The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

The father praised the mother's calligraphy, then said he would frame it himself. He even made the mounting paste himself. He instructed the maids to light a wood-burning stove in the courtyard and boil a large pot of peppercorn water. Once the peppercorn water boiled, he would sprinkle flour into it.

The couple, each holding one end of a bamboo sieve, worked in perfect harmony, sifting the flour. The flour quickly passed through the incredibly fine mesh, and the moon, high in the willows, cast a soft glow over the courtyard.

As Daiyu watched, tears streamed down her face, for even in this beautiful scene, she remembered that her father and mother were no longer there.

The thought that they were all gone made Daiyu's heart ache. It hurt so much; her heart ached, her head ached, and her whole body ached.

She opened her eyes in a daze and saw Xiao Tingjun's face full of worry. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Daiyu was awake, but he still held Daiyu's hand tightly: "Yu'er, you scared me to death."

Daiyu wasn't really awake yet. She frowned and said "It hurts," which startled Xiao Tingjun so much that he immediately called the imperial physician.

Physician He has now truly witnessed how much Prince Yi dotes on his wife—as he just said, the princess is simply exhausted and depressed, and all she needs to do is get a good night's sleep, take her medicine, and recover.

Unexpectedly, Prince Yi was still worried and immediately said, "Then I'll trouble Physician He not to go back yet. I'll have a maid prepare a room for you so you can rest. If the Princess wakes up later, you can come and take a good look at her."

Upon hearing the prince call for help, Physician He hurried over.

The mosquito net was naturally lowered, but it was obvious that the prince's hand was still tightly holding the princess's hand. Physician He was embarrassed for a moment and had no choice but to speak honestly: "Your Highness, I must take the princess's pulse again."

Xiao Tingjun then realized what was happening and quickly gave up his seat to Physician He, but he didn't go far himself and just watched from the side.

Daiyu blushed deeply inside the mosquito net.

The results of Physician He's pulse diagnosis were the same as before. Prince Yi was much relieved this time. After all, he had been quite anxious seeing his wife's condition worsen, and he couldn't help but worry that Physician He's pulse diagnosis might not be accurate.

After Physician He left, Zijuan brought over a bowl of medicine.

With no outsiders around, the mosquito net was naturally hung up. Daiyu took the medicine and slowly drank it spoonful by spoonful. If Xiao Tingjun didn't know it was medicine, he would have suspected that his wife was tasting some kind of sweet soup.

"Yu'er, don't sip it. Close your eyes and drink it down, otherwise it will be too bitter." Xiao Tingjun told Zijuan to quickly bring some dried fruit.

"I usually take medicine, and this medicine isn't bitter compared to others." Daiyu drank it slowly, then suddenly realized that she hadn't taken medicine in a long time. She looked at Xiao Tingjun and said, "I feel like Changsheng is my lucky star. Since I met you, I've even taken less medicine."

Xiao Tingjun felt a pang of bitterness in his heart upon hearing this. He knew that Daiyu had not had a good life in the Rongguo Mansion, but he never expected that she would often take medicine.

"Then I'll try my best to make sure Yu'er doesn't have to take medicine anymore." Xiao Tingjun watched as Daiyu slowly drank her medicine and promptly handed her some dried fruit.

Daiyu didn't usually eat this stuff, but seeing the pained look in Xiao Tingjun's eyes, she obediently took it and put it in her mouth.

"I know Yu'er has been heartbroken lately because of your cousin, but you should try to think more positively. She's a woman who's just as capable as any man," Xiao Tingjun advised.

"I understand the道理 (principles/reasons), but I just can't help myself." Daiyu knew that Tanchun had chosen this path, and even if she hadn't, her future wouldn't necessarily have been smooth. But people's hearts are often beyond their control.

Xiao Tingjun sat down by the bed and pulled Daiyu into his arms. Daiyu was worried that he might pass on his illness, but he didn't seem to care: "I'm perfectly fine, Yu'er, don't think so much. There have indeed been too many things to do lately, but thankfully we're almost done. Yu'er can finally take a rest."

