The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

“Brother Hua, I don’t know what happened either, but I dare not disobey Madam’s orders. Madam told you to prepare the money to redeem Sister Xiren and bring her back as soon as possible,” Mingyan said dryly.

Seeing that Hua Zifang was still not fully awake, Mingyan swallowed and added, "Two thousand taels of silver."

"What did you say?!" Hua Zifang was dumbfounded. Two thousand taels of silver—where was he going to get that much money? Besides, wasn't the Jia family always known for their charity? They usually just kicked a maid out when she made a mistake.

Despite not understanding, Hua Zifang had no choice but to devise a plan. After much difficulty, she managed to scrape together the money and went to bring her younger sister back.

Not to mention how heartbroken the Hua family was, and how sad Xiren was, the maids and servants in Baoyu's room were all very worried.

Most of them were unaware of the details, only thinking that if even someone as capable as Xiren was driven out, their lives must be difficult as well.

Some people thought of Qingwen from back then, and became even more frightened.

Not only the maids and servants in Baoyu's courtyard, but even the maids of Tanchun and Xichun were somewhat worried.

Zijuan and Xueyan were both Daiyu's maids, so they weren't worried. But Chunxian and Chunyu, who were sent by the Rongguo Mansion and were just lowly maids working in the courtyard, couldn't help but worry.

After all, even if Miss Lin gets married in the future, these young maids might not be able to follow her.

Zijuan sensed something was amiss and summoned Chunxian and Chunyu for questioning. The two young girls dared not hide anything and honestly told her their concerns.

Zijuan shook her head and laughed: "You two really think too much. How can Bao Erye's room be the same as other people's rooms? Putting aside other things, just take the days when everyone lived in this garden. Wasn't it only Bao Erye's room that was always making noise every few days, and it was also their room that was stealing things?"

Upon hearing this, Chunqian and Chunyu thought about it carefully and realized that it was indeed true.

Chunyu was younger than Chunxian and couldn't help but blurt out, "Back then, everyone said that Sister Xiren was good at managing things, but it's all fake. If she were really good at managing things, she wouldn't be making a fuss all the time, let alone stealing things."

"You see things clearly," Zijuan nodded and said, "So you don't need to worry. Just do your jobs well, and the young lady will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Immediately, Zijuan became serious: "But similarly, if anyone makes a mistake, especially if they disobey their master or try to please others, I will kick them out before you even have to say anything."

Chunqian and Chunyu usually thought Zijuan was very kind and gentle, but when they heard Zijuan say this, they straightened their backs and quickly agreed.

After giving them some detailed instructions, Zijuan told them to go about their business. However, she had something on her mind and went inside to bring it up with Daiyu.

"Miss, just now Chunxian and Chunyu mentioned their concerns. What do you think we should do in the future?"

Daiyu immediately understood what Zijuan meant: should she bring these two maids with her when she gets married?

"Have you inquired about their backgrounds?" Daiyu had always entrusted the affairs of the young maids to Zijuan and Xueyan, and hadn't put much effort into it herself.

"When they were assigned to the household, I inquired about them. They weren't born into the family; they were bought when the villa was being built for the family visit." Zijuan had already found out about the two women's backgrounds. The young lady had been bullied in various ways since she entered the household, especially after her father passed away. Those people became even more aggressive, so Zijuan had to be on guard.

"What's even more remarkable is that Chunqian's parents are nowhere to be found. Chunyu originally had an older brother and sister-in-law, but they didn't treat her well. When the family was in dire straits, they sold her. Last year, I heard that Chunyu's brother and sister-in-law felt that life in the capital was too difficult, so they went back to her hometown without even telling her."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu sighed, "They are all pitiful people."

"In that case, Zijuan and Xueyan, you two observe them carefully and treat them well. Familiar ones are always better than those bought from outside whose backgrounds you don't know." Daiyu had an idea in mind.

Zijuan and Xueyan readily agreed.

Time passed slowly, and the weather gradually turned cold. One day, the Empress sent over some processed white fox fur, and Zijuan and Xueyan discussed making a crane cloak for Daiyu.

