Once the main gates were open, the group saw the marvelous, well-tended gardens that made up the interior of the walled residence. Ahead of them, the main mansion loomed, constructed in the typical siheyuan style of architecture. That consisted not of a single building but multiple connected buildings, halls, and courtyards, built in a rectangular layout with the main hall situated in the northernmost portion of the residence.
In short order, the group entered the first of the walled portions of the building, passing through the main gates of the residence, and the outer courtyard. There, they deposited their equine companions with servants before they were led through the second, inner gate into the building proper where they could see the first of the inner courtyards.
Wu Ying shook his head as they were led into the building. He wondered how many courtyards there were. His own residence in the Sect only had one, while Tou Hei’s had two and the Elders had the typical three. It was rumored that the more prestigious members of the Sect had even more courtyards—and the resulting halls, ancillary storage, and servant rooms—but he had never witnessed it. Looking at the size and proportions of the buildings they passed, Wu Ying would not be surprised if there were at least four courtyards.
As interesting as the architecture and the well-manicured lawns were, the residents of the building were of more interest to Wu Ying. Obviously, there were servants—many who worked the hallways and courtyards, tending to the gardens, sweeping and cleaning, doing laundry, and the myriad of other tasks required to keep a building this big functioning. But on top of that, guards patrolled the inside of the building, watching over everyone with cautious and discreet gazes. Scattered among the commoners were the noble children and adults who lounged around the building, speaking to one another, doing embroidery, practicing martial arts, and advancing their cultivation or their studies.
Many of the lounging children and adults bore a close resemblance to Yin Xue, having the same long nose, tilt of the eyebrows, and thin cheekbones. More than once, when Yin Xue and the group swept past, guided along their walk by a guard, they left behind whispered conversations. Yet not a single member of Yin Xue’s large family moved to greet him directly.
“Are all noble houses this… cold?” Wu Ying whispered to Li Yao.
“No. Or, sort of?” Li Yao said as she watched the ramrod-stiff bearing of Yin Xue, who led the group. “We’re always competing to some extent. Even if lineage is fixed, sometimes people are disowned. Or sent away…” Li Yao shook her head. “Or if someone fails at cultivating properly…”
Wu Ying made a face. He did not understand that. Not really. In a peasant family, there was no great expectation on cultivation. Whether you achieved Body Cultivation 2 or 3, it did not matter that much while working the fields. Hard work and dedication made a bigger difference. An individual who cultivated and could do more was considered a blessing, but it was more important that they had the ability to manage the fields and relationships in the family. Even a large family often lived together in the same building. Only the very largest peasant family might need their second son to move to another field, another building. But in that case, that could be considered a blessing too—more fields, more wealth. If they could afford the land and the rent.
There were other options too. The army. Moving to the city to work as a day laborer. Even, at times, working for the local smithy or other artisans. More tragic alternatives often reared their heads in times of need—a family that had few or no sons would be happy to be gifted one from another family that had too many. Eventually, it all worked out in the village—through goodwill and the occasional brow-beating by Elder Ko.
“Yin Xue must be on the outs,” Li Yao continued, flicking her gaze to a trio of glowering teenagers, the boys staring at their Sect-dressed cousin. “If that’s the case, bringing him might be a bad idea.”
“I know,” Wu Ying said. When Li Yao made a face, he shrugged. “Still, maybe he can prove himself to his father by helping with whatever task he sets us on.”
“If he sets us on anything,” Li Yao said with a tone of caution. “He might not be willing to listen.”
Wu Ying tossed his head, dismissing her concern. Not because he thought she was wrong, but because if he thought of it at all, then what was the point of him coming? Better to hope, to believe that there was a way forward.
After crossing through the second inner gate, they were led across a courtyard to the north-facing hallway. This was not the main hall, but it was not one of the first ones they had passed. It was clear, at least to Wu Ying, that their presence and their affiliation with the Verdant Green Waters Sect was being respected. It would, Wu Ying hoped, give them some leverage. Turning aside a single petitioner might be easy but doing so when a group of them had arrived from the Sect would be more difficult.
Once the group was inside, they were shown to seats where snacks and a pot of steaming tea awaited them. Small washing bowls and towels were placed on side tables, which the nobles went to immediately to wash off the grime of the road. Tou Hei and Wu Ying glanced at one another before they copied the actions of their friends, washing hands and dabbing at their faces with wet cloths before they took their seats.
For a time, the group waited, sipping on tea. Tou Hei and Bao Cong, after a short wait, started in on the snacks, unperturbed by their surroundings. Wu Ying on the other hand sat at the edge of his seat, his hands on his knees, tense and waiting. Yin Xue did not bother sitting, sipping on his tea as he strolled around the hall, peering at various pieces of artwork and stone carvings. He would occasionally stop and admire a piece. As for Li Yao, she sat primly on her seat with her teacup, neither tense nor lounging. Content to wait.
Long minutes ticked away and Tou Hei’s slurping as he ate made Wu Ying grit his teeth in annoyance. He almost spoke up twice but clenched his jaw. The second time because Li Yao caught his eye and shook her head, forcing him to hold onto his patience. Wu Ying was so close but still so far as Lord Wen took his time showing up. Each minute was torture for Wu Ying, one that he tried to ignore by focusing on his breathing, the slide of cold air into his lungs and the way his aura teased at the various unaspected portions of chi that flowed through the hall.
It was nearly half an hour later before the doors leading further into the structure opened. Wu Ying shot to his feet and winced, realizing how eager he seemed. Li Yao stood up more languidly, followed by his friends all turning to stare at the newcomer.
Lord Wen was a large man, standing just over six feet, and big the way once muscular men who aged and stopped exercising were. There was still strength in his frame, but it was hidden underneath layers of fat. A slight graying in Lord Wen’s hair and his imperial-styled beard showed the stress of the past few years. Lord Wen was dressed in the long, glittering robes that were his wont, golden thread and red on pale silk laid over his body. Numerous other accessories lay on his body, from jade bracelets and rings to a necklace that held the kingdom seal, the mark of his nobility.
“Lord Wen.” Wu Ying bowed.
His companions mimicked his movements, even Yin Xue, much to Wu Ying’s surprise. Though he noticed that Yin Xue did call his father by his paternal honorific.
“I’ve been expecting you,” Lord Wen said, brushing past the bowing Wu Ying to take a seat. He flopped down, legs crossing as he stared at Wu Ying, unperturbed by the presence of the others. He did, however, fix his son with a reproachful gaze. “Not you.”
“I came to speak with you about—”
Lord Wen cut off Wu Ying. “Stealing my villagers. I know. What makes you think I should even countenance a discussion?”
Wu Ying hesitated as Lord Wen went on the attack immediately.