bookbashuk Chapter 30 A Letter Sent from Afar
Chapter 30 A Letter Sent from Afar
"Grand Ancestor," Xiao Qingyi's soft, sweet voice pulled Li Chengqian back to reality.
"Yiyi wants to go play with Sizi Jiejie and Zhinu Guoguo, okay? Sizi Jiejie really liked the building blocks from last time."
Li Chengqian turned his head and looked into the little girl's clear eyes. Those eyes were just like Lizhi's when she was a child—clean and bright.
Li Chengqian looked at her, but the phrase "quite pampered at home" from Qingge's letter inexplicably flashed through his mind. Yes, a child of this age should be playing carefree under the care of her family.
With Lizhi around, and Zhinu and Sizi being pure-hearted and well-mannered children, sending more reliable and capable people to accompany them should be fine.
Having made up his mind, he nodded slightly: "Agreed."
Xiao Qingyi's eyes lit up instantly, like two small flames that had been ignited in a flash.
"However," Li Chengqian's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze calm yet focused on the little girl before him, "Yiyi, remember, from now on, here and in front of outsiders, never call me 'Ancestor' again."
Xiao Qingyi tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face: "Why? You are the ancestor in the portrait."
Li Chengqian paused for a moment. How could he explain to a three-and-a-half-year-old child the potential for suspicion about his identity, patriarchal issues, and even unnecessary trouble that such a title might bring? He could only offer a different explanation she could understand: "The rules here are different from those at home. 'Grand Ancestor' is the title used at home. Here, you can call me 'Crown Prince Brother' just like Si Zi and the others. Do you understand?"
"Crown Prince...brother?" Xiao Qingyi repeated, seemingly finding the new title quite pleasant to say, and even feeling it sounded more intimate and like a playmate. She quickly accepted it happily, nodding her little head vigorously, "Yes! Yiyi remembers! Crown Prince brother!"
This clear, crisp "Crown Prince Brother" lacked some of the strangeness of a longing for a distant past, and instead possessed a more worldly, childlike intimacy, which made Li Chengqian feel slightly relieved. He straightened up, called out to the personal eunuch who had been waiting outside the hall, and instructed him:
"Prepare a palanquin to take the young lady to Princess Jinyang's residence. First, inform Princess Changle and ask her to take good care of her. Send several composed palace servants and eunuchs to accompany her, and make sure they look after her carefully and stay by her side at all times. If the young lady wants to take out any non-palace items to play with, be aware of her surroundings and politely dissuade her if necessary, so as not to disturb others."
The eunuch bowed and accepted the order with light and swift movements.
"Go," Li Chengqian said to Xiao Qingyi, his voice unconsciously softening. "Remember to listen to what Sister Chang Le and Brother Zhi Nu say."
"I know! Thank you, Crown Prince!" The little girl's smile was as bright as a blooming flower as she happily reached out her little hand and took the hand of a kind-faced middle-aged palace maid. She almost ran out of the palace gate, and her eager and joyful mood gradually dissipated as her footsteps faded into the distance.
The hall fell silent once more, a familiar stillness settling in, broken only by the ticking of the water clock and the silent swirling of sandalwood incense. Without that vibrant color and childlike sound, the warmth and wistfulness that had lingered in my heart because of the letter from later generations seemed to become clearer again.
Li Chengqian sat up straight again, carefully read Qingge's letter once more, and then moved it aside. He took a new sheet of fine, even-textured court-issue paper, slowly poured water into the inkstone, picked up his usual jade paperweight with a dragon pattern to hold down the corner of the paper, then picked up the purple brush, concentrated for a moment, and made his first stroke.
His handwriting was neat and vigorous, carrying the composure and discipline unique to a crown prince. Yet, the content he was writing at this moment far surpassed all his previous documents:
Chengqian respectfully writes to Qingge:
I have received your kind letter and precious gift. The things you have shown me are beyond comprehension. I was astonished at first, and then I was alarmed. However, seeing the pure sincerity of your child and the ingenuity of the objects, I realized that they could not have been obtained by mere fantasy. I then realized that the ways of Heaven are mysterious and unpredictable, and that extraordinary phenomena may occasionally appear.
She is here, and I will naturally look after her; please do not worry about her. She is a child with a carefree heart, but the palace is imposing, unlike the common people. I hope you will constantly instruct her, showing her the importance of self-discipline, and not to lightly show her anything unusual, nor to speak recklessly of any distant connection. Even the subtlety of how you address her must be carefully considered. (This implicitly reminds me of the term "ancestor," but expressed to Qingge in a more refined way.)
I am deeply grateful for your kind consideration. It is truly awe-inspiring that our humble origins have endured for a thousand years. Enclosed is a collection of poems by Tao Yuanming, a poet of the previous dynasty. His character was simple and his words refined and distant, perhaps they will bring you joy. Also included is a plain jade inkstone, a common item made in the palace, of little value, but a small token of my appreciation, a token of our friendship.
The world is vast and uncertain, and we are separated by an unbridgeable gap. I only wish that we each take good care of ourselves and live in harmony with the times. If there is any news, please entrust it to your child.
"Written by Emperor Chengqian during the Zhenguan era"
After writing, he gently blew the ink dry and silently read it over from beginning to end. In the letter, he acknowledged the incredible connection ("Heaven's ways are profound and mysterious, yet extraordinary phenomena occasionally appear"), expressed his responsibility to care for Yiyi, and solemnly offered admonitions ("Be cautious in solitude," "Do not show lightly," "Do not speak recklessly"). Finally, he returned the gift with poetry, calligraphy, and an inkstone, which were both elegant and subtle, yet also implied proof of his identity. He specifically stated that these were "ordinary items, unrelated to rarity or extravagance," to avoid any risk of them being interpreted as special political signals. Throughout the letter, the wording was cautious and prudent, but the sentiment of "the continuation of bloodlines" ("Both vigilant and joyful") and the concern for future generations ("Protecting in accordance with the times") still quietly flowed between the lines.
He carefully folded the letter and placed it in a small plain brocade box. At that moment, Du He returned carrying two boxes.
One box was made of rosewood. Inside were several elegantly bound, finely printed thread-bound books, including a meticulously copied copy of "The Collected Works of Tao Yuanming" from the previous dynasty. The other was a smaller box made of boxwood, lined with velvet, containing a jade inkstone with a warm, lustrous texture. The top was uncarved, and the sides were plain and unadorned, yet it exuded a sense of preciousness.
"Your Highness, everything has been prepared as instructed," Du He said in a low voice.
Li Chengqian glanced at them and nodded: "Put the letter and these two items away properly, and wait..." He paused, "...until the young lady returns. I will make my own arrangements."
"Yes."
After Du He left with the things, Li Chengqian stood alone by the window. The sunlight was just right in the courtyard, and a few late-blooming chrysanthemums swayed gently in the breeze.
He stood with his hands behind his back, remaining motionless for a long time.