The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

He was playing in the park with his dog "Feixue," a small, all-white dog that was lively and active, like a moving snowball.

Unexpectedly, "Flying Snow" suddenly spotted a butterfly flying out from the flower bushes and darted out to chase after it.

"Feixue! Come back!" Xiao Tingjun shouted anxiously from behind, but "Feixue" had already excitedly rushed into the peony garden.

"what--!"

Although "Flying Snow" was small in size, it was full of energy and, without careful attention, bumped directly into Daiyu.

Daiyu wasn't hit, but she was frightened.

The Empress recognized it immediately; it was Xiao Tingjun's dog. Xiao Lin, standing nearby, bent down and gently stroked "Feixue's" head, saying, "Miss Lin, don't be afraid. This is my third brother's dog; it's very well-behaved."

"Feixue, you've been naughty today." As she spoke, Xiao Lin scolded the dog. The little dog seemed to know that it had caused trouble. It whimpered and obediently lay down at Xiao Lin's feet, sticking out its tongue and rubbing its head against her hand.

Xiao Tingjun then caught up, quickly bowed to the Empress and his mother, and apologized profusely.

"Mother, it's all my fault. That beast is naughty and offended the young lady."

The Empress secretly thought that now that her son was alive, and the third prince had always had a very good relationship with the Crown Prince, perhaps many things would be different.

Seeing that the Empress hadn't spoken, Daiyu thought the Empress would be angry. Just now, the Princess had mentioned that this was her third brother's dog. Daiyu had heard about her brother from the Princess several times and knew that this must be the Princess's biological brother. Fearing punishment from the Empress, she quickly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I was not frightened at all, I am fine."

"Flying Snow" seemed to understand that it might not be punished, so it wagged its tail and let out a few cheerful cries.

The Empress chuckled, thinking to herself, "It seems that Yu'er and the Third Prince's fate is truly unstoppable."

"Very well, since Miss Lin has spoken, I will not punish her." The Empress had an idea in mind.

Having made up her mind, the Empress acted swiftly. The next day, she sent someone to invite Consort Qiao over.

"Sister Qiao, I've invited you here today to discuss something with you." The Empress personally poured a cup of tea for Consort Qiao, her tone gentle.

Consort Qiao accepted the teacup and said with a smile, "If Your Majesty has any instructions, I will do my best."

The Empress sighed softly, "As you know, Miss Lin is not having a good time at the Rongguo Mansion. I sent people to fetch her twice, and I could tell she was feeling somewhat aggrieved. She is a sensible child and never complains, but there is always a faint sadness in her eyes, as if she misses her family and home."

Upon hearing this, Consort Qiao nodded in deep agreement: "Indeed, Your Majesty is very perceptive. I think that child is adorable. At such a young age, he is already well-read and has impeccable manners. He is someone you can't help but like from the bottom of your heart."

"I think that Lin'er is at the age where she should have a study companion. If she could have a talented and virtuous girl like Miss Lin as her companion, she would surely make progress in her studies and become more composed. What do you think, Sister Qiao? Would you be willing to let Miss Lin come to the palace to be Lin'er's study companion?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Qiao's face immediately lit up with delight: "Your Majesty's move is excellent! I couldn't be happier! It is Lin'er's blessing to have such a talented woman as Miss Lin by her side, and it is even more of my blessing. In this way, Miss Lin can stay in the palace more often, and the Rongguo Mansion will have to think twice about it."

Seeing that Consort Qiao agreed, the Empress felt relieved and smiled, "In that case, I will go and report this matter to the Emperor."

The Empress and Consort Qiao were both satisfied. Consort Qiao then asked her daughter, Xiao Lin, who was even more eager to do so. Therefore, when the Empress mentioned to the Emperor that she, the Consort, and her daughter were all willing, the Emperor naturally did not refuse.

Therefore, when Daiyu was sent back to the Rongguo Mansion, the Empress directly bestowed upon her a governess and two palace maids, and also informed the Rongguo Mansion that Daiyu would become a princess's companion in the future.

