Chapter 61 The sixty-first chapter describes Chan, whose virtues are gentle and virtuous, and whose conduct is prudent and graceful…
The next day, Ade arrived very early.
Two of the five colors of silk thread are missing. Logically speaking, red and white should be enough to embroider a plum blossom.
But with such exquisite embroidery, a colorful butterfly must naturally perch on the plum blossom—oh, a pair.
Lin Yuan remembered that he had never been good with colors, but he was too embarrassed to ask. After all, she was the one who suggested learning embroidery, and she could never get enough of learning, she told herself. So she agreed, and on the opening day of the market, they went to the market together to buy some embroidery.
Lin Yu went to visit the two teachers in Xishan early in the morning. Lin Yuan chewed on a sesame cake, told Qin Shi, and walked out of the courtyard.
"Wait, what do you mean by 'like'?" Madam Qin frowned.
Lin Yuan choked. It probably wasn't appropriate for a lone man and woman to go to the market together.
Gossip spreads quickly in the countryside.
Sure enough, she had barely shown her face to the villagers when Ah Yin's mother spread the word that she had embroidered a dragon as a tiger in the palace, angering a nobleman, and was therefore sent out of the palace early.
Qin couldn't help but defend her, saying, "With A Yuan's embroidery skills, how could she possibly embroider a tiger?"
If someone were to see her going to buy needles and thread with Ade, the rumors that would spread would probably be that she broke ten gold needles, wasted eight rolls of silver thread, and ruined six feet of silk while embroidering in the palace.
Or should we wait for Lin Yu to come back and let him and Ade go out on the street?
Before she could ask when Lin Yu would return, Madam Qin stepped forward, took a handkerchief to brush the crumbs of sesame cake from her chin, and then pretended to snatch the sesame cake from her mouth.
"Eating at a time like this!"
"Isn't this mealtime? If we're not allowed to eat at mealtime, when are we supposed to eat?"
Just as a sharp rap was about to land, Lin Yuan quickly swallowed it in a few gulps, then picked up the teapot on the table and gulped down two mouthfuls of water from the spout.
Then, following Qin's instructions, she slowly changed her plain green shirt into a lotus-root-colored top with a dogwood pattern and a light blue Liuxian skirt, and then put on a light gauze dress, dressing herself up as a colorful butterfly.
She found it amusing, but also thought to herself, "Well, Ade can't see clearly anyway."
Ade's eyes lit up, as if he had been sitting in the shade for too long and was suddenly dazzled by the sunlight in the corner.
The market was five miles away, and they walked there slowly.
Perhaps because Lin's mother was no longer peeking into the windows, Ade became much more lively.
Lin Yuan was taught some theoretical embroidery skills, and responded with "uh-huh" all the way.
After Ade finished embroidering a picture on his lips of plum blossoms reflected in the snow, jade trees and branches, two butterflies playing, children chasing butterflies, grandchildren enjoying their grandchildren, and a peaceful and prosperous country, he looked up and saw that the sun had risen slightly and there were still four miles of road ahead.
Fortunately, the further we went, the more bustling the crowd became, as if they were spreading some interesting news.
Ade let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. After a moment of silence, he finally began to speak again: "I met a colleague in the prefectural government office in Liyang. He had a friend who happened to be from the western suburbs of Chang'an, originally from our neighboring town. He is now a clerk in the imperial prison, holding the position of chief clerk. That's how he introduced me to him."
"……oh."
Lin Yuan, not understanding, then added dryly, "The prison guards of the Imperial Prison, ah, they are truly, truly, young and promising, a man of great talent and destiny."
Ade laughed: "My colleague is now fifty years old, and his friend is about the same age."
"……oh."
Lin Yuan thought and thought, but still couldn't figure out what Ade was trying to say.
She had no relatives or friends imprisoned in the imperial prison, so she needed to be acquainted with one or two prison guards to take care of her.
Although the imperial prison is filled with dignitaries and commoners, currently holding one of the Three Dukes, three of the Nine Ministers, and at least six officials of the rank of two thousand piculs, it is not a desirable place to enter the government.
Ade spoke softly and continued, "He used to work in the Prime Minister's residence, which is also the residence of the Marquis of Yangxin, and he still knows many people in the Prime Minister's residence."
"……oh."
It turns out it was through the Prime Minister's connections.
