Chapter 6: Yuanchun's Homecoming
Bab 6: Kepulangan Yuanchun
Jia Yuanchun was the eldest daughter of the Jia family. She had been chosen to serve in the emperor's palace, a great honor that brought pride to the entire family. For years, she had lived behind the high walls of the palace, far from her loved ones. Her letters home were few, but each one was read with tears of joy.
Jia Yuanchun adalah putri sulung keluarga Jia. Dia telah dipilih untuk melayani di istana kaisar, sebuah kehormatan besar yang membawa kebanggaan bagi seluruh keluarga. Selama bertahun-tahun, dia telah tinggal di balik dinding tinggi istana, jauh dari orang-orang yang dicintainya. Surat-suratnya ke rumah sedikit, tetapi masing-masing dibaca dengan air mata sukacita.
Then came the wonderful news: Yuanchun had been given the title of Imperial Consort, and she would be allowed to visit her family. The Jia mansion was filled with excitement and activity. Servants worked day and night to prepare a beautiful garden for her visit. New buildings were built, and old ones were painted and decorated.
Kemudian datang kabar indah: Yuanchun telah diberi gelar Selir Kekaisaran, dan dia akan diizinkan mengunjungi keluarganya. Rumah Jia dipenuhi kegembiraan dan aktivitas. Pelayan bekerja siang dan malam untuk menyiapkan taman indah untuk kunjungannya. Bangunan baru dibangun, dan yang lama dicat dan didekorasi.
The day of her arrival was like a festival. The streets were cleared, and soldiers stood at attention along the route. When Yuanchun's golden carriage finally appeared, the entire family knelt on the ground to welcome her. She stepped out in her royal dress, looking like a goddess from heaven.
Hari kedatangannya seperti festival. Jalan-jalan dibersihkan, dan prajurit berdiri di sepanjang rute. Ketika kereta emas Yuanchun akhirnya muncul, seluruh keluarga berlutut di tanah untuk menyambutnya. Dia turun dengan gaun kerajaannya, tampak seperti dewi dari langit.
But behind her beautiful smile, Yuanchun felt a deep sadness. She embraced her parents and siblings, but she knew that her time with them was short. "The palace is a golden cage," she whispered to her mother. "I have honor and wealth, but I have no freedom."
Tetapi di balik senyum indahnya, Yuanchun merasakan kesedihan yang mendalam. Dia memeluk orang tua dan saudara-saudaranya, tetapi dia tahu waktunya bersama mereka singkat. "Istana adalah sangkar emas," bisiknya pada ibunya. "Aku memiliki kehormatan dan kekayaan, tetapi aku tidak memiliki kebebasan."
Her visit lasted only a few hours. She walked through the garden, admired the new buildings, and shared a meal with her family. Then she returned to her carriage, leaving behind a family that would not see her again for many years. The garden she had visited would later become the home of the younger generation.
Kunjungannya hanya berlangsung beberapa jam. Dia berjalan melalui taman, mengagumi bangunan baru, dan berbagi makanan dengan keluarganya. Kemudian dia kembali ke keretanya, meninggalkan keluarga yang tidak akan dilihatnya lagi selama bertahun-tahun. Taman yang dikunjunginya kemudian akan menjadi rumah bagi generasi muda.