The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

So this time, the emperor wanted to see how Consort Wu and her son would choose.

Consort Wu, however, did not understand the Emperor's meaning at all. When she heard the Emperor ask her to consider it, she was overjoyed and quickly thanked him again.

In high spirits, Consort Wu summoned her son and daughter-in-law to the palace for a talk the next day.

"What?" Song Huilan was naturally not happy when she heard that Xiao Tingkai was to be chosen as a concubine.

"You still dare to offer advice without even understanding the situation?" Consort Wu was still deeply resentful that Song Huilan had no idea that Princess Yi was pregnant, yet dared to encourage her and cause her to embarrass herself in front of the Emperor. "You really knew absolutely nothing about Princess Yi's pregnancy?"

Song Huilan and Xiao Tingkai were both dumbfounded: "Daughter-in-law really didn't know. Who told Mother about this?"

"Who else could we hear this from but His Majesty himself?" Consort Wu said irritably. "He even said he would choose a concubine for the third prince. Humph, now His Majesty has made a fool of himself. Fortunately, His Majesty is still enlightened and thinks that the second prince is not young enough, so he took the initiative to suggest that a concubine should be chosen for him."

Song Huilan originally intended to scheme against Princess Yi, but she never expected this outcome: the mere news of Princess Yi's pregnancy was enough to upset her, and now she was also being asked to choose a concubine for her husband. This left Song Huilan feeling frustrated, as if she had shot herself in the foot.

“Your fifth brother will be getting married at the end of the year, so you shouldn’t rush into taking a concubine. It should be done next year. But you need to think about the candidate in advance. Family background, talent, character, and appearance are all important considerations.” Consort Wu didn’t care whether Song Huilan was happy or not. She spoke to her son excitedly, “Don’t just focus on young and pretty girls. A man can’t be short-sighted.”

This matter was brought up by Consort Wu because she was thinking about her son keeping a mistress: "Children don't watch what they eat, they dare to eat anything dirty or smelly. They should have learned their lesson after falling down."

Song Huilan thought to herself, Xiao Tingkai kept a mistress back then, but now it's all over so easily in Consort Wu's words. It's clear that they are mother and son, and she is just an outsider.

"Mother is right. I know I was wrong. This time, I will have to trouble you to help me choose the right concubine." Xiao Tingkai quickly admitted his mistake, but he was actually happy. Firstly, he felt that his father still valued him because he was allowed to choose a concubine. Secondly, Princess Yi was pregnant, and if she gave birth to a son, it would be even more disadvantageous for him, since his wife was not pregnant for the time being.

"This matter isn't something Mother Consort can decide on her own. We should select a few more girls and then see what your father thinks." Consort Wu had already begun to consider which daughters of high-ranking officials in the capital and the provinces were of marriageable age.

As Song Huilan listened to the mother and son's discussion, she became increasingly distressed.

After finally making it out of the palace, I returned to the gate of the Prince's Mansion and saw Eunuch Shan from the Imperial Household Department coming out of the Prince Yi's Mansion. I knew without a doubt that he had come to deliver a reward to the Prince Yi's Mansion.

Xiao Tingkai raised an eyebrow: "Look at this display, the Imperial Household Department must have sent a lot of things. Father is getting better and better to the Third Prince these days."

Song Huilan remained silent, but she was also extremely jealous.

"You should go back first. I just remembered I have some business at the Ministry of Rites." Xiao Tingkai went back to the carriage and told the driver to drive away.

Back in the courtyard, Song Huilan looked at Qiongnan running towards her and immediately frowned: "What are the people following the county princess doing? Don't they know she can't just run around like that?"

The little girl, who was just over two years old, was initially happy to see her mother, but her mother suddenly became angry and did not squat down to hug her as usual, which frightened her so much that she immediately started crying.

"What are you crying for? Where's the wet nurse? Take her away." Song Huilan was in a bad mood. If Qiongnan were a son, none of this would have happened.

The wet nurse quickly came up, took the county princess in her arms, and left. Listening to the baby's cries, Song Huilan became increasingly annoyed.

The Imperial Household Department sent the gifts.

What if Princess Ruoyi's child couldn't be saved? A thought flashed through Song Huilan's mind.

