The Red Mansion

Chapter 243 The Rebellious Son Yuan Shi, the Bastard Jiang Nian

On the ninth day of the fifth lunar month, Jiang Nian was busy with the handover, opening of Ningguo Mansion, and moving.

On this day, a shocking event was brewing in Changchun Garden on the western outskirts of the capital.

On this day, when Yuan Si, Yuan Tang, and Yuan entered the garden together, the eunuch Chen Daquan suddenly stepped forward and loudly announced: "By order of the Emperor Emeritus, the three gentlemen are to be temporarily detained in the garden for questioning!"

Before they finished speaking, more than ten guards surrounded them like wolves and tigers, trapping the three of them.

Yuan Si, Yuan Tang, and Yuan looked at each other, secretly alarmed.

On the same day, the third prince, Yuan Shi, was summoned to the Danning Residence to pay homage to Emperor Taishun.

Inside the hall, on the table lay a copy of the Diamond Sutra, handwritten by Emperor Taishun, now covered in dust.

Yuan Shi knelt on the ground, holding his breath, when suddenly he heard a cold laugh from the throne, like ice falling to the ground: "Guards! Seize him!"

Before he could finish speaking, the guards on both sides rushed forward and pinned Yuan Shi to the ground.

Emperor Taishun's gaze was icy, sharp as a knife. Under repeated questioning, Yuan Shi trembled and had no choice but to bow his head and confess that he had indeed given Yuan Si the Diamond Sutra and a letter stamped with the seal of "Master Yuanming." However, Yuan Si had asked for it for something else at the time, and he was unaware of Yuan Si, Yuan Tang, and Yuan's plot to assassinate Yuan Li and frame Emperor Taishun by taking advantage of the retired Emperor Jingning's southern tour.

In this way, Yuan Shi's crime was lessened, but in the eyes of Emperor Taishun, it was still unforgivable disobedience.

However, at present, the Emperor's attention is entirely focused on the Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, and Tenth Prince, who are known as the "Eighth Prince Party." Therefore, the matter of Yuan Shi will be temporarily set aside for later.

Yuan was detained in the garden for a day and a night. On the tenth day of the fifth month, Emperor Taishun summoned him to the warm pavilion of Danning Residence.

The hall was silent. Emperor Taishun sat behind his desk, his face grim. After a long while, he coldly said, "You unfilial son! I will not give you my throne, no matter who it is! Go back and reflect on your mistakes in seclusion. You are not to leave without my decree!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi was struck dumb, and hurriedly kowtowed and begged for mercy. However, Emperor Taishun had already turned away and said nothing more.

Yuan Shi had no choice but to leave in tears, his steps faltering, his figure desolate.

Little did they know, as Emperor Taishun watched them leave, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he had other plans in mind...

……

……

The tenth day of the fifth lunar month was still a sunny day.

Under the scorching sun, Yuan Shi returned to the city by carriage from Changchun Garden in the western suburbs. He had a mansion in the city, which was located near the Prince Zhongshun's mansion.

When passing by the Prince Zhongshun's residence, Yuan Shi hesitated for a moment, then ordered the coachman to stop. He got off the carriage and went to the gate of the residence. Upon learning that the Prince Zhongshun was inside, he did not need to announce his arrival and simply walked into the residence. He had always been close to the Prince Zhongshun, his third uncle.

When a eunuch saw Yuan, he smiled broadly and bowed, saying, "Third Master has arrived! The Prince is watching a play in the back garden."

Yuan Shi nodded slightly and followed the eunuch through several courtyards, heading straight for the back garden.

Prince Chungshun enjoyed associating with scholars and literati, composing poems and appreciating the beauty of nature. He was also a great enthusiast of opera and kept dozens of actors in his residence. Yuan Shi was also fond of this hobby and visited Prince Chungshun's residence many times to watch operas, where he would chat and laugh with his third uncle.

The rear garden of Prince Zhongshun's Mansion is exquisite, with rockeries, winding streams, and pavilions nestled among the flowers and trees.

