Chapter 461 Extra: Each Finds Joy 4
Chu Changsheng specifically had someone investigate the He family.
The eldest daughter of the He family, He Jingru, was engaged at sixteen. Just days before her wedding, Lady He suddenly passed away.
Although women could marry during the mourning period, He Jingru, out of filial piety, insisted on observing the full three-year mourning period before marrying, leading to the cancellation of her engagement.
By the time the mourning period ended, she was already nineteen.
In the capital, many women her age already had several children. Unmarried women at that age faced particularly difficult prospects in marriage, and before she knew it, she had reached twenty.
Chu Changsheng wanted to meet this Miss He in person, so she hosted a flower-viewing banquet in the palace.
To avoid drawing attention, she sent invitations to several young ladies from lower-ranking families as well.
He Jingru still felt somewhat dazed after entering the palace.
The eldest princess had actually sent her an invitation to attend a flower-viewing banquet in the palace?
Her father was merely a newly promoted sixth-rank official. With her status, she had no right to enter the palace at all.
Though her mind was racing with thoughts, He Jingru remained composed on the surface as she followed the young eunuch to the eldest princess’s palace.
This was her first time entering the palace. Before coming, her grandmother had specially arranged for someone to teach her palace etiquette. When she was brought before Chu Changsheng, she curtsied and said, “Greetings to the eldest princess.”
Chu Changsheng smiled and said, “You must be Miss He. Don’t be nervous. Lift your head and let me have a look.”
Only then did He Jingru raise her head.
This was her first time seeing the legendary eldest princess, and she was utterly astonished.
The eldest princess was incredibly beautiful—no words could fully capture her beauty. Such a stunning person was now holding her hand, making her feel overwhelmingly honored.
“Miss He, accompany me to change my clothes.”
Chu Changsheng stood up and walked toward the back. He Jingru, feeling somewhat dazed, followed.
She was led to a pavilion in the rear. From a distance, she could see a figure dressed in bright yellow sitting inside.
In the palace, who else but the current Emperor could wear that color?
He Jingru’s breath suddenly quickened.
She still remembered when she was eleven years old, the eight-year-old Emperor ascended the throne. Many were skeptical because of his young age.
But soon after, the young Emperor developed powerful naval weapons, conquered the Eastern Ling island nation, and now that tiny territory had become part of the Great Jin.
Then, the young Emperor issued numerous policies benefiting the people, reducing taxes, and improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
At the same time, he expanded the channels for talent selection, which was how her father had the opportunity to become an official.
Over the years, the young Emperor also cracked down on corrupt officials...
Through his diligent governance, in just eight or nine years, the Great Jin had transformed into a land of peace and prosperity, where everyone lived and worked in contentment.
She deeply admired the young Emperor. Despite being three years younger than her, he had managed to govern the country so effectively.
They were getting closer.
He Jingru kept her head lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly.
“Brother, I’m going inside to change. Don’t scare my guest.”
With those words, Chu Changsheng stepped into a nearby side room.
He Jingru quickly bowed and said, “Your subject greets Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities.” Chu Hongyu looked at her. “Miss He, please sit.”
He Jingru hardly dared to sit.
She vaguely felt that the Emperor’s voice sounded familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before.However, this was her first time entering the palace and meeting the Emperor—how could she have heard this voice before?
"Miss He, you weren't like this at the Chen residence," Chu Hongyu frowned. "Since I've asked you to sit, you may sit."
He Jingru was taken aback.
How would the Emperor know how she behaved at the Chen family home?
She couldn't help herself—she raised her head to look at the young man seated before her.
Dressed in a bright yellow Dragon Robe that exuded overwhelming authority, that face... she had indeed seen it before.
He Jingru's eyes widened in shock: "You're Yu Hong!"
During her stay at the Chen residence, her cousin Chen San often brought a group of children to play, and they would frequently meet in the rear garden.
This Yu Hong was Chen San's closest friend—the two were practically inseparable.
But how had that Yu Hong become the Emperor?
He Jingru recalled the Emperor's name—Chu Hongyu. Hongyu reversed would indeed be Yu Hong.
Her eyes remained wide with disbelief.
One was her cousin's friend, whom she viewed as nothing more than a little brat.
The other was the exalted Emperor, a figure she had always revered and looked up to.
These two individuals had become one person.
Her thoughts were in complete disarray, utterly at a loss for how to react.
"Miss He has been staring at me for quite some time," Chu Hongyu said unhurriedly. "How much longer do you intend to keep looking?"
"This humble subject... deserves punishment!"
Terrified, He Jingru hurriedly lowered her head.
Chu Hongyu frowned. "Am I really that frightening?"
He Jingru kept her head bowed, completely unsure how to respond.
"Actually, it was I who instructed the Eldest Princess to host the flower appreciation banquet to invite you into the palace."
At these words, He Jingru was startled once more.
Did this mean the flower banquet had been arranged specifically for her?
She hastily replied, "This humble subject is overwhelmed by such honor."
"I wished to ask you one thing," Chu Hongyu went straight to the point. "Would you be willing to become my Empress?"
"Wha—what?" He Jingru looked up again, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. "Yo—Your Majesty, what did you just say?"
"I asked if you would be willing to enter the palace as Empress?" Chu Hongyu gazed into her eyes. "All you need to do is nod, and I will immediately arrange the coronation ceremony."
He Jingru was rendered speechless. After a long pause, she finally stammered, "This humble subject is of lowly status... unwor—unworthy of the position of Empress... Moreover, I am three years older than Your Majesty, which would only dis—dishonor Your Majesty's dignity... I—I have matters to attend to... I—I must take my leave now..."
She had arrived in a daze and now departed in haste, without even taking a sip of the tea on the table.
Chu Changsheng immediately emerged from behind the screen, stamping her foot in frustration. "Brother, you were far too direct! You scared Miss He away. Couldn't you have taken it slower?"
Chu Hongyu pressed his lips together. "The He family is currently arranging a marriage for her. If I take it slow, she might end up married to someone else."
He still remembered clearly—three or four years ago, when he visited the Chen residence, He Jingru was staying there at the time.
Back then, she was observing mourning period after her fiancé called off their engagement. The news had reached the Chen family, and she hid alone beneath a flower trellis, crying incessantly.
He had long known that her heart belonged to her former fiancé.
But the man hadn't been willing to wait three years for her—after breaking off the engagement, he married someone else, leaving her heartbroken for a very long time.
Now that three or four years had passed, she should have moved on.
And he—it was time for him to take the initiative.
The imperial harem truly needed a mistress.
Meanwhile, He Jingru returned to the He residence in a bewildered state, even suspecting that everything she had just experienced was nothing but an illusion—too surreal to be real.
"Eldest Sister, how did it go?"
"Was the Eldest Princess's flower banquet enjoyable?"A group of younger siblings gathered around to ask questions.
He Jingru snapped back to reality and said, "Everything went well."
"Then... did you see the Emperor?" Even Lord He moved closer. Although he was a court official, his humble sixth-rank position disqualified him from entering the main hall for court sessions. Each time, he had to kneel outside the great hall, unable to clearly hear the memorials presented inside, let alone catch a glimpse of the imperial countenance.
He Jingru nodded, "I saw him."
"Eldest sister, you're amazing! You're the first in our family to see the Emperor!"
"What does the Emperor look like? Does he resemble a deity?"
"Eldest sister, tell us quickly!"
"..."
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