The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

"What's hard to say?" Xiao Tingfeng asked curiously.

Jin Jiazhu had already planned how to put Ge Xijia in a bad light in front of Xiao Tingfeng—no matter what, the interests of the Prince's Mansion come first, so it was definitely unacceptable for Ge Xijia, as a princess, to be petty, jealous, and always trying to rely on crooked means.

So when Xiao Tingfeng asked, Jin Jiazhu carefully chose her words and slowly explained.

Chapter 242 The Princess, Knowing the Big Picture, Advises the Prince

“My sister is the prince’s principal wife. Her words and actions represent not only her, but also the entire Li County Prince’s Mansion.” Jin Jiazhu spoke slowly, her expression filled with sincerity, showing her concern for Xiao Tingfeng and the entire Li County Prince’s Mansion.

"Although I have been in this household for less than a year, I have heard people outside saying that my elder sister is impatient and does not know how to manage a household. I feel like arguing with her. But as the saying goes, there is a saying in the Central Plains: flies do not land on eggs without cracks. If my elder sister were truly doing a good job, there would be no such talk outside."

"Therefore, I think it's a good thing that Father Emperor sent a nanny to teach my sister. I've heard that the nannies in the Sansi Palace are very capable. Rules are secondary; what's most valuable is that they know how to manage servants."

"If this Granny Yang could help my sister manage our Prince's mansion perfectly, wouldn't that allow the Prince to have no worries?"

"If it weren't for my lowly status, I would have liked to learn from the old lady."

Jin Jiazhu's words pleased Xiao Tingfeng greatly. He had heard that his second brother's wives and concubines were harmonious, but Ge Xijia was always unforgiving. Chunmei in the past was her fault, and now that Jin Jiazhu had entered the family, Ge Xijia was not polite to Jin Jiazhu at all, finding fault with everything she did. Fortunately, Jin Jiazhu was magnanimous and did not hold it against her.

"Do you really want to learn manners from Granny Yang?" Xiao Tingfeng asked.

Jin Jiazhu nodded seriously: "As Your Highness knows, I come from Goryeo. Although my father found a Chinese scholar to teach me to read and write, I don't know much about the rules of the inner quarters. Besides, this is the royal residence. Sometimes we have to go to the palace, and sometimes we have to visit other people's homes. If we don't know the rules, it will be a disgrace to our royal residence."

These words struck a chord with Xiao Tingfeng. She was clearly a princess of Goryeo, yet she was willing to do so much for him. Unlike Ge Xijia, who always looked down on him because of her background.

“If you want to go, I’ll go and tell Granny Yang. I don’t think she’ll refuse.” Seeing Jin Jiazhu nod, Xiao Tingfeng indeed went to Granny Yang the next day and mentioned it.

Although Granny Yang was reluctant to come to the Prince Li's residence, she was prepared now that she was there. So when she heard the prince say that the concubine wanted to learn etiquette, she immediately nodded: "As long as the concubine is not afraid of hardship."

Xiao Tingfeng quickly said, "Princess, don't worry. There's never been any rules in the manor, so I'll have to trouble you, Granny."

Since this was sent by the Emperor, Xiao Tingfeng naturally had to be polite.

To everyone's surprise, Granny Yang actually spoke up: "Your Highness, since I have come here on the orders of His Majesty and the Empress, I will follow the rules and teach the maids and servants in the mansion in the next two days. I hope Your Highness will not think that I am overstepping my bounds."

Seeing Yang Mama's serious expression, Xiao Tingfeng quickly nodded: "Of course, Father Emperor sent you here because he trusts you, Mama."

After Xiao Tingfeng finished speaking, he went to the Ministry of Works, but he never expected that two days later, Granny Yang would kneel in front of him.

"This servant is incompetent and cannot teach the Princess." Granny Yang said in a serious tone, first kowtowing and then apologizing.

Xiao Tingfeng was startled: What do you mean by "cannot be taught"?

