The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

After everyone had tasted the peach blossom cake, water chestnut cake, and red bean paste glutinous rice dumplings, Daiyu got up and went to the study to retrieve "The Draft of a Eulogy for My Nephew".

Gao Xin and Li Ke both expressed their desire to see it, and Xiao Tingyu took it and solemnly spread it out on the cleaned stone table.

"Wow, no wonder I once heard my father praise this manuscript, saying that its profound and weighty parts are simple, ancient, and majestic, like the grand tones of a great bell." Li Ke was the first to exclaim.

Daiyu glanced at Li Ke after hearing this: "The children of Lord Li are really well-educated."

“I’ve heard my teachers talk about it before, praising its delicate strength and refined structure, like a golden wind and an autumn hawk. I never knew what it looked like before, but today my eyes have truly been opened,” Jia Lan added from the side.

Xiao Tingyu, on the contrary, sighed that Yan Zhenqing's family was very principled: "I heard my mother say that when Yan Gaoqing, the prefect of Changshan, and his sons stepped forward and resolutely resisted An Lushan's rebellion, they died in battle, and the nest was overturned and the eggs were broken. They sacrificed themselves for righteousness. Ji Ming was Gaoqing's third son and Yan Zhenqing's cousin."

Gao Xin had never heard this story before, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"My mother also said that after Changshan County fell, Ji Ming was killed and only his head was left when he was buried," Xiao Tingyu added. For some reason, Daiyu suddenly thought of Tan Chun, who was married off to a foreign land for political reasons.

What surprised Daiyu even more was that after the Sixth Prince and the others took their leave, Xueyan came in and presented Daiyu with a book: "It was given to me secretly by Lan'er when no one was paying attention."

Daiyu took it curiously, thinking: Jia Lan is not a reckless person, his action must have a purpose.

Opening the book, one finds Li Wan's handwritten letter inside.

Chapter 140 Li Wan Delivers a Letter, Daiyu Ponders

Opening Li Wan's letter, although it is only a thin page, it mentions three major events, all of which are closely related to the Rongguo Mansion, and can also be said to be closely related to Baochai.

First, Grandmother Jia fell ill. Li Wan only used a few simple words, but Daiyu saw through the implications: although Grandmother Jia was old and it was understandable that she was ill, her illness this time was somewhat strange. The key point was not just that Grandmother Jia was sick, but that Baochai was using Grandmother Jia's illness to firmly grasp the power in the Rongguo Mansion.

Previously, Wang Xifeng was the one who put in the effort to manage the inner courtyard of the Jia family, but the one who truly held the power was Madam Wang. However, because Grandmother Jia was the eldest in the Rongguo Mansion, both Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng had to obey Grandmother Jia's orders, regardless of whether they wanted to or not.

Now that Wang Xifeng has gone out with Jia Lian and Madam Wang is confined to the courtyard, it is only natural that Xue Baochai, as the mistress of the second son, should manage the household. However, if Grandmother Jia is willing to interfere, Baochai will have to obey. Moreover, some of the stewardesses in the mansion may not necessarily be obedient to Baochai.

With Grandmother Jia ill, it was easy for Baochai to seize the opportunity to win people over. Baochai was naturally very skilled at winning people's hearts.

However, Daiyu only kept this in mind. If she hadn't seen the information Li Wan would have given her next, she would have thought it was an internal matter of the Rongguo Mansion and wouldn't have cared so much.

But when Daiyu saw Li Wan's letter mentioning that Baochai had specifically written to Ping'an Prefecture, she became concerned. Ping'an Prefecture was precisely where Jia Lian was to take up his post.

Daiyu had heard her mother mention that her maternal grandfather had once served as the General Who Pacifies the Distant Regions in Ping'an Prefecture, and many of his former subordinates were still stationed and serving in Ping'an Prefecture and several surrounding prefectures and counties.

When Daiyu first heard that Jia Lian was going to Ping'an Prefecture, she thought that with the help of other officials in Ping'an Prefecture, Jia Lian's official career wouldn't be too difficult, and he would be less likely to be schemed against. Clearly, Wang Ziteng had given this careful consideration.

Baochai and Wang Xifeng had an ordinary relationship, so her writing the letter alone must mean something more.

If these two events are considered together, then Baochai might really have some kind of plan. Considering Baochai's close relationship with the Princess Consort of Rui County, Daiyu must be cautious and wary.

