Chapter 460: Side Story - Each Finds Joy in Their Own Way (3)
Chu Hongyu was frustrated.
Piled before him were stacks of memorials, eighty to ninety percent of which urged him to take imperial consorts as soon as possible.
Although the world was currently at peace, ushering in the greatest golden age of the Great Jin Dynasty, there were still many livelihood issues that needed resolving. Why did these ministers always fixate on his harem?
"Annoying! Annoying! This is driving me mad!"
He threw all the memorials onto the floor.
Lin Dongdong, the imperial bodyguard with authority to carry a sword in the emperor's presence, hurriedly bent down to pick them up: "Your Majesty is seventeen this year, it is indeed time to..."
"Silence!" Chu Hongyu snapped irritably. "Lin Dongdong, whose side are you on? If you also advise me to take consorts, I'll strip you of your title as Chief Guard!"
Lin Dongdong quickly replied: "I won't advise it, I promise not to. Even if Your Majesty never marries in your lifetime, I won't say a word."
"You're the one who'll never marry!"
Chu Hongyu glared at him, then turned and strode out of the Imperial Study.
He headed straight for Kunning Palace.
As soon as he entered, he heard Changsheng discussing his harem matters with Yun Chu.
His face immediately fell: "I see this in memorials, and I come to Mother's place only to hear the same thing. Please, give me a break."
Chu Hongjue, standing nearby, said with a grin: "Elder Brother, a few days ago the Minister of Personnel's son told me he has an elder sister—beautiful, gentle, and virtuous. I specifically went to the Minister's residence to take a look, and I must say, that young lady is truly as lovely as flowers and the moon... Though not quite as beautiful as Elder Sister, she's still quite outstanding. How about you, Brother..."
"No one would think you're mute if you kept quiet." Chu Hongyu shot him a glare, then turned to Yun Chu. "Mother, must this matter be dealt with right now?"
Yun Chu spoke gently: "Your father and I won't force you to marry now. But you are the Emperor of Great Jin. Your marriage is not just a family matter—it's a state affair. It must be addressed sooner or later."
"Your mother is right." Chu Yi entered from outside the door. "I married your mother when I was twenty-six. You must marry before you turn twenty-six."
"That gives us nine years then." Chu Changsheng said cheerfully. "So there's no hurry."
Chu Hongyu let out a long sigh.
"Father, Mother, Elder Sister, why don't you ask Elder Brother why he's so opposed to taking consorts and establishing an empress?" Chu Hongjue prodded his chin thoughtfully. "If I were to analyze it, there are probably two reasons. First, Elder Brother likes men..."
"You're the one who likes men!" Chu Hongyu flared up, grabbing a folding fan and rapping Chu Hongjue on the head. "If you don't know how to speak properly, then keep quiet!"
Chu Hongjue dodged and continued: "Then only the second reason remains—that is: Elder Brother has someone he loves!"
Chu Changsheng's eyes immediately widened: "Elder Brother, you actually kept it from me that you have a sweetheart! Quick, tell me, which family's young lady is she? Do I know her? Have I met her?"
Yun Chu was first surprised, then delighted: "Yu Ge'er, if you have someone you love, just tell Mother directly. I'll invite her to the palace for discussions."
"N-no, I don't! Jue Ge'er is talking nonsense!" Chu Hongyu stood up, red-faced, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I came here seeking comfort, but you're all just making fun of me. Hmph! I'm done talking with you all. I'm leaving!"
He turned and stormed out of the room.
"Hahahaha!" Chu Hongjue laughed heartily without restraint. "I hit the mark! Elder Brother does have someone he loves! Haha, I'm so clever!""You're laughing so happily, it seems your studies are completed." Chu Yi's voice sounded lightly. "Bring them here for me to see, perfect timing to test you."
The smile on Chu Hongyu's face gradually faded as he slowly retreated. "Well, not exactly... Since Father Emperor needs to pack for the southern tour, my trivial matters shouldn't trouble you. I'll take my leave now, hehehe..."
He scrambled out while clinging to the doorframe.
Yun Chu turned to Chu Changsheng. "Yu Ge'er is your twin brother, and you two share a special connection. He always confides in you about everything. Go sound him out and find out what's really going on."
Chu Changsheng was also burning with curiosity and hurried off immediately.
After the children had left, Chu Yi sat in the seat closest to Yun Chu, wrapping his arm around her waist. His voice was husky as he asked, "Worried about Yu Ge'er's marriage prospects?"
Yun Chu laughed. "Not exactly. I'm just curious about which young lady has caught that boy's fancy."
"She must be a fine young woman," Chu Yi said. "How about we return to the capital after his marriage is settled?"
Yun Chu glared at him. "Shouldn't we parents have some say in this?"
Chu Yi chuckled lightly. "With all the officials at court scrutinizing everything, there's no need for our involvement."
While they were talking, Chu Changsheng had already made her way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
After searching around the hall without finding her brother, she asked Lin Dongdong standing at the entrance: "Big Brother always takes you wherever he goes. If you're here, where is he?"
Lin Dongdong bowed his head. "Your Highness, the Emperor has forbidden me to say."
As he spoke, he secretly raised one finger of his right hand toward the sky.
Chu Changsheng looked up and gasped - her brother was actually lying on the roof of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, casually chewing on a blade of grass, completely disregarding imperial dignity.
"Brother, come down!"
Chu Changsheng called out, but Chu Hongyu remained unmoved.
She attempted to climb onto the roof, then pretended to get hurt with a sharp cry. Sure enough, Chu Hongyu quickly descended, asking with concern: "Changsheng, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Chu Changsheng grabbed his wrist. "Brother, you've been so busy lately. We haven't sat together and talked like we used to when we were children."
"I know what you want to talk about." Chu Hongyu spat out the grass from his mouth. "I'll tell you directly - I do have someone in my heart, and have for a very long time."
Chu Changsheng said happily: "That's wonderful! If Brother's beloved becomes Empress, those court officials will finally stop their nagging."
Chu Hongyu gazed at the sky and let out a long sigh.
"What's wrong, Brother?" Chu Changsheng asked. "Is her family background too humble to qualify as Empress?"
"If she's willing to marry me, her family status doesn't matter much - I can just promote her father." Chu Hongyu said gloomily. "The problem is... I'm not the one in her heart. Ah—"
Chu Changsheng stared in astonishment.
How could there be a woman in this world who didn't fancy her brother?
Her brother had ascended the throne at eight years old and was only seventeen now, yet he had already left significant marks in historical records - arguably the most outstanding emperor.
Not only was her brother immensely talented and skilled in governance, his appearance was equally remarkable - even the term "handsome man" seemed inadequate to describe him...
"Brother, who exactly is this young lady?""The eldest daughter of the He family." Chu Hongyu paused and said, "That is, the cousin of that scoundrel Chen San."
Chu Changsheng was stunned once again.
She had never met the eldest daughter of the He family, because two years ago the He family was merely a seventh-rank official family, and only last year were they promoted to the sixth rank.
No matter what, the daughter of a sixth-rank official would have no opportunity to appear before the Princess.
However, the He family was related by marriage to the Chen family of the Minister of Works—a very close relationship—so the eldest daughter of the He family had stayed with the Chen family for a period of time.
During that time, Chu Hongyu visited the Chen residence every day, chatting about all sorts of things with the Minister of Works, so naturally he became acquainted with the eldest daughter of the He family.
"I think I heard Chen San mention..." Chu Changsheng said slowly, "He has a cousin who was once engaged, but because her mother passed away, she observed three years of mourning, the engagement was broken off, and his cousin remained unmarried until the age of twenty... Is it this one?"
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