Jin Jiazhu stepped forward immediately: "Granny, please don't be angry. The Princess was just anxious today. I will talk to the Prince properly. Please don't worry."

Xiao Tingfeng winked at him, and he understood that if Yang Mama went back to complain to his father after only two days, he would probably be in trouble as well.

So he quickly smiled and said, "Granny, no matter what it is, once I understand it, I will definitely give you an explanation."

Granny Yang didn't want to return home after only two days, otherwise she would lose face. The reason she spoke frankly to Prince Li was that she hoped he could distinguish right from wrong and support her work.

Therefore, upon hearing what Prince Li said, Granny Yang readily accepted the offer.

Xiao Tingfeng quickly asked Jin Jiazhu what had happened.

Jin Jiazhu was secretly overjoyed: she had never seen such a foolish young lady from a prestigious family as Ge Xijia.

However, Jin Jiazhu naturally didn't reveal a single thing on the surface, and instead told Xiao Tingfeng the truth.

"It turned out that Granny Yang was teaching a few maids, and she had taught them several times, but they still couldn't remember. Today, Granny Yang heard them gossiping and saying some inappropriate things in private, so she got angry and took out a ruler to punish them."

“Slapping the palms sounds harsh, but these girls are really something, how could they talk about Consort Shu in the palace behind her back?”

"But these girls are usually pampered and have never been beaten. Although the ruler is thin, it must still hurt a lot when it hits someone. They can't stand it and start crying and begging for mercy and confessing their sins."

“My sister has always been soft-hearted. When she heard this, she couldn’t help herself and immediately became compassionate and pleaded for them.”

"I didn't expect that Granny Yang would be unhappy, so when you came back, Granny Yang came to apologize."

Jin Jiazhu quickly recounted the whole story clearly.

"A bodhisattva's heart? If she had a bodhisattva's heart, then I'd be Buddha." Xiao Tingfeng said disdainfully, "I'm afraid those few are just her trusted maids."

Before Jin Jiazhu could answer, Xiao Tingfeng had already gotten up and gone to Ge Xijia's room.

"Well, my good princess, you've made such a big fuss as soon as you arrive. What? Can't you be fair in rewarding and punishing?" Xiao Tingfeng didn't give Ge Xijia a chance to speak, his tone aggressive.

Seeing his expression, Ge Xijia could tell he'd been provoked: "Oh, so my sister spoke ill of me to the Prince? I'm just protecting my maid, so what?"

"If you're determined to protect your maid, don't blame me for being ruthless. If Granny Yang reports any more bad maids, I'll just send them away." Xiao Tingfeng said sternly. "Don't even mention maids, even if it's you, if you don't listen to advice, can't fulfill your responsibilities as the Princess Consort of the Prince, and can't manage this Prince's Mansion well, I can also petition the Emperor to let the concubine manage it."

After saying that, Xiao Tingfeng ignored Ge Xijia's expression and turned to leave.

Ge Xijia's wet nurse quickly came up to persuade her young lady: In the end, it was still the princess's fault. As Yang Mama said, rules should be established, which is essential for managing the inner quarters.

Ge Xijia had no choice but to reluctantly relinquish power, but deep down she still harbored a strong aversion to Granny Yang.

Xiao Tingfeng found that things had finally calmed down in his residence.

What made Xiao Tingfeng even happier was that a month later, his concubine Jin Jiazhu became pregnant.

Remembering Chunmei's pregnancy, Xiao Tingfeng hurried to the palace to find Consort Xu. After some discussion, the mother and son found the Empress.

Chapter 243 Daiyu's Mental Adjustment During Pregnancy

Consort Xu first reported the good news to the Empress, and then expressed her concerns.

