her grandson.”
Shuangyun shook her head: “The Grand Madam only cares about competing with her daughter-in-law, yet she forgets that her granddaughter’s reputation is even more crucial. In this servant’s opinion, she is simply senile.”
The Empress Dowager sneered: “It doesn’t matter if she’s senile, but Aijia’s son’s wife cannot be changed. If she’s sensible, she won’t do anything foolish again.”
The Lin girl was the person Grand Master Ping Yi calculated could save her son. The Empress Dowager had people investigate in detail and confirmed that no one else was manipulating the matter; it was indeed fate.
Therefore, regardless of what the Jia family intended, and regardless of whether the Lin girl wanted or was willing, the Princess Consort of Duan had to be her, and her alone.
Shuangyun said: “No matter how muddled the Grand Madam of the Jia family is, she at least knows to value life. Even if she is old and doesn’t have many days left, the Jia family still has her children and grandchildren. In the future, she certainly wouldn’t dare to speak those unfounded words recklessly.”
The Empress Dowager said indifferently: “Hmm, and… how close exactly is that Lin girl to the young master of the Jia family who was born with a jade in his mouth?”
Shuangyun replied: “I heard that they often quarreled and reconciled a few years ago, making endless fuss. Over the past year or two, things have improved a lot. Moreover, Empress Dowager, observing the situation at the Jia residence, the Lin girl is quite sensible. As she grew older, such incidents stopped. However, since they live in the same garden, meetings are still unavoidable.”
The Empress Dowager nodded after hearing this: “She’s a girl of twelve or thirteen. When one’s heart awakens to romance, and there is only one such person around, a burgeoning affection is natural. None of these things matter. In the end, her eyes and heart can only hold Heng’er in the future.”
“By the way, don’t let Heng’er know about these things,” the Empress Dowager instructed. “He is already uninterested; bringing it up might cause trouble and make him feel unwell, which would be bad.”
Shuangyun quickly agreed and added: “In the end, it is the Grand Madam of the Jia family’s excessive indulgence of her grandchildren that led to these things. Empress Dowager, wouldn’t you say that while it was fine when he was a child, the young master of the Jia family is now a young man, and still mixing with the sisters’ group? It is truly disrespectful.”
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea: “It’s not just her. The decree that allowed that boy to live in the garden was issued from the Palace of Jade Splendor.”
The Palace of Jade Splendor was the residence of Imperial Consort Jia Yuan Chun. Although her rank was high, she did not receive much favor and was regarded as unremarkable by the Empress Dowager.
Shuangyun took the teacup from the Empress Dowager: “There isn’t much time left. Once the Princess Consort enters the gate next year, whatever happens in the Jia family will no longer concern her. Your Highness, please be at ease.”
The Empress Dowager frowned: “How can Aijia be at ease when my daughter-in-law is still in the Jia family for another day?”
Seeing her mistress’s worry, Shuangyun quickly thought. After a moment, she said: “Empress Dowager, the Princess Consort is not familiar with the rules of the Imperial Palace. Do you think we should send two teaching matrons over?”
This would not only teach her the rules but also allow them to observe the Princess Consort’s conduct—killing two birds with one stone.
The Empress Dowager slowly smoothed out her brow but had a different idea: “Aren’t I planning to take Heng’er to Longhua Temple to worship Buddha? When the time comes, I will summon the Lin girl to join us.”
Shuangyun was taken aback and quickly reminded her mistress: “Empress Dowager, this might be against protocol.”
“Protocol is important, but Heng’er is even more important,” the Empress Dowager leaned back on the cushion and slowly said, “The Grand Madam of the Jia family disregarded protocol first. For Heng’er’s sake, Aijia will just have to learn from her this one time.”
It’s nothing more than spending time together day and night to allow affection to grow over time, the Empress Dowager schemed. Chu Heng and Lin Daiyu’s birth signs were compatible; they were a match made in heaven. What was that Jia Baoyu!
