The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Extra Chapter: The Empress's Rebirth - Using Provocation to Persuade Her Husband to Donate to Disaster Relief

The credit for Xiao Tingkai's willingness to volunteer for disaster relief was all thanks to his wife, Yu Ran.

Yu Ran had long discovered that Xiao Tingkai harbored considerable ambitions, and at the same time, Yu Ran had also carefully analyzed the situation in the court.

Crown Prince Xiao Tingrui is the eldest son of the legitimate wife, with the rightful status. Moreover, he is extremely intelligent, low-key and humble in his conduct, and deeply loved by the emperor.

Moreover, he has the Empress protecting him, and his maternal uncle is the powerful Minister of Personnel. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of bringing down the Crown Prince.

Soon, Yu Ran also realized that although her third brother and sister-in-law were outstanding in talent, they had no ambition to compete for the throne.

Xiao Tingjun was pragmatic, and Daiyu was intelligent. This couple was cautious and thorough, and always listened to the Emperor and Empress. The Empress also took good care of the third prince and his wife.

Therefore, it was impossible for Xiao Tingkai to win against two opponents on his own.

Yu Ran kept thinking about how to subtly dissuade Xiao Tingkai from his unrealistic ambitions without damaging their relationship.

This earthquake in Zhili is an excellent opportunity.

Yu Ran thought that rather than letting Xiao Tingkai stay at home and overthink things, it would be better to let him experience it firsthand, see what the disaster victims are like, and what he would face if he went out to do real work.

Letting him experience the hardships of governance and the suffering of the people might help him let go of his desire for unnecessary conflict.

So she found an opportunity to deliberately tease her daughter in front of Xiao Tingkai.

“Sigh,” Yu Ran sighed, looking at the daughter in her arms, “My little girl, look at Jia Yue, the daughter of my third aunt. She’s a princess at such a young age, while you’re just a county princess. In the end, it’s all because my third uncle made some contributions that he earned this respectable status for my sister.”

"Hmph, why are you saying all this again?" Xiao Tingkai's face darkened upon hearing this, his tone tinged with displeasure. He hated it most when Yu Ran used these words to subtly criticize him, as if mocking his incompetence.

Yu Ran, however, seemed oblivious to the impatience in his tone. Still holding her daughter, she sighed slowly, "I'm just feeling sorry for our little girl. Look at the little princess, born a lucky star. And look at our Jiaxin, although she's also a granddaughter of the emperor, because her father hasn't achieved any great deeds, she can only be a county princess. In the future, she'll probably be inferior in marriage. She can't blame anyone else; she can only blame her bad luck for being born to the wrong father."

Xiao Tingkai's face grew increasingly grim, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. Yu Ran's words struck a nerve.

"Alright, alright! Stop talking!" Xiao Tingkai finally couldn't hold back any longer, abruptly standing up and pacing irritably around the room. "Do you think I don't know?! Do you think I don't want to achieve great things?!"

Yu Ran then put down her daughter, stepped forward, and gently advised, "Since Your Highness knows this, why not take action? Now that Zhili is experiencing an earthquake and the people are suffering, this is a great opportunity for Your Highness to repay the Emperor's favor and make contributions. If Your Highness could personally go to provide disaster relief, comfort the people, and allocate resources, it would be much better than wasting time in the capital."

Xiao Tingkai rolled his eyes at Yu Ran: "You think disaster relief is so easy?"

"Of course it's not easy, but the more difficult it is, the greater the achievement will be." A barely perceptible glint flashed in Yu Ran's eyes. "However, perhaps Third Brother has already requested permission. Or is it that His Highness dares not go?"

"What wouldn't I dare to do?! I'll go and request permission tomorrow." Xiao Tingkai suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yu Ran.

"Your Highness, you should think this through carefully. Disaster relief is not a comfortable job. It involves enduring wind and rain, and facing starving people. You are used to being pampered and privileged; I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it," Yu Ran said with a worried expression.