Daiyu nodded. She was feeling sleepy after taking the medicine and drifted off to sleep. She didn't know what Xiao Tingjun had said, but she soon fell asleep again.

Xiao Tingjun was much more relieved this time, knowing that Daiyu was tired. He gently laid his wife down, covered her with a blanket, and quietly instructed Zijuan and the others to keep a close watch on her. He then turned and went to his study.

Now he shuttles between the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, and has a lot to learn.

But to their surprise, someone came to disturb them early the next morning.

The person who arrived was none other than Princess Consort Song Huilan of Rui County. Xiao Tingjun had just inquired about Daiyu's condition and noticed that Daiyu's expression had improved considerably. Upon hearing that Princess Consort Song Huilan had arrived, his face immediately darkened.

"Yu'er, don't worry about her. I'm going out right away. I'll have a word with my sister-in-law." Xiao Tingjun didn't care what Princess Rui wanted to do at this moment, but he didn't want Daiyu to trouble herself.

"I appreciate your kindness." Daiyu really didn't want to go out and deal with it at the moment, since she was sick anyway.

Song Huilan never expected that Xiao Tingjun would be the one she was waiting for. Moreover, shouldn't Xiao Tingjun have gone to court long ago?

Although Xiao Tingjun was very polite when he came over, he spoke quite directly: "Yu'er is sick, so she can't come to see Second Sister-in-law. If you don't have anything important to do, please come another day."

Is she just sick? Song Huilan heard that the Prince Yi's mansion had invited the imperial physician, and that Physician He had been detained for a long time. For some reason, she wondered if Daiyu was pregnant.

If Daiyu were to become pregnant, it would be even more detrimental to the Prince Rui's mansion.

"The imperial physician said that Yu'er needs to rest quietly for the next five days. If there's nothing seriously wrong, please don't disturb her." Xiao Tingjun said this with a cold face, then said that he had to go to the Ministry of Revenue. After apologizing, he turned and left.

Song Huilan was completely stunned. Granny Gu stepped forward to apologize, "Please forgive us, Your Highness. Our Princess is ill, and the Prince is in a bad mood."

Although Song Huilan was not happy because of Xiao Tingjun's words, she was much happier when she heard that Daiyu was really just sick and not pregnant. Since Gu Mama was sent by the Empress, she could not offend her, so she got up to take her leave.

Even after returning home, they specially sent over a lot of precious medicinal herbs.

Daiyu complied with Xiao Tingjun's wishes and rested for five days. On the sixth day, she really couldn't rest anymore, because the Empress's brother, Li Su, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel, had returned to the capital.

The emperor also specially ordered a banquet to be held to entertain Li Su's family.

Chapter 116 The Emperor's Banquet Sparks Jealousy

The emperor's invitation to a banquet for Li Su's family immediately aroused jealousy among many in the harem.

Especially Consort Wu, whose position as Minister of Personnel, originally belonged to her father. If it weren't for the defeat in the southeast, her father wouldn't have had to resign, and if he hadn't resigned, how could Li Su have gotten the position?

But the emperor insisted on making a big fuss, saying in front of many people in the harem, "The empress hasn't seen your brother and sister-in-law for so many years, has she? Since they've just returned, let's have a banquet here in the palace. I remember your brother's youngest son should be about the same age as the sixth prince."

The Empress immediately beamed with joy: "That's right, the last time I saw that child, he was only five years old. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."

The Emperor and Empress's words stirred up a torrent of resentment within Consort Wu.

Then the emperor added, "Invite the third son and his wife to keep us company, as well as the sixth son. It's no fun eating with too few people."

If the Sixth Prince was summoned because he is the same age as the youngest son of the Li family, what is the meaning of summoning the Third Prince and his wife? Could it be that His Majesty values ​​the Third Prince so much right now?

Consort Wu was furious. She didn't realize that the Emperor had always valued her son and given him many such opportunities.

Consort Xu was also unhappy, but her unhappiness was somewhat different from Consort Wu's. She was more upset because her own brother was not doing well. She looked at the Empress's brother and then at her own brother. They were like heaven and earth.