This not only surprised everyone in the Rongguo Mansion, but also stunned Baochai, who was also shocked when she heard the news—she had only recently failed to be selected, and now she was being asked to choose a companion for a princess, not a princess, but a companion for county princesses.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - Saving Lin Ruhai

Regardless of what the Rongguo Mansion thought, Daiyu's life as a companion to her studies began.

The princess's studies were quite easy, after all, she was their only daughter, and besides the Emperor and Empress, even the Emperor Emeritus doted on her. Xiao Lin was a little older than Xi Chun, but unlike Xi Chun, she was not taciturn; instead, she was a lively, lovely, and innocent little girl.

She was used to being coquettish and didn't like those proper poems and songs. Instead, she liked to pull Daiyu aside and ask her about things outside, like what Yangzhou was like and how many delicious foods there were.

Even Consort Qiao couldn't do anything about her.

It was hot, and after her afternoon nap, Consort Qiao came to wake the princess. The princess was probably still half asleep, her eyes not fully open. She glimpsed Daiyu dressed neatly beside her, her mouth dry, and she started asking for something to eat.

"Get up quickly, you can eat anything." The palace maids called twice without getting her to get up before Consort Qiao finally came.

"Then I want to eat peach cake mountain." Xiao Lin immediately came to her senses.

"No, she just woke up. How can she eat something so cold?" Consort Qiao naturally disagreed. How could she eat something cold right after waking up?

"Mother, you just said you'd eat anything," Xiao Lin said, trying to be cheeky.

“…Apart from this.” Consort Qiao instructed the palace maid to quickly put shoes on her.

Xiao Lin pouted and winked at Daiyu with a smile: "Then, Osmanthus Pastry Mountain."

"Or osmanthus ice cream, cold glutinous rice balls, ice bowls..." she recited the menu, each item icy cold.

"Alright, stop fooling around. You're going to learn flower arranging later. Looking at you like this, you're not like a princess at all." Consort Qiao sometimes really couldn't understand why she had never been so naughty since she was a child, and her son was also an obedient child. How come she gave birth to a daughter who was like this?

Daiyu initially smiled, but later became somewhat envious, realizing the advantages of having a mother.

Consort Qiao and the Empress treated her very well. Consort Qiao was gentle and graceful, and the Empress exuded an air of majesty in every gesture.

Daiyu felt more at ease in the palace than in the Rongguo Mansion. Usually, it was just her, the princess, and Consort Qiao. Of course, she went to pay her respects to the Empress every day, but the inner palace was very well-disciplined.

The Empress also had her worries. The Emperor had only recently ascended the throne, and the Retired Emperor was still alive. This forced the Emperor to consult the Retired Emperor on many political decisions, and he was constantly hampered by his own limitations.

Especially in the Jiangnan region, the Zhen family controlled the officialdom, their power was deeply entrenched, and they were a real menace to the area.

Lin Ruhai was known for his integrity, incorruptibility, and competence, making him an excellent asset to the emperor. The empress recalled that in her previous life, Lin Ruhai had contracted a cold while on a salt inspection tour, leading to a serious illness and ultimately his death.

That day, the emperor brought up the matter himself: "The national treasury is stretched thin. Although I have high hopes for Lin Ruhai's salt inspection tour, the situation in Jiangnan is far from simple."

The Empress immediately advised, “Your Majesty’s concerns are very valid. Lord Lin is a pillar of the court; how can he be easily harmed? I believe that this salt inspection will take place over a long distance, and the climate in Jiangnan is unpredictable. Lord Lin carries a heavy responsibility, and if he becomes unwell, it could jeopardize important matters. It would be better to send a skilled imperial physician to accompany him and take good care of him along the way, just in case.”

"The imperial physician is accompanying us? Lin Ruhai is a civil official, and not a delicate person. This... seems a bit redundant?" Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned slightly.

