The Red Mansion

Chapter 297 A Gift of Fresh Lychees, Exceptionally Sweet

The ninth day of the sixth lunar month was still a beautiful day with bright sunshine.

That morning, Yuan Yi received his usual instruction from his master, Lin Ruhai, at Lishenzhai.

Eunuch Tian Feng hurried in, bowed, and reported, "Your Highness, the Imperial Household Department has sent someone to deliver fresh lychees bestowed by His Majesty!"

Yuan Yi immediately stood up and said to Lin Ruhai, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll be right back."

He straightened his clothes and headed towards the main hall.

The hall contained a dozen or so red lacquered and gold-painted boxes, which were filled with natural ice and cleverly designed drainage channels.

An official from the Imperial Household Department presented the reward list. Yuan Yi examined it carefully, then ordered someone to open the box. Immediately, a fragrant aroma wafted out. The lychees were plump and round, still attached to their emerald green branches and leaves, their red shells adorned with glistening dewdrops. In the misty air, they appeared even more vibrant and tempting, as if they had just been picked.

"Set up an incense table!" Yuan Yi immediately ordered.

Once the incense table was prepared, he straightened his clothes and solemnly faced the direction of Changchun Garden, performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony, and loudly proclaimed: "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for His Heavenly Grace!"

After the ceremony, Yuan Yi delivered the fresh lychees into the inner quarters and handed them to Yuan Chun.

Yuan Chun was overjoyed to see so many fresh lychees. There were three reasons for her joy: first, she and Yuan Yi both loved to eat fresh lychees; second, it was early June, and in the capital, the only way to get fresh lychees was through tribute; and third, Emperor Taishun's gift of so many fresh lychees was a sign of his favor to Yuan Yi.

Yuan Yi instructed Yuan Chun, "Please distribute these fresh lychees carefully." After a slight pause, he added, "Prepare a portion for Miss Qin; I will personally deliver it at noon."

After saying that, he took a box back to Lishengzhai and handed it to Lin Ruhai: "Take this back for your family to try."

Lin Ruhai quickly stood up and declined, saying, "How can I accept such a precious item?"

“Sir, there’s no need to refuse.” Yuan Yi insisted on giving it to him.

Lin Ruhai then respectfully accepted the gift and thanked him repeatedly.

Yuan Yi immediately laid out paper, ground ink, and wrote a letter of thanks.

He concentrated his mind and wrote with flowing strokes: "Your subject Yuan Yi respectfully thanks Your Majesty for Your Majesty's grace. I was recently bestowed with fresh lychees by Your Majesty, and I am deeply grateful and overjoyed. I humbly kowtow to express my gratitude. I humbly wish Your Majesty good health."

After writing it, he immediately ordered someone to send it to the Changchun Garden's memorial office.

Although Yuan Yi knew that Emperor Taishun might not have personally read this letter of thanks, he still felt that the proper etiquette could not be disregarded and that he should express his respect in a proper manner.

Meanwhile, Yuan Chun was busy distributing lychees.

She was always fair in her dealings, and ordered someone to send a copy to Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Xing Xiuyan, Yingchun, and others, with the special instruction: "Be sure to say that it was a new gift from the Emperor today, so that they can also share in the Emperor's favor."

Xue Baochai was reading in her room when she suddenly saw Xiren bring her fresh lychees, so red and juicy. She couldn't help but smile and say, "It's so nice to be able to taste such fresh food at this time!"

As Ying'er arranged the ice bowls, she laughed and said, "That's right! I remember earlier, I even got into a fight with Ruizhu from the Qin family over candied lychees..."

Before he could finish speaking, he realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly covered his mouth to fall silent.

Xue Baochai didn't mind. She picked up a fresh lychee with her slender fingers, gently peeled off the red shell to reveal the crystal-clear flesh, and put it to her lips. She immediately felt the sweetness in her mouth and sighed inwardly, "'A concubine smiles as a rider raises dust,' the ancients were truly right."

Ying'er also peeled one and ate it with relish.

