The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

"This child is so simple-minded. When she suffers injustice, she just keeps it to herself. It's clear that she's had a hard life growing up without parents." Upon hearing this, the Emperor became even more dissatisfied with the Virtuous Consort. "Virtuous Consort, Virtuous Consort, I've already given her this title, but doesn't she ever think about whether she possesses the virtues of being virtuous and kind?"

The Empress listened to the Emperor's rant against Consort Xiande without saying a word, but she was thinking to herself that it must be related to the tea banquet.

"It's almost the end of the year anyway, so I'll issue an edict tomorrow to make the palace a little more lively." The Emperor immediately told the Empress, "Consort Lu is quiet and gentle, so let's make her Consort Rong."

"Rong" (容) means to be tolerant and forgiving, which suits Lu Zhaoyi's personality.

"As for Consort Guo, promote her to Zhaoyi." Among the four consorts and nine concubines, Zhaoyi ranks first. Consort Guo gave birth to a princess and is very popular with the emperor.

But there was originally a Consort Cheng, so does that mean the Virtuous Consort should be demoted to Consort Zhaoyuan? The Empress's heart skipped a beat, as Consort Zhaoyuan was now ranked third among the Nine Consorts.

As expected, the Emperor spoke: "The Virtuous Consort has too many desires and does not cultivate virtue. She is demoted to the rank of Zhaoyuan."

The Empress was also somewhat shocked: such a demotion would be a huge humiliation and blow to Consort Xiande. However, the Empress would not plead for Consort Xiande's sake. When Consort Xiande was favored, she was able to go home to visit her family and had the support of the retired Emperor, which made the Empress somewhat dissatisfied.

Sure enough, the imperial decree caused an uproar throughout the palace the next day.

Chapter 183 The Harem is in Turmoil: Each Acts in Their Own Way

If Consort Lu and Consort Guo were promoted, the people in the harem would still think that one had a son and the other had given birth to a princess and was still favored, so it would be fine. But when they heard that Consort Xiande had been demoted to Zhaoyuan, it was like a big stone being thrown into a calm lake.

First, there was Jia Yuanchun herself. After hearing the imperial decree, she was so overwhelmed that she could barely stand and collapsed into a chair, tears streaming down her face.

Baoqin quickly came up to comfort her: "Your Majesty, please don't get angry or upset. It would be a waste if you hurt yourself. As the saying goes, as long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback."

But Baoqin felt both fearful and confused: Her Highness hasn't had a chance to see His Majesty recently, so how could she have offended him?

Who knew that after crying for a while, Yuan Chun gritted her teeth and said, "I knew she would take revenge on me. It was just a sentence. She was unhappy, but I didn't say anything."

Baoqin immediately understood: This refers to the Crown Princess. The Empress invited the Crown Princess over that day, and it's only been a few days, and this is the result.

Baoqin was also speechless. When the Imperial Concubine mentioned the tea banquet to her master, Baoqin felt something was wrong. When her master wanted to invite the Crown Princess, she, as a servant, even tried to persuade her, but her master simply wouldn't listen.

Now look what's happened, this is the situation we've become.

"Once she gets ahead, she forgets who she is. Just because the Rongguo Mansion isn't doing well doesn't mean she can..." Yuan Chun blurted out in anger.

Baoqin quickly advised, "Your Majesty, be careful, walls have ears. Thunder and rain are all imperial favors."

Yuan Chun was both angry and anxious, but dared not utter another word. Finally, she couldn't help but bury her face in the table and burst into tears.

However, something even more heartbreaking happened when the eunuch came to deliver another imperial decree: "Your Majesty is demoted to the rank of Zhaoyuan and will move out of Fengzao Palace after the New Year and into the side hall of Consort Wu's Fengqi Palace."

Yuan Chun was so angry she almost fainted. Was the emperor really so cold-hearted and ruthless? Thinking back to the glory of her investiture, Yuan Chun was heartbroken.

Consort Wu, who was in Fengqi Palace, also lost her temper because of this.

"Consort Lu, humph, a mere palace maid, and now she's risen to the top, even becoming Consort Rong. I underestimated her before." Consort Wu had always looked down on Consort Lu, despising her for being a palace maid. Now that she heard Consort Lu had been promoted to Consort Rong, she naturally had more to say.

"In my opinion, all she knows is how to please the Empress, and now her son knows how to please His Majesty. No wonder she was promoted." Consort Wu's expression was not good.

"And that vixen, she gave birth to a daughter, what's so great about that? She even became a Zhaoyi. I'd like to see how long she can be so smug." Consort Wu was even more dissatisfied with Consort Guo, who was always at odds with her.