“Back then, Chunmei was just unlucky. Now, the Fourth Prince’s concubine is, after all, a princess of Goryeo. If this becomes a laughing stock, I’m afraid it will damage the harmony.” Consort Xu looked worried. “Since His Majesty and the Empress have sent Yang Mama, I think it would be better to trouble Yang Mama to stay at the Prince’s residence for a few more days, until the Fourth Prince’s concubine has given birth smoothly, and then she can come back to serve you.”

Seeing this, the Empress nodded: "Consort Shu has considered things very well. I will bring this up with His Majesty."

Furthermore, the Empress generously said, "Since the concubine is pregnant, I have prepared some things and will send someone to give them to the concubine." She even took the initiative to suggest that the imperial physician take her pulse every day and then report the results to Consort Shu.

"That child has traveled a long way to come here without his parents by his side. Consort Shu should take good care of him," the Empress added.

Consort Xu hurriedly expressed her gratitude and went back to tell her son, who was still waiting in her palace: "Her Majesty the Empress has agreed, so it shouldn't be a problem for Yang Mama to stay in your residence. However, you should still tell the concubine to be careful."

After thinking for a moment, Consort Xu added, "I will also send people to your residence from time to time to keep an eye on things."

Xiao Tingfeng went back happily, while Ge Xijia was furious. But no matter how angry she was, she didn't dare to make a move for the time being.

All of this had nothing to do with Daiyu. She was now five months pregnant, and the Empress had taken back all the palace affairs so that she could focus on giving birth.

Zuo Jiangqiu came to the palace to see Daiyu, but since her child was only a few months old, she didn't bring him in.

When she arrived, Daiyu had just finished her morning sickness. Zijuan lifted half of the window and propped it shut. She also sprinkled some mint fragrance into the small incense burner on the kang table.

The cool, refreshing scent of mint is soothing and pleasant.

Daiyu held a covered teacup adorned with pink and gold decorations, sipped tea and rinsed her mouth, and said to Zuo Jiangqiu, "I'm really a little embarrassed. I originally thought that having a second child wouldn't be any more difficult, but who knew that this whole ordeal would be so much more complicated."

When Daiyu was pregnant with Yueyue, she didn't experience much morning sickness or discomfort. Only in the days leading up to delivery did she feel a little uncomfortable because her belly was so big.

Zuo Jiangqiu's pregnancy was also progressing smoothly. Seeing Daiyu's condition, she quickly said, "Why don't we ask the imperial physician? It's not good to keep vomiting, is it?"

Seeing her concern, Daiyu quickly replied, "Of course I asked the imperial physician, and I also have female physicians by my side. They have tried every possible method, but it's still the same. However, the imperial physician also said that my other conditions are fine now, so there's no need to worry too much. Perhaps I'll get better after this period."

At this moment, Xueyan brought up a plate of candied fruit, and Daiyu picked one up and put it in her mouth.

When Zuo Jiangqiu saw this, he also reached out and asked for one, but after putting it in his mouth for only a short while, he quickly spat it out: "Xueyan, quick, give me a cup of tea to rinse my mouth too."

After rinsing her mouth, Zuo Jiangqiu exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens, Your Highness, these plums are so sour! Don't you find them sour?"

Daiyu smiled mischievously, clearly aware of the situation: "Who called you and you didn't even ask?" Daiyu said jokingly.

"But this time, I've been craving sour things since I got pregnant." Daiyu had never liked sour plums before.

"They say sour foods indicate a boy and spicy foods indicate a girl, so the Crown Princess will definitely have a boy this time," Zuo Jiangqiu had heard his mother say.

Upon hearing this, Zijuan and Xueyan, who were standing nearby, became somewhat nervous: since the Crown Princess became pregnant, although no one in the palace had said anything, the Emperor had been sending gifts to Delin Palace from time to time for several months in a row, so everyone assumed that the Emperor definitely wanted a grandson.

Although His Highness the Crown Prince has told the Crown Princess more than once that he loves both sons and daughters, Zijuan and the others still feel that His Highness definitely wants a son as well.

