The Red Mansion

Chapter 260 Reporting to the Temple and Conferring Titles, Fourth Prince, Duke

On May 16th, the weather was perfect, with a bright sun shining down on the earth.

On this day, the main gate of Changchun Garden was wide open, and the imperial procession was solemnly displayed, with banners waving and canopies like clouds.

The retired Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun, two emperors of the Great Qing Dynasty, embarked on their journey back to the Forbidden City together.

This return to the capital is no ordinary event.

This was not for ordinary court affairs, nor for seasonal sacrifices, but rather for the two emperors' special preparation for the two grand ceremonies to be held tomorrow in the Forbidden City: Yuan Yi's audience with the ancestral temple and the investiture of the title of Duke.

The two emperors' joint return to the capital is to once again endorse Yuan Yi's return to the imperial family, demonstrating to the people that the legitimacy and sanctity of Yuan Yi's status as a prince are beyond question.

The imperial entourage, in a grand procession, traveled from the western suburbs straight into the capital.

The streets along the way had already been cleaned and swept, and the people knelt to welcome them.

Dragon banners and phoenix carriages, golden maces and axes, gleamed under the blazing sun with an awe-inspiring majesty that dared not be looked at directly.

Inside the imperial carriage, Emperor Jingning had a calm expression and deep gaze, while Emperor Taishun had a solemn face and an air of imperial authority.

This is truly an incredible stroke of luck for Yuan Yi! To have two emperors mobilize such a large force, using their supreme authority to restore his lineage, legitimize his name, and bestow glory upon him!

This was certainly due to Yuan Yi's complicated background, which required extra care to reassure people; however, at its core, it was also the result of Yuan Yi's own hard work and tireless pursuit.

If Yuan Yi had not displayed extraordinary talent and repeatedly performed meritorious deeds, how could he have caught the eye of Emperor Jingning? And how could he have won the favor of Emperor Taishun?
This honor today is the fruitful result of his own hard work and virtuous heart.

The two emperors' imperial carriages slowly drove into the deep gate of the Forbidden City.

Everything is ready, and we await the two ceremonies that will surely be recorded in history tomorrow.

The blazing sun bathed the glazed tile roofs of the Forbidden City in a dazzling light, adding a touch of magnificence to its solemnity, as if foreshadowing the return of a new prince to the family and the imminent arrival of his most glorious moment.

……

……

The following day, May 17th.

The heavens smiled upon us once again; the sky was clear and blue, and a bright red sun burst forth, illuminating the Forbidden City's many palaces with dazzling brilliance, making it resemble a celestial palace.

On this day, the ceremony for the new prince Yuan Yi to return to his ancestral temple was held.

This ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestral temple was not held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Imperial Ancestral Temple was a sacred place for worshipping emperors and empresses of past dynasties and for holding major state sacrifices.

This ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestral temple was held in the Fengxian Hall within the Forbidden City. The Fengxian Hall enshrines the ancestral tablets of the emperor and empress, making it more akin to a royal family temple.

The auspicious hour has arrived; bells and drums sound in unison, and ceremonial guards stand in orderly ranks.

Inside the Fengxian Hall, incense smoke curled and candlelight flickered red.

Emperor Taishun, the current emperor and Yuan Yi's biological father, dressed in sacrificial robes, stood solemnly at the front of the hall as the chief officiant, reverently reporting the birth of a son in the royal family and the return of the bloodline to the ancestral line, and praying for the blessings of the ancestors.

The retired Emperor Jingning also attended, taking the highest seat to receive the homage. His presence served as a ceremonial witness of the highest rank. His very existence was a powerful symbol and a silent endorsement, demonstrating that this matter was a joint decision made by two generations of emperors, and was unshakeable.

Prince Zhongyi, the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan Court, and the Minister of Rites presided over the ceremony according to protocol. The imperial edict issued by Emperor Taishun confirming Yuan Yi's status as a prince, bestowing upon him the name Guizong, and conferring upon him the title of Duke of the County, was solemnly read aloud. The resounding voices echoed through the hall, etched into the annals of history.

Bowing, burning incense, offering sacrifices...

A series of elaborate and solemn ceremonies were carried out in succession, as if traveling through time and space to have a sacred dialogue with the ancestors of the Daqing royal family, informing them of the return of the new prince Yuan Yi to the ancestral spirits.

The crucial moment was about to arrive.

Officials from the Imperial Clan Court presented the jade register, symbolizing the imperial bloodline. Under the name of Emperor Taishun, and according to seniority, the imperial bestowed name of Prince Yuan Yi, a brief introduction of his birth mother, Lady Jiang, his date of birth, and the honor of being "conferred the title of Duke" were meticulously recorded on the spot in vermilion ink. With the vermilion ink applied, his status was established!

Thus, Yuan Yi's name was engraved on the imperial genealogy, achieving the final and most thorough confirmation above the law and patriarchal system.

From this moment on, he is the rightful and genuine fourth son of the current Emperor Taishun!
From this day forward, you may call him "Fourth Master"!