Lin Yuan nodded, measuring the path under her feet inch by inch, pondering that if she were to walk from here to the Prime Minister's residence in Dongshi Lane, she probably wouldn't have to take eighteen turns.
"So I heard from him that early this morning, the Grand Commandant and the Minister of the Imperial Clan, with the royal procession, left the palace to deliver an imperial edict to Prime Minister Su's residence. The royal procession is a rare sight; it is said to stretch for six or seven miles. The people at the front have already reached the gate of the Prime Minister's residence, while the last people are still on Dragon Head Mountain."
He suddenly stopped and asked, "Ah Yuan, you came from the palace, have you ever seen such a procession before?"
Lin Yuan was about to say that she had seen him, but then she remembered that when the emperor went hunting in Shanglin Garden, she should have been embroidering tigers or caterpillars in the weaving room. So she shook her head and said no.
Ad expressed his deep sympathy and comforted him, saying, "Even though I have been on royal pay for so many years, I have never seen such a thing."
Although he had never seen it before, judging from Ade's expression, Lin Yuan could already picture the grand procession in his mind.
If added to the long scroll of mountains and rivers he just sketched, it would probably extend another mile or two.
"Prime Minister Su's residence is in the East Market Lane of the Imperial City. Although it is at least fifty li away from here, the excitement has already spread to our western suburbs. I'm afraid that thirty li of those fifty li are already packed with people going to the Prime Minister's residence to offer congratulations and gifts. In Chang'an City, officials of all ranks have probably heard the news and rushed there as fast as they can."
"It's not just Chang'an City. I just saw a train of horses ahead. They stopped to ask for directions. Judging from their clothes, they were high-ranking officials. They were probably from nearby Xianyang or Liyang. They must have mistaken Dongshi Lane for Dongping Township."
As he spoke, Ade squinted at the sun in the east and shook his head, "Those below the rank of Zhongqianshi probably won't be able to see the Prime Minister by dusk of the next day."
"My colleague's friend, though only a low-ranking official of four hundred shi, benefited from his connection to the Prime Minister's residence. He went to congratulate me early this morning and even made a special trip to ask me whether it was better to give him jade or gold. Prime Minister Su is so incorruptible that he probably wouldn't accept anything. If my colleague heard this, he would surely be at home beating his chest in envy."
Lin Yuan didn't know what was going on with his colleagues. He himself, because he was dressed impeccably that day and the road was dusty, didn't beat his chest in frustration, but he was very envious in his words.
Lin Yuan was at a loss and almost wanted to say considerately, "Well, why don't you hurry over and join the queue first?"
She asked, "So, what exactly is the imperial decree being conveyed?"
Prime Minister Su was originally the Marquis of Yangxin, so why was he enfeoffed as a king of a different surname?
"It's the imperial edict appointing the daughter of Prime Minister Su!..."
Lin Yuan rubbed the gravel under her feet back and forth.
Ade's voice was muffled in there, as if his throat had been pierced.
The sun rose higher.
The glaring sand and gravel ahead inexplicably made me anxious.
She kicked the pebbles under her feet forward.
The pebble that rolled the furthest away rolled and rolled until it bumped into the upturned head of a pair of black shoes with cloud patterns.
As the gaze slowly rises, a tall, slender figure stands at the street corner, bathed in sunlight.
Extremely glaring.
Lin Yuan faced the sun, her shadow flickering before her eyes. After a long while, she slowly spoke:
"This is Dongping Township, not Dongshi Lane."
Her voice was very soft, as if she had also injured her throat.
Ade added, "Young master, this is the western suburbs. Dongshi Lane is east of Chang'an, about a half-day carriage ride away."
He looked at the fine horse behind the young master; its coat gleamed like gold in the sunlight, clearly very valuable, and changed his address to "a little half-day."
Xiao Xun seemed not to have heard him and walked towards Lin Yuan, a faint smile on his lips: "How could you know, young lady, that my heart is not set on Dongping Township?"
"Young master, who are you looking for in Dongping Township? I am from Dongping Township. My father is now the township's steward, and there is no one in the 860 households who doesn't know him..."
“Find a lady,” Xiao Xun said casually, without even glancing at Ade.
"May I ask, sir, what kind of lady is she?" Ade asked.
"Wearing lotus leaves and embroidered sashes—" Xiao Xun looked at Lin Yuan with a smile in his eyes.
