The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

"These days the days are short and the nights are long, so there's nothing to do at night anyway. Embroidering is a good way to pass the time."

Everyone chimed in, and no one disagreed. In fact, what they said was true. Over the years, these women, even widows, had managed to earn a considerable amount of money at Huatang Chunxiu. This was something they wouldn't have dared to dream of before.

It's not just about making money; seeing people appreciate the shoes and fans I make also puts me in a very good mood.

Moreover, the Crown Princess never criticizes anyone. Everyone, regardless of their background, relies on their own abilities and comes from similar circumstances, which has made them close friends.

Seeing this, Zijuan quickly smiled and said, "Then I'll thank everyone on behalf of the Crown Princess. After this matter is finished, the Crown Princess said she will definitely pay out of her own pocket to thank everyone."

Everyone quickly said no, but one of the cheerful women laughed and said, "The Crown Princess gives us subsidies every year, so we won't be short of money when the time comes."

It made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere was really good.

"No need for the Crown Princess to host a banquet. Everyone can come to my house after the New Year, and we can all get together." Yingchun invited everyone.

"That's wonderful! I've heard that Madam Sun's cook is an excellent chef, so I definitely have to go. But I don't have anything to bring, just my mouth to feed," a plump woman said with a smile.

"Sister Tian, ​​I'm afraid you'll need to feed three mouths, not just one. Aren't your two children going too?" another joked.

Zijuan, hearing their lively chatter, was also filled with joy and returned to the palace to tell Daiyu about it vividly.

Daiyu was initially happy to hear this, but later felt a little lonely. Now that she was in the palace, she was no longer as free as she was in the Prince's mansion. Otherwise, she would have definitely gone to join in the fun when her second sister invited guests.

As Xiao Tingjun entered, he happened to see the melancholy in Daiyu's eyes and immediately understood her: "Yu'er, would you like to leave the palace and take a look?"

"You're talking nonsense again, how can that be allowed?" Daiyu glared at Xiao Tingjun coquettishly.

"Do you remember when Father Emperor and Mother came to our residence? It was right after the New Year. I'll make the arrangements then. But we can't go out all the time. Going out once is fine, though." Xiao Tingjun did some mental calculations. If he went out, he would keep a low profile and just inform his father and mother.

"Are you sure there's no problem? We can't let a small matter cause a big problem and put you in a difficult position." Although Daiyu really wanted to go out, she didn't know how many eyes were fixed on the couple.

"Don't worry about me." Xiao Tingjun held Daiyu's hand. Seeing his wife's eyes light up when she heard she could leave, he immediately put one arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms.

"You're going to die!" Daiyu exclaimed in fright.

Zijuan and the others had already shrewdly left.

He kissed her cheek, which was very close to his, and laughed, "Yu'er really doesn't know how to curse."

Daiyu glared at him and said, "Don't move around." Then she leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Xiao Tingjun's face immediately lit up with joy: "Really? I..."

"Don't make a fuss. I've already told the Imperial Hospital. We can only talk about it after the pregnancy is stable." Daiyu was much more experienced this time than last time.

Zijuan and Xueyan already knew about this.

"Then why do you do so many things..." Xiao Tingjun became worried again.

"Don't worry, I'm very skilled at doing these things. There are already established procedures for everything, and Zijuan and Granny Gu can handle most of the arrangements." Daiyu reassured Xiao Tingjun, "On the contrary, it's Mother's illness that's a bit serious this time."

The Empress actually only had typhoid fever, but she was in poor spirits and looked rather listless.

Xiao Tingjun was making plans, asking Daiyu which day she would like to go out on.

Chapter 238 Sisters' Gathering and Couples' Relaxation

Yingchun hosted a dinner party on the tenth day of the first lunar month. Actually, it wasn't a dinner party, but rather that Daiyu entrusted Yingchun with the gathering of the Huatang Chunxiu sisters.

Yingchun is now fully capable of handling these matters, and Xiangyun is pregnant, so it is not advisable for her to overwork.

Xiao Tingjun had made all the preparations, so Daiyu was able to leave the palace for a stroll on the tenth day of the month. He had sent a message early on through Zijuan, and Daiyu brought some of the seasonal fruits she had been allocated.

Because Daiyu told Yingchun not to make a fuss, and not even among the sisters, so as not to make everyone feel uncomfortable, Daiyu went out by carriage early in the morning. When she arrived at Yingchun's residence, none of the others had arrived yet.

After seeing Daiyu off, Xiao Tingjun made an appointment with her to pick her up in the afternoon.

Xiangyun, now that her pregnancy is stable and she enjoys being around people, arrived early. Upon seeing Daiyu, she instinctively raised her hand to rub her eyes.

"It really is Sister Lin, oh, the Crown Princess, am I seeing things?" Daiyu said, quickly stepping forward to pay her respects, but Zijuan helped her up.

"It has to be Sister Yun. She's almost a mother now, and she's still so loud and boisterous," Yingchun teased. Actually, she used to envy Xiangyun for her quick tongue and outspokenness.

