The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

When the Emperor found out, he said to the Empress, "The Third Prince and his wife are very thoughtful. Have the Imperial Household Department send them some things. I can't go myself. It's the New Year, so let's make these ladies happy."

The Empress was naturally pleased to hear this: Yu'er and the others' actions had indeed pleased the Emperor. So she immediately summoned the Imperial Household Department: "The oranges from Sichuan, the apples from Shandong, and the dates from Zhili that were sent as tribute all seem very good to me. Send a basket of each to Prince Yi's residence."

The one who went to the Empress's office to be at her beck and call was not the head of the Imperial Household Department, but Eunuch Shan from the Guangchu Department. This man had risen from a lowly eunuch to become the head eunuch of the Guangchu Department, so he was naturally very capable.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Shan discerned a certain meaning in his heart: These tribute fruits that the Empress mentioned were previously distributed to the various princely residences, with each of the three princes receiving only one basket. Now, they were specifically given to Prince Yi's residence; it seemed Prince Yi was indeed enjoying the Emperor's favor. After all, His Majesty was present when the Empress gave the order. Ultimately, it was His Majesty's will.

So after returning home, Eunuch Shan ordered his men to pack the items and then personally led a group to deliver them to Prince Yi's residence. It was a rare opportunity to show his face to Prince Yi and his consort, and even in the midst of heavy snow, he felt it was worthwhile.

The Prince Yi's residence naturally received him with great courtesy. Eunuch Shan and several eunuchs who had brought gifts were invited to the tea room for tea, and Zhao Bingxin gave them all red envelopes.

Eunuch Shan immediately smiled and said to Zhao Bingxin, "Brother, your future is probably limitless."

"Thank you for your kind words, brother." Zhao Bingxin was the most trusted and relied-upon person by Xiao Tingjun's side. The better Prince Yi was, the better he would be.

The two understood each other without saying a word.

The ladies and young women who were guests inside were naturally delighted to see the gifts sent from the palace.

Baoqin also gave Daiyu two pieces of news that were neither too big nor too small.

Chapter 128 A Myriad of Connections: Appreciating Snow and Plum Blossoms

The first piece of news that Baoqin told Daiyu was something Daiyu had already heard from Zijuan.

"My dear cousin got Ying'er to become Baoyu's concubine," Baoqin whispered to Daiyu. Seeing Daiyu's expression, she guessed that Daiyu already knew, and then added, "Does Your Highness still remember that Ying'er has a godmother?"

Of course Daiyu remembered that Old Ye's mother, Mingyan's mother, was expelled from the Rongguo Mansion because of the black cat incident.

“My brother told me that Old Ye’s family has some assets now. They bought a house in the suburbs of Beijing and have opened a small noodle shop,” Baoqin told Daiyu. “My brother has been there once, and there are quite a few customers.”

That's quite a skill, Daiyu thought, as long as it doesn't bother her, it's fine, but she still kept it in mind a little.

Another thing Baoqin mentioned surprised Daiyu, and she had to keep it in mind and find out more about it.

"The Xia family of Guihua has now established a new relationship, getting in touch with the family of a concubine in the palace." Since Xue Ke is also a businessman and has connections in the capital, he's even more well-informed than Daiyu. After all, cats have their ways, and mice have theirs; the Prince's mansion might not have the same information among merchants.

Consort Guo? Daiyu immediately thought of Consort Guo, for no other reason than that she had recently been favored by the emperor.

"Is his surname Guo?" Daiyu was not quite sure.

“It should be. I heard from my brother that Consort Chongyi was originally from the Bureau of Clothing and Costumes, and her brother was the Director of the Imperial Stables in the Court of Imperial Stables.” Baoqin told Daiyu all the information she knew.

The Assistant Director of the Stables Office of the Imperial Stud was an eighth-rank official in charge of feeding horses, cattle, and other livestock.

The Taipusi (Imperial Stables) was important, as it was the central agency responsible for horse administration and animal husbandry. However, it was not as important as other agencies, because Chongyi's brother was in charge of the Dianjiu Shu (Office of the Imperial Stables). The Dianjiu Shu was in charge of the miscellaneous livestock submitted by various livestock bureaus, so that they could be provided to relevant departments of the court and the imperial palace to meet their needs for livestock products.