"The Virtuous Consort is a fool too. Oh, she'll be Consort Jia from now on. Why does she have to live here of all places?" Consort Wu frowned and complained.

Granny Yuan quickly came over to offer some words of comfort, and told Consort Wu about other good things: "Didn't the Prince say that His Majesty will transfer him to the Ministry of Revenue after the New Year? That's a good place indeed."

Consort Wu was indeed a little happier.

After learning about the matter, Daiyu immediately looked at Xiao Tingjun and asked, "It must be related to you, right?"

"Only Yu'er truly understands me." Xiao Tingjun didn't mind letting Daiyu know what he had done and telling his wife about his conversation with the emperor.

He concluded with a hint of smugness: "If I can't even protect you, what kind of crown prince am I?"

Daiyu was naturally moved, but she couldn't help but worry about Xiao Tingjun: "You'd better not mention such a small matter to Father Emperor in the future, lest he think you don't know what's important."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Xiao Tingjun told Daiyu. "Actually, judging from the fact that Father Emperor stripped Jia She of his position in the Rongguo Mansion, I had a guess that Father Emperor had a problem with these people who were just sitting on their laurels, so I took the opportunity to say something."

"That may be true, but it is still the Emperor's harem. As juniors, we should be careful," Daiyu advised.

"Don't worry, Yu'er, I know what I'm doing." Seeing that Daiyu was still a little worried, Xiao Tingjun quickly spoke to divert her attention, "However, neither the people in the harem nor those in the court will pay attention to you and me for the time being. Instead, they will probably pay attention to the Empress Dowager."

"What do you mean?" Daiyu asked, puzzled.

Xiao Tingjun told Daiyu the information the Emperor had given him: "This time, it's my uncle's first time attending the tea banquet, and he's already pleased with the fourth-place seat. It's sure to attract everyone's attention."

The seating arrangement at the tea banquet also reflected the emperor's wishes. Daiyu understood immediately upon hearing this. Since the uncle Xiao Tingjun mentioned was related to the empress, he must be Minister of Personnel Li Su.

“When I first saw that my eldest uncle was in seventh place, I was quite surprised. Now that I compare, Lord Li’s position is actually higher.” After saying this, Xiao Tingjun sighed, “I have to say, my second uncle is amazing. He took the initiative to apply for a post outside the capital after winning the battle. Otherwise, he would definitely be in this position too. It would be bad if there were two of them sitting there.”

Qiao Yushan, Xiao Tingjun's second maternal uncle, applied for a posting to a post outside the capital two months after returning to the capital following the great victory in the southeast. The emperor, thinking that Shaanxi and Gansu also needed people, sent him back to the northwest.

Indeed, if Qiao Yushan were in the capital, and both brothers were present at this tea banquet, not only would the officials have something to say, but even the emperor would probably be wary.

Xiao Tingjun used tongs to take a roasted chestnut out of the fire, peeled it, and gave it to Daiyu: "From now on, Zhaoyuan's rank will be lower than yours, so if you're angry, you don't have to hold it in."

When Daiyu saw that his face was covered in charcoal ash, making him look like a cat, she couldn't help but chuckle. She took a handkerchief and wiped it for him, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

The two were so close that Xiao Tingjun could see Daiyu's long eyelashes, which seemed to brush against him like tiny brushes, making his heart itch. So he reached out and touched her fair, jade-like cheek.

The skin beneath his palm was delicate and smooth, practically flawless, making him unable to resist rubbing it a couple of times. His hands had thin calluses, and the touch sent shivers down his spine.

Daiyu was about to push the person away, but when she looked up, she was met with those deep, pool-like eyes, and she froze for a moment.

She stood there, stunned, letting him kiss and suckle her, completely at a loss for how to react. A blush suddenly rose on her face, and it took her a while to regain her senses before she pushed Xiao Tingjun away.

"Stop fooling around, it's broad daylight." Daiyu glared at him.

Just as Xiao Tingjun was about to speak, Zijuan outside announced that Zhao Bingxin was requesting an audience.

"It must be about hosting a banquet for the noble ladies after the New Year. Stop making a fuss." It was Daiyu who arranged for Zhao Bingxin to do the work for her: In the past, when Daiyu was in the Prince's Mansion, she would invite the noble ladies and young ladies of Huatang Chunxiu after the New Year. Now that she had entered the palace, it was inconvenient. After thinking about it, she decided that Xiangyun would do it for her after the New Year. Later, Yingchun, Baoqin, and others could also do it. This matter was meaningful and worth keeping.

