The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

Nevertheless, Wang Xifeng hurried to Grandmother Jia's room to find out what was going on.

Today, the Song family, the Minister of Revenue, sent two stewardesses. Both of them were dressed in blue satin vests with floral patterns, silver-gray skirts, kingfisher feather hairpins, and silver bracelets. Their attire was quite similar to that of people like Zhou Rui's wife from the Rongguo Mansion. They were rich and ostentatious, and looked more like ladies from a high-ranking family than servants.

The two had obviously already paid their respects to Grandmother Jia, who had offered them stools, where they sat and talked with her.

A short while later, Zijuan arrived and said, "Our young lady said she appreciates Miss Song's invitation and will naturally come in five days. We would be grateful if you two sisters-in-law could make the trip."

After the stewardess of the Song family took her leave, Grandmother Jia said to Wang Xifeng, "You heard everything. Prepare a gift for your sister and send it to the Song family later."

After saying that, he thought for a moment and added, "The gift list should be reviewed by your Lin sister."

Wang Xifeng hurriedly agreed, and then took the gift list from the Song family and looked it over. She was quite surprised: the Song family was really generous. Not only did they send Lin Daiyu a lot of things, but they also sent so many silks and tonics to the Jia family.

Therefore, the return gift certainly cannot be too meager; it doesn't have to be more lavish, but it must at least be comparable. Managing the Rongguo Mansion is becoming increasingly difficult.

As for Daiyu, she wasn't worried about returning the gift; she was listening to Granny Gu talk about this Miss Song and another Miss Ge.

"Miss Song is the eldest granddaughter of Minister Song of the Ministry of Revenue. Her given name is Huilan, and she is eighteen years old." Granny Gu knew these noble ladies quite well.

Because when the Empress was choosing a wife for the Third Prince, she reviewed the profiles of many young women. Granny Gu accompanied her during the review process.

“Miss Song was raised with care from a young age, learning the Four Books and Five Classics, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette, and manners.”

"Lord Song has two sons. Miss Song's father is the elder, and he currently works at the painting academy."

"Miss Song's uncle is quite capable; he is now the prefect of Huangzhou."

After hearing this, Daiyu had a hunch. The reason why Miss Song invited her and Miss Ge to admire the lotus flowers was probably because, as the future Second Prince's wife, she wanted to meet her two future siblings.

"And Miss Ge, whose given name is Xijia, is said to have been born at dusk, hence the name Xijia." Granny Gu was eager to talk about another girl, the future princess consort of the fourth prince.

“Miss Ge is a few months younger than the girl, and is the youngest daughter in the Ge family’s eldest branch.”

"Miss Ge is beautiful, but because she is the youngest daughter in the family, she is inevitably spoiled by the old ladies."

“Miss Ge’s grandfather was a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Minister of Rites. Miss Ge’s father failed the imperial examinations several times, but now he holds a position in the Court of State Ceremonial through imperial favor.”

After Gu Mama's introduction, Daiyu instructed Zijuan: "When you go to the Song family as a guest, keep it simple and don't be too ostentatious."

Upon hearing this, Xu Mama's eyes immediately lit up: She really is the future Third Prince's consort. The prince is usually low-key, they are truly a match made in heaven.

Five days later, Daiyu went out with Zijuan and Xueyan. Apart from the gifts prepared by Wang Xifeng, Daiyu prepared a Suzhou double-sided embroidered fan to give to the Song family girl.

The carriage arrived at the Song residence, where they found that Miss Ge had arrived before Daiyu. The two entered through the ceremonial gate, where Miss Song Huilan, along with her maids, personally greeted them from inside the second gate.

The three girls were dressed differently.

Miss Song, the hostess, wore a crimson jacquard twill half-sleeved top over a pale white twill round-necked top with subtle grass and leaf patterns, paired with a lotus-green brocade skirt woven with gold and swastika patterns. A yellow jade phoenix pendant hung at her waist. Her hair was styled in a cloud-like bun, adorned with a jade phoenix hairpin, and she wore a pair of purple jade butterfly earrings. She was dignified and elegant, with a bright smile.