Therefore, in order not to put pressure on the Crown Princess, Zijuan and the others never mentioned words like "son" or "daughter," so as not to make the Crown Princess overthink.

At this moment, Princess Chengjun blurted it out so casually that Zijuan and the others all went to look at Daiyu.

Actually, Daiyu was a little nervous at first: Yueyue was a girl, but she was born at a particular time. The Southeast Great Victory was like a talisman for Yueyue, so she was always favored by her father, the emperor.

Although the Emperor eventually compromised on the matter of the Crown Prince's concubine last time, he probably still feels somewhat uncomfortable. So if I give birth to another daughter this time, I'm afraid the Emperor will be unhappy.

When that time comes, if the Emperor brings up the matter of the Crown Prince's concubine again, Xiao Tingjun will probably not be able to insist: offspring, especially as the heir apparent, are of paramount importance. Not to mention the Emperor's disapproval, even the court officials will not agree.

Therefore, Daiyu felt somewhat uneasy during the first two months of her pregnancy.

As the third month approached, Daiyu gradually calmed down: whether this child was a son or a daughter, she would give birth to the child properly and take good care of her child.

Besides, it's not like she just married Xiao Tingjun. If Xiao Tingjun's attitude changes just because she has another daughter, then he's not worth her effort.

As for the Crown Prince's concubine, even if there were one, Daiyu was confident.

The Empress Dowager had no children, but the Emperor treated her very well.

So when Daiyu heard Zuo Jiangqiu say that, she teased, "When you were pregnant with Qi Ge'er, did you also crave sour foods?"

Zuo Jiangqiu really thought for a moment, then honestly shook his head: "I've always liked sweet things, not sour ones." Then he asked, "When the Crown Princess was pregnant with Yueyue, did she like spicy food?"

Daiyu shook her head: "Speaking of which, when I was pregnant with Yueyue, my tastes didn't change at all. That child is very lively now, but when she was in my belly, she was very well-behaved."

“Then the Crown Princess’s next pregnancy will definitely be a son, and sons are always more troublesome than daughters.” Zuo Jiangqiu said confidently, “I bet the Crown Princess’s next pregnancy is a son. If I’m right, the Crown Princess has to give me a baby.”

Seeing her so certain, Daiyu couldn't help but smile: "What is it here that you've taken a fancy to?"

“I saw that the Crown Princess has a double-sided round fan with antique floral designs. You said it was embroidered by Miss Xueyan.” Zuo Jiangqiu was very generous when asking for things. “You can ask Miss Xueyan to embroider one for me as well.”

“Oh, Xueyan, it seems that Princess Chengjun greatly appreciates your embroidery skills.” Daiyu nodded. “Alright, then let Xueyan embroider one for you.”

Xueyan quickly agreed, thinking to herself: If the Crown Princess really gives birth to a son, let alone a double-sided embroidered fan, she would even be willing to make a set of clothes and shoes for the Princess.

On the contrary, Prince Cheng, Xiao Tingzhao, who had come with the Crown Prince, shook his head when he heard his wife asking the Crown Princess for something: "Third Brother, you don't mind, do you?"

Chapter 244 The differences between sisters-in-law are obvious

Upon hearing Xiao Tingzhao's words, the Crown Prince smiled and said, "Of course I don't mind. I am very grateful that my sister-in-law came to keep me company and chat."

Xiao Tingjun spoke these words sincerely.

Xiao Tingjun could clearly sense that while Yu'er was happy about her pregnancy, she was also a little nervous. It was easy to understand that Yu'er was afraid of not being able to give birth to a son.

Not to mention Yu'er, even Xiao Tingjun himself was a little worried—last time she resigned as the Crown Prince's concubine, the Emperor agreed, but if Yu'er were to give birth to a daughter, he didn't know if the Emperor would change his mind.

Besides, the court officials are all watching. Even if the Emperor doesn't speak up, neither of his second or fourth brothers is someone to be trifled with.