……

……

At noon that day, Lin Ruhai returned home from his duty at the Duke's mansion, carrying a box of fresh lychees in his hand as he entered the inner courtyard.

Aunt Qiu, leading Lin Daiyu and other female relatives, greeted him. Seeing Lin Ruhai beaming with joy and holding an exquisitely crafted food box, she couldn't help but ask with a smile, "What treasure has Master acquired today that makes you so happy?"

Lin Ruhai gently placed the food box on the table in the hall and said with a smile, "Today, His Majesty bestowed fresh lychees upon Fourth Master. Fourth Master is kind and generous, and specially allocated a box to me, instructing me to bring it back for you all to enjoy."

As he spoke, he lifted the lid of the box, revealing bright red lychees set against emerald green leaves, still glistening with moisture.

Aunt Qiu exclaimed, "Ah! At this time of year, to be able to obtain fresh lychees in the capital is truly a rare treat!"

Lin Daiyu leaned closer to examine it closely and said softly, "These lychees still look like they're covered in dew."

Aunt Qiu then distributed the fruit, first picking the plumpest branch and handing it to Lin Ruhai, and then selecting a bunch for Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took the lychee and gently stroked its rough red shell with her slender fingers. Suddenly, she recalled the lines from Bai Juyi's "Preface to the Lychee Picture": "The clusters are like grapes, the seeds are like loquats, the shell is like red silk, the membrane is like purple gauze, the pulp is as white as ice and snow, and the juice is as sweet and sour as nectar." She couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Dan prepared a plate, and Xiao Nan served her a silver basin to wash her hands.

Seeing his family's joy, Lin Ruhai felt gratified.

Lin Daiyu peeled one open herself; the flesh was as clear as jade. She presented it to Lin Ruhai, saying, "Father, please try it first."

Lin Ruhai smiled and took it, putting the whole thing in his mouth and exclaiming, "Sweet!"

Aunt Qiu also peeled one and handed it to Lin Daiyu. Lin Daiyu thanked her, took it, tasted it, and whispered, "It is indeed sweet."

The maids Xiao Dan, Xiao Nan, and Zi Juan also received fresh lychees.

The room was filled with the sounds of shelling and exclamations of praise, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but think of Yuan Yi, and thought to herself, "Today I am enjoying such a delicacy, all thanks to his kindness." Thinking this, the lychee in her hand tasted even sweeter.

She ate nine lychees in a row, which was quite rare.

……

……

That morning, Qin Keqing's family moved into a two-courtyard house in the backyard of the Duke's mansion.

Although this two-courtyard residence wasn't grand, it exuded exquisite detail in every corner. Two crabapple trees were planted in the inner courtyard, which Qin Keqing immediately took a liking to. A covered walkway connected to three main rooms, all adorned with carved lattice windows. It was indeed several times better than the Qin residence in the eastern suburbs; Yuan Yi's words were not untrue.

It was already noon.

Qin Keqing was tidying up her belongings with Ruizhu and Baozhu in her room when she suddenly heard the curtain rustle and Yuan Yi entered carrying a food box. The three were both surprised and delighted, and quickly curtsied.

Yuan Yi looked around the room and, seeing that it was mostly tidied up, nodded and smiled, "You tidied up quickly."

Qin Keqing smiled sweetly: "There are still some valuables to pack carefully. It's all thanks to Fourth Master that the move went so smoothly, especially since he specially sent people to help." As she spoke, her eyes flickered and landed on the food box in Yuan Yi's hand. "What is Fourth Master holding?"

Yuan Yi placed the food box on the table, turned to Qin Keqing and smiled, "His Majesty bestowed fresh lychees upon you today. I know you love them, so I specially brought you a box myself." As he spoke, he opened the lid of the box.

Qin Keqing was touched by his words. She stepped forward and glanced at the fresh lychees in the food box, saying softly, "It's kind of you, Fourth Master, to think of me! At this time of year, these fresh lychees are truly a rare delicacy!"

She recalled that she used to buy candied lychees to satisfy her cravings, but she never thought she would be able to taste such a tribute.

Yuan Yi sat down, and Ruizhu quickly poured him some fragrant tea.

