The Red Mansion

Chapter 272 Taishun's Clear Mirror, Jingning's Examination
At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), in the Danning Residence of Changchun Garden, Emperor Taishun was preparing to have his breakfast.

The table was now set with all the finest tableware from the imperial kilns, along with several dishes of congee, side dishes, and delicate snacks. For an emperor, such a breakfast was not extravagant.

Suddenly, a eunuch quietly approached and whispered to Emperor Taishun, "Your Majesty, the fourth prince requests an audience."

Emperor Taishun paused slightly, then said, "Let him in."

Before long, Yuan Yi, dressed in the court robes of a duke, walked steadily and bowed as he entered the hall. When he reached an appropriate distance from the emperor, he lifted his robe and knelt down, performing a grand salute: "Your subject respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health!"

Emperor Taishun raised his hand and said in a calm tone, "Get up."

Yuan Yi thanked the emperor and stood up. His gaze swept over the dining table, and he bowed again, saying, "Your subject has been presumptuous and disturbed the emperor's peace and quiet during his meal. I am truly guilty."

Emperor Taishun showed no displeasure; instead, a genuine smile appeared on his lips as he asked, "It's alright. What brings you here today?"

Yuan Yi bowed his head and said, “Replying to Father Emperor. Yesterday, my wife, Lady Jia, was granted the title of Lady of the County by the Emperor’s grace. I am deeply grateful and brought her to the garden today, firstly to express my gratitude to the Emperor, and secondly to take this opportunity to pay my respects to my grandfather, grandmother and mother, and to show my filial piety.”

Emperor Taishun was pleased to hear this and said kindly, "It is good that you have this intention. I already know your feelings about expressing your gratitude, so there is no need for Lady Jia to come and thank you in person. As for paying respects to your imperial grandfather, imperial grandmother, and empress dowager, that is a son's duty and you should do so."

Yuan Yi bowed again and said yes. After a slight pause, he continued, "Father, there is another small matter that I would like to ask Your Majesty for your decision."

"Speak," said Emperor Taishun.

Yuan Yi then recounted how the eunuch Gu Baoan of the mansion had been arbitrarily demanding gate fees from outside guests.

Having finished speaking, his attitude became even more respectful: "Your Majesty, you are wise enough to know that Gu Baoan has acted recklessly and tarnished the reputation of my residence. However, Gu Baoan comes from the Emperor's personal guard, and his register, salary, performance evaluation, and even the power of life and death are all in the hands of the Imperial Household Department, which I dare not presume to do. Therefore, even though this is a trivial matter, I dare not act on my own initiative, and I have come to seek Your Majesty's opinion. It is truly my fault for troubling Your Majesty with such a trivial matter."

His words were very measured. He pointed out the evils, demonstrating his own keen insight; he also emphasized that the emperor was a "person of the emperor," showing that he dared not overstep his bounds; and he even admitted the crime of "troubling his father with a trivial matter," displaying a respectful and cautious attitude.

Just yesterday, Prince Zhongyi reported to Emperor Taishun about his chance visit to the residence of Duke Yuan Yi. Emperor Taishun praised Yuan Yi for naming the main hall and inner study of the residence and for his diligent practice of martial arts at the renovated training ground.

Seeing Yuan Yi's obedience to rules and his filial piety, Emperor Taishun's affection for him deepened. Furthermore, he had always been strict with eunuchs and abhorred their abuse of power. Therefore, he said in a deep voice, "This kind of cunning servant, relying on his meager power, dares to bully outsiders and tarnish the family's reputation—how hateful! Arrest Gu Baoan and hand him directly over to the Minister of the Imperial Household Department and Prince Zhuang. Issue my imperial edict: order Prince Zhuang and I to thoroughly investigate this matter and severely punish him as a warning to others!"

Yuan Yi made up his mind and knelt down again: "Your subject obeys the decree! Thank you, Father Emperor, for your grace!"

In fact, Yuan Yi was well aware that the mere request for a gate fee from a eunuch in his own household was utterly insignificant to Emperor Taishun, who was busy with countless affairs of state.

