The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Chapter 301 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne and Daiyu is Crowned Empress

The day of Lichun (the beginning of spring) was a sunny and pleasant day.

The retired emperor ascended the white marble steps, the twelve white jade beaded curtains rustling like shattered jade. In his left hand he held a black jade tablet, its twelve mountain and river patterns inlaid with years of cinnabar. The ministers stood in the square, all with their hands at their sides, the scene solemn and dignified.

"Please, sage, bestow upon me the jade tablet—"

The master of ceremonies shouted, his voice echoing and striking the hearts of the officials. Suddenly, the bronze Vermilion Bird of His Majesty flapped its wings, its two-zhang-wide wingspan sweeping across the new emperor's robes. Xiao Tingjun's knees trembled slightly as he knelt on the steps, the jade tassels inlaid with ninety-nine pearls hanging down, casting fine shadows on his cheekbones.

Looking at Xiao Tingjun kneeling there, the Emperor Emeritus was filled with mixed emotions.

When Xiao Tingjun was born, the Emperor Emeritus was still a prince. He already had two sons, but he was still very happy because this was the son born to his beloved Lady Qiao.

There was nothing special about Xiao Tingjun's birth, but Qiao was overjoyed. Although there were wet nurses and maids, Qiao doted on her son, which made her husband a little jealous.

If the Qiao family were still alive, they would be overjoyed to see Xiao Tingjun ascend the throne.

When the Emperor Emeritus's hand brushed against his son's palm, the warmth of his palm reminded him of when he taught Xiao Tingjun to write, holding his son's hand as he wrote the first character "天" (heaven) on rice paper.

"Be heeded—" The Emperor Emeritus's voice resonated like a bronze chime in the snow, "The vital instruments of the state..." Before he could finish speaking, three crows suddenly cawed from the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The new Emperor saw his father's Adam's apple bob twice, and the lingering warmth from the exchange of the jade tablets dissipated in the wind.

As the sunlight shone on the "Yanzhou" pattern on the Xuan Gui, the gnomon of the Vermilion Bird sundial pierced the mark of the third quarter of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).

The ceremony to officially appoint the empress will take place ten days later.

The weather was still a bit cold. As dawn broke, civil and military officials and foreign envoys were already walking from the Golden Water Bridge into the palace. Once inside the palace gate, they saw the majestic Zichen Hall towering into the clouds, with imperial guards lined up on both sides like nails.

A large altar had already been set up in front of the hall, with a heavy golden censer placed on it, filled with incense smoke.

Officials, according to their rank and title, stood solemnly and neatly on both sides of the Zichen Hall.

The cool breeze at dawn swept away the dust on the square and brought a touch of coolness to the faces of the civil and military officials.

Everyone naturally has their own thoughts, but one thing is certain: since the founding of this dynasty, this should be the first time that such a grand ceremony has been held to confer the title of Empress.

As the ninth toll of the morning bell at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, a grand procession arrived. The official in charge of the imperial ceremonies led the way, followed by a gleaming imperial carriage, and then a ceremonial guard of musicians.

The sun rises in the east, its rays shining brightly.

The Empress's carriage slowly approached and stopped. Palace maids helped the Empress out of the carriage.

Wearing a crown with twelve dragons and nine phoenixes and a golden embroidered dragon robe, the empress arrived as if draped in rosy clouds. Behind her, six palace maids tugged at the hem of her large rosy robe, like the tail and wings of a wild goose.

At that time, Emperor Xiao Tingjun sat on the throne high in front of the palace, and the Empress slowly walked towards him.

Today's envoy is none other than Li Su, the late Empress's brother and Minister of Personnel. He leads the civil and military officials, following the Empress in paying homage to the Emperor. A second bow! A third bow! The entire assembly, men and women alike, performs a grand and awe-inspiring dance of obeisance.

Following the master of ceremonies' rhythmic instructions, the chief envoy Li Su and the deputy envoy Yang Mama walked to the Empress's side and unfurled the enormous imperial edict.

Immediately afterwards, the Minister of Rites announced the imperial edict establishing an empress.

Then, amidst the cheers and prayers of the audience, the imperial edict was rolled up and handed to the Empress. The Empress then gave it to Zijuan, who was standing behind her.

Xiao Tingjun rose from the throne, slowly walked down the jade steps, approached Daiyu, took her hand, patted her back, and led her up to the throne, where the two stood side by side.

At that time, the eyes of the ancestral vessels and beasts in the twelve symbols of the emperor's robe flickered in the morning sun, echoing the double-bright bird pattern on the empress's ceremonial robe.

Suddenly, the iron horns on the eaves neighed in unison, and the sundial's shadow climbed over the four seal characters "永绥吉劭" (Eternal Peace and Auspiciousness). As the master of ceremonies announced, "The Empress's Seal and Ribbon are bestowed," Xiao Tingjun abruptly snatched the jade plate, his wide sleeves of his black and crimson robes tracing an arc in the air. The smile that peeked out from beneath the twelve jade tassels startled the swallows nesting under the eaves. When he personally wrapped the ribbon around her waist, the three-finger-wide belt was wrapped half a circle longer than usual. The gilded buckle not only locked the mountain and river patterns but also the floral note inscribed with "Harmony of Qin and Se, Peaceful Years" in his sleeve pocket.

