The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

"I told your father that your pregnancy should be kept secret for now, and we will announce it when the third prince returns."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu immediately understood why the Empress had done this and quickly thanked her.

"Take good care of yourself, and your mother will be happy. There's no need to thank me." The Empress patted Daiyu's hand affectionately.

Chapter 147 Prince Yi Returns Home, Couple Reunited

The news of Daiyu's pregnancy was temporarily kept under wraps, but the fact that the Empress and Princess Yi hurriedly left the Dragon Boat Festival banquet made the wives of officials very concerned.

However, when they got home, they learned that Prince Yi had been injured. Upon hearing that the prince had been attacked on the road, many court officials and their wives felt that the matter was quite suspicious: Prince Yi and the Fifth Prince had only gone to Zhili to manage the floods, not to suppress bandits or punish corrupt officials, so how could they have been attacked? In this peaceful and prosperous era, there must be something more complicated behind it.

Recalling the power struggles among the princes of the previous dynasty, everyone had their own guesses. However, no one dared to voice their thoughts.

A day later, the Left Guard, the commander of the Five Cities Garrison, escorted Prince Yi, the Fifth Prince, and Minister of Works Tian Jingmin back. The Fifth Prince Xiao Tingzhao and Tian Jingmin rode horses, while Prince Yi rode in a carriage, which made people even more suspicious: Could it be that Prince Yi was really seriously injured?

Xiao Tingzhao and Tian Jingmin went to the palace to report on their duties, while Prince Yi's carriage went directly back to Prince Yi's residence. Immediately afterwards, the Imperial Hospital sent two more imperial physicians, Physician He and Physician Jiang, which further fueled suspicion.

Upon hearing that Xiao Tingjun had returned, Daiyu quickly stood up. Zijuan, Xueyan, and the others all knew that their princess was going through a critical period. Zijuan hurriedly came up to support Daiyu, saying, "Princess, don't worry. You know that the prince is alright."

Last night, one of Xiao Tingjun's personal guards rushed back to deliver the message. Today's actions are just for show, to impress outsiders.

"Even so, I'm still worried because I haven't seen him." Daiyu feared that Xiao Tingjun had sent someone to say this just to comfort her.

Zijuan couldn't persuade her either, so she helped Daiyu walk outside. They had only just entered the courtyard when Xiao Tingjun came in.

"Yu'er, I'm fine, don't worry." Xiao Tingjun's first words to Daiyu were to tell her not to worry.

Daiyu stopped and carefully examined Xiao Tingjun. She saw that he looked tired and haggard, with dark circles under his eyes and a beard growing on his chin. He had lost a lot of weight and looked travel-worn. Daiyu couldn't help but shed tears.

Xiao Tingjun couldn't bear to see Daiyu cry, so he raised his hand to wipe her tears, but he forgot that he was injured. When he raised his hand, he pulled at his wound and almost gasped.

Upon seeing this, Daiyu knew something was wrong: "Where are you hurt? Tell me, don't make me worry."

"No, really no." Xiao Tingjun switched hands and took Daiyu's hand. "Shall we go inside and talk?"

The two entered the room, where Chunyu and Chunxian had already brought hot water, a copper basin, and towels. Xiao Tingjun did not move, but sat down on the couch. Seeing him like this, Daiyu became even more certain that he was injured.

Daiyu soaked a towel in warm water, wrung it out, and handed it to Xiao Tingjun: "Wipe your face and hands." But then she remembered that Xiao Tingjun had acted strangely when he raised his hand earlier, so Daiyu simply stepped forward and wiped Xiao Tingjun's face herself.

Xiao Tingjun stopped her abruptly, burying his head in Daiyu's waist. Smelling the familiar, faint fragrance, Xiao Tingjun felt a sense of relief, as if he had survived a calamity.

Daiyu blushed, wanting to move but afraid of aggravating Xiao Tingjun's wound. In the end, she couldn't help but touch Xiao Tingjun's head with one hand.

Xiao Tingjun took a deep breath before releasing Daiyu. Daiyu put the towel in her other hand into the basin and asked, "Where exactly is the injury? Should we call the imperial physician in?"

The two imperial physicians were quite perceptive; they did not enter the room without being instructed to do so.

"Let me make this clear first, Yu'er, don't worry. I did get a little injured this time, but it's just a superficial wound." Xiao Tingjun squeezed Daiyu's hand to make sure she wasn't frightened.

