The Red Mansion

Chapter 251 Yuan Chun Welcomes Her, Grandmother Jia Scolds Her
At noon, the sun was blazing overhead, and sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the inner hall of the Ningguo Mansion.

The only sound in the hall was the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

The mistress, Yuan Chun, sat at the head of the table, while Meng Shi, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and Xing Xiuyan sat below her, all silently eating their lunch, following the rule of "not speaking while eating."

The maids and servants standing around, including Xiangling, Baoqin, Xiren, Ying'er, Hongxia, Qianxue, and Madam Feng, all held their breath.

As concubines, Xue Baochai and Jing Qing were not entitled to sit and dine with Yuan Chun. However, when Jiang Nian was not at home, Yuan Chun would sometimes make a point of having the two of them dine together, as was the case today.

Just as they were quietly eating, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and then the curtain was flung open, and Jingqing's mother, Madam Du, strode in. Her face was radiant with joy, and she disregarded all formalities, giving Yuanchun a slight curtsy before exclaiming, "Grandma! What a joyous occasion! Master is back!"

Yuan Chun, who was holding a bamboo shoot tip in her chopsticks, quickly tossed it back into her bowl and put down her chopsticks upon hearing this. Her eyes lit up with surprise, and she eagerly asked, "Really?"

Madam Du was so excited that she couldn't speak coherently: "Not only that! Grandma! Master... he actually came back wearing a prince's robe! It's being said outside that our Master was originally the current emperor's son who had been living among the common people, but now he has returned to the family and become a proper prince!"

These words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving all the women in the room dumbfounded!
For a moment, all movement in the hall came to a standstill. The women wondered if they had misheard because of the heat and tinnitus, or if Madam Du was delirious with joy and talking nonsense.

Yuan Chun suddenly stood up, her beautiful eyes wide open, her voice trembling: "You... what did you say? Your Highness?!"

Madam Du said, "Grandma, how could I dare to speak nonsense about such a momentous matter? I didn't believe it at first either, but just now someone outside ran in to report that they saw it with their own eyes, and it's absolutely true!"

Yuan Chun stood frozen in place, as if carved from clay or wood, a tidal wave of emotions surging within her. Surprise, realization, and disbelief intertwined within her: "So my husband... he really does possess dragon blood! And now he's already a prince! This... this is truly..."

She was overwhelmed with emotion and almost burst into tears.

Although Meng had heard her husband He Yun speculate about this matter privately yesterday and was somewhat prepared, she was still overjoyed to hear the news become a reality. She put her hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer.

The women in the room slowly recovered from their extreme shock, and a chorus of suppressed gasps and gasps filled the air.

The usually dignified and composed Xue Baochai was momentarily speechless with shock. Her lips parted slightly, her face filled with astonishment. In an instant, she realized, "So that's it! No wonder Master's fate is so extraordinary! He's not the son of the Thirteenth Prince, but... he's actually the bloodline of the current Emperor! I was truly blind..."

Jing Qing stood there blankly, a sentence echoing in her mind: "The prince... the prince... I am actually the prince's concubine?" For a moment, she didn't know if she was dreaming or awake.

The silence that had kept everyone quiet in the inner hall was broken, replaced by an almost boiling atmosphere of astonishment, ecstasy, and disbelief.

The scorching summer sun streamed into the hall, illuminating everyone's faces, as if foreshadowing something...

When Yuan Chun heard that her husband had returned as a prince, her heart had already flown away. She wished she could immediately abandon all rules and rush to the outer residence to welcome her master, her prince!
However, she was, after all, a virtuous and courteous woman who had served as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager and had been in charge of the Jiang family's inner chambers for over a year. In a flash, she suppressed her surging joy and eagerness, knowing that things were different now. Her husband was now a prince, and as his principal wife, she had to be dignified and proper in every word and deed, and could not lose the dignity and etiquette of the royal family.

She took a deep breath, steadying her slightly trembling voice, and instructed Madam Feng and Madam Du to quickly go and greet the young master. Madam Feng and Madam Du hurriedly agreed and left.

Yuan Chun looked around at everyone again, her voice returning to its usual calm: "Aunt Meng, Sister Xue, Sister Jing, Sister Xiuyan, please come with me to the eaves to greet them."

After saying this, she led Meng Shi, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Xing Xiuyan and a group of maids out of the inner hall and stood with her hands at her sides under the vermilion corridor.

Inside the hall, the food on the table was still steaming, but who could possibly eat at this moment? Everyone craned their necks to look at the small door leading to the front hall and courtyard, some of them still feeling as if their hearts were pounding.

After a moment, Feng, Du and others escorted a person through a small door on the side of the hall and stepped into the inner courtyard.

