Look how rich and moist I am~~][Yi Hong Yuan] \
\ When Jia Zheng first took Baoyu on a garden tour, Baoyu inscribed it as 'Red Fragrance, Green Jade,' and later Jia Yuanchun changed it to 'Pleasant Red, Joyful Green,' calling it 'Yi Hong Yuan.' During the Imperial Consort's visit to her hometown, Jia Baoyu wrote a poem for the plaque of 'Pleasant Red, Joyful Green' as follows: 'In the deep courtyard, the long day is quiet, two by two they emerge gracefully. Green wax still curls in spring, red makeup keeps the night awake. Leaning on the railing, sleeves hanging, resting on the stone guarding the blue smoke. Facing the east wind, the host should understand and pity.' This courtyard is mentioned in Chapters 16-19 of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.\ Landscape
This is a beautiful view of Yi Hong Yuan. \
Introduction
A scene in Daguan Garden as described in Cao Xueqin's *Dream of the Red Chamber*, it is also the most elegant, magnificent, and grand courtyard in the garden. It is the residence of Jia Baoyu, also nicknamed 'Lady of Crimson Cave, Wealthy Leisure Person' and humorously called 'Busy Doing Nothing.' The surrounding buildings include Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Daoxiang Village, Longcui Nunnery, etc. It is considered a 'place of flourishing flowers and willows, land of wealth and gentleness' where Shen Ying, a devotee of the Red Persimmon Palace at the Western River, is reincarnated in the mortal world. When Granny Liu visited Daguan Garden for the second time, she accidentally entered Baoyu's Yi Hong Yuan in a drunken state, mistaking it for the young lady's 'embroidery room,' showing its true splendor.
Yi Hong Yuan — Origin of the Name \
In Chapter 17 of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Jia Zheng first took Baoyu on a garden tour, Baoyu inscribed it as 'Red Fragrance, Green Jade,' and later Jia Yuanchun changed it to 'Pleasant Red, Joyful Green,' calling it 'Yi Hong Yuan.' During the Imperial Consort's hometown visit, Jia Baoyu wrote a poem for the plaque of 'Pleasant Red, Joyful Green' as follows: 'In the deep courtyard, the long day is quiet, two by two they emerge gracefully. Green wax still curls in spring, red makeup keeps the night awake. Leaning on the railing, sleeves hanging, resting on the stone guarding the blue smoke. Facing the east wind, the host should understand and pity.'
*Dream of the Red Chamber* original text: \... as soon as they entered, both sides were connected with corridors. In the courtyard, a few rocks were set, one side planted with several banana trees; on the other side stood a Western-style crabapple, shaped like an umbrella, with threads of green hanging softly, blossoms spewing vermilion. Everyone praised: 'Beautiful flowers, beautiful flowers! We've seen many crabapples before, but never ones so exquisite.'Jia Zheng said, "This is called 'Nünütang', a foreign variety. Popular legend says it originated from the 'Daughter's Kingdom', and that this variety is most absurd in that country. "Everyone laughed and said, "But even if it's not true, how has this name been passed down for so long?" "Baoyu said, "Probably because poets and scholars say that the flower's red blush resembles rouge, and it is delicate as if sick, very close to the demeanor of a boudoir, hence the name 'Nü's' (Daughter's Flower)." Perhaps because it was disliked by the common people, he took it as evidence by compileing unofficial histories, passing on popular and passing on falsehoods, taking it all seriously. Everyone turned to praise the brilliance. While talking, everyone sat down on the couches made under the pavilion outside the corridor. Jia Zheng asked, "What new characters can you think of for this topic?" One guest said, "The two characters 'Banana Crane' are the best." Another said, "'Chongguang Fancai' is truly wonderful." Jia Zheng and everyone said, "What a wonderful 'Chongguang Fancai'!" Baoyu also said, "Absolutely wonderful." "He sighed again, "It's just a pity." Everyone asked, "Why is it so regrettable?" Baoyu said, "Here, the two banana and tang trees are planted, and the meaning is subtly contained with the characters 'red' and 'green.'" If we only talk about the banana, then the banana tree has nowhere to settle; If we only talk about the tang, then the banana has no place either. Of course, it is impossible to have a banana without a tang, and even more so without a tang tree. "Jia Zheng said, "What do you say?" "Baoyu said, "According to me, inscribing the four characters 'Red Fragrance, Green Jade' would be the best of both worlds." Jia Zheng shook his head and said, "No, no!" As he spoke, he led people into the room. They saw that the arrangements in these rooms were different from the others, with no clear separation. It turns out that all four sides are intricately carved wooden planks—sometimes 'Floating Clouds and a Hundred Bats,' sometimes 'Three Friends in Winter,' sometimes landscapes and figures, sometimes feathered flowers, sometimes collections of brocades, some antiques, some wishing for blessings and longevity—all carved by masters, with colorful gold foils and inlaid jewels. Each lattice may have a place for storing books, a place for a tripod, a place for writing brushes and inkstones, a place for flowers or vases, or a place for bonsai. The lattice panels come in all shapes—some have round heaven and square ground, some are sunflower and banana leaves, some are linked with half-jade walls. Truly, the cluster of flowers is a cluster of flowers, translucent and exquisite. Suddenly, five-colored gauze is pasted and tied to a small window; Suddenly, colorful silk is lightly covered, and it is even tied to a secluded door. Moreover, every wall is adorned with grooves carved according to the shapes of antique objects. Items like zithers, swords, hanging vases, and table screens, though hung on the wall, are all level with the wall. Everyone praised: "So exquisite and thoughtful!" It's hard to come up with such a thought!"Jia Zheng and the others came in. They hadn't gone through two layers before getting lost in the old paths. Looking left, there was a door to pass through; looking right, there was a window temporarily blocking the way. When they reached near it, a bookshelf blocked the path. Turning back to go again, there was a sheer window screen, with a passable doorway; reaching the door, suddenly they saw another group entering directly ahead, all resembling themselves—it was a large glass mirror reflecting them. Turning around the mirror, there seemed to be even more doors. Jia Zhen laughed and said, 'Follow me, master. Out this door is the backyard, and from the backyard, going out is a bit closer than before.' Saying this, he turned through two layers of gauze cabinets and brocade doors, and indeed found a door leading out. The yard was filled with blooming roses in splendid appearance. Turning past the flower screen, they saw the Qingxi stream ahead. Everyone exclaimed in surprise, 'Where does this water come from?' Jia Zhen pointed from afar, 'It originally flows from that sluice up to that cave entrance, is led from the northeast mountain hollow to that village, then a branch is opened to lead it to the southwest, all flowing to this spot, merging in one place, and going out beneath the wall.' Hearing this, everyone said, 'Absolutely marvelous.' While speaking, suddenly they saw a large mountain blocking the way. Everyone said, 'We're lost.' Jia Zhen laughed, 'Follow me.' Still leading the way, everyone followed him; by the foot of the mountain, in an instant, they turned and found themselves on a flat and wide road, and suddenly the grand gate appeared before them. Everyone said, 'How interesting, how interesting, truly the height of ingenuity and cleverness!' So everyone came out..."