His special request to report this seemingly trivial matter to the emperor had three underlying reasons:

Firstly, Gu Baoan's roots are in the Imperial Household Department, making him "the Emperor's man." Since I have only recently returned to the imperial family, if I were to act arbitrarily, it would appear that I do not know my place. By seeking permission before acting, I would demonstrate my filial piety and caution.

Secondly, if he directly handed Gu Baoan over to the Imperial Household Department, given this "customary practice" and the personal connections Gu Baoan had cultivated over the years, the Imperial Household Department might not punish him severely.

Thirdly, now that Emperor Taishun has personally issued an edict ordering the Minister of the Imperial Household Department and Prince Zhuang to thoroughly investigate and severely punish Gu Baoan, he has walked right into the line of fire and has no chance of escaping. This not only eliminates one threat but also serves as a powerful deterrent to the newly arrived ceremonial staff, guards, eunuchs, palace maids, and military officers in the mansion, making them acutely aware of the strictness of the Duke's household laws and that the newly returned Yuan Yi is no man to be trifled with. It is truly a case of making an example of one to warn a hundred!

After requesting instructions on punishing the eunuch Gu Baoan, Yuan Yi was about to take his leave when he heard Emperor Taishun say, "After I have finished my breakfast, I will go to pay my respects to the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager. Since you are here, please wait here and come with me later."

Yuan Yi bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree. Thank you for your grace, Father Emperor."

Emperor Taishun said no more and began to eat his breakfast.

He did not instruct Yuan Yi to retreat to the outer room to wait, so Yuan Yi did not dare to move. He simply stood respectfully by the imperial desk, not too far away, holding his breath and calming himself, keeping his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, not daring to be negligent.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of the imperial chopsticks lightly touching the utensils.

Emperor Taishun took a couple of sips of porridge, then suddenly stopped, turning his gaze to Yuan Yi, who stood bowing respectfully. Seeing Yuan Yi's humble demeanor and quiet demeanor, he noticed an air of composure about him. He asked casually, "You entered the garden early this morning; have you had breakfast yet?"

Upon hearing the question, Yuan Yi bowed slightly and said, "In response to Your Majesty's question, since we need to enter the garden today to express our gratitude and pay our respects, my wife and I got up early in the morning and had a little congee and side dishes. We dared not eat too much, lest we be disrespectful before Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taishun smiled warmly and said, "So, are you feeling hungry right now? If so, let's eat something together."

The question, though seemingly ordinary, revealed an unusual level of concern between the emperor and his son, especially since Yuan Yi was a newly reinstated prince.

Yuan Yi's heart stirred. He raised his eyes to meet Emperor Taishun's gaze, his expression frank yet tinged with filial piety. He smiled slightly and said, "Father, I dare not conceal anything from you. After all this commotion, my stomach is indeed a little empty. I thank you for the meal!"

Emperor Taishun's smile deepened, and he nodded slightly to the chief eunuch serving him the meal.

The head eunuch immediately understood and directed the eunuchs to quickly bring over a small rosewood kang table, which was placed to the side of the emperor's desk, with a stool placed on it. Another eunuch then served a bowl of steaming hot green rice porridge on a vermilion lacquered tray, along with a dish of sweet and sour lotus root, a dish of ham and fresh bamboo shoots, a dish of shredded chicken salad, and a small dish of goose fat rolls.

Yuan Yi thanked the emperor again before sitting down on the stool, leaning slightly to the side, as was customary.

His posture remained respectful, without the slightest overstepping of bounds. He ate with his spoon and chopsticks in a refined manner, without appearing overly restrained or awkward.

For a time, the scene inside Danning Residence was quite unusual.

At the imperial table, Emperor Taishun ate; below, Yuan Yi also ate. Although the emperor and his subject sat separately, maintaining a proper order of rank, in the quiet morning light and the faint aroma of food, a warmth and tranquility, reminiscent of a father and son sharing a meal in an ordinary family, permeated the air. Emperor Taishun remained silent, occasionally glancing up at Yuan Yi eating quietly below, a sudden stirring in his heart. Since Yuan Yi came to the capital, although he knew he was his own flesh and blood and admired his talent and filial piety, the bond between father and son in the imperial family had inevitably been somewhat diluted by the constraints of etiquette and rules. Now, this scene of sharing breakfast suddenly touched the chord of "fatherhood" within him.

