When reaching outside Lihua Hall's courtyard, Zhao Douan halted his steps, turned his face covered with a white mask towards Zhou Cang, and smiled:
"Coming this far is sufficient, thank you, Hundred Households."
Zhou Cang hesitated, wanting to remind that being in Lihua Hall wasn't easy, but after mingling in the government office for a long time, he knew everyone was a keen observer. Fearing to leave a bad impression on this new official appointed from the palace, he just nodded:
"In that case, I shall depart now. If Master needs anything, you can come to the Governor Hall to find me."
Zhao Douan nodded, watching Zhou Cang leave. He confidently pushed open the hanging flower door with his left hand while raising the hem of his robe with the right, and stepped over the threshold.
The solitary hall greeted him with ancient and classical architecture.
Most strikingly, it was the courtyard's dense pear tree, covered in golden yellow pears during autumn.