"I can't handle it?!" Xiao Tingkai was completely enraged by these words. He snorted and flicked his sleeve, saying, "I'm going anyway! I want to see just how difficult disaster relief really is."

When Xiao Tingkai came to his senses and realized he had been provoked, he knew he couldn't take back what he had said.

However, when Xiao Tingkai actually set foot on this ravaged land, all his impulsiveness and competitiveness instantly turned into shock and heaviness.

The scene before my eyes was horrifying. The once bustling town was now a scene of collapsed buildings, shattered bricks and tiles, and ruins everywhere, as if it had been gnawed by a giant beast. The air was thick with the smell of dust, dirt, and burnt wood.

Everywhere you look, there are displaced disaster victims. People in tattered clothes sit blankly by the roadside, their eyes vacant, as if their souls have been ripped away; others hold the cold bodies of their loved ones, letting out heart-wrenching cries.

A child, thin as a skeleton, lay by the collapsed mud wall, futilely shaking his mother's stiff arm. Cries, groans, and painful screams merged into a torrent of despair, assaulting Xiao Tingkai's eardrums and heart.

"Your Highness?" An accompanying official called out cautiously, handing over a water pouch. Only then did Xiao Tingkai realize that his throat was tight, his lips were cracked, his stomach was churning, and he felt like vomiting. He took the water pouch but didn't drink, his gaze fixed on the ruins.

As noon approached, Xiao Tingkai was even more surprised.

The makeshift soup kitchen was packed with people, and the scene was chaotic.

The emaciated and pale disaster victims jostled each other, their eyes fixed on the meager porridge that could sustain their lives.

Several constables brandished whips in an attempt to maintain order, but this only fueled greater chaos and resentment.

Xiao Tingkai witnessed a frail woman being pushed to the ground, her broken bowl shattering and spilling porridge everywhere. She lay on the ground, ignoring the cuts on her hands from the broken tiles, desperately licking the remaining porridge from the mud.

This scene was like a red-hot branding iron, searing his heart.

In the first few days, Xiao Tingkai barely held on, relying almost entirely on his stubborn anger and sense of responsibility as a prince.

But the immense impact of what he saw and heard quickly cooled and calmed his competitive spirit.

From initially issuing orders from a high position to immersing himself among the disaster victims, from only thinking about gaining merit to truly considering how to save lives, Xiao Tingkai's transformation was remarkable.

In particular, he encountered a private tutor who rescued several people from the ruins but lost an arm in the process.

When the old scholar faced him, he did not complain or blame others, but calmly said, "Your Highness, I have read some books and know that 'the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace.' Houses can be rebuilt after they collapse, but when people are gone, everything is gone. I only ask that the court give us a way to survive and a glimmer of hope to rebuild our homes."

These words struck Xiao Tingkai's heart like a heavy hammer. His previous efforts to gain "merits," "titles," and "heir apparent" seemed so pale, so insignificant, and even... somewhat laughable in the face of this ravaged land and the people's most basic desire to survive.

A month later, when the disaster relief efforts were initially on track, Xiao Tingkai stood on a high place, looking at the town, which was still dilapidated but had regained some vitality. His heart was no longer filled with the high spirits he had when he left the capital.

He looked up towards the capital and silently thought, "Yu Ran... you're right. This kind of 'merit' is indeed not so easy to achieve."

Extra Chapter: The Empress's Rebirth - Don't Try to Guess the Princess's Thoughts

When Xiao Tingkai returned from disaster relief in Zhili, he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. He was tanned and thinner, but the impetuousness in his eyes had diminished, replaced by a sense of composure and experience.

During this disaster relief effort, he abandoned his princely airs and truly immersed himself in the disaster area, sharing the hardships with local officials and the people. He personally surveyed the disaster situation, allocated resources, and reassured the people. He even disregarded his status and participated in the work of building temporary shelters and distributing porridge. His hands-on approach won the love and respect of the disaster victims and impressed the officials of Zhili.