At this moment, the resounding voice rang out again: "Pay respects!" The civil and military officials responded by bowing.

Xiao Tingjun held Daiyu's hand tightly, and the two stood side by side, looking down at the civil and military officials below, their hearts surging with emotion.

After the coronation ceremony, Xiao Tingjun and Daiyu returned to the Phoenix Palace, where Daiyu, now the Empress, no longer lived in the Delin Palace.

There's a little story behind this.

After the late emperor abdicated, he resided in the Taiji Palace. Therefore, when the current emperor abdicates, he will naturally move to the Taiji Palace as well.

However, Taiji Palace is located in the north of the entire imperial city, and its terrain is the lowest in the palace, so it is very damp.

Therefore, back then, not only the retired emperor, but also the imperial concubines had many complaints.

Xiao Tingjun was always thoughtful, and he had discussed this matter with Daiyu long ago: "If we let Father and Mother move to Taiji Palace, not to mention the other concubines would not be happy, I myself would feel that it would be somewhat unfilial."

“Even if you hadn’t brought it up, I would have told you about it anyway. Just a couple of days ago, Consort Xu frankly expressed her concerns to the Empress Dowager about this very issue.” Although the Empress Dowager reprimanded Consort Xu at the time, the truth is that the conditions at Taiji Palace are really not very good.

“I was just thinking about it. There aren’t many people in the palace right now, and many palaces are empty. So why don’t we take the initiative to ask Father and Mother to move to Xinghe Palace?” Daiyu had already thought it through. The Emperor, the Empress, and Consort Xu and Consort Rong, there are still a few people. There are still some rooms left in Xinghe Palace, big and small.

"Xinghe Palace?" Xiao Tingjun pondered for a moment. "It is indeed a good place. It is located in the east, and it is spacious with several gardens with beautiful scenery. Especially the Lingering Garden, which is naturally elegant. The pavilions, terraces, flowers, trees, and water features are all perfectly arranged. I think Father and Mother will like it."

Having made up her mind, Daiyu went to tell the Empress, who immediately nodded: "Yes, it is indeed a good place." But she also said, "However, it still depends on your father's opinion."

It was naturally Xiao Tingjun who went to the Emperor's place.

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Tingjun's proposal was rejected by the emperor.

Upon hearing that the emperor was still going to Taiji Palace, the concubines in the harem were not happy.

Daiyu understood something and took the initiative to discuss countermeasures with Xiao Tingjun.

Chapter 302 Harmonious Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren: A New Era

The fact that the emperor was unwilling to move to Xinghe Palace, but instead stubbornly insisted on living in Taiji Palace, made Daiyu wonder.

“Father has always ruled the world with filial piety.” Daiyu’s words hit the nail on the head.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tingjun, who was standing to the side, was slightly taken aback. Then, blinking his bright and deep eyes, he seemed to suddenly realize something and said, "Yu'er, could it be that Father Emperor is not unwilling to go to Xinghe Palace, but rather that he is worried that if he does not choose to stay in Taiji Palace because he is afraid of the damp and harsh environment, he will be criticized by the censors and ministers and be branded as unfilial?"

Daiyu nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with her husband's view. Then, she analyzed clearly, "In my opinion, there shouldn't be any other reason at the moment. However... now that the situation is clear, I have actually thought of a way to deal with it."

Daiyu whispered a few words in Xiao Tingjun's ear.

"Yu'er has always been amazing," Xiao Tingjun praised.

Two days later, in the afternoon, the rare warm sunlight slanted through the carved wooden window, drifting in the sandalwood incense rising from the jade incense burner.

"Grandfather, this ink blot looks like a little rabbit." Five-year-old Jia Cong suddenly put down his wolf-hair brush and held the Xuan paper above his head. The light spots shining through the glass window danced on his apricot-yellow brocade robe, and the ink from the brush tip meandered down the jade paperweight, spreading dark patterns on the rubbing of the Thousand Character Classic.

"The other day you said the ink dots looked like clouds, and today they look like rabbits?" The emperor has not yet abdicated, but he has entrusted all matters to Xiao Tingjun, who is now focused on teaching his grandson.

His warm palm covered the child's hand, guiding the brush to return to the four characters "天地玄黄" (Heaven and Earth, Black and Yellow). The fragrance of agarwood on his wrist spread with the movement. "Look," he said, "this vertical stroke should resemble a pine tree..."

The child suddenly looked up at his grandfather and said, "Yesterday, you said you'd give me lion candy after I finished writing, but you didn't give it to me."

"You little glutton, you said yesterday that you had to write down 'The List of Stars and Constellations' on three pages." The emperor used his other hand to gently stroke the child's straight nose.

"If I fill four pages with the 'List of Stars and Constellations' today, can my grandfather grant me a favor?" Jia Cong's eyes shone like morning stars, his face full of anticipation.

"What is it?" the emperor asked with a smile.

"Then Grandpa must agree to my request first." The child tilted his head and began to whine.

