The rear gardens of the Marquis of Pacifying the South's Residence were fairly large, and there was more than one: a large garden and a small one. Xie Zhenqing had gone to the large garden. At a leisurely pace, a circuit could take nearly an hour.
Though he looked healthy now, he still walked unhurriedly. Taking a stroll truly was a pleasure for him.
The maids who spotted him from a nearby covered walkway likewise found the sight of a handsome man strolling beneath an umbrella in the distant drizzle an unexpected delight.
"Look! It's the heir!"
"The heir's noble bearing grows more imposing by the day. Those elegant young gentlemen people talk about outside-who among them could compare with the heir of our residence?"
"Exactly! If the heir had been healthy these past few years and gone out for people to see, what chance would the other young gentlemen of the Capital City have had?"
Thinking of the Capital City's celebrated young gentlemen, among whom the heir had never been counted, the maids felt indignation well up of its own accord.
In their eyes, the heir was outstanding in looks, learning, and bearing. Even his temper was very good most of the time. It was only because he ordinarily had to recuperate and seldom came out that those inferior to him had won such fine reputations.
Hong Dao helped Xie Zhenqing into a small pavilion, which held a stone table and four round stools. After closing the umbrella, Hong Dao wiped one of the stools dry before letting Xie Zhenqing sit.
Xie Zhenqing smiled and sat down, gazing thoughtfully at the flowers in the rain. Amid the patter of raindrops, he suddenly turned to Hong Dao, who stood attending him with his hands lowered, and asked, "Has the elixir