He handled the disaster relief work exceptionally well. The disaster was effectively brought under control, and the people's emotions gradually stabilized. When the good news reached the capital, the emperor was overjoyed.

On this day, during a cabinet meeting, the emperor specifically mentioned the achievements of Zhili in disaster relief.

Taking the opportunity, Crown Prince Xiao Tingrui said, "Father, I believe that my second brother, Prince Rui, has made great contributions to the disaster relief efforts, personally taking charge and showing compassion for the people. He deserves a generous reward. My third brother, Prince Yi, has also achieved military merits in the southeast. I dare to suggest that Prince Rui and Prince Yi be granted the title of Prince of the First Rank to demonstrate the imperial family's benevolence and to encourage our relatives."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, the cabinet ministers all agreed. Prince Rui had indeed performed exceptionally well in the disaster relief efforts, and Prince Yi's previous military achievements were beyond dispute.

The emperor was very pleased to hear this.

Xiao Tingkai never expected that this trip would actually earn his daughter a princess title.

The Empress was overjoyed to learn that Prince Rui, Xiao Tingkai, had performed exceptionally well in the disaster relief efforts and that his temperament had changed significantly.

She thought that after this ordeal, Xiao Tingkai would finally be able to let go of his unrealistic ambitions and truly grow up.

However, just as the empress was overjoyed, she discovered that the emperor had become worried instead.

That day, the Empress noticed that the Emperor seemed unhappy when he came to her Phoenix Palace, so she asked softly, "Why does Your Majesty look so troubled today? Is there something troubling you at court?"

The emperor sighed deeply, a complex emotion in his eyes: "Empress, tell me, has Lin'er taken a fancy to some young master?"

The Empress asked curiously, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly bring this up?"

"I greatly admire Liu Jishan, this year's third-ranked scholar. Although his family is poor, he is quite outstanding. His appearance, talent, and character are all first-rate," the emperor said, mentioning Liu Jishan.

The Empress remembered that in her previous life, this Liu Jishan had married Xichun.

"I originally intended to appoint him as my son-in-law," the emperor continued.

Upon hearing this, the Empress knew that Xiao Lin had probably refused.

Sure enough, the emperor's tone shifted, tinged with a hint of helplessness: "When I mentioned it to Lin'er, the child resolutely refused."

"I always felt that Lin'er might have taken a fancy to some young master, which is why she was unwilling to marry Liu Jishan. Although Consort Guo had given birth to a little princess, the Emperor had only ever had Xiao Lin as his daughter before, so she was truly the apple of his eye. The Emperor treated Xiao Lin no less than he treated his sons, and even doted on her more."

"I also asked Consort Qiao, but she didn't know either. What is that girl hiding in her heart?" The Emperor frowned and sighed.

The Empress had originally intended to suggest that the Emperor ask Consort Qiao, but now that she heard that Consort Qiao didn't know either, the Empress became curious.

"Perhaps I should find an opportunity to discuss this with Sister Qiao again. Lin'er has always been a very impulsive person, not the type to hide her feelings. Maybe Lin'er simply doesn't like the third-ranked scholar." The Empress thought, it seems that matters of marriage are really hard to say.

"She doesn't even like someone this good? I want to see what kind of person she actually likes." The emperor thought that someone like Liu Jishan was already perfect in every way.

The Empress acted immediately, and the next day she invited Consort Qiao over.

"Sister Qiao," the Empress said gently, directly addressing the Emperor's worries, "His Majesty has been very troubled by Lin'er's marriage these past few days. Do you know what Lin'er is thinking? His Majesty favors Liu Jishan, this year's third-ranked scholar, but Lin'er has resolutely refused. His Majesty suspects that she has taken a fancy to some young master."

