Chapter Two: Kinship is Paramount
After the Spring Equinox, the weather suddenly warmed up.
Early in the morning, Miss Ruan Er woke up to several clear chirping sounds outside the window and asked Chunyun in surprise, "Are they swallows?"
“Yes, they probably flew back last night.” Chunyun nodded, opened the window, and pointed to a pair of swallows under the eaves who were pecking at spring mud to repair their nest. “I took a closer look, and it seems to be the same pair as last year.”
Miss Ruan peeked out and said, "They're quite a devoted couple."
"That's right, congratulations, young lady."
"Congratulations on what?"
"People in my hometown say that swallows flying in pairs signify the return of early spring, which is a good omen."
Miss Ruan smiled slightly, but then felt displeased. She was already fifteen years old, and although many men had sought her hand in marriage, none could match her family background and looks. "I'm just listening to the nonsense of these country bumpkins."
Chunyun dared not say anything more and tied the cloak around her neck.
The two walked out of Shaohua Courtyard together and went to the First Madam's room.
When the First Madam saw that she was dressed in light blue, with even a white jade hairpin in her hair, she frowned and said, "Why are you dressed so plainly today?"
Miss Ruan said in a curt tone, "I still want to wear white all my life."
"Nonsense." The First Madam glared at her and said, "This is a joyous occasion for our household, and we cannot be negligent."
"What good news? It's just a counterfeit."
"Do you think the Empress Dowager didn't know it was a counterfeit? Do you think the Emperor didn't know it was a counterfeit? And yet he still issued an edict to reward it. What was the purpose of that?" The First Madam angrily tapped her forehead. "The older you get, the less discerning you become. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I won't even spare you, let alone your grandmother. Otherwise, you might offend the imperial family and bring ruin upon your entire family."
Seeing her mother, who always doted on her, scold her, the second daughter's eyes immediately reddened, and she began to sob softly.
"Alright, stop crying. If you're so ambitious, learn from Fifth Sister and outmaneuver the whole group."
Just as she finished speaking, Baozhen's voice rang out from outside the door: "Madam, the Old Madam says we can set off now."
"I know, I know," the First Madam replied impatiently. She pulled the Second Miss to the basin to wash her face and rinsed her eyes with well water before leading her outside. After waiting for a while at the hanging flower gate, the Old Madam arrived with the Second Madam, Ruan Lan, the Third Miss, the Sixth Miss, and the Seventh Miss.
Surrounded by maids and servants, the group walked to the gate, boarded carriages, and headed north. As they passed Chenqiao Gate, the sun gradually rose and the temperature increased. The third young lady, who was plump, was sweating profusely, so she took off her cloak and lifted the curtain to let in some fresh air.
Outside the window, the scene was a typical early spring day. The willow branches and treetops were shrouded in a hazy green, and a few rapeseed flowers had bloomed in the fields, with bees buzzing around them.
The sixth girl, who was in the same carriage as the third girl, waved her handkerchief as a fan and said, "This weather is really weird. It's either freezing cold or so warm that it makes you feel nauseous."
The third sister had never gotten along with her and couldn't be bothered to pay attention to her. The sixth sister, however, said unconsciously, "Third sister, tell me, isn't it disrespectful to Prince Jin that the Emperor issued an edict to commend the fifth sister?"
"No. In my opinion, this reward was most likely obtained by the Prince of Jin."
The sixth sister blinked and asked, "How could that be? Fifth sister clearly disobeyed him, making the whole people laugh at him for his wishful thinking. How could he still plead for him?"
The third sister, being two years older and more mature, said, "What do you know?" Turning to look out the window, she sighed after a moment and said, "Actually, I envy the fifth sister quite a bit. If there is such a person in this life, even if it is just... even if it is just... even if it is just meeting, it would be worth it."
The sixth sister said dismissively, "What's there to envy? One moment she's ruined, the next she's famous all over the place. All this back and forth, I feel exhausted just looking at her." She paused, then added, "I'm quite curious, where did she go?"
The third girl fell silent, watching a pair of swallows chasing each other among the willow branches outside the window.
Two carriages apart, in the first carriage of the Ruan family's procession, Ruan Lan frowned and said, "Mother, are we really not going to send someone to look for them?"
"What are you looking for? Isn't it so that you can recover your health as soon as possible and cultivate with her master at Yuxu Temple?"
"Mother, you know she's a fake."
"Lan'er, you must remember, she must be real." The old lady repeated firmly, "She must be real."
Tears welled up in her eyes, and Ruan Lan choked out, "Mother, it's all my fault."
The old lady sighed deeply, pulled her into her arms and said, "Lan'er, don't worry. As the saying goes, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. How can we ordinary people resist fate? Fifth daughter is clever and quick-witted. She will be safe and sound no matter where she is."
Ruan Lan wiped her eyes and nodded.
A gentle spring breeze blew all the way, and we arrived at Yuxu Temple just past 9 AM.
The receptionist was already waiting for them halfway up the mountain, and he courteously led them into the Wuji Hall. The hall was already filled with Taoist nuns and laywomen of all ages from the Yuxu Temple, including Master Ziying and "Fifth Sister".
When friends and relatives meet, there is naturally a lot of small talk and greetings. The sixth sister stared at the "fifth sister" for a while, and was amazed. She leaned close to the third sister's ear and said, "Where did you find her? She looks almost exactly like her."
The third girl shook her head and said, "It doesn't look like it; the spirit is far from it."
The second wife turned around and glared at them, and the two quickly shut up.
After exchanging greetings, everyone sat down as host and guest, and exchanged a few casual words.
