The moment they entered, they found themselves in a spacious courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, swept spotlessly clean.
Several verdant bamboo stalks and osmanthus trees grew in the yard. It was the flowering season, and the air was filled with a faint osmanthus fragrance.
In one corner of the courtyard stood a rockery and a small fishpond. The water was crystal clear, with several koi leisurely swimming through it.
The main hall and side rooms totaled seven or eight rooms, all quaint and antique in style.
"Wow! This place is so beautiful!"
The moment Zhong Ling entered the courtyard, she was captivated by the surroundings.
With a delighted cry, she ran to the fishpond and teased the koi within, her face full of excited smiles.
"This is so much better than an inn! There are flowers and fish too! Brother Xuan, I love this place!"
Although Mu Wanqing did not shout and fuss like Zhong Ling, much of the chill in her eyes had faded.
She surveyed the surroundings and gave a slight nod. "It's fairly quiet."
"Alright, since you like it, hurry and pick your rooms."
Lin Xuan said with a smile, "I'll take the main hall. You can choose between the east and west wings."
"I want the east wing! It's closer to Brother Xuan!"
Zhong Ling immediately claimed it without hesitation, then ran toward the east wing with her bundle in hand.
Mu Wanqing glanced at Lin Xuan and said coolly, "Then I'll stay in the west wing."
With that, she turned and headed toward the west wing as well.
Though the west wing was a little farther from the main hall, it was only across the courtyard.
The two women returned to their rooms to settle in.
Lin Xuan, meanwhile, strolled contentedly to the center of