Stirring the Winds and Clouds

Lü Zhongtang also saw Han Cheng leading Zhu He into the courtyard. Knowing Zhu He must have business with Duan Rong, he rose with a smile and said, "I just remembered. There are some old books in my study that I meant to take out and air these past few days, but I kept forgetting. The sun is nice today. Worthy son-in-law, please excuse me first."

Duan Rong said, "Please do as you please, Father-in-law."

Lü Zhongtang clasped his hands briefly and left the pavilion.

Han Cheng led Zhu He over. Zhu He immediately prostrated himself outside the pavilion and respectfully said, "This disciple, Zhu He, pays respects to Old Ancestor!"

Duan Rong had been taking a sip of tea. Seeing Zhu He's rear end sticking up in the air, he nearly failed to hold it in. Suppressing the smile at his lips, he said, "Rise."

Zhu He climbed to his feet, dusted off his robes, and stood there smiling at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong said, "Come in and sit. The tea was just brewed. Come taste it; it should be no worse than what they have on Cloud Floating Peak."

Delighted, Zhu He entered the pavilion and sat down. Duan Rong personally poured him a cup of tea.

Zhu He lifted the cup and savored it carefully. After smacking his lips over it for quite a while, he finally praised, "Good tea! Truly excellent tea!"

Duan Rong said, "Is it really that good?"

This was the tea he and Lü Zhongtang usually drank, nothing more than ordinary Yu Qian Tea. Zhu He had tasted every kind of fine tea there was; such lavish praise was rather exaggerated.

Zhu He smiled. "Tea poured by Old Ancestor himself—how could it not be good? I'm simply loving the house and its crow."