The Grand Princess's residence was not particularly far from the imperial city. Qin Youran rode a horse and arrived in about half an hour.
When the doorman of the Grand Princess's Mansion saw that it was His Royal Highness Prince Qin, he led Qin Youran into the main hall for tea. The steward of the mansion also recognized Qin Youran. While greeting Qin Youran, he sent someone to report to the Grand Princess Anguo.
Qin Youran stopped the servant who was going to report and asked the steward to take him to see the Grand Princess.
The steward had no choice but to take Qin Youran and Mu Qing to the Grand Princess's bedroom.
The eldest princess's bedroom was called Chunhetang, which was originally her boudoir before she married into the Song Dynasty. After she returned to the Song Dynasty, she asked someone to change the name to the current Chunhetang.
This was the first time Qin Youran stepped into Chunhetang. Before, when he came to the princess's mansion to meet the eldest princess, he was either in the main hall or in the pavilion. As soon as he saw the name Chunhetang, he immediately liked it.
"Chun" refers to a large cypress tree, which symbolizes longevity and is often used to refer to someone who is long-lived. "He" (和) means peaceful, docile, and gentle. The Grand Princess is over seventy years old, just like the longevity of a large cypress tree. She has a kind face and a calm and composed nature, making the word "he" (和) an apt description of her.
Chunhe Hall is truly suitable as the Grand Princess's bedroom, just like the Grand Princess herself.
Qin Youran looked at the wooden plaque with three large green characters and asked, "Manager Chen, who came up with this Chunhe Hall? It's such a nice name. Was it the Imperial Aunt?"
The steward's surname was Chen. He was in his forties and had been a senior member of the palace. The current emperor had specially assigned him to the Grand Princess's residence to serve her and manage her affairs. Steward Chen smiled and shook his head, "Your Highness, Prince Qin, Chunhe Hall was named by the Major General of the Ye Mansion."
Qin Youran asked, "Is it Ye Zelin?"
Manager Chen nodded: "Yes."
Qin Youran praised: "Young General, your writing is quite good."
Manager Chen's eyes revealed a hint of admiration for Ye Zelin. He said, "Young General Ye comes from a military family, but he is also very talented in writing. He became a juren before he was twenty, and he also passed the examination for the xiucai title on his first try."
Qin Youran smiled faintly and said, "So he's a scholar with some kung fu skills. He doesn't look like a bookworm."
Manager Chen knew that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin was talking about Young General Ye, but he felt a little confused when he heard Qin Youran's words.
The scenery in the Chunhetang courtyard is very beautiful and has good viewing value. There are flowing water, rockery and pavilions.
The furnishings in the room were primarily simple, with no hint of luxury. The decorative porcelain was extremely common, affordable for ordinary families, and the furniture—the tables, chairs, couches, and coffee tables—were made of ordinary wood. Looking at the simple and elegant furnishings, Qin Youran guessed that the Grand Princess disliked luxury, otherwise the room's furnishings wouldn't be so simple.
Fortunately, his attire today was not extravagant. The material of his clothes was common among officials and officials, not very expensive. His belt was not the jade belt worn by princes, and only the white jade hairpins in his hair were more expensive. Regardless of whether the Grand Princess truly disliked luxury, this outfit was not considered impolite. Moreover, he had heard that the Grand Princess had been ill recently and that visiting a patient did not allow her to wear anything too fancy.
"You Ran is here."
A maid escorted the eldest princess from outside. She had kind eyes and a gentle smile. She wore a wide-sleeved black satin gown with auspicious cloud patterns. Her silver hair was styled in a high bun, and she wore a brocade ornament adorned with a black jade ruyi and bat patterns. The maid who was supporting her wore a long, dark blue jacket. She was also elderly, her hair graying, and wrinkles forming around her eyes.
Qin Youran stepped forward and supported the Grand Princess. She and the Nanny helped her to the cushioned wooden couch. The Grand Princess pointed to the second-highest chair and said with a kind smile, "Youran, sit down." Turning to the Nanny, she instructed, "Mili, make some tea for the King of Qin and prepare some pastries."
Aunt Mili answered yes and went to prepare tea.
The Grand Princess picked up the round fan with a black gauze pattern and marigolds on the coffee table and waved it, saying, "My nephew Youran, it's been quite a while since you last visited me. It seems like you haven't been here since mid-May."
Qin Youran chuckled. "Grandaunt, you have a good memory. Youran hasn't come to see you in over a month. Firstly, I just took over the City Patrol Office and am not very familiar with it yet. Secondly, I went out to the capital and just returned today. I went to the palace to see His Majesty, and then came to see you."
The eldest princess asked, "You have seen His Majesty. How is His Majesty?"
Qin Youran replied, "Your Majesty was very busy with government affairs, so I didn't see him. With Eunuch Luo taking care of him, I think my brother is doing well."
The Grand Princess looked at Qin Youran and suddenly remembered the rumors she had heard before. She said, "Youran, you've been back in the capital for two or three months now, right? You've come to see me five or six times. I heard a few days ago that you haven't paid your respects to the Empress Dowager yet. After all, she is your mother, and as a minister, I must perform my due etiquette."
Qin Youran's heart skipped a beat. As far as he knew, the Grand Princess had always lived in seclusion and was indifferent to worldly affairs. She even knew that he did not go to pay his respects to the Queen Mother. The Grand Princess said this to persuade him, but he felt that there was a hint of standing up for others and calling for an explanation in her words.
He came to ask for punishment on behalf of the Queen Mother.
Qin Youran knew that the Grand Princess treated the Queen Mother very well. When she heard that he did not pay his respects to the Queen Mother, it was normal for her to speak up for the Queen Mother and persuade him to be polite.
The Queen Mother was his father's legitimate wife and his biological mother. According to the rules and etiquette, he had to pay his respects to the Queen Mother. No matter how much he didn't want to see the Queen Mother or how reluctant he was to pay his respects to her, he would still do his outward courtesy. It wasn't that he didn't want to pay his respects to the Queen Mother, but that the Queen Mother exempted him from the visit and told him to come as little as possible before she "recovered from her illness" to avoid passing on her "illness" to him.
Qin Youran had already thought of the right words. "The Empress is a member of the harem, and I, as an adult prince, cannot enter and leave the harem at will. When I met my brother, I asked Eunuch Luo about the Empress's condition. Eunuch Luo said that she had not recovered and was still recuperating. I wanted to visit the Empress in the Cining Palace, but I was afraid to disturb her. Then I remembered the Empress's previous instructions, asking me to avoid going to the Cining Palace to disturb her recovery so as not to be infected by her illness. So I decided not to go there to visit the Empress."
The eldest princess hesitated for a moment, "The Queen Mother is ill?"
When Qin Youran had previously paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, she had only said she was 'sick' but hadn't specified how seriously ill she was. The Grand Princess's question prompted Qin Youran to add a few words. With a long sigh, she said, "Yes, the Empress is truly ill. Her condition is quite serious. Aunt Mo from the Cining Palace said she needs a long period of recuperation. One or two months won't be enough, perhaps even longer."
Hearing this, the Grand Princess instantly guessed that the Queen Mother and the King of Qin were not on good terms. She was not interested and did not want to pay attention. Instead, she tried to comfort the King of Qin: "You Ran, the Queen Mother is very blessed. The doctors of the Imperial Hospital are treating the Queen Mother. She will probably get better in a few days. Don't worry."
Aunt Mili came in quickly with tea and snacks and placed them on the tea table.
Qin Youran asked about the eldest princess's condition. The eldest princess said that she had a loss of appetite caused by poor spleen and stomach, but she is much better now.
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