"Her neck was like a cicada's, her teeth like melon seeds, her forehead broad and her eyebrows arched, her smile enchanting—"
Lin Yuan's face was devoid of any smile. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of reproach.
He shut his mouth.
Ade was stunned. He looked at Lin Yuan and hesitated before asking, "Yuan, do you recognize her...?"
Lin Yuan stated decisively, "Dongping Township is a desolate and remote place; there are no such people there. Perhaps there are some in Dongshi Lane; young master, go there to look."
"You keep bringing up Dongshi Lane," Xiao Xun sighed softly. "There is indeed a joyous occasion in Dongshi Lane today. Would you like to join in the fun, young lady? I'll take you there."
"What does the liveliness of Dongshi Lane have to do with me?" Lin Yuan ignored him and turned her head to say, "Ade, let's go."
Ade seems very willing to go.
Seeing that he was standing still and still chatting with this young master, Lin Yuan tugged at his sleeve.
There was no tugging, but his sleeve was grabbed and wrinkled, which Ade reached out to smooth out.
Xiao Xun caught a glimpse of the two struggling, his brow furrowed, and his voice turned cold, "Or is it that Miss Lin had arranged to go to the market with a man today? And when you run into an acquaintance, you try every means to get rid of him?"
Lin Yuan was speechless, her eyes almost bleeding.
She was a little annoyed.
She was angry at Xiao Xun, but even more angry at herself.
It's only a matter of time before Prime Minister Su and the Princess's daughter are officially appointed.
She had even seen the imperial edict that conferred the title long ago.
If she were in the mood, she could instantly perform a magic trick and recite the contents of the imperial edict perfectly. This would surely amaze even the fortune tellers in the marketplace.
But why did she feel inexplicably anxious and irritable after learning that the imperial edict had been issued?
Ultimately, what does it matter to her whether the prime minister's daughter receives an official title, or what title she receives—empress, empress dowager?
Whether they are a pair of mandarin ducks, swimming and playing in the water, or flying wing to wing, what does it have to do with her?
The best part is when they fly over the Dragon Gate and soar to the unseen horizon.
But why did Xiao Xun have to provoke her and tease her?
Saying things that seem plausible but are actually misleading?
Is it fun?
Her ears burned, and her face flushed slightly. Besides feeling embarrassed and annoyed, she also felt a little wronged.
However, the tears rolled around in her eyes twice but didn't fall.
She didn't say anything, quickened her pace, and walked headlong into the market.
From the moment he saw the lotus-embroidered robe and the orchid-sash, Ade understood most of it.
Seeing that the two seemed to have a disagreement, he was confused and felt awkward in the middle.
He introduced himself: "My name is Liu De. I am a childhood neighbor of A Yuan. It has been many years since we last met. It is a rare occasion to meet her here at home, so naturally we must catch up. May I ask your honorable surname, sir?"
Xiao Xun did not address him with the honorific "No need for formalities," but simply said, "My surname is Xiao."
Upon hearing that the man's surname was Huang, and seeing his understated yet luxurious attire and his dignified bearing as he walked, Ade immediately adopted a respectful gait and performed a proper cupped-hand salute, introducing himself as the Chief Clerk of Liyang.
Xiao Xun ignored him.
"May I ask where Young Master Xiao holds his position?"
Xiao Xun remained calm and composed before glancing at him: "I got a sinecure in the capital thanks to my ancestors' favor."
Ade became more respectful, waiting for him to explain what exactly the difference was.
But the person didn't continue.
Seeing Lin Yuan turn into the market, Xiao Xun strode after her.
Ade quickened his pace, continuing his pleasantries with the governor of the capital.
"Young Master Xiao seems to know A-Yuan well. How did you two meet?"
"It's a long story."
Xiao Xun's voice was calm and unhurried, "I won't say anything more."
He watched as Lin Yuan kept walking with her head down. She hadn't been back to her hometown for several years and probably wasn't very familiar with the market. Before long, they reached a dead end.
Lin Yuan turned back before hitting a brick wall.
The alley was very narrow, and when I turned around, I was face to face with Xiao Xun.
Then look, Ade stands respectfully with his hands at his sides three feet away.
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Xun's lips: "Didn't you say that there are jade shops selling royal items in the market in the western suburbs? I'm very curious."
