The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

“But this isn’t Panax notoginseng, it’s wild Panax notoginseng, it can kill people,” Li Yue stated directly.

Madam Qiao was quite startled and looked at the princess in disbelief.

"That's why I asked you earlier if you believed me. Even if Physician Lan from the Imperial Hospital says it's Panax notoginseng tomorrow, don't expose it, okay?" Since we're going to put on an act, we should go all the way. "If you don't believe me, you can have a maid take a small piece back and ask your sister-in-law to have someone examine it carefully."

“But I have a few words to tell my sister.” Li Yue thought that she was playing the long game. She could probably get away with it. After all, as long as Wu insisted that her father sent it and that she was unaware of it, then the prince would not be punished too severely now that he needed the Wu family’s help.

As for the matter of the thunder vine, those two things will surely ensure that the Wu family can no longer cause trouble in the future.

"Even if my sister knows about Consort Wu's intentions, she should remain silent for now. I will write to our family in Sichuan about the Sanqi (a traditional Chinese medicine), and they will surely be able to send it over."

"Sister, just pretend you know nothing, don't think about anything, just focus on giving birth to the child and taking good care of your health. You must not let today's events ruin your future happy life with both a son and a daughter."

Qiao thought to herself that she had been married into the family for over a year and the Princess and the Prince had treated her exceptionally well. In fact, she had read so many books and was not truly ignorant; she simply did not like to think the worst of people.

Looking into the princess's earnest and concerned eyes, Madam Qiao nodded.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - Seizing Wu's Handle

With Qiao's trust, Li Yue found everything much easier.

Wu was in a good mood because Qiao had specifically thanked her for the Panax notoginseng: "It's really too much trouble for you, sister, to have someone send Panax notoginseng from so far away in Yunnan to the capital. I'm so touched I don't know what to do."

Wu had always disliked Qiao's frail and delicate appearance, but she never showed it on her face. At this moment, she smiled and said, "What are you saying, sister? The prince said we are family. I think it won't be long before you give birth to a son for the prince." Her smile was gentle and proper, as if she was genuinely happy for Qiao.

As always, Qiao was innocent and naive, completely unaware of the undercurrents in Wu's words. She simply smiled innocently and said, "Then I'll take your kind words, sister."

As expected, it was an auspicious omen. Two months later, Lady Qiao gave birth to a son. The prince was overjoyed and immediately reported the good news to the palace. The emperor was also delighted and immediately bestowed the name Xiao Tingjun upon him.

Even their names were exactly the same. Li Yue recalled how filial the third husband and his wife had been to her in her previous life, which strengthened her resolve to protect the Qiao family.

Meanwhile, Madam Wu watched helplessly as the Prince's mansion celebrated the baby's third-day and full-month celebrations with great fanfare, her jealousy burning ever brighter. What she found even more unbearable was that even for her youngest son Xiao Tingjun's first birthday banquet, the Emperor had specially bestowed upon him a celadon jade brush holder carved with cabbage patterns, a white jade album of poems from the Tiaoxi River, and a set of jade ornaments carved with dragon patterns. Her own second son's first birthday hadn't received such a grand reception; this was undoubtedly due to the Prince's favoritism towards Madam Qiao and her son.

Seeing the Prince's increasing favor towards Qiao and the Third Prince, Wu was driven almost mad with jealousy. She immediately took some more Panax notoginseng, and this time she didn't go through the Princess Consort, but delivered it to Qiao herself—she secretly calculated that Qiao wouldn't live much longer if she took this "tonic" for a long time.

Thinking of this, Wu's jealousy instantly turned into a malicious anticipation—she wanted to see how heartbroken the prince would be after Qiao's untimely death.

However, Wu waited and waited, until Xiao Tingjun was already two years old, and Qiao Shi not only hadn't died, but her complexion was rosy and her health was better than before. Even more alarming, Qiao Shi was pregnant again!

"I really have to thank you for the Panax notoginseng you sent, sister. Yesterday, Physician Lan came to take my pulse and not only said that I am pregnant, but also praised me for taking good care of myself recently, and that my blood stasis symptoms have almost healed." Qiao thanked Wu happily, her innocent tone full of joy, unaware that these words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Wu's heart hard and making her so angry that she almost choked.

Despite her immense anger, she could only force a smile, managing a stiff one so that Mrs. Qiao wouldn't take it to heart.

Taking the opportunity, Madam Wu naturally asked Imperial Physician Lan, "Are you sure Consort Qiao took the Panax notoginseng I gave her?"