As Yuan Shi entered the back garden, he could hear the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments from afar, interspersed with the clear and melodious singing, like the warbling of orioles and the chirping of swallows. Turning through a moon gate, the view suddenly opened up before him, revealing a waterside pavilion built by the pond. The wind blew, the curtains swayed, and the shadows of people inside could be vaguely seen moving about.

Inside the waterside pavilion were a dozen or so wooden chairs. Prince Zhongshun leaned back in a grand chair, dressed in a casual dark blue gauze robe with dragon patterns, a pine-flower handkerchief tied around his waist, and holding a gold-leafed folding fan, gently tapping out a rhythm. Around him were more than a dozen literati and scholars, some fanning themselves and sipping tea, others listening intently, clearly engrossed in the moment.

On stage, they are singing "A Dream of Nanke".

Yuan Shi stood aside and listened quietly for a while, but he had no interest in appreciating the play. He felt annoyed and stepped forward to greet Prince Zhongshun, saying, "Third Uncle."

Prince Zhongshun turned around upon hearing the voice, and upon seeing it was him, he smiled and said, "Oh, Shi-ge'er is here! Why are you so quiet? Quickly sit down and listen to the opera; today's performance is 'The Dream of Nanke'."

Yuan Shi forced a smile and said in a low voice, "Third Uncle, I have something important to discuss with you in private."

Prince Zhongshun frowned slightly, closed his folding fan, and immediately stood up, saying, "In that case, come with me." He then ordered the play to stop and resume when he returned. Only then did he lead Yuan Shi away from the waterside pavilion, through several clumps of flowers and trees, to an exquisite flower hall.

The flower hall is surrounded by carved lattice windows on all four sides, and the window frames are covered with gossamer gauze, allowing sunlight to filter through and making the whole room shine.

The hall was furnished with exquisite elegance. In the center stood a rosewood table inlaid with mother-of-pearl, upon which rested a bronze lion-shaped incense burner, releasing wisps of fragrant agarwood. On either side were several huanghuali armchairs, their backs carved with delicate lotus scroll patterns. Several paintings and calligraphies by renowned artists hung on the walls, among which a landscape by Mi Fu, with its vigorous and refined brushstrokes, was particularly striking.

Prince Zhongshun sat upright in a huanghuali armchair, waving a gold-plated folding fan in his hand, his expression indifferent. He ordered the maids to serve him fragrant tea, and then waved them away.

After the maids had all left, Prince Zhongshun looked up at Yuan Shi and said slowly, "Shi-ge'er, what important matter is it that you are taking it so seriously?"

Yuan Shi hesitated for a moment, then said, “Third Uncle, do you not know? Yesterday, Eighth Uncle, Ninth Uncle, and Tenth Uncle were all detained and interrogated at Changchun Garden by the Emperor Emeritus. Even I was imprisoned by Father Emperor for one night, and I was only able to get out just now.”

Prince Zhongshun paused slightly with his folding fan, then snapped it shut with a "snap," and sighed, "I already know about this matter, but—" He glanced at Yuan Shi with a half-smile, "You managed to come out so quickly?"

Yuan Shi did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "Does Third Uncle know what Eighth Uncle and the others have done this time?"

Prince Zhongshun pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the table and said, "I know a little about it. And you? Do you know the truth?"

Yuan Shi looked solemn and said, "I already know. Eighth Uncle and the others colluded with Dai Quan and, taking advantage of the Emperor Emeritus's southern tour, assassinated Yuan Li in Yangzhou. They also pretended to assassinate the Emperor Emeritus in Jiangning, intending to frame Father."

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun's lips curled slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He said leisurely, "I heard that you once secretly gave your eighth uncle a copy of the Diamond Sutra handwritten by your father, along with a letter stamped with the seal of 'Master Yuanming'?"

Yuan Shi hurriedly replied, "That is indeed true. However, I was unaware of my eighth uncle's plan beforehand. There was another reason why I gave the Diamond Sutra and the letter to my eighth uncle. Therefore, my sin is not too great, otherwise my father would not have allowed me to return."

