Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Young Master Is a Woman Extra: Later Generations

“Dear tourists, don’t you feel that the bamboo forest is especially cool?” the tour guide asked, leading a group of tourists leisurely through the bamboo grove. Faces that were previously sunburned gradually regained their color, and there was even a hint of enjoyment in their expressions. “Every time I guide tourists through this place, looking at this verdant bamboo and feeling the gentle breeze, I always feel particularly relaxed. Do you share this feeling?”

“A bit indeed, haha, I was somewhat tired earlier, but now I’m not so weary, it’s very refreshing.”

“It must be a psychological effect, the weather is so hot, and then suddenly entering the bamboo grove, feeling the cool breeze, of course, it’s comfortable,” a tourist remarked.

“I’ve long wanted to visit here. These bamboos were transplanted by Emperor Rong for Prince Ning Cang. Unfortunately, there’s only the bamboo and the story, and we can’t witness the scene of the two walking through here.” The tourist expressed regret, “According to records, their relationship wasn’t stormy, but the mundane companionship was touching. Even now, how many people can truly spend their lives with only each other? Considering their statuses, it’s quite enviable.”

“Aren’t there many film and TV dramas about them? Watching those is pretty good too.”

“Ha, better not,” a tourist sneered. “To be honest, some people really shouldn’t try if they can’t capture it well; it ruins the vibe. Those actors either portray Emperor Rong as expressionless or overdo it. Their portrayal of Emperor Rong, at best, is watchable because an emperor doesn’t need to show too much emotion, but their portrayal of Prince Ning Cang—a disaster. If you can’t act, don’t; their pretentiousness makes me want to scream.”

“Let’s not talk about that. Today, we’re here to see where they lived.”

“After all these years, not many traces of Emperor Rong and Prince Ning Cang remain. One is the bamboo grove at the former Prince Ning Mansion. The bamboo grove survives, but the building is gone. The old palace is preserved relatively well, though not much of it remains. There’s only this bamboo grove and the Si Jiu Hall over there,” the tour guide noted. “After passing through this bamboo grove, there’s still a bit of a long road before we can reach Si Jiu Hall.”

“The preservation of Si Jiu Hall up to this day is primarily because Emperor Rong used to go there often for introspection. Subsequent emperors believed that it was due to Emperor Rong’s constant self-reflection that Beixia reached a prosperous age and laid a solid foundation for the eventual unification of the world.”

“Even with the passage of many years, as Beixia headed toward decline and new dynasties emerged, Si Jiu Hall has been preserved. After Beixia, nearly every dynasty’s emperor considered the existence of Si Jiu Hall as a reminder to them. Even if they couldn’t achieve Emperor Rong’s accomplishments without the capable assistance of Prince Ning Cang, emulating this brilliant and wise emperor would be worthwhile.”

“It’s said that many emperors taught their successors by having them reflect in Si Jiu Hall,” the tour guide sighed, adding, “Yet we still haven’t figured out why Emperor Rong suddenly decided to build Si Jiu Hall. Many reasons don’t hold water. Since ascending the throne, he was diligent, and before the construction of Si Jiu Hall, he hadn’t made any mistakes.”

“Beixia is too distant for us; with constant dynastic changes and loss of many documents, understanding the reasons is probably challenging. Perhaps one day, new items from Beixia will be unearthed to solve this mystery for us.”

Though one cannot enter Si Jiu Hall, it can still be seen clearly from outside.

The tour guide stood outside, explaining all the notable aspects inside Si Jiu Hall to the tourists, taking nearly an hour.

“Next, we’ll head to the museum. Currently, there are still plenty of artifacts from Beixia, including works by Emperor Rong, all depicting Prince Ning Cang, which should interest you. Additionally, there are quite a few pieces by Lady Xishan. There are also several copies made by Fan Wenjue.”

