Chapter 58: How Can the Three Springs Rival the First Spring Scenery; When Tiger and Rhinoceros Meet, the Great Dream Ends

Chu Yan walked into the Changchun Palace, passing the rows of eunuchs and court ladies at the end of which stood a woman wearing a bright yellow, multi-colored phoenix and peony cross-collar outer robe, paired with a white inner tunic featuring a crossed collar that perfectly concealed her fair and graceful neck, exuding the poised and virtuous charm of a restrained matron.

As Chu Yan drew closer, she hurried forward in a fluster, her peony-like, beautiful, and regal face suffused with timidity as she curtsied gracefully before him. "This concubine failed to welcome Your Majesty from afar..."

Her movements were graceful, her demeanor dignified. Having spent a decade in the deep palace, Jia Yuanchun strictly adhered to imperial etiquette in every word and deed.

"No need for formalities."

Chu Yan casually reached out and pulled her by the arm. Touched by a man for the very first time, Jia Yuanchun seemed even more flustered. Finally daring to raise her head, she gazed directly into the face of King Qian, Chu Yan, from close quarters.

Though she quickly lowered her gaze again, overcome with shyness.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Come, let us go inside. I have time to dine with you tonight. Have the evening meal brought in; the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort and I shall dine together!"

Held by the hand, Jia Yuanchun felt somewhat at a loss, her steps stumbling slightly as she followed Chu Yan inside.

Because her pace was disordered, the phoenix hairpin in her hair swayed back and forth, and a deep flush spread across her fair, rounded, oval face.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The court ladies and eunuchs obeyed the command and departed. Before leaving, they stole a glance at King Qian, who had entered the Changchun Palace, joy filling every one of their hearts.

Baoqin, the personal maid of the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort, was also overjoyed. She hurried into the palace to prepare a seat for King Qian and had the tea cups brought over.

After taking his seat, Chu Yan released Jia Yuanchun's hand, leaned back in his chair, and looked her over once more.

Having taken control of the capital for several days now, he finally had the time to see what the eldest of the Four Springs—one of the Twelve Beauties of the Red Chamber—actually looked like.

Much like Jia Baoyu's face resembling a full moon, Jia Yuanchun's face was similarly rounded and full, with a healthy, rosy complexion, possessing a natural richness and dignity—the true visage of a noble imperial consort.

Clad in the bright yellow robe embroidered with phoenixes, her regal aura was only further enhanced.

Under his scrutiny, Jia Yuanchun kept her head slightly lowered, her shyness deepening, not daring to show any trace of resistance.

Chu Yan smiled and said, "I have a verse in mind, which I shall recite for you. It goes thus: 'For twenty years she discerned right from wrong, where the pomegranate blossoms bloom, they illuminate the palace chambers.'"

Hearing the verdict associated with her character from the classic tale, Yuanchun finally raised her head, looking at him with a bewildered gaze.

"Among the Three Springs, none match the early spring scenery; when the tiger and rabbit meet, the great dream comes to an end."

Having finished the recitation, Chu Yan observed her expression.

Sitting beside him, Yuanchun lowered her eyelids, pondering deeply for a moment before lifting her gaze to ask in a gentle tone, "Your Majesty's poem seems to concern this concubine?"

The twenty years remained obscure in meaning, but "palace chambers" undoubtedly referred to the inner court.

"Three Springs" and "early spring" seemed to allude to herself along with Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun; since she was born on the first day of the first lunar month, she was named Yuanchun.

The concluding line about the tiger and the rabbit meeting was difficult to interpret, yet "the great dream comes to an end" carried a nuance akin to a fleeting dream of Nanke, serving as a warning to the world.

Chu Yan smiled faintly. "It does relate somewhat to you, though there is no need to dwell too deeply on it." He continued, "My coming here today is because I disposed of your parents and kinsmen this morning, and seeing the terror on your face at that time, I decided to come and speak with you."

"Your Majesty!" Jia Yuanchun rose in a panic, only to be pressed back down by Chu Yan.

"Remember, there is no need for such excessive formality in the future."

Gazing at her rosy, oval face, Chu Yan reached out and stroked her pretty cheek directly.

The surrounding court ladies and eunuchs were utterly astonished!

