The warm sun shone brightly, and pale clouds drifted through the clear sky.
Outside the Wang Residence on Good Well Lane, carriages and horses came and went without pause, leaving the two gatekeepers run off their feet.
Wang Yang was famous and had a wide circle of acquaintances. He understood both scholarship and commerce, never flaunted his pedigree, and never looked down on those of humble birth, so he ordinarily had plenty of visitors. But he held high the banner of scholarly study and diligent writing, and often "shut himself away to research," which made him difficult to meet. Those who were not close to him did not dare disturb him too often. Usually, they submitted a visiting card or delivered a letter, meeting him if the opportunity arose, and at least leaving an impression if it did not.
Ever since word spread that Wang Yang would soon depart on a diplomatic mission, however, visitors had arrived in an endless stream, their cards gathering like clouds. Some came with gifts, some to bid him farewell, some to discuss learning and engage in pure conversation, and others to seize the chance to cultivate connections. Over the past few days, the two gatekeepers had nearly run their legs off carrying messages back and forth. Today was a little better, because the young master had specifically instructed them to turn away all visitors and allow no disturbances. They therefore only had to collect visiting cards, without reporting anyone's arrival.
Even so, the work was hardly easy. None of the visitors were people of ordinary standing, and Steward Black had repeatedly impressed his instructions upon them. How could they dare be discourteous? They handled everyone with the utmost care. In a single morning, they collected fifteen visiting cards, three invitations, and two manuscript scrolls