Chapter 500: Xie Fu

Inside the Xie Fu, today was truly bustling with activity.

A scene of pure joy and festivity.

In the great courtyard stood a pavilion called "Hongjing Courtyard," specifically built to entertain distinguished guests.

This courtyard was originally named "Tinghu Courtyard," situated at the front of the Xie Fu, in the honored eastern position.

The reason it bore the name "lake" was because it contained two lakes—one daughter, one mother.

The daughter lake was small; though called a lake, it was in truth "a tranquil, icy pool."

In bygone years, Second Master Xie Hong, as a youth, often washed his brushes and inkstones here; the pool water turned black with ink, becoming a celebrated tale.

Thus, the daughter lake was renamed "Mo Lake" to commemorate this event.

The mother lake was vast; to reach the garden behind, one had to cross by boat, rowing over ten zhang before reaching the opposite shore.

The lakeshore was picturesque, with pavilions, terraces, and towers arranged in graceful disorder, dotted with artificial hills, and planted with dozens of clumps of green bamboo and shaded by banana trees, adding further elegance.

Lotus flowers in the lake stood tall and upright, white as snow, red as satin, swaying gracefully in the wind.

The water was clear, often revealing "fish observing lotus."

All this was because Grandmater Xie had always loved lotus flowers.

Thus, the legitimate son of Xie Ling—now the current legitimate eldest son of the Xie family—was named "Xie He."

Where did the waters of the two lakes originate?

From underground currents, a steady, ceaseless trickle.

Once, a fengshui master declared that if the daughter and mother lakes flowed without end, the Xie family would flourish generation after generation, enduring forever.

Later, the Third Master of the Academy came to the Xie Fu, saw the boundless scenery, and was delighted.

He bestowed upon the courtyard the name—"Hongjing Courtyard."

Just after noon, the six departments responsible for the banquet had already begun their work, each fulfilling their duties in orderly fashion.

Even before the feast began, Hongjing Courtyard was already filled with voices and noise, bustling with life.

Several subsidiary courtyards hosted separate banquets; in the main hall, the various ladies of the Xie Fu, Grandmater Xie, and honored guests sat in place, chatting and laughing.

Outside the hall, in the subsidiary courtyards,

were the young masters and young ladies of the Xie Fu, dressed in splendid robes, grouping in threes and fives, pairing off, admiring flowers and watching fish, laughing and playing, their merriment never ceasing.

With no elders to supervise, they enjoyed a unique pleasure, a refined leisure.

A scene of pure wealth and splendor.

Gan Zhi led Wu Tong and several maids into Hongjing Courtyard, then ordered the servants to summon the boatwomen, who rowed out two small boats from Gangwu.

The group boarded the boats, feeling the shimmering light on the water's surface.

Wu Tong carried a blue silk-wrapped bundle, feeling novelty as she sat in the small boat.

It was her first time visiting this grand garden; though she looked around curiously, she did not lose propriety.

Gan Zhi gave Wu Tong an extra glance and nodded slightly.

They disembarked and walked slowly to the main gate.

A servant went ahead to announce them, then led Gan Zhi inside.

Wu Tong's bright eyes swept the courtyard, seeing only a few scattered rocks, banana trees planted nearby, and two immortal cranes beneath a pine tree, preening their feathers.

Along the corridor, several young masters and young ladies in brocade and jade robes chatted merrily, surrounded by servants and maids who attended them with careful deference.

Occasionally, someone cast glances from afar.

Wu Tong lowered her head, gazing at the tip of her embroidered shoe.

Yet in her heart, she thought: Master had never come here before.

Master loved nothing more than seeing the landscapes from books, the grand rivers and mountains, yet had been confined to a small courtyard for ten years.

Further inside,

they saw bamboo groves lining both sides of the path, the ground covered in moss, and a narrow stone-paved trail winding through.

Until the very rear, beyond the shadow wall,

the group halted; Wu Tong looked up.

Above stood five small annexes, all with freshly carved floral lattice screens.

Above them hung a plaque.

Three large characters inscribed: "Hongjing Courtyard."

Wu Tong could not judge the quality of the calligraphy, but she found it exquisitely beautiful, striking, and imbued with righteous energy.