But to everyone's surprise, someone showed up uninvited when Xiangyun hosted her banquet.

Chapter 184 Sisters United, Baochai Loses Face

Daiyu asked Xiangyun to host a banquet for the noble ladies of Huatang Chunxiu. She consulted the Empress beforehand and, after receiving the Empress's permission, arranged for Zhao Bingxin to deliver the message to Xiangyun's home.

Since Wei Ruolan was seriously injured, the Wei family split up. Xiangyun and her husband now live in a small courtyard with few people, but they are more comfortable there.

This is one of the reasons why Daiyu entrusted the banquet to Xiangyun—the family is not complicated, and it's less likely that bad rumors will spread. Originally, Yingchun's family would also have been suitable, but there was a concern that the Rongguo Mansion might find out and cause trouble, which Yingchun would not be able to handle.

Even so, Xiangyun and the others still didn't expect that someone would come uninvited—not only Baochai, but also Xiangyun's younger brother and sister-in-law.

Speaking of Xiangyun's younger siblings, it was Wang Xiyuan, the legitimate daughter of Wang Ziteng, who married into the Shi family. She was Xiangyun's cousin and sister-in-law.

Although guests are welcome, uninvited guests are naturally annoying. Besides, Xiangyun has some old grudges against these two.

Baochai was considerate in every way back then, and Xiangyun was still naively thinking that Baochai was a good person. Later, when something really happened to her own family, Baochai ignored her and didn't care. Xiangyun reflected carefully and then realized that: First, she was young at that time and was jealous that the old lady loved Lin Jie more and that Baoyu, who was clearly her childhood playmate, also favored Lin Jie. Second, she was not happy in the Shi family, especially compared with the good life in the Jia family, life in the Shi family was much more stressful.

Baochai was kind to me back then because she valued me as the old lady's grandniece and because I was straightforward and outspoken. She killed three birds with one stone: by saying that Sister Lin was stingy, she also promoted Lin's reputation for being generous and considerate. Furthermore, by hosting a crab feast, she won the favor of even more people.

Later, not only did she get into trouble herself, but when the Grand View Garden was searched, Baochai quickly moved out with her family to avoid trouble, which shows how shrewd she was.

As for Wang Xiyuan, after Wei Ruolan got into trouble, she went back to the Shi family for help. Wang Xiyuan's words and actions were exactly the same as Baochai's. They were indeed cousins.

Therefore, Xiangyun didn't have a good look on her face when she saw the two uninvited guests. Anyway, she was straightforward and didn't care about offending people. She stepped forward and said, "You are really rare guests, Madam Bao Er and Madam Shi. I have been married for so many years, and this is the first time you two have come to visit."

This was clearly a sarcastic remark directed at the two people who hadn't come before but had come today. But even after she said that, the two still greeted her with smiles.

“Look at what Yun’er is saying. We sisters have been like sisters for so many years. I’ve been so busy in the past, but I came as soon as I had some free time.” Baochai immediately reached out to take Xiangyun’s arm.

Xiangyun immediately took a step back. Yingchun, who was a step behind Baochai and Wang Xiyuan, heard Baochai's words and remembered how her family ignored her when she went home to ask for help. She couldn't help but step forward and took Xiangyun's arm.

"I was wondering why everyone was outside; it turns out it's my second sister-in-law," Yingchun immediately said. "What a coincidence! Sister Yun invited us today, and now my second sister-in-law is here too?"

Baochai had always looked down on Yingchun, thinking her weak and incompetent, unable to even manage the servants in her room. Now, provoked by Xiangyun's attitude, she immediately said, "What? Second Sister can come, but I can't? Or is it that Second Sister and Sister Yun have been granted official titles and look down on us people now?"

To her surprise, Yingchun, whom she had always looked down upon, said with a serious expression, "Second sister-in-law really can't come today. If she comes, it will be difficult for Sister Yun to entertain her. After all, this banquet is ultimately at the behest of the Crown Princess in the palace. The guests are all ladies of noble birth from Huatang Chunxiu. Second sister-in-law never comes to Huatang Chunxiu in the past, so she is naturally not on the invitation list."

Baochai was both surprised and angry. She was surprised that Yingchun, who was usually taciturn, weak and incompetent, was now eloquent and articulate. She was angry because Yingchun's words implied that she looked down on her. She was just a widow who had lost her husband, and she shouldn't be proud of herself just because she had been granted an official title.

Just as she was about to retort, Wang Xiyuan behind her spoke first: "Oh, the Crown Princess is really something, openly associating with noblewomen. Now that she's living in the palace, she can still be so ostentatious. It seems she has ulterior motives. I'm afraid the Emperor doesn't know, right? Or perhaps she's not actually the Crown Princess, but you're just using her name to plot something shady?"

