Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Madam Wang's eyes reddened slightly, and a surge of warmth welled up in her heart. She had thought that the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison was the end of her career, but she never expected that her brother would be so ambitious as to rise even higher.

Wang Xifeng also feigned a joyful expression, stepping forward to support Madam Wang's arm: "Madam, this is an extremely joyous occasion."

A smile appeared on Grandmother Jia's face: "Pass on my message that there will be extra dishes at the mansion today, let's all have a good time together."

Lin Daiyu observed this scene, took a sip of tea, and remained indifferent. She knew, of course, that Wang Ziteng would have a successful career and rise through the ranks, only to suddenly die of illness. She glanced at Madam Wang's smug expression and thought to herself: "My second aunt is probably going to start trembling again."

Lady Wang certainly did not disappoint her. After Jia Zheng finished announcing the good news and left, Lady Wang sat down again, her back straighter than before. She smiled and said to Grandmother Jia, "Grandmother, with my brother's promotion, he will surely help our family a lot in the future."

While the words were well-intentioned, the arrogance in Madam Wang's tone made Grandmother Jia frown. Wang Ziteng obtained this position through the Jia family's network of connections, inheriting it directly from them; helping the Jia family was only natural. Madam Wang's words made it sound as if the Jia family had gotten a huge advantage from the Wang family. If the Jia family had any merit, would this position have fallen to Wang Ziteng?

Besides, she has lived most of her life and seen all kinds of storms. She knows the ups and downs of officialdom. Today she may be promoted, but tomorrow she may be punished. How can there be wealth and honor that lasts forever?

However, in front of Lady You and Qin Keqing, she could not say much, and only said lightly, "Your brother is a capable man, and His Majesty will naturally give him an important position. However, for a family like ours, the more glorious the times, the more discreet we should be, and not to make a fuss in public."

Lady Wang agreed verbally, but inwardly she was somewhat skeptical. Her mind was preoccupied with the fact that her brother's promotion to Governor-General of Nine Provinces meant Baoyu's future would have greater security.

As for Lin Daiyu, she doesn't respect her aunt because she has the support of the Princess. Now that the Wang family is powerful, let's see how long she can be so smug.

……

Dai Quan was a regular at the Marquis of Duanping's residence. Without waiting for anyone to announce his arrival, he entered the courtyard by himself, waving his whisk.

Gu Da was about to step forward to greet them, but Dai Quan waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, don't give me that formality. The Marquis and Her Highness the Princess are both here, aren't they?"

Gu laughed and nodded, leading him inside.

Gu Huaiyuan was peeling a frozen orange for Li Shulan, who was sitting next to him. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Dai Quan. He didn't get up, but just smiled and said, "Old Dai is here. Please sit down. There's tea on the table."

"Your Highness, Lord Marquis, how can this be?"

Li Shulan waved her hand: "Don't be so polite."

Dai Quan stopped being polite, plopped down in the armchair next to him, and skillfully picked up the teacup and took a big gulp: "The tea here is still the best, Lord Marquis."

Gu Huaiyuan glanced at him: "Don't give me that. Haven't you drunk enough of the tribute tea from the palace? If you want to play the poor card, go cry to your godson."

"What are you saying, Lord Marquis? Do you think we're that kind of people? We've come today on important business."

Li Shulan put a peeled orange segment into her mouth, looked up at him, and asked, "What is it?"

Dai Quan cleared his throat, his expression turning serious: "His Majesty sent me to deliver a message. The matter of Prince Gu has been settled."

Gu Huaiyuan paused in peeling the orange. Li Shulan also sat up straight: "Really?"

"Do you think we can fool you with this? His Majesty will soon issue an edict to recall Prince Gu from Liaodong."

Gu Huaiyuan and Li Shulan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with barely concealed excitement.

The eldest son, Gu Jincheng, had served on the frontier for three years, enduring wind and sun, suffering greatly. And there was his good daughter-in-law who had followed him to suffer. Li Shulan couldn't sleep soundly at night whenever she thought of him. Although Emperor Yongxi had given her some word before, she couldn't rest easy until she received confirmation. Now that he could finally be transferred back, it was truly wonderful news.

Li Shulan's eyes reddened: "Your Majesty is thinking of Jincheng."

Dai Quan smiled and said, "Of course. His Majesty may not say it, but he has always been thinking about it. Jincheng is His Majesty's own nephew, how could he be treated unfairly?"

"Did Your Majesty say when Jincheng will be home?"

"The imperial decree will be issued in the next few days, and the message will be sent to Liaodong by express swift means. Considering the handover and travel time, it will take at least a month and a half, or at most two months, to get back."

"Good, good, good." Gu Huaiyuan called out to the outside, "Gu Da, go and call Jin Hong over, let him hear this good news too."

Gu Da responded and quickly left.

Dai Quan suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice, saying, "There's one more thing I need to remind the Marquis and His Highness about."

Seeing his serious expression, Gu Huaiyuan and Li Shulan suppressed their smiles and said, "Go on."

"His Majesty has decided on the matter of Prince Gu's return to the capital, but the imperial decree has not yet been issued. The Wang family just received the decree of promotion today and are quite pleased with themselves. It's fine for the Marquis and His Highness to know, but don't let it leak out yet, lest it cause any unforeseen trouble."

Gu Huaiyuan nodded: "We know that."

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

Gu Jinhong strode in and immediately spotted Dai Quan sitting in a chair: "Oh, Minister Dai is here?"

"Second Young Master, your arrival is just in time. We were discussing matters with the Marquis and His Highness."

Gu Jinhong bowed to his parents, his gaze sweeping over their faces. He noticed that his mother's eyes were slightly red and his father had a smile on his lips, and he immediately had some guesses in his mind.

"What good news has come from Minister Dai? Look how happy my mother is."

Li Shulan glared at her son reproachfully, then dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief: "You have such sharp eyes."

"We've come to deliver good news to the Marquis and His Highness. His Majesty will soon issue an edict to recall Prince Gu from Liaodong."

Gu Jinhong paused, his hand still holding the teacup. "Really? Big Brother is coming back from Liaodong?"

"That's absolutely true. Judging by the timeline, it will take at least a month and a half, or at most two months, for Young Master Gu to arrive home."

Gu Jinhong immediately bowed respectfully to Dai Quan, saying, "Thank you for making this trip, Minister Dai."

Dai Quan quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Second Young Master, you flatter me. This is all thanks to His Majesty's grace. I am merely a messenger."

Gu Huaiyuan waved his hand: "Old Dai, you don't need to be so modest. You've taken good care of us in the palace all these years, and our Gu family remembers that kindness."

Dai Quan's smile deepened: "You flatter me, Marquis. How His Majesty treats the Gu family is obvious to all the officials. We are merely going with the flow."

Li Shulan composed herself and asked, "Did Your Majesty say anything else? What plans are in place for Jincheng after his return?"

"His Majesty did mention it," Dai Quan said in a low voice. "The Wang family member has been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of Nine Provinces, leaving the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison vacant. His Majesty intends for the Heir Apparent Gu to take over the position."

Gu Huaiyuan frowned: "The Commander of the Capital Garrison? Given my family's relationship with His Majesty, this position... I'm afraid the Four Princes and Eight Dukes wouldn't want it to fall into the hands of my Gu family. I still vividly remember the scene from last time."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Since His Majesty dared to appoint the Heir Apparent Gu to this position, he must have his own plans."