He didn't mention that Emperor Taishun had prevented him from succeeding to the throne. Prince Zhongshun nodded slightly, but thought to himself, "The fourth prince is known for his meanness and ruthlessness. Given his nature, he must think that Yuan Shi's crime is quite serious. However, he currently has few children, only Yuan Shi, Yuan Zhou, and a sickly young son. Otherwise, why would he forgive Yuan Shi so easily?"

Seeing that he remained silent, Yuan Shi suddenly said earnestly, "Third Uncle, you have always been favored by the Emperor Emeritus. Why don't you plead for Eighth Uncle and the others before the Emperor Emeritus?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun chuckled inwardly: "This foolish child, even now he still sides with the Eighth Prince, how laughable! The Fourth Prince's son is such a wrath!"

In truth, Yuan Shi still wholeheartedly sided with his eighth uncle, Yuan Si, because Yuan Si had explained to him that the plot to assassinate Yuan Li and the feigned assassination attempt on Emperor Jingning were all aimed at pushing him to the throne. Yuan Si said, "Once Yuan Li dies and your father is deposed, with our full support, the throne will undoubtedly be yours!" Yuan Shi actually believed him.

Prince Chungshun did not expose the truth, but simply said, "Even I am not in a position to interfere in such matters. The Emperor Emeritus specifically ordered me to rest, which is an indication that I should not get involved."

The flower hall fell silent instantly.

Yuan Shi stared blankly at the cup of tea on the table, which was gradually cooling down, lost in thought.

Prince Chungshun casually waved his folding fan, a half-smile on his face, seemingly lost in thought.

Suddenly, Yuan Shi raised his eyebrows and asked, "Third Uncle, do you know how the Emperor Emeritus saw through Eighth Uncle's scheme?"

Prince Zhongshun pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Speaking of this matter, we must mention Jiang Nian."

Yuan Shi's expression changed drastically, and he sneered, "Jiang Nian? Could she be the bastard child that Father Emperor left behind among the common people?"

Prince Zhongshun sighed and fanned himself, saying, "It was indeed this man. When the Emperor Emeritus was traveling incognito in Jiangning, he was assassinated. Jiang Nian, who was by his side, personally captured a leader of the assassins named Xiao Zhong, causing Dai Quan to lose his composure and reveal his weakness. The Emperor Emeritus followed the clues and interrogated Dai Quan thoroughly, finally uncovering the truth of the case. If it weren't for Jiang Nian's interference, your Eighth Uncle's plan would have truly succeeded."

Yuan Shi's eyes flashed with hatred, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "It was this bastard who ruined everything!"

Seeing his reaction, Prince Zhongshun feigned indifference and said, "Although Jiang Nian comes from humble origins, he will soon be recognized as a member of the imperial family and included in the imperial genealogy."

Yuan Shi was suddenly surprised and asked in surprise, "How did Third Uncle know?"

Prince Zhongshun lightly waved his folding fan, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Your father has actually bestowed the former Ningguo Mansion upon him. That was the residence of a duke at the founding of the dynasty, and its grandeur surpasses even the mansion bestowed upon you. Moreover, he has specially assigned a troop of imperial guards to attend to him. Doesn't such an honor foreshadow his return to his ancestral lineage?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi felt a surge of anger and said resentfully, "How dare a mere bastard be included in my Yuan family genealogy? Has Father Emperor become confused?!"

Seeing his indignation, Prince Chungshun said no more and simply lowered his eyes to drink his tea.

He deliberately instigated a conflict between Yuan Shi and Jiang Nian.

He hated Jiang Nian and had previously offended him in Yangzhou, so he was unwilling to see Jiang Nian acknowledge his ancestors. In his view, Jiang Nian was a promising young man, and if he became a legitimate prince, given Emperor Taishun's current lack of heirs, he might very well be able to ascend the throne in the future.

In addition, he also hated Emperor Taishun and sympathized with Yuan Si. He deliberately instigated Yuan Shi to cause Emperor Taishun's two sons to fight each other.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past the window, rustling the bamboo leaves as if they were the cries of ghosts.

Yuan Shi clenched his fists, already harboring the idea of ​​bullying Jiang Nian immediately. He then took his leave, his back turning menacingly.

