The siblings were chatting when another boat carrying a few frivolous young men drew near the pleasure barge. The young men cupped their hands and called out loudly, “Such music should only exist in heaven; how many times can one hear it in the mortal world? The Four Young Masters of Qiantang have come in admiration, and humbly request Emily Miss to spare us a meeting, to comfort us in this life.”

The young man, hearing this, glanced at the young lady and said, “If Father hears you say that, Big Sister won’t be allowed out at all this year.”

“Nonsense!” The young lady stuck out her lilac tongue and winked at the young man. “Emily Reed is the greatest zither artist in Jiangnan, and you’re already so prejudiced at your age.”

“I don’t know if it’s prejudice or not.” The young man lifted the bamboo basket in his hand. “I just know that if we don’t go back now, there’ll be no dinner for us.”

“Oh, that’s true.” Only then did the young lady realize they’d been delayed outside for too long. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and quickly walked along the slippery bluestone path by the lake.

“Big Sister, we came to the lakeside to pick willow branches.” Seeing the careless young lady had completely forgotten their purpose, the young man had to remind her.

“Oh, right.” The young lady patted her forehead and made a funny face. “I’ll do it now.” She stopped, carefully examining the drooping willows by the lake. Each branch, heavy with dewdrops, looked so tender and lovely that she couldn’t bear to harm them. Her slender fingers tapped her chin, and for a long while, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

The young man didn’t rush her, but quietly held the umbrella for her, watching his sister in silence.

The young lady looked at the young man for help, but he just raised the things in his hands, indicating he couldn’t assist.

She pouted, then steeled herself. To get a little revenge on the young man, she slyly tugged a branch while picking a willow twig. The water droplets collected on the willow leaves suddenly poured down, all landing on the young man’s head.

The young man looked helplessly at the laughing girl running away, and worriedly called out, “Watch your step!” After a pause, he added, a bit angrily, “And… don’t call me Little Grace anymore.”

“Got it, Little Grace.” The young lady nodded, twirling the willow branch in her hand, skipping along the stone path. Though her steps were light and joyful, she landed steadily—clearly, the young man was worrying too much.

He shook his head helplessly and followed her at a leisurely pace. The siblings chatted and laughed, disappearing into the misty, rain-shrouded beauty.

……

The Great Xuan Dynasty unified the north and south, dividing the land into thirty-one provinces. Yuhang County, where West Lake was located, belonged to Wu Commandery of Yangzhou. In the city, besides the county office, there was also the commandery governor’s office.

Both the commandery governor’s office and the county office were located at the foot of Jade Emperor Mountain, beside West Lake. Naturally, this area became home to high officials and nobles. A little over half a mile from the commandery governor’s office, inside Qingbo Gate, was a street called Luguan Alley. The long alley, paved with bluestone, was ancient and quiet; at its far end stood the residence of Wu Commandery’s Commandant William Brooks.

When the siblings entered the alley, they saw that every neighbor had already placed willow branches at their doors to ward off evil and pray for blessings. The young lady, a bit embarrassed, touched her pretty little nose and said seriously to the young man, “Willow branches from the lakeside are still the best.”

The young man nodded in deep agreement. “Especially effective.”

“So obedient…” The young lady nodded, but couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Joking and chatting, the two arrived at the gate of The Brooks Residence. The gatekeeper, Old Servant, hurried out to greet them, taking the bamboo basket from the young man and respectfully saying, “Miss, young master, you’re back.”

“Uncle Bell, we didn’t delay Aunt Bell in preparing dinner, did we?” The young lady gave Old Servant a sweet smile, apologetically adding, “We spent some time picking willow branches.”

“No, no, it’s the Cold Food Festival—no need to cook, it’s quick.” Old Bell smiled as he took the bamboo basket and quickly handed it to his wife in the kitchen. The siblings began placing willow branches at the door.

It was getting late, so Old Bell also went to the kitchen to help his wife. They took out the purchased cheese and spring wine from the bamboo basket, and divided the previously prepared millet rice and green dumplings into four sets of tableware. While preparing the meal, Aunt Bell sighed, “I really don’t know what the master is thinking. Other officials with less rank have seven or eight servants at home. But he only uses us two old folks, and even has the young master and miss help with shopping.”

“What do you know, the master is an honest official.” Old Bell shot his wife a look. “Before, there wasn’t a single servant in the house. The master only took us in out of pity for us two old things.”

“Ah, but it’s hard on the young master and miss…” Aunt Bell sighed. “Look at other people’s young masters and misses…”

“Our young master and miss are well-educated and polite, much better than those other young lords.” Old Bell finished brewing fresh tea, then he and his wife carried the food trays to the front hall to set the table.

……

William Brooks’s residence was provided by the commandery governor’s office. As the third-ranking official in Wu Commandery, his house was naturally not small. But with only six people in the household, including Old Bell and his wife, they only used half the compound, and it still felt empty.

Old Bell and his wife carried the trays to the front hall, removed their shoes, and entered on their knees. The four members of William Brooks’s family were already seated in the hall. William Brooks himself hadn’t changed much in ten years, except for a short beard and a gaze that had grown more calm and profound.

Mrs. Brooks, on the other hand, was different. She was thin, her complexion sallow, and her eyes completely devoid of spirit. Kneeling before a low table, she looked like a lifeless stone statue. When she saw the siblings kneeling at the table and still making faces at each other, a trace of anger finally appeared on Mrs. Brooks’s face.