The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

After a long day, Grandmother Jia was exhausted, but she couldn't rest; she had to come up with a plan as soon as possible. Originally, she thought that since it was just the Lin family's money, when Daiyu got married, she could take out these treasures, add some from her own private treasury, and with the help of the various noble families she met, Daiyu would at least look very glamorous.

But with what happened today and the princess making those remarks, Yu'er's dowry will have to be extremely generous.

After thinking for a moment, Grandmother Jia went to the storeroom and left Amber outside to guard it. She wanted to personally take stock of everything to see how much was left.

Grandmother Jia no longer trusts anyone; even Yuanyang betrayed her, let alone anyone else.

She was shocked to find that many things were missing from Grandmother Jia's private treasury. Grandmother Jia nearly fainted. She slowly sat down, supporting herself on the table, and began to think about what to do.

The next morning, Grandmother Jia sent Amber to invite Lady Wang.

Chapter 39 The Scheming Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

When Lady Wang entered the room and saw that Grandmother Jia had only summoned her, her heart skipped a beat. She felt that Grandmother Jia must be plotting something by calling her here at this moment.

Without beating around the bush, the first thing Grandmother Jia said after Lady Wang paid her respects was, "What do you think of what the princess said yesterday?"

Madam Wang had already thought carefully about what the Princess had said when she returned home yesterday, and she was extremely jealous: "If only that short-lived girl from the Lin family had died sooner, it would have been better. Now she has won the Princess's favor, and the Princess intends to give that girl a generous dowry. Just thinking about it makes Madam Wang feel a pang of heartache."

But when Grandmother Jia asked, Lady Wang pretended not to understand: "Grandmother knows me well. I've always been slow-witted. It seems the Princess dotes on her niece."

"You really know how to pretend," Grandmother Jia said, staring at her taciturn but deep-thinking daughter-in-law. "You're not so smart. You were the one who suggested misappropriating the Lin family's money back then. And you were the one who went to the Empress's place and spread rumors. If it were up to me, Lin's daughter would have married Baoyu, and none of this would have mattered. But the Empress listened to you, her mother, and chose Baoyu. The eldest princess wants our household to give Yu'er a generous dowry. Tell me, what should we do?"

Madam Wang's eyelids twitched. Sure enough, someone had come to cause her trouble. Madam Wang slowly said, "Although the Lin family's money was used, it wasn't from the old lady's side. We also received many treasures from Lin's family. Taking all of those out should be enough."

Lady Wang had already figured out what was going on with Grandmother Jia after seeing the things the Princess sent yesterday. The treasures in Lin Daiyu's household had been sold off.

However, Madam Wang has now decided to pretend she doesn't know.

Grandmother Jia gave a cold laugh. Some people really won't shed tears until they see the coffin. Since Lady Wang pretends not to understand, then she will explain it to her clearly: "That little bit of stuff is not enough. The Princess has already said that the dowries of the Lin family's matriarchs for generations, just take the estates and shops that Min'er brought as her dowry. Yu'er's marriage this time should at least not be as shabby as Min'er's marriage back then."

The mere mention of Jia Min's dowry being less lavish than Jia Min's back then ignited Lady Wang's anger and dissatisfaction. When her sister-in-law got married, she had thrown a huge tantrum. Jia Min's dowry consisted of seventy-two sets of gold, silver, jewels, silks, satins, shops, estates, and precious medicinal herbs. Not to mention the additions from the imperial relatives and nobles, as well as the silver notes stored away in her trunk. It was more than double what Lady Wang had received for her dowry.

Now, Grandmother Jia's point is, if so much is being given to that short-lived ghost, where are we going to get the money?

"Don't think I'm being blunt, but this time we both need to work together, otherwise the ladies in the palace will be in big trouble!" Grandmother Jia brought up Yuan Chun, knowing full well that Lady Wang had two weaknesses: Bao Yu and Yuan Chun in the palace.

"How could that be?" Madam Wang immediately expressed her disbelief, raising her voice involuntarily.

Grandmother Jia knew that mentioning Yuan Chun would cause Lady Wang to lose her composure.

