The journey of nearly three days is neither too fast nor particularly slow. They arrived at Ningzhou Prefecture by late Shenshi, and because Qi Qian mentioned that the sick were staying temporarily in a villa outside the city, they did not enter Ningzhou Prefecture but went directly to that villa, only an hour’s distance from Ningzhou Prefecture.
There they were, arriving at Canglan Villa which was built against the mountain, dusk had already set in, and the setting sun cast a golden light that made the villa’s glazed roof tiles sparkle like gold.
In front of the villa’s gate stood a middle-aged steward dressed in managing attire, leading several people waiting there. Upon seeing Qi Qian’s carriage arrive, he respectfully came forward and knelt down to welcome them.
"The Commandery Prince has returned, the Old Princess Consort has been awaiting you for quite some time."
Qi Qian lifted his hand to help him up and turned to look at Qin Liuxi, who had also alighted from the carriage. Seeing that she did not mind the reference to herself, a slight gleam appeared in his eyes as he asked the steward, "Manager Wan, how is my grandmother doing?"
"The Old Princess Consort is well, just missing the Commandery Prince. This humble one has already instructed the servants to prepare hot water, would the Commandery Prince prefer to pay respects to the Old Princess Consort before freshening up? Or would you like to freshen up before paying your respects?"
"Let’s freshen up first. This journey has brought dust and grime; I wouldn’t want to dirty grandmother’s place."
Qin Liuxi stood behind him, indifferent to his conversation with the steward, but the Commandery Prince, huh?
She overlooked this honorific title and just took a moment to survey the location of the villa. Heavenly Circle and Earth Square, nestled against mountains and beside water, the overall layout was square-shaped with ample sunlight. The site selection for the villa was indeed good.
However, there was a cattle shed in the northwest direction, with some foul smells drifting out and various clutter left about.
"What is that place used for?" Qin Liuxi pinched her nose and pointed.
Qi Qian followed her gesture and then looked towards Manager Wan.
Manager Wan, who had been pre-informed, observed Qin Liuxi’s demeanor and the way his own Commandery Prince treated her with such courtesy, already guessing her identity yet was surprised by her young age.
Hearing her question, he looked in the direction she pointed and replied, "Oh, that’s the cattle shed built by the villa’s farmers. It used to house oxen for plowing, but now they are mostly taken home, and that place is used to store cattle dung and other animal manure for composting."
Qin Liuxi then commented to Qi Qian, "The Old Princess Consort is quite down-to-earth, tolerating such a filthy place being constructed there, not bothered by the stench?"
Manager Wan said, "Young master, our Old Princess Consort is famously one of the good people. Such a cattle shed provides fertilizer for the crops, and letting it be is a good deed, there’s no reason not to tolerate it. Moreover, it’s far from the main courtyard of the villa, and the usual stench doesn’t reach here."
"But I can smell it standing here." Qin Liuxi fanned her nose.
Isn’t this where the villa’s main gate is?
Manager Wan looked at Qi Qian. Was this young master really that Daoist doctor? Why did he seem so delicate, fussing over a fertilizer shed?
Qi Qian, thinking of Qin Liuxi’s identity and capabilities, then asked, "Doctor Qin, is there something not right with that place?"
Qin Liuxi shrugged, "It just smells bad to me. If you all are used to it, that’s fine."
Qi Qian took out a silver note worth fifty taels and handed it over, "Please, Doctor Qin, don’t hesitate to impart your wisdom."
"Look at you being so polite. I’ll just say a few words casually, and you can just listen casually, okay?" Qin Liuxi reached out to take it, smiling, and he did not let go until she raised an eyebrow. Then he released it.
Manager Wan, who saw everything clearly, twitched in discomfort: "..."
Playing with the silver note, Qin Liuxi said, "This villa, nestled against the mountain and beside water, is indeed a place of excellent geomancy. The mountain provides backing, the water helps accumulate wealth, beneficial for gathering fortunes. If you live here and conduct business, it will be like fish swimming in water, wealth will flow in abundantly, and both fame and profits could be yours. However, filthness and disorder are inauspicious and bring misfortune. Not to mention the lack of aesthetic appeal, excessive unclean things hinder the flow of good fortunes. Cleaning up promptly will ensure the elder’s good health and a life free from illness and disaster, understand?"