Dragon Stamp

Author: Lin Lisheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Mei Cun: "Are you going? What are you going to do? You need to take full responsibility for this matter!" Shao Xiaoyu: "This letter from the foreigners is too important. I'm afraid something will go wrong with you on the way!" Mei Cun walked over, saying dismissively, "You don't think so. Madam Boss, I think you're going to see that Beijing man. You're infatuated with him. Madam Boss. I, Mei Cun, must warn you, this guy isn't good. You'll suffer at his hands. You must never get involved with him. His eyes, they'll make any woman fall for him. Madam Boss, for the sake of our Civil Service Post, you must be extra careful!"
The moonlight was hazy, and the stars were endless. The next morning, Governor Liu and four or five officials arrived at the door of Yu De's house. Liu: "Last night, we made Yu De the Prince happy. Today, let's give him a morning greeting so he can travel happily." The door opened, and an old servant came out. Liu: "Has the Prince woken up?" The servant: "Just as dawn broke, the Prince and the got into the carriage and set off. He left a message saying, 'Thank you, Governor Liu and all the officials, for the grand reception. I will repay you in the future.'" Liu: "Ah? Oh no, now we've offended the Prince. What should we do? What should we do?"
The carriage galloped down the road. Yu De and Rong Gege were talking in the carriage. Rong Gege: "Dad, I think this business of making stamps, you absolutely can't get involved. It's causing too much trouble!" Yu De: "If the Holy Mother Empress orders me to, how could I refuse?"
The carriage passed under a wooden bridge, heading into the distance. On another field path, Mei Cun, Xiao San, and Shao Xiaoyu were driving a donkey cart, tied with several large mail packages, and moving forward. The cart crossed a shallow stream. Mei Cun and Xiao San waded through the water, pushing the cart, while Shao Xiaoyu guarded the packages on the cart as they crossed the river. The packages were labeled: Tianyi Civil Service Post. "Madam Boss, hold on tight. We're putting our lives on the line for the letters, not the people! If the cart overturns, we'll only save the packages, not you!" "You're not good at all. I'll fire you when we get to Beijing!" Shao Xiaoyu was tossed around in the cart.
On another road, a foreigner's carriage came swiftly, kicking up clouds of dust. Inside the carriage was Jian Sen holding a sleeping Kang Belle. Jian Sen urged the driver: "Faster, faster, just go faster!" The carriage sped off into the distance.
Yu De and his party traveled day and night. That day, they could see the city gate of Yongdingmen from afar. Just as Yu De's carriage reached the road outside Yongdingmen, three official carriages were seen waiting ahead. Four guards stood in a row, one on each side, in a solemn and serious atmosphere. Yu De's carriage was blocked by the guards. A guard stepped forward and asked: "Is this the carriage of Prince Yu De coming from Shanghai?" "Yes, what can I do for you, sir?" the carriage driver asked. "The Imperial Chamberlain from the palace is waiting in the carriage ahead. Please have the Prince come immediately to the front carriage." "Yes, yes." The carriage driver and guards quickly got out, opened the door, and said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Chamberlain has specially come to greet you. Please take your seat in the front carriage at once!"
Yu De was startled—this was no small matter. He quickly got out and turned to Rong Gege, saying: "Daughter, it seems I must go straight to the palace. You must go home and rest quickly, okay!" With that, he walked toward the front carriage. Rong Gege peered out from the door and shouted: "Dad! Dad! That package, that package!" Yu De quickly ran back and took a brocade bundle.
Yu De walked to the carriage and Li Lianying quickly got out. The two bowed to each other. Li Lianying: "Ah, Prince Yu De, I'm so glad to have you back. The Holy Mother Empress has ordered me to come and escort you to the palace!" Yu De: "Ah, Imperial Chamberlain, how could I dare? I've traveled day and night without the slightest rest. Only today have I returned to the capital." Li Lianying: "You've worked hard. Get in the car, quickly!" Yu De: "Please, Imperial Chamberlain!" Li Lianying: "Oh—of course, Your Highness may go first!" The two got into the car, and the official carriage, with guards and guards, rolled forward into the Forbidden City.
Inside the Forbidden City, Yu De and Li Lianying got out. Led by Li Lianying, Yu De entered the Yousheng Hall. The Empress Dowager was sitting there reading memorials. Li Lianying went up and reported to her: "Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you well. Prince Yu De, who has returned from Shanghai to Beijing, has arrived." Yu De quickly stepped forward and knelt to pay respects to the Empress Dowager: "I have returned to the capital as ordered from Britain, and I respectfully wish the Holy Mother Empress well."
"You're back!" The Empress Dowager put down her memorials and turned to look at Yu De. She smiled but didn't smile and asked: "It's been three or four years, hasn't it?"
"Your Majesty, I respectfully report that I went to Europe for an inspection, and it has been four years and three and a half months so far."
The Empress Dowager: "Four years and more, you've traveled to many countries. What are you planning to do in terms of foreign affairs when you come back?"
Yu De: "Ah, ah—I respectfully await the orders of His Majesty and the Holy Mother Empress."
The Empress Dowager: "Have you seen how everyone in the palace has aged?"
Yu De looked up at the Empress Dowager on the throne. Her radiance was undimmed, her skin smooth and youthful, as if she were in her thirties.
Yu De: "Your Majesty's grace remains, your face radiant, a blessing to the people!"
The Empress Dowager: "You really know how to flatter. Do foreign ministers always flatter kings and queens like this?"
Yu De: "I speak the truth, without a single lie." He seized the opportunity to present the cosmetics he had prepared. "This time, I have specially brought back a set of French cosmetics to present to the Holy Mother Empress. May Your Majesty take a look."
Li Lianying took it and presented it to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager: "Among foreign cosmetics, those from France are the best." She took one bottle, unscrewed the cap, and sniffed it.
"You're truly thoughtful, Prince Yu De."
Yu De: "Thank you, Holy Mother Empress."
The Empress Dowager: "But, did you prepare this only for me?"
Yu De: "This—ah, I also prepared a set for the Eastern Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager: "Hmph, you're so smooth, always playing both sides. Take that set up for me too."
Yu De: "Yes!" He handed the other bundle of cosmetics to Li Lianying. Li Lianying presented it to the Empress Dowager.
Just then, a eunuch's report came from outside: "The Eastern Empress Dowager has arrived!" The Empress Dowager's expression turned displeased. Yu De turned to greet her. The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace, attended by palace maids, entered the Yousheng Hall. The Empress Dowager stood up to greet her, smiling broadly: "Sister, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace: "What is it?"
The Empress Dowager: "Nothing major. It's just that Prince Yu De has just returned from Britain and has come to pay his respects to you!"
The two empress dowagers sat in their thrones.
Yu De: "I respectfully pay my respects to the Eastern Empress Dowager!"