After seeing Daiyu nod, Xiao Tingjun dismissed all the maids and then summoned two imperial physicians.

Xiao Tingjun loosened his belt and lifted his shirt, and Daiyu saw that her white inner garment was stained red with blood. She immediately let out a soft "Ah—" and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her eyes revealing heartache.

Physician Jiang stepped forward and used scissors to cut open the inner garment, muttering to himself, "Your Highness, you should be more careful these days. The sword wound is still so deep, and the repeated bleeding makes it heal slowly."

Physician Jiang had accompanied the Left Guard to fetch Prince Yi, and he was the one who bandaged Prince Yi's wound last night. Now, after cutting open the bandage, Physician He skillfully handed over the hemostatic powder.

Daiyu looked at the wound, her brows furrowed, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache. Xiao Tingjun comforted her, saying, "Yu'er, don't look at it like that, it really doesn't hurt."

This time, Daiyu didn't cry, but she also ignored what Xiao Tingjun said. After Physician Jiang finished bandaging her up, she asked him, "What should Your Highness pay attention to these next few days? Are there any foods you should avoid?"

"Your Highness, I have been coming to change His Highness's dressings every day these past few days. As long as His Highness doesn't aggravate the wound, he just needs to rest. He should avoid greasy, raw, cold, and spicy foods, and should not drink alcohol. It would be best to eat more nutritious and nourishing foods, which will help him recover sooner." After giving his instructions, Physician Jiang withdrew.

Imperial Physician He still wanted to take Daiyu's pulse. Seeing this, Xiao Tingjun, unaware of Daiyu's pregnancy, hurriedly asked, "Imperial Physician He, what's wrong with the Princess?"

Physician He focused on taking the pulse and did not speak. After giving a few instructions to the Princess Consort, he replied to Prince Yi: "Princess Consort, please tell Your Highness about the matter yourself. I will return to the palace to report to Her Majesty the Empress."

Physician Jiang and Physician He both took their leave. Xiao Tingjun seemed to remember something and looked at Daiyu with a joyful expression: "Yu'er, is it good news?"

Seeing Xiao Tingjun's very happy appearance, Daiyu blushed and nodded: "However, you must not make a fuss. The Empress Dowager asked the Emperor for permission to keep it a secret for now and wait until the situation stabilizes before talking about it."

Xiao Tingjun was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately grabbed Daiyu's hand, trying to pull her to sit in his lap. Daiyu, however, spoke first: "Don't move around. The imperial physician just said something, so don't take it lightly."

Xiao Tingjun calmed down a bit, but still pulled Daiyu to sit down beside him: "Damn it, I scared you as soon as I got back."

"What do you mean by 'death' and 'life'? Don't you have any sense of propriety? Stop talking nonsense," Daiyu said coquettishly.

Seeing Daiyu's eyelashes tremble slightly, and her two little brushes brushing against Xiao Tingjun's heart, he couldn't help but lean over, cup the back of Daiyu's head with one hand, and kiss her directly.

Because she was worried about Xiao Tingjun's wound, Daiyu didn't dare to move. She let him support the back of her neck as their lips and tongues intertwined. Their teeth grazed each other, causing a sharp pain. When they finally separated, Daiyu was slightly out of breath, and her delicate lips were already flushed red.

As their lips parted, Xiao Tingjun cupped her face in one hand, pressing his forehead against hers. His fingertips gently caressed her smooth skin: "Yu'er, you are truly my little lucky star."

Zijuan's voice from outside broke the idyllic atmosphere inside the room.

"The Prince of Li's residence sent someone to say that they had heard the prince had returned and came to see him."

Fourth brother? Xiao Tingjun was a little surprised. He had thought that the second brother would arrive first.

Chapter 148 Different Kinds of Affection Between Brothers

The Prince Li's residence only sent someone; the Fourth Prince, Xiao Tingfeng, did not come in person. Daiyu came out to meet the messenger, accepted the gifts from the Prince Li's residence, said a few words, and then dismissed him.

Back at Fang Jian, Xiao Tingjun told Daiyu, "This time, my injury isn't really serious. My father told me to stay home and rest properly, and not to announce the extent of my injury to the outside world. Those who care will naturally be very concerned."

Daiyu instantly understood: although Xiao Tingjun was indeed injured, they could stage a scene based on his injury to find out who had orchestrated the attack.

