Chapter 983 - 985 Empress Arrives (5)
Through the wide-open doors, one could see in the courtyard two century-old jasmine trees whose canopies spread like umbrellas. The trees intertwined, their broad needle-like leaves weighing down on the graceful branches, and clusters of red flowers bloomed at the top of the boughs. The crowns of the flowers were funnel-shaped, with petals spiraling back, each flower exuding elegance and dignity, and their fragrance was unassuming. Beneath the trees, guests in splendid clothes bustled about, coming and going in endless streams, the eminent families were engaged in spirited conversations, laughter echoing through the air, creating a scene filled with joy and harmony.
The Mu family people approached the entrance, where a little boy from the previous day at Old Madam An’s visit to the Mu Family recognized them. He discreetly informed two young masters by the door of their identity. Mo Zijing greeted them with a smile, addressed them with respect as his elders, and with humble courtesy welcomed the entire Mu family into the mansion.
A little boy who was instructed to lead them through the mansion escorted them into the courtyard, taking them through the gallery and toward the back.
Mu Zhongqing’s family had stayed at Huo Yuan’s Bishui Villa for a while, and had also spent a few days in King Qin’s Mansion, so they were no longer surprised by such grand and luxurious estates. But the members of the big house had never seen such a magnificent residence and looked around in awe, their heads turning back and forth like rattle-drums, eyes wide open, inspecting everything without end.
As they entered the second door, a short and plump maid with a beaming smile came to meet them, leading the ladies through the left veranda to the rear, while the men were escorted by a little boy to the right, through the curtained door, toward the garden.
The two young children, being of tender age, stayed together with their mother, and several women, surrounded by maids, entered the third courtyard of the mansion.
In the courtyard, there were pairs of flower pots, pomegranate trees, and fish tanks at the color of tea leaf dregs, along with nine feet tall oleanders, wintersweets, jasmines, gardenias, cypresses, and plane trees, flourishing with all sorts of blooming flowers, creating a fragrance-filled and enchanting sight. There were flowers that never withered through the seasons and evergreen plants throughout the year. The main hall had five rooms at the front, the colored glazed tiles on the roofs reflecting a dazzling light, with verandas at the front and back, flanked by east and west side rooms and complementing rooms, spacious and interconnected.