“I definitely need to photograph all the portraits of my dear Zhenzhen later; they were painted by Emperor Rong himself, and I must capture them all, haha, it’s worth the trip.”

“I like Lady Xishan’s paintings. My grandfather owns two authentic pieces, yet he never lets me look at them, stingy old man. Well, seeing so many genuine ones here will make him envious.”

“However, your grandfather owns authentic pieces, and he can touch them. Can you?”

“Ah, my friend, you’re being quite annoying now.”

“As for Fan Wenjue, although his calligraphy is excellent, with many models attributed to him, while his writing style is highly praised, the sheer quantity makes it appear less rare.”

“Hahaha, he’s arguably the most humorous in Beixia, wanting a son but ended up with seven daughters, ultimately writing articles reflecting that the inability to have a son was his fault, not his wife’s, hoping his wife wouldn’t fixate on it.”

“Of course, my dear Zhenzhen found him the transcribing work. Without my Zhenzhen’s help, it would have been hard to prepare dowries for those seven daughters. My Zhenzhen is kind and lovely; even Fan Wenjue praised him as the best brother-in-law.”

“Hahaha, that’s hilarious.”

“If I recall, Zhenzhen was also the one who told him that having a son or daughter depended on the man, right?”

“Honestly, I suspect Zhenzhen… haha.”

“I think so too, haha, Zhenzhen might have done it on purpose.”

“I suspect he vented his grievances by antagonizing those clueless foreign diplomats later.”

“I remember Fan Wenjue’s first quarrel was with an envoy from the Ximo Dynasty, right? That envoy was quite unlucky, first making sarcastic comments about Zhenzhen abstaining from court, only to be left speechless by Fan Wenjue, then doubting Prince Ning’s authenticity, and with a few words from Zhenzhen, he was detained, then Emperor Rong demanded ransom money from the Ximo Emperor.”

“Speaking of which, history suggests Prince Ning never returned and worked hard labor in Ximo’s mines—is this true?”

“That’s unknown, but I can remind you, before Zhenzhen rose to prominence, most of Prince Ning’s daughters had a hard life, and our Zhenzhen was quite protective of his sisters. Think about those who treated his sisters poorly; what were their fates?”

“It seems so…”

“Haha, indeed…”

“Speaking of which, Fan Wenjue might have sensed Zhenzhen intentionally had him transcribe books later, but having sons or daughters was his responsibility, and he had no excuse. Besides, our Zhenzhen never did anything excessive and even helped him find private gigs, didn’t he?”

“Back then, Fan Wenjue’s manuscripts fetched the highest prices, truly earning quite a lot.”

“Even now, although they’re numerous, they are still goods passed down from Beixia, even if they seem mundane from overexposure. But if someone were to own one, think if he wouldn’t go crazy.”

“Oh, you guys, look at the trending searches, it’s about Si Jiu Hall.”

The tourists and tour guide grabbed their phones, opening them to see that recently unearthed notes from Grand Steward Hou Rongfa were finally revealed to the public.

“So, Si Jiu Hall was initially built by Emperor Rong to confine Zhenzhen, fearing he’d run away?”

“But it ended up being himself confined because he couldn’t bear it, every time he thought of it, he’d go to Si Jiu Hall to reflect?”

“Wow! How magical.”

“Emperor Rong’s brilliant and mighty image crumbled just like that, hahahaha…”

“Emperors after Rong: Thank you! Hahahahahaha…”

“What, the Grand Steward’s notes ended with a suspicion that Zhenzhen might be a girl?”

“What? No way.”

“If true, then I like Zhenzhen even more.”

“Look, it’s trending again, newly unearthed inscribed words on Zhenzhen’s portrait reveal something, it says ’Ah Chen.’”

“Ahhh, could it be true? So it’s really Chenchen?”

“Emperor Rong, you hid this well, never even telling your Grand Steward, tight-lipped indeed.”

“What Emperor Rong, just a daydreamer in a little black room.”

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