The sun sank behind the western hills.
Ye Jingtang followed the Empress Dowager's homecoming procession to the Duke's Manor at East Lake Bay. Only after stepping through its gates did he realize that his residence in the Capital City really was rather plain.
The Qin Family's manor occupied an enormous area, with a great lake beside it large enough for painted pleasure boats to cruise upon. The estate's walls extended all the way to the hillside across the lake. All three front gates stood open, with three ceremonial archways and two stone lions outside. The distance from the Dismounting Stele to the gates alone was probably greater than the length of his new residence at Skywater Bridge.
This was the Empress of Great Wei's first visit to Jiangzhou. After arriving at the Duke's Manor with the procession, she accompanied Ye Jingtang to the Guest Courtyard to put down their belongings. Walking beside him and admiring the architecture, so rich in the charm of the water country, she said:
"This residence is only a little smaller than a prince's estate. It really is beautifully built. Would you like one?"
Ye Jingtang was carrying Yu Hu's and Miss Fan's belongings. He shook his head.
"Building a house isn't difficult. It's the location that costs money. If I laid out such a huge garden estate near the Capital City, the censors would probably berate me until my head split and blood flowed. Besides, there are only a few people at home. The new residence alone already has the maids sighing over the cleaning. If I made it this big, wouldn't cleaning it exhaust them to death..."
Knowing Ye Jingtang did not care about such things, the Empress of Great Wei said no more on the subject and turned to Fan Qinghe behind them.