The Red Mansion

Chapter 256 Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun Meet the Four Supreme Beings

The morning sun was already shining brightly, casting golden rays on the palace walls and glazed tiles of Changchun Garden, creating a magnificent spectacle.

The prince's carriage carrying Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun traveled slowly to the outside of the garden, but did not drive straight in. Instead, it stopped in the square outside the main palace gate.

Yuan Chun sat comfortably in the carriage waiting, while Yuan Yi got off the carriage first, straightened his robes, and walked through the heavily guarded palace gate with a solemn expression.

He first went to the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Affairs, only to learn that the retired Emperor Jingning was not there at the moment, but was at the Qingxi Study. So he went instead to the Danning Residence, the sleeping quarters of Emperor Taishun, to request an audience.

After the eunuch announced the summons, Emperor Taishun immediately issued a decree.

Inside the warm pavilion, Emperor Taishun was reading a book. When he saw Yuan Yi enter, he put the book down.

Yuan Yi stepped forward and performed a deep bow with utmost care: "Your subject Yuan Yi respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health."

Emperor Taishun ordered him to rise and asked, "What brings you to see me so early in the morning?"

Yuan Yi bowed, his voice respectful and clear: "Your Majesty, I have come today with my wife to pay our respects to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, on the orders of Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. I have considered that since we have come to pay our respects, it is only proper and reasonable for us to ask Your Majesty for permission to receive our salutations. I wonder if Your Majesty is available?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taishun was pleased, thinking that this son was quite polite and filial. However, he did not show it on his face and calmly said, "I was just about to go to Ningchun Hall to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. When I arrive at Ningchun Hall, I will receive the greetings from both of you."

Yuan Yi hurriedly said, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Emperor Taishun pondered for a moment, then said, "We should also inquire about your grandfather's opinion and see if he is willing to accept the gifts from you two."

Yuan Yi replied frankly, "Your Majesty is wise. Your son also has the same intention. Just now, when I went to the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Affairs, I learned that Your Majesty was at the Qingxi Study."

Emperor Taishun nodded: "I will also go to Qingxi Study to pay my respects to your imperial grandfather. I will ask your imperial grandfather for his opinion on your behalf."

Yuan Yi bowed again to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful."

After the matter was concluded, Yuan Yi was about to take his leave when Emperor Taishun suddenly spoke again: "Stop."

Yuan Yi quickly turned around and bowed: "Does Father have any further instructions?"

Emperor Taishun seemed to remember something and asked, "Did He Yun come with you today?"

Yuan Yi said, "Your Majesty, He Yun is currently waiting outside the garden."

Emperor Taishun said, "Hmm. Tell him to bring in his nameplate to see me."

He had originally planned to promote He Yun to the rank of second-class guard after Yuan Yi's ancestral temple ceremony and investiture ceremony. Since He Yun had come with him today, he might as well proceed with the promotion now.

Yuan Yi understood immediately and respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

He then bowed and took his leave, exiting Danning Residence and returning to the square outside the majestic palace gate of Changchun Garden.

The prince's carriage waited patiently in its place, its canopy and red wheels gleaming in the sunlight.

Yuan Yi stepped into the car.

Inside the car, Yuan Chun looked at him with an inquiring gaze when she saw him return, and Yuan Yi explained the situation.

The carriage started moving again, but instead of entering the main palace gate, it meandered along the palace wall towards the west gate of Changchun Garden.

According to custom, noblewomen would enter the garden to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager through the West Gate. The Empress Dowager's residence, Ningchun Hall, was located not far inside the West Gate, which was quite convenient.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of the West Gate.

Yuan Yi alighted from the carriage once more, tidied his appearance, and went inside to inform Ningchun Hall that he wished to be seen. After only a short while, he returned to the carriage, boarded it again, and the carriage entered through the West Gate, arriving outside Ningchun Hall.

Yuan Yi then got out of the carriage with Yuan Chun, where eunuchs were already waiting to greet them.

Led by a eunuch, the couple entered the main room of Ningchun Hall.

The main room was brightly lit and furnished with luxurious furnishings. A faint scent of sandalwood mixed with floral fragrance filled the air.

The Empress Dowager sat in the center, wearing a crimson silk robe with longevity and auspicious patterns, her expression kind and gentle.

The Empress sat on a rosewood armchair inlaid with mother-of-pearl at the lower end, her demeanor dignified.

Inside the hall were also some imperial concubines, adorned with jewels and jade, and possessing elegant bearing, including Consort Xi (née Liu) and Consort Yu (née Gong).

Consort Xi, née Liu, was Yuan Li's biological mother, while Consort Yu, née Gong, was Yuan Zhou's biological mother.

Most of these concubines came because they heard that the new prince had brought his wife to pay their respects, or perhaps they just wanted to see what was going on...