Imperial Physician Lan stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "This humble subject is unaware of this matter, but every time Consort Wu sends Consort Qiao some Panax notoginseng, she brings it to me to examine and asks me if it is of good quality." Imperial Physician Lan also felt that something was amiss, but due to Madam Wu's power, he dared not say more.

"Then why didn't anything happen?" Madam Wu glared fiercely at Physician Lan.

Imperial Physician Lan simply kowtowed, but the truth might be that Consort Qiao had discovered something amiss, so she didn't take the medicine at all.

"Forget it, there's no time to deal with her now. It seems that the eldest son is the bigger threat." Madam Wu realized that although the prince doted on Madam Qiao, the eldest son born to the princess, Xiao Tingrui, was the biggest threat. Not only did the prince value him, but the emperor in the palace also treated this grandson very differently, even taking Xiao Tingrui to the palace to study. This was the first time such a grandson had done so.

If things continue like this, Xiao Tingrui is already the eldest son, so wouldn't his future prospects be far behind even his own son?

Madam Wu recalled her father's words: "Now that the Emperor values ​​the Prince, if you think boldly, you will all have a better future."

What better future could there be than that of a prince? Now that the crown prince is no longer an option, and the other princes are no longer suitable, the best future, of course, is to become the emperor.

If the prince really becomes the emperor, wouldn't Xiao Tingrui become the crown prince? What will happen to his son then?

No, absolutely not, she has to think of something.

Wu sought out Physician Lan again, and from him, she obtained the secret recipe for Tripterygium wilfordii—a poison that could cause those who took it to exhibit symptoms similar to smallpox.

These days, so many children get smallpox. If Xiao Tingrui dies from smallpox, then his son will become the prince's eldest son.

She bribed a cook surnamed He in the kitchen to secretly put Tripterygium wilfordii powder into the snacks she prepared for Xiao Tingrui every day.

She thought her plan was foolproof, but little did she know that Princess Li Yue was waiting for her to make her move. Like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, Wu Shi had no idea that her wet nurse, Yuan Shi, had already been manipulated by the princess—in her previous life, it was this very Yuan Shi who ultimately exposed Wu Shi.

The pastries were poisoned, Wu had secretly kept Tripterygium wilfordii powder, and there was also Physician Lan. With witnesses and physical evidence, the Prince's eyes were devoid of warmth when he looked at Wu.

“Your Highness, it’s best not to make a big fuss about this.” Li Yue felt that it was better not to let the palace know about this, so as not to affect the Emperor’s opinion of the prince. After all, it was a sensitive time. “On the contrary, it would be good to communicate with the Wu family.”

Li Yue was betting that the Wu family would weigh the pros and cons, sacrificing a daughter to secure the throne the prince might obtain, as well as the future wealth and status of their Wu family and their grandson—by imprisoning Wu Shi and telling everyone that the concubine was ill, and that over time, she would eventually disappear. In this way, they could deal with Wu Shi without getting themselves into trouble, killing two birds with one stone.

Just as Li Yue had predicted, the Wu family's actions stemmed from two main reasons. First, the evidence against Wu was irrefutable, and protecting their daughter would only bring trouble upon themselves. Second, the Wu family felt that having a grandson meant they didn't need a daughter.

After finishing Wu's business, Li Yue remembered Daiyu—in her past life, this daughter-in-law was exceptionally filial to her. Since that was the case, she should protect this child from the very beginning in this life.

They sent someone to inquire, only to learn that Daiyu's mother, Jia Min, had passed away, and the child had been brought to the Rongguo Mansion in the capital.

Li Yue needs to send someone to keep an eye on the Rongguo Mansion, that place that eats people alive.

However, before Li Yue could send anyone to the Rongguo Mansion, the Emperor ordered the abdication of the throne.

After a series of events including the Emperor's ascension to the throne, her own elevation to Empress, and her son Xiao Tingrui's appointment as Crown Prince, Li Yue finally had time to send someone to the Rongguo Mansion.

There's a whole series of side stories, all within the larger framework of the Empress's Rebirth.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - A Turning Point in Daiyu's Life

When the Empress sent Granny Hu to the Rongguo Mansion, the entire household was startled.

Regardless of what others thought, Wang Xifeng quickly led the person in to pay respects to Grandmother Jia. Although Grandmother Jia was a lady of the highest rank, she dared not put on airs in front of someone sent by the Empress. After accepting Hu Mama's greeting, she hurriedly had Yuanyang help her up.

