Winter had arrived, and it was the first day of the lunar New Year.
At the Huang Mansion in the suburb of Haimi, the place was festively decorated and bustling with excitement at the beginning of the year.
Seven or eight children of similar ages were running around the yard with lanterns. There were both boys and girls, all dressed in identical festive red clothes, playing and jumping around the rockery.
In the main house, an elderly man with a gray beard sat upright above the hall.
The old man was wearing a dark purple Tang suit jacket, holding a teacup, and his brows and eyes were full of sternness.
Two young boys also wearing red cotton jackets stood on either side of the old man, respectfully serving him tea.
The front hall was silent as the old man looked at the ledger in his hand in silence. Eventually, it was the steward from the front yard who jogged in to report.
"Master, the esteemed guest has arrived! The guest has already entered the gate!"
