Chapter 113: Returning from Leave, Resuming Duty

On the eighteenth day of the fifth month, beneath Mount Shenwu, the rumble of cart wheels echoed as a large white goose slightly spread its wings, wobbling up the mountain path; a rope tied around its neck led to a small flat cart carrying a wooden chest nearly identical in size, upon which sat Liu Xiaolou.

Liu Xiaolou had also taken down the wind chime from Gan Zhu Ridge and hung it on the goose’s chest, where it rang out a crisp, tinkling sound all the way.

The rain had just stopped, and the mountain was shrouded in thick mist; the goose pulled the cart through the fog and arrived at the estate’s gate. The duty steward stared wide-eyed at the goose, the cart, and the man, forgetting to step forward and pay respects, merely watching as Liu Xiaolou entered the estate and then vanished into the Qingyu Fuxiang Garden.

“This is utterly disrespectful—we’re family by marriage, yet they don’t even ask after me or offer a single bow. Mount Shenwu Estate… lacks discipline,” Liu Xiaolou muttered inwardly.

Su Su and Xiao Huan came out to greet him; upon seeing the scene, each covered her mouth, astonished and amused.

“Master has returned!”

“Aaaah, what an adorable goose! Will it peck people? May I touch it?”

“Is this a spirit bird raised by Master? Our estate raises spirit birds and beasts, yet we’ve never seen one like this—looks just like the geese in the kitchen…”

Liu Xiaolou stepped down from the cart and patted the goose’s head: “Come on, Bai Bai, don’t cause trouble—let Su Su and Xiao Huan pat you… just a head pat won’t hurt!”

Amid the merriment, the two maids patted the goose all over, but it dared not retaliate, staring helplessly at Liu Xiaolou for guidance. Liu Xiaolou waved his hand: “Take it to the back—just put it in the courtyard pond.”

He bowed upward toward the second floor: “Fifth Lady, I’ve returned from my in-laws’ home—did I miss my deadline?”

A shadow flickered past the second-floor window; a soft “Mm” came down. Liu Xiaolou had officially resumed duty—he had been away three months, used up all his leave, and must now work straight through until next February.

Passing through the front hall into the inner quarters, he saw the white goose already floating in the dripping courtyard pond, its long neck bent as it stared down a silver carp, their four eyes locked in fierce mutual challenge.

“What kind of fish is this? I’ve never seen it before,” Liu Xiaolou asked.

Su Su was tidying luggage inside the room; Xiao Huan crouched beside the pond, chin propped on one hand, utterly absorbed. She replied: “It’s a Dragon-Whisker Silver Carp—same species as the Dragon-Whisker Golden Carp, but more restless. Lady brought it back from the Celestial Realm, saying she’d try raising it.”

Liu Xiaolou warned: “Maybe move it somewhere else—take the fish away. Don’t let it swim near Bai Bai. Bai Bai doesn’t tolerate such things.”

Xiao Huan laughed: “This is a Dragon-Whisker Silver Carp—it’s powerful. Ordinary shrimp and crab are its meals. Bai Bai won’t easily harm it. I’m actually worried Bai Bai might get bitten—let’s see who’s stronger…”

Before she finished speaking, Bai Bai lunged downward, snatching the two-foot-long silver carp into its beak, which writhed violently as water splashed everywhere. Bai Bai stretched its neck, swallowed the fish in a few gulps, then let out a loud burp—two streams of vapor shot from its nostrils, faintly shimmering with silver light.

“Ah! It really ate it!” Xiao Huan shrieked, rushing to the pond’s edge, trying to pull the goose up.

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Fifth Lady appeared behind Liu Xiaolou without warning: “Let it eat.”

Liu Xiaolou turned; three months had passed, and Fifth Lady seemed even more beautiful. He asked: “Did your mission in the Celestial Realm succeed? I didn’t see any major battle between Qingyu Sect and Dongyang Sect when I returned to Wulong Mountain.”

Fifth Lady turned away, speaking coolly: “None of your concern.”

Liu Xiaolou sighed, then turned to ask Su Su.

The Fifth Lady refused to elaborate, but Su Su could still answer. She told Liu Xiaolou that the Danxia Sect had stepped in to mediate, and the final agreement was that on the day of the sect’s grand ceremony, a tournament would be set up: Qingyu Sect and the other three sects would each send a young disciple to compete; the winner would earn the right to join the Danxia Sect’s triennial Celestial Realm trial.

“What’s a Celestial Realm trial?” Liu Xiaolou had never heard the term before.

“Our sect lies within the Danxia Celestial Realm—a small world vastly different from the outside, inherently unstable. Every three or five years, void fissures appear, revealing strange realms and wonders within. Those who train there often gain great rewards,” Su Su said. “Though I’ve only heard of it—I’ve never seen it. We maids have no qualification to participate.”

Liu Xiaolou understood: “So Danxia Sect is offering rewards to settle this dispute?”

Su Su thought a moment: “It does seem that way.”

Liu Xiaolou asked: “What did Dongyang Sect offer Mount Shenwu in return?”

Su Su replied: “That’s beyond my knowledge. But the Dongyang Sect Master has deep ties with the former master—helping them once seems only natural… Master hasn’t eaten yet, has he? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something.”

Liu Xiaolou opened the chest and took out a bag of silver shards—mostly three- and five-tael pieces, some one- and two-tael ones—and handed it to Su Su: “This is a hundred taels. Take it and use it. I brought back a brother from Wulong Mountain—he’s staying temporarily at the Daoist shrine by the mountain gate. See if you can get him moved into the estate. If not, use the money to repair the shrine—it’s in terrible shape, unfit for long stays.”

Su Su immediately said: “We can let him stay in the guest quarters for a few days, but not permanently. You mean the General’s Shrine? Its location is excellent—close to the estate. It was once the shrine of an old patron of the estate; after he died, no one maintained it. I’ll find someone to repair it.”

Liu Xiaolou instructed: “When the meal’s ready, send it directly to the shrine. If you can get some Dan Gui fragrance, bring a bottle too. Let me know when it’s done—I’ll come over for drinks later.”

Su Su left happily. Liu Xiaolou stayed by the pond with Xiao Huan, watching the goose. The creature seemed bloated from swallowing the silver carp—its neck remained bent, slumped against the pond’s edge, panting. The remaining silver carps had retreated to a corner diagonally opposite, too frightened to move.

Xiao Huan still stared intently at the pond—she hadn’t clearly seen how the goose snatched the fish and wanted to watch again—when a servant rushed in: “Xiao Huan! Xiao Huan! Su Su is crying in the kitchen—come quick… oh, Master is here too…”

Xiao Huan jumped up, sprinting upstairs: “Lady! Lady…” Then ran back down: “Lady’s gone to the back mountain again. Master, I’ll go check… ah? Master, wait for me…”

Liu Xiaolou had already stepped outside, walking as he asked the servant: “Why is she crying?”

The servant replied: “Cook Wang said Su Su always tries to take advantage of the estate’s funds. They argued a few words, and Cook Wang started yelling—she’s got a terrible temper…”

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