Chapter 6: The Python
This residence was originally a manor established by a minister in the capital, intended for his retirement in the future. However, unexpectedly, he fell into disgrace in his old age, and before the house was completed, he was exiled to Jiangnan as part of the Yuan You faction. Both the residence and the manor were confiscated by the government, which ultimately benefited Zhao Cheng.
As Zhao Cheng walked, he suddenly sensed something amiss. The vegetation on the mountain was lush, and whatever was happening above would be completely undetectable to those below. If someone intended to harm him here, it would indeed be an ideal location.
Oh! Zhao Cheng responded carelessly, then felt that he might be a bit overly anxious. Coming here was a spur-of-the-moment decision; how could anyone have known in advance to lay an ambush here? He touched the pistol tucked at his waist and calmed himself down
The rockery is constructed from excavated pond mud, reaching a height of over 10 meters at its peak. It is adorned with a variety of flowering trees and features an array of uniquely shaped lake stones. Several pavilions of different designs are scattered throughout, and a path made of blue stone slabs leads to the summit, creating a picturesque scene. A few young boys are busy searching for a large python, following the old gardener's directions toward the back mountain, completely uninterested in the flowers and plants around them
Hehe, Second Master, do not deceive me any longer. A few days ago, I met the gardener, Old Zhang, in the garden, and he told me in person that the giant python is covered in golden scales, with two protrusions on its head resembling horns. The master said that this is a spiritual object; if one achieves success in cultivation and survives the tribulation, it can transform into a true dragon!" Mingyue was unwilling to believe Zhao Cheng's words, thinking he was trying to fool him
At noon, several people had a vegetarian meal in the Taoist temple. Although it consisted of ordinary items, the small Taoist priest's preparation gave it a unique flavor. With no one watching, Zhao Cheng managed to have a hearty meal. After a brief rest in the quiet room, he ran to the Qingyun warehouse to rummage through it. He had the little yellow gatekeeper carry various jars and bottles, and only then did he leave the temple contentedly on his way back.
There are two doors in the rear hall, beyond which lies the inner courtyard, managed by the inner servants, with no unauthorized entry permitted by others. The front area is referred to as the outer courtyard, overseen by the estate's stewards. Zhao Cheng is only seven years old and is not yet married; he occupies the winter garden, while the rest remain uninhabited. Both areas are adjacent to the garden, and one can pass through the two side doors to traverse the garden and return to the residence on the eastern road.
Hmm, why are you not taking any action? You foolish thing, there are women in the inner courtyard; how can outsiders be allowed to come and go freely? Immediately arrange for people to take turns on duty, and do not allow outsiders to enter or exit! Zhao Cheng reprimanded, these people have forgotten the pain after their wounds have healed, and seeing that there has been nothing happening these past few days, they have once again let their guard down
Oh... Zhao Cheng quickly covered his mouth, stifling the yawn that had just reached his throat. He glanced at the nearby Jianxi, who seemed quite interested, and then looked at Qingyun in front, whose saliva was flying everywhere as he animatedly tried to make his story more vivid with various expressions on his old face. Seeing the old man putting in so much effort, Zhao Cheng wanted to show some respect, but he simply could not muster any interest. Finally, he closed his eyes and drifted off to meet with the King of Dreams.
"Second Master, I heard from a little bird that there is a large golden python raised in the back garden. Is this true?" Qingyun's eldest disciple, Mingyue, presented a bowl of chilled sour plum soup and sat beside, smiling as he asked.
As the first day of August arrives, it is once again the day for incense offerings. After breakfast, Zhao Cheng, accompanied by Jianxi, Fengxi, and two young attendants, arrives at the Daoist temple to bow and offer incense to the Three Pure Ones, followed by listening to Qingyun's explanation of the "Tao Te Ching." "Between heaven and earth, there was originally a state of chaos. Pangu opened up the heavens and the earth, and Nuwa molded humans and all living beings from yellow earth..."
The entire courtyard is divided into three sections, with the main buildings concentrated in the central section. At the center, facing south, there are five main gates. Inside are the front hall, back hall, rear storage room, and the east and west side rooms, all of which have a width of five bays. Surrounding the courtyard are connected rooms, leading to a garden. The western section contains the horse stable and carriage house, with storage rooms at the back. The innermost Buddhist hall has been converted into a small Taoist temple, currently inhabited by the 'Evil Suppressing' elder Qingyun and his several disciples. The eastern section serves as their main living area, with the ancestral hall, large kitchen, and theater at the front, and it is divided into four courtyards named Spring Garden, Summer Melody, Autumn Makeup, and Winter Elegance at the back. Finally, there is the garden.
"Jianxi, where are the guards here?" Zhao Cheng turned around the corner of the Taoist temple and walked to the garden gate to ask. In the past, the servants from the outer courtyard were stationed here to prevent people from the outer courtyard from entering, but at this moment, they were nowhere to be seen.
"Yes, yes, when I go back, I will teach them a lesson and arrange for someone to keep watch!" Jianxi replied as he walked, "Second Master, can you tell me if the moonlight is true? Is there really a big python in the garden?" Jianxi asked again.
"Cut it out, old Zhang's eyes are dim, he might have mistaken the tree roots for a giant python, just talking nonsense!" Zhao Cheng said with a light laugh after taking a sip of sour plum soup. In his previous life, such tales of monsters and spirits were often proven to be mere fabrications; he would never believe that a snake could turn into a dragon, even if he were beaten to death.