The sunlight blazed down, illuminating the man directly—who wore a dark autumn-colored python robe, its color dignified and luxurious. A golden sash cinched his waist, adorned with four gold plaques inlaid with blood-red gemstones, their brilliance dazzling the eye. Who else could it be but Jiang Nian?
But now he was Prince Yuan Yi, dressed in a python robe and jade belt, exuding heroic spirit and noble dignity, a far cry from the imperial guard he had been when he left three days ago.

At this moment, Yuan Chun, Meng Shi, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Xing Xiuyan, and all the maids felt their eyes light up, as if a celestial being had descended to earth. They were all stunned, frozen in place, forgetting to breathe and move.

Yuan Chun snapped out of her daze. She suppressed the turmoil of emotions surging within her and hurried forward to meet him. Yuan Yi had already seen her; his gaze was gentle, and he approached her with a smile.

When the two approached each other, Yuan Chun couldn't help but ask, "Why are you dressed like this, sir?"

Yuan Yi smiled slightly: "I am the bloodline of the current emperor. I have been blessed by the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor. Now the Emperor has issued an edict to announce that I am a prince and bestow upon me the name 'Yuan Yi'."

Although the women had already heard about this, they were still shocked once again to hear him say it to their faces.

Seeing that he had personally confirmed the matter, Yuan Chun knelt down deeply and performed a most respectful curtsy. Her voice trembled slightly with barely suppressed excitement, but remained clear: "Your Highness... I respectfully welcome you back to the manor! May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

Those words, "This concubine," "Your Highness," and "May you be blessed with ten thousand blessings and peace," were like a wake-up call.

In an instant, Meng Shi, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Xing Xiuyan, and all the maids and servants suddenly realized what was happening and knelt down to perform the etiquette expected of the prince. Their voices were uneven, but they were all extremely respectful.

Yuan Yi reached out to help Yuan Chun up, saying, "Get up, no need for such formalities."

Yuan Chun raised her head at his gesture, her eyes blurred with tears as she carefully examined the person before her. He still had those familiar sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a straight nose and thin lips, and a tall and upright figure. However, his magnificent princely attire accentuated his noble bearing, making him appear both majestic and awe-inspiring.

As she watched, Yuan Chun, who had been holding back her tears for so long, could no longer hold them back and they rolled down her cheeks. She didn't bother to wipe them away, and just choked out, "It's good that you're back...it's good that you're back...but this...this is really..." She was crying tears of joy and couldn't speak properly.

These tears contained the worries and anxieties of the past three days, but also the immense joy and relief of seeing the clouds part and the moon shine brightly, a sign of the husband's success and the wife's honor.

The blazing sunlight shone on her tears, on her husband's new clothes and status, and seemed to illuminate the extraordinary future that this family would henceforth hold.

At that moment, Yuan Chun, Meng Shi, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Xing Xiuyan, and a group of maids and servants surrounded Yuan Yi as if he were surrounded by stars.

Yuan Yi's gaze swept across the dining table. Seeing the cups and plates laid out and the food still warm, he turned to Yuan Chun with a gentle smile, his tone as relaxed as ever: "I was actually feeling hungry. Perfect timing, just in time for home-cooked meals." Seeing that although his status had suddenly risen, he was not arrogant or distant in his speech, but still gentle and considerate, Yuan Chun's unease immediately dissipated. She smiled sweetly and replied softly, "Master, you've returned just in time, it's still warm."

Her words were perfectly measured; she neither addressed him as "Your Highness," which sounded rather odd, nor as "Master." Yuan Chun knew that since her husband had now been recognized as a prince, according to the royal family's seniority, he was no longer "Master."

Immediately, Yuan Yi took the seat of honor at the head of the table, with Yuan Chun attending him at his side.

Yuan Yi looked at Madam Meng, smiled slightly, and said, "Please sit down, Auntie."

Madam Meng hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare. Master and Madam are having their meal, and I will serve them from the side."

Yuan Yi smiled and said, "Auntie, there's no need to be so formal. Sit down and have some with me."

Meng then apologized and sat down at the lower end of the table, leaning to one side.

Yuan Yi's gaze shifted and landed on Xing Xiuyan, saying, "Miss Xing, please sit down as well."

Xing Xiuyan, caught off guard by being called out, panicked like a startled deer, waving her hands frantically, her face flushed, her voice barely audible: "No... I wouldn't dare, this humble woman wouldn't dare..."

She was originally a guest, never expecting to sit at the same table as a prince.

Seeing her embarrassment, Yuan Yi invited her again with a gentle smile: "I have just returned today, so there is no need for such formalities. Please sit down."

