The Zhou Residence
Zhou Licheng returned from court. As soon as he entered, his personal attendant approached and stood with his hands lowered. "What is it?" he asked.
His attendant said, "A quarter of an hour ago, someone from the Crown Grandson's Residence arrived with return gifts!"
"Where is he? Take me to him at once." Zhou Licheng hurried to the reception hall. Sure enough, someone was there, served tea by the household and kept company with idle chatter.
The visitor was not of particularly high rank, merely a steward. Upon seeing Zhou Licheng, he bowed. "Lord Zhou, I have come on the Imperial Grandson's orders to deliver return gifts."
With that, he presented a letter and a list of gifts.
Zhou Licheng nodded and first examined the gift list. It read, "Five taels of gold, thirty taels of silver, six sets of colored satin and lining, twelve bolts of silk."
There were a few other items, even less expensive: cabbage, seafood, and the like. The quantity was modest, not even half a cartload. It was the standard return gift in their circles-not particularly costly, but respectable enough that the recipient could accept it without losing face.
This was already very good. The Imperial Grandson's willingness to send return gifts was itself a gesture of goodwill.
Besides, there was a handwritten letter. That letter alone was worth ten or a hundred times the gifts!
Zhou Licheng was delighted. After opening and reading the letter in front of the messenger, his smile broadened. He immediately said, "Please wait a moment. I shall write a reply to His Highness right away!"
He had someone prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. After a little deliberation, he began writing.
When he finished, he read it carefully once more. Finding nothing amiss, he sealed the