Miss Ge wore a lotus-colored, heart-shaped, straight-cut jacket, paired with a golden, open-front, stand-up collar long skirt embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers. Her hair was styled in a high bun adorned with a four-butterfly gold hairpin. Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her skin as smooth as jade. In her large eyes, there was a hint of innocence.

Daiyu was sizing them up, and they were naturally sizing her up too.

Today, Daiyu wore a light blue jacket with white plum blossom embroidery and light gold trim, a white cross-collar inner garment, and a long skirt in mugwort green. Her hair was styled in a bun with her hair parted, and she wore only a white pearl hairpin and emerald green teardrop-shaped glass earrings.

Song Huilan and Ge Xijia both heard a rumor that the Third Prince had chosen the Lin family girl because she was as beautiful as a fairy. Therefore, the two of them naturally wanted to take a good look at her.

Now that I've seen her in person, I can't help but think that it's probably not just a rumor. This Miss Lin really is like a fairy, only a bit aloof.

But they were also relieved, because they all knew that this Miss Lin's parents had died, and although she had a maternal grandmother's family in the Duke's mansion, she was still surnamed Jia, not Lin.

Consort Xiande's relationship with the Empress in the palace isn't exactly harmonious, especially for Miss Song, who knows very well that Consort Xiande is closer to the Second Prince's mother. In the future, the Rongguo Mansion will naturally follow Consort Xiande's wishes.

Miss Song is hosting this banquet today to scout out what kind of personalities her future two younger siblings-in-law have and whether they are easy to get along with.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

"I'm older, so I'll shamelessly call you both 'younger sisters'." Song Huilan first offered Lin Ge and her sister some tea and said a few words, "Thinking that it's hot, and only the lotus pond is somewhat interesting, I'll take you two sisters over there to sit for a while."

Although the Song Mansion was not as grand as the Rong Mansion, its pavilions and towers were arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner, and as they walked along the covered corridors, the scenery was different at every turn.

The lotus pond was filled with the endless expanse of green lotus leaves and the vibrant red lotus blossoms reflecting the sun. They sat in the pavilion in the pond, enjoying the fragrance of the lotus in the breeze. With ice placed in the courtyard, they didn't feel like it was summer at all, and they couldn't feel the heat.

Soon the maids brought over Jade Crispy Mountain, which was made by crushing ice into small pieces, adding mugwort juice to turn it turquoise, pouring cheese on top, shaping it into a mountain, and serving it in a crystal cup, garnished with a few soft and glutinous red beans, which looked quite beautiful.

"Oh, crispy mountain, I love it the most!" The Ge family girl immediately perked up. "Eating ice cream in the summer is truly one of life's greatest pleasures."

Seeing her so lively, both Song Huilan and Daiyu smiled.

Daiyu looked at the chilled ice cream mountain but dared not touch it. She could only decline, saying, "I'm so sorry, I've been weak since childhood. Although I'm recuperating now, I still dare not use ice. Sister Song's kindness has been wasted on me."

Upon hearing this, Song Huilan and Ge Xijia couldn't help but think: "Just as I thought, when we saw Miss Lin earlier, we felt that she was too thin."

For some reason, Song Huilan thought of a saying: "Beautiful women have always had tragic fates." With Miss Lin like this, and the Third Prince being a womanizer, it seems that the couple might not be a strong match for each other.

Song Huilan was carefully cultivated by the Song family, and she was determined to become the Crown Princess.

Since Miss Lin is such a beauty, I might consider trying to win her over in the future.

Although the three had their own thoughts, the day they spent together was enjoyable for all the guests.

When Daiyu returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Chunxian came to tell Zijuan that her brother had come today and left a message saying that he would come to see Zijuan again tomorrow.

Chapter 15 Jia Lian Becomes an Official, Daiyu Reflects

Brother Zijuan came with good news.

Brother Zijuan, whose real name is Zhao Shun, left the Jia family with Daiyu's help and now helps manage things at Daiyu's estate, and also inquires about various news in the capital for Daiyu.

This time, I was instructed to find that set of jade sheep carvings. Hard work pays off, and I found five pieces within a few months.