"Granny Yuan, pack some things, I'm going to visit my dear sister-in-law." Song Huilan decided to test the waters first.

Chapter 155: Strong Contrast, Unsettled Thoughts

A maid came in to announce that Princess Rui had arrived. Zijuan helped Daiyu up and whispered, "The princess is pregnant now, so it's alright if we don't go to greet her. I'm afraid she's coming now with ill intentions."

Daiyu patted Zijuan's hand to reassure her: "I didn't plan to go far to greet her anyway. Physician He said that walking around is good for the baby, so I'll just walk to this door."

When Song Huilan entered, she was momentarily stunned to see Daiyu standing in the corridor with her maid. Because of her pregnancy, Princess Yijun was completely without makeup, yet her face was still delicate and fair, her skin like bright jade, her eyes like autumn water, her eyebrows like dark ink, her lips like painted cherry blossoms, and her eyelashes like raven feathers. She stood there, doing nothing and saying nothing, yet she was already captivating.

Song Huilan even inappropriately recalled a line of poetry: "One glance can topple a city, a second glance can topple a nation."

Song Huilan even wondered if the third son would fall in love with someone else even if he were given a concubine.

"What are you thinking about, Second Sister-in-law? Please come in." Daiyu noticed that Song Huilan was lost in thought and felt puzzled. Now that her pregnancy was out in the open in the palace, and with the pregnancy progressing, her belly was becoming increasingly difficult to conceal, Daiyu became even more cautious.

This wasn't Song Huilan's first visit, and because they were rivals, she had carefully observed the arrangement of Daiyu's room. So, as soon as she entered, she immediately noticed the changes inside.

The house is now empty, with no more spices or even fresh flowers, and all the dazzling gold and jade items have been put away, making it seem much emptier than before.

Not only that, when Daiyu invited her to sit down, the maids and nannies there immediately went about their duties, serving tea and snacks in perfect order. Not only that, but there were also people watching Daiyu from a distance, ready to call on them if Daiyu gave any instructions.

Song Huilan couldn't help but think back to when she was pregnant. Even though she had her own mother, Consort Wu had specifically reminded Xiao Tingkai to have someone bring Song Huilan's mother over to talk to her often. The Empress had also specially sent Imperial Physician He. But now, in comparison, she felt that the pregnant Princess Yi was the one who was being better cared for.

He couldn't help but express a hint of envy when he spoke: "My sister-in-law is really good at taking care of people; all the maids and servants are very attentive."

Daiyu sensed the melancholy in Song Huilan's tone and couldn't quite figure out what she was thinking, so she decided to tell the truth: "Sister-in-law, you know that the Empress Dowager dotes on me because I'm motherless, so Granny Gu and Granny Xu were sent to take care of me. They are both very experienced. Knowing that I was pregnant, they practically dug up the room I usually stayed in in this mansion, just in case there was anything bad."

Song Huilan nodded: "It's precisely because they are so careful that it's good."

After saying that, she thoughtfully told Daiyu some precautions during pregnancy, and added at the end: "I've been through it myself, and I was very grateful for my mother's thoughtfulness back then."

Daiyu naturally thanked her for her thoughtful guidance. After chatting for a while, Song Huilan got up to take her leave.

Daiyu was about to get up when Song Huilan waved her hand, saying, "No need to see me off. It's just a short walk. You should take good care of yourself."

"The imperial physician said that walking around more is good, so I won't see you too far, I'll just see you to the door." Daiyu was about to get up, but Xueyan was already standing by and reached out to help her.

Song Huilan discovered that Daiyu's every move was meticulously attended to by maids.

Unexpectedly, as she reached the door, she ran into Zhao Bingxin, who was returning home, carrying several books. Upon seeing Song Huilan, Zhao Bingxin quickly bowed.

"Oh, what kind of book is this?" Song Huilan asked curiously.

"I was just bored and thought I'd find some books to read, but I've already read all the books at home," Daiyu explained.

Song Huilan was a little curious, so she couldn't help but glance at the book at the very top: "Huang Shigong's Three Strategies"? Song Huilan kept this in mind and planned to look it up when she got back.