"Where were you attacked?" Daiyu was still very concerned: Logically speaking, Xiao Tingjun and Xiao Tingzhao had brought imperial guards with them, and those people were all top-notch experts.

“Zhangjiakou.” Xiao Tingjun was unwilling to go into details, lest he frighten Daiyu, because at that time, the other party clearly wanted to take his life, and every move was deadly. “Fifth brother also suffered some superficial injuries, and his wrist was cut by a sword.”

"So, do you think it's aimed at you?" Daiyu asked, getting to the heart of the matter: Xiao Tingjun is currently the most favored by the Emperor, so if it's because of the princes' power struggle, then it must be aimed at Xiao Tingjun.

Xiao Tingjun and Daiyu were indeed of one mind. Hearing Daiyu ask this question, he knew what she was thinking. He shook his head and said, "I thought so too, but I found that the person who came was just as ruthless to Fifth Brother. I'm thinking about a possibility."

Daiyu immediately understood Xiao Tingjun's meaning: "You mean to say that the other party wants to kill both of you."

After asking the question, Daiyu couldn't help but shiver.

“I would rather I was overthinking it, but the circumstances at the time forced me to think that way.” Xiao Tingjun held Daiyu’s hand. “So, Yu’er, I’ve thought about it, and I’m telling you that from now on, when you go out, take two guards with you, just to be on the safe side.”

Daiyu usually only takes her maid with her when she goes out. Hearing Xiao Tingjun's words, Daiyu nodded.

Before Daiyu could say anything more, Xueyan interrupted her: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has arrived."

Having received the prince's approval, the Fifth Prince Xiao Tingzhao was soon led in. He had just come out of the emperor's palace, thinking that he should still come and see his third brother.

If it weren't for his third brother, he might have been dead. His third brother was stabbed in the right shoulder by the assailant while trying to save him; the wound was deep, but fortunately it didn't hit any vital organs.

"Third brother, how are you?" Xiao Tingzhao asked after properly greeting his elder brother and sister-in-law.

Before they returned, Xiao Tingjun told him not to tell anyone what had happened, mainly because he was afraid the princess would worry. Xiao Tingzhao didn't think much of it. Now that he saw Daiyu was there, he believed his third brother's words even more: his third brother and sister-in-law were indeed a loving couple.

"It's nothing serious. Even Father Emperor praised Physician Jiang's medical skills." Xiao Tingjun then asked him, "How was it? Did you two clearly hand over your duties to Father Emperor?"

"Third brother, don't worry. With Lord Tian here, even if there's something I can't explain, Lord Tian, ​​the Minister of Works, is very clear and organized." Ever since Xiao Tingzhao accompanied his third brother on this trip, he has seen that his third brother is meticulous and efficient. He is not only knowledgeable but also knows the intricacies of water conservancy, which makes him truly admire him.

Adding to his gratitude was his third brother, who was now his savior.

"By the way, Third Brother, I have some good news. Father is going to confer upon me the title of Prince." Xiao Tingzhao not only learned a lot on this trip, but he was also rewarded. This was the first time in his life that he had received such a great reward from his father, and he was truly happy.

Seeing that the brothers were discussing serious matters, Daiyu got up and left.

"This is indeed wonderful news! Did Father Emperor say he would choose a residence for you?" When Xiao Tingjun and the others were granted the title of Prince, they were rewarded with residences.

"No, not really. But I'm not in a hurry. Anyway, before my wedding, Father Emperor will have to give me a place to stay." Xiao Tingzhao really hadn't thought that far ahead. He was already overjoyed to hear that he was to be granted the title of Prince.

Seeing Xiao Tingzhao's happy face, Xiao Tingjun was also infected by it, but after thinking for a moment, he still told him: "You should be more careful in the future. It is still hard to say why those people from Zhangjiakou came. Although you and I have returned to the capital, if the enemy is determined, I am afraid they will not let it go."

Xiao Tingzhao had also wondered who might be the assassin who would try to kill him and his brothers. He knew a little about the affairs between his second, third, and fourth brothers; the struggle for the throne had always been cruel.

Xiao Tingzhao himself had never thought about that position. Firstly, his strength was limited, and secondly, he felt that it would be good enough to stay out of it and be a carefree prince.

But now, he doesn't want to be implicated, yet he's forced to be. Besides, his third brother saved his life.

