The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Hearing this, Jiayue was overjoyed. When she went to school, she told Qiongnan and the others, "This is great! We have our own place now. We'll tell Mother that we want to raise two little rabbits, and we'll also raise my parrot."

Children grow up quickly, and time flies by unnoticed. Before she knew it, Qiongnan was fifteen years old. The empress, who was pregnant, had long ago ordered the preparation of the coming-of-age ceremony, which was carried out in strict accordance with the rules. The chief guest, the master of ceremonies, the master of ceremonies, the hostess, and the attendants were all invited to be highly respected members of the royal family.

Princess Li, Princess Cheng, and Princess Fu, as aunts from Qiongnan, prepared very grand gifts. In particular, Princess Cheng, Zuo Jiangqiu, who had four sons but no daughters, was especially fond of all the little girls in her relatives' families.

Zuo Jiangqiu presented a complete set of jewelry, as Qiongnan was born in autumn when chrysanthemums bloom, hence the chrysanthemum-shaped set. The rosewood dressing case, carved with eight auspicious symbols, jingled as it was opened. Twelve gold chrysanthemum jewelry pieces were arranged in a staggered pattern on a nine-layered gold brocade lining, their subtle fragrance wafting with the shimmering pearls, as if capturing all the golden chrysanthemums that graced Qiongnan's birthday celebration within a small space.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Jia Yue couldn't help but exclaim.

“When the princess comes of age, she will naturally be just as beautiful,” Zuo Jiangqiu said with a smile.

Privately, he mentioned to the Empress: "Qiongnan is now of marriageable age, and I'm afraid she should be looking for a husband. Do Father and Mother have any thoughts on this?"

After all, Qiongnan's identity is somewhat special. Although the Emperor and Empress treat her very well now, they cannot erase the mistakes her parents made.

"My mother asked me about this yesterday too. Qiongnan is a rather sensitive child." Daiyu is now seven months pregnant, and the baby will probably be born around the New Year. Looking at Qiongnan, Daiyu sometimes thinks of her own childhood, when both her parents died and she lived with her maternal grandmother. Every day of the year was filled with harsh hardship. Therefore, she is especially attentive to Qiongnan.

"You asked today, do you have a good family to recommend?" Daiyu and Zuo Jiangqiu have been on good terms ever since they met. Zuo Jiangqiu is straightforward, quick-witted, and sincere. She is a girl who was pampered in the general's mansion, and her temperament and magnanimity are first-class.

"Her Majesty the Empress knows me. Apart from my father and mother's relatives, the people I know in the imperial clan are all the same as Her Majesty." Zuo Jiangqiu did have some thoughts. "Qiongnan, let alone Her Majesty's affection for her, even I think she is sensible and considerate, a good child."

"I heard that Tibet wants to arrange a marriage alliance, and many people think it might be Princess Zhaohuan." Zuo Jiangqiu didn't want to beat around the bush and simply asked directly.

Daiyu looked over at the little girls who were chattering away.

Chapter 323 Extra Chapter 7: May I One Day Repay the Kindness of the Crow (2)

Xiao Tingjun had already told Daiyu about Tibet's petition to the court for a marriage alliance half a month ago.

This was a major matter for the imperial court, and naturally it had to be discussed by the court officials. One suggestion gained the upper hand: among the eligible members of the royal family, only Princess Zhaohuan was suitable. Not only was she of noble birth, but she was also about the same age as the Tibetan king. Having her marry into Tibet would undoubtedly be the best strategy to maintain peace between the two countries.

Even the retired emperor paid close attention to this matter. He knew that the empress dowager was kind-hearted and would certainly be reluctant to marry off Princess Qiongnan, who had grown up by his side since childhood, to a foreign land. Therefore, the retired emperor summoned the empress dowager to his palace and earnestly persuaded her.

The implication was that Princess Qiongnan, as a member of the royal family, should contribute to the stability of the country and should not be pitied because of her father's past, thus delaying important national affairs.