As soon as Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun stepped into the main hall, all the nobles' eyes immediately turned to them, especially to Yuan Yi.

Seeing Yuan Yi dressed in a light blue python robe, with a golden jade belt around his waist, looking heroic and upright with the bearing of a dragon and the phoenix, the nobles had mixed feelings of amazement and complex emotions.

Yuan Yi calmly led Yuan Chun forward a few steps to the center of the carpet. He performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the Empress Dowager and said loudly, "Your subject Yuan Yi respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health and longevity!"

Yuan Chun followed closely behind, performing the standard six-fold bow, three-kneeling, and three-bowing ceremony. This was the grand ceremony for noblewomen of the Daqing Dynasty when they met the Empress Dowager and the Empress. The bow was a combination of the six-fold bow and the kneeling ceremony, making the process complex and solemn.

Yuan Chun gracefully bowed, bent her knees, and kowtowed... every movement was slow, elegant, and composed, showing the profound skills and calm demeanor she had acquired while serving as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager.

Yuan Chun addressed the Empress Dowager as "Empress Dowager".

In Daqing, the wives of imperial grandsons usually do not directly address the Empress Dowager as "Imperial Grandmother".

"Grandmother" is a blood relative title, its core meaning being the direct blood relationship between "grandmother" and "granddaughter." Yuan Yi could use this title, but Yuan Chun could not. Yuan Chun was a relative by marriage, entering the royal family through marriage. Her primary status was that of a subject, and only secondarily a relative. In the court, which emphasized etiquette and the hierarchy between ruler and subject, her title had to primarily reflect the relationship of rank and submission, rather than familial intimacy.

However, Yuan Chun could address the Empress Dowager as "Old Ancestor," a popular and safe form of respect in the palace that conveyed both high seniority and deep reverence. After paying their respects to the Empress Dowager, Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun then paid their respects to the Empress, with Yuan Yi addressing her as "Mother Empress" and Yuan Chun as "Your Majesty the Empress."

The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

The Empress also showed approval.

Even the concubines, upon seeing such demeanor, had to admit that Yuan Yi and his wife were impeccably dressed, especially Yuan Chun.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress immediately became serious, and in their seriousness, they each gave Yuan Chun a few words of admonition.

After the admonition was finished, the Empress Dowager's expression softened, and she regained her loving demeanor. She smiled at Yuan Chun and said, "Good child, it's been a while since I've heard you play the zither. When you were by my side in the past, the sound of your zither was most calming and soothing. Today is a rare occasion, would you play a piece for me?"

Yuan Chun had already anticipated this move and had a plan in mind. She quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I obey."

Palace maids carried in an ancient zither and its stand, and placed it in the hall.

After washing her hands and burning incense, Yuan Chun sat upright before the zither, her slender fingers lightly plucking the strings, and a clear and melodious tune flowed out. The piece she played was gentle and lingering, full of deep emotion, yet the melody was quite novel and unique.

As the song ended, its lingering melody remained.

The Empress Dowager looked surprised and asked, "This piece is indeed beautiful, with a tender and lingering sentiment, but the melody is quite novel; I have never heard it before. From which ancient score does it come? Or is it a new composition?"

Yuan Chun glanced at Yuan Yi discreetly, a shy smile playing on her lips, and replied softly, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Grandson... enjoys music and has some knowledge of zither music, and can even compose his own pieces. This piece is neither an ancient score nor composed by an outsider; it was composed by the Imperial Grandson himself in his spare time."

This involves another aspect of etiquette.

In front of the Empress Dowager, Yuan Chun should abandon the intimate terms used between husband and wife in common parlance and adhere to the etiquette between ruler and subject. She should shed her identity as "wife" and use an objective, official title, speaking as a concubine to a noble imperial grandson.

Therefore, Yuan Chun was addressed as "Imperial Grandson." Her husband was first and foremost an "Imperial Grandson," the grandson of the Empress Dowager, and only secondarily her husband. By using this title, the relationship between ruler and subject was placed above that between husband and wife.

Even if Yuan Yi is granted the title of prince in the future, Yuan Chun cannot directly address him by his title in front of the Empress Dowager, nor can she say "My prince is like this or that," because the title is conferred by the emperor, and it is inappropriate to flaunt the title in front of the Empress Dowager.

There are many court etiquette rules, and it is fortunate that Yuan Chun is well-versed in them. Today, she will not make any mistakes in this regard and will not cause any dissatisfaction.

At this moment, with Yuan Chun's words, the eyes of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Xi, Consort Yu, and other noble ladies were instantly focused on Yuan Yi.

The Empress Dowager was both surprised and delighted. Looking at Yuan Yi, she said, "Oh my! This is truly unexpected! You actually have such talent? It's one thing to be both literate and skilled in martial arts, but to be able to compose music is also an elegant art. And the music you compose is so fresh and beautiful. I have never heard such a unique tune before!"

