Chapter 61: Imperial Summons
Venerable Study Hall was situated in the north of the manor, looking towards the south. An expanse of flowers decorated the back, while it faced a bamboo forest. A path through the bamboo forest led to a verdant green roofed entrance, giving one a comfortable feeling of tranquility before one even set foot in the residence.
The same bamboo forest greeted the group when they stepped through the door, and a path of bluestone led to the main structures of Venerable Study Hall. Five rooms wide and two stories tall, the entire complex of buildings was enclosed by a covered hallway that eventually led to the rear facing servant quarters.
“This is most certainly a place where Grand Preceptor Qin resided in his youth, alright. The serenity of this view already is unparalleled.” Zhan-mama couldn’t help but voice her genuine compliments. “Such a place exists in the palace as well, but not as a residence. It merely provides leisurely entertainment for the imperial concubines.”
“The palace is certainly magnificent and awe-inspiring. To think that the imperial consorts would visit a place like this merely for idle entertainment.” Qin Yining didn’t dare compare her own quarters to the imperial palace. Zhan-mama nodded approvingly at her.
Night had fallen and the servants had lit the lanterns in the hallway. Because orders had personally come from Qin Huaiyuan, the residence had been cleaned up long before Qin Yining stepped foot inside. After the fourth miss looked over the various levels of the residence, she started assigning rooms. The serving girls were assigned to the rear facing servant quarters. Qin Yining would occupy the middle of the second floor. The first room on the left was for Zhan-mama, the second for Yaoqin and Yuqi. The first on the right was assigned to Bingtang, Songlan, and Qiulu. Lastly, the second from the right was set aside for Zhu-mama and Liuya.
The first level of all the rooms was much brighter than Snowpear Courtyard. Bottle-shaped openwork screens subtly enclosed the wings of the main hall, sectioning off the five rooms.
New, pale-green netting was left to bunch decoratively around the openwork screen. It seemed that someone had made sure that every amenity was accounted for. There was even a pot of red coral placed in the decorative shelves meant to showcase antiques and treasures. It looked quite dignified and luxurious in its place of honor.
Qin Yining had a servant bring over the inventory records and handed them to Qiulu with a smile. She headed for the study, located in the easternmost area of the house. “I leave the storeroom in your hands, as before.”
“Don’t worry, miss. I’ll keep the key on me at all times.” Qiulu nodded.
Qin Yining walked into the study, and took a moment to marvel at it. An incredibly spacious room, one’s eye was almost immediately drawn to the enormous redwood table placed in its center. Various brushes peeped out of a blue and white porcelain brush pot, some even missing their thistles. A minimalist ink slab lay in one corner of the table, with half of the ink stick on top of it already used up. The clear water within the white porcelain rinsing pot was likely freshly poured. Some scrolls was already furled up in the ceramic vat on the floor. Those were likely Qin Huaiyuan’s old works.
Qin Yining sat on the thick cushion of the chair in front of the table and leaned back to rest on the full shelves that stretched high to the roof. She inhaled deeply and smiled. “No wonder Old Dowager wanted me to take in the atmosphere here. There really is a scholarly feeling to this place.”
Bingtang nodded and pointed at the half used ink stick. “That’s fragrant ink, and it seems there’s mint leaves placed in the brazier.”
Qin Yining started. “You’ve got a sharp nose!”
Bingtang sniffed, “I’ve trained it since I was a child! I can tell what herbs make up a medicine with just a sniff.”
The fourth miss nodded with a sigh. “One really must have a skill about them to live in a manor like this. I really should study hard.” She turned to Yaoqin. “I saw a zither hanging on the wall of the second room in the west wing. I’ve heard that Sister Yaoqin is a skilled player. I’d like to ask you to be my teacher.”
“This servant knows only a few tricks. But if you’re inclined to do so, miss, I can help spark your interest in the instrument.” Yaoqin smiled.