Jiang Estate
An oxcart stopped outside the residence of Jiang Zongfang, Vice Minister of Rites.
It was midmorning, and people came and went along the street outside the Jiang Estate. Several carriages stood by the roadside, though it was unclear whether they belonged to visitors calling at the estate. Su Ziji stepped down from the oxcart, glanced at them, then withdrew his gaze.
The Wild Daoist, who had accompanied him, took two steps forward and told the Jiang Estate's servant at the gate, "My master is the Marquis of Dai. He sent a visiting card to your estate earlier, saying he would call this morning, and has now arrived as promised. Sorry for the trouble, but please go in and announce him."
"This humble servant pays his respects to Your Lordship!" The servant hurriedly bowed respectfully to Su Ziji. "I'll go in and report your arrival at once!"
Not long after entering, he was trotting along when he ran straight into a young man on his way out. Seeing his flustered manner, the young man immediately stopped him with a stern rebuke. "What has you in such a panic?"
"Young master, the Marquis of Dai is here!" the servant hastily replied.
"The Marquis of Dai is here?!" The young man was startled. He had gone outside the city to visit friends a few days earlier and had only returned today, so he knew nothing of Su Ziji's visiting card. As the son of an official, he understood what it meant for the Marquis of Dai to visit the Jiang Estate in person. Unease rose in his heart, and he hurriedly asked, "Did the marquis come alone? Did he say what he came for?"
The servant replied, "The Marquis of Dai sent someone with a visiting card yesterday, saying he would