“My brother carefully checked the painting by the young lady. One piece is a Hetian jade carving of a red-stained sheep, another is a Hetian jade carving of a sheep carrying an inkstone, a pair of jade carvings of sheep incense burners, and the last piece is a jade carving of a reclining sheep pen holder. They are all in different pawnshops now,” Zijuan told Daiyu.

"My brother inquired and found out that it will cost about 1,500 taels of silver to buy them all." Zijuan couldn't help but sigh. The Jia family had really gone too far. They even pawned the girl's dowry, and did it in a desperate way.

"Alright, I'll give you the silver notes. Find a chance to send them to your brother." When Daiyu heard that she had found them, she was so happy that she almost cried. This set of gifts was specially made for her by her father and mother, who had put a lot of effort into it.

Zijuan put away the silver notes, and then Xueyan came in from outside.

Xueyan had a round face and some baby fat, so the servants in the mansion thought she was naive because Zijuan had taken her place as the head maid. They were even less wary of her.

"Miss, I heard that Second Master Lian is going to take up an official post." Xueyan is now a gossip, this was ordered by Daiyu. Daiyu cannot take the Jia family's affairs lightly, she must know everything she needs to know.

"Become an official? What kind of official?" Zijuan asked in surprise.

Xueyan then started to keep everyone in suspense: "Miss, guess?"

Daiyu recalled that her father had mentioned that her maternal uncle had apparently helped her second brother Lian obtain the position of Tongzhi (assistant prefect): "Go and become a Tongzhi?"

Now it was Xueyan's turn to stare wide-eyed: "Wow, girl, you're really amazing, you know everything."

"Alright, stop being so mysterious, just tell me properly." Daiyu was amused by Xueyan's appearance.

"It's a Tongzhi, going to Ping'an Prefecture. This servant doesn't know what kind of official a Tongzhi is?" Xueyan asked. Although she had studied with Daiyu for a few days, she came to Rongguo Mansion at a young age and never had the opportunity to continue her studies, so she knew even less about official matters.

"A Tongzhi is a subordinate of the Prefect, a fifth-rank official. Different people are in charge of different things; some manage grain, some manage money, and so on." Daiyu explained simply to the two maids, but she had a guess in her heart: Did Lian Erge want to leave this place of trouble? Ping'an Prefecture, her father once said that her maternal grandfather led troops in Ping'an Prefecture back then. It seems that there must be another purpose behind it.

"I heard that Second Madam went along, and I also heard that the Old Madam and Madam were not happy." Although Xueyan had found out some things, she hadn't found out everything.

The news that Jia Lian was going to take up an official post was personally reported by Wang Xifeng to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.

These days, Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and Wang Xifeng are discussing the home decorations, banquets, and other matters related to Baoyu and Baochai's wedding.

"Because your Lin sister was betrothed to the Third Prince, there are quite a few relatives and friends sending gifts. We certainly can't be stingy with Baoyu's wedding." Grandmother Jia loved liveliness all her life, especially since this was the joyous occasion of her most precious grandson.

Lady Wang naturally agreed wholeheartedly. As Baoyu's mother, she doted on him the most, and now Baoyu had married Baochai as she wished.

“What the old lady says is true, but if all the relatives and friends come, I’m afraid we won’t be able to arrange the banquet. I think we could follow the example of the old lady’s birthday celebration that year, with the Rong and Ning mansions holding a banquet together. The Ning mansion would only invite the officials, and the Rong mansion would only invite the wives. What do you think, old lady and madam?” Wang Xifeng had no intention of arranging Baoyu and Baochai’s marriage. She calculated the time and knew that when Jia Lian left, it would not be Baoyu’s wedding day yet. At this moment, she was just saying these words to appease Grandmother Jia and Madam Wang.

"Good, good, that's a good idea." Grandmother Jia nodded repeatedly, and then they discussed which families to invite, and so on, for several days in a row.

Unexpectedly, on this day, Wang Xifeng entered with a nervous expression and immediately apologized to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia, unaware of the reason, hurriedly asked what had happened.

