Chapter 515: Accepting a Grandson-Disciple, Receiving the Master

Dawn.

A golden pheasant dodged the black dragon, flew onto the eaves, stood on the ridge, and crowed to announce the morning.

The entire Liang residence was plunged into bustle.

Long Yao and Long Li moved without pause, cleaning inside and out.

The large river otter paused construction, squatted by the tree pit, and brought his wife and children to prune the jujube tree branches in the courtyard.

Leaves and fine branches rustled down.

Ta Ta opened, Ba Master Lian hugged the broom and swept the ground.

One courtyard in front, one in back—trash shoveled into baskets, buried underground, never seeing each other.

Several small river otters were also busy, climbing onto the roof to help replace tiles.

A few tiles had mysteriously fallen in early June and had never been replaced.

The vast estate radiated a thriving scene.

Splash.

Warm water poured over black hair, spraying foam.

Liang Qu leaned back on a long chair, his long hair floating loose in the water.

The dragon woman gathered his sideburns, rubbed his hair with her fingertips, applied soapberry, and combed from root to tip.

Washed twice.

Then she took the green wolf dagger and scraped away excess hair from his neck, sideburns, and ears.

Refreshed and invigorated.

Liang Qu touched his smooth nape and ears—no stray hairs scratching, wonderfully comfortable.

No wonder he's a great martial master—his hands are skilled.

"Thank you."

"Your Excellency is too kind—it's but a small favor." Long Long Eying set down the green wolf dagger.

Long Yao and Long Li busied themselves with household chores; Liang Qu had planned to do it himself, but when he fetched the water, Long Long Eying volunteered.

It was rather embarrassing.

"A Shui! We're here!"

Before they arrived, their voices came first.

Chen Xiu led the sect members around the shadow wall.

"Master, Cao Shixiong, Senior Sister!" Liang Qu rose from the reclining chair and told Long Li to brew tea. "The disciple initiation is at the end of Chen hour—why are you here so early?"

Today's disciple initiation—since none of the sect members had urgent matters, they naturally came to show support.

Who wouldn't be excited about having a future heir as a junior disciple?

"Must you wait until the last moment? Can't you come early just to visit?" Xu Xu Yue crossed the threshold and plopped down. "What, not welcome?"

Liang Qu invited Yang Yang Dongxiong to sit at the left upper seat and smiled. "Cao Shixiong and Senior Sister rushed here to bring gifts for my disciple—I'm delighted."

Xu Xu Yue rolled his eyes.

"It's annoying, honestly. You take on such a disciple—I thought and thought yesterday, and still couldn't figure out what to give. Too good, too bad—it all won't do."

"I can't give you the same gifts you gave me back then—arm guards, wrist guards, a great cloak, weapons."

"He's the rightful grandson of a Martial Saint—does he even need them?"

"Besides, he's just a four- or five-year-old child—his body hasn't grown at all. Even if you give it, he can't use it, and won't use it long."

"Then what did Cao Shixiong prepare?"

"In the end, we all decided to make our own children's toys." Xu Xu Yue pulled out his own spinning top. "Tell your junior brother that when your uncles gain great power in ten years, we'll make it up to him!"

Yu Dun, Lu Gang, Zhuo Zhuo Shaoqin, Cao Rang, Hu Qi, and Xiang Xiang Zhangsong all did the same—each brought a child's toy.

Yang Yang Dongxiong's gift was also a chessboard, with pieces made of black jade and white jade—not an expensive present.

Liang Qu was momentarily transported back several years, bowing reverently.

"Thank you, Master, Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters!"

"Why say so much? Isn't your disciple my junior nephew?" Xu Xu Yue tapped his teacup. "Hot tea burns the mouth—any watermelon? Iced water? Got up this morning and haven't drunk a drop—I'm parched."

"Yes!"

Liang Qu looked toward the courtyard.

Ta Ta, who was sweeping, dropped his broom, dashed three steps, leapt into the well, grabbed a large watermelon, and climbed out.

Eighth hour, fifteen minutes.

The summer heat gradually rose; distant air shimmered with heat waves.

Hei Long lay under the shade, yawned, and flicked his tail.

Hooves trampled stone slabs.

A gray-canopied carriage rolled in from the blue-stone street and stopped at the Liang residence's gate.

Around the carriage, a circle of strong servants followed—each formidable in strength, eyes sharp—drawing countless glances and murmurs.

"Madam, we've arrived."

Zhang Xu stood respectfully in waiting.

A slender hand drew back the curtain; embroidered slippers stepped out onto the sun-baked, bleached-blue stone slabs.

A beautiful woman, dressed in orange brocade finery, carried the child out of the carriage and entered the courtyard before passersby could get a clear look.

Beneath the hanging-flower gate.

Liang Qu glanced at them twice, then lowered his gaze and bowed respectfully.

"Your humble servant greets Madam, the Heir's Consort."