"I feel like the girl has grown taller again; her old crane cloak is a bit too short." Zijuan opened the chest, intending to take out a piece of feather gauze for the outer layer and the tiger skin for the lining.

Unexpectedly, Ying'er arrived with a maid. Daiyu was surprised but still invited her in. When she saw that the maid behind Ying'er was carrying something that Daiyu recognized very well, Daiyu's eyes instantly turned cold.

Chapter 31 Daiyu exposes Baochai's underhanded scheme

Daiyu immediately noticed the glass embroidered ball lantern in the hand of the little maid behind Ying'er and understood what Ying'er had come for—this glass embroidered ball lantern was the one she gave to Baoyu when he came to visit her that year and saw it was raining outside.

When Ying'er brought it here, it was naturally not her idea as a maid, but rather the idea of ​​her shrewd mistress, Baochai.

Daiyu recalled what Baochai had said when she came to ask her to save her brother: "Now that my sister is about to become a prince's consort, shouldn't she think about her own reputation?"

It seems that Baochai, having just driven away Xiren, is now overjoyed and preparing to sow discord between herself and the two palace maids, letting them know that she and her cousin had once 'secretly exchanged gifts,' and that this glass embroidered ball lamp is the evidence.

So after Ying'er finished her greetings, Daiyu preemptively said, "Did Bao Er's wife send you to deliver the lanterns? Then wait a moment, and I'll invite the maid from the palace to come over for you."

Upon hearing this, Ying'er immediately sensed something was wrong, because her young mistress had said that she only wanted the two nannies to hear a little bit and not to emphasize it.

Ying'er had been by Baochai's side for many years, so she naturally understood the purpose of her mistress's actions. It was not only to embarrass Miss Lin, but also to prevent Miss Lin from marrying a prince. A girl who disregarded etiquette and had no sense of shame could not become a prince's consort.

Seeing that Ying'er was frightened by her words, Daiyu became even more certain that her guess was correct. She gave Zijuan and Xueyan a look, and the two maids went about their business.

Soon, Granny Gu and Granny Xu entered, and both of them bowed to Daiyu.

"Grannies, this girl is Ying'er, who serves Bao Er's wife. She has come here because she has something to say. I am a person who never hides anything from others, so please listen to what she has to say." Daiyu offered the two nannies seats.

Although Granny Gu and Granny Xu were completely bewildered, they knew Miss Lin's temperament very well, so they apologized and sat down without saying a word, all staring at Ying'er.

Under the gazes of Daiyu and the nannies, Ying'er felt that she could no longer say the words that the young lady had taught her.

But knowing the young lady's methods, Ying'er dared not disobey and had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak: "This servant is here on behalf of our Second Master. This glass embroidered ball lantern was a gift from Miss Lin to our Second Master..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a nanny.

It was Granny Gu who spoke. She was the Empress's person. The Empress had already investigated Miss Lin's matter and specifically instructed her not to let anyone from the Rongguo Mansion ruin this marriage.

Now, as soon as this girl opened her mouth, Gu Mama, a seasoned woman who had accompanied the Empress from her time as a princess to her current position, immediately saw through the girl's intentions.

So, with a cold face, Granny Gu scolded, "Slap yourself! What do you mean by 'you' and 'us'? Miss Lin has already been betrothed to Prince Yi by His Majesty. How dare this little girl talk about 'us'? She clearly doesn't know the rules."

Ying'er was immediately frightened; the words "slap her" left her completely stunned.

Meanwhile, the palace maids who had come to Daiyu's place with Granny Gu and Granny Xu stepped forward and slapped Ying'er four times.

Then they respectfully withdrew.

Instead, Granny Gu stood up and apologized to Daiyu: "This old servant saw that this girl was unruly, and knowing that you are a guest here and it is not appropriate to reprimand her, this old servant has overstepped her bounds."

Daiyu understood that Granny Gu was doing this on purpose, and nodded in agreement, saying, "You are the Empress's personal attendant, how could you be overstepping your bounds?"

Then, looking at Ying'er, he said, "You haven't finished speaking. Continue."