Without a word, simply being in the same room, each quietly eating breakfast, a gentle warmth flowed through them, softening the solemnity of the emperor's majesty and adding a touch of human warmth and fatherly affection.

This warmth was truly rare for Emperor Taishun, a ruler who was busy with countless affairs of state and accustomed to seeing many changes in the world.

This also reminded Emperor Taishun of his former fourth son, Yuan Li, who had once shared breakfast with him in this manner, but that was no longer possible. The one sharing breakfast with him now was still the fourth son in the imperial genealogy, but it was now Yuan Yi.

Although Yuan Yi ate quietly, he felt Emperor Taishun's occasional gaze fall upon him, and noticed that the gaze lacked its usual scrutiny and authority, and was instead gentle. He remained calm, knowing that this was a rare favor and closeness from Emperor Taishun, and his demeanor was composed and appropriate.

A short breakfast brought the hearts of the father and son closer together.

As soon as Emperor Taishun put down his chopsticks, Yuan Yi immediately stopped eating, stood up, and stood at attention with his hands at his sides. Emperor Taishun glanced at him with a gentle look, then said to the eunuch, "Change your clothes and go to Qingxi Study."

The eunuchs rushed forward to serve him.

Yuan Yi stood solemnly to the side, knowing that they were going to pay their respects to the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Taishun changed into his everyday clothes and then ordered his entourage to visit the retired emperor at Qingxi Study.

A bright yellow sedan chair was already prepared. Emperor Taishun boarded the chair and sat down, while Yuan Yi respectfully followed beside the carriage.

The group, with a simple entourage, left Danning Residence and strolled along, passing through flowers and willows, until they arrived at Qingxi Study, located in the northeast corner of Changchun Garden.

The imperial carriage stopped in front of the gate. Emperor Taishun alighted from the carriage, and a eunuch who was close to Emperor Jingning entered to announce his arrival. Before long, he led Emperor Taishun and Yuan Yi inside.

Inside the study, the windows are bright and the tables are clean, with elegant furnishings.

Emperor Jingning was sitting by the window, dressed in casual clothes and holding an ancient book. Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw that it was Emperor Taishun who had brought Yuan Yi. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

Emperor Taishun and Yuan Yi hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects with great ceremony.

Emperor Jingning put down his book and said with a smile, "Get up. We've come together today."

Upon learning the purpose of Yuan Yi's visit to the garden today, Emperor Jingning suddenly asked Emperor Taishun, "I remember that Your Majesty named this child 'Yi,' is it taken from the character 'Yi' in the Book of Changes?"

The book he had just been reading was a Song Dynasty edition of the Book of Changes.

Emperor Taishun replied, “Father, you remember correctly. I took it from the ‘Yi’ in the Book of Changes, which contains the principles of change, immutability, and simplicity. I hope that he can understand the way of heaven and earth and be clear about the principles of human affairs.” He added, “Yuan Yi did study the Book of Changes carefully and was able to recite the whole text.”

Emperor Jingning nodded, showing considerable interest, and smiled at Yuan Yi, saying, "To be able to recite the entire Book of Changes is already quite remarkable. However, the essence of the Book of Changes lies in its flexible application and keen insight. Now that we have encountered this path, I will test you. Are you willing?"

Yuan Yi bowed his head respectfully and said, "It is my greatest honor to be consulted and examined by my Imperial Grandfather. My knowledge is shallow, and if there are any errors or omissions, I beg my Imperial Grandfather and Father to instruct me."

Emperor Taishun, who was standing to the side, also smiled. He had always been fond of the Book of Changes and had studied it extensively. Now he wanted to see how much Yuan Yi had actually understood, so he listened with great interest.