After hearing Baoqin's words, Daiyu was now certain that she was Consort Guo.

"The Xia family certainly knows how to use connections; they even managed to get on this good side." Daiyu remarked with some emotion. Xia Jingui's character wasn't great, but one had to admit that she and her mother were quite capable; otherwise, their family fortune would have been squandered long ago.

"Money makes the world go round. The Xia family is rich but powerless. The Guo family may not be a powerful family, but they are still officials and have an empress in the palace, and they are not rich." Baoqin saw through it all.

Daiyu nodded gently: "Thank you, Sister Qin, for telling me this news."

"Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. I've placed my bets on you, so of course I have to keep an eye on things for you." Baoqin spoke the truth. She had made her choice, so she had to work hard.

Instead of discussing feelings, Baoqin pointed out the alliance of interests. Daiyu couldn't help but smile; Baoqin was indeed very clever.

Baoqin went over to discuss the daffodils at home with Xiangyun, while Zijuan came in to ask Daiyu for permission to serve dinner. After Daiyu had dinner with everyone, she personally sent someone to take them home.

After seeing the guests off, Daiyu went to her desk, picked up her pen, and began to record several seemingly unrelated matters.

"What does this say? I can't understand it." Xiao Tingjun came in. He wasn't involved in the banquet today, but the Sixth Prince Xiao Tingyu came uninvited, and he spent most of the day studying with his sixth brother.

“The inner quarters are filled with trivial matters, and I’m afraid I won’t remember them, so I’ll just write them down.” After Daiyu put down her pen, she asked Xiao Tingjun, “Do you remember Consort Guo?”

Xiao Tingjun shook his head: "I vaguely heard my mother mention it, but I didn't take it to heart." That was his father's harem, and it was a newly appointed concubine, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

"It seems I have some free time now, and I must mention it to the Empress Dowager." Although it may seem that Consort Guo's dealings with the Xia family are not very important, sometimes changes often occur from the most inconspicuous places. Moreover, it is not an ordinary thing for a woman from the Shangfu Bureau to suddenly become a Consort.

Seeing that Daiyu had finished writing, Xiao Tingjun stepped forward and took her hand: "Alright, it's time to take a break. You've been very busy all year, and you've been working non-stop these days. There's a moon in the sky today, although it's only a half moon, but the red plum blossoms are in bloom, and it's after the snow. Red plum blossoms bloom under the moon and after the snow. Let's go enjoy the flowers and the snow."

Just as Daiyu was about to turn around and call for someone, Xueyan, who had already prepared a cloak and two small plum blossom-shaped hand warmers, quickly presented them.

Xiao Tingjun refused the hand warmer, but Daiyu called to Xueyan, "Bring us our white glazed plum vase. Since we're appreciating the snow and plum blossoms, why not collect some snow from the plum branches to brew tea later?"

Not allowing the maids to follow, Xiao Tingjun carried the glass lantern in one hand and held Daiyu's hand in the other. The two walked slowly to Xiangxue Tower. It was extremely quiet at night, with only the crunching sound of their little sheepskin boots on the snow.

"I deliberately left the snow unsweeped," Xiao Tingjun said, as if seeking credit.

The crescent moon hangs high in the sky, a silvery white expanse. On the plum tree, a few blossoms, a few branches, a whole patch, a sea of ​​red and white stand out vividly in the moonlight. Daiyu couldn't help but recite: "Spring's arrival is already known in the snow, the winter plum blossoms adorn the jade-like branches."

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Tingjun immediately added two lines: "What I think of is a beautiful woman with a half-open face, delicate and charming, emerging from her bath with fresh makeup in the courtyard."

This is the second half of the same poem, which also describes plum blossoms after snow, yet Daiyu couldn't help but blush upon hearing it.

Xiao Tingjun insisted, "This is called realism."

In his eyes, his wife had skin as smooth as snow under the morning sun, and clear eyes as bright as autumn water in the forest.

Daiyu snorted, looking at her husband standing gracefully under the plum tree, and suddenly felt playful. She reached out and gave the plum tree a hard push, and the snow on the branches fell down, covering Xiao Tingjun.

"This is called 'fallen plum blossoms scattered like snow beneath the steps, brushing them off only to find them still covering you.'"