The Heir's Consort was exceedingly beautiful, dignified and noble—her presence brought a floral scent as she approached.

Yet Long Yao and Long Li were ever before his eyes, and there was even the weighty Long Long Eying—Liang Qu was accustomed to beauty and did not lose decorum.

"Master Liang, no need for such formalities. Whoever caught the Prince of Xu Yue's eye as Little Stone's master must be exceptionally capable. Today I see—you truly are young and accomplished." The Heir's Consort bowed slightly in return, patted the boy's back. "Come, Stone, call your master."

"Master."

Liang Qu took the chance to study the young heir.

He was even younger than Little Shun from Uncle Chen's house.

White and plump, his eyes bright as snow.

Clearly, the wealthy raised their children well—Shun played in the dirt daily, at least two shades darker than Young Master Wen.

The young heir felt embarrassed, clutched his clothes, and buried his face in the Heir's Consort's arms.

Liang Qu smiled and asked, "I don't yet know the young heir's full name?"

"Wen Shi Yun."

"A fine name!"

Liang Qu had no idea what the name meant, but saying it was good was certainly safe.

A few pleasantries passed.

The Heir's Consort entered the hall and greeted everyone one by one.

Wen Shi Yun also called out to each: Senior Secretary, Senior Uncles—no shyness like an ordinary child.

The Prince of Xu Yue's heir had not stopped along the way, traveling straight south to Ningjiang Prefecture to handle affairs ahead of schedule.

Thus, only the Heir's Consort and the Prince of Xu Yue's steward, Zhang Xu, were present today.

All present—formal Baishi ceremony began.

The hall.

Yang Yang Dongxiong sat at the left upper seat; Liang Qu sat at the right upper seat.

The Heir's Consort sat to the left; Zhang Xu stood.

The other senior brothers and sisters sat on both sides—there was a certain solemnity.

Wen Shi Yun knelt on the mat, his small face tense.

Liang Qu looked around at everyone, then at Yang Yang Dongxiong, feeling a sense of unreality.

This moment, exactly like that moment.

Time flies.

Yang Yang Dongxiong reminded: "Begin."

Liang Qu exhaled softly, his gaze falling below.

"Wen Shi Yun, you are intelligent and kind-hearted. I wish to take you as my disciple—do you agree?"

Wen Shi Yun turned to look at the Heir's Consort; seeing her nod, he pressed his small hands to the ground and bowed respectfully.

"Disciple agrees."

"Upon entering my sect, you must remain humble, diligent, respect your master and the Dao, honor your parents and elders, never harm fellow disciples, defy or disrespect your elders, never commit evil deeds or bully the weak—do you remember?"

"Disciple remembers."

Liang Qu felt a mischievous urge.

"Repeat it once more."

Repeat it?

Wen Shi Yun looked up in surprise.

A moment passed.

His small face visibly flushed red; he turned to look at the Heir's Consort, who gave no reaction—he hurriedly bowed to apologize.

"Master, I—I can't quite remember..."

"Hahaha."

The atmosphere in the hall visibly brightened.

The Dragon Girl, Cao Shixiong, and Senior Sister all smiled.

Xu Xu Yue laughed the loudest.

The Prince's Consort couldn't help covering her mouth.

"Don't be afraid." Seeing the young prince's eyes turning red, Liang Qu hurriedly said, "I'll say one phrase, and you repeat after me."

Wen Wen Shi Yun nodded humbly: "Please, Master, speak."

"Be humble as an empty valley; be earnest and quick to learn."

"Be humble as an empty valley; be earnest and quick to learn..."

Wen Wen Shi Yun repeated haltingly, but dared not make a single mistake.

By the time he finished, sweat had dampened his forehead.

Liang Qu was greatly satisfied.

Quite clever!

"Good! Bring tea."

Long Li brought forward a lacquered red tray.

"Present a cup of teacher-respect tea, and the master-disciple bond is sealed. From now on, you are my senior disciple, Liang Qu's!"

Wen Wen Shi Yun reverently lifted the tea bowl, knelt on both knees, and stepped forward, bowing his head as he held it level.

Liang Qu received it with both hands, drank the warm tea in one gulp, bent down, and embraced Wen Wen Shi Yun, then pulled out the Mingmugenlianhuaban he had prepared the day before and hung it around the young prince's neck.

Wen Wen Shi Yun clutched the lotus petal, his face lit with joy.

Then.

Yang Yang Dongxiong, Yu Dun, and Lu Gang each stepped forward with their own prepared gifts.

A toy cart, a tumbler, a chessboard, a wooden horse... too many to hold.

Wen Wen Shi Yun's mouth stretched wide as he stuffed them all into his arms.

The Prince's Consort waved her hand.

Zhang Xu stepped back and exited the room.

"The Prince of Xu Yue also prepared a Baishi gift for Master Liang."

The Prince's Consort smiled.