The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Finally, the retired emperor kept Daiyu behind.

"You've always been a smart and good boy," the Emperor Emeritus thought. One of the best things he ever did was choose a good wife for his third son.

"I am worried about the future relationship between father and son, brothers, so I can only entrust these matters to you." The Emperor Emeritus handed this heavy responsibility to Daiyu.

Daiyu hurriedly agreed. In fact, Daiyu understood in her heart that the imperial family, fathers and sons, and brothers were different from ordinary families.

The Emperor Emeritus was quite exhausted after saying so much. Seeing that the Emperor Emeritus had nothing more to say, Daiyu took her leave and came out. The Empress Dowager, who was waiting there, went in.

Two days later, the retired emperor passed away.

Daiyu was also very sad. Although the Emperor Emeritus was not as kind as the Princess, he had shown her, as a junior, favor over the years.

Outsiders look up to the royal family as if they were worshipping a gilded statue of a bodhisattva in a temple, saying "Long live the king!" but in reality, they are just ordinary people.

After the funeral of the retired emperor was completed, the palace remained very quiet for the time being, and all banquets were suspended during the period of national mourning.

Daiyu was worried about the Empress Dowager, so she made time to stay with her every day. The Empress Dowager knew that it was because of her filial piety, and she held Daiyu's hand and said earnestly, "You go about your business. I have experienced everything in my life. Now I have a good son and a good wife, and a house full of children and grandchildren. I have nothing to be dissatisfied with. Although I was very sad when your father passed away, after all, it was a lifetime."

"When I married your father, I never imagined I would have this day. Although the journey has been difficult, I am already blessed with both fortune and longevity, so I am very content."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything foolish. I'm still looking forward to seeing my grandchildren get married, and maybe even my great-grandchildren. Don't you think so?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a message came from outside that Princess Kang had arrived. A moment later, Jia Yue was seen carrying a bouquet of flowers. Her lively spirit added a touch of ease to the quiet courtyard.

“Grandmother, look how beautifully the flowers are blooming.” She placed them in a Ru kiln vase.

After the death of the retired emperor, a smile finally appeared on the Empress Dowager's face.

Chapter 329 Extra Chapter 8: Everyone Raises Children Hoping They'll Be Smart (4)

Three years after the death of the Emperor Emeritus, Daiyu was extremely busy.

The first thing is to marry off one's daughter.

This marriage was finalized at the beginning of last year, and interestingly enough, it was almost as if Princess Jiayue herself had chosen it. And this future consort is none other than Zuo Hongyi, the nephew of Princess Chengqin Zuo Jiangqiu, and the second son of her second brother Zuo Weijia.

The sons of the Zuo family were immersed in a martial arts atmosphere from a young age, and each of them was agile and proficient in archery, horsemanship, and horseback riding. Princess Jiayue had also longed for the dashing figure of galloping across the grasslands when she was young, and she pestered the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor to grant her permission to learn riding from Princess Chengqin.

Zuo Jiangqiu was a forthright and skilled martial artist, so he was naturally happy to take the intelligent and lovely princess as his disciple. As a result, Princess Jiayue had more opportunities to interact with the Zuo family children, including Zuo Hongyi, who was a few years older than her.

At that time, Jia Yue was still an innocent and curious little girl, full of longing for everything outside the palace. As for Zuo Hongyi, although he was young, he was already a spirited young man with agile movements, like a newborn cheetah.

Jia Yue enjoyed visiting Prince Cheng's residence, sometimes practicing martial arts with the Princess Consort, which led to her encountering Zuo Hongyi more and more frequently. Zuo Hongyi was a few years older than her, and like an older brother, he took her everywhere to get into trouble—or rather, to explore new things.

In spring, the two would sneak off to the peach grove behind the Prince's mansion and compete to shoot down peach blossoms with their homemade slingshots. The delicate pink petals danced in the air, like a magnificent rain of peach blossoms, and their laughter filled the entire valley.

