The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

That year, on Lu Zhongxiang's birthday, he hosted a banquet at home for several classmates, including Jia Lan. They drank and composed poems together, and the festivities went on until quite late. As everyone took their leave, the moon was high in the sky. Jia Lan and Li Ke bid farewell to Lu Zhongxiang together.

As he walked towards the ceremonial gate, he unexpectedly bumped into her. Actually, it wasn't exactly a collision; they were quite a distance apart. Half of her fair, jade-like face peeked out from behind the flowering trees. The silver lilac earrings with shimmering beads on the girl's earlobes suddenly reflected the moonlight, like a shooting star falling into his eyes.

I only caught a glimpse of her, but later I heard Lu Zhongxiang mention that she was his cousin's daughter, who was temporarily staying at their house.

“The Lu family isn’t exactly a good family either. According to Mother’s opinion, we should just decline the offer.” Li Wan was somewhat unhappy.

“My son thinks the Lu family is quite good.” Jia Lan pondered for a moment, “Not too wealthy, not too poor.”

Li Wan always felt that her son had been wronged, and although she didn't say anything, it was written all over her face.

“Mother, the Lu family is just average now, but that doesn’t mean it will be in the future. Mother, do you remember me saying that Lu Zhongxiang and I studied together at the academy?” Jia Lan once remarked to her mother that among the group of them, Lu Zhongxiang’s future was also limitless.

“Even if Young Master Lu becomes successful in the future, he will still be a distant relative, not a blood uncle.” Li Wan was still somewhat dissatisfied.

Jia Lan knew very well that her mother's mentality had changed after she entered high school: she used to be suppressed by her family, but now she was in charge of the household and had the final say.

“We are all in this together, for better or for worse. The Lu family is very different from ours. Besides, just because it was Xueyan who asked, we should agree.” Jia Lan countered his mother’s question, “If it were Prince Fu asking me, do you think I could refuse?”

Li Wan was stunned.

"Mother, don't worry about this. I'll look into the Lu family's daughter." Jia Lan felt she should invite Lu Zhongxiang for a drink.

Three days later, Li Wan took the initiative to send a reply to the Zhong family, but also expressed her desire to meet the girl. Xueyan naturally acted as the middleman and arranged the meeting.

When I saw the Lu family girl, she was wearing a lotus-colored cloud-patterned blouse with lotus scrolls on the shoulder and a light green Hangzhou silk blouse with a diagonal front. On the three-inch wide moon-white lace cuffs, there was a half-grain of rice hidden in the silver-embroidered apricot flower stamen, which shimmered with a warm light as she raised her arm.

She was a gentle and charming girl, and Li Wan was already seven-tenths satisfied with her.

After a few casual words, Li Wan's satisfaction grew to 120%: this girl was poised and eloquent, and seemed to be a combination of Jia Lan's second and third aunts.

Before long, the Jia and Lu families finalized the marriage between the two.

When Xueyan entered the palace, she told the Empress about the engagement. Daiyu laughed and said, "They're quite quick."

Then, after glancing at Gao Xin, who had entered the palace that day, Daiyu waited until no one else was in her own palace before directly asking about the girl.

Looking at the current Empress, Gao Xin felt that since she had been her teacher before, there was nothing she couldn't say.

Chapter 313 Extra Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter Amidst the Golden Autumn Breeze and Jade Dew (3)

Upon hearing the Empress ask about her marriage, Gao Xin pondered for a moment and then knelt down.

This greatly surprised Daiyu: "Get up quickly, what's wrong?"

After kowtowing three times, Gao Xin stood up and said quite directly, "Your Majesty, I used to call you Auntie, and I will still call you Auntie now."

“I know that the Empress Dowager loves me the most, so I dare to say anything to my aunt.”

“I have taken a liking to Lord Li, but my grandmother said that I am a princess and he is a young master of the Li family. A marriage between the two families would be too conspicuous.”

Upon hearing this, Daiyu immediately understood: The Princess felt that her family was already attracting enough attention, and Li Ke's father was not only the Empress Dowager's own brother, but also the current Grand Secretary. If Xin'er were to be betrothed to Li Ke, not only would others gossip, but even she and Xiao Tingjun would have to be wary.

It's understandable that the eldest princess would think this way, since no emperor would want to see his subjects, especially those in high positions of power, having too many close relationships.

Daiyu then smiled and said, "Auntie thinks too much."

However, Daiyu looked at Gao Xin with a smile: "Are you really sure you want to choose him?"

Gao Xin could tell that the Empress was teasing her, and her cheeks flushed, but she still nodded.

Gao Xin first met Li Ke at the horse farm.

