The Red Mansion

Chapter 250 Yuan Yi Returns Home, Grandmother Jia Makes Way

After Yuan Yi had completed the family reunion at Changchun Garden, Emperor Taishun ordered Qi Jianyu, a second-class imperial bodyguard, to gather a squad of personal guards and prepare a magnificent prince's carriage to escort the newly crowned prince back to Ningguo Mansion.

Qi Jianyu was on good terms with Yuan Yi. Seeing Yuan Yi dressed in a light blue python robe and a golden jade belt, exuding both heroic spirit and natural nobility, Qi Jianyu quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully in front of everyone, saying loudly, "This humble servant Qi Jianyu greets Your Excellency!"

After the ceremony, he stood up and, taking advantage of the moment when those around him were not paying attention, took two steps closer and whispered to Yuan Yi, "This is truly a joyous occasion! Congratulations, sir!" His tone was filled with genuine joy that he could not contain.

In his mind, the once valiant and capable Lord Jiang had now become a prince, of unparalleled status, and his close relationship with this prince would naturally be of great benefit to him in the future.

Seeing Qi Jianyu's attitude, Yuan Yi felt a warmth in his heart, nodded slightly, and said in a low voice, "Thank you for your trouble."

Having said that, he boarded the magnificent prince's carriage. The interior was spacious, with soft cushions and a small table. Although the furnishings were not extravagant, they still exuded an imperial air.

The sun was blazing, and the bright sunlight poured down like molten gold, making Changchun Garden shine with dazzling colors.

The procession of carriages and horses slowly started, exited the garden gate, and stepped onto the official road in the western suburbs. The yellow earth on the road was scorching hot under the blazing sun, and the wheels of the carriages kicked up fine dust.

Yuan Yi rolled up the carriage curtain halfway, leaned against the window, and looked out the window. He saw willows hanging down by the roadside, fields and paths, and distant mountains covered in green.

He thought that he had only been in this world for less than three years, yet he was already wearing a python robe and his status as a prince was already established. Recalling the changes in these past three years, he felt as if he had lived through another world.

The carriages and horses moved in a winding path, and soon they entered the city gate of the western wall of the inner city of Shenjing.

The city was bustling with activity. The streets were wide, lined with shops, and the signs of restaurants and teahouses hung high. Vendors and laborers thronged the streets, and the sounds of hawking, shouting, and carriages mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Many passersby gave way and whispered among themselves as Yuan Yi's entourage passed by, wondering which noble person it was. Even the carriages and entourages of meritorious officials hurriedly made way upon learning that it was the prince's carriage.

Yuan Yi's gaze swept over the familiar street scenes. He had passed through these streets countless times. First, he was the commoner Jiang Nian; later, he became the third-rank imperial bodyguard Jiang Nian; then, the second-rank imperial bodyguard Jiang Nian. Although he was respected, in this capital city teeming with princes and ministers, he was ultimately not a great figure. But today, he was Prince Yuan Yi, a member of the imperial family whom even many princes and ministers had to show respect to. The same streets, the same prosperity, yet the feeling he evoked was different.

An indescribable sense of emotion welled up within him. He thought of his birth mother, Jiang Xuelian; of his forbearance and struggle since his transmigration; of the two emperors' gratified gazes in the warm pavilion of the Nine Classics and Three Affairs Hall today; and of Yuan Li and Yuan Shi… The strangeness of fate could not be greater. He had finally attained the honor and prestige of a prince, yet every step he took was fraught with peril.

The days to come will likely be filled with more magnificent waves and turbulent undercurrents!
The carriage passed through the bustling city and steadily made its way towards Ningguo Prefecture.

Yuan Yi turned his gaze away from the carriage, closed his eyes slightly, and wondered if his family already knew that he had become a prince. If they did, how would they react? If they didn't, how would they react when he returned today?
……

……

Emperor Taishun had issued an imperial edict in Changchun Garden an hour earlier, announcing Jiang Nian's status as a prince, bestowing upon him the name "Yuan Yi," and conferring upon him the title of Duke.

The news had not yet reached Ningrong Street. The Jiang family of Ningguo Mansion was unaware of it, nor was the Rongguo Mansion next door. They were all kept in the dark, unaware that a cataclysmic change had already occurred.

It was early noon, the sun was scorching, and the ground was shaded by trees.

Inside the Ningguo Mansion, the matriarch, Yuan Chun, was having a private conversation with Madam Meng in her room in her courtyard. She wore a casual silk shirt and a moon-white pleated skirt, her hair was slightly loose, and a layer of unyielding sorrow lingered between her brows.

“Good aunt, please tell me in detail what happened yesterday when the Thirteenth Prince suddenly summoned you and Guard He. Did the Prince… reveal any news about the master?”

Yuan Chun held a peony-patterned fan, but had no intention of waving it. She looked at Meng Shi and brought up the question she had asked yesterday again. She had already asked this question impatiently yesterday after He Yun and Meng Shi returned from meeting Prince Zhongyi.

