The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

"Granny Tian, ​​quick, tell me, what was your future sister-in-law's reaction to receiving Third Brother's gift?" Xiao Tingfeng asked impatiently.

The brothers were all there because they all knew about Xiao Tingjun's gift-giving; that poem scroll with matching verses was something Xiao Tingjun had obtained by requesting it from the Emperor.

Two days ago, the Emperor came to the study to check on the princes' studies. He praised Xiao Tingkai for his excellent essay and Xiao Tingjun for his good handwriting. Then he asked them what rewards they wanted.

Taking the opportunity, Xiao Tingkai displayed his brotherly affection and respect: "Sixth Brother wanted that telescope from the West a few days ago, so why don't we give it to him as a gift, Father?"

The emperor was indeed very pleased upon hearing this: "As expected of an elder brother, you know how to love your younger brothers. Granted." He immediately ordered a eunuch to fetch it.

Xiao Tingjun then spoke up, "Father, I have heard that the Southern Study contains poems and couplets composed by past Jinshi graduates. I wonder if Father could bestow upon me the poems from the twenty-fifth year of the Qingfeng reign."

Upon hearing this, the princes were completely bewildered. Although they knew that the so-called joint verse poems were composed by the emperor at the Spring Grace Hall after each imperial examination, when these people would compose poems to express their gratitude, most of the verses were just eulogies to the emperor and had no real meaning.

When the emperor first heard this request, he was stunned: "Why do you specifically want the poem from the twenty-fifth year of the Qingfeng reign?"

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Tingjun bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Lin Ruhai is the third-ranked scholar in the 25th year of Qingfeng."

Upon hearing this, the emperor immediately understood: "You want to see your future father-in-law's poem? That's quite thoughtful. Well then, since I said I would reward you, I'll have someone fetch it and send it to you."

After offering a few words of admonition, the emperor departed.

The brothers immediately started teasing Xiao Tingjun, but Xiao Tingjun didn't mind at all and was quite happy: "I just couldn't find anything to give as a gift, this gift must be very good."

Xiao Tingkai was very sensitive: "You're going to give it away? To whom?"

He laughed as soon as he asked the question, and Xiao Tingzhao immediately laughed: "Second brother, you asked such a question, third brother will definitely give it to his future sister-in-law."

So when the princes learned that Granny Tian had gone to deliver gifts, they all came to find out what was going on.

When Granny Tian saw the Fourth Prince asking a question, she quickly presented Daiyu's return gift.

The princes only saw a box with a relief of lotus scrolls. They all urged Xiao Tingjun to open it and take a look. When they saw that it was filled with floral stationery, the brothers were stunned.

After clicking his tongue twice, Xiao Tingfeng joked, "It seems that Third Brother and his future sister-in-law are a match made in heaven. I'm so envious."

Ever since he learned that his third brother's future wife was Miss Lin, Xiao Tingfeng had heard his mother, Consort Xu, say several times: What was the Empress thinking? She actually agreed to the Third Prince. And the Third Prince, what good is his good looks?

Now it seems that Third Brother really likes that girl; Xiao Tingfeng is ashamed of his own feelings for her.

The Second Prince, Xiao Tingkai, shared the same sentiment. As the eldest of the princes, he was getting anxious about the lack of a crown prince.

Among his younger brothers, the third brother was the most outstanding in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, but not so good at archery and horsemanship. These were all fine, but there were two things that the second prince, Xiao Tingkai, cared about very much.

Firstly, the third prince was raised by the Empress, who has no sons. She would probably do everything in her power to help the third prince.

However, it seems to be going well now.

Secondly, the third son's two maternal uncles are both very capable.

Ever since his father chose Miss Lin to marry his third son, Xiao Tingkai breathed a sigh of relief. Miss Lin was an orphan, and although she had a maternal grandparent family in the Duke's Mansion, he and his mother, Consort Wu, knew very well that the Rongguo Mansion did not treat her well. Not to mention anything else, just looking at Consort Xiande's attitude towards Miss Lin was enough to tell the story.