"The Prince said that there is business at the Ministry of War today and he cannot come back to have dinner with the Princess." Song Huilan had not gone far when she heard Zhao Bingxin report to Daiyu, "The Prince said that you can take your time reading these books, and if you are not satisfied, he will find some more."

As Song Huilan listened to these words, she inexplicably thought of her past: she felt very happy back then, but when she thought about it carefully, she realized that when she was pregnant, Xiao Tingkai was supporting that bitch. He would often say that he had something to do at the Ministry of War, but he was actually going to her place.

Although Song Huilan didn't know the details of the interrogation of that vile woman at the time, she later overheard the servants mentioning it in their gossip.

What he said was that when Prince Rui refuted that vile woman, he said that they were so affectionate and intimate in bed, and that the woman used all sorts of seductive tricks to survive.

This shows that while she was suffering from severe morning sickness, Xiao Tingkai was having a passionate affair with another woman.

Xiao Tingkai is now eager to marry his concubine, and he has no respect for me whatsoever.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Song Huilan even wondered why she should bother helping Xiao Tingkai. If Xiao Tingkai really became emperor, he would probably have many concubines and would completely forget about his wife.

But if Xiao Tingkai loses, what good will come of it for her, the Princess Consort of Rui County? Song Huilan pondered this over and over, feeling agitated and restless.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Household Department has sent in a basket of melons and a basket of apricots." The head maid, Hongling, led four eunuchs in carrying the fresh fruit in for Song Huilan to inspect.

The Imperial Household Department, my uncle. At Princess Yi's place, they've stopped even putting out fresh flowers, let alone any incense or spices.

"I'll pick half a melon and half an apricot, and I'll go home tomorrow." Many thoughts flashed through Song Huilan's mind, but she couldn't quite grasp the main point.

She needed to go back and ask her mother what to do.

But Song Huilan never expected that when she visited Daiyu for a while, Xueyan would bring up an idea to Daiyu.

"When I saw that Princess Rui had sent ginseng and deer antler, I thought that although Physician He was taking care of us, neither I nor Sister Zijuan, nor even Granny Gu, understood medicine. However, we should still take good care of our daily needs, such as clothes, food, and other necessities." Xueyan thought of this and felt that she should bring it up with Daiyu. "I heard that some families invite a female physician when they are pregnant. Physician He is, after all, a male doctor."

Zijuan quickly chimed in, "This servant thinks Xueyan is right. There was almost a disaster at Princess Rui's place back then."

Zijuan also thought of Qiuwen and Chunmei from the Prince Li's mansion, and felt even more that she should be more cautious.

Daiyu felt that what they both said made sense: "It's just that we don't know where to find a female doctor right now."

Daiyu had no family. If her parents were still alive, she wouldn't have to worry about such things herself.

Thinking of this, Daiyu felt a little sad.

Zijuan and Xueyan both noticed this and quickly changed the subject. However, they were both cautious and waited for Prince Yi to return before Xueyan took the initiative to see him.

Chapter 156 My Aunt's Help and Care

After listening to Xueyan's words, Xiao Tingjun nodded: "You've thought of everything very carefully. I'll take care of this."

After saying this, feeling that Xueyan and the others had served her very well, she immediately said, "From today onwards, all the maids and servants who serve the Princess will have their monthly wages doubled."

Xueyan quickly thanked the prince and took her leave.

Xiao Tingjun went to see his wife, Daiyu, who was leaning against a mahogany chaise lounge inlaid with marble, playing with a small hibiscus stone in her hand.

The afternoon sunlight, filtered through the window lattice, fell in fine, dappled strands onto Daiyu. She wore a light blue jacket with white plum blossom embroidery and light gold trim, paired with a white cross-collared coat and a long, emerald-green skirt. She looked elegant and serene.

Hearing footsteps, Daiyu looked up and smiled: "You're back early today."

"It's been hot these past few days, so Father Emperor told everyone to rest this afternoon before going on their business." Seeing Daiyu about to get up, Xiao Tingjun quickly stepped forward to help her sit up. "What are you going to do with that hibiscus stone?"

"I saw this when Zijuan was packing her things the other day. It's so lovely and I was thinking of carving a seal for myself." Daiyu was passing the time.