Ying'er was beaten, and her cheeks and the corners of her mouth were burning with pain. She had never been punished like this in her life. She felt ashamed and her heart was filled with grievance and sadness. She held back her tears and dared not let them fall. She didn't dare to say anything and quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

At this moment, Baochai followed Xueyan and hurried over. As soon as she entered, she apologized to Daiyu, saying that she had failed to manage her subordinates properly and had been too lenient with the maid in the past. She did not know that the maid was so bold as to act without her master's permission.

Ying'er was completely dumbfounded—it was the young lady who sent her here, and even this glass embroidered ball lamp was something the young lady had told Qiuwen to secretly bring behind Bao Erye's back after she told Qiuwen. How could it be that she had acted on her own initiative?

"I knew it! Baochai's wife is always so sensible and considerate of the bigger picture. How could she possibly do something so harmful to others and herself?" Daiyu deliberately hinted at Baochai's thoughts, implying that if she were to fall into misfortune, would the Rongguo Mansion benefit from it? If the Rongguo Mansion suffered because of her, how could Baochai, as Baochai's wife, remain unscathed?

Baochai harbored deep resentment towards Ying'er, for she had clearly instructed her on how to speak, yet Ying'er still messed it up, leaving Baochai in a dilemma.

“Now that Bao Er’s wife is in charge of the household, such a servant has emerged. She should be punished.” Daiyu looked at Ying’er and smiled coldly. “Otherwise, I’m afraid it won’t be convincing to the public. Right, Bao Er’s wife? Since this girl has come to me, I’ll do as I please today and hear how Bao Er’s wife intends to punish her.”

Hearing this, Ying'er panicked. She had only been slapped a few times, and now she was accused of acting on her own without her mistress's permission. Who knew what kind of punishment she would face? She quickly knelt down, took a few steps forward, and hugged Baochai's legs, crying and begging for mercy: "Second Mistress, please forgive me this time! I was blinded by greed and confused..."

Facing the gazes of Daiyu and the two nannies, Baochai forced herself to speak: "Of course she must be punished. Take Ying'er away, give her twenty lashes, and deprive her of her three-month monthly allowance."

Twenty strokes of the cane. Ying'er, remembering Xiangling who had been beaten to death, was terrified and immediately burst into tears: "No! Miss, Miss, how could you do this? You're the one who sent me here..."

Baochai couldn't let Ying'er reveal her identity, so she immediately frowned and ordered her men to drag Ying'er away.

Daiyu pretended not to hear, after all, she wasn't married yet, and there were some jokes she couldn't let outsiders know. If anything were to happen to the Rongguo Mansion, it would have to be after she got married.

However, Daiyu did not intend to let Baochai off so easily. Zijuan had already brought Yuanyang and was standing outside the door. Yuanyang would hear everything and would report it to Grandmother Jia truthfully. Zijuan had just gone to ask Grandmother Jia for instructions, and Yuanyang was also sent by Grandmother Jia.

The farce ended with Ying'er being punished, but Grandmother Jia's dissatisfaction with Baochai naturally intensified.

Only two days after this incident, Chunyu came to report the news she had received to Zijuan and Xueyan—

"Have you heard, sisters? Bao Er's wife's sister-in-law is making a fuss about getting a divorce."

Chapter 32 Jin Gui and Daiyu's Divorce and Learning

Upon hearing Chunyu talk about the Xue family, Zijuan asked first, "Isn't Bao Er's brother still alive?"

"Not yet, but that old lady Xue keeps making a fuss. I heard that the Xue family seems to have agreed." Chunyu was about to tell everyone she had heard.

"Alright, it's someone else's business." Zijuan originally thought that the Xue family wasn't related to them anyway, so there was no need to pay attention to them.

Little did Xu Mama know that after overhearing this, she immediately realized that the Xue family, the Wang family, and even the Xia family all had some connection with the imperial court. She immediately said, "You can't say that. It's necessary to listen more. Even the young lady should know about this."

After all, Daiyu will be the mistress of the Prince Yi's mansion in the future, and there will be many things to deal with. The more she knows, the better.

As she spoke, she went to invite Daiyu herself.