Yesterday, He Yun and Lady Meng were summoned by Prince Zhongyi and questioned about Jiang Nian's origins. Although Prince Zhongyi did not explicitly state the crucial secret of "recognizing one's ancestors," He Yun deduced seven or eight parts of the truth from the context and the deeper meaning of the questions. However, Prince Zhongyi strictly ordered that the matters inquired about concerned the imperial family's dignity and must not be revealed to the outside world.

Therefore, when He Yun and Meng returned yesterday, they could only give vague answers to Yuan Chun's urgent questions, saying only that "it's not a bad thing, Master will definitely return safely."

When Yuan Chun asked again, Meng Shi felt somewhat embarrassed and hurriedly replied respectfully, "Good Grandmother, it's not that I intended to hide it, but... it's that the Thirteenth Prince gave a strict order that this matter is confidential, and that my husband and I must not divulge a single word to anyone. I hope Grandmother will understand." As she spoke, a pleading look appeared on her face.

Yuan Chun sighed softly, placing the peony fan on the table. Her voice was tinged with weariness and helplessness: "How could I not know your difficulties? I shouldn't have pressed you like this. But... Master has been gone for three days without returning. How can I not worry? Everyone in the family is in a state of panic, whispering among themselves. As the mistress of the house, if I could get confirmation, I could put people at ease."

Seeing Yuan Chun's state, Madam Meng felt a pang of pity and quickly said with a forced smile, "Madam, please don't worry! Although I can't explain in detail, I can guarantee it's not a disaster. Master will definitely return safely soon!"

Yuan Chun nodded. Although she had long believed that Jiang Nian was most likely a prince, she had not expected that Jiang Nian's detention at Changchun Garden was due to his return to the imperial family. For a member of the imperial family who had fallen into obscurity to return to the imperial family and become a true prince was truly astonishing. It had never happened since the founding of the Great Qing Dynasty, and it was extremely rare even in the thousands of years of Chinese history.

Just then, Madam Feng lifted the curtain and came in, bowing and saying, "Grandma, lunch has been set out in the inner hall. Please come and have your meal."

According to the Jiang family rules, breakfast is served earlier and dinner is served later, but a proper meal is still served at noon.

It's lunchtime now.

Yuan Chun stood up and said to Meng Shi, "Alright, let's eat first. We have to take care of ourselves and wait for Master to return."

……

……

Grandmother Jia had been frequently troubled lately, and since hearing that Jiang Nian had offended the Third Prince and was being detained by the Emperor in Changchun Garden, her anxiety had only intensified. She worried not only about Yuan Chun's misfortune but also about the potential repercussions for the Rongguo Mansion. Therefore, Grandmother Jia specifically ordered that she would go to a temple outside the capital today to offer incense and pray for Buddha's protection. Upon hearing this news, all the women in the mansion wished to go with her.

It was early noon, and the blazing sun made the streets scorching hot.

A procession of carriages and horses was heading towards the east entrance of Ningrong Street. It was Grandmother Jia and her entourage returning from offering incense and praying at the temples and monasteries outside the city.

Grandmother Jia rode alone in a large sedan chair with eight people, while Lady Wang and Li Wan each rode in a sedan chair with four people. Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun rode together in a red-wheeled carriage with a canopy, and a group of maids rode in several small carriages with blue silk.

Jia Lian rode a tall horse to lead the way, followed by a large group of servants, making a grand procession.

Just as they reached the east entrance of Ningrong Street, they suddenly saw a procession of carriages approaching from the opposite direction, with a distinguished entourage and solemn attendants. Leading the procession was a man on horseback dressed in the uniform of a guard, none other than Qi Jianyu, a second-class imperial bodyguard. Behind him followed a group of guards and personal soldiers, surrounding a magnificent and ornately decorated carriage that gleamed in the bright sun.

Upon seeing this spectacle, Jia Lian was startled. He quickly dismounted and stepped forward, bowing to Qi Jianyu on horseback with a smile, saying, "Guard Qi, which distinguished guest has graced us with their presence today? Why such a grand entourage?" He knew Qi Jianyu.

Qi Jianyu bowed slightly from his horse, his voice clear and resonant enough for everyone around to hear: "The person inside the carriage is the current prince, who has been ordered to return to his residence."

"A prince?" Jia Lian was taken aback. He quickly thought to himself, "It must be the Third Prince who has come to Ningrong Street again. Could it be that he has come to deliver an imperial edict to punish the Jiang family?"
Just as he was wondering, he suddenly saw the curtain of the magnificent carriage being lifted by a hand, revealing a face he knew all too well—who else could it be but Jiang Nian?!
Upon closer inspection, Jia Lian was stunned into silence. He saw that Jiang Nian was wearing a light blue python robe, the kind only princes of the imperial family could wear, with a golden sash inlaid with rubies around her waist!
What... what's going on? How come Jiang Nian is dressed in prince's robes and sitting in a prince's carriage?
Jia Lian stood there dumbfounded, like a clay sculpture, his mind buzzing, completely unable to comprehend the bizarre scene before him.

Not only him, but some servants in the Rongguo Mansion's procession also saw the face and clothing of the person inside the carriage. Immediately, a suppressed gasp of surprise and whispers arose, and everyone looked horrified, unable to believe their eyes.