Hearing someone exclaim in surprise, Gao Xin looked in the direction of the sound and saw a pure white steed galloping towards them, with a young man dressed in black riding on its back. He held the reins in one hand and placed the other hand on the sword at his waist. With his clothes fluttering, he seemed to become one with the horse.

It was dusk, and the setting sun cast a golden glow upon him. Although Gao Xin couldn't see his face clearly, she could sense the sharp aura emanating from him.

Gao Xin's heart skipped a beat.

Later, of course, we learned that he was Li Ke, the son of the emperor's brother-in-law.

But Gao Xin didn't expect an even more thrilling encounter.

On this day, Gao Xin was riding a chestnut horse at a slow trot. She gently squeezed the horse's belly and felt the pleasant spring breeze on her face.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air. The chestnut horse pricked up its ears and pawed the ground restlessly. Before Gao Xin could react, it let out a neigh and galloped off in a frenzy.

"Stop! Stop!" Gao Xin desperately pulled on the reins, but the horse wouldn't obey. The wind whistled past her ears, the scenery rushed past her, and her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

Although she had been learning to ride a horse for a long time, Gao Xin still couldn't handle this kind of unexpected situation well.

Just then, a dark figure burst out from the side. It was a jet-black steed, and the man on its back was dressed in a striking black outfit, particularly noticeable in the sunlight. He rode alongside Gao Xin, his voice steady and powerful: "Let go!"

Gao Xin instinctively did as instructed, and the next second she felt a tightening around her waist, and she was lifted into the air. In a dizzying moment, she was already on the man's horse. His arms were tightly wrapped around Gao Xin's waist, and his chest was pressed against her back, radiating a reassuring warmth.

The chestnut horse continued its galloping madness, finally crashing into the fence with a mournful neigh. Gao Xin then realized she had just narrowly escaped death.

Gao Xin recalled what happened many years ago, but this time, it wasn't orchestrated by anyone; it was truly just an accident.

"It's alright now," the man's voice sounded from above, carrying a reassuring tone.

Looking up, the sunlight shone perfectly on his profile, outlining his handsome features. His eyes were deep-set, his nose was high and straight, and the corners of his lips were slightly upturned, carrying a hint of unruly joy.

Li Ke? Gao Xin's heart pounded.

Seeing that she was alright, Li Ke jumped off his horse first. Gao Xin also wanted to dismount, but Li Ke stopped her.

“It’s not appropriate for the princess to dismount yet.” Only after Li Ke said this did Gao Xin realize that her legs were still trembling slightly.

Li Ke held the reins in one hand and supported the horse's neck with the other, waiting quietly.

Gao Xin told herself to stay calm while on horseback. After a while, she finally had the strength to jump off the horse and thank Li Ke.

"Princess, since you're riding alone, you should tell the people at the horse farm to be careful," Li Ke advised before bowing to Gao Xin and taking his leave.

From that moment on, someone took up residence in Gao Xin's heart.

Therefore, Gao Xin was extremely nervous when her grandmother first expressed interest in Lu Zhuangyuan.

After asking her granddaughter several questions and seeing her stammering, the eldest princess guessed what was going on and asked directly, "Xin'er, tell your grandmother honestly, have you taken a fancy to any young master?"

The eldest princess had been thinking about it for quite some time, considering all the children of her relatives and friends, but she still couldn't figure out who it could be.

Gao Xin didn't hide anything from her beloved grandmother, but when she heard her granddaughter mention the young master of the Li family, the princess was genuinely surprised—the child was indeed quite good, with the right age and talent.

Gao Xin told the Princess about how Li Ke had saved her at the horse farm, and the Princess couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Truly a hero saving a beauty."

"Grandma, please stop teasing me," Gao Xin said coquettishly, hugging and shaking her grandmother's arm.

The eldest princess, however, had a slight worry: Li Ke was certainly good, but perhaps a little too good. The current situation in the court was still somewhat delicate, but, well, her granddaughter was still young, so they could wait.

That being said, the Li family's sons are a bit older, and it's unclear what the Li family's plans are.

The eldest princess, who doted on her granddaughter, naturally found an opportunity to inquire.

The situation for the Li family at this time was more complicated.

Chapter 314 Extra Chapter 2: A Chance Encounter Amidst the Golden Autumn Breeze and Jade Dew (3)

At that time, Prince Rui had not yet rebelled, but the Li family was already a very influential family in the capital. The family was the Empress's own brother's family, and the young master was dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jade pendants. It was said that he was still studying at the academy, but he was already a well-known figure in front of His Majesty. His future was limitless.

Therefore, many families with daughters of marriageable age are inclined to form a marriage alliance with the Li family.

So people kept asking Mrs. Li about it, but Mrs. Li only said that the child was still young and there was no rush.