"Impossible? The title of Princess Protector of the Nation, the high position and power of the Imperial Son-in-Law, the Emperor's reliance on him—any one of those things is enough to give our family a hard time. Think about it again, when you went to the Princess's residence to celebrate her birthday, what were the attitudes of those ladies?" Grandmother Jia's words made Lady Wang's heart tremble: When the Emperor ascended the throne, the Princess's family made great contributions, and Lady Wang had heard Yuan Chun mention this matter.

"If you still don't believe me, go pay your respects to the Empress on the first day of next month, and you'll know for sure." Grandmother Jia looked coldly at Madam Wang. "Now Bao'er is in charge, but she has only been in our household for a short time. In previous years, you were in charge of the household, and Feng'er was just your assistant. You know the situation in the household better than anyone else."

The more Madam Wang listened, the more panicked she became: She couldn't offend the Princess, so wouldn't she really have to prepare such a large dowry for that Lin family girl? But the manor only had so little money, and the storeroom only had so much stuff. Did she have to take it out of her own savings?

In an instant, Madam Wang understood completely: the reason Grandmother Jia had summoned her today was to ask her to take out her own savings to help make up for the shortfall.

Why should she? The old lady has so much stuff in her private stash. Besides, does the eldest son's family really not care about anything? Thinking of this, Madam Wang couldn't hold back any longer: "Then, old lady, shouldn't we invite my sister-in-law to discuss this matter together?"

When Lady Wang mentioned Lady Xing, Grandmother Jia knew that this daughter-in-law was afraid of spending money. She smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, we will naturally discuss it with them. It's such a big matter."

Hearing that even the eldest son's family couldn't escape the consequences, Madam Wang felt somewhat at ease, but then she suddenly thought of the East Mansion and hurriedly said, "What about Zhen'er's side...?"

But Grandmother Jia immediately scolded her: "What are you saying? Lin'er and the other side are already separated by a layer, how can you let Zhen'er pay for it? Aren't you going to make people laugh? Don't think about those things anymore, go back and think about how much you, as her aunt, should give Yu'er."

Grandmother Jia was already afraid that Jia Zhen would find out that they had used the Lin family's money. Although Jia Zhen was her grand-nephew, he was the head of the clan and a ruthless person. If he really found out, who knows what he might do.

Although Madam Wang was extremely unwilling, she had no choice but to obediently go back and think of a solution.

Having subdued Lady Wang, Grandmother Jia still needed to figure out how to persuade her eldest son to produce some gifts. Her mother-in-law had favored her grandson Jia She the most, and had given him many things when she died; therefore, the eldest son was quite well-off in the household.

There was an even more important matter: how to explain this to Yu'er. The Princess returned the item in front of Yu'er; Yu'er was so clever, what couldn't she guess?

The fact that Yu'er wasn't allowed to marry Baoyu had already chilled her heart, and now with this incident, Yu'er and the household are probably completely estranged.

During her last visit to the palace, Grandmother Jia had already discerned some clues: the palace staff really liked Yu'er, but Yuan Chun, having lost her child, was uncertain about her future.

Now that the eldest princess has clearly taken a liking to Yu'er, with the eldest princess's support, Yu'er might not just be a princess consort in the future.

Only if Yu'er can be of one mind with the people in the manor can this manor be saved.

Grandmother Jia summoned Amber and asked her about Yuanyang's condition. Upon hearing that Yuanyang was not eating or drinking, Grandmother Jia said indifferently, "Tell her that she had better be sensible. Maybe I can be lenient with her. If she continues to be so unreasonable, I can make her wish she were dead."

Amber was terrified and quickly agreed.

"I heard that Zijuan didn't go to the princess's residence. Go and fetch her." Grandmother Jia thought to herself that she had to hurry and bring Yu'er back so she could apologize to her.

After receiving the instructions, Zijuan got ready and went to the Princess's residence to fetch the person.

Chapter 40 The Eldest Princess Shows Compassion and Teaches Daiyu

Daiyu was perfectly at home in Princess Daiyu's residence.

When the little girl Gao Xin heard that Daiyu had come, she was very happy. She pulled Daiyu and said, "I wanted to go see you, but Grandmother didn't agree. Now it's great that you've come to visit us, sister."