The Grand Madam of the Jia family was senile for acting that way, but when addressing her own mistress, Shuangyun naturally had a different line of praise. She flattered: “Your Highness truly has the compassionate heart of a mother in this world. For the sake of the Prince, these minor details do not matter and should be disregarded.”
This struck a chord with the Empress Dowager. She smiled and nodded: “What mother doesn’t worry for her child?”
“As for the teaching matrons, you should select the people first,” the Empress Dowager added. “Don’t choose those who are pedantic, stubborn, and unreasonable, lest people think Aijia is a malicious mother-in-law who loves to be harsh on her daughter-in-law.”
Shuangyun curtsied: “This servant remembers.”
Over the years, Chu Heng had been ill many times, each time lingering for two or three months before recovering. This time, it only took half a month from waking up to being able to enter the palace to express his thanks.
Sitting in the carriage on the way to the palace, Chu Heng rested his chin on his hand and thought for a while. The physicians were the same, the medicine was still bitter. Could the old monk truly possess some skill?
The Empress Dowager had already decided to go to Longhua Temple to worship Buddha for half a month on the twenty-fifth. Regardless of whether the old monk was just putting on a show or had genuine talent, Chu Heng would have the time to test him.
Chu Heng first went to Haiyan Palace to pay his respects to the Emperor. Chief Eunuch Li Zhong was waiting on the covered walkway. Seeing him from afar, he quickly came forward to greet him, saying with a smile: “Your Highness is fully recovered! The Emperor heard Your Highness was entering the palace today and instructed this servant to wait early this morning.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Eunuch,” Chu Heng said with a smile.
Li Zhong bowed and smiled: “I wouldn’t dare. Please take your time, Your Highness.”
Upon entering and meeting the Emperor, before Chu Heng could salute, the Emperor said: “Fifth Brother, there’s no need for excessive courtesy, please sit.”
Chu Heng still bowed: “Greetings to my Imperial Brother.”
The Emperor smiled: “You’ve been like this since childhood. Li Zhong, quickly help the Prince sit down.”
“Thank you, Imperial Brother,” Chu Heng smiled. “But protocol cannot be abandoned. It is exactly as you taught me before, which I naturally dare not forget.”
The Emperor pointed at him and smiled: “Are you saying I was strict with you?”
Chu Heng cupped his hands and smiled: “This subject wouldn’t dare.”
“Cheeky boy, sit down, sit down,” the Emperor waved his hand and smiled helplessly. “You’ve only just recovered a little, yet you rush over here. Don’t tire yourself out again.”
Chu Heng smiled: “Please rest assured, Imperial Brother. I am completely well. I feel lighter now than at any time before.”
The Emperor nodded and smiled: “Good, Grand Master Ping Yi truly has vast supernatural powers. Your recovery this time is entirely due to his efforts. When you go to Longhua Temple to worship Buddha this time, Fifth Brother, you must sincerely thank the Buddha.”
Chu Heng was noncommittal about this, but he saw no need to argue with the Emperor, so he merely smiled and said: “I understand.”
After a few more minutes of small talk, the Emperor said: “Mother must be anxiously waiting. You should go over quickly.”
Chu Heng stood up respectfully: “This subject takes his leave.”
Everyone in the palace loves to act, and everyone must act.
The cordial brother and kind brother, the benevolent mother and filial son.
So boring.
Chu Heng leaned his chin on the palanquin railing, watching the perpetually unchanging scenery of the palace out of sheer boredom.
Arriving at the side hall of the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity, Chu Heng listened to the Empress Dowager’s long-winded expressions of care and concern, and patiently answered each one.
The Empress Dowager smiled: “Stay in the palace for lunch. I already said yesterday that the Emperor and Empress will also come over, bringing Jie’er and Rong’er.”
Chu Jie and Chu Rong were the Emperor and Empress’s son and daughter. Chu Jie was the eldest son, and Chu Rong was the eldest daughter.