Where had they ever witnessed an emperor flirting so affectionately with a consorts? The attending eunuch quickly signaled with his eyes, and the retinue of eunuchs quietly withdrew.

Jia Yuanchun's cheeks burned crimson, yet she dared not defy him. The palm of King Qian resting against her burning cheek evoked a profound sense of shame within her.

Her body trembled lightly, her eyes brimming with shyness.

After a moment, Chu Yan leisurely withdrew his hand and said, "Since you have agreed to remain in the palace, you are henceforth one of the consorts of my inner court. I have always been lenient with those around me; I do not censure them for lapses in etiquette or misspoken words. As the Book of History states, 'Pardon errors, however great, but punish willful transgressions, however small'—such is the principle."

The shyness gradually receded from Yuanchun's face, and the lingering sensation of King Qian's fingers brushing against her skin slowly faded away.

With her head slightly bowed, she replied, "This concubine has read very few books..."

Chu Yan interrupted her. "You are talking nonsense."

Yuanchun's heart tightened; she attempted to rise, but his hand pressed down upon her shoulder once more.

"When you returned home to visit your family and indiscriminately altered the names within the Grand View Garden, every single one of them had a classical provenance. Changing 'Where the Phoenix Comes to Flourish' to the Xiaoxiang Lodge, 'Red Fragrance and Green Jade' to the Yihong Kuailu, not to mention the Grand View Garden, the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, the Purple Islet Continent, and the rest—all of these originated from your own hand."

"Ah!"

Jia Yuanchun looked up in profound astonishment, her eyes widening. A look of shock, rarely seen on her composed and rounded face, emerged.

Seeing her expression, Chu Yan experienced the exquisite pleasure of an omniscient being: he knew the plot of the Red Chamber narrative and possessed a general understanding of their personalities.

Chu Yan smiled. "Have your *Account of the Grand View Garden* and *Ode to the Family Visit* been written yet?"

Yuanchun was even more startled. On the day of her family visit, she had merely dropped those remarks casually among her sisters, and upon returning, she had been so consumed by administrative duties that she had entirely forgotten them.

Who could have imagined that His Majesty would actually know of this matter!

"This concubine has not yet written them. If Your Majesty wishes to read them, I shall compose the two pieces shortly," Yuanchun said, feeling both ashamed and deeply moved. Smiling at him, she added, "That Your Majesty should know so many details concerning this concubine fills me with awe. Deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor, I also wish to thank Your Majesty on behalf of my sisters at home!"

Maintaining reverence toward the emperor at all times had already been carved into her very bones.

Chu Yan smiled. "Yuanchun is indeed talented, but there is no need. The next time I accompany you back for a family visit, you can write based on those new experiences; by then, I imagine it will differ greatly from the first time."

Yuanchun was even more dumbfounded.

Chu Yan offered no explanation. Having read the Red Chamber, he harbored a keen interest in the imperial consort's family visit and wished to witness it with his own eyes.

Furthermore, knowing this was the world of the Red Chamber, how could he not pay a visit to the Grand View Garden?

Not only would he visit, but he intended to spend several nights residing within the garden!

Of course, he lacked the leisure for such pursuits at present; he did not even have the time to summon Yingchun, Xiangyun, and the others, and had merely seized the opportunity of mealtime to come and converse with Jia Yuanchun.

The dishes were swiftly brought in, and Chu Yan invited her to dine with him, telling her not to be constrained.

Jia Yuanchun appeared somewhat dazed; this was her first time dining alone with the emperor.

Baoqin discreetly gestured toward the empty wine cup before King Qian. Roused from her reverie, Yuanchun hastily picked up the enamored-painted wine ewer and poured a cup for His Majesty.

Chu Yan casually picked it up, drained it in a single draught, and resumed eating as he spoke to her:

"The Jia family are nobles of the previous dynasty, yet they rendered no meritorious service when I besieged the city. It is only natural that their estate should be confiscated."

Lowering her head, Yuanchun heard these words, yet unlike before, she did not tremble with terror. Instead, she poured another cup of wine for His Majesty and said in a soft tone, "This concubine knows full well that Your Majesty has already shown grace to the Jia family, and she dares harbor no resentment."

