The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 12 Emperor Yonglong's Birthday

Lin Ruhai looked at the little ones with affection in his eyes, especially when he saw Xia Chengzong, he couldn't help but take a few more glances.

He said, "I came in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

After exchanging a few polite words, Prince Zhongzheng said to the four children, "Your Uncle Lin is someone I met ten years ago."

"At that time, your Uncle Lin had just passed the age of 18 when he passed the Jiangnan provincial examination with top honors and entered the Imperial Academy to study. He became a close friend of your father."

"But fate is unpredictable. His family members passed away one after another, forcing him to observe mourning at home for six years. Only now has he been able to return to the capital to participate in the imperial examination."

"You will definitely pass this exam with flying colors. From now on, your Uncle Lin will stay at our residence temporarily."

"You are not allowed to disturb Uncle Lin while he is studying, do you hear me?"

"Yes, Father, I have remembered."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong's heart stirred.

Listening to my father's introduction, how come this Uncle Lin looks so much like Lin Ruhai, the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination?

Judging by their ages, this Uncle Lin is about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, which is about the same age as Lin Ruhai.

Moreover, with such grace and erudition, he achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination ten years ago.

He must be Lin Ruhai, the third-ranking scholar in the imperial examination.

The father and Lin Tanhua were actually close friends?

I wonder if Uncle Lin is married yet? And I wonder if Sister Lin has been born?

Having traveled to the world of Dream of the Red Chamber, how could one not witness the splendor of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling?

Moreover, she was Lin Daiyu, the first of the Twelve Beauties.

Just as Xia Chengzong was lost in thought, he heard Lin Ruhai say:

"How could it be like that? It's irrelevant. If you have any questions about reading, just come and ask me."

"I've spent these past few years observing mourning and focusing on my studies, and I've made some progress. Now I don't need to cram at the last minute."

After saying a few more words, Lin Ruhai began to test the little ones.

This left Xia Chengzong speechless, wondering why people of this era would have such a perverse sense of humor.

Adults like to test their children in front of them all the time. Have you ever considered how the children feel? What kind of twisted sense of humor is this?

After testing them, Lin Ruhai was impressed by the children's knowledge.

Xia Chengzong, in particular, struck him as quite unusual.

Lin Ruhai's positive emotions +1 +1 +1

This confirms it; this Uncle Lin is indeed Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai praised, "Brother Zong is indeed exceptionally intelligent. I was also praised as a child prodigy when I was young."

"But when I was his age, did I ever possess his knowledge and insight?"

"If he hadn't been born into a royal family, but instead participated in the imperial examinations, he would have undoubtedly been among the top three."

Upon hearing Lin Ruhai praise his son, Prince Zhongzheng smiled modestly and said, "He's so young, how many books has he read? Brother Lin, you flatter me greatly!"

……

Lin Ruhai settled down at the Prince Zhongzheng's residence, and the little ones all kept their distance from him.

They naturally dislike learned people, just as students in later generations particularly dislike contact with teachers during holidays.

Xia Chengzong, however, took the initiative to contact Lin Ruhai several times.

Lin Ruhai showed none of the pedantry typical of ordinary scholars.

After talking with Xia Chengzong a few times, he put away his contempt and did not neglect him at all because of his young age.

Xia Chengzong also held Lin Ruhai in high esteem.

Lin Ruhai was a traditional Confucian student who took it upon himself to bring peace to the world for all generations, but he was also very open-minded.

The two discussed issues such as people's livelihood, reform, and the limitations of the system.

Xia Chengzong would unintentionally bring out the ideas of later generations.

Instead of harshly condemning such advanced ideas as heresy, Lin Ruhai began to seriously consider them.

After careful consideration, they will offer their own insights.

These insights always impressed Xia Chengzong greatly!

Later generations are not necessarily smarter than their ancestors; they simply stand on the shoulders of giants.

This made Xia Chengzong realize that he was only more knowledgeable about later generations than Lin Ruhai.

In terms of intelligence and talent, I can't even come close to matching him.

In the struggle for succession, one must have one's own team.

This Lin Tan Hua is a rare talent!

Of course, it's too early to say these things now.

What Xia Chengzong wanted to do was to leave a deep impression on Lin Ruhai.

Xia Chengzong lived two lives and possessed a wealth of theoretical knowledge and insights.

Such theoretical knowledge and insights held a great attraction for Lin Ruhai.

Therefore, the two often sat down and discussed philosophy, sitting knee to knee.

Over time, the two gradually became close friends despite their age difference.

This greatly surprised even Prince Chung-jang.

……

Before we knew it, the Lantern Festival had already passed.

With Emperor Yonglong's birthday approaching, the Ministry of Rites issued an edict announcing to the world the abolition of punishments and the prohibition of slaughter.

Officials at all levels, including those from vassal states, sent birthday gifts in advance.

Because Emperor Yonglong's birthday was on the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, just two days after the Lantern Festival.

Therefore, the vassal states would send gifts before the new year.

Most of them arrive before the Lunar New Year and are then presented to the deceased on their birthdays after the New Year.

The day before, Prince Chung-jung summoned all the children together.

He instructed, "This time, on your Emperor's birthday, all civil and military officials will present gifts, making it a very grand occasion."

"These past few days, you have all been learning etiquette. On your birthday, be sure not to make a single mistake that will invite ridicule."

"Your uncles might also try to cause trouble in secret, so you all need to be careful and not leave them any leverage."

"Especially Chengzong, your imperial grandfather's praise of you as a 'good grandson' may bring you glory, but it will also bring many open and hidden dangers. Be very careful."

Xia Chengzong nodded and said, "Father, please rest assured, I have already made preparations."

Prince Chungjang said, "That's good. I can rest assured that you're doing things right."

In the middle of the night, the family got up, boarded their carriages, and headed straight for the palace.

At this time, all the civil and military officials, nobles, imperial relatives, and envoys from vassal states in the capital were dressed in their most solemn court attire and stood solemnly in the designated area outside the Meridian Gate according to their rank and status.

Prince Chung-jang and his family, however, do not need to wait here.

As princes, they had special access.

The brothers gathered first and went ahead to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to perform the family ritual and kowtow to Emperor Yonglong to wish him a happy birthday.

Next, Emperor Yonglong, dressed in a ceremonial robe with twelve embroidered symbols, was led by his attendants and surrounded by his entourage. He then departed from the inner palace in his palanquin, passed through the Fengtian Gate, and ascended to the throne in the Fengtian Hall.

Then, bells and drums sounded in unison, and Shao music was played.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial guided the officials into the Fengtian Hall Square in turn, where they stood in order.

Grand Secretary Chen Wenli knelt before the official in charge of displaying the congratulatory memorial and read it aloud.

After the announcement was read, the official in charge of chanting "Kneel!" began, and all the officials began to kneel in worship.

Then, the officials sang the rallying cry again, shouting in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Then, the chanting began, and everyone stood up.

This process is repeated four times, symbolizing supreme reverence.