The Red Mansion

Chapter 95 Jiang Nian and Yuanchun's First Meeting
Seeing Emperor Taishun scrutinizing the scroll, Jiang Nian said respectfully, "I know that most Buddhist scriptures in the palace are written on cinnabar paper with gold ink, to convey solemnity and sanctity. However, I do not possess cinnabar paper or gold ink, nor am I qualified to use them. This time, I have chosen to use imitation cinnabar paper with silver-infused gold ink. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Even though Emperor Taishun was mean-spirited and harsh towards his sons, he couldn't help but be moved by the affection of Jiang Nian, a commoner illegitimate child.

Emperor Taishun nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming with approval. "I am deeply gratified by your thoughtfulness. Even more valuable, you have already prepared these handwritten Buddhist scriptures, demonstrating your sincerity. The Empress Dowager has always been a believer in Buddhism, and particularly enjoys Buddhist scriptures, so this gift will likely please her."

After saying this, Emperor Taishun gently closed the scripture and handed it to Jiang Nian.

Emperor Taishun immediately ordered a eunuch to lead the way, and took Jiang Nian from Danning Residence to Ningchun Hall. The scenery along the way was stunning, but Jiang Nian only took in the scenery briefly, not caring about taking in the details.

Arriving at Ningchun Hall, Jiang Nian waited for a moment before being allowed in. Entering the hall, he saw the Empress Dowager sitting alone, with no one else inside. This was clearly a deliberate arrangement to keep his background secret.

Jiang Nian stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your servant, Jiang Nian, respectfully wishes the Queen Mother good health."

The Empress Dowager raised her hand slightly and said, "Stand up."

Jiang Nian stood up as he was told, with his hands hanging down and a respectful look on his face.

The Empress Dowager looked at Jiang Nian carefully and saw that he was of average appearance, with a strong and upright figure. He looked heroic in the official hat and uniform of a third-class guard. She felt a little satisfied.

Before the Empress Dowager could ask, Jiang Nian spoke first, "Today, His Majesty sent someone to remind me that the Empress Dowager wishes to summon me. I should prepare a filial gift. I have brought the gift with me, and it is now being kept by an eunuch outside. Please allow me to present it to you, Your Majesty."

He said this deliberately. If the Empress Dowager heard this, she would probably be satisfied with Emperor Taishun. If the Empress Dowager told Emperor Taishun these words, Emperor Taishun would be satisfied with him again.

Sure enough, when the Empress Dowager heard these words, a look of pleasure appeared on her face.

Jiang Nian continued, "I know Your Majesty governs the world with filial piety and respects filial piety. Therefore, I have been copying the Heart Sutra and the Infinite Life Sutra daily, so that I can present them to the Empress Dowager when I have the honor of meeting her someday. I pray that she will be healthy and live a long and blissful life. This is a small token of my filial piety. I have already copied the Heart Sutra forty-nine times and the Infinite Life Sutra once. It is a fortunate coincidence that I have been summoned by the Empress Dowager today, so I have brought them here to present to you."

When the Empress Dowager heard this, she immediately felt a liking for this commoner grandson whom she met for the first time, and immediately ordered the eunuch outside to bring in the package containing the hand-copied Buddhist scriptures.

The Empress Dowager examined the handwritten Buddhist scriptures in the package.

Jiang Nian then talked about the special use of imitation magnetic blue paper and silver and gold mixed with mud for copying.

The Empress Dowager was even more pleased after hearing this. After sending the eunuch away, her expression became kind and her tone was friendly: "It is rare for you to be so filial. I have always loved Buddhist scriptures, and this gift is very much to my liking."

Jiang Nian hurriedly said respectfully, "I am relieved that the Queen Mother is satisfied, and I am also honored."

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and asked, "I suppose you already know about my arranged marriage?"

Jiang Nian bowed his head and replied, "I have just heard Your Majesty speak of this matter. I am deeply grateful. Thanks to the Queen Mother's grace, I am able to marry a good match."