The third thing Li Wan mentioned seems to corroborate Daiyu's idea: Li Wan originally did not know about Princess Machang's fright; it was Li Wan's maid, Suyun, who heard it from Amber.

Amber's vivid description at the time, upon closer examination, seems quite problematic—the little maid in Bao Er Ye's courtyard said that Bao Er's wife was practically precocious; upon hearing of the accident at the horse farm in the outskirts of Beijing, she hurriedly asked if it was Princess Yi and how badly she was injured.

Upon learning that she was not the Princess Consort of Yi County, Bao Er's wife remained silent.

The little maid in Bao Er Ye's courtyard once sighed to Amber, "After all, Bao Er Ye's wife and Princess Yi Jun grew up together, and she even worries about the princess."

Five years ago, Daiyu would have genuinely believed that Baochai was worried about her. But times have changed, and Daiyu now knows all too well what kind of person Baochai is.

After quickly finishing the page, Daiyu fell into deep thought.

Firstly, what exactly is Baochai trying to do? This is something Daiyu doesn't know for the time being, but she must keep it in mind and spend time and effort to investigate. Not only did the Princess Consort of Ruijun plagiarize her idea for the Huatang Chunxiu flower room, but Baoqin also said that Baochai played a significant role in it.

Secondly, why would Li Wan remind her? Was it merely because she had spoken up for Jia Lan and secured a place at Yuntao Academy? Daiyu didn't think so, given that she was married to a prince and the political situation was delicate. Could it be that Li Wan and her son were trying to curry favor with her and Xiao Tingjun?

Regardless of Li Wan's purpose, Daiyu decided to accept her advice, as this information would be very useful to her.

Daiyu thought for a moment, then called Zijuan over: "The old lady of Rongguo Mansion is ill. Prepare some things. Go there in person tomorrow. Tell her that I should go myself, but the young princess is with us now, and I'm not free. Listen carefully to what the old lady says about her condition and tell me when you get back. Also, ask your mother to find out what's going on in the inner courtyard these days and let her know when she gets back."

Zijuan received the order and went to prepare the things. Once they were ready, she would show them to Daiyu.

Daiyu nodded after reading it: "Very good, that's all. Also, invite Xichun to come to the manor for a few days. I have two new books here, take them to the eldest mistress over there and say they are for Lan-ge'er."

The next day, Zijuan still came to serve Daiyu by combing her hair and having breakfast first, and then went to Rongguo Mansion after having breakfast herself.

Zijuan hadn't been to the Jia family mansion for about half a year. The last time was probably when Tanchun got married. Now, she went in to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia and saw the old lady dozing off against a rosewood table with lotus flower carvings. Amber was massaging her legs with her hands. When she saw Zijuan come in, she whispered a reminder to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia then sat up a little straighter, forcing herself to watch as Zijuan kowtowed to her before telling her to get up. Her voice was not as loud as before.

"As expected, you've been following your princess. I hardly recognize you now." Grandmother Jia carefully examined Zijuan. After hearing Zijuan explain her purpose and accept the gifts from Daiyu's side, she sighed, "Only your princess still remembers me these days."

After saying this, Grandmother Jia seemed tired again and rested for a while before asking Zijuan how Daiyu was doing. Zijuan answered her questions one by one.

"I'm relieved that she's alright." After saying this, Grandmother Jia sighed. Zijuan thought she was going to say something more, but she remained silent.

Seeing that Grandmother Jia seemed to be dozing off again, Amber quickly stepped forward to help her lean back, then beckoned a maid to serve her, and sent Zijuan out herself.

“Sister Zijuan, the old lady has been like this for days. We’ve called the imperial physician, but he only says it’s typhoid fever. She’s getting old, that’s how it is,” Amber said to Zijuan.

"Alright, you go back and serve the old lady. I'll go deliver two new books to the eldest mistress, and then I'll take the fourth young lady to the Prince's mansion. If the old lady asks, just say I've gone back. If the old lady needs anything, send someone to the Prince's mansion to let her know." Zijuan and Amber had always had a lukewarm relationship, so they had nothing to talk about and she left.

Zijuan first went to Li Wan's courtyard, delivered the two books as instructed by Daiyu, and then went to fetch Xichun.

After receiving the book from Zijuan, Li Wan was deeply moved and her heart remained unsettled for a long time: the Princess Consort of Yi had sent the book, which clearly meant that she had accepted the message she had conveyed.

However, what disturbed Li Wan's peace of mind was not only Daiyu's thoughts, but also those of her son, Jia Lan.