Prince Zhongshun watched him leave, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible sneer on his lips, before turning and heading towards the waterside pavilion.

As he entered the waterside pavilion, the sandalwood clappers on the stage were lightly tapped, and the sheng and xiao played mournful tunes as "The Dream of Nanke" continued to be sung.

He leaned back in his armchair, holding a gilded folding fan, his gaze fixed on the stage, but his mind wandered elsewhere.

Suddenly, I recalled the time I accompanied Emperor Jingning to listen to "The Dream of Nanke" at the Tang residence in Yangzhou, precisely when news of Yuan Li's assassination arrived. Looking at Yuan Shi's clenched teeth just now, it was clear he was truly enraged by Jiang Nian. Yuan Shi was always unrestrained and reckless, acting arrogantly because of his princely status; he was most likely going to cause trouble for Jiang Nian. Could it be that the fourth prince was about to lose another son? If so, was it the fourth prince's rebellious son Yuan Shi or the bastard Jiang Nian?
"Your Highness, do you find this excerpt 'The End of Love' to your liking?"

Seeing his master lost in thought, the guest beside him quickly inquired.

Prince Chungshun, regaining his senses, casually replied, "Good show, good show."

After saying this, he drank the remaining wine in one gulp, unconsciously stroking his beard and smiling.

……

……

After leaving the Prince Zhongshun's residence, Yuan Shi returned to his father-in-law's residence. His face was so gloomy it looked like water could be wrung out, and his brows were filled with murderous intent, which frightened everyone in the residence into holding their breath and lowering their heads, not daring to approach.

Suddenly, he shouted orders to fetch a knife, prepare a horse, and gather men.

Before long, a fine, dark green horse was brought in, along with a precious sword. The scabbard was dark and heavy, and when the blade was drawn, it gleamed coldly, making people's faces feel cold.

Yuan Shi snorted coldly, hung his sword at his waist, turned and mounted his horse, leading dozens of guards, personal soldiers and servants, some on horseback and some on foot, out of the Prince's mansion.

Under the blazing sun, Yuan Shi paid no heed and led his entourage straight to Ningrong Street in the west of the city. The crowd of people and vehicles on the street were startled and quickly gave way, while the timid ones hurriedly hid in the alleys.

Yuan Shi had long heard that Jiang Nian was the offspring of Emperor Taishun who had been separated from his family and was already quite convinced of it. However, he was always arrogant and considered himself a member of the imperial family. How could he possibly respect a "bastard" like Jiang Nian? In his eyes, in terms of social status, Jiang Nian was not even worthy of carrying his shoes.

Unfortunately, Jiang Nian gained the emperor's favor, serving as an imperial envoy three times and repeatedly achieving extraordinary feats, which made him, the current eldest son of the emperor, pale in comparison. This made him feel even more disgusted with Jiang Nian.

In his view, Jiang Nian had once again ruined his grand plan. If it weren't for Jiang Nian, his eighth uncle's scheme would have succeeded, and he would have been able to inherit the throne. Now that his eighth uncle's plan had failed, Emperor Taishun even told him bluntly, "I will not give you the throne, no matter who it is."

Unfortunately, he also learned that Emperor Taishun had bestowed the Ningguo Mansion upon Jiang Nian and assigned the emperor's personal guards to protect it. The Ningguo Mansion was even more prestigious than his father's mansion, clearly intended to allow Jiang Nian to be recognized as a member of the imperial family and included in the imperial genealogy.

He also believed that once Jiang Nian became a prince of the Mingtang Righteous Path, he might inherit the throne, while he himself would lose the opportunity to inherit the throne.

Yuan Shi grew increasingly resentful, gripping his riding whip tightly, his heart seemingly roaring: "Yuan Li used to be superior to me, but now that he's dead, is it going to be that bastard Jiang Nian who rides on my head again?"

He was by nature unrestrained and careless, but now, consumed by rage, he no longer cared about anything else. All he wanted was to storm the door and teach that bastard a lesson about the true meaning of "hierarchy"!
(End of this chapter)