Seeing his wife's smiling face, he immediately felt that his idea of ​​appreciating the snow and plum blossoms was excellent. After playing around for a while, the two slowly collected the remaining snow from the branches into the white glazed plum vase, which was soon more than half full.

Daiyu saw a few nice plum blossoms and asked Xiao Tingjun to help her pick them: "At the end of the year, Father Emperor bestowed a pair of Longquan celadon long-necked vases, which are perfect for holding plum blossoms."

"Insert it, and send it in to Father and Mother?" Xiao Tingjun had a flash of inspiration.

“Then pick a few more branches, and we’ll put them in our room too.” Daiyu remembered that there was a pair of Longquan celadon plum vases in her dowry. “Take out our own vases, put them in them, and send them to Father and Mother.”

The two strolled around until the moon was high in the sky before returning to their house.

“Zhang Dai wrote ‘Watching Snow at the Lakeside Pavilion,’ I can write one tomorrow too.” Daiyu was in a very good mood.

"Then I will look forward to reading your masterpiece, my wife." Xiao Tingjun watched Daiyu arranging plum blossoms. The room was warm at the moment, and Daiyu was only wearing a lake-blue, wide-hemmed, belted long dress with a hundred flowers. Her slender fingers were inserting plum blossoms into the vase, making her even more beautiful than the flowers.

He couldn't resist leaning in and planting a kiss on her cheek.

Chapter 129 The Story Behind the Beauty Consort

Once the Lantern Festival is over, the New Year celebrations will be finished. Daiyu went to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress. There were many people at the Empress's residence today, including Consort Lu, Consort Cheng, and Consort Guo.

Daiyu had met Consort Lu and Consort Cheng many times, and remembering Baoqin's words that Consort Guo had made connections with the Xia family, Daiyu couldn't help but become more cautious.

She glanced at the concubine and found her to be indeed beautiful and delicate, like a newly blossoming lotus.

After meeting Princess Yi, Consort Guo immediately addressed the Empress, saying, "I have long heard that Princess Yi is a woman of exceptional beauty. Last time at the palace banquet, I could only catch a glimpse of her from afar. Today, seeing her up close, I can see that she is indeed a woman of unparalleled beauty."

"Don't tease her. Third Brother's wife is shy and can't stand your teasing." The Empress smiled and said to Daiyu, "The other day, the red plum blossoms that you and Third Brother sent were praised by your father. He said that the red plum blossoms in the Longquan celadon plum vase were elegant and vibrant, complementing each other perfectly. Your father liked the vase very much and said he wouldn't return it to you."

“It’s just a pair of household plum vases. If Father Emperor likes them, he can keep them,” Daiyu said hastily.

Consort Lu was the most perceptive; she had already risen to bid farewell to the Empress. Consort Cheng and Consort Guo followed suit. However, before leaving, Consort Guo added, "If Princess Yi has time, please come and sit down."

These words were somewhat rash, but Daiyu smiled and nodded.

After the three of them left, the Empress said to Daiyu, "Consort Guo is not much older than you, Yu'er."

Even without the Empress saying it, Daiyu could tell that Consort Guo was indeed much younger than the other concubines in the harem.

"I just overheard some news about Consort Guo, and I was just about to tell you, Mother." Daiyu told the Empress about the Guo and Xia families one by one. "Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but the Xia family runs a flower business, and my second sister-in-law has taken away a lot of their business. There's another reason for this."

Daiyu then recounted the important details of the Xia and Xue families' past to the Empress, adding, "Now, the Second Mistress of the Rongguo Mansion is actually a Xue family girl, the second sister-in-law's flower room. I heard that the Second Mistress of the Rongguo Mansion has contributed a lot."

The Empress immediately understood: the Xue family's daughter had likely helped them steal the Xia family's business. And now that the Xia family had connected with Consort Guo, they probably had their own agenda. After all, according to Yu'er, Xia Jingui was not one to suffer in silence.

"This Consort Guo is no simple woman." After hearing Daiyu's words, the Empress became somewhat alarmed. "There are many girls in the Imperial Stud who do needlework, and many who are more clever and prettier than her. But over the years, she is the only one who has risen to the position of Consort."

Daiyu certainly understood that it was no easy feat to rise from the Imperial Dress Bureau to become a concubine in the harem.

