The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Chapter 152 Appreciating Lotus Flowers, Listening to Rain, Brewing Tea, and Discussing Poetry

Daiyu quickly discussed the matter with the old Princess Chun and decided to invite everyone to admire the lotus flowers at the Prince Yi's residence. The old Princess Chun even said, "You are all young people, and it is inconvenient for an old woman like me to attend."

This was just an excuse to avoid putting pressure on Baoqin.

Daiyu quickly sent invitations to Qiao Lanruo, Zuo Jiangqiu, and Xichun, and naturally also invited Baoqin. For the male guests, Xiao Tingjun took charge, inviting Peng Feng, Xiao Tingzhao, and Xiao Qingzhou, the youngest son of the late Prince Chun.

The matter of hosting a banquet was quite open and generous. When Consort Wu found out, she naturally had some thoughts. So, in front of the Emperor, Consort Wu said with a smile, "The Third Prince and his wife are quite hospitable these days."

Originally, I wanted to speak ill of the third prince and his wife in front of the emperor, but little did I know that Prince Chun had already gone to the emperor to complain about them.

Prince Chun was a very interesting person. The emperor was his nephew, and he knew how to be tactful in front of the emperor. At that time, he complained, "Oh dear nephew, Emperor, have pity on me and ask the Third Prince to help me."

The emperor was puzzled as to why he had specifically asked his third brother to help him with something, but seeing his uncle's helpless expression, he could only ask what kind of help he needed.

"The old lady in the family is worried that her nephew won't be able to find a wife. Your Majesty, you know, her nephew has had a hard life. He had leprosy as a child and was left disabled. He was engaged, but the girl passed away. The old lady sees her nephew as pitiful and has been helping to find a wife everywhere. In the end, she chose a distant relative of the Princess of Yi County. They're not really relatives, I heard she works at Huatang Chunxiu." The old Prince Chun said with a bitter face, "The old lady said that we can't let the girl think we're bullying her, so she wants the Princess to step in and make an appointment. If the girl doesn't agree, then so be it."

Since things had come to this point and were both reasonable, and the Emperor already knew about the Peng family's child, he naturally agreed without hesitation out of respect for Uncle Wang.

The Emperor, hearing Consort Wu's somewhat sarcastic words, didn't pay much attention and simply smiled, saying, "I know about this matter; even my uncle has come to me for help."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu could only sigh helplessly: "The Prince Chun's residence, hmph."

In this way, it seemed as if the Prince Yi's residence was hosting the banquet on orders.

Daiyu is now pregnant, and to avoid attracting attention, she wears loose clothing. Xiao Tingjun, worried that she might get tired, took over the assigned tasks early on: "In the past, Yu'er would do it. This time, you rest, and I'll do it. I guarantee that this banquet will be quite impressive."

There haven't been any major events in the court lately, so Daiyu nodded and said, "Then I'll wait and see."

Xiao Tingjun acted immediately. The lakeside pavilion was a great place to admire lotus flowers in the summer, so he arranged for the guests to stay there.

But the weather turned against them. It looked like the sun was going to shine brightly when they woke up, but soon after the guests arrived, dark clouds gathered and then it started to rain.

"This isn't so good," Xiao Tingjun sighed to himself.

Zuo Jiangqiu, however, was a straightforward girl: "What's wrong with that? It's perfect that it's raining. We can enjoy the lotus flowers and listen to the rain, which is another kind of fun."

Baoqin nodded and said, "After the rain, the lotus pond is like a painting with cloud shadows."

Daiyu then followed up with a line: "Dense green and vibrant red, a cool breeze arises in this watery land."

Xiao Tingzhao wasn't very good at poetry, and after thinking for a while, he couldn't come up with a single line. So he joked, "Third Brother, we're doomed. We can't let them outdo us."

“You’ve reminded me. Since it’s raining like this anyway, we can’t go out. Why not brew some tea and discuss poetry? That would be a good way to make the most of this rain.” Xiao Tingjun glanced at Peng Feng, who was brewing tea but didn’t say anything.

"Nephew, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?" Xiao Qingzhou is the youngest son of Prince Chun and his wife, a year younger than Xiao Tingzhao. People say that of Prince Chun's four sons, the youngest one is the most like him—carefree and irresponsible.