Although there have been occasional frictions between the imperial court and Tibet over the years, they have generally maintained a peaceful relationship. The Tibetan king, nominally a vassal state who accepted the imperial investiture, possesses a strong and well-trained army within his territory, and his territory is strategically advantageous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. If the two countries were to go to war, the imperial army might not necessarily have the upper hand; the court officials were well aware of the advantages and disadvantages involved.

Although the Empress Dowager was extremely reluctant to part with Princess Qiongnan, who had been her beloved daughter since childhood and with whom she shared a deep bond, she also understood that personal feelings were insignificant in the face of national interests. For the sake of the court's stability, she could only bury this heartache deep within her heart, despite her thousand unwillingnesses.

The matter gradually spread throughout the palace, and even the young Princess Jiayue heard some rumors. A few days ago, she secretly went to Daiyu's palace, her little face full of worry and unease.

"Mother, Sister Qiongnan, are you really going to marry into Tibet?"

Jia Yue's voice trembled slightly. She carefully raised her head, secretly glancing at Daiyu's expression, and then quietly added, "Is it because Father and Mother are reluctant to part with me? After all... I'm their only daughter."

Daiyu felt a pang of sadness and hugged her daughter's soft little body into her arms. She gently patted her back and softly comforted her, "Your father and I are naturally very reluctant to see you marry far away. Besides, you are still young. These things are not for you to worry about."

Daiyu felt Jiayue's petite body trembling slightly in her arms. After a moment, Jiayue's voice, tinged with fear, rang out: "I feel I'm a little... a little selfish, a little... a little bad. Although I sympathize with Sister Qiongnan, who is likely to marry into Tibet, I'm also relieved that it's not me who's going to be married off so far away. Mother... am I a very bad daughter...?"

Daiyu's heart ached like a tidal wave. She hugged her daughter tightly and gently kissed the top of her soft hair. "Silly child," she said, "selfishness is human nature. Everyone has it. It's just that in this world, everyone wants to live, and wants to live well. Many times, the road is so narrow that it can't accommodate two people walking side by side. Everyone has a selfish side; it's human nature. Just as wild beasts eat raw meat and drink blood to survive, humans also struggle to live."

She paused, her tone becoming even gentler yet firmer: "But child, if a person cannot control the selfishness and malice in their heart, they will become a beast, no different from animals. The fact that you came to ask your mother today shows that you have good intentions in your heart, and that you are a good child."

Daiyu gently stroked Jiayue's cheek and continued, "As for your sister Qiongnan's matter, your father is still discussing it carefully with the ministers of the previous dynasty. The situation is not yet finalized, so don't worry too much. Tibet is relatively peaceful now, so there may still be room for maneuver in this matter."

Nowadays, when people in Qiongnan reach marriageable age, more and more people are thinking in this direction, which is why Zuo Jiangqiu asked directly at this moment.

Daiyu looked around and, seeing no one else, told Zuo Jiangqiu, "This is hard to say. You should have heard that the Emperor sent your second uncle to Sichuan."

The second uncle mentioned by Daiyu is Qiao Yushan, Xiao Tingjun's maternal uncle. General Qiao Yushan made outstanding contributions in the victory in the war along the southeast coast and is now one of the few undefeated generals in the court.

Zuo Jiangqiu, true to his military background, was quick-witted. Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone was clearly shocked, yet he deliberately lowered his voice: "Does His Majesty intend to wage war against Tibet?" Daiyu gently shook her head, her expression solemn: "It's not that serious, just a test. If we don't agree to the marriage alliance, we'll see how they react."

In fact, Xiao Tingjun did harbor a secret consideration of using war to end war. Currently, the Tibetan royal family is embroiled in fierce internal power struggles, with various factions stirring and the situation unstable. Moreover, he had heard that Tibet had suffered from continuous natural disasters and poor harvests for the past two years, leading to widespread poverty and hardship. If Tibet continued its arrogant and domineering behavior, it might present an opportunity to completely resolve the border threat.

Zuo Jiangqiu suddenly seemed to realize something, a knowing glint in his eyes: "No wonder, my brother was also transferred to Xikang." Zuo Jiangqiu's elder brother is now a young general in the court who can stand alone.