“Speaking of seal carving, there is a Master Xu in the Hanlin Academy who has inherited his family’s skills and is very proficient in seal carving. Shall I ask him for help on your behalf?” Xiao Tingjun took the hibiscus stone and looked at it.

Daiyu nodded and said, "Okay, we can carve it and share it."

The two pondered and discussed what words to carve together. Xiao Tingjun remembered that the two of them were appreciating the moon, snow, and plum blossoms, so he suggested carving "Gusu Moon".

"Outside Suzhou, a thatched cottage stands amidst ten thousand plum blossoms under a full moon." Daiyu asked him if that was what he meant, and seeing Xiao Tingjun nod, the two smiled knowingly.

The next day, Xiao Tingjun personally went to his maternal uncle's house to pay a special visit to his aunt.

When Aunt Jiang heard Xiao Tingjun say that he wanted to find a female physician, she nodded and smiled and said, "I was just talking to your uncle a couple of days ago about finding a female physician for you. Your uncle said that since there are imperial physicians in the palace, it wouldn't be good for us to find someone rashly."

"This matter can only be troubled by you, Aunt," Xiao Tingjun hurriedly said. "As you know, Aunt, Yu'er's maternal grandmother is unreliable, and Her Majesty the Empress in the palace has many matters to attend to. Only you, Aunt, can take care of things for her."

Jiang reassured Xiao Tingjun: "You don't need to worry about this. Although your uncle said that, I have already had someone inquire and found a suitable female physician. I will investigate her background and personality in detail, and if she is suitable, I will send her to the Prince's Mansion."

"Then thank you, Auntie." Xiao Tingjun quickly bowed.

Jiang told him not to be so polite: "We're all family, why are you speaking like that? I also like Yu'er very much, and I'm planning to go see her in a couple of days."

Ever since learning that Daiyu was pregnant, Madam Jiang had already taken her daughter-in-law and daughter to visit her once.

“There’s one more thing I need to trouble you with, Aunt.” Xiao Tingjun said to his aunt without any embarrassment, “As you know, Yu’er doesn’t have a mother. Although she has always been strong and independent, she is currently pregnant and hopes that someone can keep her company, talk to her, and give her some advice. My cousin’s wife has also had children. I was thinking that if you and your cousin’s wife have some free time, you could go and keep Yu’er company.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang readily agreed: "She is indeed a child with a tragic fate. I was short-sighted. It shouldn't have been you who brought it up; I should have thought of it myself."

However, Madam Jiang could also see that this prince nephew truly doted on his wife, which was very good, and Madam Jiang was very satisfied.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to your cousin-in-law later. We'll visit her when we see her, and I'll also ask your cousin to go more often. They're young, they can talk." After seeing Xiao Tingjun off that day, Madam Jiang called her two daughters-in-law and daughter and gave them the instructions.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Zhuang, the second daughter-in-law, Liu, and their daughter, Qiao Lanruo, all readily agreed.

"Yesterday I was discussing with my sister-in-law about making some clothes, shoes and socks for the Princess's children. It would be perfect if we could bring the patterns with us when we visit. The Princess's daughter, Xueyan, is very skilled at embroidery," Zhuang Shi said first.

However, the first to go to Prince Yi's residence were Madam Jiang and Qiao Lanruo. Madam Jiang brought along the female physician Meng, whom she had found. Meng's medical skills and family background—Xiao Tingjun's maternal uncle, Minister of War Qiao—had been thoroughly investigated. Only after being absolutely assured of her safety did Madam Jiang dare to take her to the Prince's residence.

When Daiyu saw that Madam Jiang had sent over a female physician, she was extremely grateful: Although the Qiao family was Xiao Tingjun's maternal uncle's family, sending a female physician was something that usually only a woman's biological parents would do, because if anything went wrong later, it would be impossible to explain oneself.

This shows that the Qiao family not only treated Xiao Tingjun very well, but also really cared for him.

"Don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank the Prince. He came to our mansion a few days ago, begging and pleading with his father and grandmother." Seeing that her nephew was concerned about his wife, Madam Jiang naturally had to say a few good words for Xiao Tingjun in front of Daiyu.