However, Granny Hu specifically stated that she had been ordered by the Empress to come and see Miss Lin: "Her Majesty said that Lord Lin has made great contributions to the Salt Administration. I heard that he only has one daughter, who is currently being raised in the Rongguo Mansion. So she sent me to take a look at her. In a few days, she will also bring the girl to the palace to play."

These words stirred up the thoughts of everyone in the Jia family, and Grandmother Jia quickly sent someone to invite Daiyu.

Daiyu was also very suspicious, as she had never known that the Empress had any connection with her family, but she still came calmly, showing proper manners and composure.

Even the old nanny Hu secretly admired her: "She is indeed the girl that the Empress has been longing for. Although she is still young, her appearance and demeanor are first-rate. However, she seems to be a little weak."

"Her Majesty the Empress said that she will come to pick up the young lady to play in the palace again in a few days when the weather is cooler. There is a princess in the palace who is a little younger than Miss Lin and is eager for Miss Lin to come to the palace to play with her." As soon as Hu Mama finished speaking, a young man dressed in gorgeous clothes rushed in without paying any attention.

It turned out to be Baoyu. He had gone to his uncle's house today, and when he returned and heard that Daiyu was at Grandmother Jia's place, he ignored the maids and servants and rushed in to see Daiyu.

"Sister Lin, look what I brought you!" Baoyu had no idea there were outsiders present.

Seeing the surprised look on Hu Mama's face, Wang Xifeng quickly stopped Baoyu: "Brother Bao, we have guests, don't be silly."

Grandmother Jia then smiled and told Granny Hu, "This is my grandson, named Baoyu. The two Yu'ers have always gotten along very well, they are childhood sweethearts."

Granny Hu secretly kept this in mind, planning to have a good talk with the Empress when she got back: Not only are the descendants of the Rongguo Mansion now useless, but the rules of the household are also not as good as before.

Granny Hu rose to take her leave, not forgetting to instruct Daiyu: "Her Majesty instructed me to convey a message that you need not worry about anything, Miss. Her Majesty will take care of everything."

The Rongguo Mansion happily saw off Granny Hu. After all, their family hadn't received any rewards from the palace for a long time since the Duke passed away. Although this reward was given to Miss Lin by the Empress, everyone in the Rongguo Mansion felt that it was their own achievement.

Grandmother Jia was even more convinced that Lin Ruhai must have done well in the salt administration and gained the trust of the emperor to allow the Empress to bring Yu'er into the palace. She quickly summoned Wang Xifeng to have several new outfits made for Daiyu so that she could wear them when she entered the palace.

Looking at the faces of the maids and servants towards her now, Daiyu couldn't help but think of the things they had said about her behind her back: that she was a freeloader, arrogant and aloof, and looked down on everyone.

Instead of secretly shedding tears in the past, Daiyu now gave a cold smile: No wonder the ancients said, "Servile and obsequious," it is indeed so.

The palace sent people and carriages to pick up Daiyu and take her directly to the Empress's Phoenix Palace.

Inside Fengyi Palace, Consort Qiao and Princess Xiao Lin were present, along with Consort Xu and Consort Zhou. Xiao Lin was currently the only princess in the palace, so she was extremely favored. Not only did the Emperor like her, but the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager also treated her exceptionally well.

Interestingly, the eldest princess's family had no daughters, only cousins. In addition, the empress praised Daiyu to the skies in front of Xiao Lin, making Xiao Lin have high expectations for Daiyu.

When Xiao Lin saw the nanny bring in a pretty girl, she was stunned. After Daiyu bowed and the Empress asked her questions, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Mother, you've invited a fairy into the palace!"

One sentence made everyone in the room laugh. Consort Xu was also very curious: Neither the Lin family nor the Rongguo Mansion were related to the Empress, and there was no news of any dealings between them. Why did the Empress insist on bringing a young girl into the palace? Could it be the Emperor's idea?

Now that they had seen her, they also thought the young girl was quite pretty, and like Consort Qiao and Consort Zhou, they also presented a gift. Then everyone took their leave, but Xiao Lin was still reluctant to part, turning back every few steps: "Mother, can I come and play with Miss Lin again later?"

"Of course, Miss Lin will be staying in the palace for a few days, so there will be plenty of time to play with you," the Empress said with a smile.

Daiyu was even more stunned: They actually wanted to stay for several days?

