Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

"Aunt Lan, what have I done to deserve this?" Daiyu's voice was choked with sobs.

"Good child, you mustn't shed tears today." Li Shulan patted the back of her hand and said with a smile, "Your mother told me back then that you were born on the Flower Festival, a child sent by the Flower Fairy. If that's the case, then it's only right that all the flowers in this garden celebrate your birthday."

Hearing Li Shulan's words, Daiyu was even more moved. She quickly lowered her head and blinked hard, forcing back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes.

As they were speaking, a maid carried in a novel object that none of them had ever seen before and placed it in the hall. A sweet fragrance wafted over them.

It was a three-tiered, round cake, pure white, decorated with layers of pink flowers, each petal distinct and lifelike. A thin candle was inserted on the top tier, and fresh peach petals adorned the cake, creating a beautiful contrast of pink and white.

The ladies in the flower hall looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

"What kind of pastry is this? I've never seen it before!"

"Look at those flowers, they're made just like the real thing."

"The fragrance is also quite unique; it smells sweet but not cloying."

Listening to the discussion below, Li Shulan laughed and said, "This is called a cake. It was invented by Jin Hong. He said it was a recipe from overseas, which he modified. It's made with milk, eggs, and flour, and the frosting on top is cream."

She turned to Daiyu, her eyes filled with a smile: "He started preparing a couple of days ago, and today he personally supervised the kitchen before dawn. It's a pity he can't come today, so I'll convey his wishes for your birthday."

Daiyu's emotions, which had just calmed down, surged again because of these words. She never expected that he would remember her birthday and prepare something so thoughtful.

She lowered her head, her ears burning red, and whispered, "Aunt Laulan and Young Master Gu have gone to so much trouble."

Li Shulan smiled and said nothing more, but simply led Daiyu to the cake and let her make a wish by the candlelight.

Daiyu gazed at the flickering candlelight, slowly closed her eyes, and silently made a wish in her heart. No one knows what she wished for.

As the candles were blown out, a round of applause graciously echoed through the hall.

Li Shulan had the cake cut into small pieces and distributed to the ladies of the court present.

Princess Bei Jing took a bite and her eyes showed surprise: "This pastry is soft and fluffy, and it tastes sweet but not greasy. It is much more refreshing than the pastries we usually eat."

"It is indeed novel."

The other ladies echoed their sentiments, and for a time, the hall was filled with exclamations of praise.

Grandmother Jia took a bite of the cake, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She turned to look at Daiyu, wanting to say something, but saw that Daiyu was already surrounded by several noblewomen, who took turns praising her.

Lady Wang watched all this with a cold eye, her cake untouched. Seeing Daiyu being fawned over like a star, her jealousy surged within her, almost overflowing. Jia Min had stolen her thunder years ago, and now her daughter was enjoying the limelight before the Princess.

Tan Chun and Xi Chun sat together, each holding a small piece of cake, enjoying their meal immensely. Tan Chun leaned close to Xi Chun's ear and whispered, "Look at the peach blossom hairpin in Sister Lin's hair. I saw it clearly when I came. It's a genuine imperial item, and it must have been a gift from the Princess."

Xichun nodded in agreement and whispered, "Sister Lin is so lucky."

Tan Chun's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Daiyu, her eyes filled with envy. When would she ever have such glory?

Unfortunately, such things are just dreams for her. As a concubine's daughter, being able to marry into a good family in the future would be a blessing for her.

After everyone had enjoyed the cake and chatted for a while in the flower hall, Li Shulan stood up with a smile and said, "Since today is the Flower Festival, we can't just keep you all cooped up in this room. The flowers in the garden outside are in full bloom, and I've already ordered someone to prepare tea and snacks in the pavilion. Please follow me."

Daiyu, supported by Li Shulan's arm, walked at the front. After walking only a few dozen steps from the flower hall, the vibrant spring scenery of the garden came into view.

The West Garden of the Princess's Mansion is extremely vast, with lush artificial hills, winding streams, and flowers and trees of varying heights and densities arranged in a harmonious and pleasing manner. From a distance, it looks like a fairyland descended to earth.

The group arrived at a waterside pavilion, where various teas and snacks had already been prepared.

"Your Highness, this garden is truly a beautiful sight." Princess Bei Jing stopped and looked around, praising sincerely, "The spring flowers in this garden seem to have all agreed to bloom together today."

"Indeed," Princess Consort Chungshun chimed in with a smile. "The flowers in Your Highness's garden are no less beautiful than those in the Imperial Garden."

Li Shulan said a few words of modesty and led everyone to admire the sights in various places.

Daiyu's gaze wandered among the flowers, and standing in this garden full of spring colors, she felt that the melancholy in her heart had inexplicably eased a little.

"Sister Lin."

A soft call came from behind. Daiyu turned around and saw Tanchun walking over, arm in arm with Xichun and Yingchun.

"Sister Lin looked just like a fairy descended from heaven when she stood among these flowers," Xichun said, looking up at her with heartfelt praise.

Daiyu was a little embarrassed by what she said and retorted, "Fourth Sister's mouth is so sweet."

Tan Chun smiled and said, "Fourth Sister is telling the truth."

The group walked into a grove of peonies. Xichun tugged at Daiyu's sleeve and whispered, "Sister Lin, look at that dark purple one, it's really rare."

Daiyu looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw a dark purple peony in full bloom among the peony bushes. The edges of the peony petals were tinged with an almost blackish purplish-red, while the heart of the peony was a cluster of golden yellow, which was quite peculiar.

Xichun clapped her hands and said, "These flowers are so beautiful, they look like they were painted on. I'll definitely paint them when I get back."

Tan Chun smiled and said, "Fourth Sister's painting skills are getting better and better. Why don't you paint one for me and Sister Lin another day?"

As the group was chatting and laughing, they suddenly heard laughter coming from ahead. It seemed that the Princess Consort of Nan'an had said something witty, which made Li Shulan and the Princess Consort of Beijing laugh.

Princess Consort of Nan'an was a straightforward person and spoke without restraint. She smiled and moved closer to Li Shulan: "Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask, is the engagement between this Miss Lin and the second young master of your household true? It's all over the capital now, and I'm so eager to know that I wanted to ask Your Highness for confirmation."

Upon hearing this, all the noblewomen present immediately perked up their ears. Although they had witnessed Li Shulan's close relationship with Daiyu today, and were already fairly certain of the situation, no one had ever directly asked Li Shulan. The Princess Consort of Nan'an's question, however, voiced the unspoken thoughts of everyone present.

Li Shulan knew her temperament and wasn't annoyed; instead, her smile deepened.

She called Daiyu to her side, looked around, and said loudly, "Since everyone is curious, I will make it clear today. The engagement between Jin Hong and Yu'er was arranged by me, Yu'er's mother, Lord Lin, and myself three years ago. Over the years, we have kept it quiet because the two children are still young, but my Gu family has never wavered in the slightest. I plan to formally celebrate the marriage after Yu'er comes of age."