As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, Danyang City blazed with lights, and those who usually worked far from home had returned.
Deep in Clear Spring Lane, a lantern bearing the character "Yang" swayed in the slightly sultry night breeze.
The old County Commandant, Yang Ting, held a spotted-bamboo pipe between his teeth and gazed at the Golden Summit of Purple Emblem Mountain outside the city. Having lived in Danyang his entire life, he was rather puzzled. "When did they build a new house behind Purple Emblem Mountain? Looks pretty tall, too. Haven't heard anything about it."
The Sister-in-law of the Yang Household was setting dishes on the table inside. The burly Yang Dabiao stood with his daughter perched on his shoulders, also looking at the roof ridge on the mountain. "That roof looks a little familiar. Maybe Sect Leader Nangong prepared a newlyweds' home for A Huan and Lord Linghu. They've known each other so long, it's about time they started a family-"
Yang Ting took two draws on his pipe, looking thoughtful. "If they're starting a family, shouldn't Lord Linghu marry into the Danyang Marquis Household? If Jinhuan moves to Purple Emblem Mountain, wouldn't that make him a live-in son-in-law?"
"Ah, once Lord Xie is gone, won't it all be the same? With a mother like Fairy Nangong around to help look after the children and such, A Huan and Lord Linghu will have a lot more free time-"
"That's true-"
As father and son chatted, they suddenly heard a commotion from the distant street. "What's going on?"
"Who's that?"
"Even Master Mu has come out-"
Yang Dabiao frowned. After peering into the distance, he handed his daughter to his wife, grabbed his saber, and ran out of the lane onto nearby Wencheng Street.
Wencheng Street was Danyang's main