Emperor Jingning pondered for a moment and asked, "The Commentary on the Appended Phrases says: 'Heaven is high and earth is low, thus Qian and Kun are established. High and low are arranged, thus noble and base are positioned.' This speaks of the natural positions of heaven and earth. However, how should this saying be interpreted in the context of self-cultivation? How can one determine one's own position and clarify one's own role?"

This question, which extends from the hierarchy of heaven and earth to personal self-cultivation and destiny, is quite profound.

Yuan Yi pondered for a moment, then calmly replied, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this saying enlightens the world, reminding us that heaven and earth have their constant order, and that there is a proper hierarchy. As for individuals, they should clearly understand their own position and adhere to their duties. For example, a ruler should be benevolent, a minister should be loyal, and a son should be filial. Knowing one's place and keeping to one's duty, without overstepping or retreating, one can achieve peace of mind and establish virtue. Just as the Book of Changes says, 'The superior man avoids calamity through frugality and virtue, and does not seek glory through wealth,' by keeping to one's humble position, one can also cultivate noble virtue."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingning smiled and nodded, then looked at Emperor Taishun. Emperor Taishun also showed an expression of approval, clearly appreciating Yuan Yi's answer.

This answer not only closely follows the text but also elucidates its meaning of self-cultivation and focuses on moral conduct, which aligns perfectly with the Confucian orthodoxy.

Emperor Jingning, even more intrigued, posed another question, this time on a grander scale: "The commentary on the hexagram 'Revolution' states: 'When heaven and earth change, the four seasons are formed. Tang and Wu's revolutions followed the will of heaven and responded to the needs of the people.' This discusses the way of change. However, in governing the country and bringing peace to the world, how should we grasp the timing of 'revolution' and the norm of 'non-revolution'? How can we truly be said to 'follow the will of heaven and respond to the needs of the people'?"

This question goes straight to the core of governance, concerning the balance between reform and maintaining the status quo, and is a great test of insight and wisdom.

Yuan Yi, aware of the weight of this question, pondered for a moment before cautiously replying: "I, your humble servant, dare to offer this advice. In my opinion, the meaning of 'reform' is not change for the sake of change, but rather adapting to the times. Just as the four seasons cycle, not because heaven and earth intentionally change, but because it is the inevitable flow of qi. The same applies to governing a country. One should observe the changes in the way of heaven and the direction of the people's hearts. If laws and regulations have been in place for a long time, have become riddled with problems, and have deviated from the way of heaven and the hearts of the people, then one should be courageous in reforming them, eliminating the old and establishing the new. This is 'following the way of heaven and responding to the people,' like the revolutions of Tang and Wu. However, 'they should not be taken as absolute rules, but only adapt to changing circumstances' does not mean that the old laws can be abolished. In daily governance, the principle of 'unchanging' is especially important. One should uphold the fundamental principles of benevolent governance, respect heaven and love the people. This is an eternal principle that remains unchanged throughout the ages. Therefore, whether to 'reform' or 'not reform,' one must consider the principles of heaven, examine the hearts of the people, and act in accordance with the trend, rather than acting rashly. In the end, 'cultivating virtue and expanding undertakings' and ensuring peace and tranquility throughout the world are the most important."

This dialogue not only expounded the principles of the Book of Changes but also integrated the way of governing a country, pointing out that reforms must conform to the times and the will of the people, while maintaining the status quo must adhere to the fundamental principle of benevolent governance. The insights were quite profound.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingning couldn't help but laugh and say, "Excellent, excellent! He has not only memorized the text, but has also gained some understanding. He can grasp the subtleties and get to the essence! Your Majesty, this young man has quite a bit of insight into the Book of Changes."

Emperor Taishun was pleased to see Emperor Jingning so delighted with Yuan Yi's tactful response. He bowed and said, "Father, you flatter me. He is still young and has much to learn." Though he said this, his satisfaction was evident in his words.

Yuan Yi hurriedly knelt down and bowed, saying, "This humble subject has only shallow views and dares to presume to discuss the great principles. It is truly like showing off one's limited skills before an expert. I am deeply grateful to my imperial grandfather for not disliking me and for his earnest teachings. I will certainly devote myself to studying and striving for improvement."

(End of this chapter)