After explaining the reasons, the Empress Dowager said: “It’s a bit warm today. I’m going to change. You two talk here for a while.”
With that, the Empress Dowager took Shuangyun’s arm and left the side hall, leaving only a few palace maids to attend.
Chu Heng and Daiyu stood up to respectfully see the Empress Dowager off, neither speaking another word.
Since the Empress Dowager had made up her mind, and they were under her roof, they had to yield. More words were useless.
Both Chu Heng and Daiyu thought this.
Daiyu pondered for a moment, then spoke first: “Has Your Highness fully recovered?”
Chu Heng nodded almost imperceptibly, replying concisely: “Yes, I am well.”
Daiyu felt she had completed the Empress Dowager’s expectation. Given a young lady’s reserve, she felt it inappropriate to say more. It was now Prince Duan’s turn to find something to talk about.
Of course, if Prince Duan had no intention of speaking, she would also find that excellent.
It would be best if Prince Duan remained this silent for the rest of his life.
Chu Heng had no intention of speaking. Since they were destined to be husband and wife, they might as well get used to it starting today.
It would be best if their relationship remained this polite and distant for the rest of their lives.
And so, Chu Heng and Daiyu sat in silence. One lowered her eyes, examining the pattern on her skirt, and the other fiddled with the tassel on his jade pendant.
The hall fell into silence.
The tranquility was broken by Shuangyun’s sudden return. She led several maids carrying refreshments and tea, personally setting each one down. She smiled and said: “The Empress Dowager is speaking with Princess Yongkang and will be delayed for a while. Fearing Your Highness and Miss Lin might be bored, she asked this servant to bring some new pastries from the Imperial Kitchen for you two to sample.”
Chu Heng and Daiyu rose to thank the Empress Dowager, both wearing appropriate smiles. Their movements were so surprisingly synchronized that Shuangyun was taken aback.
Shuangyun thought: Judging from this point alone, the Empress Dowager doesn’t need to worry too much. The Prince and Miss Lin are truly a perfect match, of one heart and mind.
If only their “tacit understanding” was not the kind the Empress Dowager expected.
Shuangyun continued to smile: “Your Highness never drinks tea, so this servant had someone prepare honey water and flower dew, which are your favorite flavors. As I don’t know what tea Miss Lin prefers, I brewed two cups of the new tribute tea for you to try.”
The two thanked her in unison again. Shuangyun cleared her throat, her smile growing brighter: “The Empress Dowager recently acquired a piece of calligraphy by the great Master Gu from the previous dynasty. She would like Your Highness and Miss Lin to examine it.”
Chu Heng and Daiyu smiled politely, both thinking the same thought: When will this act by the Empress Dowager finally end?
Shuangyun curtsied and smiled: “This servant does not understand these things. Please allow me to take my leave first to attend to the Empress Dowager.”
Daiyu smiled faintly: “We dare not delay you, Auntie.”
Chu Heng said with a slight, knowing smile: “Take care, Auntie.”
Watching Shuangyun leave, Chu Heng and Daiyu retracted their gaze. They accidentally met each other’s eyes, paused, and then quickly looked away.
Although it lasted only an instant, both Chu Heng and Daiyu understood the other’s feelings at that moment.
How annoying.
Being tormented alone was certainly unpleasant, but having someone in the same miserable boat… didn’t alleviate the degree of unpleasantness in the slightest.
The good news, however, was that no matter how annoyed they were, neither of them intended to drop the facade of politeness.
Not bad. Chu Heng and Daiyu thought simultaneously.
“Please unfold this calligraphy, Miss,” Daiyu spoke first to the maid holding the scroll, then turned to Chu Heng, “Please forgive my presumptuousness, Your Highness.”
Chu Heng never cared about such trivial matters. He shifted his body, resting his chin on his hand, and mumbled: “No worries.”
