The well-lit rooms were filled with boisterous laughter. Young men in their silk apparels and fresh faces fluttered around like angry bees and flustered butterflies.

The children were in their own worlds. The youngsters in theirs. Neither the youngsters nor the women inside the separate inner compounds took notice or heard the voices ringing aloud in the main hall, announcing the arrival of auspicious time.

Some servants, though, were running around to bring the fastest news inside each occupied corner, for everyone’s pleasure. As such, no one was completely unaware of ceremony preparations or when it began - solemn, rigorous – and quite separated from all the festivity when it did.

In the Main Hall itself, all the elderly members of the Wei clan had taken their places quite early, with their distinguished guests by their side, entertaining them with tea and carefully crafted delicacies, looking stately in their well-organized apparels and aged, wise looks. The visitors equally humored the host's family with auspicious words and congratulations on the coming of age of the eldest son, the new heir of Wei Clan.

Since it was a grand celebration, the plans for that day’s banquet were quite long. The lunch, and dinner too were to be held in the Wei premises.

Some faraway guests were still on their way, and the procession of gifts never stopped entering inside the manor with all its pomp and show; while the main gate was surrounded by a crowd of spectators - children and elderly alike - who stood and watched as various treasure boxes were carried in inside the towering gate. “Is a certain big miss getting married today-?” seemed to become the most asked question.

“Of course not! It's just the coming-of-age ceremony –,” but many just heard it and let it pass unheeded. They enjoyed the cheer, and then danced around staring at any new big carriage joining in the line of grandly ensembled carriage trains. Even the cold downpour falling in short intervals could stop them from joining in the apparent festivity.   

As for the hall where the ceremony was to take place – by noon, it had become a well-lit place filled with plenty of warm light wafting off in wisps from exquisitely crafted paper lamps embossed in their wooden frames. Some delicately carved palace lamps hung from over the roof. On such a gloomy day, with sunlight seldom creeping through its gray cloudy curtains – these lamps were flourishingly lit and welcome.  

Four wooden pillars supported the beam inside the main Hall, reaching a considerable height enlarging the space inside – so much that its opulence was all the more pronounced, even exaggerated. Few plinths supported a raised platform at its northern side, supporting a jade statue of the clan deity of the Wei clan; an assortment of delicacies was served around it. 

That was but a small corner, the rest of the hall was arranged with seats for guests facing a space opening up in the middle which was left as a stage. Although these small seats were at quite a distance from the inner circle of the deity placed in the north, all the guests had no difficulty in appreciating that towering Clan-god of this old family. Some even recalled its name – “Isn’t that the incarnation of fire, God of fiery spirit, Chongli?”

“He is, indeed.”

Only the head of the house could have a seat in close proximity with the clan god though, a well-recognized fact in Jinghai or most of the east of Dajin. Many reputed clans practiced this custom of honouring the guest by placing them at closest proximity with the clan’s deity.

If you were to go off into more outer parts of Dajin, your nearness with the central capital growing farther and distant, the most commonplace practices and traditions becoming all the scanter, it wasn’t hard to spot a few heretic traditions like these. Although not many had a clan god of their own, the Wei’s were amongst the oldest families which had kept this primitive practice alive.

“Master Huo this way! Here, all the guests are awaiting your arrival.” The caretaker carefully worded his greeting as he showed a certain personage into the hall.

“Good, good! Great ambience! I am fortunate to have been remembered by Lord Wei on such a grave occasion. You’ll let him know of my gratitude, won't you?” The man didn’t forget to hold onto the old caretakers’ hands and shook them happily as he moved hastily to join the rest of the company.

The caretaker looked at his fat figure fading away and turned towards the next guest.

In the hall, sliding wooden doors opened on all sides but the north, creating an almost open chamber, aired by chilling breeze and softer showers spraying at moments whenever the wind blew or the gate opened, which wasn’t as infrequent as one would have liked in that kind of gloomy weather. But since some young servants were specially reserved to oversee that no door remained open longer than needed, not much inconvenience was caused to the guest.