"Master Xi, you have wronged the little path. A few days ago, Old Zhang's grandson was possessed and came to the temple to seek a talisman to drive away the evil spirit. He said it in front of everyone, and the master also heard it. At first, we didn't believe it, but he swore that he personally saw a giant python spitting clouds and mist on the rockery that morning. How could that be false?" Mingyue noticed that several people were skeptical, and her eyes were almost filled with tears as she anxiously said, her face flushed with urgency.
"Second Master and the Librarian, it is still early in the day, shall we go and have a look?" Upon entering the garden, Ji Xi instructed the young attendant to secure the door, then hurried a few steps to catch up with the prince, smiling as he spoke.
Alright, let's assume what you said is true. This afternoon, we will go back and ask Old Zhang. If you are lying, I will have your master punish you!" Jianxi and Jianmingyue said anxiously with a smile
Alright, Fengxi, please take the prince's belongings to the study first, and inform the official that the prince will be playing in the garden for a while before returning. Seeing Zhao Cheng agree and a smile appear on Xixi's face, he turned back to instruct Fengxi. Although Fengxi was reluctant, he did not dare to disobey and, with a苦脸, agreed to leave first.
Sigh, it seems that the prince is not my destined companion... Qingyun noticed that Zhao Cheng had fallen asleep again, and he let out a quiet sigh. He hurriedly concluded his lecture and instructed his two disciples to escort the prince to the quiet room, while he retreated into the alchemy chamber
"Indeed, a few days ago, I was playing in the garden with Second Master. I have never seen it, nor have I heard Old Zhang mention it. He must be deceiving you!" Seeing Joy pointed at him and said, "Oh, I understand now. You wanted to go play in our garden, but you couldn't get in, so you made up a story to trick us, right?" Seeing Joy seemed to suddenly realize this and said with a smile.
The back garden is quite large, covering more than 30 acres. Although it is not as well-constructed as the palace, it is nonetheless equipped with pavilions and towers. Rain corridors have been built around it, ensuring that even on rainy days, one's feet do not get muddy. It is currently the season when all flowers are in bloom, and the garden is filled with delightful fragrances
Alright, let's go take a look! Jianxi noticed some wooden poles propped up nearby, casually pulled out a few, and handed one to each of the two young attendants, keeping a longer one for himself. "You two walk ahead, be careful, and don't scare it away!" Jianxi instructed the two young attendants to walk in front while he protected Zhao Cheng from behind, no longer paying attention to Old Zhang.
... ...
"What nonsense are you talking? Our Second Master is of dragon lineage; even that snake would bow down to him!" Jianxi snorted, "But Old Zhang, if you try to fool us, be careful that I come back and knock your teeth out!"
"Master Xi is here!" The old man raised his head, put down the flower shears, and bowed, saying, "Oh, Second Master has also come. It has been a while since you visited the garden. A giant python appeared a few days ago, lurking behind the rockery, and it looked quite terrifying!" The old man spoke loudly, trying to muster his courage, while Zhao Cheng observed his face filled with fear, which did not seem like a fabrication.
Hmm? Zhao Cheng made a sound, glancing at Xi and then at the others, all of whom wore expressions of eager anticipation. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. Although these individuals were not complete, they were all around fourteen or fifteen years old, the age when one is playful and energetic. For these past few days, he had been cooped up indoors, and they could not leave the courtyard either, feeling stifled for quite some time. Upon hearing about something new and intriguing, their curiosity was piqued, and they all wanted to see something rare. "Alright, I also want to see what it looks like when Mingyue gets punished. Let's go see if we can find it!"
"Fine, it's settled then. Just wait to be punished!" said Jianxi with a laugh.
"Alright, if I am speaking nonsense, let the master punish me, but what I am saying is true, you must take me to see that spirit-communicating python!" Mingyue said without showing any weakness
"Who knows, anyway I haven't seen one," Zhao Cheng said nonchalantly. The garden had trees and water, and since snakes prefer cool places, it was not unusual to have snakes. However, since this garden had just been built, the likelihood of there being a large snake was still quite small
Since the prince's residence was burglarized, he seems to have been 'frightened' by the incident, not having left the courtyard for seven or eight days, choosing to stay indoors. However, there are two days he cannot avoid, which are the first and fifteenth of the month, the days he goes to the temple to offer incense.
"Second Master, we are almost there. I wonder if we will be able to see the giant python?" Seeing that Xi did not notice Zhao Cheng's concerns, she excitedly said while holding his hand.
In the previous lectures, Qingyun had made the prince yawn continuously and feel drowsy, which left him feeling exceptionally unsuccessful. This time, he decided to change his approach by starting with Taoist stories in hopes of piquing the prince's interest. On the surface, his idea seemed sound, but he could never have anticipated that the soul inhabiting Zhao Cheng's body was from a later era. These mythological tales had been recounted to him repeatedly by his aunt since kindergarten, and the abundance of comic books and animated films had rendered them utterly unremarkable. In terms of excitement, the numerous refined versions from the later era were far superior to the original versions that Qingyun was presenting.
"Second Master, everyone has been arranging night shifts these days to guard against thieves. Everyone is tired and I don't know where they have gone to slack off!" Jiexie immediately replied
"How could I dare? Just now, when I went up to water the plants, I saw that snake basking on the stone in front of the pavilion on the hillside. It should still be there now, so be careful and don't get bitten!" Old Zhang said, pointing at the rockery, his words revealing concern.
"No, I have never seen it. Have you heard of it, Jianxi?" Zhao Cheng was taken aback; he indeed had never seen this thing in the garden. "No, I haven't seen it either!" Jianxi shook his head and replied.
"Old Zhang, what are you and Mingyue talking about? We have a giant python in our garden. Where is it? Everyone, come and take a look!" Turning around the corner of the corridor, he saw Xi and shouted at an old man who was leading two gardeners in trimming the flowering trees.