Xing Xiuyan then nervously and cautiously leaned half her body against the edge of the stool.

Yuan Yi, with his sharp eyes, noticed five sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, all filled with food, clearly left behind when he hurriedly got up to greet them. Understanding the situation, he asked Yuan Chun, "How many of you were eating here just now?"

Yuan Chun hurriedly replied, "It is me, Madam Meng, Miss Xing, and also Sister Xue and Sister Jing."

Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Yi smiled and looked at Xue Baochai and Jing Qing, who were standing to the side, and said, "In that case, you two should sit down and have a meal together."

Xue Baochai quickly straightened her clothes and bowed, saying, "This humble servant dares not overstep her bounds."

When Jingqing saw Xue Baochai referring to herself as "this humble servant," she followed suit with the same modest term.

Yuan Yi smiled and said, "Although etiquette is important, we are here at home today, and I asked you to sit, so please sit." Although his tone was gentle, it carried an unquestionable air.

Xue Baochai and Jing Qing dared not immediately agree, and both looked up at Yuan Chun with pleading eyes. Yuan Chun understood, nodded slightly, and said, "Since the master has spoken, you two should sit down, and not disappoint the master's consideration." The two then responded softly, "Yes," and sat down respectfully in the lower seats.

The banquet was reopened in an instant.

Xiangling busily served Yuan Yi fragrant rice, while Baoqin quietly stepped forward and gently placed a pair of chopsticks beside him. Yuan Chun then personally picked up a soup ladle and prepared a clear chicken and bamboo shoot soup for Yuan Yi.

Yuan Yi was truly hungry, so he didn't say much, picked up his chopsticks, and quietly began to eat.

Yuan Chun watched him quietly from the side. Seeing that he was eating with relish, she had many questions and feelings that she wanted to express immediately. However, seeing that he was focused on eating and not talking, she suppressed her words and just silently accompanied him. Occasionally, she would serve him a piece of his favorite vegetables and quietly eat some food herself.

The inner hall was silent for a moment, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Sunlight streamed quietly through the window lattice, casting a subtle shimmer on the python pattern on Yuan Yi's robe and giving this unusual lunch a strange and dignified glow.

……

……

After the Rongguo Mansion's entourage returned to the Rongguo Mansion via the Ningguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia alighted from her eight-person sedan chair. Her face was grave, and without even taking a break, she directly instructed Jia Lian: "Go, immediately summon the eldest master and the eldest mistress to Rongqing Hall to see me!" Her voice revealed a rare urgency and anxiety.

At this moment, only Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the head maid Yuanyang were in Rongqing Hall.

Yuanyang was carefully massaging Grandmother Jia's legs with her fists, but she noticed that Grandmother Jia was distracted and was tightly gripping her cane with one hand.

Jiang Nian's sudden return as a prince greatly shocked Grandmother Jia, who was filled with regret—if only she had known this would happen, why had she so coldly offended the other household? Now that he had risen to prominence and become a member of the imperial family, their relationship had become so distant! However, mixed with her regret was an indescribable expectation; after all, they were still in-laws connected by blood…

Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, he heard the curtain rustle and Jia Lian led Jia She and Madam Xing in.

Both Jia She and Madam Xing looked ashen-faced and fearful, clearly having heard the earth-shattering news and still in shock.

The two had barely stepped into the hall, before they could even bow and pay their respects, when Grandmother Jia, unable to contain herself any longer, launched into a tirade: "You two muddle-headed, heartless wretches! Do you see what's happening now? I've repeatedly warned you, but you've ignored me! Time and again you've offended Nian-ge... offended Yuan-chun and our son-in-law! You've driven a perfectly good family to the brink of estrangement! And now, Yuan-chun's husband has become a prince, a prince has returned! You... you've truly ruined the fortunes of my Rongguo Mansion!"

Jia She and Madam Xing were thoroughly scolded and stood with their hands hanging down, feeling extremely depressed.

Jia She finally couldn't hold back any longer and muttered in defense, "Grandma, please calm down... It's just... it's just that this matter is too strange! Out of the blue, how did that little... that Jiang Nian suddenly become a prince? This... this is too abrupt..."

Grandmother Jia slammed her cane down in anger and snorted, "Hmph! Strange? Unexpected? Now that things have come to this, I'm not afraid to tell you. I've heard rumors about this matter before, but since it concerns the imperial bloodline, it's a top secret. How could I dare to believe it or speak recklessly! Now the rumors have simply been confirmed! I only regret that you are all blind!"

Upon hearing this, Jia She opened his mouth but could not utter a sound, only a look of fear on his face.

(End of this chapter)