"Duke Wei! Duke Wei—"
A little bridge, a flowing stream, and houses nestled beside it; half a scarlet sun floated on the water.
Someone pounded on the black-lacquered wooden door, making it rattle loudly.
The calls grew more plaintive and urgent with every shout.
Just as the visitor was about to give up, the black-lacquered door opened from within. He looked straight ahead and saw no one. Looking down, he spotted a little girl with twin buns, barely reaching his waist. She looked as if she had been carved from jade, her cheeks plump and soft as fluffy steamed buns.
She gazed up at him with dark, round eyes, her pale brows lightly furrowed.
The little girl showed no fear of the tall stranger before her. She simply asked his name. The visitor smoothed his robe, which had been rumpled from pounding on the door, then cupped his hands and bowed with perfect courtesy. He neither looked down on her nor treated her rudely for being so young. "Greetings, my lady. I've come to find Duke Wei. Is the old gentleman at home today? I have an important matter to discuss with him..."
The little girl tilted her head. "Who's Duke Wei?"
Worried he had come to the wrong place, the visitor asked cautiously, "Duke Wei's honored name is Wei Lou. Does he live here?"
The little girl nodded. "He does."
He was overjoyed. "Could I trouble you to announce my arrival?"
"What does 'announce' mean?"
"It means, could you please call Duke Wei for me?"
The little girl pursed her lips, trying hard to look like a very serious grown-up. On a child of two or three, though, the pretense was more pitifully adorable than imposing. She solemnly motioned to him. "In that case, follow me."
She stepped over