The eldest princess chuckled and said, "Silly girl, you can't call her 'sister.' Miss Lin is your third cousin's future wife. You'll have to call her 'aunt' from now on."

After listening, Gao Xin thought for a moment and said, "Okay, such a beautiful older sister. But Uncle San is also a good person. He is really lucky to be able to marry such a beautiful aunt."

Then, Gao Xin asked the Princess, "Grandmother, I would like to ask my cousin to take a look at my handwriting, is that alright?"

The eldest princess felt sorry for Daiyu and thought to herself, if it weren't for her emperor brother giving Daiyu only to the third prince, she would have almost been unable to resist recognizing Daiyu as her goddaughter. Now that she saw her granddaughter liked Daiyu, how could she not agree?

Gao Xin led Daiyu to her small courtyard and showed her her calligraphy as if it were a treasure.

"The young princess is copying the Duobao Pagoda Stele. Although it's still a bit immature, it's already very good." Daiyu could tell at a glance that the little girl was copying the Duobao Pagoda Stele.

"I've been putting in a lot of effort lately." Gao Xin felt a little smug when Daiyu praised her, and she started chatting with Daiyu about reading and practicing calligraphy.

She had no study companion, but she had cousins ​​at home. However, brothers and sisters were not the same as sisters. For some reason, when she saw Daiyu, she always treated Daiyu as her older sister.

Just then, her little maid ran over, carrying a pumpkin. Daiyu was puzzled, but Gao Xin said with a smile, "We want to make pumpkin lanterns. I read about it in a book."

Daiyu recalled her childhood in Yangzhou, when her mother was still alive, and her father made her a pumpkin lantern. So she smiled and said, "I also had a pumpkin lantern when I was little, why don't we try it?"

Take a pumpkin the size of a fist, cut a large round opening at the top, scoop out the flesh, then draw eyes and a mouth on the pumpkin, hollow it out, put a small white candle inside, and light it; it will then emit a pale yellow light.

Having succeeded on the first try, Gao Xin couldn't help but applaud: "Let's go, let's take it to Grandma to see."

At that time, the eldest princess's second daughter-in-law was talking with the eldest princess. It was at this moment that Daiyu learned that Gao Xin's father was the eldest princess's eldest son, Gao Jing, who was now the prefect of Chengdu. Gao Xin's mother had accompanied her to Chengdu with her two-year-old son.

The household is now managed by the eldest princess's second daughter-in-law, and the eldest princess's second son, Gao Yu, is currently in the military camp on the outskirts of the capital.

"Grandma, Grandma, look! My aunt and I made this pumpkin lantern together." The little girl held up the lantern pole like a treasure, its pale yellow light swaying.

The eldest princess also liked her, praising Gao Xin and Daiyu: "Yu'er is so refined, yet she is also quite mischievous."

"I'm sorry to have made the Princess laugh," Daiyu thought. If her parents were still alive, she would certainly be happy to be mischievous.

At this moment, the eldest princess's second daughter-in-law said from the side, "Speaking of which, my father and Lord Lin were colleagues."

Daiyu was unaware of this, so the Princess explained from the side, "Her father was from the Censorate. Your father was a doctor at the Imperial Library, which belonged to the Censorate, so they were colleagues."

Daiyu then realized that the eldest princess's second daughter-in-law's surname was Xu, so her father must be Lord Xu, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

“Lord Xu, you and Father were in the same cohort,” Daiyu blurted out.

Madam Gao nodded. Just now she had mentioned to the Princess that when they learned that Miss Lin had come to the capital, her father and mother had discussed whether to go to the Rongguo Mansion to see her, but they disliked the Rongguo Mansion people for abusing their power, so they did not go.

Who would have thought that the old lady of Rongguo Mansion could treat even her own granddaughter this way.

"That's right, so you and our family are destined to be together." The princess's words about being destined to be together are something many families would beg for but could never achieve.

"So, it's not presumptuous of me to call you 'little sister,' is it?" Madam Gao joked.

"I wouldn't dare accept that. I should call you Sister Xu then," Daiyu replied cheerfully.