The emperor has always been powerless against his grandson's adorable behavior.

"Then Grandfather will see your handwriting. If it's not good, it won't count." The Emperor nodded.

Jia Cong was indeed full of energy and buried himself in writing.

As dusk deepened, the gilded crane-shaped lanterns lit up one after another. Even the emperor, seeing his grandson's diligent efforts, couldn't resist going closer to watch.

"Wow, I'm finally done!" After finishing the last stroke, Jia Cong smiled with delight, looked up, and met the Emperor's smiling face.

"Hmm, you wrote very carefully." The Emperor was impressed by Cong'er's composure at such a young age—this child has excellent aptitude and, with careful nurturing, can shoulder great responsibilities.

"Then, what do you want your grandfather to promise you?" The emperor was very curious. What important thing could such a young child possibly want?

"Grandfather, don't go to Taiji Palace. Let's stay at Xinghe Palace together, okay?" The child's curled index finger was hooking around his grandfather's faded dragon-patterned sash. "Grandson doesn't like Taiji Palace. It's so dark."

The emperor paused slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He asked gently, "Who told you that?"

“The other day, my sister’s little rabbit went missing. My aunt said it ran into the Taiji Palace. Let’s go look for the little rabbit.” Cong’er wasn’t lying. “It’s so cold and windy inside the Taiji Palace.”

"I heard from my aunt that my grandfather will be living in the Taiji Palace from now on." Cong'er wrinkled his nose at this point. "So, when I come to study with my grandfather, will I also be in the Taiji Palace?"

“My grandson is scared, and even my aunt is scared, only my sister isn’t scared,” Cong’er said, shrinking her neck as she spoke.

His earnest expression and fearful demeanor were something a five-year-old child couldn't fake, naturally arousing the emperor's compassion.

"Then, Cong'er, you must try your best to be this diligent every day, and then your imperial grandfather will grant your request, okay?" The emperor already had a plan.

Jia Cong immediately nodded: "Okay, grandson keeps his word." The little boy patted his chest to make his promise, which made the emperor laugh again. What a clever little boy.

Immediately afterwards, the Imperial Household Department reported that the Taiji Palace needed renovations, and the emperor relented.

Consort Xu was overjoyed upon hearing this. She truly did not want to go to Taiji Palace. Unaware of this, she said to Jin Jiazhu, who was coming to the palace to pay her respects, "As expected of the Crown Princess, she actually came up with a way to renovate Taiji Palace. This world should belong to the couple."

On an auspicious day, the retired emperor, the empress dowager, and the imperial concubines all moved into Xinghe Palace.

A new emperor ascends the throne, and a new dynasty begins.

Daiyu was already quite adept at handling things, but Xiao Tingjun was much busier. The new emperor had ascended the throne, a general amnesty had been granted, and a special imperial examination was to be held. One thing after another was happening.

Xiao Tingjun was in a good mood that day and returned home relatively early. The couple rarely had dinner together, and Xiao Tingjun told Daiyu, "This year's imperial examination is quite lively. Li Ke from my uncle's family and Jia Lan are both here."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help but laugh: "It seems that our dynasty is full of talented people, and they are all young talents."

"That's right. Neither of them is married yet. If they pass the imperial examination, I'm afraid someone will want to help them find a husband," Xiao Tingjun joked.

These words piqued Daiyu's curiosity: "If Jia Lan's marriage was delayed entirely by family matters, why wasn't Li Ke engaged either?"

Xiao Tingjun winked at Daiyu: "You'll never guess this time."

"Hmph, say it or not, it's up to you." Daiyu wrinkled her nose.

Xiao Tingjun smiled and said, "Think about your aunt's house."

Aunt's house? Daiyu naturally thought of Gao Xin. Her aunt had even wanted to find Gao Xin a top scholar as a husband.

"It's not what I think, is it?" Daiyu's eyes widened.

Having not seen his wife with such an expression in a long time, Xiao Tingjun nodded smugly: "I'm afraid it's just as you think. Just wait and see."

Interestingly, after the imperial examinations, Jia Lan came in second place in the first rank, meaning he was the runner-up. Li Ke, on the other hand, came in second place.

Young talents, and many families in the capital with daughters of similar age, would naturally put their minds to it.

Although the Jia family is not as powerful as it used to be, Jia Lan is still very capable, and besides, he is related to the current Empress. Moreover, precisely because the Jia family has fallen on hard times, their threshold is lower, making it much easier for matchmakers to come to their door. In no time, the Jia family's threshold was almost worn down by the constant stream of visitors.

As for the Li family, Li Ke's father was not only the Minister of Personnel, but also a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion. In this dynasty, there was no prime minister, so the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion was equivalent to the prime minister.

The prime minister's son is also the empress dowager's nephew. With such a status, most families wouldn't dare to visit him unless they had a lot of influence with him.

That day, Xiao Tingjun went directly to Fengyi Palace after court and happily told Daiyu, "This year, on Father Emperor's birthday, Princess Qingjia will accompany the Emperor to offer his congratulations."

"Third sister, are you coming back?" Daiyu was overjoyed to hear this.