Chapter 176: Royal Garden Villa

Even the most obscure corners seemed unable to escape his observation.

The corner behind the cabinet was already moldy, and a bit of moss had grown there.

Under the bed, a spider was busy reinforcing its web, which already held two victims.

In just a dozen breaths, he had thoroughly explored his guest room. It was supposedly one of Shihuancheng's premier inns and a top-notch room, yet in the dark, unseen corners, it was so... unclean.

Oh, and two copper coins had fallen into the cracks of the floorboards.

As a beginner, he still felt a sense of ease. So, he attempted to expand his divine sense further, aiming to explore the world outside the room.

The wall on the side of the door was thick, and his divine sense couldn't penetrate it. So, he redirected it towards the window.

His mind suddenly cleared, as if it had broken free from some restraint. The sights within the room were vivid, even clearer than before.

He Lingchuan was overjoyed; with a single thought, he had reached the 'ecstasy' state, which meant his divine sense had broken free from his body's confines and was expanding outwards extensively.

He 'saw' the Medicine Ape squatting beside the enlarged alchemy furnace, performing hand seals to refine pills; Maotao was tidying up the yard when he suddenly noticed a metallic glint inside a tree root and quickly dug it out with a dagger. It turned out to be a small piece of scattered silver, which made Maotao grin from ear to ear, and he gnawed on it a little.

Just then, He Yue walked in, looking around. "Where's my brother?" he asked.

Maotao answered for him, "Young Master is practicing his cultivation; he can't be disturbed."

"Could you urge him to finish? We'll be setting off soon," He Yue said, then walked out, bathed in sunlight.

He Lingchuan still wanted to follow, but as soon as his divine sense expanded into the sunlit ground, he felt a sharp pain in his head, as if pricked by needles, and he couldn't help but cry out, "Ah!"

His voice echoed in the guest room, and he automatically exited his meditative state.

He Lingchuan clutched his head, the pain still lingering.

This was the consequence of pushing too hard.

A beginner's soul is still fragile. Even though sunset was only an hour away, the true fire contained within the sunlight was still more than he could bear. Wandering souls, when touched by sunlight, would instantly turn to ash and vanish; his living soul was slightly better, but he still needed to be careful not to let joy turn to sorrow.

He Lingchuan shook his head. Didn't the Meridian Art say that the failure rate for the first 'Heaven's Eye' activation was as high as eighty percent? He had achieved it effortlessly, and had even attempted 'ecstasy,' succeeding in that too.

Did this mean his soul was much more resilient than others'?

It seemed only natural, after all, a wisp of his soul had lived two lives, which could explain it.

He Lingchuan happily pushed open the door and walked out. Maotao quickly came forward to greet him: "Young Master, you've finally finished your cultivation! The sun is almost setting!"

"Tell the innkeeper to bring water; I want to bathe."

Maotao acknowledged him and was about to leave, when He Lingchuan, looking at the tree roots on the ground, suddenly said: "Cats and dogs love to mark their territory in these root crevices."

Maotao's face instantly turned green, and he bent over, spitting for a long time.

Before he could straighten up, He Lingchuan raised his foot and kicked his calf: "Hurry up and get me some hot water!"

"Yes, sir." Maotao was disgusted and confused. Why would Young Master say such a thing for no reason? Had he been peeking through the door crack earlier?

At that thought, a wave of goosebumps immediately prickled his back.

At this time, Madam Ying also sent someone with a set of brocade clothes, telling her eldest son to get ready quickly. He Lingchuan washed away his body odor with hot water, re-tied his hair, and dressed neatly. He looked like a spirited young man once more.

The Zhu family's special welcoming banquet for Zhu Xiuer was held after dark.

"Is this Deer Cry Garden really in the mountains?" Madam Ying lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. It was dark, and the mountain scenery had vanished, leaving only the dark silhouette of Brush Rest Mountain.

The family traveled by carriage along the winding mountain road, but it wasn't a narrow path; it was a wide road capable of accommodating three carriages abreast. The snow had stopped in the afternoon, and the accumulated snow on the ground had been cleared away, revealing the black stone-slab pavement underneath.

The carriage ride was exceptionally smooth, no less so than in the city.

As dusk deepened, large braziers were set up along both sides of the road to provide light and guidance.

Madam Ying leaned out of the carriage window to look, and saw that in addition to the fiercely burning braziers ahead, there were also many points of light moving along the mountain contours, forming a long, serpentine line. Each invited family and clan heading to Deer Cry Garden had a carriage lantern hanging in front of their vehicle.

Each point of light likely represented a noble, influential clan, or wealthy family residing in Shihuancheng. Madam Ying tightened her rabbit fur cloak around her shoulders and exhaled a puff of white mist. "Just how many families are going up the mountain tonight!"

Assistant Liu was also in the carriage tonight, explaining the current situation to the He family. He leaned out for a quick look, then drew back, smiling: "The imperial relatives, nobility, and powerful families of the capital often own property in Shihuancheng. This is a secondary capital, with fewer rules than the main capital, and residences are closer to the river, making it a comfortable place to live. Furthermore, Lord Zhu specifically chose Deer Cry Garden for this banquet, so I reckon half of Shihuancheng's gentry will attend."

"Deer Cry Garden?" Madam Ying asked curiously, "Is this place very special?"

"Of course, it's special!" Assistant Liu pointed his thumb towards the mountain. "This is one of the imperial villas."

The He family was somewhat surprised. He Yue couldn't help but ask: "Lord Zhu can actually host a banquet at an imperial villa? And to so openly proclaim a joyous family event, without the Emperor's punishment?"

"Back then, the founding emperor enclosed Brush Rest Mountain, and stocked it with deer, rabbits, pigs, sheep, and a small number of wolves to serve as a hunting ground. The cluster of buildings on the mountaintop was then named Deer Cry Garden."