"Second sister, don't be so rude. If you didn't know, you'd probably be even more surprised than I am." Xiangyun looked Daiyu up and down and couldn't help but sigh, "The Crown Princess looks so rosy now. It's clear that people need to take good care of themselves."

Thinking of playing a prank, he said, "Wait a minute, I'm going to take a good look. I'm afraid Baoqin and the others will be quite startled."

"It's only because of Yun-mei that she still loves to play." Looking at Xiang-yun's current state, Dai-yu knew that although Wei Ruolan had difficulty walking and needed a wheelchair, the young couple were clearly living a good life, otherwise Xiang-yun wouldn't be so happy.

"I have to thank the Crown Princess for making things this way. Although we don't have delicacies now, the two of us can make our own decisions about everything." Xiangyun sincerely thanked Daiyu. "The embroidery at Huatang Chunxiu can also help supplement the family income. I'm much more fulfilled now than before."

Xiangyun recalled that when she was a child, she loved to go to Rongguo Mansion to play. A big reason for this was that life at Rongguo Mansion was so relaxed and comfortable, and the food and entertainment were much better than at Shijia Mansion.

But now that I'm more mature, I realize how ignorant I was when I was young.

Upon hearing the announcement from outside that Granny Peng had arrived, Xiangyun knew it was Baoqin. She quickly winked at Daiyu, telling her to keep quiet and to give Baoqin a fright.

Little did anyone know that Baoqin was much calmer than Xiangyun. She immediately greeted them with a smile and then teased Xiangyun, "It must be that mischievous Sister Shiyun who sent the Crown Princess to scare me."

Soon, all the women working at Huatang Chunxiu arrived, many bringing their children. Upon seeing the Crown Princess, everyone was initially a little reserved, but with Xiangyun's lively atmosphere and Baoqin's skillful guidance, coupled with the Crown Princess's humor, they quickly dropped their inhibitions and began chatting freely.

Women's interactions are like flowers blooming in spring; regardless of whether they have experienced the trials of marriage and childbirth, they always exude the fragrance of their boudoir. Those delicate, unspoken thoughts, even those difficult to confide in their parents, can be poured out between them like a gentle stream. After all, this is different from before marriage, when understanding is effortless without words.

It was all just casual conversation. Some people gave Xiangyun advice on things to be careful about during her pregnancy, or talked about the candied fruits and pastries they made at home, or the shoes they made for the child, etc., but Daiyu seemed to relax completely.

There is absolutely no such leisurely and comfortable life in the palace.

Moreover, from their conversations, one can glean a great deal of information about what's happening in the city—information that Daiyu wouldn't normally have access to while in the palace.

No wonder Xiao Tingjun said he wanted to go to the market and alleys to take a walk and browse. Presumably, he could learn more about the news by going to the streets and alleys.

Xiao Tingjun came to pick her up in the afternoon, and first took Daiyu to the market for a stroll.

Xiao Tingjun was well-prepared for his outing today. He wore an ordinary light blue casual robe and didn't even wear the belt with a four-clawed golden dragon embroidered on it, which signified his status as the crown prince. He looked like an ordinary young master from a wealthy family, and his carriage was also low-key.

However, for safety reasons, the two could not get off the carriage, but instead rode around in it.

"Do you still remember the pastries I sent you back then?" Seeing that Daiyu dared not lift the curtain, Xiao Tingjun told her it was alright. "The paper used to cover the windows of this carriage is as thin as a cicada's wing, just like the one used in the Imperial Study in the palace. You can see the outside world clearly through it, but for people outside to look inside, it is as if they are looking through a thick fog, hazy and difficult to see."

Daiyu then lifted the curtain with relief and saw the words "Daoxianglou" and a queue of people buying things at the door.

Not long after Daiyu was betrothed to Xiao Tingjun, he went to Daoxianglou to buy pastries and sent them to the Rongguo Mansion. In the blink of an eye, many years have passed, and now the Rongguo Mansion no longer exists.

Looking at this most prosperous place under the emperor's nose, Daiyu felt a bit emotional.

"Shall we send someone to buy some? I'm actually craving some." Nowadays, the palace kitchen offers all sorts of pastries, but Daiyu still remembers the taste of the pastries that Xiao Tingjun used to send her.

“Okay, let Zhao Bingxin buy some other things, like candied plums.” Xiao Tingjun looked at his wife’s beautiful eyes with a faint smile. Today she wasn’t dressed as the Crown Princess, but rather looked more like the first time he met her, pure and elegant.

The two of them strolled around in high spirits before heading to the Qiao family home. Since no one had told them beforehand, the Qiao family was quite shocked. After the whole family came up to pay their respects, the eldest uncle took the prince to the study.

Qiao Lanruo is now married, but her home is still very lively.

"It's fine for Your Highness to come out on your own, but you must be careful with the Crown Princess with you." Minister of War Qiao Yuji, as the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, did not approve of the Crown Prince's recklessness, but he knew there was a difference between the emperor and his subject, so he stopped there.

"Uncle, don't worry. I've already spoken to Father and Mother." Xiao Tingjun understood his uncle's concerns. "Something's going on today, so please keep an eye out for me, Uncle."