Hearing the sound, Daiyu couldn’t help but glance at him. She saw a protrusion on his cheek, clearly indicating he had something in his mouth.
Chu Heng noticed her gaze, pointed his chin, and casually said: “A piece of candy. Want one?”
Among the refreshments Shuangyun had just brought in was a plate of hard candies. Daiyu looked at them.
From the honey water to the candy, Prince Duan looked like a young man, but his taste was like that of a child.
Daiyu thought, the little prince, raised with the boundless love of his mother and brother, must have been carefree all these years, despite his poor health. It was not surprising that he had such childish preferences.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Daiyu shook her head. “I don’t particularly care for sweets.”
“Oh.” Chu Heng chewed the candy, rinsed his mouth, and then turned to look at the unfolded scroll.
The great Master Gu of the previous dynasty excelled at running script. His style was fluid, dynamic, and natural. People at the time said he captured the grace of Wang Xizhi. Unfortunately, very few of his ink treasures survived, so each one was extremely valuable.
Daiyu ignored Prince Duan’s perfunctory attitude and also turned to appreciate the calligraphy.
Silence returned to the hall.
After a long while, Daiyu became so engrossed that she forgot where she was, whispering: “The brushwork here suggests this must have been created in Master Gu’s later years.”
Chu Heng unconsciously interjected: “The last two years… Hmm?” He didn’t finish his sentence, his eyes full of confusion as he looked at Daiyu on the other side.
The feeling of having someone next to him while appreciating calligraphy and painting was simply… too strange. Chu Heng was extremely uncomfortable.
Daiyu clearly hadn’t expected a response, paused for a moment, and then explained: “My family has a piece of Master Gu’s calligraphy from his later years. It was originally collected by my grandfather and later given to me by my late father.”
Chu Heng raised an eyebrow and said: “You also have a piece by Master Gu. Not bad.”
Turns out this marriage isn’t completely without benefit. Next year, I’ll be able to admire a genuine work by Master Gu that I haven’t seen before. I have two pieces, and Miss Lin won’t lose out.
Chu Heng’s mood improved by two points.
Daiyu did not catch the implication of his words and frowned with surprise. That was her painting, and even if she married into the Prince’s Residence in the future, it was her dowry.
Surely, a noble Prince would not intend to seize his wife’s dowry as his own?
Daiyu subtly sized up Prince Duan. A royal prince enjoying such high favor did indeed seem capable of such aggressive appropriation.
This is truly a disaster caused by my own words. Daiyu secretly regretted speaking, reminding herself to be more cautious in the future while thinking of a way to salvage the situation.
Before Daiyu could figure out suitable words, the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon them to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
The Empress Dowager listened to Shuangyun’s report and sighed helplessly: “Alas, Aijia has truly racked her brains. At this rate, let alone going to Longhua Temple, what good would it do even if they got married immediately?”
“That Lin girl is not stupid. Why doesn’t she know how to talk nicely to Heng’er?” Since her own son could do no wrong, the Empress Dowager naturally shifted her blame to Daiyu.
Shuangyun massaged the Empress Dowager’s shoulders and consoled her: “Empress Dowager, Miss Lin is still a young lady, and a reserved, proper young mistress at that. It was the very first meeting, how could she feel comfortable saying much?”
If Miss Lin had actually tried to flatter the Prince, the Empress Dowager would naturally have had other complaints. Shuangyun secretly sighed: being an imperial daughter-in-law was not easy.
The Empress Dowager frowned: “What difference does being a proper young mistress make? Does she expect Heng’er to accommodate her?”
Shuangyun quickly offered a placating smile: “Empress Dowager, you misunderstand this servant. An unmarried girl and a married wife are naturally different. In the future, the Princess Consort will, of course, serve and please the Prince. Speaking of which, Empress Dowager, this was the Prince’s first time meeting Miss Lin. They are not familiar with each other, so they didn’t know what to say. Didn’t you arrange for them to go to Longhua Temple precisely for the sake of spending time together day and night?”