Upon hearing this, Consort Qiao's brows furrowed with a hint of confusion. She had always been completely trusting and honest with the Empress, never hiding anything from her.

"Your Majesty, I also find it strange." Consort Qiao sighed softly, "Lin'er, apart from being in the palace or playing with her sisters-in-law, the only men she can come into contact with are my nephews from my own family."

She thought about it carefully, then shook her head: "But the children are not the same age. My two elder brothers' children are already married."

Consort Qiao continued, "These past few days, I have also carefully observed Lin'er, and I feel that she doesn't seem to have taken a fancy to any young master. Although she is lively, she has never been very interested in men's affairs. These days she has been discussing girls' education with her sisters-in-law. If she really has someone she likes, as her mother, I can always see some clues."

After listening, the Empress thought for a moment and said, "How about this, we'll call Yu'er over later. I think Lin'er still likes her third sister-in-law the most."

After all, the two had studied together, and Xiao Tingjun was Xiao Lin's older brother.

When Daiyu received the summons, she was somewhat curious, wondering if there was some new development at the girls' school or some other trivial matter in the palace. When she arrived at Fengyi Palace and heard that it was about Princess Xiaolin's marriage, Daiyu was slightly taken aback.

After listening to the Empress and Consort Qiao's account, she first shook her head. Her opinion coincided with Consort Qiao's: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, your opinion is the same as mine. We also think that Sister Lin'er probably doesn't have someone she likes."

Daiyu pondered for a moment, then continued, "Sister Lin'er is straightforward. If she really has someone she likes, although she may not tell us directly, she will always show some girlish shyness or something unusual. But when I'm with her, I've never seen her show any of these behaviors."

The Empress and Consort Qiao were even more confused after hearing Daiyu's words.

Seeing this, Daiyu suggested, "If Mother and Empress are not in a hurry, I will find an opportunity to talk to Sister Lin'er alone. Perhaps she will be more relaxed talking to her sister-in-law and be more willing to share her thoughts."

"Excellent!" A glint of light flashed in the Empress's eyes. "Yu'er, you are always thoughtful and able to relieve others' worries. I'll leave this matter to you."

After all, Daiyu and Xiaolin were close in age and shared similar temperaments, making it easier for Xiaolin to lower her guard.

After Daiyu returned home, she began to ponder the matter. Xiao Tingjun, upon hearing this, suggested that Daiyu simply ask directly: "My sister isn't complicated at all."

“That’s what I think too.” Daiyu decided to invite Xiao Lin to come to the mansion for a visit.

Unexpectedly, before Daiyu could even invite the princess, Consort Chen asked Daiyu for help.

Side Story: The Empress's Rebirth - The Princess's Perceptiveness and Sorrow

Consort Chen asked Daiyu for help because the Emperor intended to bestow a marriage upon the Fifth Prince Xiao Tingzhao, and had chosen Zuo Jiangqiu, the granddaughter of General Zuo Qing.

However, the Fifth Prince was not very willing. Consort Chen suggested that Prince Yi and his wife do him a favor and give the two children a chance to meet, so that perhaps her son would change his mind.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, a time for family and friends to reunite and enjoy the bright moon together.

Having received a request from Consort Chen and also concerned about Princess Xiao Lin's feelings, Daiyu took this opportunity to host a small Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at Prince Yi's residence.

She specially sent an invitation to Zuo Jiangqiu, the granddaughter of General Zuo Qing, and also invited Princess Xiao Lin.

Thinking that Xichun was getting older, they invited her as well, so that she would have more opportunities to interact with girls from the outside world.

As for Tan Chun, she was getting married the following February and was currently busy embroidering her dowry, so Daiyu considerately did not invite her.

At the banquet, Daiyu ingeniously suggested that everyone make lanterns by hand. This novel activity immediately attracted everyone's interest.

Xiao Lin and the cheerful and generous Zuo Jiangqiu quickly became friends.