Chu Heng could not refuse and could only smile: “Yes.”
Chu Heng wanted some time alone before lunch. He was about to offer the excuse he had fabricated when a palace maid entered and smiled: “Empress Dowager, Miss Lin requests an audience.”
Chu Heng was stunned, blinking in confusion. Miss Lin? Which Miss Lin? It couldn’t be the Miss Lin he was thinking of, could it?
The Empress Dowager smiled sweetly: “Invite her in.” As she spoke, she observed Chu Heng’s expression and indeed saw that he was finally no longer indifferent.
“About seven or eight days ago, Miss Lin fell ill. I sent Physician Song to examine her. This girl is well-mannered; as soon as she recovered, she rushed here to express her thanks,” the Empress Dowager pulled Chu Heng’s hand and said with a smile, “You are also like this. You two have similar temperaments and must have a lot to talk about.”
Chu Heng understood immediately. The Lin girl currently had no official title. For her to enter the palace, she had to first ask the Empress Dowager for permission. The fact that she happened to coincide with Chu Heng’s visit—it must be the Empress Dowager’s doing.
The Empress Dowager undoubtedly wanted Chu Heng and Miss Lin to “coincidentally” meet in the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity.
Chu Heng raised his eyes and smiled: “Since the grand wedding has not yet taken place, it is inconvenient for your son to meet Miss Lin. It might be better for me to avoid her.”
The Empress Dowager held his hand tightly and laughed: “It’s fine. Aijia is here. One meeting won’t hurt.”
Chu Heng actually wasn’t opposed to meeting the Lin girl. After all, they were already destined to be husband and wife, and this half month was enough for him to accept this fact.
Of course, Chu Heng’s intention not to be close to his Princess Consort remained unchanged.
Soon, a young lady in a striking red dress gracefully entered the hall. Chu Heng glanced over casually, yet failed to immediately shift his gaze.
That deceitful old monk did tell one truth: whether in terms of appearance or overall demeanor, the Lin girl looked… truly like an immortal who had accidentally fallen into the mortal world from the heavens.
Flitting like a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon.
If the Goddess of the Luo River truly existed, she might have such an appearance.
The Empress Dowager saw that his eyes were immediately fixed on Daiyu and chuckled softly, thinking that this step was indeed the right one. In all her years, she had never seen a young man who didn’t appreciate beauty. She would see if Heng’er could remain indifferent now.
Chu Heng was brought back to his senses by the chuckle. Annoyance flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly masked, and his gaze shifted away as if nothing had happened.
The hall was very quiet, so Daiyu also heard the Empress Dowager’s chuckle. She felt puzzled and walked with her head lowered, pondering.
“Greetings to the Empress Dowager.” Daiyu was about to perform the official state salute, but Shuangyun supported her.
“No need for excessive courtesy,” the Empress Dowager smiled. “Come, Miss Lin, meet Prince Duan.”
Daiyu’s body stiffened. So that’s it. She had requested to enter the palace to express thanks the day before yesterday, and the Empress Dowager allowed her to enter today, clearly to create this “coincidence.”
Even though she knew they would meet sooner or later, Daiyu couldn’t help but clutch her handkerchief tightly.
Looking down at the dark-colored hem of a robe, Daiyu curtsied: “Greetings to Your Highness.”
A moment later, a low, steady male voice said: “Dispense with the courtesy.”
The Empress Dowager granted Daiyu a seat, then smiled: “It so happens that Heng’er came to pay his respects today…”
While listening to the Empress Dowager’s redundant explanation, Daiyu subtly glanced at Prince Duan.
Perhaps due to his life of privilege, the Prince Duan, who was twenty years old, looked a few years younger, like a handsome young man. However, his eyes were too cold, making one reluctant to look at him for long.
Moreover, Daiyu looked toward the Empress Dowager. Prince Duan’s appearance resembled his mother’s. No wonder he was the most favored by the Empress Dowager.