On a hot summer day, the stream was crystal clear. Zuo Hongyi rolled up his trousers and went barefoot to catch fish and shrimp by the stream. He always managed to catch those slippery little creatures with quick eyes and hands, and then proudly showed them off to Jiayue and his aunt.

In autumn, when the leaves turn golden, Zuo Hongyi would climb to the top of a tall tree and carefully raid bird nests. He was nimble, gently removing the eggs from the nests, warming them in his arms, and then carefully putting them back. Jia Yue, though only able to watch from below, found it all very interesting.

In winter, the entire palace is covered in snow, transforming into a silver-clad world. Zuo Jiangqiu would lead them in building snowmen and having snowball fights.

So the marriage was a natural progression. The emperor selected the former residence of a disgraced official in the capital as the princess's residence, and instructed Jia Yue to take the blueprints to the Imperial Household Department and tell them what she wanted. Now, more than a year later, the renovation work is complete.

This was the first time the new emperor had married off his daughter since his ascension to the throne, and it was in the capital. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department had been preparing for the marriage since the princess was betrothed.

Five days in advance, the merchants and households along the street received red silk and red lanterns distributed by the Shuntian Prefecture, instructing them to hang them up by the end of the Yin hour on the day of the princess's wedding.

Although it was the emperor's daughter's wedding, custom was followed. The prince consort rode a white horse adorned with large red flowers to the palace to fetch her. Although Princess Jiayue had no sisters, her married aunt Princess Ying, the unmarried Princess Qiongfang, and several other young ladies from the imperial clan all blocked the groom's way. Despite reciting numerous poems urging the bride to leave, they refused to let her out. The groom was sweating profusely with anxiety. Finally, the crown prince, taking pity on his brother-in-law, wrote three more poems for him, and only then were the gates opened.

Xiao Tingjun had made preparations in advance. He took Daiyu by carriage to the princess's residence first. The two arrived very early, so they strolled around and saw how the residence where their daughter would live was decorated.

"It reminds me of the day we got married. From decorating our palace to the wedding ceremony, I remember it all very clearly," Xiao Tingjun said with deep emotion.

Daiyu said the same thing: "When you came to fetch me in person, you really gave me a fright."

When a prince gets married, he will never personally go to the bride's home to fetch her.

"Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life." Xiao Tingjun held his wife's hand, as if a lifetime wouldn't be enough.

The two strolled around for a while and returned to the main hall on time. When they were bowing to their parents for the second time, Daiyu almost shed tears as she looked at the newlyweds, but fortunately she held back.

After marrying off her daughter, Daiyu was busy choosing a consort for the Crown Prince. Jia Cong was becoming more and more like his father, calm and upright. He had been rigorously trained since childhood, and although he was only sixteen years old, the court officials would sigh that his demeanor as the Crown Prince was enough to make them submit.

Daiyu first discussed with the Empress Dowager the idea of ​​holding a flower-viewing banquet and inviting eligible young ladies from the capital: "Then let them keep Mother company and have her give us her opinion."

"That's one way too. Yu'er wants Cong'er to see for himself as well?" The Empress Dowager understood Daiyu's thoughts perfectly well. Of course, the Emperor could thoroughly investigate the family backgrounds and character of the noble ladies, but it was Cong'er who was getting married.

“My daughter-in-law does indeed have this idea. When the time comes, Cong’er and the others will visit. If he strongly opposes it, who knows what trouble might arise in the future?” Cong’er is the crown prince, so Daiyu has to consider things more carefully.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager agreed, Daiyu discussed it with Xiao Tingjun, and then summoned Jia Cong to explain the arrangements.

Jia Cong immediately smiled: "Your Majesty has considered everything so thoroughly for your son. I am extremely grateful. I trust Your Majesty's judgment."

"You can't just trust your mother; you have to see for yourself and make your own choice." Daiyu looked at her grown-up son and smiled with satisfaction.

In the end, Jia Cong chose the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, named Xu Suhua.

This Miss Xu was not only beautiful and dignified, but also, more importantly, gentle and quiet, knowledgeable in poetry, literature and etiquette, and shared many hobbies with Jia Cong.