A few days ago, Jia Lan took the initiative to find his mother, and the two had a long talk, during which they also had an argument.

Li Wan is still deeply shocked when she thinks about that conversation.

Chapter 141 Analysis of Choosing Sides: Prince Yi and His Mother

Because Yuntao Academy was located in the suburbs of the capital, Jia Lan would return from his studies at the end of the 5-7 PM every day. Li Wan, as his mother, had nothing to do all day and could only feel at ease after seeing her son return safely.

When Jia Lan returned that day, Li Wan quickly had Su Yun bring him some snacks.

"You may all leave now. I need to speak with my mother." Jia Lan was only thirteen years old. Today, he wore a dark blue robe with wide, narrow sleeves adorned with embroidered patterns, cinched at the waist with a dark purple five-strand gold sash, and his hair was styled in a bun, secured with a translucent white hairpin. His posture was as slender as a cypress or pine tree. His expression was serious at the moment. Upon hearing his words, Su Yun quickly led the maids away.

As Su Yun walked out, she was still thinking that Lan Ge'er, at such a young age, already had such a demeanor.

"What's wrong? Was he bullied at the academy?" Li Wan couldn't help but worry when she saw her son so serious.

“Mother, I told you that day that we shouldn’t get bogged down in the small world of the inner quarters. Do you remember?” Jia Lan brought up the time when Tan Chun was conferred the title of Princess.

Li Wan would certainly remember that it was from that time that she realized her son was even more intelligent than she had ever known.

Seeing his mother nod, Jia Lan continued, "Actually, one reason I wanted to go to Yuntao Academy was that I wanted to have more contact with Princess Yi through Yuntao Academy."

What? Li Wan seemed to realize something, but then wondered if she was overthinking it. She looked at her son in surprise, and his next words confirmed her suspicions.

"Now everyone in and out of the court knows that Prince Yi is highly valued by the Emperor, and we happen to have some connection with him through the Princess Consort, which is a good thing for us. Prince Yi is only a prince now, and if we support him, our son will naturally have a smooth career if he enters the court as an official in the future." Jia Lan had already thought this through. Supporting Prince Yi while he is not yet the Crown Prince is very different from supporting him when he becomes the Crown Prince.

"What are you saying?!" Li Wan raised her voice, unable to believe her ears.

"Mother, please don't rush, let me finish explaining. Ever since I went to Yuntao Academy, by chance, the Sixth Prince and Li Ke, the son of Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel, were also there. Their identities are special; one is a prince, and the other is the Empress's nephew. I learned more from them. Last year before the Lunar New Year, I was also invited by the Sixth Prince to visit the Prince Yi's residence." Jia Lan's visit to the Prince Yi's residence coincided with the time when the Prince Yi and his wife hosted a banquet for the Fifth Prince and Miss Zuo. "It was on that occasion that I had the opportunity to get close to the Prince Yi."

At this point, Jia Lan paused for a moment: Although Jia Lan was young, she knew a little about the matter between Uncle Bao and Aunt Lin, because at the time, Jia Lan always thought that Aunt Lin would become her second aunt.

If we compare Uncle Bao to Prince Yi, even though they are his own nephews, Jia Lan has to admit that Uncle Bao is far inferior to Prince Yi.

“Prince Yi speaks eloquently, has a hearty smile, and speaks with great refinement. I have also heard that Prince Yi is currently concurrently serving in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, and is also going to Zhili for an inspection.” It was because of this close contact that Jia Lan became even more convinced of his idea. “I think he will be a benevolent ruler.”

"You, you, don't talk nonsense!" Li Wan couldn't believe it for a moment, because she had been very careful since her husband's death and dared not think about such things.

Jia Lan didn't say anything, but his eyes were very firm as he looked at his mother very seriously.

The mother and son stared at each other for a long while before Li Wan sighed and said, "Son, what you're talking about is too big. One wrong move and you could be shattered to pieces. As your mother, I'm not worried about myself, but you're still so young, what if..."

Li Wan didn't finish speaking, but Jia Lan understood his mother's meaning: once you get involved in such matters, there's no turning back. Victory is certainly cause for celebration, but defeat could very well lead to utter ruin.

"Mother, what do you think of Second Aunt now?" Jia Lan didn't say anything else, but instead mentioned the current steward of Rongguo Mansion.

Li Wan didn't expect her son to change the subject. Without thinking much, she said directly, "Your second aunt is kind and generous on the surface, and doesn't talk much, but in reality she is cold-hearted, ruthless, and only cares about profit."