Outside the Wuji Hall, a group of villagers, scholars, and merchants gathered to watch the spectacle. They spoke in hushed tones, buzzing like bees in a rapeseed field, with a few words audible to those inside the hall.
"What a filial daughter..."
"Everyone says that Prince Jin is benevolent and loves his people, and is not interested in women. I think he is not much different from his uncle, Prince Han. Fortunately, Miss Ruan is strong-willed..."
"After three years of solitary study under a dim lamp, this Fifth Miss Ruan was indeed a woman of deep affection and filial piety, worthy of praise and admiration."
Upon hearing this, Miss Ruan couldn't help but curl her lips in disdain.
Suddenly someone said, "Shh, don't talk nonsense, Prince Jin is here."
The crowd outside the hall stirred, with people craning their necks to look, and some whispering, "Which one is Prince Jin?"
Someone else said, "Wow, he really is a handsome man."
A woman dressed rather improperly whispered, "This Miss Ruan is truly blind, she doesn't know how lucky she is. What's wrong with being a concubine to such a tall and imposing man? If I were ten years younger, I would be willing to be a maid, let alone a concubine."
Inside the hall, a group of young, somewhat impulsive Daoist nuns, along with the young ladies from the Ruan family, all secretly peered out. A moment later, the crowd outside parted, and a line of people entered. Leading them was a tall, imposing figure, dressed in dark purple princely robes, draped in a black light fur coat, his face slightly pale, his expression stern. As he stood in the center of the hall, an aura of imposing grandeur immediately emanated from him. The young Daoist nuns and ladies felt their hearts pound, their cheeks and ears inexplicably burning, and they quickly lowered their eyes.
The eunuch carrying the imperial edict stepped forward and announced in a shrill voice, "The imperial edict has been issued."
Everyone inside and outside the hall knelt down with a thud.
The Prince of Jin reached out to the side, and the eunuch respectfully placed the imperial edict, held in both hands, into his hands. He grasped the two scrolls and slowly unfurled them, proclaiming in a loud voice: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I believe that beyond chastity and virtue, countless women, whose noble character and exemplary conduct shine brightly in their chambers yet are lost to time. Now, there is the fifth daughter of Ruan Hong, Vice Minister of Rites, from a distinguished family, who sacrificed herself for her parents, displaying utmost purity and filial piety. The Emperor's favor should be bestowed upon her, and she is hereby specially granted a book of imperial edicts, a set of gold, silver, and jade, as a token of commendation. May this be widely disseminated throughout the land to demonstrate the fundamental principle of kinship. May this honor be recorded and her descendants forever blessed. Respectfully Your Majesty!"
The Fifth Sister kowtowed three times respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great and sagacious grace. I will never forget it."
Prince Jin glanced at her silently, then beckoned. Another eunuch presented the "Fifth Sister" with the cinnabar inscription, gold, silver, and jade. She accepted it, handed it to the young Taoist nun beside her, and curtsied in thanks.
Master Ziying made the Three Pure Ones Incantation with his hands and said, "Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable, Prince Jin, please follow me into the inner hall for tea."
Prince Jin nodded and followed Master Ziying into the inner hall alone. After the young Taoist nun brought tea and left, he held the teacup, stirred the tea leaves with the lid, and said in a nonchalant tone, "I will certainly not fail to keep my promise to you."
"Then thank you very much, Your Highness."
"No need to thank me. You did what you were supposed to do, so naturally I will protect her as well."
Master Ziying pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "The other day, I had tea and discussed the Dao with Master Tianyin of Wanmiao Residence, and she asked about Your Highness."
The Prince of Jin paused in his tea-stirring, his long eyebrows raised, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent as he said, "Don't be so clever as to try and negotiate with me. If I tell the Empress Dowager about your relationship with the Empress, do you think you'll still have your life?"
Master Ziying's face turned deathly pale. He looked at him in disbelief and said, "You... how did you know?"
"The most taboo thing for a person is arrogance. Although you have traveled to many places and changed your name several times, you have left traces. Wasn't the woman who delivered your baby Granny Feng from Liuyue Alley in Xingping City? If you want to confront her face to face, I will have someone bring her from Xingping City immediately." Prince Jin smiled arrogantly and said, "Don't think that I am investigating you intentionally. I was only investigating General Zhao and found out about this matter on the way. After all, you are the abbot of Yuxu Temple appointed by my father. I will respect you, but you must know your place." After saying that, he slammed down his teacup, got up and walked out.
The Fifth Sister, who was standing solemnly in the corridor outside the door, saw him come out and hurriedly went to greet him, saying respectfully, "Your subordinate greets Your Highness."
The Prince of Jin waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Be careful, if anyone causes trouble..." He then made a beheading gesture with his hand.
Fifth Sister respectfully replied, "Your subordinate obeys."
The Prince of Jin nodded slightly and strode back to the Wuji Palace.
The Fifth Sister immediately reverted to her gentle and graceful demeanor, standing quietly outside the door. After a moment, she heard the door creak open, and Master Ziying came out. She hurriedly went to greet him and said respectfully, "Greetings, Master."
Master Ziying stared at her silently for a long while before asking, "Where are your grandmothers at the Ruan residence?"
"They've already returned home."
“Oh, then let’s go back to the hermitage.” After saying that, Master Ziying took the lead and walked towards the Fushu Hermitage. “Fifth Sister” followed a step behind, her expression and behavior extremely respectful. Master Ziying watched coldly and felt that it was too fake. Suddenly, he missed his true disciple who had never been respectful and had always been full of spirit.
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