He asked with a smile, "Take me to see it, so I can absorb some of the imperial aura."
Lin Yuan almost vomited blood.
Ade thought to himself that this young master Xiao was probably in charge of the position of magistrate of Chang'an City, a position with a salary equivalent to a thousand shi (a unit of grain), a cushy and lucrative post, and someone who was not related to the imperial family.
He replied earnestly, "It's all just nonsense from the shopkeepers to inflate prices. It's just that some jade artifacts come from the craftsmen of Shu, Danyang, and Henan. They bring the inferior pieces that weren't meant for the imperial court to the jade shops in the market to sell for a small profit. The villagers just listen to it for amusement."
As he led the way, he said, "Those jade carvings, the dragons and chimeras, upon closer inspection, are either missing claws or broken horns. They are worlds apart from those used by princes and nobles."
Twenty steps ahead is the jade shop.
"By the way, Brother Liu, are you the Chief Clerk of Liyang?"
Xiao Xun leisurely picked up a "royal" jade teacup from the shop and fiddled with it from side to side.
After Ade gave a respectful reply, he casually mentioned:
“I happen to have some dealings with Zuo Fengyi’s subordinates. I heard that Zuo Fengyi will be inspecting Liyang, Wannian and other places tomorrow to investigate the criminal cases there over the past three years.”
He smiled and said, "It seems that Liu Gongcao has already prepared the case files. Unlike the magistrate, county lieutenant, clerk, and jailer in Wannian County, I'm afraid they won't be able to sleep tonight."
He glanced at Lin Yuan out of the corner of his eye, and thus gave this Liyang official some face again.
"Upon meeting Brother Liu, I knew he was a capable man. Ah Yuan's judgment is never wrong."
He said "crude and shoddy" and put down the jade teacup, a faint smile still on his lips.
Ade's face turned pale, then red, and then he walked out of the jade shop. After taking two more steps forward, he suddenly said, "By the way, Ayuan, although I have a day off these two days, I suddenly remembered that there are still some miscellaneous matters in the government office. I have to rush back tonight."
Before Lin Yuan could answer, he cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Xun, "It is an honor to meet Young Master Xiao today. Please excuse me for taking my leave now, as I cannot keep you company any longer."
"What a pity. I can't properly get to know and talk with a capable person like Brother Liu." Xiao Xun sighed regretfully, then smiled consolingly, "The affairs of the government office are more important. We'll meet again sometime."
Ade had just turned to leave when he remembered something, stopped, and turned back, saying, "What about A-Yuan, she..."
Xiao Xun interrupted, "Since Liu Gongcao has something to attend to, I will take good care of A Yuan and send her home safely. There's no need to worry."
Ade breathed a sigh of relief, thanked them repeatedly, turned and walked quickly. He started running at the entrance of the market alley. His carefully dressed, formal robe fluttered in the wind, the hem of the robe splattered with mud from the ground, and the sleeves of the robe wiped away the oil from the butcher shop.
In the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the bustling crowd at the street corner.
Lin Yuan frowned, turned her head, and asked Xiao Xun suspiciously, "Young Master Xiao, you are so busy with important matters, how could you know Zuo Fengyi's itinerary for tomorrow? Is he going to inspect Liyang County?"
"If I hadn't met this clerk from Liyang, I wouldn't have remembered it for a while."
Xiao Xun raised an eyebrow and smiled, then waved his hand, summoning the Imperial Guards riders who were mingling among the passersby to come forward.
"Go tell Zuo Fengyi to make a trip to Liyang tomorrow to check the criminal records of the past three years and see if there are any wrongful convictions."
He casually asked Lin Yuan, "By the way, what I just said was three years, right?"
Lin Yuan bit her lip and exhaled a breath of stale air: "My mother repeatedly told me to make sure I take Ade back for a meal."
"Wouldn't it be the same if you took me back?"
"How can these be the same???"
"Didn't you promise to take me to meet your parents when we returned to Chang'an?" Xiao Xun asked. "Have you forgotten?"
Lin Yuan ignored him and walked away angrily.
Xiao Xun quickly followed after him.
The two walked out of the market one after the other, heads down.
The sun was high in the sky, and there were few pedestrians.
Xiao Xun was also displeased: "Are you catching up with him, or rekindling an old flame?"