Chu Yan nodded. "The women of the Jia family still reside in the Rongguo Mansion, while the males are sentenced to corvée labor. In a few years, should any of the maidens of the Jia family render service, I shall naturally issue a decree pardoning them."

Turning to look at her, he continued, "Given that your younger brother Jia Baoyu has suffered such a calamity, I wonder if he will choose to become a monk as a result. If you care for the Jia family, you should focus your attention more on Jia Lan; do not waste your time on Jia Baoyu."

This was an explicit directive given to her.

Yuanchun had never imagined that King Qian would utter such words to her. Shaken to her core, it was only after a long moment that she replied, "This concubine once taught Baoyu to read and write. After entering the palace, I frequently sent letters home, hoping my parents would raise him properly—too leniently and he would never amount to anything, too harshly and unforeseen misfortune might arise... Now that Your Majesty has offered this warning, this concubine shall engrave it upon her heart."

"Only—" tears welled in Yuanchun's eyes, "I cannot bear to let him go after all. I dare not pray that he attains great wealth and high office in this lifetime, but merely that he lives in peace and safety. If he wishes to become a monk, then let him go as he pleases, so long as he may find some peace of mind."

Serving Chu Yan in the palace, the rewards and treasures she bestowed upon her family were enough to afford them a comfortable civilian lifestyle.

Yet presently, since Chu Yan had not yet forgiven the Jia family, no matter how many treasures Yuanchun possessed, she dared not bestow them upon her kin.

Chu Yan nodded. "Then let your younger brother serve hard labor for a few years to temper his pampered disposition!"

Accustomed to having food brought to his mouth and clothes handed to his body, a Jia Baoyu who even needed a maid to pour tea when the pot was right beside his hand—how would he fare performing manual labor alongside a group of men under the scorching sun once cast out of the Jia household?

He wondered if the boy could endure it.

"Thank Your Majesty for your mercy."

Lowering her head and gazing downward, Yuanchun spoke in a soft and gentle tone.

Who could fail to love such a round-faced, clever, and obedient beauty? Having finished his meal and preparing to depart, Chu Yan once again reached out to stroke her dignified, matronly cheek, his gaze fixed intently upon her.

Proper physical contact allowed a woman's body to grow accustomed to a man's proximity; Chu Yan possessed ample experience in this regard.

It was particularly necessary when dealing with sheltered maidens and chaste matrons.

Not until Yuanchun's face was suffused with shyness did Chu Yan speak: "I shall be drinking with the nobles of the new dynasty tomorrow evening. You and the Empress shall accompany me on either side and pour the wine. How does that sound?"

Though phrased as a question, it was a command difficult to refuse.

With her cheek cupped in his hand and half of her body leaning against King Qian, Yuanchun flushed crimson and obediently nodded her assent.

Releasing his hand, Chu Yan smiled and said, "Very well. Go tell the Empress and come find me tomorrow evening."

With that, he strode away, followed closely by Xia Shouzhong and the other eunuchs as they returned to the Linjing Hall.

Jia Yuanchun wished to see him off, but her steps could not match his majestic, dragon-like stride, leaving her to watch helplessly as he departed the Changchun Palace.

"Congratulations, Your Ladyship! A thousand congratulations, Your Ladyship~"

The moment Chu Yan left, Baoqin, Zhaorong, Caiping, and the other palace attendants joyfully offered their felicitations to the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort, Jia Yuanchun.

Everyone throughout the Changchun Palace was jubilant. With the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort residing in the Changchun Palace and enjoying imperial favor, all within the palace would share in her fortunes—truly a case of shared glory.

The chorus of congratulations made Yuanchun blush once more, and Baoqin could not resist smiling. "When His Majesty comes again next time, it will surely be to spend the night in the Changchun Palace. Your Ladyship should prepare early~"

The others burst into cheerful laughter once again.

Jia Yuanchun turned and walked back into the inner chambers, a lingering flush still warming her cheeks.

Having entered the palace many years ago and been elevated to a consort over a year ago, this was the first time she truly understood what it meant to be a favored imperial favorite.

No doubt that was why Consort Zhou had exhausted every seductive trick at her disposal, striving solely to capture the emperor's favor.