Xuanqing Guard
Chapter 324: Housewarming
Actually, if you strictly consider the location, the new residence isn’t as good as the old one—it’s much farther from the Thousand Households Station.
But judging by the specs, the new place is much better.
Not only is it three times larger, but it’s also got more features. For example, there’s a bathhouse, a pretty big garden complete with a pond, the wine cellar is much bigger than before, plus there’s even an icehouse now.
Naturally, there are more rooms as well. Hu Tian and Xiaoma no longer have to squeeze into one room, and Xia Nu, Hong Chou, and Brocade and Silk all have their own rooms now.
With a bigger house, you need more staff. No more maids were hired—three is plenty. They got a laundrywoman, two servants, a kitchen helper, and a gardener.
The kitchen helper and gardener are good folk, so they don’t live at the mansion; the laundrywoman and the two servants were bought from a brokerage as slaves. When these new hires heard they’d be working for a Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households, they were all nervous, scared of causing trouble, and when they saw Shen Hao, they all knelt on the ground without daring to sneak a glance.
"Stand up, come on, don’t go kneeling around at home for no reason. Old Hu, go over the house rules with them again." Shen Hao didn’t like all the nervous faces at home; it annoyed him.
Hu Tian bowed, acknowledging. He’d gone over Master Shen’s rules with them before, but the new hires must’ve been spooked and forgotten in the moment.
But then again, Hu Tian himself felt that Master Shen had gotten more and more imposing lately, and even he, despite being so familiar, sometimes felt an inexplicable chill and tensed up when Master Shen glanced his way.
While Hu Tian was lost in thought, Xiaoma was already guiding Shen Hao to put up the sign. Once the sign was hung, this place was officially called "Shen Mansion."
Is Shen Hao the only Shen family in Fengri City? Would "Shen Mansion" even be distinguishable?
Of course he wasn’t the only Shen in town, but starting today, in Fengri City, the only house with "Shen Mansion" hanging at the door would be his. Anytime someone mentioned "Shen Mansion," it meant here. Anyone else? Even if they hung one, they’d have to take it down themselves.
Moving to a new house originally came with a bunch of ceremonies, like painting the stone beasts’ teeth red at the door, blessing the copper nails on the doors, or ancestor offerings in the main hall—but Shen Hao canceled them all. Mainly because he thought it was too much hassle and a waste of time.
After Shen Hao hung up the "Shen Mansion" sign, Hu Tian immediately shouted, "Mansion open!"
At once, the main gate was thrown wide open, and the servants and helpers inside lined up neatly on both sides, bowing in welcome, while Shen Hao walked in with his hands behind his back.
Hu Tian led Shen Hao on a tour around the newly organized residence—mainly the bedroom, study, and the new secret chamber.
The secret chamber was set up with an Array arranged by Wang Jian, who had gotten an Array Master to handle it. The central core could be reconfigured by whoever was residing there to maintain secrecy. Usually it was closed, powered by General Spirit Stones. There were three main arrays set up: Gathering Spirit, defense, and shielding.
This was where Shen Hao would do closed-door cultivation in the future. He looked it over carefully and found it satisfactory. Once he had more time, he planned to make some tweaks to the arrays.
The secret chamber was right next to the bedroom, which was quite large, and even had a small washing area in it. But what was with that giant bed nearly two zhang across?
Seeing Shen Hao’s questioning look, Hu Tian grinned, "That bed was custom-ordered by Wang Xiaoqi, said it was fitting for your status, that you’d need it in the future."
Shen Hao opened his mouth, wanting to curse Wang Jian’s nonsense and righteously demand the bed be replaced, but swallowed his words as a scene popped into his mind. Maybe he really would need it someday, so he shook his head, half-smiling, and walked out of the bedroom.
The evening banquet was set in the main hall. Just two tables’ worth of people, which fit perfectly, and the weather was cold enough that indoors was much warmer. There was even room in the hall for the songstress and musicians to perform.
After Shen Hao finished his round, he left the mansion and headed back to the Thousand Households Station, having lunch in their canteen as well.
When heading back, Shen Hao didn’t go alone; he called Tang Qingyuan and his Black Banner Battalion core—Wang Yiming and the others—to go to the new residence together. On the way, he ran into Chen Tianwen and his group, who had just arrived via the Teleportation Array.
Today, Shen Hao not only invited familiar faces from the Thousand Households Station but also the General Flag Officers from the Black Banner Battalions at the various Hundred Households Stations. And of course, his friends in Fengri City, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin.
Shen Hao led everyone inside. Hu Tian took care of entertaining the guests while Shen Hao slipped away to change into casual attire. In the small side room on the left just past the entrance, Xiaoma was busily handling the exchanging of congratulatory gifts brought by the guests’ aides.
All gifts were registered on a list, then verified at the back door, running back and forth; each cartload was checked and sent into the storeroom for now, to be sorted out tomorrow.
Everyone brought heavy gifts. Even Tang Qingyuan handed over a long, impressive list.
Not counting gold and silver, mostly rare treasures and unusual odds and ends. It was rare for Master Shen to take gifts, so everyone gave as much as possible.
"Heh, a rare day—you’re always stingy, but today you finally put on a big spread. I’m going to eat well!" Tang Qingyuan joked, making himself at home as he sipped tea. He was one of the few here bold enough to talk to Shen Hao like this.
"Exactly, exactly. Lord Tang is spot-on. Shen, you’d better bring out some good liquor today, or Old Gan and I are going to raid your wine cellar," Zhang Qian bantered with Shen Hao, used to speaking informally. He came for the food, but more so for the drinks.
Shen Hao changed into a white robe, sat smiling in the host’s seat, and looked at Zhang Qian, saying, "There’s definitely good liquor—all Wuliangye. But the really top-notch stuff, that aged wine I just got, isn’t on the table tonight. If you get too drunk and waste it, I told the steward to send a bottle with you when you leave, so you can enjoy it slowly at home."
"Ha ha, perfect! That’s great!"
They drank tea for a bit, then followed Shen Hao for a stroll around the courtyard, then returned to the main hall where the banquet was already laid out.
Guests took their seats of honor. Three rounds of drinks later, a fragrant breeze swept in from outside; Lian Xiang Songstress and her musicians entered in salute.
"This humble girl offers congratulations to Lord Shen on his housewarming, and presents a few songs to spice up the feast,"
Different from how things were in Hong’en Hall, Lian Xiang didn’t act flirtatiously at all; even her makeup was lighter, almost just a thin layer. She wore a plain white dress, cleverly matching Shen Hao sitting at the head of the table.
"Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Lian Xiang."
"You flatter me, Lord Shen." Lian Xiang bowed again, then sat at her instrument, plucked a few strings, music rising, and her song started, winding gracefully through the hall.
During the lull while listening, Tang Qingyuan, seated beside Shen Hao, suddenly spoke, "That thing you mentioned last time—you were right after all."
"Oh? Word from above?" Shen Hao leaned in a bit.
"Yeah. Got a note yesterday. They’re asking about the recent performance of the other Deputy Thousand Households. I figure if it made it to me, it’s just formalities now; the others must’ve already sorted out winners and losers. If nothing unexpected happens, the appointment document should be issued right after the new year."