Yuan Yi bowed humbly and said, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I was merely inspired by a fleeting thought and made up this rambling. It is a trivial skill and hardly worthy of Your Majesty's attention."

The Empress Dowager pressed further, "If this piece was composed by you, what is its name?"

Yuan Yi answered frankly, "Your Majesty, this piece is called 'Longing'."

"The 'Longing'?" The Empress Dowager was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "It's 'Longing'! Could it be... that you composed this piece specifically for Yuan Chun?" Her gaze shifted between Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun, carrying a hint of teasing and inquiry.

Yuan Yi, displaying a touch of youthful shyness, lowered his head slightly but still nodded, his voice lowered: "Grandmother, you are wise... that is indeed the case. I had a little selfishness, and I hope you and Mother will forgive me."

His candid admission, tinged with a touch of embarrassment, only served to highlight his sincerity.

In an instant, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and even Consort Xi Liu and Consort Yu Gong, among others, all began to appreciate Yuan Yi's talent and character.

I only knew that he was skilled in both literature and martial arts and had made many great achievements, but I never expected that he also had such delicate and elegant talent and romantic thoughts! To be able to compose such a tender and affectionate song, "Longing," for his wife is a rare sentiment among the imperial family.

The atmosphere inside the hall thus became even warmer and more harmonious.

The Empress Dowager's interest grew, and she asked Yuan Yi with a smile, "Since you love zither music and can compose new melodies, you must be quite proficient in playing the zither."

Yuan Yi replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am only rudimentary in the art of playing the zither, and dare not claim to be an expert. However, if Your Majesty is in the mood, I would be willing to perform a piece."

The Empress Dowager said happily, "That's wonderful! Then play a tune for me. But what tune will you play? Is it some new melody you composed yourself?"

Yuan Yi's expression grew even more respectful as he said, "Your Majesty, I have long heard from my wife that Your Majesty enjoys listening to 'Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute,' so I have been practicing this piece privately, hoping that one day I will have the opportunity to play it for Your Majesty in person. Today is truly my good fortune to have this opportunity. May I humbly offer my humble performance of 'Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute'?"

This was no exaggeration; he had prepared this move long ago to please the Empress Dowager and show his filial piety. Yesterday, he even practiced "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute" under Yuan Chun's guidance.

When the Empress Dowager heard that he had put so much thought into it and had practiced her favorite pieces so early, she was overjoyed and about to grant his request when a eunuch rushed into the main room and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty the Emperor have arrived! Their carriages are already outside Ningchun Hall!"

These words caused a stir among the audience. Although the retired Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun often visited Ningchun Hall, it was rare for the two emperors to arrive together.

All the women in the hall composed themselves and became solemn. The Empress Dowager, naturally, had no time to attend to the music, and hurriedly rose with the Empress's personal assistance to lead the others in welcoming the Emperor. Yuan Yi also led Yuan Chun to the side, bowing their heads and waiting quietly.

Soon, Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun were seen slowly stepping into the main hall, one after the other.

Emperor Jingning was dressed in a robe with a dragon design, while Emperor Taishun wore a satin jacket embroidered with a gold dragon. Although the father and son looked calm, their imperial authority was evident.

The crowd hurriedly knelt down to greet them, and the cheers were deafening.

After the two emperors took their seats at the head of the table, the Empress Dowager asked with a smile, "What wind has blown the retired emperor and the emperor together to my Ningchun Hall today?"

Emperor Jingning glanced at Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun, who were standing respectfully to the side, smiled calmly, and said in a gentle but authoritative voice: "Yuan Yi has come to pay his respects with his wife today, so the Emperor and I have come to see them and also to receive their greetings."

Although these words were spoken casually, they secretly amazed all the women in the room.

Yuan Yi is merely a newly returned prince, yet the two emperors have moved their entourage to Ningchun Hall just to receive a bow from him and his wife? Such courtesy is truly an extraordinary favor!
Consort Xi, née Liu, and Consort Yu, née Gong, both thought to themselves: It seems that the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor both have a high regard for this new prince, and he is currently enjoying great favor!
Upon hearing the imperial decree, Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun hurriedly stepped forward again. In the middle of the carpet, Yuan Yi performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows to the Emperor Emeritus, while Yuan Chun performed the six bows, three kneelings, and three prostrations. After the ceremony, the "young couple" turned to Emperor Taishun and performed the same ceremony. The entire process was solemn and dignified, without the slightest error.

The two saints sat upright and received the ceremony, their eyes revealing satisfaction.

Everyone in the hall held their breath, the only sounds being the rustling of clothes and the soft tinkling of jade pendants. In this sudden imperial favor, they felt the weight of the newly crowned prince and princess...

(End of this chapter)