Prince Dai's Residence · Early Morning
Ma Shunde arrived at the main gate and saw that around Prince Dai's Residence, there was a sentry every three steps and a guard post every five. Armored soldiers stood with hands on their long swords, eyes staring straight ahead as they trod upon the snow. The atmosphere was exceedingly severe.
Yet the people of the residence were sweeping snow and building snowmen. Though none of them spoke, they were brimming with joy, utterly without fear.
"How different from before."
Ma Shunde suddenly recalled the panic within Prince Dai's Residence when he had brought troops here on several previous occasions. Sighing inwardly, he had just stepped down from his ox cart when a gate official loudly proclaimed, "The imperial envoy has arrived—set off the cannons and open the central gate!"
Three muffled cannon blasts rang out, and the central gate swung open.
Ma Shunde hurried up the steps and saw the steward leading people out to welcome him.
No longer as grave and stern as before, Ma Shunde instead smiled. "Has His Highness the Grandson risen yet?"
The steward said softly, "His Highness has already risen."
As he ushered him toward the hall, he added, "He will come out shortly. Please wait a moment, Eunuch Ma."
The flower hall had underfloor heating, making the entire room pleasantly warm. The lattice windows had all been opened as well, making it spacious enough to admire the snow without fear of becoming stuffy and fainting from fumes. Such arrangements consumed a great deal, however, and the Prince's Residence had not dared use them freely before. Only now, with him made Grandson of the Emperor, could they be used in so many places.
After Ma Shunde settled down in the flower hall, he noticed a bookshelf crammed full