The Red Mansion

Chapter 192 Two Saints Appraise Poetic Talent

The retired Emperor Jingning loved poetry and wrote over a thousand poems in his lifetime.

On this day, Emperor Jingning, having nothing important to do, suddenly felt inspired and ordered his three grandsons, Yuan Shi, Yuan Li, and Yuan Zhou, to present their poems and lyrics, which he then carefully reviewed in the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace.

Inside the warm chamber, the dragon incense burner was burning brightly, and the gilded incense burner was filled with ambergris. Emperor Jingning leaned against the yellow satin cushions, enjoying the warm winter sun streaming through the window, and flipped through the poems of his three grandsons one by one.

First came the stack of poems submitted by the twenty-one-year-old Third Prince, Yuan Shi. Emperor Jingning frowned after reading only three or five poems. Although the handwriting was neat, the verses were mostly just piles of flowery language, lacking any real spirit. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "This boy is truly mediocre!"

When they turned to the manuscript of poems by the fourteen-year-old fourth prince Yuan Li, there was a thick stack. Although most of them were mediocre, there were a few that were quite remarkable.

Finally, there was a few pages of poetry manuscript by the thirteen-year-old Fifth Prince, Yuan Zhou. Emperor Jingning glanced through it hastily; it was full of childish language, and he put it aside.

Emperor Jingning sighed, "Of the four princes, only Li'er is truly exceptional!"

As he pondered, something suddenly came to mind, and his heart stirred slightly: "That Yuan Yi who has been living among the common people is exceptionally talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts. I just wonder how good his poetry is?"

Just then, a eunuch came to report that Emperor Taishun was requesting an audience.

Emperor Jingning straightened his clothes and summoned someone in.

After Emperor Taishun finished his salutations, he first presented two important matters of state.

After discussing official business, Emperor Jingning recounted the poetry critique he had just witnessed: "Today I read the poems of my three grandsons. Li'er is indeed a promising talent, but Yuan Shi and Yuan Zhou..." He shook his head as he spoke.

Emperor Taishun lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I have always thought that Li'er is the most intelligent."

Emperor Jingning suddenly changed the subject: "The emperor has another son, Yuan Yi. Send someone to find him immediately and order him to transcribe his poems and lyrics and present them to me." After a moment's thought, he added: "Have someone keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't use other people's poems and lyrics to fill in the blanks. I want to test his poetic talent, but I'm afraid someone might be helping him in secret, hence this instruction."

Emperor Taishun was startled, but showed no sign of it on his face. He respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys. I will send someone to carry it out immediately."

……

……

Eastern suburbs of Shenjing.

Inside the Jiang family study, wisps of smoke curled upwards, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Jiang Nian was sitting alone, engrossed in reading the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government).

Upon hearing that the Imperial Guard Ren Pijiang had arrived at the gate, Jiang Nian instinctively assumed it was another summons from Emperor Taishun. She quickly put down the book in her hand, ordered the women and servants to leave immediately, straightened her clothes, and hurried to the second gate to greet him.

Beside Ren Pijiang stood a pale-faced, beardless eunuch, around forty years old, wearing a brocade robe, with a token hanging from his waist, and a pair of narrow eyes that seemed half-open, revealing shrewdness.

Jiang Nian recognized the eunuch as Ge Rui, a trusted eunuch of Emperor Taishun.

After welcoming Ren Pijiang and Ge Rui into the main room, Jiang Nian formally greeted them and said to Ge Rui with a smile, "You are indeed rare guests, making my humble abode honored."

Ge Rui said, "I have come here on His Majesty's orders to trouble Guard Jiang."

Ren Pijiang then explained his purpose: "His Majesty wishes to see the poems and lyrics written by Imperial Guard Jiang, and has specially ordered me and Eunuch Ge to come and collect them. The imperial edict specifically instructed that Imperial Guard Jiang must be seen copying them in person, and that it is not permissible to..." He hesitated slightly at this point.