Majestic silver candelabras were placed at close intervals, luminously dampening the darkness, while a rich, woodenly scent diffused in the air, filling it with various emotions tied to languor– from comfort of taste to comfort of eyes, the details suited to every sensibility was provided for. Such was the great care taken by the host in making this manor’s luxuries affable to general eyes, that on close notice even the sultry nature of the soft shower couldn’t hamper the celebration. It was to be fully enjoyed with wines and people, every subject to be prodded and every new development in Jinghai to be shared about.

The hall was full by noon. Maids sauntered around, carrying delicacies on silver platters balanced on their delicate arms; goblets of wine and their refill were to be provided at right times, pastries served at right places. At the center stage, elderly looking courtesans held a pipa, or a flute or zithers. There was no Suona in their hands - an absence that would have made many onlookers finally concede – “Alas! It really is not a marriage ceremony!”

The courtesan’s masterfully twisted strings to create magnificent waves in their listener’s mind; while younger courtesans danced gracefully twisting their swan-like necks, waving scarves made of silk.

Qianyuan dynasty, like its predecessors of Xian dynasty, still supported the coming-of-age ceremony to be held at the twentieth year of a youth’s life —only after this night, will he be counted amongst gentlemen.

A farmer might celebrate such an occasion by adding an extra egg into his son’s plate, while a merchant called the most reputable scholar to hold their son’s coming of age ceremony. And as part of noble aristocratic lineage, whose forefather’s had once even helped the current ruling family to get the hold of such a vast land as Dajin – the Wei’s weren’t going to let this opportunity slide without showing their standing and prestige in Jinghai.

On such a cheerful occasion, everyone of repute and status, accorded by their noble position or wealth were gathered therein sipping wine and toasting blessings.

Master Wei was also sitting in the hall, hosting the event with appropriate smiles and gestures, receiving glad tidings and regards from all sides. He would show the appropriate amount of happiness, never holding his guest a while longer than needed. 

At this moment, inside the Hall sat Master Wei representing his father. The representatives from Magistrate, a couple of foreign dignitaries and some principal members of Jinghai Yamen, as well as highly reputed merchants were all resting close by, as did the chief members of four major families and nine famous clans of the town. They had just appreciated the sprawling manor’s peach orchards and had finally returned with daunted spirits, when another bout of rain prevailed over them. It was quite a small company in there, studded with alacrity to pleasing and being in turn pleased.

“And so, we are once again in the grace of Lord Wei. No, don’t stand young lad. There is no need for such a heavy salutation here – is there?” An old man, in his textured silks and finely combed hair, toasted master Wei who was sitting with his friend.

Old Master Yu had just come to perform the ceremonious greeting with the host and found him engrossed in a private conversation. He himself, quite weary of taking more time than an appropriate nod and small talk would take, didn’t take the spare seat besides Master Wei and his friend when offered. Instead, he immediately started saying, “The manor was quite a delight to see after such a lapse of time – his lordship's reputation of gracing his guests with his one true heart still rings as true as it had a few decades back. It quite reminds me of those times when he was still the Left prime minister in our majesty’s court! Ah! What days. Your father, young friend Wei, was once famed as the most delightful host to ever grace the high society of the Capital. A personal loss which is still felt with great resolve on their part. But what a great occasion today seems to be for you? Good news from all sides! Just delight, great fortune has found your doors one after other, and aptly as it should! I don’t see your son here though, that young lad seems to have slipped away? The time for the ceremony is coming closer, if I am not wrong?”

“Yes, he did go away for that purpose, Old Master Yu.” Master Wei replied while chugging the toast in acceptance. His lips showed the most solemn smile, his eyes empty of any merry affectations. “My father will be here shortly, if you find it difficult to wait for him, I can ask the maid to lead you to a guest room. You can just take a break for some time.” An answer was given without being questioned.

“Good, no thank you for the offer. Although, as old as I am, I should gladly take you up on your words, but Jinghai doesn’t occasion such a festive atmosphere frequently, does it? While he isn’t here, there is no harm in enjoying such pleasurable company as we can find. Look there - did I spot the eldest son of the Minister of Rite?”