Having received a satisfactory answer, Xiao Lin left happily. Only then did the Empress tell Daiyu, "Don't be nervous or afraid. Your father is a trusted minister of the Emperor, and I like daughters. It's a perfect match, so I'll invite you to stay for a few days."

Daiyu still had doubts, but the Empress was so kind that she put aside her anxiety and listened as the Empress asked her about her studies, her experiences on the way to the capital, and whether she was living well in the Rongguo Mansion. Daiyu answered all her questions one by one.

The Empress knew she couldn't take too big a step, or she would frighten the young girl. So she didn't say too much at once, but instead had Daiyu play with the princess for two days. She then sent someone to escort Daiyu back to the Rongguo Mansion and bestowed upon her four bolts of Yun brocade and four bolts of Shu brocade.

When Hu Mama went to Rongguo Mansion this time, she carried the Empress's decree and announced directly to Grandmother Jia: "The Empress said that Lord Lin has rendered meritorious service to the court, so please do not neglect Miss Lin. Please prepare a small courtyard for the young lady. Once it is settled, the Empress will send a governess and palace maids to serve her next time."

This imperial decree left the Rongguo Mansion completely bewildered: Could it be that Lin Ruhai was truly so highly regarded by the higher-ups? Or was it not solely because of Lin Ruhai?

Regardless, with the Empress's decree, at least Grandmother Jia and Wang Xifeng were thinking that they should treat Daiyu better so that they might benefit from her in the future.

And so, Daiyu got her own courtyard, but just two months later, the Empress sent someone to fetch her again.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - First Encounter

When the Empress sent people to fetch Daiyu a second time, it naturally attracted even more attention.

There was no need for much explanation to the Emperor, since he himself greatly admired Lin Ruhai's abilities. When the Empress told him that Lin Ruhai's beloved daughter was not doing well in the Rongguo Mansion, the Emperor's face fell: "These old ministers are really taking advantage of the merits of their predecessors, each one of them is greedy and insatiable, they are the most hateful."

The emperor disliked the so-called Four Kings and Eight Dukes. Most of these families had made great contributions during the reign of the retired emperor, but now their descendants were mostly unfilial, producing many纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats), and they all relied on the retired emperor's presence to challenge the emperor.

Therefore, the emperor naturally supported the empress in bringing the Lin family girl into the palace, which was also a warning to the Rongguo Mansion.

However, upon hearing the news a second time that the Empress had brought someone into the palace, the four princes couldn't help but feel curious. Now that Crown Prince Xiao Tingrui was alive, and Lady Wu had been dead for several years, the princes maintained a relatively harmonious relationship as brothers.

"Why don't we ask my sister? She's seen that girl before, so she'll definitely know why Mother likes her so much." It was the Second Prince, Xiao Tingkai, who spoke up.

So Xiao Lin was summoned by her brothers. Crown Prince Xiao Tingrui generously took out a string of white jade rabbits tied with red string: "I got a trinket the other day, you can play with it."

The string of ten jade rabbits is made of fine jade. What's rare is that each of the ten rabbits has a different pose, and they are all adorable and lifelike.

The princess smiled upon receiving the beautiful jade rabbit, saying, "Thank you, elder brother."

"Have you seen that girl from the Empress Dowager's place?" Xiao Tingfeng asked impatiently.

"Yes, she's playing with Miss Lin. She's so talented; she's already read all four books and can even write poetry." Xiao Lin nodded. "Mother said she'll take Miss Lin to admire the peonies tomorrow."

After Xiao Lin left, Xiao Tingkai looked at his brothers and asked, "Do you want to see Miss Lin?"

"Alright, stop making things worse. Don't you think you have too much homework every day?" Crown Prince Xiao Tingrui has the most homework. The Emperor Emeritus likes this grandson very much and often gives him private tutoring.

"That's right. Besides, if we go without Father's decree, we'll definitely get a scolding." At this time, Xiao Tingfeng was still somewhat timid.

Xiao Tingjun remained silent, because he had already heard about this talented and lovely young girl from his mother. His mother seemed to particularly like the girl, praising her whenever she mentioned her and saying she wanted such a clever daughter.

This made Xiao Lin laugh and say, "Mother Consort thinks Sister Lin is better now, and doesn't spoil her daughter anymore." After making a fuss for a while, she finally got a jade bracelet from Consort Qiao and then stopped.

Xiao Tingjun never expected that he would meet this Miss Lin in such an embarrassing way.