Chapter 165: Unconscious
Lotus ponds and arched bridges, pavilions and towers, young noblemen fanning themselves and reciting verses, young ladies moving with graceful, swaying steps. Beneath the night sky, a hundred ornate lanterns blazed, and through the garden, the sounds of strings and flutes mingled with the chiming of silver cups.
Hu Rui'an and his two companions stopped outside the covered walkway, while the gatekeeper who had brought them hurried toward the crowd of merry guests.
Very shortly, the gatekeeper came to a stop beside a young nobleman in a purple brocade robe, and bending respectfully, leaned in to murmur a few words at his ear.
The purple-robed young man turned his head and looked in the direction of Hu Rui'an and the others, narrowing his eyes slightly, then gave a gentle nod and said something.
Hearing this, the gatekeeper immediately bowed and withdrew, then stepped quickly back to Hu Rui'an, lowering his head respectfully and saying, "My Young Master invites Commissioner Hu to join him for a word."
Hu Rui'an furrowed his brow, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant, and said coldly, "I came here to see Deputy Commander Mei. If he is not available, I have no need to meet with anyone else."
With that, he turned to leave, but the gatekeeper quickly said, "My Master is currently unwell. For the past several days, all affairs of the estate have been handled by the Young Master on his behalf. The Young Master has extended an invitation and said that Commissioner Hu may discuss any matter with him."
Hearing this, Hu Rui'an's expression shifted. He stopped walking, turned his head toward the gatekeeper, and asked, "Deputy Commander Mei is ill? Since when?"
"Approximately a month or so ago. The Master overexerted himself with Tianjin Guards affairs and unfortunately fell ill with a cold."