“Since they are not familiar now, they don’t know what to say. Once they get to know each other, they will naturally have endless things to talk about.” As Shuangyun spoke, she walked forward and presented a cup of tea to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager did not take the cup, only frowning as she said: “Aijia was too hasty.”
“Don’t rush, Empress Dowager. There are still many days ahead. Take it slow,” Shuangyun resumed massaging her shoulders.
These words were especially comforting to the Empress Dowager’s ears. She couldn’t help but smile, thinking, The days are long…
Soon, another palace servant came to report that the Prince and Miss Lin were discussing Master Gu’s calligraphy. The Empress Dowager burst into laughter, the wrinkles around her eyes gathering together.
“Good, good. Heng’er has always loved this, and the Lin girl also understands it. They truly are in harmony like zither and lute.”
Shuangyun followed up with a few compliments, and the Empress Dowager’s good mood was completely restored.
In a moment, the Emperor, accompanied by the Empress, the eldest Prince, and the eldest Princess, arrived to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager ordered someone to summon Chu Heng and Daiyu from the side hall.
The Emperor immediately understood that the Empress Dowager was deliberately creating an opportunity for the engaged couple to be alone. Although he felt it was contrary to protocol, he couldn’t speak up in front of the Empress and the children. Therefore, he simply gave an additional instruction: “Go and call Man’er over as well.”
The Empress Dowager paused, then smiled: “Aijia almost forgot. Shuangyun, go see the Princess.”
Soon, Chu Heng and Daiyu entered the hall one after the other. Just as they were about to salute, the Emperor had people assist them.
The Emperor smiled: “This is not Haiyan Palace in the front. Here at Mother’s place, we are just a family gathering. Fifth Brother, if you continue to cling to these empty rituals, Mother will have to blame me.”
The Empress Dowager heard this and laughed: “You brothers’ affairs, you insist on involving me.”
The Empress smiled toward Daiyu: “Miss Lin, although this is the first time we meet, we will meet many times in the future. There is truly no need to be constrained by ceremony. Jie’er, Rong’er, greet Miss Lin.”
Daiyu quickly turned aside to avoid the greeting, curtsied, and smiled faintly: “Your Majesty the Empress, this young woman dares not accept.”
“Why wouldn’t you dare? They are the younger generation.” Then, the Empress smiled and turned: “Mother, please ask Miss Lin to sit near me. The moment I saw Miss Lin, I felt a sense of closeness.”
The Empress Dowager smiled: “You two sit. Let Jie’er and Rong’er sit by Grandmother.”
The hall was lively when Yongkang also arrived. The Empress Dowager immediately excused her from saluting, and a maid moved an embroidered stool for her to sit.
The Empress Dowager embraced her grandchildren and smiled: “Why are you so slow? You kept everyone waiting for you.”
The Emperor glanced at his mother and smiled: “Perhaps she went off somewhere to play again. Man’er, you are a grown young lady now; you absolutely must not do this again in the future.”
Yongkang pouted and said: “Mother, Imperial Brother, please allow me to speak before condemning me.”
The Empress Dowager shook her head: “You girl, you are too sensitive. How are we condemning you? We are merely teaching you some rules and propriety.”
“The matrons have taught me the rules. I know them all. There’s no need to trouble Mother and Imperial Brother.” Yongkang had a stubborn temper and never conceded to anyone.
Such words were considered insubordination toward the Emperor and Empress Dowager, so their expressions were not pleasant.
Chu Jie and Chu Rong leaned against their grandmother, not daring to breathe loudly.
The Empress, having seen such scenes many times, knew that if Prince Duan didn’t speak up, she would inevitably have to intervene to smooth things over.
Daiyu looked at Chu Heng, only to see him calmly placing his teacup down and slowly saying: “Mother, Imperial Brother, I’m hungry. When shall we dine?”