"However, Father has some objections," Daiyu sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness. Such a momentous decision was naturally too much for Xiao Tingjun to handle alone, so he informed the Emperor Emeritus of his thoughts. To his surprise, the Emperor Emeritus was quite worried upon hearing this and did not approve of Xiao Tingjun's risky move.

The retired emperor immediately reprimanded Xiao Tingjun, his tone stern: "You're already an emperor, yet you're still so naive! Qiongnan is indeed pitiful, but once the two countries go to war, the border people will suffer even greater hardships! You've been to the Southeast, you should know the cruelty of war, how can you so easily start a war?"

Facing the Emperor Emeritus's rebuke, Xiao Tingjun remained respectful but still insisted on his opinion: "Father, Tibet has always been restless. Whenever their army is strong and their forces are strong, or whenever the Central Plains dynasty's national strength is slightly weakened, they will come like jackals to burn, kill, and plunder, causing great suffering to the border people. Now that their internal situation is unstable and their national strength is weak, we might as well take this opportunity to completely resolve this border threat, so as to bring lasting peace."

The retired emperor was well aware of the Tibetans' wolfish ambitions; they were indeed like a persistent, insidious threat to the court's borders. However, war was no child's play; if the war went poorly, the consequences would be unimaginable, jeopardizing the lives of countless people and the very foundation of the nation. He was acutely aware of the risks, and that was why he was all the more cautious.

However, Daiyu did not expect that after her coming-of-age ceremony, Qiongnan would take the initiative to visit her.

Chapter 324 Extra Chapter 7: May I One Day Repay the Kindness of the Crow (3)

Qiongnan came to visit Daiyu alone this time. After bowing and exchanging greetings, Daiyu raised her hand to signal her to rise, her gaze gently falling on Qiongnan. Seeing that she seemed to have something to say, and that there was a hint of hesitation and unease in her clear eyes, Daiyu understood and waved for Zijuan and the other maids who served her to leave.

Qiongnan lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, as if she was considering how to speak. After a long while, she raised her head, mustered her courage, and spoke in a slightly trembling voice, yet with a firm tone: "Your Majesty, I am not afraid."

Although the Empress was already doing a good job managing the inner palace, the Empress Dowager personally summoned her to discuss the matter of Tibet's petition for cooperation with the Central Plains dynasty.

Daiyu had already guessed that Qiongnan's purpose in coming was most likely related to the marriage alliance with Tibet. Looking at the gentle and quiet young girl before her, her bright, intelligent eyes revealing a hint of worry hidden deep within, Daiyu couldn't help but think of her own past. The time she spent in the Jia family mansion, living under someone else's roof, cautious and timid, filled her with a slight pang of pain even now.

So, Daiyu slowly reached out and gently grasped Qiongnan's slightly cold little hand, enveloping it in her warm palm. She patted the back of her hand softly, her voice gentle and tinged with pity: "Silly child, don't worry, things haven't been decided yet. Your grandfather and the Emperor will definitely consider it carefully."

Qiongnan shook her head: "I know that you and the Emperor both feel sorry for me and are reluctant to let me marry over there. But I have enjoyed such a life of luxury since I was a child. Now that I have an opportunity to do something for the court and the people, I am very happy."

"Although, although I am a little scared. After all, Tibet is so far away. I have heard that their lifestyle and diet are very different from those of the Central Plains. Moreover, if I go there, I am afraid that I will never see my grandparents again, nor will I see you, my uncle, and my sister Jiayue."

She paused, as if encouraging herself, then raised her head, a glimmer of light rekindling in her eyes: "But back then, Princess Qingjia married far away to a small island in the southeast for the sake of the stability of the court. If a weak woman like her could sacrifice her own happiness for the greater good of the country, then I should be even stronger and not let my loving elders down."

After hearing what Qiongnan said, Daiyu felt even more heartbroken.

