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I was forty years old that year. Was I already considered an old person in her eyes?

As if answering this question, I looked down and saw my own shadow on the ground, hunched over, indeed like an old man in his eighties.

Zhu Zhu walked up to me and handed me a scroll: "This fell out of your sleeve when you helped me up."

I accepted the jade bracelet with both hands and bowed to thank her. She looked at me with pity, then suddenly took off the jade bracelet from her wrist, called Zhao Yun over, pulled off the jade pendant hanging from his waist, and stuffed them all into my hands.

I stood there, stunned, unsure how to react. Zhao Yun, perhaps thinking I had reservations, smiled encouragingly at me: "Take it; it's a gift from the Grand Princess."

I didn't say much, just nodded, thanked them respectfully, put the jade bracelet and pendant into my pocket, and took my leave again.

As I was about to leave, I turned back to look at the two young and beautiful children. They were there again, chatting and laughing, with the golden sun swaying overhead and fine clouds swirling around them. Colorful ribbons and peach blossoms danced in the spring breeze, and petals occasionally drifted down like snowflakes.

I silently bowed my head, holding the "Double Happiness" painting, and walked step by step out of this spring-filled courtyard, this paradise where flowers were in full bloom. A palace attendant came and closed the door behind me, locking this tender world of mortals in my lost space. I did not look back, but continued to walk forward, indifferently embarking on my uncertain journey home.

As they walked further and further away, the laughter of the young man faded from their ears, but the faint sound of music from a court music academy drifted in from afar—three or five women playing the melodies of the zither, singing a poignant song:

"We met by mistake, on the road to Peach Blossom Spring, where the misty waters stretch for miles at dusk. I cannot keep you here, you must leave, to idly pass the autumn moon and spring breeze. Peach blossoms fall in disarray like red rain, but where is that face now?"

(End of article)

The Lonely City (The Princess Who Fell in Love with a Eunuch) - Side Notes

Chapter word count: 510 Update time: 09-07-15 14:41

Note:

An article you might find online claims that Liang Huaiji was not a eunuch and cites a case to show he was a villain. However, this is a mistake caused by the two people sharing the same name.

The story of "Liang Huaiji visiting his wife's sickness and sending her some grain, which her son then took to eat, and Huaiji beat his son to death" occurred in the third year of the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong. This person was not Liang Huaiji during the reign of Emperor Renzong.

This person simply shares the same name as Liang Huaiji, the eunuch who served Princess Yan. The titles of Liang Huaiji related to the princess in the "Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government" and the "Memorials of the Song Dynasty Officials" are "household supervisor," "inner eunuch," and "serving eunuch." The title of household supervisor is self-evident. Inner eunuch is equivalent to a chief eunuch in the royal palace or the princess's residence. The title of serving eunuch refers to a eunuch who accompanied the princess in her dowry.

During the Tang Dynasty, princesses could establish their own residences, appoint officials, recruit advisors, and even have the power to appoint and dismiss officials. Many of these advisors might become their personal retainers. However, during the Song Dynasty, princesses' residences were simply called "Zhai" (宅), and the officials in charge of these residences were eunuchs.

The historical records clearly document Liang Huaiji, whom the princess loved. He initially served as a eunuch in the "Front Province," specifically in the Inner Palace Service, not within the inner palace. Later, he was transferred to the "Rear Province" (the Inner Palace Service) to serve the princess. Those entering either of these provinces were required to have undergone castration. After Emperor Renzong discovered his affair with the princess, he was temporarily "assigned to the Western Capital Sweeping Team," meaning he was sent to serve in the inner palace of Luoyang, a form of punishment specifically for eunuchs. Later, due to Princess Yan's persistent resistance, Liang Huaiji was recalled to the capital and "returned to the Front Province." Although he was back, he was still only allowed to work in the Front Province and could no longer serve the princess.

The Lonely City (The Princess Who Fell in Love with a Eunuch) - Side Story: Titles of Members of the Song Dynasty Royal Family

Chapter word count: 2821 Update time: 09-07-15 14:40

In fact, the way members of the ancient royal family addressed each other didn't necessarily emphasize their royal status. Often, their forms of address were not much different from those used by commoners. Terms like "Father Emperor" and "Mother Empress" were generally only used in written language or formal occasions, at least in the Song Dynasty. Below, I will share some of my knowledge on this topic; please correct me if I'm wrong.

I. Father

During the Song Dynasty, princes and princesses did not address their fathers as "father emperor" but rather as "father father," just like ordinary people.

example:

When the Emperor (Zhao Gou, Emperor Gaozong) arrived, he presented a cup and asked the Empress Dowager (Empress Wei), "Are the candles to Your Majesty's liking?" The Empress Dowager replied to the Emperor, "Your father sets up hundreds of candles every night, and everyone else does the same." As the Empress Dowager rose to change her clothes, the Emperor whispered to Empress Wu, "How can anyone compare to my father's wealth and honor?"