"Your Majesty," the Empress said, "besides his duties in salt administration, Lord Lin's more important mission is to secretly monitor the officials in Jiangnan and investigate the Zhen family's strengths and weaknesses. If anything were to happen to him, the situation in Jiangnan would become even more difficult. With the imperial physician by his side, any health issues can be addressed promptly, preventing any delays to Your Majesty's grand plan. Moreover, this demonstrates Your Majesty's high regard and consideration for Lord Lin, and further motivates him to serve the country loyally." The Empress had already prepared her words.

"What the Empress said is not without reason." After a moment's thought, the Emperor finally nodded. "In that case, issue an edict to the Imperial Hospital, ordering Physician Li to go to Yangzhou."

Sending a royal physician could demonstrate the monarch's concern for his subjects, but it was also a form of surveillance—the emperor was still quite wary of the Jiangnan region.

Lin Ruhai, being upright, has nothing to fear; having another imperial physician is actually a good thing for him.

From Physician Li, Lin Ruhai learned about the situation in the capital and, seeing the unruly behavior of the Rongguo Mansion's sons, began to doubt his decision to entrust his daughter to the Rongguo Mansion.

With the meticulous care of Physician Li, Lin Ruhai not only avoided the fatal cold he had suffered in his previous life, but also discovered evidence of the Zhen family's smuggling of salt during his salt inspection.

He collected solid evidence, including ledgers of the Zhen family's smuggled salt business, correspondence with local officials, and testimonies from victims.

In addition to the evidence of the Zhen family selling official positions that he had previously found, Lin Ruhai sent it all to the capital.

The emperor stared at the shocking evidence, his face turning ashen. The Zhen family had dominated Jiangnan for years, their illicit salt trade and the sale of official positions—each and every one of these crimes demonstrated the gravity of their offenses and the extent of the harm they had inflicted on the empire.

However, the emperor was troubled about how to deal with the Zhen family.

"The Zhen family is so audacious, I wish I could uproot them immediately!" The Emperor never needs to hide his emotions in front of the Empress. "But the old lady of the Zhen family was the wet nurse of the retired Emperor. If I issue an order to deal with her directly, I'm afraid the Emperor might be displeased."

"Your Majesty's concerns are naturally understood by your concubine," the Empress said softly, her tone carrying a certainty. "However, the crimes committed by the Zhen family are no ordinary ones. Selling smuggled salt depleted the national treasury and shook the very foundation of the nation; selling official positions corrupted the court and led to the decay of the bureaucracy. Such crimes have endangered the country and the nation, and cannot be tolerated by ordinary sentiments."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned slightly and remained silent in deep thought.

The Empress continued, "Although Father Emperor cherishes past affections, I believe that he has always prioritized the well-being of the nation. What he values ​​most is the stability of the country and the peace of the people. The actions of the Zhen family have shaken the foundation of the nation. How could Father Emperor disregard the well-being of the people for the sake of a mere family's personal feelings?"

She paused, then her tone became even more resolute: "Instead of letting Father listen to gossip, Your Majesty should personally present the evidence that Lord Lin has investigated to Father. Let him see with his own eyes what the Zhen family has really done. In this way, Father can distinguish right from wrong, and Your Majesty will not be burdened with the name of 'unfilial piety'."

"The Empress is absolutely right. Father Emperor is well aware of the importance of the country and its people. The Zhen family has committed such a heinous crime that even past ties cannot outweigh the weight of the nation's fate. If Father Emperor himself can speak on this matter, then no one will be able to object to my handling of the Zhen family."

Upon arriving at the Taiji Palace of the retired emperor, the emperor bowed respectfully and then presented the memorial and evidence of Lin Ruhai to the retired emperor one by one.

The Emperor Emeritus's expression gradually changed from calm to solemn, and finally to deep heartache and anger.

"Disgusting creatures! Disgusting creatures!" After reading it, the Emperor Emeritus closed his eyes, and two lines of tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He had placed high hopes on the Zhen family, but he never expected that they would commit such a heinous crime.

The emperor stood quietly to the side, saying nothing, simply waiting for the retired emperor's decision.

