Uncle Paul was already thoroughly familiar with the information in the booklet, and said with some embarrassment, “There’s really too little intel on this guy—he’s nothing at all in the Xiahou clan.”

“It’s already enough.” Grace Brooks replied calmly, “The Xiahou clan has always been extremely strict with their rules. This romantic second master must have been terribly repressed in the capital, don’t you think?”

“Of course. Xiahou Ba is extremely protective of the family’s reputation and can’t stand to see the younger generation behaving frivolously.” Recalling past events, Uncle Paul’s lips curled into a wry smile as he rasped, “But Xiahou Lei is the most frivolous of them all, and he’s taken quite a few beatings from his brother because of it!” Then, sounding a bit incredulous, he added, “But they say that on this trip, he’s been on his best behavior. He’s politely declined all the beauties presented by the various provinces and counties. Could it be that he’s getting old and no longer interested?”

“He was still an Earth-rank master two years ago—hardly old.” Grace Brooks tapped his long index finger lightly on the paper, speaking slowly, “You’d think, after finally escaping his cage, he’d want to indulge himself a little. For him to act so out of character, it’s most likely that before leaving the capital, he made some kind of promise to his brother, and now has someone watching him, so he has no choice but to restrain himself.”

“Or maybe he’s just not up to it anymore…” Uncle Paul muttered, never one to hold back from cursing every member of the Xiahou clan in the harshest terms.

Grace Brooks smiled helplessly, “He took another concubine just after the New Year…”

“Then the guy must be suffering.” Uncle Paul calculated—Xiahou Lei had been away from the capital for nearly a month. For an old lecher, going a month without women was almost worse than death.

“Now that he’s in Yuhang, how could he not be tempted by the beauties of Jiangnan?” Grace Brooks said quietly, “Even if he can’t enjoy himself in the official residence, can’t he just step out?”

“Makes sense—‘A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a courtesan, a courtesan is not as good as an affair.’” Uncle Paul’s eyes lit up, “He’s very likely to sneak out for some fun! That’ll make it much easier for us to make our move!”

“Exactly.” Grace Brooks nodded.

“But…” Uncle Paul hesitated, “Who knows when he’ll come out, or where he’ll go?”

“If I were him, there’d be no other choice.” Grace Brooks raised his hand and opened the other carriage window. By now, the carriage was traveling along the West Lake, the gentle sound of silk and bamboo music drifting over the water, and in the distance, the double-decked pleasure boat surrounded by admirers was clearly visible.

“Right, this is a rare opportunity!” Uncle Paul understood at once, clapping his hands excitedly, “How could he not want to experience the charms of Jiangnan’s top courtesan?!” He said, invigorated, “Let’s go keep an eye on that pleasure boat!”

“You, not me,” Grace Brooks shook his head, “I’m getting off up ahead—I still have to buy some Five Flavors Pastries for my sister.”

“Young master…” Uncle Paul was a little frantic, “Is this really the time?”

“Don’t worry, it won’t delay anything.” Grace Brooks replied unconcernedly, “It’s much harder for Xiahou Lei to sneak out than for me.”

With that, he really did get out of the carriage, leaving Uncle Paul there staring helplessly.

Chapter Five: Warm Sun at Lanting

The breeze was gentle, birds chirped, and in the study shaded by flowers, a young boy and girl knelt across from each other at a low table, both copying from “Lanting.”

The fragrance of flowers and ink mingled in the study, along with a faint, elusive scent of the young girl, so that Grace Brooks felt utterly at peace without needing to burn calming incense.

This was one of the assignments William Brooks had given the siblings before leaving home. Since the age of seven, the two of them had copied calligraphy like this every day. William Brooks was strict in his teaching—no matter how busy he was with official duties, he would check their work daily and explain the classics to them. It had been nearly ten years of such days.

When Grace Brooks copied calligraphy, he lost himself in the process, as if in meditation. Helen Brooks, however, was a bit distracted, resting her chin in her hands, watching her brother write for a while, then glancing at the birds outside the window. Only when she was truly bored would she pick up her brush and write a few characters on the paper.

When Grace Brooks finished, he set down his brush, moved the paperweight aside, and examined his work. After a moment, he shook his head gently, seemingly dissatisfied.

Meanwhile, Helen Brooks, still half-distracted, noticed Grace Brooks’s expression and tapped at him with her brush in mock annoyance, “Father always says your calligraphy has reached seventy percent of Right General’s skill. Are you trying to discourage me on purpose?”

“Father was just encouraging me. I’ve only captured the form, not the spirit.” Grace Brooks dodged his sister’s attack and, seeing she’d only copied a single line, said, “But your calligraphy, sister, is rounded and flowing, elegant and unrestrained, with a style all your own.”

“I just don’t have such high standards—I write however I like.” Helen Brooks said proudly, the corners of her mouth lifting as she glanced at Grace Brooks, “But you, little brother, always want to do everything perfectly. Competing with the ancients all the time—doesn’t that get exhausting?”

“Calligraphy is cultivation too, and the path of cultivation is endless…” Grace Brooks said seriously.

“Alright, alright!” Helen Brooks covered her ears, looking helpless, “So gloomy…”

Grace Brooks could only smile wryly and continued to study his calligraphy.

Seeing how focused he was, Helen Brooks had no choice but to settle down and continue her own copying. When she wrote, “Here there are lofty mountains and steep ridges, luxuriant forests and tall bamboo; also clear streams and rushing currents, winding around on all sides, perfect for floating wine cups along the winding water…” she suddenly slapped her forehead in excitement, “It’s almost the third day of the third month—the day for the winding stream banquet!”

“…” Grace Brooks couldn’t help but cough, finally reaching out to press her hand back to the table, and said earnestly, “Focus…”