Chapter 70: Implicating Yuanchun (Part 1)

Within the Changchun Garden lies a collection of buildings known as the Hall of Condensed Spring.

Emperor Jingning had always favored the Hall of Condensed Spring. After Emperor Taishun ascended the throne, Emperor Jingning specially ceded the hall to the Empress Dowager, making it her residential palace within the garden.

The architectural complex of the Hall of Condensed Spring comprised grand halls and auxiliary courtyards, styled with a rustic elegance that harmonized with the natural landscape of rockeries and waters. Like a bright pearl embedded among the scenery, its name, "Condensed Spring," symbolized the gathering of vernal beauty.

The Hall of Condensed Spring was a tranquil retreat, ideal for banquets and theatrical performances. On its eastern side stood a shrine dedicated to the Daoist deity Bixia Yuanjun, from which wisps of incense smoke continuously drifted. The surroundings were planted with a profusion of flowers and trees: in spring, blossoms were as brocade; in summer, green shades were like canopies; in autumn, red leaves burned like fire; and even in winter, amidst the pristine snow, plum blossoms could be seen in full bloom.

As dusk approached, a banquet was underway in the Hall of Condensed Spring, presenting a scene of lively animation.

The Empress Dowager sat serenely in the center upon a rosewood carved chair, draped in an embroidered phoenix robe and wearing a pearl-and-kingfisher-feather phoenix crown. Although over sixty years of age, she appeared full of vigor, radiating both benevolence and majesty.

Surrounding her was a throng of Emperor Jingning's imperial consorts and concubines, varying in age and rank, clad in gorgeous garments of every hue. Some sat while others stood, assuming myriad postures. Certain consorts covered their smiles behind silk handkerchiefs, while others leaned toward one another, whispering in low tones.

Jia Yuanchun stood respectfully by the Empress Dowager's side. Her eyebrows resembled distant hills brushed with dark pigment, her eyes were like autumn waves of flowing water, her skin was as smooth as congealed lard, and her lips were like touched cinnabar. Her palace attire rendered her poised, graceful, and refined, making her look like an immortal maiden stepped down from a painting.

At this moment, her expression was respectful. Her gaze occasionally fixed upon the Empress Dowager, and occasionally swept across the gathering in the hall, while deep within her heart she harbored sorrow.

As the Empress Dowager's female official, Yuanchun was responsible for assisting Her Majesty with matters of court etiquette and internal affairs, as well as maintaining written records. She was a capable aide to the Empress Dowager and held a remarkably high rank.

As the banquet reached its height, the Empress Dowager looked toward Yuanchun with a benevolent gaze, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze brushing the face: "Yuanchun, your skill on the zither is peerless. Why not play a tune today to add a touch of refined elegance to this banquet?"

Yuanchun excelled at playing the zither, and her personal maid, Baoqin, had accompanied her into the palace.

Yuanchun smiled gracefully, offered a slight bow, and spoke with a voice like flowing clear spring water: "What melody would Your Majesty wish to hear? This subject-granddaughter is willing to perform it for you."

After a brief moment of contemplation, the Empress Dowager slowly said: "Play 'Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute,' the piece you do best. It has been a long time since I last heard it, and today I find myself wishing to listen to it once more."

Yuanchun nodded in assent and turned to instruct a palace maid to fetch the zither. The maid possessed delicate features and clear, expressive eyes; she was none other than Baoqin, the personal maid Yuanchun had brought with her from the Rongguo Mansion.

Baoqin hurried away and returned shortly carrying an ancient zither. The body of the instrument was crafted from tung wood, its lacquer finish bearing an antique patina. The strings, fine as silk, faintly emanated the aged fragrance of sandalwood.

Yuanchun received the zither, her slender, jade-like fingers gently brushing across its surface as if whispering to the instrument or awakening the sleeping soul within its wood.

Instantly, she seated herself properly before the zither, pressing her hands lightly upon the strings. After a moment of concentrated stillness, her fingertips plucked, and a clear, resonant cascade of notes flowed forth like spring water.

It was precisely the "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute."

Legend had it that the "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute" was composed by Cai Wenji. The entire piece utilized three modes—Gong, Zheng, and Yu—displaying distinct levels of musical contrast and development. It expressed both the tragic sorrow of Cai Wenji being captured by the Xiongnu amidst the wars at the end of the Han dynasty, and conveyed her deep yearning for her homeland as well as the agony of separation from her children.