Upon hearing that Granny Xu supported her, Chunyu began to vividly recount the stories she had heard from outside.

From the moment Xue Pan was imprisoned, Xia Jingui began to make trouble. Later, Xue Pan was sentenced to be executed in the autumn. At first, Xia Jingui didn't care much. She would cry and curse every now and then, as if it were just a routine matter.

A month passed, and there was still no change in Xue Pan's case. Xia Jingui realized that this time, Xue Pan was definitely beyond saving.

Xia Jingui knew very well that Xue Pan's uncle was from the Duke's mansion, and his cousin had become the emperor's concubine. Xue Pan's uncle was also a high-ranking official. Since neither of them could save him, it seemed that Xue Pan was doomed.

Xia Jingui's quick mind started working, and she quickly found an opportunity to go home first and discuss it with her mother.

In fact, the Xia family was a wealthy family. The Osmanthus Bureau in and outside the capital belonged to them, and even the bonsai in the palace were supplied by them. The reason they chose Xue Pan was mainly because they were interested in the Jia and Wang families behind Xue Pan.

The word "official" has two mouths (meaning two mouths in Chinese), and for wealthy families who want to maintain their wealth and status, it's best to establish connections with officials. However, most officials' families are rather picky and look down on merchants' daughters like Xia Jingui.

Xue Pan was a good choice, and so Xia Jingui quickly married him. But once she was married, Xia Jingui discovered that things weren't quite right.

First, the so-called imperial merchant Xue family is probably just a name without substance; many of their shops have long since gone out of business and closed down. Second, much of their imperial merchant business has been taken away, and in recent years, very little has been used to support the imperial family.

Moreover, Xia Jingui also discerned some clues from Aunt Xue and her daughter: she feared that Xue Pan's family had agreed to marry her so readily because they thought she was an orphan mother and daughter who were easy to bully, and that they would take advantage of the situation to seize all of Xia's family property.

In particular, after hearing that there was a cousin living in the Rongguo Mansion whose parents had died, Xia Jingui inquired further. When she learned that the second master of the Rongguo Mansion had betrothed his own cousin instead of the Lin family girl, she immediately realized: he was taking advantage of a child without a family.

The Xue family and the Jia family are the same thing.

Xia Jingui immediately revealed her fierce and shrewish nature, which made the Xue family members restrain themselves.

But Xia Jingui never expected that Xue Pan, that damned man, had already killed someone and was on criminal charges. Now that there was no hope of saving him, she didn't want to become a widow.

Not only did she not want to be a widow, but since the Xue family wanted to kill off their descendants, she had to teach them a lesson. She wasn't afraid of losing face; the Xue family might have been willing to disregard reputation and face in the past, but things were different now. After all, her sister-in-law had married the brother of a concubine in the palace. People from the Rongguo Mansion always had to consider their reputation and face.

Therefore, after Xia Jingui returned to her parents' home and discussed it with her mother, she made a fuss about getting a divorce the day after she returned.

Xia Jingui threw a tantrum, crying and screaming, and at one point she cursed Xue Pan: "You heartless bastard! You promised me everything when you married me, but it was all lies! If I had known you had killed someone, I would never have dared to marry you!"

He then cursed the Xue family: "Bah, what imperial merchants they talk about? Everyone knows how many people they have. What are they pretending to be rich for? They're just a family of penniless wretches."

She would yell and cry intermittently, and her words were utterly unreasonable. When Aunt Xue confronted her, it was like a scholar encountering a soldier, leaving Aunt Xue completely disoriented.

Xue Ke was the younger brother-in-law who was not yet married, so he dared not provoke him. Aunt Xue had no choice but to send a maid to invite Baochai.

It must be said that Baochai was very discerning. When she returned home and heard Xia Jingui talking about making money off a childless family and disagreeing with her divorce, she was about to report it to the authorities.

Baochai could only whisper to her mother in the room, "Mom, I'm afraid we should agree to her, otherwise, who knows how many jokes might be made."

But Aunt Xue was unwilling to give up. Looking at the dowry that the Xia family had given her, and thinking about her son who could not be saved, Aunt Xue cried bitterly.