Chapter 62: Who is the Master?

Chapter 62: Who is the Master?

At dinner, Xiao Yuchen also shared his findings from the day.

Princess Changping, having been reprimanded and grounded by the Emperor, caused the princess's residence to quiet down. Apart from servants leaving to make purchases, no one else came out from the residence the entire day.

Currently, only Cuicloud knows what that person looks like; they know nothing else. They can only follow up and gather more information once that person leaves the princess’s residence.

"Don’t rush, as long as we don't lose track of the person, we will eventually get to the bottom of this," Tang Shuyi told Xiao Yuchen. "You don’t need to focus solely on this matter. Keep up with your studies and other affairs. Delegate this task and then move on to the next step."

Xiao Yuchen was taken aback; he had been so infuriated by the term "face figure" that he couldn’t focus on anything else.

Tang Shuyi, who had also experienced being seventeen or eighteen years old, understood Xiao Yuchen’s current state of mind. But to mature, one can’t be too impulsive. She advised, "Prioritize your tasks. You need to study, socialize, handle some affairs in the residence, etc. You can’t let this incident disrupt all other matters or lose focus on them, right?"

Upon hearing her words, Xiao Yuchen had an epiphany, "I was indeed too obsessed."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, then turned to Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu, "The same applies to you both. Don’t let emotions sway you in your actions."

Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming both nodded in agreement.

Tang Shuyi refrained from further discussing the matter and instead mentioned her desire to visit Tianlang Lake the next day, in search of a suitable residence. Xiao Yuming, upon hearing this, offered to accompany her, claiming familiarity with the area.

Tang Shuyi glanced at him, "No need, I just want to take a look first."

Unbeknownst to her, he was seeking an excuse to skip class and avoid school.

Realizing his intentions were transparent, Xiao Yuming didn’t feel embarrassed but simply chuckled twice.

The next day, Tang Shuyi, as usual, took a stroll in the small garden after getting up, and then passed by the training ground to watch Xiao Yuming practice martial arts. By the time she reached the training ground, Xiao Yuming was already practicing horse stance. Even as a layperson, Tang Shuyi could tell he was much more diligent than before.

"How long does this horse stance need to be held?" Tang Shuyi asked Niu Hongliang.

Niu Hongliang looked at Xiao Yuming and replied, "He needs a stable lower stance. Depending on natural talent and effort, the required time can vary greatly."

"How long will it take for Yuming's basic skills to be solidified?" Tang Shuyi inquired, considering that at the very least, his foundational skills should be firm before sending him to General Xiang.

Niu Hongliang replied, "The Second Young Master has good natural aptitude. If he continues to work as hard as he has these past two days, half a year should suffice."

Tang Shuyi hadn’t expected it would take so long, but then she heard Niu Hongliang continue, "Training basic skills starts with the horse stance, followed by strength, explosive power, and more."

Tang Shuyi nodded in understanding. Nothing was easy, but she worried that Xiao Yuming’s newfound diligence might not last. Teenagers often pursue new interests with fervor, only to lose interest and abandon them after a few days. She hoped Xiao Yuming would prove an exception.

After watching for a while by the training ground, Tang Shuyi strolled in the small garden before returning to Shi’an Courtyard. After breakfast, she donned men's clothing, took Cui Zhu with her, and went out again. Cui Yun and Changming were once again stationed outside the princess’s residence.

Today, Tang Shuyi was dressed in a dark blue robe with broad sleeves, a black wrap-around hat on her head, and a dark red leather belt around her waist. The attire lent her an air of scholarly elegance and dashing charm. Even Cui Zhu couldn’t help but steal glances at her.

Tang Shuyi tapped her on the forehead, teasing, "If you ever come across a truly handsome young master, he might just sweep you off your feet."

Cui Zhu, covering her forehead, replied, "Who could be more handsome than our Sixth Master and our own young master?"

Tang Shuyi laughed heartily, "That's something you shouldn't say; there's always someone better out there, just as there are heavens beyond our own."

The master and servant joked and laughed as they boarded the carriage and headed towards Tianlang Lake. After traveling for about half an hour, the carriage stopped. Tang Shuyi pulled aside the curtain to gaze outside, greeted by a panorama of lush greenery and crystal-clear waters. The long shoreline was adorned with willows and lotuses, presenting a sight of incomparable beauty.

To the west of the lake, several large boats were moored, adorned with lanterns and shamans, a truly eye-catching scene. These must be the so-called flower boats. It was daytime, and only one or two boatmen could be seen dozing off at the bow of the boats.

Not far from the flower boats stood an exquisitely built small pavilion. Even from a distance, Tang Shuyi, with her good eyesight, could see a large signboard hanging from it, inscribed with the words "Chunman Pavilion." It appeared to be a brothel.

Tang Shuyi felt somewhat displeased with this location. Although she intended her guild to be a place of entertainment, she wanted to avoid any taint of impropriety. Being associated with brothels and flower boats was not to her liking.

Despite her reservations, she still took Cui Zhu for a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, planning to make a full circuit of Tianlang Lake.

Even though it was almost winter and the weather was getting colder, the day was clear, and there were quite a few people enjoying themselves by the lake, mostly men though.

Tang Shuyi strolled along the lakeshore for a quarter of an hour, coming across some residences, yet none of them were particularly large; there were neither single courtyards nor compounds of two or three sections, which only deepened her disappointment.

"It seems today's journey has been in vain," Tang Shuyi remarked.

Cui Zhu tiptoed to look ahead and suggested, "Master Liù, let's walk a bit further; perhaps we'll find a suitable courtyard."

Tang Shuyi felt that was reasonable, for the scenery here was indeed pleasant, and today could be simply about enjoying the view. So, they continued on, and as it turned out, Cui Zhu's words became reality.

Beyond a lush curtain of weeping willows by the lakeside, they spotted a residence, which even from a distance, appeared quite substantial.

"Let's go take a look," Tang Shuyi said.

In truth, she wasn't overly optimistic; even from afar, one could appreciate the delicacy of the estate. Such a refined abode was likely inhabited, she thought.

Moreover, such a grand residence in this location must belong to someone wealthy or noble. Acquiring it might not be easy. Despite her reservations, Tang Shuyi strode towards it, for there was always a chance it was unoccupied.

Only upon drawing closer did she realize that her initial glimpse had only revealed a fraction of its charm. The estate sat a mere ten meters from the lake, expansive, likely comprising four sections.

Between one side of the house and the lakeshore grew a grove of peach trees, which must turn the place into a breathtaking spectacle when in bloom during spring. The main gate was not the common vermilion gate guarded by stone lions over a brick path; instead, it was a secluded trail flanked by bamboo, leading straight to an unadorned gatehouse, above which hung a signboard with the calligraphed name "Lakeshine Pavilion" in plain black ink.

The name and setting of the residence alone suggested its owner was a person of refined taste.

Yet the mansion seemed to have been neglected for some time, as moss had begun to overtake the stone steps at the entrance.

"Do you know who owns this house, or have you heard anything about it?" Tang Shuyi inquired of Cui Zhu.

Seeing Cui Zhu shake her head, Tang Shuyi glanced around and, finding no one, stepped forward to knock. At that moment, an elder in his fifties or sixties emerged from the bamboo grove, surveyed Tang Shuyi from head to toe, and then said, "This is a private residence; please move along."

Tang Shuyi gave the elder a respectful bow and asked, "May I inquire who the owner of this residence is?"

The elder waved his hand impatiently, "Move along, now."

After the elder had entered and closed the door behind him, Tang Shuyi had no choice but to leave. However, as long as the interior was vacant, there was a possibility of purchase.