The Red Mansion

Chapter 252 The birth mother was reburied and posthumously granted the title of Consort.

Grandmother Jia then turned sharply to Madam Xing, her gaze like a knife, and said sternly, "You are even more muddle-headed! For the sake of that girl from your Xing family named Xiuyan, you have gone to her door time and time again to cause trouble! Hearing that the Prince has been away from home for the past three days, you have become even more smug? You even went to her door to ask for it again? Do you still want to ask for it now?"

When Madam Xing's secret was exposed, her face turned ashen.

It turned out that during the three days Jiang Nian was detained at Changchun Garden, Madam Xing went to the Jiang family twice to demand Xing Xiuyan. First, she sent Wang Shanbao's wife to ask for her, but she was rebuffed. Then, she couldn't resist and went herself. However, Yuan Chun gritted her teeth and refused to budge, and the Jiang family was guarded by a group of imperial guards, so Madam Xing failed to get her way.

Grandmother Jia grew angrier as she spoke, and glared at Jia She again: "Look at the state of things now! They've become princes and nobles, yet they treat us like strangers! Just now, I ran into them at the street corner, and their princely carriage went straight past without even a greeting! They clearly hold a grudge against us! You... tell me, what should we do now? How can we salvage this situation?"

Jia She felt as if his mind was a tangled mess, feeling both suffocated and blocked. He stammered for a long time but couldn't utter a single word in response.

Grandmother Jia then looked at Jia Lian: "Lian'er, you usually have some ideas, what do you say?"

Jia Lian also looked troubled, and stammered with his head down, "Grandson...Grandson can't think of a perfect solution for the moment..."

Seeing that the father and son couldn't come up with a solution, Grandmother Jia sighed deeply, closed her eyes and pondered for a moment before slowly saying to Lady Wang, "Now we can only rely on the Second Master and you. When the Second Master returns from his duty at the yamen today, let him take you to that mansion for a visit. You two are, after all, Yuan Chun's parents, and the prince's parents-in-law. The prince should... he should at least give you some face..."

Madam Wang nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Jia She and Madam Xing became even more depressed.

……

……

Since Grandmother Jia and her entourage returned from outside, the news that "Jiang Nian has actually become a prince" has stirred up a thousand waves in the Rongguo Mansion. It quickly spread to every corner of the mansion. Whether masters or servants, everyone gathered in groups of three or five, whispering and discussing this earth-shattering event.

Li Wan was always a quiet and dutiful woman. She lived as a widow with her son Jia Lan and spent her days doing needlework, teaching her son to read, and keeping the young ladies company.

She sat alone by the window, holding a needle and thread in her hand, but did not move a single stitch for a long time.

She had long harbored the idea that Jiang Nian was both scholarly and martial, young and promising, and had a bright future. She wanted her son, Jia Lan, to get closer to him and learn from him. However, she hesitated because of her status as a widow and feared what others would say.

Now that she had suddenly heard that Jiang Nian had become a prince, the thought in her mind immediately grew wildly like spring grass: "Heavens! He's actually a prince! If Lan'er could win his favor, wouldn't her future be bright..."

Thinking about this, I felt both excited and regretful, regretting that I shouldn't have made up my mind sooner.

The three sisters, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun, were gathered in Yingchun's room.

Yingchun twisted her handkerchief in her hands and murmured, "No wonder my eldest sister was born on the first day of the first lunar month! Her husband has become a prince, and she is the prince's wife. What a blessing... it's truly enviable!" Her tone was full of admiration.

Tan Chun's eyes shone brightly: "So that's how it is! I've always wondered how my brother-in-law could gain such favor from the Emperor, becoming an Imperial Envoy three times at such a young age, his promotions were so astonishing. Now I understand, the root of it all is here! He's a descendant of the dragon and phoenix who was lost abroad, and now that he's returned to his ancestral home, he's truly soared to the heavens!" In addition to envy, she felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Even though Xichun was aloof and cold-hearted, she was stunned and speechless. She felt that this matter was as bizarre as a play, and she stared wide-eyed.

Lin Zhixiao's wife was talking to her husband, Lin Zhixiao, and sighed, "Oh dear! We've really missed out on a great opportunity! Before, we only thought that we should treat this son-in-law as politely as possible, never thinking of actually trying to curry favor with him. Now look what's happened, he's become a prince! We've missed a tremendous opportunity! If we had been more diligent and tried to curry favor with him earlier, wouldn't we have benefited from it?"

Lin Zhixiao sighed and lamented, filled with regret.

The other servants of the Rongguo Mansion were all talking about it. Some marveled at the unpredictability of the heavens and the cruel twists of fate; some envied the servants of the Rongguo Mansion who had accompanied Yuan Chun in her dowry, now serving the imperial family; and the more opportunistic ones were already secretly plotting how to curry favor with Yuan Chun and the prince in that mansion.

