The setting sun spread rosy clouds across ten thousand miles of sky, gilding the Walled Settlement built on the mountain in red and gold.
Members of the Dongming Tribe's main families gathered on the watchtowers and walls, curiously studying the carriages that had arrived outside the gates. Most were young girls, still whispering among themselves:
"Mother said the Tianlang King's son was here. Is that true?"
"The Tianlang King's son should be called Young Master or Heir. Uncle Jiang said our Tianlang King's heir is especially handsome, like an immortal..."
"Oh, don't men all look more or less the same? Uncle Jiang was just flattering him out of respect for his former status. Let me see... ooh, ooh, ooh! Your Highness! Young Master~! ..."
The girls of the Western Sea Tribes were just like those of Liangzhou: mostly forthright and outgoing, without the shyness of Central Plains girls. When a fine young man passed their stronghold, they really would hoot and tease until even he blushed.
Ye Jingtang had just been helped down from the carriage by Fan Qinghe. As the stern, black-robed young master came into view, the Walled Settlement erupted in hooting as ceaseless as the cries of apes on both riverbanks.
Fortunately, the Clan Elders outside the Walled Settlement knew propriety. Several old women turned and scolded the girls, and only then did the Walled Settlement quiet down, leaving just the whispers.
The dozen or so Clan Elders standing outside the Walled Settlement were the senior heads of the Dongming Tribe's major families. They could loosely be considered the King of Dongming's civil and military ministers, while Granny Gui was roughly equivalent to an elderly Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain.
Gray-haired Granny Gui stood at the forefront with her walking stick. As a descendant