“Oh yes. Should I lead you over there?” he stretched his neck to see a group of people sitting and chatting at a distance.

“Don't fret my dear. I will go ask him about his father in just a while - but how are you enjoying the company, Su Ruhui?” Old Master Yu turned to master Wei’s friend. “Not that I can find you anywhere else other than these festive occasions! Do come to Pingyuan, my dear. Its just a forty miles distance…a day on your fiery horse and you’ll spend a fortnight of the best time of your life! I have recently added this amazing garden in my collection – as I wrote to your father, Huoyu – it has been constructed in my old clan house. A book brought by some barbarians from over the Great Ocean mentioned these hanging gardens - a mesmerizing collection of herbs and flowers were portrayed in one of their written accounts. I couldn’t do it justice but I imagine that it does have some of the likeness as told in those stories. But a great traveler like you, Ruhui, must have seen wonders greater than that – do come and tell me, how much worse I fare or is it worse than I had imagined it to be?”  

“It's always a great pleasure to see such amazing things like fantasy coming out of prints - I will come to Pingyuan just to see your garden’s Old Master Yu – one day when the day is agreeable to my sensitive nerves. I think much more than me, you like such gatherings more. Alas! They seldom occur in Jinghai, particularly in these times of the year – it is always the rain! The devil!” The speaker was a slightly slovenly looking man, his countenance all agreeable, purporting fox-like glinting eyes. He raised his cup of wine toasting the man sitting beside him as well as the old gentleman.

“Oh, do you think so - I will wait, and hold on to this promise of yours. Looks like many friends have gathered today, is that person Qinan county magistrate? Yes, the one in green brocade- yes?! Let me greet them first, then. Once again, great day to you Huoyu. May many future days be like this for you.” saying this, he soon made himself scarce, having spotted an acquaintance and said his parting greetings. Master Wei received another toast.

Master Su RuHui remained silent for a while and then once again broached a similar topic, engaging his preoccupied host, who was sitting with his back as straight as pine, looking deliberately down into his glass of wine.

“The rain turned out to be the worst one from over these years. Many counties complained of flooding, but Jinghai was spared much trouble fortunately. The rain seems a little softer today…hopefully the next few days will be graced with some more sun. Not that it might be the case. But by gods! One should see some of the sun in these times each day! The cold is chilling the bones. I feel almost starved of its presence!” 

By the end, he was even clenching his teeth.

“Ah…but I bet you will make yourself scarce the very next day crying about how hot the day is. I know you; you cannot persuade me otherwise.” Master Wei Houyu narrowed his eyes. “If anything, if we were to go by your standards, we will still be having seasons fluctuate like moods. Thank god, we don’t. Too much of this, too much of that – all day long all you do is cry about something or other. And when it gets too bad, you pack your things and are on your way to lands only gods know of. For a person who had difficulty rising from his bed when asked to accompany to a nearby county – claiming you are too bed-ridden to ride a horse - you do make long journeys across the world when in the right ‘spirit’ don't you? Tell me exactly, how can you behave so extremely -? You travel to such far off lands and spend so much money over these worthless adventures, but when I have a small request, you are too good to rouse yourself from your bed? Or are those travel tales of yours a lie too? With a temper like yours, I can expect that. I don’t know how you have managed to save the small amount of money that you have left in your purses. And no, I am not listening to your excuses. I heard Shijiazhuang reported a loss of over a thousand lives –We agreed to go and look at the situation in nearby towns. But the day changed into night, and you were still languishing in your beauty’s arms. By god! Woe be me if I ever ask you to travel another day!”

Master Su RuHui started laughing outright, genuinely looking surprised. He took a round grape and started peeling its skin off. “It seems this time I have finally worn out your endless patience – I cannot recall another occasion you had so much to say to me. The sweet-tempered playboy of Jinghai also knows anger? Which one of your endless secret lovers will believe the truth of this face of yours?”

“A feat unmatched. And for the last question - I can tell you the answer is none.” Master Wei turned his head away, his eyes a little colder. 

“By gods! Yes! For the likes of me who will never step into a battlefield - unmistakably a feat unmatched!"