“While mother is doing her morning prayers in the Buddha hall, we have to sneak out quickly.” Helen Brooks winked and said, “Did you bring everything?”

Grace Brooks raised the large bamboo box in his hand and said helplessly, “Do you want to check?”

“No need, no need, I trust you to handle things.” Helen Brooks then pulled Grace Brooks, tiptoeing to the door. At this moment, Uncle Bell had just opened the courtyard gate. Seeing the young master and young lady, he hurried to greet them, but saw Helen Brooks grinning and making a shushing gesture.

Uncle Bell smiled dotingly, watching the two young masters leave.

It wasn’t until they left the alley that Helen Brooks let out a long sigh of relief, like a little fox that had just stolen a chicken.

“Big sister…” Grace Brooks, carrying the bamboo box, sighed and said, “We’re definitely going to get scolded when we get back.”

“Don’t spoil the mood!” Helen Brooks didn’t want to think about it, clenching her little fist and saying, “Let’s set out, facing the morning sun!”

Watching Helen Brooks happily walking ahead, Grace Brooks followed with a wry smile.

The siblings chatted and laughed, walking along the lakeside bluestone path. By the time they reached the foot of Ge Ridge on the north bank of West Lake, the sun was already high in the sky.

Ge Ridge had the Baopu Temple, one of the sacred Taoist sites, but the siblings weren’t there to offer incense. Instead, they followed a small stream flowing into West Lake and entered the flower grove at the foot of the mountain.

In the height of spring, the forest was lush with fragrant grass and scattered with fallen blossoms. The siblings strolled along, watching the winding stream grow narrower, and soon heard laughter and cheerful voices ahead. As they walked on, the view suddenly opened up: in a clearing among the trees, many young ladies and gentlemen had already gathered.

“A rare guest, a rare guest!” Seeing the siblings arrive, the group immediately grew excited and rushed over to surround them.

Several elegantly dressed official ladies affectionately took Helen Brooks’s arm, exclaiming joyfully, “Sister Brooks rarely comes out to play.”

“Looks like the Commandant has heavy responsibilities,” several young gentlemen vied to greet Helen Brooks, some so nervous they stuttered, “It’s, it’s not all… a bad thing.” Naturally, this drew a burst of laughter.

Helen Brooks, born noble and beautiful as a flower, with a charming personality, was adored by both men and women. Not only the young gentlemen who admired her, but also the official ladies liked her. Since she rarely appeared, whenever she did, she became the center of attention.

Surrounded by the lively crowd, Helen Brooks sat at the best spot by the stream, with everyone gathered around her. Every word she spoke brought laughter and joy.

Grace Brooks smiled slightly at the scene—no wonder his sister was so enthusiastic. He took out a meditation mat, food and drink, insect-repellent sachets… a dozen or so miscellaneous items, and arranged them at Helen Brooks’s most comfortable spot. Then, carrying the now-empty bamboo box, he quietly retreated to a corner.

Everyone was long used to this unsociable fellow, and Helen Brooks knew her brother didn’t like noise, so she let him be.

Grace Brooks found a clean patch of grass, leaned against the bamboo basket, and focused on reading. Occasionally, an official lady with an appetite for him would come over to flirt, but Grace Brooks would respond politely for a few sentences, then decisively end the conversation.

For example, Miss Miss Grant from the Assistant Prefect’s family came over, gazing at Grace Brooks’s perfect profile, and tried to strike up a conversation: “Young Master Brooks, what book are you reading?”

“Sister Grant, I’m reading ‘Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals’.” Grace Brooks replied.

“What’s it about?” Miss Grant feigned interest.

“‘The world changes, but the Way does not; what does not change is the reason for constancy.’” Grace Brooks looked at her with clear eyes.

“Uh…” Miss Grant broke out in a sweat, stammered a few times, and said, “Well, you take your time reading…” then hurriedly ran off.

When the floating wine cups game began, everyone was fully absorbed in the game, and no one paid him any more attention.

Helen Brooks would glance at him from time to time, and inevitably, if she got distracted, she’d be penalized with a drink. Seeing her not doing well, after lunch, Grace Brooks got up and said, “Big sister, you need to focus. I’ll walk around to digest.”

Helen Brooks told him to be careful. Grace Brooks rolled his eyes in response and leisurely disappeared into the flower grove.

Helen Brooks knew her brother’s abilities and didn’t worry, turning back to the others with a smile: “Watch me redeem myself today!”

“Who’s afraid of whom?” The crowd laughed and continued the game.

……

Heading southwest from Ge Ridge for half a li, they reached the area near the Imperial Commissioner’s residence. Grace Brooks entered a restaurant and went straight to a private room on the second floor. Uncle Paul had been waiting inside since early morning. Seeing him arrive only in the afternoon, he couldn’t scold his own lord, so he could only sulk in silence.

“Sorry, Uncle Paul, I couldn’t leave right away.” Grace Brooks apologized with a smile.

“Young Master, you’ll ruin things by being late!” Uncle Paul said, heartbroken.

“Did I ruin anything?” Grace Brooks asked with a smile.

“Not this time…” Uncle Paul muttered.

“Of course not. No matter how impatient Xiahou Lei is, he wouldn’t go out seeking pleasure in the morning.” Grace Brooks sat down beside Uncle Paul, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

“I thought Young Master had already eaten before coming.” Uncle Paul snorted, quickly ordering the staff to change the dishes.

“No need,” Grace Brooks said casually, “I’ve already eaten, just a few bites will do.” Uncle Paul could only let him be.

After filling his stomach, Grace Brooks sat cross-legged and practiced his breathing for a full hour, reaching a peak state of energy and spirit.