Having enjoyed the spectacle and gathered all the necessary information, Xiao Tingkai bid farewell to Xiao Tingjun in a good mood.

After leaving Zichen Garden, Xiao Tingkai looked at the setting sun and realized it was time to pay his respects to his mother.

Seeing that her son was in a good mood, Consort Wu asked with a smile if there was anything to be happy about.

"I'm happy for my third brother. Just now, when I saw Miss Lin, I returned the favor to my third brother with some really beautiful stationery." Xiao Tingkai said, and then told his mother how his third brother had asked the emperor for a couplet and poem, and how he had specially sent someone to deliver it to Miss Lin.

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth: "It seems that the Third Prince and his consort will surely be a harmonious couple in the future."

Consort Wu recalled Consort Xiande's words: her cousin Lin was a talented poet, but narrow-minded and not suitable to be her brother's wife.

It seems the Virtuous Consort wasn't lying. These two, the third prince and his fiancée, are truly a perfect match, given their constant thoughts of poetry and art.

"I'm thinking, maybe we could try to win over our third brother?" Xiao Tingkai felt that now that his fourth brother was engaged to a girl from the Ge family, his fourth brother's influence was even greater.

Consort Wu shook her head: "Don't be impatient. Let's see what your third brother is thinking. It's hard to say."

Then Consort Wu added, "However, since the Rongguo Mansion and Miss Lin don't have a good relationship, we can try to win over those old ministers. Especially now, Consort Xiande is all alone, and her uncle is still highly valued by His Majesty."

Wang Ziteng, yes, Xiao Tingkai does know this person; he's very shrewd in officialdom.

"I heard that Prince Teng arranged for his nephew-in-law, who is also the cousin of the Virtuous Consort, to serve as the Assistant Magistrate of Ping'an Prefecture." Xiao Tingkai remembered something and quickly told his mother.

Upon arriving in Ping'an Prefecture, Consort Wu immediately became alert: "Ping'an Prefecture, I remember that's where the Duke of Rongguo once led his troops. It seems that Prince Teng and the Jia family both intend to contact their old subordinates."

"So, what do we need to do?" Xiao Tingkai raised an eyebrow.

"No need. Let your maternal grandfather's family test the waters first. The young master of Rongguo Mansion, born with a jade in his mouth, is the younger brother of the Virtuous Consort. He is about to get married and will be marrying another niece of Prince Teng." Consort Wu immediately summoned Granny Yuan and asked her to send someone to the Wu family.

Upon receiving news of her daughter, Mrs. Wu quickly reviewed the gift list again and added a few items.

At the same time, he also personally went to Rongguo Mansion to attend the wedding banquet.

Chapter 19 The Superficial Glamour of a Perfect Match

Consort Wu's mother, the wife of the Minister of Personnel, Madam Wu, was not visiting the Rongguo Mansion for the first time. She had also visited when the old lady of the Jia family celebrated her birthday.

Therefore, she knew that the four princes and eight dukes had close ties. Now that the Rongguo Mansion had produced another princess consort, there were even more families coming to the wedding feast than when Grandmother Jia celebrated her birthday.

But Mrs. Wu clearly sensed that this banquet was far less grand than the old lady's birthday celebration. Putting everything else aside, the absence of the witty and cheerful Second Madam Lian made it feel less lively.

Mrs. Wu even sensed that the old master of the Jia family seemed rather unhappy.

Mrs. Wu's feeling was correct; Grandmother Jia was already very unhappy when she saw the dowry sent by the bride's family.

The reason she initially agreed to let the Xue family daughter marry into the family was for a reason she didn't tell anyone: she thought the Xue family was a wealthy merchant family, and if she married her daughter, the dowry would definitely be very generous.

Baochai's dowry was listed as seventy-two tables, which looked impressive, but the contents were all show and no substance.