Lin Yuan wanted to retort, "What old feelings are you talking about?" but feeling annoyed, she said, "It's none of your business."
Xiao Xun sneered: "Such a big reaction from just one question, it seems to be the latter?"
"You are allowed to fly together with your childhood sweetheart like mandarin ducks, singing in harmony, while I, innocent and pure, cannot even reminisce with my neighbors?"
Xiao Xun paused, then asked, "'Mandarin ducks fly together, their calls echoing in harmony,' where did those two phrases come from?"
Lin Yuan blushed and said evasively, "This... the emperor issued an edict to announce it to the whole world, and everyone knows it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun pondered for a moment and immediately understood what was going on.
The imperial edict appointing Su Chan was issued at dawn. Even if the news spread quickly, it was impossible for every single word of the edict, including the lengthy and laudatory opening, to be transmitted without any error.
If this were to get out, it wouldn't just be the first two sentences; otherwise, why would she react this way?
It's likely that the imperial edict was presented to the emperor by the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat long before Lin Yuan left the palace. Lin Yuan served him with writing materials, and it's unclear when she saw it. It was probably around that time that she made up her mind to leave.
But her current strong reaction, every word laced with barbs, her inexplicable anger—does she think…?
Is she jealous?
Xiao Xun suddenly wanted to laugh, feeling secretly pleased, but also a little bittersweet.
He stopped and pressed on, "And then what? What else does the world know?"
Lin Yuan blushed deeply at his question, refusing to turn around or admit that she had secretly read the imperial edict: "I...I don't know."
Otherwise, she would probably have to try to get in touch with Adelaide's colleagues and friends.
A cold sneer sounded in his ear, "The emperor issued an edict, proclaiming it to the world. Everyone knows, except you? Is the writing at the end of the edict unclear, or is the edict unevenly laid out on the desk?"
Lin Yuan pinched her skirt with her fingers and twisted out one, two, or three flowers.
"It seems I was negligent; I told the whole world, but forgot about you."
Xiao Xun raised an eyebrow. "Let me tell you what's written at the end."
"What does this have to do with me?" Lin Yuan murmured, her voice not carrying out.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves and the pebbles murmured.
Lin Yuan stared at the drooping branches and leaves in front of her.
The leaves are almost transparent in the sunlight, their veins green, intertwined and spreading, impossible to tear apart or untangle.
"...Chan, daughter of the late Grand Princess Yangyi and Prime Minister Su Dan, Marquis of Yangxin, was gentle and virtuous, with a refined and prudent demeanor. She was well-versed in poetry and etiquette and was raised in the palace from a young age. I suffered misfortune at a young age and was entrusted to the care of the Grand Princess Yangyi by the grace of my late father, so that I could receive her loving teachings. Thus, we, as cousins, shared meals and studied together. Although we were of different surnames, our affection was like that of siblings, like mandarin ducks, like hands and feet."
"According to ancient regulations, Chan is hereby conferred the title of Princess, with the name Anping. She is granted the fief of a thousand households in Anping County, Hedong. She is bestowed with an imperial seal and ribbon, and her carriage and clothing are in accordance with regulations. Her ceremonies are comparable to those of marquises. In addition, the former residence of the late Princess Yangyi in the North Palace Alley of Weiyang Palace is granted as the Anping Princess Mansion."
"Marquis Dan of Yangxin is skilled in educating his daughter; his household will be increased by five hundred households..."
The branches swayed, sunlight streamed through, piercing into Lin Yuan's eyes, and a buzzing sound filled her ears.
Grandfather, Grandfather, Grandfather...Grandmother?
Like a kite and a mandarin duck, like hands and feet.
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The author notes: "Mandarin ducks fly together, their feathers rustling. Their calls are harmonious, they gaze at their mates." This line is noted in Chapter Four and comes from Ji Kang's (Wei Dynasty) four-character poem, "A Poem Presented to My Brother, a Scholar, on His Entry into the Army," which praises brotherly love.
In ancient times, the image of mandarin ducks represented not only romantic love but also sibling affection.
①In the Western Han Dynasty, a Market Supervisor was established in Chang'an, under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Jingzhao. The rank was equivalent to 1,000 shi (a unit of grain). There were Market Supervisors in both the East and West Markets. They were in charge of municipal administration, market transactions, and price balancing.
②爨 (cuàn): a pot for cooking rice.
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