Gradually, some people realized that the marriage of this young master Li was probably not up to his parents; it also depended on the Empress's opinion in the palace.

Of course, there were also some unpleasant voices, saying that the Li family was too arrogant and looked down on ordinary people, and that they would definitely find a royal relative to marry into the family.

Even the Empress in the palace heard some of the rumors.

This is all thanks to Consort Xu. Although she knew that her son had no chance of getting that position, it didn't stop her from being jealous of others. Especially now, with the Empress supporting the third prince, his position as Crown Prince was secure. So she felt both envious and helpless towards the Empress.

It wasn't just that the Empress herself was impeccable; even her family members were all out there making her look good.

So when Consort Xu finally got hold of a rumor about the Empress's family, she quickly spread it throughout the palace.

"Li Erlang is the Empress's own nephew, so it's normal for him to be picky. He's now very learned and skilled in both literature and martial arts, and his future is bound to be limitless. Ordinary girls won't catch his eye."

The Empress was somewhat surprised to hear such words.

After thinking about it, the Empress brought it up when her sister-in-law went to the palace.

"It's our fault for causing Your Majesty worry." Madam Li was actually a little anxious. She had already chosen a couple of girls from different families. They were all well-educated, beautiful, and their families were easy to get along with. Although their families were not prominent, they were willing to marry down. Now that the Li family was at the height of its power, it was only right to be discreet.

Now that Her Majesty the Empress has asked, Madam Li no longer hides anything and tells her all her thoughts.

"Who knew that when we asked Ke'er for his opinion, he only said that he was focused on preparing for the provincial examination and had no interest in talking about marriage. He even said something about establishing a career before starting a family." Mrs. Li sighed.

The Empress smiled upon hearing this: "Could it be that the young master has taken a fancy to a girl himself?"

Mrs. Li paused for a moment, thinking about the families she frequently interacted with, and asked in confusion, "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this. None of the families we interact with frequently have girls of marriageable age; they are all boys of similar age."

"Sister-in-law, there's no need to worry too much. We don't need to pay any attention to those rumors. I'm just thinking that the young master is not young anymore. Since he has his own ideas, it's not good to interfere too much." Seeing that her sister-in-law was anxious, the Empress comforted her.

But Mrs. Li felt that the Empress was right about something; perhaps her son really had his eye on a girl, but was just too embarrassed to say it.

That very evening, Mrs. Li called her son over and began to question him in detail.

"Mother, don't worry about me. The provincial examination is coming up soon, and I have to prepare well. I don't have time to think about these things." A bright and beautiful face flashed before Li Ke's eyes, and he quickly lowered his head.

Mrs. Li carefully observed her son's expression and felt that he was growing up and was no longer willing to talk to his mother about certain things. She sighed and said, "Never mind, it's not that I'm forcing you, but firstly, you're not young anymore, and secondly, families like ours are always prone to gossip."

"Since you mentioned the provincial examination, let's talk about it after you take it."

But turning to her husband, Mrs. Li couldn't help but say, "Tell me, which girl could Ke'er possibly fancy? I asked him, but he wouldn't say. But judging from his expression, I'm afraid he has some ideas."

Li Su was busy with court affairs every day, and his discipline of his son was mostly focused on his studies. After hearing his wife's words, he didn't pay much attention: "Alright, he's grown up now. He knows what's going on in his heart. There's no use in you guessing."

"Hmph, I'm just talking to you for nothing. I'm hoping you'll even think about it." Mrs. Li was very dissatisfied with her husband's completely indifferent attitude.

"What's the point of thinking about this? The provincial examination is just around the corner, so we should let our son focus on the exam," Li Su said, too lazy to talk to his wife.

This is also where the father and mother were inherently different. For Li Su, the imperial examination was the most important thing, while for Mrs. Li, nothing was more important than her son's lifelong happiness.

The couple didn't see eye to eye, but Li Su didn't mind. All he wanted to do right now was sleep. Mrs. Li saw that her husband had already closed his eyes, so she just snorted and didn't say anything more.

But as soon as the provincial examination was over, Mrs. Li couldn't sit still anymore.

"Now that the provincial examination is over, shouldn't you tell your mother which family's daughter you've taken a fancy to?"

Actually, Mrs. Li had prepared for her son to say something like the provincial examination results hadn't come out yet. But to her surprise, her son said seriously, "Then, if I say so, will Mother go to your door to ask for your hand in marriage on my behalf?"

"You've really taken a fancy to a girl? If my son says that, does it mean the girl comes from a lowly family?" After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Li smiled and said, "As long as the girl comes from a respectable family and has good character, then of course I'll find a way to help you."