When Jia Cong privately mentioned this to Daiyu, a hint of joy and anticipation flickered in his eyes.

Daiyu was overjoyed to see that her son had finally found a woman he liked. She had already ordered people to thoroughly investigate Miss Xu's family background and character, and after confirming that she was a virtuous and talented candidate for Crown Princess, she informed Xiao Tingjun and the Empress Dowager about it.

Xiao Tingjun was very satisfied with his future daughter-in-law, and the Empress Dowager was overjoyed, praising Daiyu for her good taste.

Once everything had settled down, in the rare moments of leisure, Daiyu would often stroll with Xiao Tingjun in the Imperial Garden.

In spring, flowers bloom in profusion, and birds sing sweetly; in summer, lush trees provide shade, and a refreshing breeze carries the scent of lotus blossoms; in autumn, osmanthus blossoms fill the air with fragrance, and fallen leaves create a colorful tapestry; in winter, snow blankets the landscape, and everything is covered in a silvery white. The seasons change, the scenery varies, but the people who stay by each other's side remain constant.

On this day, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze blew. Daiyu and Xiao Tingjun sat side by side in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, sipping fragrant tea and chatting casually.

"Do you still remember the chrysanthemum banquet from back then? I specially brought you rose pastries." Xiao Tingjun recalled the past, which was many years ago.

Daiyu nestled against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his palm, her heart filled with peace and happiness.

The past is like pearls scattered in the river of time; when picked up occasionally, they still shimmer with a captivating light. The anxieties she felt when she first married Xiao Tingjun, and the trials and tribulations they went through together, have all transformed into the deep affection and mutual support they share today.

"From our first meeting in the Empress Dowager's Phoenix Palace to our lifelong companionship in this palace, the most fortunate thing in my life is marrying you," Xiao Tingjun said sincerely.

"I feel the same way," Daiyu said softly but firmly. "Being able to stay by Your Majesty's side and watch the children grow up is the greatest happiness of my life."

As the sun set, its afterglow bathed the entire Imperial Garden, casting long, long shadows of the two figures. A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying the fragrance of flowers, and the air was filled with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Their eyes met, and without a word, their hearts were already in sync. Having withstood the test of time, their love, like fine wine, grew richer and sweeter with age, and like this prosperous land, it endured forever, bringing peace and tranquility.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth

When Li Yue woke up, she felt a slightly sweet and metallic taste in her throat, and she was also thirsty.

A pair of hands reached out quickly and gently to tuck the blanket around her. But these hands were unusually cold, and the moment they touched her chin, they made her shudder.

She managed to keep her eyelids open.

"Alright, alright! Thank God! The Princess Consort has woken up!"

"Quickly, invite Physician Su here."

"Du Ruo, quickly bring the ginseng soup."

After swallowing two spoonfuls of the bitter ginseng soup, Li Yue felt the bitterness reach the back of her tongue and immediately came to her senses: No wonder the Taoist said that ginseng soup could keep the spirit alive; this level of bitterness was indeed enough to give a dying person a moment of lucidity.

Li Yue was stunned when she finally saw the person in front of her—wasn't this Du Ruo? Her maid who had been married long ago.

She had been the Empress Dowager for many years, and now that she was old, she was often drowsy and confused. The Empress had been taking care of her every day out of filial piety. So why was it Du Ruo at this moment?

Didn't Du Ruo already get married and start living her own life when she was still a princess?

Li Yue stared at her for a while before tentatively asking with a hint of hope, "Du Ruo?"

Du Ruo's eyes welled with tears, her hands trembling as she cried out, "Yes! Your Majesty, it was me! You scared me to death! If you hadn't woken up..."

Li Yue found it extremely strange. She could no longer hear Du Ruo's voice, and her eyes were fixed on the top of the tent. After a while, she finally accepted reality—by chance or by divine mercy, she had returned to the palace.

"Then, Rui'er, is Rui'er still alive?" Li Yue was about to ask when a clear child's voice reached her ears.

"Is Mother awake?" Xiao Tingrui asked anxiously as he entered the room, heading straight for his mother's bed.