This family banquet was quite small. Li Su, along with his wife Liu and youngest son Li Ke, first went to Fengyi Palace to pay their respects to the Empress. Daiyu was already in Fengyi Palace accompanying them at this time.

"Let's go to Hualin Garden. His Majesty will be here with the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince in a little while." The Empress greeted her brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, exchanging a few casual words, mainly asking if the house in the capital had been renovated and whether the other nephews and nieces were healthy.

Li Su's eldest son, Li Ji, was transferred to Changting as a county magistrate after passing the imperial examination. This was a county in Fujian. His wife and daughter went with him.

Li Su's second daughter is married in Suzhou, and her husband is currently preparing for the imperial examinations.

After the conversation, the Empress led everyone to the Hualin Garden. It was early summer, the season when flowers and trees were in full bloom, and orioles and warblers frequently flew by in the Hualin Garden.

When the emperor arrived with his two sons, the empress was asking Li Ke about the scenery of Jiangnan. The thirteen-year-old Li Ke was quick-witted and spoke confidently in front of the empress.

When the emperor heard him recite the line, "Flowers bloom on trees, orioles fly in flocks," he immediately exclaimed in admiration, "At such a young age, you already possess remarkable literary talent. I'm afraid you, Xiao Liu, are far inferior."

After everyone bowed, the emperor called Li Ke to stand before him and asked if he wanted to enter the palace to become the sixth prince's study companion.

Li Ke replied frankly, "The student has already submitted an application to Yuntao Academy and will be taking the academy's assessment tomorrow."

Although he did not answer that he was unwilling, his meaning was quite clear: he wanted to study at Yuntao Academy.

The sixth prince Xiao Tingyu's companions were all from aristocratic families, and their levels of reading, archery, and horsemanship were about the same as his. But suddenly, a peer of his appeared, who was better than him in both reading and worldly experience, and even refused to become his companion in front of the emperor and empress.

Xiao Tingyu immediately felt looked down upon, and without thinking much, he blurted out, "You're not necessarily going to pass the exam either. The exams at Yuntao Academy are very difficult."

After hearing his words, Li Ke turned his gaze to him and smiled slightly: "Although I don't know if it will work, I should at least give it a try."

Li Ke thought his smile was polite, but to Xiao Tingyu, it was a blatant provocation.

Xiao Tingyu blurted out, "Father, I also want to go to Yuntao Academy to take the exam."

The emperor laughed heartily: "Oh, it's rare to see you so ambitious. Alright, I'll tell the headmaster of the academy that you should give it a try. If you can get in, you can study at Yuntao Academy too."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress quickly advised, "The academy is in the suburbs. Xiao Liu is still young. Wouldn't it be too much trouble for him to go? There would be no one to take care of him if he gets cold or hot."

"Your nephew is also that old, won't he be cold or hot when he goes?" The Emperor looked at Li Ke with appreciation. "Besides, it's still a question whether Xiao Liu can pass the exam."

Xiao Tingyu pouted, unhappy that even his father looked down on him.

Xiao Tingjun gently patted his shoulder: "Sixth brother studies very hard, he will definitely pass the exam."

Hearing his third brother's words, Xiao Tingyu was a little happier, thinking that his third brother was still the best.

Daiyu couldn't help but think more deeply. Jia Lan was also going to Yuntao Academy. Why did they all end up going to Yuntao Academy?

After returning to the Prince's Mansion, Daiyu mentioned to Xiao Tingjun that Jia Lan was going to Yuntao Academy.

"I do remember Jia Lan, the one you mentioned. I went to the Rongguo Mansion on short notice once, and that boy greeted me. Although he was young, he was calm and intelligent, quite different from the scions of noble families I had met before." Xiao Tingjun remembered that Jia Lan was much younger than Jia Baoyu at that time.

“He lost his father at a young age, and the old lady and madam of the mansion all favor his second uncle. He is not very valued in the mansion.” Daiyu told Xiao Tingjun about Jia Lan’s situation. “I guess he should be able to get into Yuntao Academy.”