The princess grew to like Daiyu's personality even more; she was straightforward when necessary, unlike those who harbored malice in their hearts.

So the eldest princess found an opportunity to speak with Daiyu alone.

“There are some things I shouldn’t be saying, but I really like you, Yu’er, so as an elder, I’ll say them to you.” The princess was very direct.

"Her Majesty the Empress is intelligent and insightful. Compared to all the other concubines, she has a broad perspective and a long-term vision, which is rare. The Empress doesn't like people who are too stupid, but she also doesn't like people who are too smart. You are different from Princess Rui and the future Princess Li. The Empress raised the third son, so you must be filial to her."

"Consort Wu is a woman who thinks she is clever, but besides the Empress, she is the person who has been by His Majesty's side the longest, so she knows His Majesty quite well. The Wu family is powerful, and the Song family is not small either, but this is not necessarily a good thing."

"Consort Xu is beautiful, but not very bright. The Ge family has a good family tradition, but Miss Ge is a bit too spoiled."

Daiyu was alarmed: the princess was telling her all the most important information.

"Your Highness, this...you..." Overwhelmed with gratitude, Daiyu was deeply moved and could barely speak.

"I hope Yu'er doesn't mind me meddling." The eldest princess had no intention of getting involved in the struggle between her nephews, but she couldn't bear to see Daiyu suffer too much, so she said what needed to be said.

“You will have a prince’s mansion in the future, which will make things much easier.” The eldest princess spoke the truth. Her own home would definitely be much more comfortable than living in the palace. “It’s just that the third prince’s mother died early, so he is inevitably more sensitive and thinks a lot. You and him are a match made in heaven.”

Daiyu blushed and said nothing.

"That girl from the Song family, now the Princess Consort of Rui County, is indeed well-educated and raised. She is quite familiar with the laws of the court, the rules of the palace, and even the preferences of the concubines in the harem. She has only been married for a short time, but she has already won everyone's praise."

"But Yu'er doesn't need to learn from her. Sometimes, being imperfect and retaining one's true nature makes one more likable."

The eldest princess didn't really like Song Huilan; she was too shrewd and calculating, especially towards those she needed to curry favor with. Such a young girl, yet so deep in thought.

Daiyu thought of Baochai. Song Huilan was very similar to Baochai, but due to her background and education, she was more capable than Baochai.

"As for the Rongguo Mansion, Yu'er, you don't need to be afraid. I went there specifically to say those things that day to support you. I think the old lady understood." The Princess disliked the Ning and Rong Mansions and couldn't help but frown when she mentioned them.

Daiyu stood up and bowed sincerely: "I really don't know how to thank the princess. I will keep in mind everything the princess said."

"If you want to thank me, just come and visit Xin'er more often in the future. Her mother is not at home now, and although everyone dotes on her, I think she only likes you, Yu'er." The Princess asked Daiyu to sit down next to her and patted her hand.

So when she heard that the Rongguo Mansion had sent someone to pick her up, the Princess met the person who came in person.

The result was Zijuan, and Daiyu quickly explained Zijuan's identity to the Princess.

Hearing that Zijuan was loyal to Daiyu, the Princess held Zijuan in higher regard.

Chapter 41 Grandmother Jia's Performance: Daiyu's Superb Skill

Zijuan came to fetch her, and Daiyu bid farewell to the Princess and Madam Gao the next day. Gao Xin even made a pinky promise with Daiyu that she would go see Daiyu's parrot.

Zijuan told Daiyu about Yuanyang being locked up. Daiyu already knew what was going on, so she wasn't surprised when Grandmother Jia came to Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Grandmother Jia dismissed the maids, took Daiyu's hand, and said with a helpless and pitiful expression, "It's all my fault for choosing the wrong people. I never knew that Yuanyang would steal things from my private treasury and pawn them. Those things were left to you by your parents. I've always thought of keeping them safe and putting them all into your dowry when you get married, Yu'er."

“I’ve locked that girl up now, and this time I won’t let her get away with it. I plan to send her to do hard labor at Black Mountain Manor.”

"Don't worry, Yu'er. I've investigated everything she stole and have arranged for people to look for it. We'll definitely find a way to buy it back."