After a long while, the retired emperor slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the emperor with a hint of weariness in his eyes, but more so with clarity and decisiveness.

"The Zhen family has committed heinous crimes that have shaken the foundation of the empire. How can I, for my own selfish reasons, disregard the well-being of the people?" The Emperor Emeritus's voice was somewhat hoarse, but every word was clear.

He paused, his gaze hardening: "Act according to the law! Punish him according to the crime he is guilty of! Don't consider anyone or any personal feelings!"

With the Emperor Emeritus's explicit instructions, the Emperor had no more worries. He immediately summoned the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate for a joint trial. The decree sent shockwaves throughout the capital.

To prevent the Zhen family from fleeing and transferring their assets after receiving the news, the emperor decisively issued a thunderous order: "Issue an edict to the Governor-General of Zhejiang, ordering him to immediately mobilize troops, surround the Zhen family's residence, and keep them under strict guard! No one is allowed to enter or leave, and all property is to be sealed! Anyone who resists will be killed without exception!"

Within a month, the Zhen family's home was raided. Mountains of gold, silver, jewelry, silks, antiques, paintings, and countless property deeds were all inventoried and seized. The Zhen family's accumulated wealth over many years was confiscated in that instant.

The entire Rongguo Mansion was stunned when they heard the news that the Zhen family's property had been confiscated.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - Yuan Chun Returns Home

Everyone in the Rongguo Mansion was stunned when they heard the news of the Zhen family's property being confiscated. The once bustling Zhen family of Jiangnan had fallen so suddenly, which made everyone in the Jia family feel a sense of shared sorrow.

However, amidst this fear and unease, Madam Wang displayed extraordinary courage.

She received several large boxes from the women of the Zhen family, who said they were to be stored at the Rongguo Mansion.

Madam Wang's eyes darted around as she began to calculate: if the Zhen family could rise again in the future, and she had lent them a helping hand, they would naturally be grateful; if the Zhen family were to fall completely, wouldn't these boxes of rare treasures all become her private property? No matter how she looked at it, she wouldn't lose out.

In particular, there are several rare treasures inside, which should be secretly sent to the palace for Yuan Chun.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, no new concubines have been selected yet. This is Yuan Chun's best opportunity!

Lady Wang heard that the Emperor did not intend to hold a selection of consorts for the time being, but instead planned to choose two ladies from among the female historians to fill the harem.

Isn't this the perfect opportunity for Yuan Chun to stand out? If Yuan Chun obtains these treasures and presents them to the Empress or Consort Qiao, she might gain their favor and rise rapidly in rank. The more Lady Wang thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and she had to act quickly.

Lady Wang went to great lengths to secretly pack up several of the finest treasures that the Zhen family had entrusted to her and send them to the palace. Through various connections, they were finally delivered to Yuan Chun.

However, to Madam Wang's utter surprise, just half a month after she painstakingly sent the items to Yuan Chun, a bolt from the blue struck, and things went awry.

That day happened to be Jia Zheng's birthday. The Rongguo Mansion was filled with guests, and the atmosphere was joyous and festive.

Suddenly, a gatekeeper rushed in, ran all the way to the table, and loudly reported: "Report! The Grand Eunuch Xia of the Six Palaces has issued an imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.

The Jia family members were stunned at first, then their faces lit up with ecstatic joy.

The presence of eunuchs from all six palaces was an extremely joyous occasion! They naturally assumed that Yuan-chun had received a promotion or some favor and had come to report the good news to the Jia family.

Madam Wang trembled with excitement, tears welling up in her eyes.

However, when they saw the impressive array of the newcomers, their smiles gradually froze.

Then, Xia Shouzhong, the supervisor of the Six Palaces, arrived on horseback, surrounded by many eunuchs.

But what was most striking was the very back of the eunuch procession, where a plain-colored sedan chair for four people was prominently displayed. This sedan chair, devoid of any festive air, instead exuded an ominous aura.

Xia Shouzhong did not carry the imperial edict. He dismounted before the eaves, a knowing smile on his face.