Chen Wei brought the Auspicious Cloud to a halt before the Mansion's gates and slowly descended.
Usually, at this hour, the moment Chen Xiang stepped through the gates, the Immortal Cranes kept on the grounds would suffer-either having their feathers plucked or being chased into flying madly all over the courtyard.
The Celestial Maidens and Heavenly Soldiers in the Front Courtyard would usually put away all the easily broken vases and porcelain half a cup of tea in advance, bracing as though a formidable enemy were approaching.
Yang Chan, meanwhile, would stand ready at the entrance to the main hall.
But today, when Chen Xiang jumped off the cloud, he did not even glance at the Immortal Cranes trembling behind the Rockery. Head lowered, the little fellow crossed the Front Courtyard without a word and plunged straight into his bedroom.
Bang.
The door shut.
Yang Chan stood frozen, unable to understand why her son had suddenly changed his ways.
Had one trip to Longevity Mountain made him grow up?
"Qingquan, what's wrong with this Little Ancestor?" Yang Chan frowned, looking her husband up and down as she tried to find some clue. "He went to Longevity Mountain and didn't cause trouble? Why did he burrow straight into his room as soon as he got home, as though he'd lost his soul?"
Chen Wei brushed the wisps of cloud from the hem of his everyday clothes and answered casually, "He said he wanted to review his Daoist scriptures properly."
"Review his Daoist scriptures? Him?" Yang Chan froze again, her voice full of doubt. "That little devil has turned over a new leaf? Did you beat him at Wuzhuang Temple?"
"No. I didn't so much as lay a finger on him."
Chen Wei sat down beside the Stone Table and poured himself