"Grandma, it was my granddaughter-in-law who was ignorant. She thought that Second Master Lian was getting on in years and should have a job. He couldn't be supported by the family forever, so she asked my uncle to see when it would be appropriate to find a suitable position." Wang Xifeng took all the blame upon herself.

"I never expected to get results so quickly. The Ministry of Personnel drafted a document and issued an official order, instructing Lian Er to immediately depart for Ping'an Prefecture to serve as the Assistant Magistrate."

When Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang heard this, they thought, "Isn't this a good thing?"

"What's wrong with that? It's something to be happy about." Grandmother Jia hadn't figured out the hidden complexities, but she felt that Jia Lian becoming an official would be helpful to the Jia family.

"But if I leave in such a hurry, I won't be able to attend Brother Bao's and Sister Xue's wedding banquet." Wang Xifeng deliberately didn't mention that she was leaving.

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "What's the big deal? They're brothers, blood is thicker than water. Why bother with all this? Lian Er's job is more important."

What Wang Xifeng was waiting for was Jia Mu's words.

"It has to be the Old Ancestor. I told you the Old Ancestor would never be upset about this, but Lian Er just wouldn't believe me. Now that the Old Ancestor has said that, your granddaughter-in-law should hurry back and pack her things so she can accompany Lian Er on his journey." Wang Xifeng flattered Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia was old and immersed in joy, so she didn't pay attention to Wang Xifeng's words. On the contrary, Lady Wang, who was sitting, sensed that something was wrong.

"What do you mean? You're going with Lian Er?" Madam Wang immediately became alert: Wang Xifeng went to see her uncle without discussing it with the family; this matter was probably not simple.

When Wang Xifeng saw that her aunt had brought this up, she stopped hiding it and said, "Yes, no matter what, it's always good for husband and wife to be of one mind."

To everyone's surprise, Grandmother Jia's face immediately darkened upon hearing this, and her voice changed: "How can this be? If you're worried that no one will take care of you, just let Ping'er go with you, that's all."

Wang Xifeng knew that Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang wouldn't let her leave so easily, but she had already prepared her excuse: "My concern is one thing, but mainly it's because my uncle said that Lian Er is going to be an official, and he will have to interact with other officials. How can a maid interact with other people's families? It's more convenient for me, the wife."

When Wang Xifeng brought up Wang Ziteng and said something that Jia Mu and Wang Furen couldn't refute, their faces turned quite ugly.

After a moment, Grandmother Jia came to her senses first: "Ping'an Prefecture is a rather harsh and cold place, with sandstorms and a chronic water shortage. If you want to go, then leave Qiao'er behind. She's a child, too delicate, and shouldn't go there to keep her company."

Grandmother Jia kept Qiao Jie'er because she felt that Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian were going to Ping'an Prefecture because they saw that things were not as good as before, and they didn't want to put in the effort. They were also afraid that Daiyu would hold a grudge and wanted to avoid trouble.

Since the couple wants to run away, I have to catch their precious child in my hands.

When Wang Xifeng heard that Grandmother Jia actually wanted to keep Qiao Jie'er, her heart sank: In the past, when had Grandmother Jia ever cared about Qiao Jie'er? Now that she remembered, she was indeed a shrewd old woman.

"It's a blessing that the old lady dotes on our eldest sister, so we'll leave her in the old lady's care." Wang Xifeng thought that if they didn't keep Qiao Jie'er, they might not be able to leave. Since that was the case, they would keep her, thinking that even Grandmother Jia wouldn't dare to openly criticize Qiao Jie'er.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's straightforwardness, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but exchange glances with her.

Both of them had their own calculations in their eyes.

Wang Xifeng took her leave and then summoned Ping'er upon returning home.

Daiyu, having already heard everything, was heartbroken by Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng's actions, which showed they could disregard even their own daughter.

"Miss, what's the big deal? It's just a girl. If it were a son, I'm afraid Master Lian and his wife wouldn't be able to bear it." Zijuan guessed Daiyu's thoughts and comforted the young lady.

"I was just thinking about myself, having lost my parents at a very young age," Daiyu sighed. "But I never imagined that Qiao'er, at such a young age, would be in the same boat."