Now, Grandmother Jia is worried about Daiyu's dowry. She originally thought that when Baochai married into the family, she would take out some good things and add them to Daiyu's dowry. But now, she's afraid that most of them will be useless.

Most of the items in Baochai's dowry would be fine for an ordinary family, but they would be quite ordinary for a noble household. Let alone the dowry of a prince's consort. Even the dowry she gave her daughter Jia Min when she married off was far more valuable and exquisite.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia was naturally unhappy.

Madam Wang was also unhappy because Wang Xifeng had abandoned her post and run away. Madam Wang, who had not personally managed the household for many years, was extremely busy with her son's marriage. That was bad enough, but what pained her the most was that she didn't have enough money. She asked the old lady for permission several times, but the old lady refused to give her a single penny.

Not only did they refuse to give it to her, they also found fault with her in every way, implying that she was not as clever as Feng Yatou and that her work was not as lively.

To ensure her son's wedding banquet would be a success, Madam Wang had no choice but to grit her teeth and spend a considerable amount of her personal savings.

Even the groom didn't seem very happy. Fortunately, the matchmaker was good at livening up the atmosphere. After the nuptial wine, wedding songs, and bridal bridal showers were over, no one wanted to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber anymore. After all, nobody was a fool, and the atmosphere in the bridal chamber seemed a bit strange to everyone.

Everyone had left, and the atmosphere between the bride and groom became even more awkward. The two sat motionless, as if frozen in place.

It wasn't until Xiren brought all the maids from Yihong Courtyard in to kowtow to Baochai and address her as Second Mistress that Ying'er rewarded them with purses, with Wenxing assisting from the side.

Baochai felt very tired wearing the ceremonial crown and could hardly hold on any longer. Seeing that Baoyu still did not move, she had no choice but to raise her hand to rub her neck. Ying'er saw this, glanced at Baoyu with a cold face, and then said, "Second Mistress must be tired. Take off this crown first."

Xiren rushed over to help, but the groom snorted and, ignoring Baochai and the others, simply walked out.

The maids in the room were stunned for a moment, and Baochai was embarrassed. She knew who Baoyu was thinking of, but she thought that after they got married, they could take it slowly. Baoyu had always been kind to girls, and things would get better with time.

But to everyone's surprise, right after their marriage, Baoyu humiliated her in front of all the maids.

Xiren hurried over: "Second Madam, Second Master has a strange temperament. Please don't worry. I'll go and see him right away."

She was about to leave when Baochai stopped her, saying, "Sister Xiren, you don't need to go. Let Mushe go. There are some things I don't know about the people and things in this courtyard. I can ask you for advice."

Xiren had no choice but to stop. Her eyelids twitched, but when she looked at Baochai, she seemed no different from usual. Only then did she feel relieved and stay to help Ying'er serve Baochai.

A short while later, Qiuwen came in carrying a small food box and respectfully said to Baochai, "Second Madam must be hungry. After all the commotion today, I had the kitchen prepare some food. I wonder if it suits your taste."

Ying'er stepped forward and took it. When she opened it, she saw warm millet porridge with a few side dishes. Baochai smiled and said, "You really are a good girl. I'm really hungry. Bring it over."

After Baochai ate half a bowl of porridge, Qiuwen hurriedly served her a washbasin. Baochai praised her, "I never noticed before, but today I see that Qiuwen is really adorable and much smarter than Ying'er."

Qiuwen had come specifically to please Madam Bao, and she was overjoyed to hear this.

Baochai waited for a long time, but Baoyu didn't come in. So she had Ying'er help her wash up and went to sleep alone.

The next morning, just as Baochai was getting ready, she heard Xiren's voice outside: "Good morning, Lin Mama. Why did Sister Yuanyang come along?"

Baochai's heart skipped a beat. She knew that the two men had come to retrieve the original handkerchief, but Baoyu hadn't slept in his room at all last night, so how could they have consummated their marriage? She was getting anxious when she heard Baoyu's voice.