The entire Rongguo Mansion, from masters to servants, seemed to be stirred by this sudden news. A complex emotion filled the air, a mixture of shock, envy, regret, and anticipation. In the past, some might have looked down on or been distant from the Jiang family, but now they were all awestruck and attracted by the imposing aura of the title "Prince."

……

……

Inside the Ningguo Mansion, after finishing lunch, Yuan Yi prepared to take a bath.

He was detained in Changchun Garden for three days. Although his food and drink were fine, he was not allowed to bathe. Today, in the garden, Emperor Taishun ordered him to change into the clothes of a prince to recognize his relatives, but he did not pay attention to such a small matter as bathing.

Yuan Chun hurriedly ordered someone to prepare fragrant hot water in the bathroom, and then she and Xiang Ling went into the bathroom together to serve her.

The bathroom was filled with the warm, fragrant scent of sandalwood soap. The tub rippled gently with lukewarm water, and a small stool, towels, and scented soap were laid out beside it. Yuan Chun personally untied Yuan Yi's golden, jewel-encrusted sash and removed his autumn-colored python robe, her movements exceptionally gentle and soothing. Xiang Ling stood respectfully to his side.

Yuan Chun gazed at her husband's slightly weary yet undeniably intelligent profile, her heart filled with many questions and emotions she wanted to express immediately—why was he a dragon's offspring? How had he spent these past three days? What were the details of his return to the clan?
However, before she could even ask, Yuan Yi gently waved his hand, sank into the warm, fragrant bath, and let out a satisfied sigh: "I haven't had a proper bath for the past three days, and I'm feeling quite uncomfortable. Let me enjoy this moment of refreshment for now. I know what you're saying, and I'll tell you in detail after I've bathed and changed."

Yuan Chun smiled and nodded, her heart filled with both eagerness and tenderness for her husband's hard work over the past three days. She focused solely on serving him, and together with Xiang Ling, used a soft towel dipped in fragrant water to gently wash him. Yuan Yi closed his eyes to rest, letting the warm water wash away the sweat and dust of the past few days, his brow gradually relaxing.

After he finished bathing, Yuan Chun and Xiang Ling quickly used a soft towel to dry his body and changed him into clean clothes that had been prepared beforehand.

After getting ready, Yuan Yi felt completely refreshed and invigorated. The gloom from three days of detention vanished, replaced by a sense of composure and power in control of his destiny.

Yuan Yi took Yuan Chun with him and they headed towards his inner study. Xiang Ling and Bao Qin followed quietly behind, one carrying a tea tray and the other a kettle of hot water.

This inner study is located on the east side of the main courtyard, forming its own courtyard. Small and quiet, it truly deserves the name "studio." The studio comprises three rooms, currently simply furnished without excessive ornamentation. Inside is a large rosewood desk and two official's hat chairs. The desk is fully equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, but lacks any extraneous objects. There are also bookshelves and bookcases, though not yet full, appearing somewhat empty and suggesting that they will need to be gradually filled in later. On the wall hangs only a single ink landscape painting, its imagery vast and desolate. Although the entire study is not luxurious, it exudes a tranquil and scholarly atmosphere.

Upon entering the room, Xiangling quickly poured two cups of freshly brewed tea, their aroma wafting through the air, and offered them to Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun. Yuan Yi then said to Xiangling and Baoqin, "You two don't need to serve us here for now. Go and wait." The two quickly replied, "Yes," lowered their heads, and quietly withdrew.

For a time, only Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun, the husband and wife, remained in the study.

Yuan Yi then explained to Yuan Chun in detail that he was of imperial blood, how the retired emperor and the emperor made the decision, how Prince Zhongyi reviewed the case, and how the imperial decree was finally issued to return him to his ancestral lineage.

Yuan Chun listened intently, noticing the details and key points, and was repeatedly surprised and amazed. After Yuan Yi finished speaking, she couldn't help but sigh softly, and subconsciously followed etiquette, saying, "I...only today did I realize that there were such twists and turns in it."

Yuan Yi reached out and gently took her soft hand in his, his gaze warm, and said softly, "From now on, when we are alone, you can refer to yourself as 'I'. There's no need to keep using the word 'concubine' all the time. That's just a formality. Between you and me, husband and wife, there's no need to be so formal."

The etiquette and laws of Daqing followed the Ming system, placing great emphasis on titles and ranks. Even the principal wife of a prince had to refer to herself as "concubine" in front of her husband to show humility; and the prince's concubines also referred to themselves as "concubine," and sometimes even as "slave concubine."

For example, today, Xue Baochai and Jing Qing refer to themselves as "slave concubines" to highlight Yuan Chun's status as the mistress of the house, in order to comply with the etiquette of the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Now, it is permissible for Yuan Yi and Xu Yuanchun to refrain from referring to themselves as "concubine" in their private interactions.

This thoughtfulness and care warmed Yuan Chun's heart.

Seeing her husband's amiable demeanor, Yuan Chun relaxed and smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling with a rare playfulness. She asked, "In that case, how should I... address you, Your Highness, the esteemed prince?"