Assistant Liu spoke fluently, evidently having told this story countless times: "By the time of the previous emperor, there were already three imperial hunting grounds near the capital. The other two were closer to the palace and much larger. His Majesty said that with so many hunting grounds, many wouldn't be used, so why waste them? He simply decided to open Shihuancheng's Deer Cry Garden to the public. Any official with a rank could rent Deer Cry Garden to host a banquet, though the price was significantly higher than that of large restaurants in the city."

He added: "However, Deer Cry Garden has imperial chefs stationed there, and everything from the tableware to the regulations is of a very high standard. That's why the place is extremely popular; you need to book at least half a month in advance."

What's expensive is good. Even the Emperor ate, slept, and hunted here, so Deer Cry Garden naturally symbolized luxury, grandeur, and wealth. It's no wonder that the powerful and wealthy flocked to it.

Madam Ying exclaimed, "The previous emperor was so down-to-earth!"

He Chunhua said nothing, but He Lingchuan let out a snicker.

Madam Ying glared at him. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing much," He Lingchuan said, pointing forward casually. "I just saw the lamp on the carriage ahead go out, and the driver can't seem to get it lit again." Only after speaking did he realize that the carriage was a bit dilapidated and small, looking like a rented civilian carriage, and out of place among the other vehicles on the mountain road.

Which impoverished noble family was this?

Madam Ying knew her eldest son was talking nonsense, but He Lingchuan picked up some melon seeds from the table, started cracking them, and just smiled without speaking.

Only her youngest son thoughtfully reminded her: "Mother, this simply shows the previous emperor was pragmatic. Since the Hongchuan flood sixteen years ago, the national treasury has often been depleted. I heard that in recent years, expenditures have consistently exceeded revenues, and the deficit is growing larger and larger."

As soon as money was mentioned, Madam Ying blinked and understood.

So, the country was out of money, and the previous emperor had to rent out the imperial villas.

"Don't underestimate Deer Cry Garden's income," Assistant Liu said with a smile. "I heard that last year alone, it brought in two hundred thousand taels of silver."

Madam Ying was moved. "It truly is a golden goose!"

"Those wealthy people in the capital are truly... *ahem*, quite well-fed and prosperous!" He Lingchuan asked Assistant Liu, "Whose carriage is that in front?"

Assistant Liu leaned out to look, then shook his head: "There's no family emblem, nor a surname on the lantern. The carriage appears to be rented from a livery stable. It's probably a minor official. Tonight's banquet is filled with dignitaries, so it's a good opportunity for lower-ranking individuals to attach themselves to the powerful."

Brush Rest Mountain wasn't tall, with an elevation of less than sixty zhang. This winding mountain road soon came to an end.

The He family dismounted from their carriage. Across from them stood the main building of Deer Cry Garden. It was, needless to say, magnificent and brightly lit, and at that moment, esteemed guests were arriving in a continuous stream.

As everyone turned around, another beautiful scene unfolded:

Below the mountain, ten thousand lights twinkled.

Deer Cry Garden was built on a giant eagle's beak-shaped rock near the mountaintop, from where it was possible to overlook almost the entire city of Shihuancheng.

As night fell, this bustling secondary capital was already aglow with lights. Seen from the mountaintop, it looked as if stars had fallen to earth, or as if heavenly palaces had descended.

A sense of vibrant human activity wafted up.

Madam Ying exclaimed in surprise, "I think I can see pedestrians moving on the streets. Oh, that building looks like the inn where we're staying!"

He Lingchuan let out a breath, and suddenly understood why nobles enjoyed holding banquets at Deer Cry Garden.

In the capital, no one could reside higher than the Emperor.

This feeling of looking down upon all living beings and gazing across vast distances had always been exclusive to monarchs.

Upon being informed of their arrival, Zhu Xiyan, the Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, came out to greet them, cupped his hands in greeting to He Chunhua, and said to his granddaughter, Zhu Xiuer: "Why aren't you coming to thank your benefactors!"

Zhu Xiuer curtsied, and bowed respectively to He Chunhua and his wife, and to the He Lingchuan brothers.

Madam Ying waited until she straightened up, then stepped forward, took her hand warmly, and said: "No need for so many formalities! You've been with us for half a month, and now you're finally home; are you happy?"

Zhu Xiuer replied with deep emotion: "A tired bird returns to its nest, finally finding solace."

He Lingchuan saw her adorned with pearls and jade in her hair, and the rouge covered any sallowness on her face, making her complexion appear excellent.

Zhu Xiyan then led the He family into Deer Cry Garden, where they were seated at the central table on the left side of the main hall.

As guests personally welcomed by the host, and with Madam Ying warmly shaking hands and chatting intimately with Zhu Xiuer, the evening's protagonist, it was difficult for others not to notice them.

Then, a herald's voice announced: "He Chunhua, Administrator of Xiazhou, with his family, has arrived!"

The He family immediately became the focus of the entire hall.

Countless figures in splendid robes and tall caps, exclaiming 'A pleasure to meet you!' gathered around them.

He Lingchuan looked left and right, seeing countless people greeting him with smiles. He could only smile back.

After smiling dozens of times, exchanging dozens of polite phrases, and giving formulaic replies, his face stiffened, and he had to break away.

He Lingchuan squeezed out of the crowd, slipped into a corner, and vigorously patted his facial muscles.

Shihuancheng people are truly enthusiastic.

He Yue appeared from somewhere and stood beside him, holding a wine flask and a cup.

He Lingchuan waited for him to pour a cup for himself before asking, "You can drink alcohol?"

"When everyone's having fun, what's there to be afraid of?" He Yue said, grinning. "Besides, Mother has no time to mind me right now."