Lin Zhixiao's wife and Yuanyang were both startled when they saw Bao Erye come out of the side room. However, since they all knew about what happened last year and knew that things wouldn't go through today, they exchanged a glance, and Yuanyang said with a smile, "The old lady is waiting to drink her granddaughter-in-law's tea. Second Master, please take Second Mistress over quickly, so as not to keep the old lady waiting."

After saying that, Yuanyang and Lin Zhixiao's wife left together.

Back in Grandmother Jia's room, Yuanyang saw that Madam Xing and Madam Wang, along with Li Wan and others, had already arrived. She could only step forward and say with a smile, "Second Master and Second Mistress are coming soon."

When Grandmother Jia saw that they returned empty-handed, she guessed that the newlyweds must not have consummated their marriage. A hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes. But Madam Xing deliberately asked, "What's wrong? Why don't you bring the original handkerchief for the old lady to see, so that the old lady can be happy?"

Grandmother Jia gave Madam Xing a cold look, while Madam Wang deliberately said from the side, "They just got married, and the old lady already has a great-grandson. Aren't you in a hurry to have a second one?"

What she meant by saying that the only great-grandson was from their second branch of the family, and that Madam Xing, a lonely woman without children, would better keep quiet.

Grandmother Jia was very displeased with the two of them and said indifferently, "Shut up, you don't act like elders at all."

Although Xing and Wang both kept quiet, they were both waiting to see the other make a fool of himself.

After a while, Baoyu and Baochai came over, served tea and chatted. After going through the whole process, Grandmother Jia was tired and asked everyone to disperse.

Madam Wang was still happy and called her son and daughter-in-law to her room to talk.

Baoyu made an excuse to study, which displeased Lady Wang. She was about to scold him when Baochai defended him, saying, "It's a good thing that Second Master is studying hard. Let him be."

Watching her son's retreating figure, Madam Wang sighed, took Baochai's hand, and said, "It's only thanks to Baochai that we don't hold grudges. If it were that Lin..."

"Madam, you mustn't say such things." Baochai quickly reminded her mother-in-law that Lin Daiyu was now betrothed to a prince, and these words could not be spoken. If someone with ulterior motives overheard, it would be troublesome.

That short-lived girl actually has such good fortune. Madam Wang gritted her teeth.

Just then, an old woman from the Xue family rushed in, disregarding etiquette and manners, and cried to Baochai, "Miss, something terrible has happened! Second Master has returned and said that First Master's sentence has been handed down; he's going to chop off First Master's head!"

These words startled both Lady Wang and Baochai, causing them to stand up abruptly.

Chapter 20 Baochai's Plea for Help and Daiyu's Irony (Part 1)

Upon hearing that her brother was in trouble, and seeing that the old woman's account was unclear, Baochai decided to go home herself to check. She hurriedly said to Lady Wang, "Madam, I shouldn't be going home at this time, but as you know, my mother lives alone. So I'd like to ask you..."

Before Baochai could finish speaking, Madam Wang quickly said, "Go, hurry back and see what's going on. If you need any help here, come back and let me know."

After thanking her, Baochai quickly took her leave and immediately ordered someone to prepare a carriage. Fortunately, they were not far away.

After getting out of the car and entering the house, she heard her sister-in-law, Xia Jingui, crying and shouting inside, saying things like "misfortune", "being deceived by the Xue family", "the Xue family wants to eat up the family line", and so on. She also cursed Xue Pan, calling him a damned devil.

Baochai found this outrageous and didn't intend to pay her any attention. But Xia Jingui rushed out instead, yelling and crying at Baochai, "A young lady who has left home, why are you running back so quickly? Are you afraid your brother will die and we'll have to divide the family property?"

Baochai ignored her and went straight to her mother's room.

When Aunt Xue saw her daughter return, she immediately rushed over, hugged her, and started crying.