The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "The one I'm betrothing you to is a lady close to me, Yuanchun. She comes from the Rongguo Mansion and is virtuous, filial, talented, and virtuous, and I have always admired her. You should be grateful to the Emperor and His Majesty for allowing you to marry her."

Jiang Nian bowed and said, "I am grateful to the Emperor and His Majesty for their grace, and I am also grateful to the Empress Dowager for arranging this marriage. I am also grateful to Prince Zhongyi for his kindness."

The Empress Dowager nodded, a smile in her eyes, and said, "Indeed, I should be grateful to the Thirteenth Prince." At this point, she paused briefly and said, "Your marriage to Yuanchun is a match made in heaven. I hope you will treat her well after the wedding and will not let me down."

Jiang Nian replied solemnly, "I will definitely remember the Queen Mother's teachings, treat Ms. Jia well, and live up to her kindness."

The Empress Dowager suddenly fell into deep thought, with thoughts flowing between her brows.

After a moment, she raised her eyes to look at Jiang Nian, her lips curled up slightly, and said, "Today is my first time meeting you, so I should reward you. Moreover, you have prepared such a filial gift that suits my heart. However, I think it would be tacky to reward you with gold and silver. I do have a special reward, I wonder if you like it?"

Jiang Nian hurriedly replied respectfully, "I am a humble servant, and I have no honor to receive any reward from the Queen Mother. If I could receive one, how could I not be happy? However, I would be honored by any gift, no matter what it is."

A sly look suddenly flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and she smiled, "Although your marriage to Yuanchun has been arranged today, you are only fifteen years old and not yet of age. Your wedding will have to wait until next year. This means that you still have another year before you can meet Yuanchun. I imagine you must be curious about Yuanchun's appearance. I will make it convenient for you today and allow you to see Yuanchun first. This is a reward for you. What do you think?"

Jiang Nian was pleasantly surprised to hear this and said gratefully, "I have received great grace from the Queen Mother. This reward is truly my honor."

His heart was already in turmoil. He didn't expect to see Yuanchun today. It was really a pleasant surprise.

The main reason was that the gift he presented this time won the heart of the Empress Dowager, who was also satisfied with his appearance and temperament. In addition, the Empress Dowager liked Yuanchun, so she suddenly decided to let him meet Yuanchun first.

The Empress Dowager thought that the young couple would be satisfied with each other's appearance and would look forward to their wedding next year.

Immediately, the Empress Dowager replaced the eunuch, waved her hand gently, and ordered the eunuch to say, "Call Yuanchun here."

The eunuch took the order, bowed and retreated, and left in a hurry.

Soon, Yuanchun walked slowly into the hall with light lotus steps.

Jiang Nian looked at Yuanchun. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, shimmering with a hint of elegance. Her eyes were like rippling autumn water, their glint shimmering like a galaxy. Her skin was creamy, white as jade, and her lips were a touch of vermilion, delicate and alluring. She wore a palace dress embroidered with cloud patterns, her skirt trailing lightly, highlighting her dignified elegance. She looked like a fairy from a painting, gracefully descending into the mortal world.

Just one glance made Jiang Nian satisfied.

Yuanchun raised her eyes slightly, glanced around the hall, and met Jiang Nian's eyes.

When the two met for the first time, their eyes met, and there seemed to be thousands of words flowing in them, but they were speechless.

Yuanchun's cheeks flushed slightly, and she shyly lowered her eyes, avoiding Jiang Nian's gaze. Then she stepped forward and saluted the Empress Dowager: "Your humble servant respectfully wishes you the best of health."

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, her expression kind. She gently raised her finger and pointed at Jiang Nian, saying to Yuanchun, "Yuanchun, he is Jiang Nian."

Upon hearing this, Yuanchun tilted her head slightly and looked at Jiang Nian again. Curiosity flashed in her eyes, and shyness appeared on her face, as if a peach blossom had quietly blossomed. She bowed to Jiang Nian, opened her red lips, and said softly, "Greetings to Guard Jiang!"

(End of this chapter)