"It's a good thing that he can get in. Yuntao Academy was originally established by the late Emperor to promote scholars from poor families. There were no children from noble families here before. Firstly, most of them couldn't pass the exam, and secondly, they could go to the Imperial Academy. It's already very good that Jia Lan thought of studying there." Although Xiao Tingjun disliked Rongguo Mansion, the child was still young and it was hard to say what the future held. If he could distinguish right from wrong, that would be good too.

Daiyu nodded after hearing this and arranged for someone to find out the results separately. The exam was tomorrow, and the results would be available in three days.

Three days later, Zhao Bingxin returned with a report: "Your Highness, we have received news that Jia's son, Lan'er, has passed the exam, as has the young master of the Li family."

"What about the sixth brother?" Xiao Tingyu would occasionally come to the Prince Yi's mansion with Xiao Tingjun. Daiyu liked this little brother very much because he was innocent and guileless.

"I heard that the Sixth Prince will also be studying at the academy," Zhao Bingxin truthfully reported to Daiyu.

The news that the Sixth Prince was going to Yuntao Academy spread quickly, and many people in the capital were tempted to go there. However, Yuntao Academy was not easy to get into; the entrance exam alone could stump many people.

"The things the Princess Consort asked us to prepare are all ready. Are you really going to the Sun family's place?" Zijuan asked as she came in.

As for Yingchun, Zijuan had already visited her once before as the princess's personal maid.

But there are some things that Zijuan alone cannot handle.

"Of course we should go. I'm afraid Second Sister can't handle it alone." Daiyu knew very well that the Rongguo Mansion couldn't possibly help Yingchun with her affairs.

Chapter 117 Brother and Sister-in-law's Greed for Money, Daiyu's Helper

The defeat in the southeast was painful for the imperial court, but for Yingchun, it was a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune—Sun Shaozu was killed in battle.

Sun Shaozu originally had three concubines who were not particularly happy to stay in the Sun family. Now that they saw that Sun Shaozu was dead, and that he had died in battle, they knew they would not get any benefits from him. So they all expressed their desire to leave. Yingchun also made a quick decision and sent them all away.

Unexpectedly, after Sun Shaozu died, the imperial court granted Yingchun the title of a third-class lady and immediately gave her a sum of money as a form of compensation.

In this way, Yingchun, the widow, suddenly gained both status and money.

But no one expected that ten days ago, a couple suddenly came to the door with their two children, claiming to be Sun Shaozu's brother and sister-in-law.

Since marrying Sun Shaozu, Yingchun had never heard that man mention anyone from his family. She was stunned for a moment, unsure if it was true or not. She could only invite the man in and arrange for him to stay while sending someone to investigate. The provincial administration office had population records, so there was no way to falsify them.

Yingchun sent one of her household servants, Guo Mingtang, to investigate. Guo Mingtang had only started working for the Sun family last year; he was a very honest and simple long-term worker.

The investigation revealed that the two were indeed Sun Shaozu's elder brother and sister-in-law. Guo Mingtang also thoughtfully inquired about the couple's behavior in the local area before returning to report to Yingchun.

Sun Shaomin, the eldest brother of the Sun family, and his sister-in-law, Cui, were both lazy and greedy. They were afraid of Sun Shaozu's bullying behavior, so even though they were brothers, they never dared to ask Sun Shaozu for money or goods.

Now they're using the excuse of attending their brother's funeral, but their motives are clearly impure—they're eyeing Yingchun as a widow, thinking she's easy to bully, so they want to stay and freeload off her.

Yingchun was not good at dealing with people, so she had to go back to the Rongguo Mansion for help. But now that Tanchun was married, Baochai was in charge of the household. Baochai had always looked down on Yingchun, and in her eyes Yingchun was nothing more than a dead person with a breath of life. So she didn't care and just said that even an upright official can't settle family disputes, and then she stopped interfering.

Although Yingchun had some money, it was not enough in the eyes of Lady Rongguo. The couple had long since stopped caring about Yingchun and had no intention of interfering.