“I know that Qiongnan is a good child.” Daiyu’s voice was even softer, with a hint of praise and tenderness. “But this time, it’s not just because the Emperor cares about you. The court has its own considerations. Your uncle and your father have to take care of the stability of the whole country and the well-being of the people.”

Daiyu paused, her gaze deepening, and continued, "These foreign lands have always been fearful of power but not of virtue. When they are strong and well-equipped, they are like jackals and tigers, harassing our border people, plundering their wealth, and causing them untold suffering. Only when they themselves weaken and are unable to resist do they remember the wealth of our Central Plains dynasty and try to seek protection and peace through marriage alliances."

She sighed softly and continued, "If we could find a way to completely resolve the border threats in such a fickle place, that would be the best way to give back to the people of the Central Plains." Daiyu looked at Qiongnan and said earnestly, "These are old stories from the previous dynasty, and I shouldn't be telling you these things. But since you're here today and so sensible, I'll tell you some of them. Just keep it to yourself and don't let it cause you any unnecessary worry."

“But I will pass on Qiongnan’s words to your uncle.” Daiyu told Qiongnan not to feel guilty. “Even if the court and Tibet really go to war, it will not be because of you, but because your uncle and the court officials discussed and decided to do so.”

Looking into the Empress's sincere eyes, Qiongnan's tears, which she had held back for so long, finally burst forth. She had secretly thought before, how wonderful it would be if the Empress were her mother. She didn't want to be a princess, but rather to be loved by her parents like her younger sister, Jiayue.

Daiyu embraced the heartbroken Qiongnan and gently patted her back.

Perhaps the situation within Tibet was very bad, because even though the Central Plains court rejected their request for a marriage alliance, they did not dare to take any action.

On the contrary, after Daiyu gave birth to the third prince, the imperial court suddenly launched a military campaign against Tibet on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. The war was swift and decisive, and two months later, Tibet submitted to the Qing dynasty.

After the war, the imperial court established a protectorate in Tibet and dispatched officials to govern it, formally incorporating this land, which had frequently harassed the borders of the Central Plains, into the territory of the Central Plains dynasty. The people on the border could finally live in peace and prosperity, no longer needing to worry about the ravages of war.

Upon hearing the good news, the retired emperor couldn't help but say to the empress dowager, "It seems that the third prince is much more capable than I was back then."

"That's because of your excellent teaching. This battle wasn't just fought by the Emperor; I heard that the Fifth Prince personally went to the front lines. The brothers are united, and with so many dedicated ministers, you can rest assured and enjoy your old age." The Empress Dowager was naturally in a particularly good mood. Now, Qiongnan no longer needed to marry into Tibet.

No sooner had the words been spoken than the Second Prince Jiajing stumbled in. The child was not even two years old yet, and was at a very active and energetic age. Behind him was the Crown Prince Jiacong.

Seeing that Jia Cong was so mature for his young age, the Emperor Emeritus called him over and asked him what he had been learning lately.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was teasing little Jiajing, who whispered to her, "Third brother is blowing bubbles. Yesterday, Father said he was a little fat boy."

The third child was much fatter than Jia Cong and Jia Jing were when they were born, weighing a full seven and a half pounds.

The Empress Dowager wanted to see her grandson, and seeing that the Emperor Emeritus was testing Jia Cong, she took Jia Jing to see the Empress.

The Queen's residence was quite lively, with the Qiongnan sisters, Jiayue and others, all present.

"He smiled, didn't he?" Jia Yue looked at her little brother. "His face is so round and chubby, I really want to poke it."

"Little brother's skin is so tender, don't poke it," the Empress Dowager said, stopping him.

"Now that I have a little brother, my grandmother doesn't love me anymore," Jia Yue said coquettishly.

Seeing the children having so much fun, Daiyu was very happy.

The Empress Dowager looked at Qiongnan, who was talking with Jiayue and the others: This child suffered some hardships when she was young, but now she is a blessed person.

The Empress Dowager had no idea that the Emperor, in such a good mood, would also be in the mood to choose a husband for Qiongnan.

