The estate was very large. Song Xibai secretly looked out the car window along the way and could see that there were many houses next to the surrounding farmland. The density of the houses was at least equivalent to that of a small village.
The village has only one main road, the same road their carriage came in on. However, the road is not wide, only wide enough for one carriage to pass at a time.
At the end of this main road is a spacious courtyard with four sections.
Song Xibai followed Yue Zhuangtou across the gate, around the screen wall, turning left and right, and along the corridor, passed through the stone gate of the second courtyard.
The second courtyard is a flat and spacious courtyard with no side rooms, only three main rooms that serve as a reception room and dining room.
Song Xibai lowered her head, rubbed the toes of her shoes against the yellow soil on the ground, and then gently stomped her feet, her eyes flashing slightly.
Yue Zhuangtou led them to the three main rooms before introducing them.
"His Highness occasionally comes here to meet with his subordinates. Would Your Highness like to return to the back courtyard first, or wait here for His Highness?"
Song Xibai did not answer, but instead asked a question.
"What is this courtyard for? I've never seen such a spacious courtyard before."
Yue Zhuangtou replied with a smile, "This is the threshing ground during the busy farming season."
Song Xibai didn't press further, smiled, and casually said...
"I'll go to the backyard first; I need to wash up before I eat."
Yue Zhuangtou bowed and led them to the back gate, but instead of going in, he called out an old woman.
The old woman looked younger, probably in her forties. Her hair was neatly combed, and her indigo dress was faded from washing, but she had excellent manners.
She performed a curtsy to Song Xibai with a respectful attitude.
"Your Highness, this servant will lead the way for you."
Song Xibai stepped through the begonia-shaped archway and walked along the pebble path for three minutes before finally seeing a delicate and exquisite courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, there is a row of lush green bamboo, and behind it is a mountain. A stream flows down from the top of the mountain and is diverted to the backyard by thick bamboo poles, forming a small pond.
Song Xibai was surprised to see this.
Who built this bamboo canal?
The old woman who led the way replied, "This servant did not know, these bamboos were already there when this estate was built."
This estate was bestowed upon the Crown Prince by the late Emperor more than twenty years ago.
It was probably done by Zhuangzi's former owner?
Song Xibai didn't think much about that; she was more concerned about how to use the bamboo tube.
This is practically a natural water pipe channel!
If you just move the bamboo tube slightly, or add a branch tube, and bring it into the room, you can use it directly to wash your hands and face, or even flush the toilet.
There's no need to laboriously carry water anymore.
Song Xibai's eyes lit up instantly, and she pulled Dingxiang and Wei Hong along, quickly walking into the courtyard.
The small courtyard is divided into two sections, front and back, but there is no wall. Instead, there are two rows of bamboo as walls. The two rooms in the front have been opened up and turned into a study. The back consists of three main rooms with two side rooms, which is Song Xibai's bedroom tonight.
Song Xibai noticed that there was a row of houses behind the small courtyard, which should be for the servants of the estate.
Don't be fooled by the fact that there aren't many rooms in this courtyard; it's actually quite spacious.
Song Xibai walked all the way from the front gate and is only now able to sit down and rest.
Wei Hong followed the old woman to fetch water. After Ding Xiang finished packing her luggage, she looked at Song Xibai, who was lying paralyzed on the bed, and couldn't help but laugh at her.
"Look at you, you've only been in the palace for a few months, and your body is already so weak. You get tired after walking such a short distance?"
Song Xibai sighed: "So it is easy to go from simplicity to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality! In the Eastern Palace, you eat and sleep all day long, and you are served in everything you do. Your physical strength will definitely deteriorate."
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