……

……

After the ancestral temple ceremony was completed, the solemn atmosphere of the Fengxian Hall had not yet dissipated when another illustrious honor—the ceremony of bestowing the title of Duke—was solemnly held in the Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City.

For this investiture ceremony, the retired Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun once again attended in person, sitting on their thrones to witness the event.

It was an exceptionally rare honor for two emperors to attend the investiture ceremony of a prince, especially since it was a newly enthroned prince being granted the title of Duke.

The meaning is self-evident: this is not only about bestowing the title of Duke upon a county, but also about using the supreme authority of two emperors to further empower and endorse Yuan Yi's path to returning to his ancestral lineage, ensuring that his status is beyond question.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, everything was resplendent in gold and jade, and the air was filled with the fragrance of incense.

Members of the imperial family, nobles, and high-ranking officials, both civil and military, stood solemnly according to their rank, with ceremonial guards standing in a respectful array.

Yuan Yi—now the rightful fourth prince—stood in the hall dressed in the prince's ceremonial robes.

Before the two emperors, the imperial edict conferring the title of Duke upon Yuan Yi was read aloud, each word resounding throughout the hall.

Immediately, Yuan Yi, with a solemn expression, stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the heavy official document and golden seal with both hands.

At this moment, he was officially granted the title of Duke of Daqing Dynasty.

Immediately afterwards, facing the throne, he adjusted his robes and sash, and following the proper etiquette, knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, each movement steady and powerful, his demeanor flawless. The three kneelings and nine kowtows, performed in a clear and distinct order, expressed his gratitude to his grandfather, Emperor Jingning, and his father, Emperor Taishun. The sound of his kowtows could be heard, echoing in the solemn hall.

On his throne, Emperor Jingning's gaze was calm, carrying the majesty of a great ruler and a hint of satisfaction as he accepted the greetings. Emperor Taishun's expression was solemn, yet it revealed an undisguised satisfaction and expectation.

The two saints sat side by side, receiving this ceremony together, which laid a solid foundation for Yuan Yi's status.

The ceremony concluded, and music began to play.

Yuan Yi thanked the emperor and rose, holding the imperial edict and golden seal, accepting the gazes and greetings of the imperial family, nobles, and high-ranking officials.

At this moment, he was not only a prince, but also a duke with a real title!

……

……

The ceremonies of paying homage at the temple and bestowing titles had concluded, but their lingering influence still resonated within the Forbidden City. The retired Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun had no intention of lingering in the Forbidden City; today, the imperial entourage would depart, returning to the cool and pleasant Changchun Garden in the western suburbs.

He Yun was closely following Yuan Yi today and was able to witness two solemn ceremonies that were fundamental to his master's identity, which made him very excited.

At this moment, the sun was high in the sky, and the sunlight was intense.

Yuan Yi, along with He Yun and the others, stepped out of the majestic Forbidden City gates and arrived at the extraordinary prince's carriage. He Yun stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a voice full of heartfelt respect, "Fourth Prince, please get in the carriage."

Yuan Yi now holds the dual prestigious status of a prince and a duke. He can be addressed as "Fourth Master" according to his seniority or as "Duke" according to his rank.

He Yun prefers to be addressed as "Fourth Master," a title that carries extraordinary weight in his heart.

Back in the day, when the current Emperor Taishun was still the fourth prince, He Yun was his trusted confidant. At that time, He Yun was used to calling him "Fourth Master".

Now that Emperor Taishun has ascended to the throne and reigns supreme over the world, He Yun can no longer utter the affectionate title "Fourth Master," and can only use the supreme title "Your Majesty."

In He Yun's heart, he often missed that period of time and the "Fourth Master" that he could call out naturally.

Now, times have changed, and fate has turned around. He is able to address a master again with composure, respect, and a touch of nostalgia, calling him "Fourth Master"!

Isn't this a wonderful coincidence?
In the hidden corner of his heart, a bold idea quietly sprouted: how wonderful it would be if this "new Fourth Prince" before him could one day inherit the throne and ascend to the throne! In that case, He Yun would be someone who had served two generations of "Fourth Prince Emperors" in the Great Qing Dynasty! What a wonderful opportunity!

Of course, this thought concerned the imperial succession and was of great importance, so he kept it buried in his heart and dared not reveal it.

At this moment, Yuan Yi heard He Yun call him "Fourth Master," nodded slightly, smiled slightly, and then calmly boarded the carriage.

He Yun mounted his horse with great spirit and led his entourage, surrounding the prince's carriage with its vermilion wheels and ornate canopy, as they left the imperial city in a grand procession.

The wheels rolled over the scorching road surface, the procession majestic.

The mansion that once bore the plaque "Imperial-Built Ningguo Mansion" now belongs to a true member of the imperial family and a newly appointed Duke.

From now on, that mansion should have a new name that better reflects the current situation—"The Duke's Mansion"! Of course, it could also be called "The Prince's Mansion"!
……

……

Yuan Yi returned to the mansion and went straight to the bedroom in the main hall.