Ge Rui interjected, "We can't use other people's poems to fill in the gaps." After saying that, he squinted and sized up Jiang Nian's expression.

Jiang Nian's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Emperor Taishun also enjoyed poetry, but Emperor Taishun was busy with affairs of state every day, so why would he suddenly be so interested in his poetry? Seeing Ge Rui's burning gaze, he immediately realized that this eunuch was clearly there to monitor him. He immediately said calmly, "This humble subject's work may offend Your Majesty's eyes. Since Your Majesty's order is difficult to disobey, I will go to the study to copy it."

He thought to himself, "Fortunately, I do have some poems. If I can compose a good one on the spot, I should be able to seize the opportunity to gain Emperor Taishun's favor."

The three moved to the study.

With his sharp eyes, Ge Rui noticed the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) open on the desk. The annotations on the pages were still fresh. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Guard Jiang is indeed very learned and diligent. No wonder His Majesty favors him so much."

Jiang Nianqian said, "It was just for fun, how could I dare to accept such praise?"

As he spoke, he took out a sandalwood box from the bookcase. When he opened it, it made a soft "click" sound. Inside, neatly stacked were some manuscripts of poems, still fragrant with ink.

Ren Pijiang and Ge Rui stood on either side of the table, their four gazes following him closely. Jiang Nian rolled up his sleeves, ground the ink, and with a swift movement of his wrist, the wolf-hair brush flew across the paper. In no time, he had copied more than twenty old poems. The characters were vigorous, like ancient pines lying in a stream, and graceful, like dragons playing in the water.

After copying his old work, Jiang Nian suddenly picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a new poem. The poem was titled "Bamboo and Rock," and read:

"Clinging firmly to the green hills, its roots firmly planted in the broken rocks."

"Though battered and bruised a thousand times, it remains firm and strong, letting the winds from east, west, north, and south blow as they may."

After reading it, Ren Pijiang's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "What a fine line, 'Though battered a thousand times, it remains firm and strong, letting the winds blow from east, west, north, and south!' Guard Jiang's poem is truly unique and unconventional."

Jiang Nian put down his pen and said modestly, "You flatter me, Guard Ren. It was just a fleeting thought." He thought to himself, "Zheng Banqiao's masterpiece from my previous life is naturally extraordinary."

Once the ink had dried, Ren Pijiang took out an apricot-yellow brocade pouch, carefully placed the poem manuscript inside, and then wrapped it tightly with yellow silk. He then smiled and said, "Let's go back to the palace to report. Guard Jiang, just wait for good news."

After saying this, he bid farewell to Gray and left.

Jiang Nian saw them off to the gate, watching their figures disappear as they rode away. He stood on the steps, lost in thought. A gust of north wind swept by, making his clothes flutter, and he finally came back to his senses.

He returned to his study, spread out another sheet of paper, and copied the poem "Bamboo and Rock" again.

Just as I was writing the lines, "Clinging firmly to the green hills, its roots firmly planted in the broken rocks," I suddenly heard three soft knocks on the door, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"Come in," Jiang said without looking up, his wolf-hair brush still in his hand.

Yuan Chun entered gracefully, dressed in a casual jacket with a vest over it, and a single white jade hairpin adorning her temple. Her attire was not extravagant, yet she possessed a natural and elegant charm.

She moved gracefully to the desk and saw Jiang Nian writing with great speed and skill, so she stopped to take a closer look. When she saw the poem on the paper, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, suddenly lit up, like stars suddenly appearing.

"Is the old man composing poetry again?" Yuan Chun asked softly, her voice like a spring breeze caressing the willows, while her eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "That's right." Yuan Chun said, "I'll watch from the side. Would you like to finish writing this poem, sir?" As she spoke, she began to grind the ink herself, her slender fingers holding the ink stick with an elegant posture.

Jiang Nian nodded, dipped his brush in ink again, and lightly stroked the inkstone, achieving the perfect shade of ink. With a flourish of his wrist, he wrote fourteen more characters: "Though battered and bruised, it remains firm and strong, letting the winds blow from east, west, north, and south." Each stroke was powerful, seemingly imbuing the paper with the resilience and integrity of bamboo and rock. At the end of the final stroke, the brush tip paused lightly on the paper, leaving an ink mark resembling a bamboo joint.