Upon hearing that Wang Xiyuan was deliberately trying to smear the Crown Princess, Xiangyun and Yingchun were both very angry. Xiangyun immediately got angry and was about to start cursing when she heard a rather cheerful female voice coming from behind.

"The Crown Princess has already made friends with noblewomen, so what are you going to do about it?"

Upon closer inspection, everyone realized that it was Princess Zuo Jiangqiu of Cheng County who had arrived.

Zuo Jiangqiu didn't recognize Xue Baochai, but he knew Wang Xiyuan. His sharp gaze swept over the two of them, his face grim: "I've heard that Lord Wang has strict family discipline, but seeing it today, it's nothing special. Is the Crown Princess someone you can just casually discuss?"

Before the two could speak, Zuo Jiangqiu continued, "However, considering that my father and your father were acquaintances, I'm not afraid to tell you that the Crown Princess really was ordered to host the banquet. If you don't believe me, just go and complain to the Censorate."

“Madam Wei, we shouldn’t waste time talking to someone who comes uninvited. We should just ask them to leave.” Zuo Jiangqiu showed no respect whatsoever.

Baochai's mind worked very quickly. Zuo Jiangqiu didn't recognize her, but she had gone to great lengths to see her from afar several times and knew her identity. So she quickly smiled and said, "Princess Consort Cheng is overthinking it. We are actually relatives of Sister Yun. We didn't come here today on purpose. We just happened to come together to see Sister Yun."

"Is that so?" Zuo Jiangqiu sized up Xue Baochai, then sneered, "I never knew Madam Wei had such a relative. Anyway, please come in."

After saying that, she bypassed Wang Xiyuan and Baochai and walked up to Xiangyun: "Madam Wei, you are the hostess today. If you don't go in quickly, everyone will be bored inside. Let's go."

Then he suddenly added, "I heard that when your family had trouble in the past, no one came. Now, some relatives have come. In my opinion, it's better to have less contact with these relatives and friends who can only share wealth but not hardship. If they come to our door, just turn them away."

These words were a blatant sarcasm directed at Xue Baochai and Wang Xiyuan. The two women blushed and were about to step forward to argue, but firstly, this was the Wei family, and secondly, she was the Princess Consort of Chengjun. Moreover, her grandfather had been granted the title of First-Class Duke, so they dared not offend her.

Once on the carriage, Baochai thought viciously: "The Princess Consort of Chengjun is nothing more than someone who depends on the Crown Princess. When the Crown Prince falls from power, none of you will have a good ending."

But Baochai would never have imagined that something even worse was waiting for her at home.

Chapter 185 Internal Strife Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law, and Discord Between

When Baochai returned to the mansion, her maid Wenxing came to tell her, "Madam has come out."

"You silly girl, what kind of lady are you? You talk nonsense. I've told you so many times, how come you're still so stupid?" Baochai had just suffered a humiliation outside, so she was naturally in a bad mood and immediately gave Wenxing a cold look.

Wenxing felt wronged, but dared not show it on her face. She lowered her head even further and hurriedly said, "The old lady let the second mistress come out of the Buddhist hall."

What?! Xue Baochai was stunned. For so many years, Madam had been confined to the small Buddhist hall. How could she be released so suddenly? Wasn't the old lady sickly?

However, what Xue Baochai didn't know was that it was precisely because she was in charge of the household that Grandmother Jia, thinking about the loss of her title and hearing that the Virtuous Consort in the palace had been demoted, felt even more that Baochai was probably a jinx—since she married into the family, nothing good had happened to her.

Furthermore, the eldest son's wife doesn't know what benefits she received from Baochai, but she always speaks up for her. In the past, when the second son's wife or Feng'er was in charge of the household, the eldest son's wife would often cause a scene.

Moreover, Baochai was quite perfunctory towards herself.

Thinking about all this, Grandmother Jia felt that she couldn't let Xue Baochai control the household like this anymore. Li Wan was useless, and after much deliberation, she realized that only her second son's wife was left.

Moreover, the second daughter-in-law is Baochai's aunt and mother-in-law. These days, she has been confined to the small Buddhist hall, and she must have many complaints. In addition, Baochai did not do her best when the second daughter-in-law was confined to the Buddhist hall, and therefore did not say a word for her mother-in-law. So the second daughter-in-law naturally had dissatisfaction with her as her daughter-in-law.

It would be better to let the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law check and balance each other; I'm too old and simply don't have the energy.