Chapter 1191 - 869: Hot Spring Palace
At noon, someone came with a message. Shang Ruyi was already dressed neatly and followed Yu Wenye to Liangyi Hall.
At this moment, the wind suddenly picked up, the north wind howled, cutting at their faces like knives. Just as they reached the entrance of the hall, they heard a familiar voice carried by the wind, reciting in a high-pitched tone—
The green mountains are long frozen, the earth long in autumn, day and night the springs babble at Huazhou.
Smoke invades the official’s residence for ten thousand homes, clouds surround the governor’s tower all year.
The wind drives thunder and lightning near the river, cranes lead the immortals to a moonlit stroll.
On the peak, the spiritual medicine matures, no frost or snow touches the people’s heads.
Shang Ruyi paused in her steps, causing Yu Wenye to halt as well. They heard Yu Wenquan’s voice full of smiles say, "Good, good poem, good lines, good imagery!"
"Father Emperor’s praise is lofty."
The two exchanged a glance and walked in silently. Sure enough, they saw Yu Wenquan seated at the front center of the grand hall, while Crown Prince Yu Wenqian and Crown Princess Consort Yu Mingyue sat to his left. Yu Mingyue had just finished reciting a poem and was sitting back beside the Crown Prince with a slightly proud smile on her face. As she heard the footsteps, she turned her head, the pride in her eyes deepening.
Yu Wenquan also saw them and said, "You’re here."
Yu Wenye immediately led Shang Ruyi forward to pay their respects. Yu Wenquan just waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, sit."
The two gave a slight greeting to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort and then sat to the right of Yu Wenquan. As soon as they sat down, Yu Wenquan laughed and said, "You arrived late and missed the Crown Princess Consort’s poem; it was a masterpiece, every word a gem."
Although Yu Wenquan had some preconceived notions about Yu Mingyue due to some of her ridiculous remarks, these notions aside, he always admired Yu Mingyue’s literary talent. Not only had she previously won first place at the poetry contest under the name "Guanghan Guest" with "Huangsha Hundred Battles Wear Golden Armor, Not Returning Until Loulan is Broken," but she had also composed "Nine Heavens Open Palace Gates, Nations Pay Homage in Crowns and Attire" after touring the Inner Court. At the Yellow River’s Longmen Ferry, her line "The hero’s blood flows unsung for twenty years" was also something he liked.
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi glanced at Yu Mingyue sitting opposite her, murmuring in her heart: Where did that line come from?
But her face was still full of smiles.
"This subject heard it. The Crown Princess Consort’s literary talent has always been exceptional; this subject is ashamed by comparison."
"Ruyi, you shouldn’t belittle yourself,"
Yu Wenquan said with a smile, "The poems you made before were excellent in my eyes; however, composing good poems requires more travel and observation, phrases inspired by genuine sentiments. Mingyue has been traveling with Qian’er recently, seeing beautiful sights, naturally resulting in excellent lines."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi finally raised her head to look straight at Yu Mingyue and smiled, "I wonder what beautiful places the Crown Princess Consort and the Crown Prince have visited."
Yue Mingue’s lips curled in a smile, her gaze flowing like water, "Since Princess Qin heard my poem just now, can you not tell where it describes?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "Huashan?"
"Princess Qin is indeed exceptionally wise."
"Not at all."
At this moment, Yu Wenye finally spoke, interjecting for Shang Ruyi, "My Imperial Brother really has a leisurely nature. Scaling Huashan in winter, you must have appreciated some fine scenery."
He could see the others were making it difficult for Shang Ruyi, although this did not trouble her at all, he still felt displeased with their behavior and directed his words toward Yu Wenqian; at this moment, Yu Wenqian smiled and looked up at him, as if just enjoying a warm family banquet, only putting down his teacup when Yu Wenye spoke, and smiling, said, "The scenery there is indeed wonderful. If Second Brother has the time, you might take your wife to have a look."
After speaking, he smiled again, "However, Second Brother is always busy, you may find it difficult to make the time."
Hearing his words, Yu Wenquan remembered something and turned to Yu Wenye, "I’ve heard you’ve been going to the barracks every day recently, sometimes not even returning home."
"...Yes."
"Do you not know you have a wife and child? How long has it been since your wife gave birth?"
"..."
"What exactly are you doing at the barracks?"
At these words, Yu Wenye’s expression changed slightly, Shang Ruyi’s heart sank, and she immediately said to Yu Wenquan, "Indeed, Father Emperor, you should stand up for me today. Sometimes Yuanyuan cries at night, and not even the wet nurse can comfort him, only I can."
Upon saying this, she gave Yu Wenye a reproachful glance, "It would be nice if someone could help."
Yu Wenquan frowned and said to Yu Wenye, "From now on, you must return to the palace every night!"
Yu Wenye stood up and said, "This subject understands."
Across from them, Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue exchanged a glance but said nothing.
Although the Emperor’s words to King Qin seemed like criticism, with Shang Ruyi’s "complaints," it brought about a sense of familial closeness. Yu Wenquan wasn’t really angry, only saying, "If I didn’t get angry with you once, I’d be starving with fury. Let the meal be served."
As soon as he spoke, Eunuch Yu immediately gave the order, and soon the people from the Food Bureau brought wine and dishes.
Since Yu Wenquan was not dining at Bai Fu Hall and only eating in Liangyi Hall, the meal was less formal, consisting of homely dishes. Only in front of Shang Ruyi was an additional bowl of soup emitting a warm, fragrant aroma; she understood it to be a gesture of care from Yu Wenquan and smiled at the kind eunuch.
Yu Wenquan said, "By the way, why didn’t you bring Yuanyuan over today?"
Shang Ruyi quickly said, "The wind picked up today, I was worried the child would catch cold, so I didn’t bring him. If you wish to see him, Father Emperor—"
"No need,"
Yu Wenquan immediately waved his hand to stop her before she finished, then said, "It’s not urgent for me to see him this moment. The weather lately isn’t good, take care of the child more. He’s still young, cannot stand the cold or wind."
"Yes."
As they spoke, Yu Wenquan also coughed lightly a couple of times.
Beside him, Yu Wenqian looked up and said, "Father Emperor, during my trip to Huashan, I stopped at Hot Spring Palace for a while. It has been fully repaired, and a new hot spring has been discovered, said to relieve fatigue, soothe muscles and activate blood circulation, with regular soaking, it supposedly extends longevity too."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s eyes lit up.
The Hot Spring Palace is located at the foot of Lishan, not far from Chang An. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but due to the hot springs, Emperor Wen had a palace built there early on for leisure. After Yu Wenquan ascended the throne, although he ordered it to be restored, he had been too busy earlier to find the leisure to visit.
Hearing now of a newly discovered spring with such longevity benefits, it piqued his interest.