The i family of Wanling has been an esteed scholarly clan for three hundred years, with a household full of litterateurs and refined gentlen that value natural simplicity, eschewing ostentatious extravagance. Their residences have many courtyards replete with pine and bamboo; though located within State City, they have a rarity—a peaceful retreat amidst the bustle.
Pavilions, terraces, and waterside arbors epitomize the misty rains and charm of Jiangnan Road.
In the southeastern part of the i family estate, i Wangsheng encountered his elder brother, a renowned gentleman of Jiangnan Road's scholar circles, who possessed a jade-like complexion and an air of gentle elegance. After exchanging pleasantries with a smile and exhibiting impeccable etiquette, he exuded a charm that one couldn't help but appreciate.
Noticing i Wangsheng's reluctance to engage in further conversation, he didn't press the matter, simply comnting with a smile that Wanling City is bejeweled with mountains and surrounded by water, offering exceptional scenery. Among them were three lakes like stars scattered in a chessboard pattern; having co all this way, he absolutely shouldn't miss out on viewing them.
i Wangsheng's father was currently serving in Danyang County City and was not in Wanling. The eldest mber present in the i family was an elderly gentleman over eighty years old who, upon hearing that his grandson had brought guests ho, sent so fine spring tea and warmly advised they join for dinner that evening.
While Wang Anfeng was watching from inside the house, an old servant from the i family arrived with the spring tea. It was evident that i Wangsheng cared for the house, which was decorated with simple elegance. Through the windows, one could see the picturesque scenery of lakes and mountains, and looking further, the lantern lights along the riverbanks rged into the mortal world.
There was both a transcendental serenity and the glow of the secular world.
Wang Anfeng, a martial artist from the Buddhism tradition, was incredibly pleased with this dwelling.
As he turned to leave, he encountered the old servant who had arrived with the spring tea and was about to depart. Beside the servant stood a young maiden, not arrayed in the garnts typical of Jiangnan Road won but instead in wide sleeves with upright silk cuffs—practical attire, suggesting horse-riding or archery.
The old servant perford a respectful bow toward Wang Anfeng, greeting him warmly as "young master," to which Wang Anfeng returned the courtesy. The maiden, however, seed unconcerned with formality, her eyes like glistening jade beads appraising Wang Anfeng openly and without reserve.
After a gentle word from the servant, she belatedly rembered to offer a bow, which rather than imitating the demure curtsies of noble young ladies, was executed with the forthright vigor of soone from the martial community, as she crisply said:
"I am the young lady i Lianhua, at your service, young hero."
The servant appeared helpless.
Wang Anfeng chuckled, returning the salute:
"I am Wang Anfeng, pleased to et you, miss."
Lowering her hands, i Lianhua looked at Wang Anfeng with keen interest and asked, "Is this really how people in the Jianghu greet each other—with a cupped-fist salute and addressing themselves as 'I, so-and-so,' and calling each other 'young hero'?"
The frustration on the servant's face deepened as he said:
"Miss..."
"Ah, our young lady has been thoroughly spoiled by the old master, please forgive any lack of manners, young master."
"It's no trouble at all, my good man."
Wang Anfeng replied amiably and after a mont's thought, answered, "Under normal circumstances, no, it's mostly the fignts of storytellers' imaginations."
"So the saying 'the green mountains shall not change, the rivers shall flow forever' is also false, then?"
"Most likely false."
The girl, dressed in her spring hunting attire, seed rarely to have t real folk from the Jianghu and had accumulated many stories in her mind, bursting with curiosity and hardly able to stop once she started speaking.
The servant repeated himself several tis and finally invoked the authority of the old master, saying he was waiting for them to return, which scarcely contained her enthusiasm. Smiling at Wang Anfeng, she said:
"Then... Brother Wang, I shall take my leave first."
"There is a family banquet tonight hosted by our great-grandfather, and Brother Wang, you must certainly co."
Wang Anfeng nodded his agreent, watching them leave. Yuchi Jie finally erged from the house with a folding fan, saunteringly approaching.
The front of the fan displayed a painted spring outing scene—a common the yet skillfully executed. Although this particular piece had a slightly artisanal air, its solemn and majestic aesthetic elevated the original concept. Labeled as Shengchun Mountain, the work was deed a treasured world of its own, bearing the red seal 'i San' in the bottom corner—i Wangsheng's own handwriting.
Yuchi Jie, standing next to Wang Anfeng, shook his fan and remarked:
"Truly a spirited young lady."
"If she were to dress as a young gentleman, I fear countless noble daughters would be utterly bewitched."
Wang Anfeng shook his head, saying lightly:
"This is the i family estate, Yuchi, refrain from such nonsense."
Hong Luoyu stood at the highest point of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, observing the landscape below—pavilions, terraces, and waterside galleries set against mountains and rivers. He had surveyed the scene from all angles before lightly tapping with the tip of his foot and descending gracefully, almost startling Lin Qiaofu and Lv Baiping with his arrival. Unfazed, he simply smiled and said:
"Interesting..."
"Arranging geomantic symbols according to the Four Symbols, corresponding with the celestial stars, this courtyard is like a fortified military formation that is capable of both offense and defense. The tactics here are forthright and dignified, comparable to any I've experienced before."
Lv Baiping considered this for a mont and suggested, "Maybe it's for protection against thieves?"
Hong Luoyu chuckled, glancing at the green bamboo in the yard:
"Such thieves would be incredibly unfortunate."
When the i family's senior spoke of a family banquet, it truly was just that. Even i Wangsheng's elder brother wasn't at the table. Around a large dining table sat only i Lianhua accompanying the white-haired old gentleman, with the cordial speaking servant attending behind them. Beyond these were only Wang Anfeng and his associates.
It was clear i Wangsheng held great respect for the elderly man, his deanor very deferential. The dishes on the table were all special to the i family. Their own chef, having served the family for generations, had recipes that were a family heirloom and a modified tradition based on Jiangnan cuisine, unavailable elsewhere.
Even the simplest dishes like vinegar fish and stead at with rice flour carried subtle touches of culinary skill. Hong Luoyu, who had beco rather food-fussy, found the al satisfying. It was probably the most content he had been since leaving the Shaolin Temple, with his lips glistening with oil from the feast.
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