The well-lit rooms were filled with boisterous laughter. Young men in their silk apparels and fresh faces fluttered around like angry bees. The children were in their own worlds. 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. There were servants though, indeed - who were running around to bring news inside each reserved corner for everyone. 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 in the morning, 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. As such, with no hurry to end the gathering - everyone was busy in their small corners, with like-minded friends. 

Some guests seemed to be still on their way, as the procession of gifts never stopped filling inside the manor, 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 inside the boundary walls. “Was a certain big miss getting married-?” 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, that fell 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. In such gloomy days, with sunlight seldom creeping through its gray cloudy curtains - these lamps were flourishingly lit and welcome.  

Four wooden pillars supported the beam, reaching a considerable height enlarging the space inside the hall - 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 guarding clan-god of this old family. Only the head of the house could have a seat in close proximity with the clan god, a well-recognized fact in Jinghai or most of the east and south of Dajin, as many reputed clans practiced this custom.

If you were to go off into more outer parts of Dajin, your proximity with the central capital growing farther and the most commonplace practices and traditions becoming all the more scant, 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.

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 that “it was definitely not a marriage ceremony, despite its likeness.”

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.

It was Lord Wei’s grandson’s crowning ceremony, a grand event in Jinghai. 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. 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. 

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 began to fall down. 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 rise. There is no need for such heavy salutation in here -is there? ” An old man, in his textured silks and finely combed hair, toasted master Wei who was sitting with his friend. He had just come to greet 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. “The manor was quite a delight to see after such a lapse of time – his 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, Master 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. “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 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?”

“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 - not that I can find you anywhere else other than these festive occasions! Do come to Pingyuan, my dear. I have recently added this amazing garden in my collection, as I wrote to your father, Huoyu, it has been constructed in my clan holding. A book brought by some barbarians from over the Great ocean mentioned these hanging gardens - a mesmerizing collection of herbs and flowers was 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 yourself must have seen wonders greater than that - do come and tell me, how much worse I fare or is it worse than I had thought?”  

“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. 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.

“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!” 

“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 spirit don't you? tell me, exactly,  how do you travel to such far off lands and spend so much money over these worthless adventures?! Or are those travel tale's 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 with me if I ever ask you to travel another day!”

Master Su RuHui started laughing at this endless chattering of Master Wei. He took a round grape and started peeling its skin off. “It seems this time I have finally worn out your endless patience. The sweet tempered playboy of Jinghai also knows anger? Which one of your endless secret lover’s will believe this when I tell them that?”

“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. Having made you speak to me in this tone is like seeing the sun rise in the west. When we were teenagers, I used to think that nothing could happen to make you smile less, and then when something did actually happen, I thought nothing could ever make you rise from that grave again. To see you like this is as if I have earned a medal of honor!” Su RuHui half jokingly stated.

“But be serious. Did you hear of Shijiazhuang?” Wei Houyu turned and asked. “What does your information channel say?”

“Yes, nothing nice. Rice ruined, no harvest in this season. Not counting the casualty of cattle and other crops, what do you think are the chances of that county suffering through famine? With an example of Anshui, it can only be worse if nothing is done now. But the court is in such a bad state - what can we expect? If not this year, next year will truly push Shijiazhuang to that. Can they be saved? – hard to say that. But since the second prince is already overseeing Jinghai, with his recent arrival here, at least such misappropriation of aid that happened in Anshui from the court can be averted, right? What a loss though. We won’t be seeing any good harvest until next year.”

“I heard something similar. The Magistrate just told me he was thinking of asking his majesty to lower the taxes for this winter, for both Jinghai and Shijiazhuang but then,” Master Wei lowered his voice “there happens to be a situation at present. Any tax reduction seems improbable in near future.”

“Is there…? Doesn’t sound like a good situation to me.” A slightly softer voice replied.

“Does it not? You got the inkling, brother. In fact, the court might as well be pushing for an increase in coming taxes, this February.” Wei Houyu looked towards where the magistrate’s party was seated. “It bodes no good news for the general populace by the looks of it. I don’t know how your merchant friends are faring? Some must have started preparing for this loss? - [to be continued]