As he spoke, Xiao Tingjun told his uncle about the snow disaster relief efforts in Hunan and Hubei: "This time, Second Brother took the lead and it seems like he did a very good job, but there seems to be something going on inside, something subtle."

The uncle and nephew started discussing it.

After having dinner at the Qiao family's house, the two set off to return home.

On the way, Daiyu saw some lanterns for sale inside the carriage and became very interested. Xiao Tingjun immediately asked Zhao Bingxin to buy some. Before long, Zhao Bingxin returned carrying a plum blossom lantern and a rabbit lantern.

"You have a good eye," Xiao Tingjun praised.

“This plum blossom lantern is perfect for Your Highness. We’ll give the rabbit lantern back to the little princess; she’ll be delighted,” Zhao Bingxin said shrewdly.

Xiao Tingjun nodded. As the carriage entered the palace gate, Daiyu glanced back one last time, reluctant to leave.

Xiao Tingjun held his wife's hand and shook it.

Daiyu did not expect that the first guest to arrive at Delin Palace after the Lantern Festival would be Jin Jiazhu.

Chapter 239 Daiyu Speaks Frankly About Her Thoughts

Kim Ga-joo came to the palace alone today.

Although Daiyu was in the palace, she had already heard that this princess from Goryeo was deeply favored by Prince Li. Upon hearing this, Princess Ge Xijia of Prince Li even made a big scene, which only made Prince Li look at her more and more like a nose that wasn't just a nose and eyebrows that weren't just eyebrows.

Sure enough, the Lantern Festival has just passed, and we heard that Princess Li was not feeling well and did not come to the palace to pay her respects.

Although Kim Ga-joo was a concubine, because she was a princess of Goryeo, there was no special rule against her entering the palace. So Kim Ga-joo entered the palace to pay her respects to Consort Seo.

Consort Xu was much more amiable towards Jin Jiazhu than she was towards Ge Xijia. After chatting with her for a while, she found Jin Jiazhu to be more sensible and even gave her a white jade sachet with openwork floral patterns.

Jin Jiazhu had something on her mind, so she came directly to Delin Palace. She knew the rules and had someone announce her arrival. She waited for the Crown Princess to invite her in before she entered Delin Palace.

She came to deliver a message to the Crown Princess.

"I'm afraid the Crown Princess doesn't know that your 'Painted Hall Spring Embroidery' used tribute satin." Jin Jiazhu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

Daiyu was a little stunned by Jin Jiazhu's blunt question: How come there wasn't even a word of gossip?

As a result, her appearance caught Jin Jiazhu's eye, which meant that the Crown Princess was definitely unaware that Huatang Chunxiu had encountered a problem.

"It seems the Crown Princess needs to be careful. Our Princess already knows about this and is thinking about how to file a complaint against you." Jin Jiazhu was very direct, because that was exactly what she had come for today.

Ge Xijia found out? What does she want to do? Daiyu was very curious, but what surprised her even more was Jin Jiazhu's attitude. Why did she come to tell her?

Since she was being so direct, Daiyu simply asked, "You are the concubine of Prince Li, why did you choose to tell me about this? If something happens to me, it's probably a good thing for your household, isn't it?"

Jin Jiazhu liked Daiyu's straightforwardness and immediately said very seriously, "I will not hide it from the Crown Princess. I am not satisfied with the position of a concubine."

Oh, so Kim Ga-joo's goal is to become the Princess Consort of Prince Li?

“But if something happens to the Crown Prince and me, you might not just be a princess in the future?” Daiyu continued to press.

"I may not have many other skills, but I do have self-awareness. Prince Li is not as outstanding as the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess is far superior to the current Princess Li. Even if this matter is exposed, it will only be because the Crown Princess is not strict enough in disciplining him. I absolutely do not believe that the Crown Princess would embezzle palace funds." Jin Jiazhu came prepared today, and her words were naturally clear and logical.

"Therefore, I would rather use this matter to curry favor with the Crown Princess, hoping that she will take good care of me in the future," Jin Jiazhu said frankly.

What an interesting and intelligent princess! I heard that it was the king of Goryeo who took the initiative to express to his father that he was willing to marry his daughter to Prince Ri. It seems that it was the princess's own idea.

“There are three things I need to clarify. First, the brocade used in the embroidery for the painted hall is indeed from the palace, but this was done with the consent of my father and mother, and the money from its sale will be donated to the national treasury.” Daiyu didn’t mind telling Jin Jiazhu this; as for whether Jin Jiazhu should tell Ge Xijia, that was Jin Jiazhu’s business.

Jin Jiazhu was initially shocked, then laughed: "Indeed, I knew it. The only way the people from Huatang Chunxiu could get things from the palace is through the Crown Princess. Since the Crown Princess would give them, it's definitely not by stealing."

Then Jin Jiazhu became gloating: "Then I'll see if the Princess will suffer a big setback this time."

It seems that Jin Jiazhu doesn't intend to tell Ge Xijia.

Daiyu then mentioned the second thing: "The Princess Consort of Li County comes from the Ge family. You should know what kind of family the Ge family is. Her position as Princess Consort is quite secure."