Yuanchun's fingertips danced continually across the zither strings. The music was at times as low and plaintive as weeping, and at times as soaring and accusatory as an appeal, seeming to distill all of Cai Wenji's sorrow into this square inch of space.

The Empress Dowager listened intently, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as though she had found something comforting within the notes.

As she played, Yuanchun's thoughts turned to her own circumstances. Back then, when Lady Jia sent her into the palace to be selected as a female official for the Consort virtuous, the true expectation was that she would become a consort to the reigning emperor. Moreover, she had already heard that recently the Wang family, the Xue family, and the Ningguo Mansion had successively incurred the wrath of Retired Emperor Jingning, resulting in imperial edicts punishing them. Her yearning for her family, the pain of separation from her loved ones, the heavy mission she carried, and the rise and fall of her clan all seemed to surface one by one within the music.

Her slender, jade-like fingers trembled slightly, and her sorrow had already blended into the zither notes. She actually felt an urge to weep, yet she dared not shed tears, fearing she would ruin the refined enjoyment of the Empress Dowager and the other exalted guests.

Her eyes were cast downward, her long eyelashes acting like fans to conceal the turbulent emotions in the depths of her gaze. Only the slightly trembling notes of the zither betrayed the sorrow hidden within her heart.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the hall, and a eunuch shouted in a loud voice: "His Imperial Majesty the Retired Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the consorts and concubines hurriedly rose to pay their respects and welcome him.

The Empress Dowager also hastened to stand, greeting him with a smile.

Yuanchun's fingertips paused, and the zither music ceased abruptly. She stood up and offered a bow, maintaining a poised demeanor and a calm expression, as if the sorrow and turbulence of just a moment ago had never existed.

Emperor Jingning stepped into the hall, attired in bright yellow informal robes. Although nearly seventy years of age, he appeared somewhat spirited and his gait remained reasonably steady.

He waved his hand to signal everyone to rise, then walked over to sit beside the Empress Dowager, speaking in a warm tone: "I heard there was lively activity here and came specially to take a look. The zither music just now was exceedingly moving; I wonder who played it?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "It was played by Yuanchun. If Your Majesty is so inclined, you might as well let her continue." With these words, she cast a gentle glance toward Jia Yuanchun.

Emperor Jingning glanced sideways at Jia Yuanchun, who stood beside the zither, and could not help slightly knitting his brows as if recalling something, though he quickly smoothed his expression. He nodded and said in an indifferent tone: "Very well, let Yuanchun continue. Do not let my presence disturb your refined pleasure."

The Empress Dowager called out: "Yuanchun, continue playing."

Yuanchun respectfully complied, seating herself once more before the zither. Her fingertips plucked lightly, the strings vibrated, and the music rang out once again. Only this time, it seemed to carry an added gravity, owing to the presence of Emperor Jingning.

Emperor Jingning sat upright beside the Empress Dowager, his gaze falling upon Yuanchun with a profound and thoughtful look. Suddenly, he leaned slightly to the side and beckoned to the Empress Dowager beside him. Understanding his intent, the Empress Dowager immediately leaned her ear close.

Emperor Jingning lowered his voice, yet his tone was resolute: "That matter which you mentioned to me earlier—where Lady Jia of the Rongguo Mansion begged you to make Yuanchun a consort to the Emperor—let that be dropped!"

With merely these few words, an imperial decree was formed, thoroughly rewriting Yuanchun's destiny!

The Empress Dowager's expression remained calm, seemingly unsurprised, as she asked in a soft voice: "Is it because the Wang family and the Ningguo Mansion have successively brought about their own downfall recently and angered Your Imperial Majesty?"

Although she resided deep within the inner palace, she was well aware of affairs at court.

Emperor Jingning nodded, his eyes profound.

Originally, he had appreciated Yuanchun not only because of her virtue, filial piety, and talent, but also because of the deep bonds of monarch and minister he shared with her grandfather, Jia Daishan. Even when Wang Ziteng fell from grace, he had still harbored thoughts of arranging for Yuanchun to become a consort to Emperor Taishun, thereby ensuring the prolonged prosperity of the Rongguo Mansion. However, the subsequent downfall of Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion had made him change his mind.

Just as Lady Jia had anticipated, Yuanchun had indeed been implicated!

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, her gaze falling upon Yuanchun, who was still playing the "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute," imbued with a trace of pity.