—From *Records of Things Heard and Seen During Four Reigns: Candles at the Xuanzheng Palace*

II. Mother

In everyday speech, Song Dynasty princes and princesses addressed their stepmothers (the empress) as "Niangniang" or "Niangniang".

example:

...As a result, Emperor Renzong resented Empress Zhangxian (Empress Dowager Liu) and favored Empress Zhanghui (Empress Dowager Yang), referring to Empress Zhangxian as his elder sister-in-law and Empress Zhanghui as his younger sister-in-law.

—From *Sushui Chronicles*

After Empress Zhangxian's death, some suspected that it was the death of Empress Zhangyi. Emperor Renzong sent Li Yonghe to investigate the funeral. Upon seeing the body, the Empress's appearance was as if she were still alive. The messenger rushed in to report, and Emperor Renzong burned incense and wept before Empress Zhangxian, saying, "From now on, the identities of my great-aunts are clear." Emperor Renzong referred to Lady Liu as his great-aunt and Lady Yang as his little-aunt.

—From *Longchuan Bie Zhi*

During the peaceful reign, even after Emperor Yingzong recovered from his illness, he was still not allowed to be near his concubines. One day, Empress Dowager Cao secretly sent a close confidante to speak to him, saying, "Your Majesty has been on the throne for a long time, and now that you are fully recovered, how can you be without any attendants?" Empress Gao displeased and replied, "Tell your mother, my new bride is only married to a thirteenth-ranking officer; she has never married into another imperial family."

—From "Miscellaneous Talks on Iron-Encircled Mountain"

The Empress Dowager was also addressed as "Niangniang" (娘娘), meaning "Your Majesty" or "Empress" (母皇后).

—From "Miscellaneous Talks on Iron-Encircled Mountain"

Princes and princesses would address their birth mothers, who were concubines, as "elder sister".

example:

Empress Dowager Zhu said to Emperor Zhezong, "Your twelfth brother was born from your sister's womb, so it would be safe for you to appoint him as your heir." (At the time, Emperor Zhezong was critically ill, and Empress Dowager Zhu asked him at his bedside to pass the throne to her own son, Prince Jian, Zhao Ji. This aroused strong dissatisfaction from Empress Dowager Xiang, who insisted on appointing Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, despite the opposition of Chancellor Zhang Dun.)

—From Zeng Gong's Posthumous Records

Emperor Gaozong once said to Xiansheng, "I know you have suffered the same hardships, yet you are ranked alongside those who came after you. I am deeply ashamed. Once your elder sister returns (original note: referring to the Empress Dowager), you may make your choice." Xiansheng bowed twice and replied, "My elder sister is far away in the north, and I have been unable to visit her regularly. Whenever the weather is fine and I attend Your Majesty's banquets, just thinking of her brings tears to my eyes. I truly cannot even dream of such a place."

—From *Records of Things Heard and Seen During Four Reigns: The Virtuous Conduct of the Emperor Without Jealousy*

3. Grandfather

Great-grandfather is called "gonggong" and grandfather is called "wengweng" or "dadiedie".

example:

Xian Sheng scolded the king for standing in the palace, and then rebuked him, saying, "I have seen your father-in-law, then your great-father, then your grandfather, and now I see you again." After saying this, tears streamed down his face.

—From *Records of Events and Events During Four Reigns: The Accession of Emperor Ning*

Emperor Guangzong was the third son of Emperor Xiaozong. After the death of Crown Prince Zhuangwen, Emperor Xiaozong appointed Guangzong as heir apparent through the recommendation of Emperor Gaozong (also known as Emperor Gaozong). On the night of the Xuan Suo ceremony, Emperor Gaozong summoned Prince Wei to spend the night within the palace walls. The next day, upon returning to his residence, he found the imperial register already in place. Prince Wei then went to see Emperor Gaozong and said, "Grandpa kept Kai (Kai's son) to make my third brother the crown prince, bypassing the usual order." The Emperor casually patted him and said, "Do you think it's easy for me to be the emperor? You'll only cause trouble later." (Prince Wei, Kai, was Emperor Xiaozong's second son. After Crown Prince Zhuangwen's death, Kai should have been the next in line to succeed him, but Emperor Xiaozong, considering his third son, Prince Gong, to be "heroic and martial like himself," appointed him instead. Therefore, Prince Wei complained to Emperor Gaozong that his grandfather kept him to "make his third brother the crown prince, bypassing the usual order.")