Yuan Chun saw it clearly and couldn't help but sincerely praise, "What a fine poem! It truly captures the integrity of bamboo!" As she spoke, she covered her lips with a handkerchief, her eyes full of admiration, "Sir, your poetic talent has improved again. Such a masterpiece would not be surprising if it were to be passed down through the ages!"

As she spoke, Yuan Chun personally picked up the engraved teapot and poured hot tea into Jiang Nian's cup. The tea was clear, reflecting the sunlight streaming in through the window, creating a halo of light in the celadon cup.

Jiang Nian took the teacup and saw Yuan Chun's eyes darting around, her lips slightly parted and then closed, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. He understood and waited quietly for her to speak.

Sure enough, Yuan Chun stared at him for a moment, and finally couldn't help but ask, "What brings that guard and eunuch to the house just now?" Although her voice was soft, it couldn't hide her concern.

Jiang Nian thought to herself, "There's no need to hide this from her. She's incredibly intelligent and has already made up her mind. It's better to let things take their course."

So he put down his teacup and told the truth: "His Majesty ordered me to transcribe my poems and lyrics for his perusal, and these two came specifically to collect the manuscripts."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun unconsciously tightened her grip on her handkerchief, but forced herself to remain calm: "Why is Your Majesty acting this way?"

Jiang Nian took a sip of fragrant tea and said calmly, "Perhaps you want to see my poetry skills."

His tone was calm, as if he were talking about something ordinary.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun was filled with shock and turmoil. She thought to herself, "With His Majesty's temperament and his busy schedule, how could he possibly have the leisure to read my poems? Why would he specially send imperial guards and eunuchs to fetch them? Even princes and ministers might not have such an honor..." The more she thought about it, the more alarmed she became, and the thought of "dragon seed" involuntarily resurfaced.

Seeing Yuan Chun's changing expression, Jiang Nian knew what she was thinking and sighed inwardly, "Just as I thought. She has already planted the seed of doubt in her heart that I am of the dragon's blood, and now this matter has made her speculate on it again." Then she thought, "Fortunately, Yuan Chun is sensible and will not spread such a thing."

……

……

Meanwhile, Ren Pijiang and Ge Rui left the Jiang residence and rode swiftly back to the palace.

Inside the warm pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, gilded incense burners emitted wisps of ambergris smoke. Emperor Taishun was reviewing memorials when he saw the two return and immediately put down his pen.

Ren Pijiang presented the brocade pouch with both hands: "Your Majesty, Jiang Nian's poems are here."

Emperor Taishun took it, ran his fingertips along the yellow silk for a moment, and then said, "You may all leave now."

After the two left, he untied the brocade pouch and took out a stack of poems and lyrics. The handwriting on the manuscripts was clear and the ink was as fresh as new.

Emperor Taishun read each poem carefully. After finishing all twenty-odd poems, he raised his eyebrows slightly and exclaimed in a low voice, "Yi'er is indeed a gifted genius. His poetry is so remarkable!"

Without delay, he personally carried the poems and manuscripts to the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Jingning was in the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace when he saw Emperor Taishun arrive. He asked with a smile, "Did you bring Yuan Yi's poems?"

Emperor Taishun bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have read it and have come to present it to you."

Emperor Jingning took the poem manuscript but did not rush to read it. He first asked, "Now that you have read it, what do you think?"

Emperor Taishun replied without hesitation: "Yi'er is also very talented in poetry."

These words were spoken so earnestly that they surprised Emperor Jingning: "Oh? His poems can actually receive such praise from you? I'll have to take a closer look."

Emperor Taishun did not take his leave, but simply sat to the side and waited quietly.

The only sound in the warm room was the rustling of pages turning.