Seeing her radiant smile, Yuan Yi was also pleased and said with a smile, "For now, let's just call you 'Master'. 'Prince' sounds a bit distant and strange. We can change it after the temple ceremony and investiture ceremony in three days."

Yuan Chun nodded obediently.

After the temple ceremony, the Imperial Clan Court would, according to Emperor Taishun's decree, record Yuan Yi's bestowed name, title, and brief information about his birth mother in the imperial genealogy under Emperor Taishun's name.

According to the order of seniority, Yuan Yi will be the new "Fourth Prince" of the Taishun Dynasty, and will then be called "Fourth Master". As for the deceased Yuan Li, his order of seniority will be moved down one place, making him the deceased Fifth Prince.

After the investiture ceremony, Yuan Yi will once again be a duke in name and in fact be called "Lord Duke of the County," which is equivalent to the "Prince of Beizi" in his previous life during the Qing Dynasty.

As she pondered, Yuan Chun suddenly smiled and said, "My lord, please forgive my impertinence, but your name has suddenly changed from 'Jiang Nian' to 'Yuan Yi,' and I'm really not used to it yet."

Yuan Yi also smiled and said, "It's alright, you'll get used to it."

He knew in his heart that more than ten years ago, when the original owner was born, the then fourth prince, Emperor Taishun, had already named the child "Yuan Yi." To conceal his identity, he was given the name "Jiang Nian." Tracing back to the source, he was originally "Yuan Yi"!
After Yuan Yi recounted his own affairs to Yuan Chun, he inquired about the situation at home over the past three days. Yuan Chun selectively recounted some of the events, deliberately omitting the fact that Madam Xing had come to ask for Xing Xiuyan again, even though she knew that even if she didn't say anything, her husband would find out through others.

After listening, Yuan Yi pondered for a moment and then ordered someone to summon He Yun and his wife, Madam Meng, to the inner study.

Before long, He Yun and Madam Meng arrived, lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun there, they hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Master and Madam."

Yuan Yi told the two of them to stand up and said with a smile, "I called you here because there are two things I wanted to tell you first."

He Yun bowed and said, "Please give your orders, sir."

Yuan Yi said, "Today, His Majesty personally told me that he wishes to promote you to the rank of Second-Class Imperial Guard."

Upon hearing this, both He Yun and Meng were overjoyed.

He Yun was promoted from a fifth-rank Imperial Guard to a third-rank fifth-rank Imperial Bodyguard in just half a year, and now he is about to skip two ranks and be promoted to a second-rank fourth-rank Imperial Bodyguard! This speed of promotion is truly rare.

The couple immediately knelt down with a thud and kowtowed towards Changchun Garden to express their gratitude. After the ceremony, they turned to Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun to thank them: "Thank you for your guidance and support, Master! Thank you for your care and support, Madam!"

In detail, this was a reward that He Yun deserved. More than ten years ago, he was already a confidant of Emperor Taishun. If he had not been ordered to infiltrate and protect Jiang Xuelian and Jiang Nian back then, and had he served Emperor Taishun for more than ten years, given his loyalty and talent, he would probably have become a first-class imperial bodyguard.

Now that the clouds have parted and the sun has risen, Yuan Yi has returned to his roots, and He Yun's years of hard work have finally been rewarded.

Yuan Yi accepted their greetings and then said, "There is one more matter. Today, His Majesty issued an edict, in addition to my return to the ancestral home and my investiture, also posthumously conferring upon my birth mother the rank of Consort." His tone was slightly somber, with a hint of solemnity. "His Majesty intends to move my birth mother's mausoleum from Niushou Mountain in Jiangning to His Majesty's Consort Garden Mausoleum, to restore her proper status. His Majesty has approved of this and has dispatched you and your husband to Jiangning to handle this matter."

Emperor Taishun's edict today indeed included the posthumous conferment of the title of Consort on Yuan Yi's birth mother, Jiang Xuelian. This move serves two purposes: to establish a complete, legitimate, and entirely new lineage for the new prince Yuan Yi, thus "whitewashing" and reshaping his past identity; and to follow the traditional etiquette of "honoring the mother when the son is honored," thus comforting the spirit of the deceased in heaven.

He Yun and Meng Shi's expressions immediately hardened. They knew that this matter concerned the imperial family's dignity and Yuan Yi's reputation, and they could not be negligent. Moreover, the two of them had a deep relationship with Jiang Xuelian.

The two kowtowed again, and He Yun solemnly said, "Our humble husband and I thank the Emperor for his grace! We are deeply grateful to His Majesty and Your Highness for entrusting us with such an important matter. We will do our utmost, even if it means sacrificing our lives, to ensure that the Empress's relocation to the mausoleum is carried out properly and completely. We would never dare to fail His Majesty's grace and Your Highness's trust! Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

Meng also solemnly echoed this from the side.

Yuan Yi nodded, told the two to stand up, and said with a smile, "It is most suitable for you to handle this matter, and I am at ease with you."

(End of this chapter)