Xiao Qingzhou was always a free spirit, and he felt no restraint even in front of the emperor. As the youngest son of the old prince and princess, he was the most favored in the family. He knew very well why he had come today, and seeing that his cousin did not speak, he took over the conversation.

Peng Feng was quite nervous. Although he didn't recognize which one was the Xue family girl, he had heard his aunt say that the girl had a face like a peach blossom and eyes like autumn water. Moreover, he knew the Princess of Yi County and the Zuo family girl, so he could easily guess which of the remaining three girls was the Xue family girl.

"Raindrops like pearls sang on the water, and the green canopy tilted down in an instant." Baoqin started with a smile.

Baoqin naturally also observed Peng Feng. In fact, Peng Feng was quite handsome, with a tall and slender figure, and clear and handsome features, like a jade tree by the river. If he didn't walk, you wouldn't notice anything wrong with him.

After hearing Baoqin's lines, Peng Feng also spoke up: "The lotus leaves are bathed in the rain, and the waves ripple beneath the flowers."

The meaning was already quite clear, and Daiyu and the others didn't interrupt. Baoqin, however, was quite frank and added, "The South Pavilion faces the Hibiscus Shore. It is suitable for the wind, the moon, and the rain."

This is a wonderful continuation; lotus flowers are best viewed in the wind, under the moon, and even more so in the rain.

"Poetry must be accompanied by tea, and tea must be accompanied by good snacks." Xiao Qingzhou deliberately followed up with this line, just as Peng Feng was brewing tea.

As he brewed tea, Baoqin remembered a saying: "Taking the right heat and boiling water to brew tea is nothing more than the way."

"Everyone knows that the snacks at Prince Yi's residence are delicious," Qiao Lanruo said with a smile.

Just as the rain stopped, Zijuan led her maid to bring over some snacks. Among them was a two-colored lotus-shaped glutinous rice cake, which was placed on a sweet white glazed plate. Each one was quite cute and really did resemble a blooming lotus flower.

Qiao Lanruo then set her sights on the fermented plum: "This is the best, it's sweet and sour with a refreshing fragrance."

Stuffed plums are made by slicing ginger, apricots, plums, and perilla into thin strips, soaking them in molasses, and then stuffing them into plum skin.

"With tea and snacks, poetry and beautiful scenery, I am in a great mood today, enjoying both my taste buds and my eyes." Xiao Qingzhou did not compose a single poem, but he was in a very good mood.

Because it seemed he could go back and explain things to his mother smoothly: his mother had been nagging about his cousin's marriage for days, and he hated women's nagging the most in his life.

Sure enough, when Princess Chun heard her son's words, she was overjoyed: "I knew my judgment was right, that girl is smart."

Xiao Qingzhou couldn't help but think: Mother, you didn't say that a few days ago. Didn't you keep nagging about what would happen if the girl disliked your cousin for being lame?

However, he only thought about it and dared not say it aloud.

Although Princess Chun was happy, she waited for Daiyu to give her a positive answer before telling her younger brother and sister-in-law to find a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Xue family.

This matter was naturally learned of very quickly by Consort Wu and Consort Rui, who were keeping an eye on the movements of Prince Yi's residence. When Song Huilan heard that the Xue family girl was Xue Baochai's cousin, she quickly went to find Xue Baochai to ask her what was going on.

Chapter 153 His cleverness backfired.

When Baochai learned from Princess Rui that Baoqin had been betrothed to the son of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who was also the nephew of Princess Chun, she immediately felt jealous: how could Baoqin, an orphan who had been rejected by the Mei family and had no parents, be able to marry so well?

Although Princess Ruijun said that the man was lame, what does it matter? He comes from such a good family, and his father and brothers are all successful.

Baoyu is indeed handsome, but he's a good-for-nothing. Not to mention, Baoyu already despises her. She used to think Baoyu was handsome, but now that she's actually Baoyu's wife, she realizes that looks are the least important thing. What use is a man who has good looks but no ability to support the family?

"Your cousin seems to be a clever woman," Princess Rui asked Baochai, having never met Baoqin. "I suppose she's quite beautiful?"

Baochai, having regained her senses, told Princess Rui about Baoqin's appearance and learning, and also mentioned the matter of the two families severing ties: "She flew up to a high branch. Ever since she saw that Princess Yi was of high status, she rushed to climb up to her and has had no contact with me since."

