The bamboo groves stood thick and green in Xiaoxiang Lodge, their rustling leaves sounding like soft dragon cries.
This elegant little courtyard had been named Xiaoxiang because it was planted all over with emerald bamboo and styled to resemble the gardens of Jiangnan.
In any case, although it wasn't as luxurious as the floating-island courtyard from before, Daiyu rather treasured this place and liked it very much. Her spirits had even improved considerably since she'd moved in.
But that wasn't important. What mattered was this:
Lin Daiyu clearly had no idea that Wang Xifeng and her husband, Jia Lian, were plotting against her and her property to fill the hole in their finances. She was still happily playing and laughing with the other young ladies of the Jia Residence in her Xiaoxiang Lodge.
As it happened, Tanchun came by almost every day, and today Baochai, Yingchun, Xichun, Li Wan, and their maids had come too—maids such as Ying'er, Xiujü, Ruhua, and Suyun.
What was more?
It was midday. Sunlight filtered through layers of bamboo leaves and scattered tiny flecks of gold across the ground. Several plantain trees spread their broad leaves and swayed, their greenery seeming almost to drip, complementing the graceful bamboo all around. Daiyu, Tanchun, Baochai, Yingchun, Xichun, and Li Wan were busy laughing and playing together!
In one of the courtyards at Xiaoxiang Lodge stood a bamboo table. A tea kettle boiled on it, surrounded by several delicate plates of pastries. Wisps of steam curled from the celadon teacups, carrying a refreshing fragrance.
After playing around for a while, Daiyu, Tanchun, Baochai, Yingchun, Xichun, and Li Wan had gathered around the table.
Daiyu lounged sideways in a bamboo chair on the right. She wore a purple jacket over a long robe and a pale-moon skirt patterned