TPITWOHEF

Chapter 45

The bamboo garden was filled with a gentle breeze, where literati recited poetry and exchanged verses, truly a refined and elegant place.

Ritual Master Xu was particularly boastful, "I gaze upon the bamboo every day, just to constantly remind myself to emulate its unwavering spirit like the wind."

Master Liu was speechless, this man from a scholarly family really was different.

No wonder the Emperor previously thought he was dull-witted.

Look at how he had decorated this courtyard for himself!

"Indeed, I also feel there is much poetry in this garden. Let me take a stroll, perhaps I can compose a good poem like Cao Zhi's seven steps poem."

Master Liu said, clasping his hands behind his back and beginning to wander around the bamboo garden.

Ritual Master Xu hesitated, but it was too late to stop him now.

Master Liu strolled around the bamboo garden, occasionally reciting poems, seeming quite content.

But he was actually carefully observing the ground the whole time.

The soil color in one area was different, it was new.

Hmm? That patch looked as if it had just been turned over last night.

Scanning the entire courtyard, Master Liu noticed that the soil color was only a year or two old, not like it had supported bamboo for a long time.

Others might not have noticed, but Master Liu had studied diligently in the village as a scholar-official, and often helped in the fields during harvest time.

He had grown up in the land, and could till the soil with his eyes closed.

Master Liu recited a jumbled poem, then gave his wife a subtle look.

Then he followed Ritual Master Xu to the pavilion to drink tea, saying, "Come, I wish to congratulate you on the birth of your great-grandson."

Madam Liu immediately turned and walked towards the area Master Liu had carefully stepped on.

She gave a slight smile to the approaching Mrs. Xu, "Your family has so many fresh bamboo shoots, I must admit I'm a bit envious."

Mrs. Xu stiffened, but quickly smiled, "Go sit in my room for a while, I'll bring you a basket later."

"Wonderful! I won't be polite then." Madam Liu smiled, then slowly crouched down where Master Liu had just been standing.

"And don't give me the big ones, the small newly planted shoots will do."

As she started to stand up, she suddenly let out an "Ah!" and pretended to stumble, grabbing onto the bamboo shoots to break her fall!

In the process, she yanked out a few shoots along with their roots!

Mrs. Xu was horrified and rushed over to cover it up!

In the pavilion, Ritual Master Xu also abruptly stood up, knocking over the tea on the table!

Only to see that the tender bamboo shoots in Madam Liu's hands had quite a long section with no soil attached at all!

*

In the Chonghua Palace, the Emperor Xiao Yunzhou warmly welcomed his daughter Chu Chu.

"My little princess, have you been cold?"

He quickly felt her delicate, rosy little hands.

He was about to order more coals in the brazier when Chu Chu suddenly rolled over and looked out the window with great interest.