Upon hearing this, Song Huilan said "Oh," but in her heart she thought: No wonder, your brother killed someone. You are married and don't need to be afraid. It's normal for a young lady who is still unmarried to be so cautious.

However, she certainly wouldn't say these words aloud. Instead, she echoed them, saying, "People strive for higher positions, and there's nothing we can do about it. The Princess Consort of Yi County is quite remarkable now, and through your cousin, she's managed to get closer to the Chun family. His Majesty and the Empress both think highly of her."

Song Huilan recalled the suggestion Baochai had given her regarding the horse farm incident. If it weren't for Princess Yi's good fortune, she might have been paralyzed from the waist down. Would the Third Prince then still be interested in a half-paralyzed wife?

So Song Huilan asked Baochai, "You've been with Princess Yi for many years. Is it really true that she has no weaknesses?"

Baochai thought for a while: The Lin Daiyu of the past was sentimental, prone to crying, and had many weaknesses, which was why Baochai and her mother could easily manipulate her and be grateful for a little bird's nest. But ever since she was chosen to marry the Third Prince, she has completely changed. She is cold-blooded, ruthless, and doesn't recognize her own family. Even her maternal grandmother, Grandmother Jia, is clearly not worth her trouble.

Looking at the eager gaze of Princess Rui, Baochai suddenly had a flash of inspiration: I heard that Prince Yi and Princess Yi are deeply in love. If Prince Yi has a new concubine, will Princess Yi still be able to live such a leisurely life?

“Princess Yi is a very affectionate person, and I heard that the Prince and Princess are very loving. However, Princess Yi’s health has never been very good, and at that time everyone was afraid that she would not be able to have children.” Baochai suggested indirectly, “So, I’m afraid it would be better to have a concubine early on, so that she can have children for Prince Yi.”

Song Huilan immediately understood Baochai's unspoken meaning: "That's right, which man in the world doesn't fall in love with every woman he sees? If we send a beauty to the Third Prince's household, I don't believe he won't be tempted. The Fourth Prince's household is in complete chaos because of Chunmei; now, there's not a shred of affection left between the husband and wife."

But after thinking about it, sending a beautiful woman as a gift might be difficult. After all, the third brother is very wary, and he might suspect a spy if someone else sends her a woman.

Song Huilan recalled the matter of the concubine that the fourth son's wife had mentioned to provoke her. If the third son had a concubine, would the Prince Yi's mansion fall into chaos?

However, having a concubine for the third prince might be a double-edged sword in some ways—what if His Majesty favors her and chooses a concubine with a good family background who can help the third prince?

Seeing that Princess Rui was hesitant, Baochai added, "Princess Yi is a person who has always pursued a lifelong, monogamous relationship; she is a person of true character."

What woman in the world wouldn't want to be with one man for life? But if she marries into the royal family, that pursuit becomes a joke.

Song Huilan had an idea: she knew she couldn't handle this herself, so she might as well go to the palace and ask her mother for help. Perhaps her mother could influence the selection of a concubine for the third prince.

After making up her mind, Song Huilan decisively went to the palace the next day.

After hearing her daughter-in-law's idea, Consort Wu looked at Song Huilan with great satisfaction: "Lan'er is becoming more and more mature. I have kept everything you said in mind."

But after pausing for a moment, Consort Wu said something meaningful: "Qiongnan is now over two years old, it's time for you to give her a younger brother."

Qiongnan was Song Huilan's premature daughter, whom the emperor bestowed a name upon and conferred the title of county princess upon.

Now, Consort Wu has openly stated that she wants to give Qiongnan a younger brother, which is clearly a message to Song Huilan that she needs to have a son as soon as possible.

But having a child isn't something Song Hye-ran can just decide to do and get pregnant immediately.

Song Huilan felt a bitter taste in her mouth, but she could only grit her teeth and agree. Then she heard Consort Wu say, "I have asked your aunt to find a doctor for you. He will come to your residence to take your pulse and prescribe some medicine to help you recover."

"Thank you, Mother. It's all my fault for being so inconsiderate and causing you so much worry." Song Huilan felt a growing bitterness in her heart, but she still had to quickly express her gratitude.

"Don't think I'm being nosy, but children are the most important thing for us women. Look, Consort Xiande has no children, but Consort Lu does, yet His Majesty treats Consort Lu much better than he treats Consort Xiande." Seeing Song Huilan's unhappy expression with her head down, Consort Wu said a few more words.