Li Yue's tears streamed down her face the moment she saw her son. Xiao Tingrui, unaware that his mother was overjoyed to see her son after being reborn, thought she was in great pain and quickly called for Physician Su: "Physician Su, quick, quickly examine my mother, she must still be in a lot of pain."

Li Yue could no longer hold back, sat up, hugged her son, and burst into tears.

After crying, Li Yue made up her mind. Since Heaven had given her a second chance, she vowed to protect her son and never let Wu's evil scheme succeed.

Judging by the time, it was during Qiao's pregnancy. Remembering how filial the third son and his wife had always been to her, Li Yue decided to help Qiao.

After resting for two days, during which time both Madam Qiao and Madam Wu came several times, Li Yue regretted that she had misjudged people in her past life. She thought that Madam Wu was a good person because she was amiable, but she felt that Madam Qiao was beautiful but had a bit of a petty mind.

After all, Madam Qiao was a meticulous person. If she saw anything wrong in the mansion, even if she was just a concubine, she would still run to Li Yue and complain.

Wu would never say anything wrong about Li Yue or the servants, and would even agree with Li Yue in every way, often praising her.

Looking back now, it turns out that Qiao was the one with genuine feelings, while Wu was the one with hidden malice.

So, now that she was much better, Li Yue didn't go to see the pregnant Qiao Shi first, but instead went to see Wu Shi—in the past, both the prince and she had cared too much about the child in Qiao Shi's womb, which had caused Wu Shi to have some inappropriate thoughts. Since she wanted Wu Shi to lower her guard, she naturally had to do it thoroughly.

Unexpectedly, Madam Wu was so impatient. After paying her respects to the Princess, she smiled and said, "The imperial physician said a few days ago that Sister Qiao has blood stasis and needs Panax notoginseng. Your Highness knows this. My father has a student who is serving as an official in Yunnan, so I asked my father to have someone send some over."

As he spoke, he took it out to show Li Yue. At first glance, it was indeed a high-quality Panax notoginseng.

Li Yue smiled and praised, "Your kindness is truly rare. I thank you on behalf of Sister Qiao and the Prince."

"Look at what Your Highness is saying. Sister Qiao is always vomiting during her pregnancy. It's not just that His Highness feels sorry for her, but I feel sorry for her too. Besides, this Panax notoginseng is nothing special." As always, Madam Wu was virtuous and generous.

"Then I'll accept it for Sister Qiao. I'm going to visit her anyway, so I'll take it to her on the way." Since Madam Wu is so eager, how could we waste her good intentions?

Upon hearing that the princess was going to personally take it over, Wu Shi had no suspicions. On the contrary, she felt that it was a great opportunity given to her by heaven: even if it was later discovered that it was wild Panax notoginseng instead of real Panax notoginseng, she could blame it on the princess, saying that the princess was jealous of Qiao Shi's favor and deliberately switched it.

After Li Yue arrived at the Qiao family's courtyard with a box of Panax notoginseng, she instructed Du Ruo to take all the servants away.

"Does my sister trust me?" Li Yue didn't plan to tell Qiao Shi about her rebirth, but she would start talking about Sanqi from now on.

Qiao didn't understand why the princess was suddenly so serious and said such a thing, but Qiao nodded honestly: "Your Highness, ever since I entered the palace, you have always been very good to me, so of course I trust you."

Looking into Qiao's sincere eyes, Li Yue knew that even when Qiao died in her previous life, she never doubted anyone.

Although Qiao was very talented and had a first-class appearance, it was probably because her father and brothers had protected her too well, making her exceptionally naive.

Li Yue opened the box, and when Qiao saw that it contained Panax notoginseng, she exclaimed with delight, "Where did Your Highness get so much? I told my sister-in-law a couple of days ago that she should ask her brother to see if he could buy some top-quality stuff for me."

Li Yue shook her head: "It wasn't given to you by me, it was sent by Consort Wu's father."

"Then I should go and thank Sister Wu," Qiao said with a smile.