"I investigated later, do you know who she bribed?" the Empress asked Daiyu.

There were many palace maids and eunuchs around the emperor, but not many were truly trusted confidants. Hu Delu was one of them, but he didn't seem like that kind of person.

"Dai Quan," the Empress said softly.

Daiyu was startled: Dai Quan was the late emperor's man, and his status had been declining ever since the retired emperor passed away.

"Don't underestimate Dai Quan. He has quite a few disciples and followers in the palace." The Empress disliked Dai Quan. "Guess what happened a few days ago? His Majesty said that many eunuchs in the palace are getting old and should go home to retire."

Does this mean that people like Dai Quan should be expelled? Is this His Majesty's will? Or did Consort Guo offer some suggestion?

"Yu'er, it's easier for you to investigate some things outside than for me. You can first find out what kind of family the Guo family is and why she entered the Bureau of Clothing and Costumes." The Empress entrusted this matter to Daiyu.

After returning to the Prince's residence from the palace, Xueyan waited for Daiyu to have some tea and rest for a while before saying, "Your Highness, just now outside the Phoenix Palace, Consort Guo's maid said something to me."

Is it Guo Chongyi again? Daiyu immediately became alert.

"Twelve years ago, in He'an Village, two hundred miles from the capital." Xueyan was completely bewildered when she heard this, but she was now very cautious and pretended not to hear it at the time, ignoring it entirely. However, she secretly remembered it and came to report it to Daiyu now.

Guo Chongyi did it on purpose, so what was her purpose? Daiyu thought for a moment and called to Zijuan: "Go and tell your brother to find out what happened in He'an Village, two hundred miles outside the capital, twelve years ago."

Zijuan readily agreed and went out to make the arrangements.

Unexpectedly, the next day when Daiyu was free, Zijuan came up to her and said, "Your Highness, my brother has something he wants to say to you. Please trouble me to tell you."

Daiyu was very curious. Ever since her brother Zijuan left the Rongguo Mansion, he had been doing things for her. He was reliable and honest, and had left a very good impression on Daiyu.

Over the years, he had never asked for anything, so Daiyu was a little curious and asked Zijuan with a smile what it was.

“My brother has met Xiuju, who serves the Second Miss, a few times and thinks she is very capable. My brother is not young anymore and should be of marriageable age, so he asked me to come and hear what the Princess Consort thinks.” Ziju was treating her whole family as Daiyu’s servants.

Daiyu had a very good impression of Xiuju. Back then, before her second sister got married, her wet nurse stole her second sister's jewelry to sell. At that time, Xiuju was just a second-class maid, but she was very loyal to her mistress and stood up for her second sister.

Later, when Siqi got into trouble, this girl followed her second sister to get married and remained very loyal.

"Your brother has excellent taste," Daiyu teased with a smile. "What? Should I go and talk to your second sister about it?"

"What I mean is, if the Princess also thinks it's good, then I'll go and ask Xiuju what she thinks first. If she's not willing, then so be it. The Princess has already spoken to the Second Miss, so Xiuju might not be able to refuse. If Xiuju is also willing, then I'll trouble the Princess to speak to the Second Miss then." After hearing that her brother was interested in Xiuju, Ziju discussed it with him.

"You've thought of things more thoroughly. Alright, find a chance to ask Xiuju first." Daiyu pondered. Zijuan wasn't young anymore, and it was time to consider her future. Besides, they needed to train new maids. Chunyu and Chunxian were becoming increasingly capable, but after Zijuan, Xueyan should be of marriageable age. If they didn't prepare early, they might not have enough help later.

With Daiyu's consent, Zijuan spoke privately with Xiuju a few days later at the Huatang Chunxiu.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shun, Zijuan's brother, went to He'an Village to investigate and quickly got results.

Zijuan greeted Daiyu with a smile, saying, "Your Highness, I've spoken with Xiuju, and she's happy about it. My parents also agree."

Daiyu smiled and that evening happily told Xiao Tingjun, "Although Brother Zijuan isn't considered a member of the Prince's Mansion, he still does things for us and is marrying a maid from Second Sister's side. We'll definitely have to show our appreciation then."

Xiao Tingjun immediately nodded: "This is a good thing, but I'll have to trouble Yu'er to handle it."