Qin Keqing personally brought a basin to serve Yuan Yi to wash his hands. She also washed her hands in the basin and dried them with a silk handkerchief. Then she picked up a lychee, delicately peeled off the red shell with her slender fingers, revealing the crystal-clear flesh. Instead of eating it herself, she offered it to Yuan Yi's lips.

Yuan Yi ate from her hand and nodded, saying, "Sweet." He then asked, "Was the relocation going smoothly? If there are any shortages, just let me know."

Qin Keqing replied softly, "Everything is perfect. This house is so much better than the old house in the eastern suburbs." As she spoke, she peeled another lychee and handed it to him. Yuan Yi noticed that her slender white fingers contrasted beautifully with the lychee flesh, and he couldn't help but glance at them again before eating the lychee from her hand.

“I have plenty more here, this box is for you,” Yuan Yi said with a smile. “You can have it, I don’t need it.”

Qin Keqing then tasted one herself, and her cheeks were filled with sweetness. She exclaimed, "It's really delicious!"

A few more were given to Ruizhu and Baozhu, and the two maids thanked her and began to enjoy them.

After exchanging some pleasantries with Qin Keqing, Yuan Yi took his leave.

Qin Keqing ordered Ruizhu and Baozhu to bring him a rinsing bowl and teacup, and personally served him to rinse his mouth. She then tidied his clothes before seeing him off to the courtyard gate. After watching his figure disappear, she returned to her room and saw that the fresh lychees were still on the table, emitting a sweet fragrance.

Ruizhu smiled and said, "Miss, look how considerate Fourth Master is. These lychees are tribute items, and Fourth Master specially sent them over in person. It shows that he cherishes you very much."

Qin Keqing picked up a lychee, but remained silent.

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Ruizhu leaned closer and said, "Have you heard, Miss? The Huifang Garden on the west side is absolutely wonderful. I heard that it has pavilions and towers, exotic flowers and rare plants, and even running water. It's even more beautiful than in the paintings. It's a pity that there are old women guarding it, so it's not easy to go in. Why don't you talk to Fourth Master about it? He certainly won't refuse such a small matter."

Qin Keqing gently put down the lychees, wiped her fingertips with a handkerchief, and said with a light scolding, "We've only just moved in, and you're already thinking about visiting the garden? Being so impatient makes people laugh at us for being so naive. The garden is there; it's not going anywhere. We'll have plenty of time to enjoy it later."

Ruizhu verbally agreed, "What you say is true, young lady," but inwardly she felt as if a hundred claws were tearing at her heart.

She has always been a lively person. She has heard how wonderful the Huifang Garden in this mansion is. Now that it is so close, she cannot enter. How can she bear it?
So, she seized an opportunity and quietly slipped out of the courtyard. When she arrived at the moon gate, a maidservant was guarding the door. Seeing her come over, she asked, "What brings you here, young lady?"

Ruizhu took out a piece of silver and stuffed it into the hand, saying with a smile, "Please trouble you, Mother, to go to Aunt Xue's courtyard and ask Ying'er to come over for a chat. I have a long-standing friendship with her, and we have something to discuss."

The maid weighed the silver in her hand and said with a smile, "You new maid are quite capable. You wait here for a moment and don't come in without permission. I'll go find Ying'er now."

After saying that, he went to Xue Baochai's courtyard.

Ruizhu stood in front of the moon gate and peeked inside. She saw winding paths, flowers and willows, and upturned eaves. Her heart was filled with longing. She thought that if the scenery inside the moon gate was so beautiful, how wonderful the Huifang Garden must be.
Before long, Ying'er came gracefully. Today she was wearing a brightly colored silk skirt and a newly acquired pearl flower in her hair, making her look even more charming than usual.

Upon seeing Ruizhu, Ying'er raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, when did we become friends? We've been fighting for quite a while now, it's like we were enemies in a past life!"

Ruizhu forced a smile and said, "Now that our young lady has entered the manor, we will inevitably meet again in the future. Why don't you take me for a stroll in Huifang Garden, and we can wipe the slate clean of our past grievances and become good sisters from now on?" As she spoke, she reached out to take Ying'er's hand.

