During this period, Dong Qi and I maintained correspondence, and he invited several tis to visit Tongzhou, claiming it was like heaven on earth, a place where the four seasons felt like spring.
Those years, I was too busy with my studies and martial arts to spare the ti, but now that I’m free, I decided to make a trip there, fulfilling my long-held dream of traveling south to Jiangnan!
Dong Qi’s grandfather was a Junior Minister of the Departnt of Justice back in the day, and his father was once a renowned young dandy of the Capital, handso beyond compare, passionate about reciting poetry, playing with the arts, and was well-acquainted with countless beauties in the brothels of the Capital. Later, after marrying Princess Zhao Qing, due to her jealousy and imperiousness, the husband and wife had several confrontations, after which he conceded defeat, and since then focused on being a virtuous husband behind closed doors.
Dong Qi has a gentle temperant, unlike his father, who was frivolous, nor like his mother, who was overbearing and unreasonable, so we got along well. When I arrived at Tongzhou Prefecture to find him, he was exceedingly happy and had a serene courtyard in his mansion cleaned up for to stay.
The courtyard I stayed in was called ’Tingyu Building,’ as South is rainy, and the courtyard is surrounded by water on three sides. When it rained, the sound of the rain pouring into the lake was remarkably clear, thus the na Tingyu Building!
While staying with the Dong family, Dong Qi occasionally invited to visit Tongzhou’s gardens, landscapes, ancient temples, and famous temples; life was very leisurely, and in a blink of an eye, it was already November. On a certain day, it was the birthday of Dong Qi’s mother, Princess Zhao Qing. Being a guest, although I was reluctant in my heart, it was only polite and reasonable to pay respects to the Eldest Princess.
During the birthday celebration, I discovered the master’s garden was filled with madas and young ladies, presumably all female relatives of the Tongzhou Prefecture’s officials. Although Dong Qi’s father was only an imperial son-in-law, his grandfather was indeed a senior official in the court, and the princess status of Princess Zhao Qing was more than enough reason for them to fawn over.
When presenting my respects, Princess Zhao Qing was amiable towards , displaying an elder’s deanor, showing none of the rumored arrogance and imperiousness. She kindly introduced to the seated madas, who all praised as a handso and courteous young man.
Just as everyone was lavishing with praise, a woman, covered in filth and with disheveled hair, suddenly rushed out from the side. She ran while crying, shouting to Princess Zhao Qing: "Mother, save , Nursemaid Niu wants to beat to death!"
The seated madas were all shocked. Who was this girl? Why was she in such a dire state, yet calling Princess Zhao Qing her mother?
An old palace maid at Princess Zhao Qing’s side stepped forward, blocking the girl, angrily saying: "Where did this lunatic co from, daring to make a scene at Her Highness’s birthday feast? Bind her at once."
No sooner said than done, a group of maidservants surged forward, capturing the girl like eagles catching sparrows, gagging her mouth, and twisting her arms, securely apprehending the delicate maiden.
At this mont, an old maid in plain clothes ran over, frantically pushing and hitting the group of maidservants detaining the girl, crying and scolding: "You wretched lot, even though the Third Miss is a concubine’s daughter, she is still the bone and flesh of the Son-in-law. How dare you dean her so!"
No sooner had she spoken, Princess Zhao Qing exclaid in shock: "Old Lady Zhang, what did you say? Could it be... could she be... Quick, lift her hair and let see her face?"
Hearing the Eldest Princess’s order, one of the people holding the girl reached out, sweeping away the hair covering her face, revealing the girl’s delicate and charming visage.
Upon seeing the girl’s face, the Eldest Princess imdiately clutched her chest, trembling as she exclaid: "Oh, my child, who has mangled you into such a state!"
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