Marquis of Pacifying the South's Residence
The atmosphere in one courtyard was utterly different from those before it. While people bustled back and forth outside, it was exceptionally quiet within, because the Earl's Residence's heir had fallen ill again and could not be disturbed.
Seated beneath a tree along the corridor, the heir of the Earl's Residence gazed into the distance, lost in silent thought.
Though Xie Zhenqing was now the heir of the Earl's Residence, he held no official post and had not inherited the title. He was not qualified to personally witness the Imperial Grandson's investiture ceremony.
Hearing the sounds of the ceremonial procession from afar, he left the courtyard and went to look from near the main gate.
Several people beneath the palace lanterns at the gate were exchanging pleasantries and chatting. The moment they saw Xie Zhenqing, they hurriedly stepped aside and bowed. "Greetings, Heir."
Xie Zhenqing glanced about. Seeing that, like every other household, an incense table had been neatly set up at the gate—except its piles of dried and fresh fruit were heaped as high as little mountains—he merely smiled and asked, "Has the Imperial Grandson's procession arrived?"
"It will be here shortly. It has actually already turned off the main road on its return. Our Earl's Residence was not originally on the route, but since the Marquis is part of the procession, it detoured slightly. It will not pass directly before us, but we can see it at the intersection."
"It's here!" someone cried.
Everyone looked over. The ringing of bells and beating of drums could faintly be heard, though the music had grown much softer. Yellow parasols and banners swept past, blotting out the sky and sun, with the escort close at hand.
"Look, Heir. The Marquis is among them."
Only after