Ying'er flung her hand away and said, "Even though you've moved in, your young lady hasn't properly taken on the role of concubine yet! And you, my maid, are already in such a hurry to stroll around the garden, what audacity! You really are shameless!"

"You!" Ruizhu immediately became angry, pointing at Ying'er and saying, "Don't look down on people like that!"

"I don't have time to waste with you." Ying'er turned and walked towards the moon gate, glancing back sideways. "I'm about to go into the garden for a stroll, so you can just stand here!"

Having said that, he leisurely stepped into the moon gate.

Ruizhu watched helplessly as Ying'er's figure disappeared, stamping her foot in anger and thinking to herself, "If I weren't a newcomer, I would have fought you again! Just you wait, you wicked little hussy!"

When Ruizhu returned to her room, Qin Keqing was reading. Noticing her strange expression, she asked, "What's wrong?"

Ruizhu couldn't help but recount what had just happened.

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing glared at Ruizhu: "You troublemaker! We've just arrived, so we must be careful in everything we do. This mansion is not like our home; everyone is watching our every word and action!"

Ruizhu nodded in agreement, but secretly vowed to earn face and never let that little brat Ying'er look down on her again!

……

……

Su Tianshi, a renowned physician from Suzhou, was highly favored by the retired Emperor Jingning due to his exceptional medical skills. Previously, when the emperor toured the south and arrived in Jiangning, Emperor Jingning intended to appoint him as the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, a sixth-rank official, and have him accompany the emperor back to the capital.

At that time, Su Tianshi reported that there were still unfinished matters in Suzhou and earnestly requested permission to return home to settle them before returning to the capital to report back. Emperor Jingning granted his request.

That afternoon, Yuan Yi was copying scriptures at Lishenzhai when he heard that Su Tianshi had come to visit. He hurriedly welcomed Su Tianshi into Lishenzhai.

After Su Tianshi took his seat, he couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't know that Fourth Master was actually of noble birth. Now that he has been granted a title and honors, he truly has the bearing of a dragon and a phoenix."

Yuan Yi said, "Old sir, you must have had a long journey. When did you arrive in the capital? Have you met the Emperor Emeritus?"

Su Tianshi bowed and replied, "I arrived the day before yesterday. I went to Changchun Garden to meet the Emperor early yesterday morning."

Yuan Yi nodded and said, "The Emperor Emeritus has always cherished talent. I wonder if you need accommodation in the capital? If not, I will arrange it for you."

Su Tianshi said, "Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Master. The Emperor Emeritus has appointed me as the Director of the Imperial Medical Academy and bestowed upon me a house. I have just settled in today, so I have come to pay my respects."

Yuan Yi nodded again and said, "Since you are staying in the capital for a long time, please feel free to ask if you have any needs."

Su Tianshi said respectfully, "Fourth Master's kindness makes this old man feel unworthy."

After exchanging a few more words, Yuan Yi said, "Sir, would you like to have a few drinks at my residence today as a welcome feast?"

Su Tianshi hurriedly said, "My visit today has been uninvited and disturbing enough. How could I possibly trouble Fourth Master to host a welcome dinner for this old man?"

Seeing that Su Tianshi insisted on declining, Yuan Yi gave up and personally escorted Su Tianshi out of Lishenzhai. Watching Su Tianshi's departing figure, he recalled the scenes of his interactions with this divine doctor in Jiangnan.

He returned to his study, and a short while later, Yuan Chun came in and asked with a smile, "I heard that the renowned physician Su from Suzhou has arrived?"

Yuan Chun had already heard about Su Tianshi from Yuan Yi.

Yuan Yi nodded and smiled, "Seeing this divine doctor again today reminds me of the misty rain of Jiangnan."

At this moment, Su Tianshi was riding in a carriage back to his residence. He lifted the curtain and looked out at the bustling city scene, sighing to himself, "The capital is nice, but how can it compare to the freedom of Jiangnan!"

(End of this chapter)