Compared to Master's writing, she still thought Master's was more beautiful.

So this was the Hongjing Courtyard spoken of throughout the Xie Fu.

It was merely this modest courtyard, hidden behind the great lake.

Wu Tong felt no worry; she could not guess what Xie Yuan needed her help with, but she firmly believed Master would not deceive her.

After the servant outside announced them, soon came the summons:

"Lady Da, Madam Yuan invites you in."

Wu Tong thought: that "invite" was likely extended only out of respect for Gan Zhi, the senior maid of the Second Courtyard.

Hearing the name Madam Yuan, Wu Tong grew nervous.

Gan Zhi and Wu Tong entered the room; Gan Zhi bowed slightly, showing deference.

Wu Tong had taken only a few steps when she heard a familiar voice:

"Mother, don't trick me—I dare not go out to meet that one; I'd rather stay with my uncle."

Wu Tong looked up: the room was gilded and brilliant, its decor dazzling.

After the two entered, all eyes turned toward them; silence fell.

The main seat was empty—Grandmater Xie was not present.

On the left sat several ladies of the main courtyards, elegant in bearing.

Among them were Madam Yuan of the main courtyard and Madam Zhuge.

And Madam Zhao of the second courtyard, and others.

On the right sat three middle-aged men; Wu Tong did not know them, but guessed they were today's honored guests.

Sitting at the lower left was a young man.

He wore a white fox fur cloak, tall and slender, with a silver belt around his waist, a slingshot hanging from it, a jade-inlaid treasure sword pinned to his left side, a long-life lock around his chest, a tall crown on his head, refined features, and thin lips.

His sleepy, willow-eyed gaze held an unmatched air of elegance and ease.

It was Xie Yuan; he lifted his eyes slightly as the two entered.

After Gan Zhi greeted the ladies, Wu Tong followed suit, mimicking her every motion.

One lady on the left frowned slightly and asked:

"Gan Zhi, who is this?"

Gan Zhi repeated Xie Guan's words.

She explained that the Second Courtyard urgently needed a clever, pretty, and well-behaved maid.

"Young Master Yuan specifically requested Wu Tong; I've come to report and seek your ladyship's decision," Gan Zhi said.

Madam Zhao, upon hearing this, looked at Xie Yuan and smiled sweetly:

"Why not consult Young Master Yuan himself? This girl is lovely, and there are few well-behaved maids in the household; with guests arriving one after another, we might fail to properly entertain them."

A middle-aged man in scholar's robes on the right, upon hearing "Xie Guan," slowly set down his teacup.

Xie Yuan listened to Gan Zhi's report, frowned slightly, but said nothing.

He wondered to himself: When had I asked Brother Guan to request Wu Tong?

Wu Tong kept her head down, silent.

Xie Yuan's gaze fell upon the bundle in her hands.

Gan Zhi, observing Xie Yuan's puzzled expression—especially Xie Guan's reaction when leaving—seemed to sense something.

At that moment!

Madam Yuan, seated at the head of the left side, laughed:

"Gan Zhi, take Wu Tong away. Young Master Yuan must stay to accompany Grandmater."

Xie Yuan remained silent.

Gan Zhi was about to lead Wu Tong out.

Wu Tong remembered Master's instructions, suddenly turned back and bowed:

"Young Master Yuan, Master has brought you tea, saying you once loved it but forgot."

Wu Tong placed the bundle on the yellow-carved wooden table.

"Tea?"

Wu Tong then withdrew from her sleeve a red-character "General" chess piece and gently placed it on the table:

"And the chess piece left behind last time—Master asked me to thank you."

Xie Yuan stared at the chess piece on the table, lost in thought.

At that moment, Madam Zhao softly urged:

"Gan Zhi, go now. Don't delay the hour—tell them not to play too wildly and miss the banquet."

"Yes, Madam."

Gan Zhi responded and prepared to withdraw.

Yet!

Xie Yuan's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he cried, "Wait!"

Lady Zhao's gaze tightened.

……

I've caught a cold and am feeling dizzy; my lords, please forgive me—I didn't write enough, I'll make it up tomorrow!

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(End of Chapter)