Song Huilan quickly forced a smile and said a lot of flattering words. Seeing that Consort Wu looked tired, she quickly took her leave.

Consort Wu carefully considered her daughter-in-law's suggestion: she shared the same concern as Song Huilan. Given the Emperor's favoritism towards the third prince, the concubine he would choose for him would likely come from a distinguished family. In that case, wouldn't it be helping the third prince?

However, Consort Wu thought for a moment and realized that if the third prince could have a concubine, the second prince could too.

So, when the Emperor came to her palace, Consort Wu indeed brought up the matter.

"I've noticed that Prince Yi and his wife have been married for several years now, but Yu'er's health seems a bit weak, and her belly hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy. I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress is too busy with palace affairs and has overlooked this matter. I wonder if we could choose a concubine for the Third Prince?" Consort Wu was already considering how to start the conversation. After all, she wasn't the Third Prince's biological mother, so there were some things she couldn't say casually.

After hearing this, the emperor gave Consort Wu a meaningful look, and then smiled and said, "You do think of the third prince."

"Look at what Your Majesty is saying. Although the third prince is not my biological son, I received a lot of help from Sister Qiao when I was in the Prince's mansion. Unfortunately, Sister Qiao had a tragic life and left us too soon." When she mentioned Qiao, Consort Wu shed a few tears.

The emperor nodded and sighed, "She's just unlucky, but the third son is a very good child."

Seeing the Emperor reminiscing about Lady Qiao, Consort Wu couldn't help but sigh: "It's fortunate that Lady Qiao is dead, otherwise the third prince would have had the help of another mother, which would have been even more remarkable. Lady Qiao was once the most favored concubine."

"It's all thanks to you. My third son's wife is already a few months pregnant." The emperor calculated the days and figured things were pretty sure now, so he simply said it.

Chapter 154 Inviting the enemy into the trap: He reaps what he sows

"What?" Consort Wu was shocked by the emperor's words and didn't react for a long time.

The Emperor naturally took in all the changes in Consort Wu's expression, from her initial panic to a fleeting hint of displeasure, and then to the smile she put on after regaining her composure. If one hadn't been paying attention, one might have easily missed these changes in expression.

"That's truly a joyous occasion! The young couple of the third son should have let everyone know sooner so they could have sent some gifts to celebrate." Although Consort Wu was very dissatisfied in her heart, she showed great joy at this moment.

If the Emperor hadn't witnessed the changes in Consort Wu's expression, he would have believed that she was genuinely happy for the third prince and his wife.

However, it's only natural that Consort Wu had some unresolved issues.

"It was the Empress and I who told them not to make a fuss about it. At that time, the Third Prince was injured, so it was better to be cautious." The Emperor sighed. "That child suffered while on official business. This is a good opportunity for me to reward the couple."

"That's only right. Such a joyous occasion deserves a generous reward." Upon hearing the Emperor praise the Third Prince like this, Consort Wu felt even more bitter. "If Sister Qiao were here, she would be so happy."

"You just said you wanted to choose a concubine for the third prince. I think the second prince could be a good candidate for a concubine now." The emperor thought that the second prince had been behaving himself lately, but his wife was always causing trouble for the third prince's wife.

Consort Wu hadn't expected this outcome, but since the Emperor had already spoken, she couldn't refute him. Besides, Consort Wu wondered if Song Huilan's inability to conceive again after so long might have affected her health due to her previous premature birth. Moreover, if a suitable concubine were chosen for the second son, her family would naturally side with him.

Thinking this through, Consort Wu quickly expressed her gratitude on behalf of the second prince: "Your Majesty is indeed very considerate. However, since she is still a concubine, I think it should be treated with more formality. I wonder if Your Majesty has someone in mind?"

Consort Wu naturally wanted to find out in advance, so that if the emperor chose the wrong person, she could come up with a solution.

The emperor only mentioned it casually in the heat of the moment, without having a specific candidate in mind: "You are his mother, so please consider his situation."

The Emperor's words also implied a test for Consort Wu and her son. He had initially thought the Song family daughter was quite suitable. However, after these events, he sometimes wondered if choosing a wife from such a powerful family for his second son was a case of forcing a child's future.