These two simple sentences accurately summarize Baochai's personality traits.

"Does Mother think that a second aunt like this can lead this household for a long time?" Jia Lan continued to ask.

Li Wan hesitated because she was very clear about the situation in the mansion: Baoyu was not ambitious, the eldest son's family was selfish, the second master was not good at being an official, the old lady was old, and the mistress who was locked in the small Buddhist hall was even worse off.

The future of this mansion is truly bleak.

"Mother also feels that the future of this mansion is probably bleak, right?" Jia Lan shook his head when his mother did not answer. "Moreover, I also know something else: Second Aunt and Princess Ruijun have a close relationship."

Li Wan had also heard about this matter. After all, the story of Princess Rui sending an invitation to Baochai had been widely circulated among the maids, who all praised their second mistress for being so capable and for having frequent interactions with the prince's wife.

“So Mother, we, mother and son, will not take sides, but Second Aunt has chosen. If Second Aunt loses one day, we will still be implicated.” Jia Lan’s analysis was very thorough. “Compared to Prince Rui, Prince Yi is more capable. Moreover, I have always believed that Princess Yi is more outstanding than Second Aunt.”

Yes, Baochai has made a move. What will happen if I sit idly by? Li Wan wavered.

"Besides, what Mother needs to do is not difficult. She only needs to pass on any information that Mother knows in our household that is useful to the Prince Yi's residence. I believe that the Princess Yi will judge for herself whether to believe us or not." Seeing that his mother was wavering, Jia Lan pressed his advantage.

"Moreover, from what the Sixth Prince said, my son could tell that the current Emperor and Empress both like Princess Yi very much, and even the Sixth Prince's mother thinks Princess Yi is very good." Jia Lan was not lying. In fact, from the fact that the Sixth Prince only mentioned one sister-in-law, it could be seen that the Sixth Prince himself was more inclined towards Princess Yi.

“However, delivering messages is not an easy task.” As soon as Li Wan said this, Jia Lan understood that his mother believed him and decided to support his choice.

"As long as Mother is willing, then I will find a way." Jia Lan now goes to Yuntao Academy to study every day, and it is very easy for him to come and go from the mansion. As for sending the message to Prince Yi's mansion, perhaps he will have to consider it.

Unexpectedly, the Sixth Prince took the initiative to suggest going to the Prince Yi's residence and even asked if Li Ke and I wanted to go.

The opportunity has arrived. Once the first contact is made, things will be much easier in the future.

When Jia Lan returned and saw the book sent by Prince Yi's mansion, he opened it and understood what Princess Yi meant: the message could be passed through Zijuan's mother, because although Zijuan's mother had been freed from slavery, she was still working in Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Lan happened to have something he had heard from the Sixth Prince that he needed to inform the Princess Consort of Yi County.

Chapter 142 Setting a Trap: Fortune or Misfortune?

The sixth prince mentioned it unintentionally.

In today's class, when discussing poetry, there is a line that reads, "The dragon boat races deeply grieve for a thousand-year-old injustice; the loyal souls are gone, never to return." This line comes from the poem "On the Dragon Boat Festival" by the Song Dynasty poet Zhang Lei.

After class, the Sixth Prince talked about the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. Actually, it was still early for the Dragon Boat Festival. It was only the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, and the Dragon Boat Festival was still about a month away.

"My mother said that, for some reason, the Imperial Concubine suggested that my third sister-in-law should plan the palace banquet. She also said that my third sister-in-law's flower viewing banquet last time was particularly well organized, and she thought that entrusting it to my third sister-in-law this Dragon Boat Festival would also bring something new." The Sixth Prince heard this from his mother, Consort Lu.

"So, Her Majesty the Empress agreed?" Li Ke asked casually.

"No, it was said in front of Father Emperor. I heard that Father Emperor agreed." The Sixth Prince talked about the Dragon Boat Festival in the palace in previous years, and he was looking forward to his Third Sister-in-law taking charge. "I also want to ask. What will Third Sister-in-law do? Do you remember the lanterns you made last year? I took them back to my mother. My mother liked them very much."

Jia Lan, however, was wary: the imperial concubine mentioned by the sixth prince was naturally Consort Wu, who was the mother of Prince Rui. It was not appropriate for her to suggest that Princess Yi organize the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

I'm afraid they have ulterior motives. Jia Lan had her mother pass the message on to Zijuan.

The day after receiving the news, Daiyu was invited to the palace by the Empress, and the discussion was indeed about the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.