Chapter 325 Extra Chapter 7: May I One Day Repay the Kindness of the Crow (4)

Xiao Tingjun returned with a beaming smile and told Daiyu, "This imperial examination has produced quite a few talented young people who will surely become pillars of the nation in the future."

Then she suddenly had a whimsical idea: "Yu'er, what do you say, let the Qiongnan sisters go to Jiying Tower and see what's going on?"

Daiyu paused for a moment, then, recalling the customs of the Tang and Song dynasties, she immediately joked, "What? Does His Majesty also want to find a husband through the imperial examinations?"

“Yu’er understands me best.” Xiao Tingjun really had this thought. “It’s a pity that Yueyue is too young. But Qiongnan is of marriageable age and it’s time for her to be engaged.”

"In the palace examination, there was one person I thought was very good," Xiao Tingjun told Daiyu. "He was a candidate from Jiangxi. He wrote well, and I saw that he was tall and handsome without any air of poverty. He came from a respectable farming and scholarly family, but his family was a bit poor, but that doesn't matter."

"You appreciate it like that?" Daiyu asked with a hint of curiosity.

"After the palace examination, I asked him a question: In your eyes, what is of utmost importance to the nation and the hopes of the people?" Xiao Tingjun recounted the situation to Daiyu. "Yu'er, guess how he answered?"

"It can't possibly deviate from advocating for the common people or anything like that?" Daiyu wondered.

"He said this: 'In my opinion, the most important thing for the country is the stability of people's livelihood; the people's hope is for peace and prosperity throughout the land. As a minister, one should put the people first, understand their hardships, and only then can the country be stable and the nation prosper.'" Xiao Tingjun remembered his answer vividly.

"That part was fine, but what really bothered me was what he said afterward."

He said, “In my opinion, a ruler should have a heart that is concerned about the country and its people, and be able to see the general trend of the world in order to make decisive decisions and lead the people. As for ministers, they should not only do their best to assist the king so that his wise decisions can be implemented, but also be brave enough to speak frankly and save the country in times of crisis, so that the court is clear and the people are loyal.”

After listening, Daiyu nodded: "It seems he also has expectations of you, the emperor."

"However, there is no precedent for this in our dynasty, so we still need to consult the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager." Daiyu was referring to sending Qiongnan and the others to Jiying Tower to observe the performance of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

Xiao Tingjun nodded. Although these two were now the emperor and empress, they still held the retired emperor and empress dowager in high esteem and did not want to upset them. Fortunately, apart from matters of state, such as the recent situation with Tibet, the retired emperor and empress dowager generally did not interfere recklessly.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager immediately agreed to the proposal, and the Empress Dowager even expressed her desire to go to Jiying Tower together.

"Your Majesty is so quick-witted. Although I am old, I also want to see the new scholars in their prime." The Empress Dowager said with a smile.

The retired emperor snorted but didn't say anything.

The Jiayue sisters were overjoyed to learn that they could go up to Jiying Tower. Daiyu had someone decorate Jiying Tower in advance, with colorful curtains and beaded screens covering the viewing platform. Although the view was not clear from upstairs, one could still get a general idea of ​​what it was like.

Daiyu sat with the Empress Dowager, with Jiayue and the Qiongnan sisters also by her side.

The top scholar was the one Xiao Tingjun specifically mentioned to Daiyu; his name was Su Ziran.

"He is indeed different from others. Seeing him standing among the crowd reminds me of a type of tree called camphor tree from Sichuan." The Empress Dowager had heard some of this from Daiyu, so she paid close attention to it as well.

Jia Yue tugged at Qiong Nan's sleeve, urging her to take a closer look and see if it was good or not. She whispered in Qiong Nan's ear, "If it's not good, you can still talk to Grandmother and Mother. Once Father Emperor bestows the marriage, you won't be able to back out."

Qiongnan blushed with embarrassment, and Princess Ying pulled Jiayue aside, asking, "Are you in such a hurry?"

Jia Yue wasn't afraid of her aunt's teasing at all: "I'm not in a hurry. If anyone should be in a hurry, it's you, Auntie, who should be in a hurry first."