Yuan Chun and Xiang Ling helped him change his clothes, carefully removing the autumn-colored prince's robe that symbolized his imperial bloodline and replacing it with the duke's robe he had just received that day.

After changing his clothes, Yuan Yi looked at himself in the mirror and suddenly asked Yuan Chun with a smile, "Which do you think is better, this duke's robe or the prince's robe you wore before?"

Yuan Chun smiled gently and replied tactfully, "Fourth Prince looks excellent in either outfit. The prince's attire exudes nobility, while the duke's robes are majestic. I find them both very pleasing." She was shrewd and would not presume to judge their merits in such matters.

Yuan Yi stopped making things difficult for her, just smiled, and then carefully examined his new outfit in the mirror.

The Duke's robe was dark blue, also a python robe, with a four-clawed python embroidered on the front and back. Although it was not as uniquely colored as the prince's robe, it had a different kind of dignified air. The golden sash around his waist had four gold squares on it, each inlaid with a crystal.

Judging solely from the outward appearance of the clothing, compared to the distinctive princely attire, the current duke's attire seems to be of a "lower" standard at first glance. However, the underlying implications are far more complex than they appear, concerning the distinction between "bloodline status" and "meritorious rank."

The title of prince is an innate status of imperial nobility, whose honor is directly derived from the emperor's bloodline. Their extravagant attire is a manifestation of their lineage and transcends ordinary ranks.

The title of Duke of a Commandery was a noble title bestowed by the emperor, which was an administrative regulation on an individual's status and treatment. The regulations for clothing and other attire had to strictly correspond to the rank of the noble.

Yuan Yi's conferment of the title of Duke signifies his entry into the imperial bureaucratic hierarchy as a member of the royal family. Within this system, he must adhere to the prescribed rituals and receive his salary according to his rank. Attire, as the most direct symbol of etiquette, must conform to his rank to maintain the solemnity of the entire hierarchical system.

Although the dress code appeared to be "lowered" on the surface, being granted the title of Duke was actually a great "benefit" for Yuan Yi.

Being granted the title of Duke of a Commandery meant that he gained the right to establish his own government and participate in court affairs. He could have his own Duke's mansion, officials, guards, and army...

The title of nobility is dynamically promoted. The title of Duke of the County is a new starting point for Yuan Yi. As long as he performs outstandingly, it is reasonable for him to be promoted to higher titles such as Duke of the First Rank, Prince of the County, and Prince of the First Rank in the future.

In contrast, a prince without a title, though provided with an extremely luxurious daily allowance by the Imperial Household Department, did not receive a fixed salary corresponding to his title, nor did he have any administrative power, making him like a wealthy idler.

Furthermore, even though Yuan Yi now needs to follow the regulations for a duke in terms of clothing, his status as a prince will still give him a natural advantage in the order of precedence during important ceremonies such as court assemblies and sacrifices. His position is often higher than that of the collateral branches of the imperial family with the same or even higher titles.

Bloodline and title, one internal and one external, complement each other and together constitute his current noble status.

Yuan Yi gazed at himself in the mirror, wearing the dark blue robe of a duke, his eyes calm and profound.

……

……

Having changed into a dark blue-green robe, Yuan Yi slowly walked to the main hall of the mansion.

Inside the hall, He Yun, Meng Xiong, and a host of prominent male servants from the household stood in rank.

The crowd immediately knelt down, their voices booming as they kowtowed in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness! Congratulations on Your Highness's well-being!"

Although He Yun preferred to call him "Fourth Master," a title that conveyed closeness and a special connection, Meng Xiong was also a rough and uncouth man. However, on this occasion, with a new title being conferred, etiquette could not be disregarded, so he respectfully addressed him as "Lord Duke" along with everyone else.

Yuan Yi sat upright to receive the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the people below, and he nodded slightly.

After the ceremony in the main hall, Yuan Yi moved to the inner hall behind the main hall. Yuan Chun was already waiting there with Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and other female relatives.

After Yuan Yi entered the inner hall, Yuan Chun and all the women bowed and knelt down, their voices sweet and respectful: "This concubine/servant greets Your Highness, and wishes Your Highness good health!"

Yuan Chun was also dressed up today. Although she preferred to call him "Fourth Master" rather than "Duke," she set an example by not breaking the rules.

Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and others acted in accordance with proper etiquette.

Yuan Yi sat at the head of the table and accepted the greetings with composure.

His gaze was gentle as it swept over Yuan Chun's dignified and beautiful face, and he smiled with satisfaction.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the women's splendid dresses and jeweled ornaments, as well as Yuan Yi's ducal robes.

After the ceremony, Yuan Yi ordered all the women to rise.

A festive yet solemn atmosphere permeated the inner hall.

From this day forward, "Duke of the County" will be the formal and appropriate title for Yuan Yi, while the more intimate "Fourth Master" will be more suitable for private occasions and close friends, carrying a different kind of affection.

(End of this chapter)