"Don't worry, Third Brother. This is the capital, under the Emperor's nose. I don't think the people behind them would dare to be so bold." Xiao Tingzhao nodded, and seeing that Xiao Tingjun was also a little tired, he took the initiative to say goodbye.

In the afternoon, after the Sixth Prince Xiao Tingyu, who had returned from Yuntao Academy, came to visit, Xiao Tingjun felt that his second brother, who had been silent all along, was even more suspicious. His father had deliberately made everyone aware of his injury, so logically, even if his second brother didn't come, he should have sent someone to check on him.

It wasn't until the third day that Prince Rui, Xiao Tingkai, and his wife, Song Huilan, visited Xiao Tingjun.

"I heard that Third Brother was injured. I've been so busy these past two days that I only had time today. Where is Third Brother injured? Is it serious?" Xiao Tingkai asked with concern. If someone didn't know the situation, they would probably admire the brotherly affection between them.

"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury. I feel really bad for troubling you, Second Brother and Sister-in-law." Xiao Tingjun observed his Second Brother's expression but couldn't detect anything unusual.

However, at this moment, Song Huilan suddenly said, "Third brother, you don't know, but when we heard you were injured, our sister-in-law fainted in the palace."

This matter is a bit delicate. Daiyu deliberately smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law is quite well-informed. I thought only Father, Mother and Physician He knew about the fainting that day."

The Prince Yi's mansion has spies of Consort Wu, a fact that Daiyu and Xiao Tingjun had long ago discovered and intended to exploit.

Therefore, Daiyu deliberately leaked the information to He Shi, and He Shi also found an opportunity to pass the information to Consort Wu.

Song Huilan's heart tightened. This matter was told to her by Consort Wu. Consort Wu said that she couldn't figure out what was going on with Princess Yi. Imperial Physician He had been coming to her door repeatedly, and Consort Wu wanted to find out what was really going on.

However, Song Huilan was unaware of the source of Consort Wu's information.

"Sister-in-law, please don't take offense, I only heard it from the servants." Song Huilan casually lied, looking at Daiyu with concern, "Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell?"

Chapter 149 Continuing to Conceal the Zhao Family's Pregnancy

Upon hearing Song Huilan ask if she was feeling unwell, Daiyu admired the Empress even more: "The Empress said she would keep it a secret back then, and now it seems she was truly prescient."

"Thank you for your concern, Second Sister-in-law. I'm not feeling unwell. I've been too tired from the Dragon Boat Festival banquet these past few days, and I also happened to hear that Changsheng was seriously injured. I couldn't bear it for a while." Daiyu felt that it was better to continue to keep it a secret and wait until her pregnancy was more stable before announcing it to the public.

"The affection between my third brother and sister-in-law is so deep, it's truly enviable." When Song Huilan said this, she was actually a little envious: back then, when Xiao Tingkai kept a mistress, she not only couldn't get angry, but also had to pretend to be magnanimous, lest her father pursue Xiao Tingkai again.

But whenever she thought of this, Song Huilan would get very angry. She once thought that Xiao Tingkai loved her, but upon closer reflection, she realized that Xiao Tingkai married her only for the sake of the Song family's power.

Although she knew very well that the emperor would have many considerations when choosing wives for his princes, Song Huilan still hoped that her husband and she could live in harmony and mutual respect.

"Everyone says that the food at Third Sister-in-law's residence is the most unique. I wonder if we'll have the chance to taste it today?" Xiao Tingkai asked. Speaking of which, the delicious food played a part in Third Sister-in-law winning the favor of the Emperor and Empress.

Since they had all come, Daiyu naturally wouldn't be stingy with the meal.

After Xiao Tingkai and Song Huilan left, Daiyu immediately said to Xiao Tingjun, "I think we should continue to keep the pregnancy a secret until it's stable before announcing it. What do you think?"

Xiao Tingjun nodded: "I thought of that when you answered Second Sister-in-law just now, Yu'er. I'll have Zhao Bingxin go to the palace and tell the Empress Dowager. She will definitely support me."

However, Xiao Tingjun added, "If this happens, with Physician He coming every day, there might be rumors circulating outside, saying that Yu'er, your health is not good or something."

Daiyu, however, didn't care: "It's alright. Come to think of it, I used to care a lot about what others thought of me, but now I've developed a thick skin."