Before Jia Lian could recover, Qi Jianyu spoke again, his tone polite but carrying an unquestionable air: "I am here on imperial orders to escort the prince back to his residence, and I need to enter Ningrong Street from here. Please do me the favor."

Jia Lian then seemed to snap out of his daze, shivering violently. He hurriedly bowed and made way, his voice trembling slightly: "Of...of course! Of course, Your Highness should go first! Please! Please come quickly!"

Grandmother Jia was the wife of a first-rank duke, practically a lady of a higher rank. Even so, when she happened to encounter the imperial carriage on the road, she had no choice but to step aside and give way—this was an ironclad rule of etiquette!

Jia Lian hurriedly turned around and waved his hands repeatedly, signaling his carriages and people to retreat quickly.

This commotion startled Grandmother Jia, who was resting with her eyes closed. Suddenly, she noticed that the sedan chair had stopped moving and there was a lot of noise outside. Surprised, she lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out.

Just then, Qi Jianyu waved his hand, and the guards escorted the magnificent prince's carriage, which slowly started moving and turned into Ningrong Street. Yuan Yi, inside the carriage, glanced out and met the gaze of Grandmother Jia, who was peeking out from behind the curtain!

Grandmother Jia was taken aback—could the person inside the carriage be Jiang Nian?!

After Yuan Yi and his entourage of carriages and ceremonial attendants entered Ningrong Street in a grand procession, Jia Lian hurriedly went to the side of the eight-person sedan chair carrying Grandmother Jia, and called out to the window, "Grandmother."

The curtains were drawn back, and Grandmother Jia, sitting inside, looked on with surprise and doubt. She asked Jia Lian anxiously, "Lian'er! Just now... just now, was the person sitting in that carriage... was it my old eyes playing tricks on me? I thought... I thought it looked like Nian-ge'er?"

Jia Lian hurriedly leaned close to the sedan window, lowered his voice, but his tone was full of disbelief: "Grandma, you didn't see wrong! The person sitting in that carriage is indeed our son-in-law! But... but for some reason, he... he's wearing the robes of a prince! The imperial guard himself said that he was escorting the prince back to the mansion by imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt a buzzing in her ears, and her body involuntarily leaned back, falling back into the soft cushions.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't speak for a long time. Her heart was in turmoil: "It's true! The rumors that were circulating in secret were not false! He... he really does have the blood of the imperial family! Now he has been recognized by the Emperor and has become a prince in a proper and respectable way!"

This news was earth-shattering. Even though she had seen a lot in life, she was still shaken and unable to control herself.

Leaving aside the shock on Grandmother Jia's side, let's talk about how Yuan Yi's carriage arrived outside the gate of Ningguo Mansion.

Dong Feng, who was guarding the gate, and another servant were bored when they suddenly saw such a grand procession rushing towards the gate. They were startled at first, but when they saw that the person sitting in the carriage and dressed in the robes of a prince was their own master, Dong Feng was so shocked that he almost bit his tongue. When he learned that his master had returned as a prince, a surge of joy rushed to his head!

Immediately, Dong Feng escorted Yuan Yi into the mansion, while another gatekeeper rushed inside to announce his arrival.

Yuan Yi alighted from his carriage outside the main gate and entered the mansion. At that moment, a group of imperial guards stationed inside the mansion, having heard the news, quickly lined up in the main courtyard, standing solemnly and respectfully. A group of members of the Jiang family also rushed over, including He Yun and Meng Xiong.

Although He Yun had already made a guess when he met Prince Zhongyi yesterday, he was still overwhelmed with joy when he saw Jiang Nian return in his imperial robes and jade belt.

Meng Xiong stared wide-eyed, stunned for a long while, before suddenly coming to his senses. He slapped his thigh with his large, fan-like hand, almost cheering, his face contorted with ecstasy.

Only after seeing Yuan Yi enter Ningguo Mansion did Jia Lian dare to signal the Rongguo Mansion's carriages to start moving, and they carefully turned from the east entrance of the street into Ningrong Street.

Jia Lian dared not ride a horse ostentatiously, and instead followed on foot beside Grandmother Jia's sedan chair.

As the group passed through the gates of the Ningguo Mansion, they saw the emperor's personal guards standing solemnly outside, their hands on their swords, their presence imposing. Everyone in the Rongguo Mansion was awestruck by this display, holding their breath and daring not to utter a sound.

Jia Lian involuntarily raised his head and looked at the lintel of the Ningguo Mansion—the place where the imperial plaque "Imperial Construction of Ningguo Mansion" used to hang high had been empty since Jia Zhen was convicted, leaving only a few nail marks, making it look particularly desolate.

However, at this moment, as Jia Lian gazed at the empty lintel, an indescribable sigh welled up in his heart: "Truly, the universe is unpredictable! Who would have thought that Jiang Nian was actually a prince! Now, this long-silent East Mansion will become a prince's residence in the blink of an eye!"

He was filled with trepidation, yet also with a strange sense of anticipation, as he led the Rongguo Mansion's carriages and horses silently toward the West Mansion, leaving only the solemn atmosphere in front of the Ningguo Mansion.

(End of this chapter)