Emperor Jingning initially remained calm, but gradually surprise appeared in his eyes. When he read the poem "Bamboo and Rock," he unconsciously read it aloud: "Clinging firmly to the green hills, never letting go..." After reading it, he gently tapped his fingers on the table.

After reading them all, Emperor Jingning stroked his beard and sighed, "This young man is indeed extraordinary! Of these few poems, half of them are quite good, and several are even masterpieces!"

As he spoke, he stood up and paced back and forth, clearly excited.

Emperor Taishun was secretly pleased upon seeing this.

Emperor Jingning returned to his seat and began to comment on the poems one by one: "Look at these four lines of 'Bamboo and Rock,' every word is a gem, and the spirit is lofty and majestic. Given time, it may be passed down through the ages." He then pointed to another poem: "Although this 'New Song of Pity for the Farmers' is not as good as 'Bamboo and Rock,' it has this heart of pity for the farmers, which is truly rare."

When Emperor Jingning turned to the three poems about willow catkins, he suddenly chuckled: "These three poems about willow catkins are also wonderful, especially the first one. Look at this line, 'Don't laugh at my youthful beauty for having no roots. A good wind lends its strength, sending me soaring to the clouds'..." As he spoke, he gave Emperor Taishun a meaningful look, "It seems to subtly reflect this young man's background and aspirations."

Emperor Taishun's heart skipped a beat, but then he saw Emperor Jingning pointing to another poem: "This one is about star showers, 'Jade sky pours down pearls, ten thousand valleys are cold, silver shuttles weave haphazardly, white silk is tattered. Who first saw the long river pouring down? Tonight, we hear again the ancient torrent. All the passing brilliance is but a fleeting inn, burning bodies and shattered feathers create a spectacle. I wish to divide the embers to write on green bamboo slips, to inscribe the unfinished cinnabar in the heavens.' I greatly admire it; its grandeur is astounding. This young man is only sixteen years old, yet he already possesses such talent!"

Emperor Taishun was secretly pleased to see Emperor Jingning praising Jiang Nian's poetic talent so highly.

He had recently expressed his intention to acknowledge his son, but upon careful consideration, he knew that the matter would be extremely difficult. The mere matter of changing the imperial genealogy was no ordinary affair. If Yuan Yi were to be reinstated, he would be ranked as the fourth prince, and the order of Yuan Li and Yuan Zhou would have to be moved down. Furthermore, there was the issue of exclusion by the imperial clan, discussions in the court, the historians' records, and gossip among the common people—every single factor had to be considered.

After much deliberation, he concluded that the best course of action would be for both emperors to issue an edict while his father was still alive, thus mitigating the turmoil. Seeing his father's high regard for Jiang Nian was exactly what he wanted.

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly heard Emperor Jingning say, "Yuan Yi is truly a man of exceptional talent. It would be a pity if he were not allowed to acknowledge his ancestors and return to the clan." He then stroked his beard and pondered, "Once he returns to the clan, he can assist Li'er, just as the thirteenth prince assisted you. Perhaps he can become a wise and virtuous king!"

Emperor Taishun was not surprised to hear this. He had long known that his father valued Yuan Li highly, and even intended to make him his heir. And wasn't he himself planning the same thing? As for Jiang Nian… even though he had considered him a son, he would not allow this child to inherit the throne…

Emperor Jingning suddenly laughed and said, "This Yuan Yi might become a poet whose name will be remembered for all time. If so, history will have to record it: our Daqing royal family has produced a great talent." He seemed quite proud as he spoke, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taishun's heart skipped a beat: "Could it be that Father Emperor is about to order me to issue an edict recognizing my son?"

Emperor Jingning's expression turned solemn and deep: "However, this matter still needs to be considered carefully. As I said before, let's see how this child fares in the future. If he can achieve great feats and continue to make progress, it would not be unreasonable for him to be recognized as a member of the family."

As Emperor Jingning spoke, he picked up the stack of poems and lyrics and flipped through them, saying, "These poems and lyrics suit my taste very well and should be rewarded. But I don't know what to reward them with?"

(End of this chapter)