Xie Jiang did not return to the Xie residence but headed straight for the former Prince Qing's mansion, with Xu Hengyi accompanying her.
The former Prince Qing's mansion was not far from the Duke Wei's mansion, only about a fifteen-minute horse ride away.
Xu Hengyi happily thought, "His Majesty has bestowed a good residence; it will be so convenient to visit from now on."
At this moment, the main entrance of the former Prince Qing's mansion was wide open. Tian Kangtai, along with a few gatekeepers, stood below the steps, beaming and awaiting their arrival.
As Xie Jiang dismounted, Tian Kangtai led the others in bowing, "We welcome Marquis back to the residence."
The plaque of the Prince Qing's mansion had been removed and replaced with a brand new imperial decree plaque for her, the Marquis of South Sea.
The calligraphy was personally written by His Majesty, possessing a certain grandeur. Xie Jiang looked up at it for a while.
Xu Hengyi sighed, "From now on, you are truly a Marquis."
Tian Kangtai and the others' titles also changed from "Young Master" to "Marquis."
A Marquis in her teens.
Xu Hengyi's breath felt heavy.
Xie Jiang echoed his sentiment, "From now on, I'll have a household registration in the capital and a grand mansion."
Xu Hengyi cast a sour glance at her.
He didn't even want to mention when he might own such a large residence.
He could only hope to be born into a better family in his next life.
Xie Jiang asked, "Is everything ready?"
Tian Kangtai replied to Xie Jiang with a face full of smiles, "Our South Sea Marquis mansion is too vast; it's impossible to finish tidying it up in a short while. We've only prepared the Marquis's living quarters, the Fuyun Pavilion, and the reception hall, Wanshitang. The other courtyards will be dealt with slowly later."
Xie Jiang nodded, "Let's go in and take a look."
With that, she stepped onto the stairs and walked through the expansive and majestic main gate.
Xu Hengyi followed beside her, filled with emotion, "I've passed by the Prince Qing's mansion so many times before, but the gates were always locked, so I never saw what it looked like inside."
"Are there not many princely mansions in the capital? Besides, your family is a Duke's mansion; in terms of status, it's not much different from a princely mansion."
"The Prince Qing's mansion is different from other princely mansions. Prince Qing was the late Emperor's eldest legitimate son. The late Emperor had placed great hopes on Prince Qing, but alas, fate is unpredictable, and fortunes change..."
Xu Hengyi did not dare to speak too much about imperial family matters.
"To think it would ultimately benefit you! This mansion has been empty for so many years. It seems His Majesty favors you greatly."
"Perhaps His Majesty felt that among all the residences in the capital, only this former Prince Qing's mansion could truly complement me."
She had gifted the four southern continents to the Emperor for free. How could the Emperor possibly send her off with a small residence? This former Prince Qing's mansion was barely acceptable.
"...You truly are boastful!"
Tian Kangtai finally found an opportunity to speak to Xie Jiang, "We had two groups of guests visit the mansion this morning, and they are currently waiting for the Marquis in the Yilan Pavilion."
"Two groups of guests? Who came?"
"Young Master Ruan and his companions arrived earlier. Just as you and Young Master Xu San left for the Duke Wei's mansion, Young Master Ruan and the others arrived at the Xie residence. Hearing that we were moving to the South Sea Marquis mansion today, they followed to wait for your return."
"Additionally, Old Duke Qin, Duke Qian, Marquis Yongxin, and Marquis Yongchang, four esteemed elders, came together. They said they wanted to see the new residence and that it didn't matter if the Marquis was not at home."
Upon hearing that the elders were also present, Xu Hengyi's scalp tingled, especially with Duke Qian being there. Xu Hengyi hesitated, wondering if he should leave first.
He could always come back another day to claim a room.
Xie Jiang said, "They're all here to freeload, aren't they? They already ate lunch and are still here, intending to stay for dinner as well? I need to consider charging them."
Tian Kangtai knew the Marquis was joking. "Old Duke Qin came specifically to see Physician Lou. On his journey from Ninghe back to the capital, he was treated by Physician Lou several times, and Old Duke Qin felt much lighter. He has come again to seek Physician Lou's treatment."
Tian Kangtai led Xie Jiang and Xu Hengyi towards the Yilan Pavilion, introducing them as they walked.
After receiving the imperial decree and the mansion yesterday, Xie Jiang was busy with Hao Wei and his group going to Shuntian Prefecture. Tian Kangtai had led the household staff to survey the property.
Tian Kangtai had already inspected this mansion inside and out, knowing the number of courtyards and rooms.
Xu Hengyi had not yet decided whether to slip away quickly or to bravely pay his respects to the elders. Suddenly, he was stunned by the expanse before him.
A vast expanse of shimmering water, a picturesque scene.
If he hadn't been sure that they had just entered the Prince Qing's mansion, oh, from now on, it should be called the South Sea Marquis mansion.
If he hadn't been sure that they had just entered through the main gate of the South Sea Marquis mansion, his inner excitement would not have subsided. He would have even doubted if he had arrived outside the city.
He had long heard that the lake view in the Prince Qing's mansion was unparalleled in the capital. However, their Duke Wei's mansion also had a lake, so he hadn't been particularly eager, only hearing about it. But this lake before him and the lake in their Duke Wei's mansion...
It made the lake in their Duke Wei's mansion look like a small pond.
"From now on, I won't have to leave the city to go boating; I can just come here. Old Tian, quickly arrange for pleasure boats and the like."
Xu Hengyi couldn't help but start envisioning the wonderful life ahead in the South Sea Marquis mansion.
Tian Kangtai smiled and said, "We are already arranging it."
"The scenery is nice, but the place is too big; it's a bit tiring on the legs."
After walking for a while, Xie Jiang began to complain.
Tian Kangtai said, "Today is the first day we've moved in, so we're taking the Marquis around to see everything. From now on, the Marquis can ride a horse within the mansion. Old Duke Qin happened to send over a few fine horses to congratulate the Marquis on his ennoblement and move."
"Your previous small residence was just right for you, but who doesn't like a big house? Who can refuse a big house? However, with your South Sea Marquis mansion being so large and you living alone, it does seem a bit empty."
Xu Hengyi wanted to follow up on this topic. He wouldn't mind staying over frequently. It wasn't necessary to prepare a separate courtyard for him; a side room in Xie Jiang's courtyard would suffice.
Unexpectedly, he heard Xie Jiang say with delight, "His Majesty bestowed this grand mansion at the right time. I was planning to marry several wives in the future, and living far apart would mean I wouldn't have to worry about them fighting."
"...You haven't even married your main wife, and you're already thinking about taking concubines!"
"The choice of the main wife requires careful consideration, but concubines are fine as long as they please me."
Xie Jiang looked at the willows by the lake and began to happily envision a beautiful future with a garden full of wives and concubines.
For example, Yi Yangen practicing swordplay in the garden to attract her attention, then haughtily snorting and turning away after seeing her, deliberately making her yearn to chase him to his courtyard...
For example, in the dead of night, Wanlai Jijing playing the zither in the water pavilion, only to close the doors and windows and refuse to let her in when she followed the sound, petulantly telling her never to look for him again...
Or perhaps, he would be strolling by the lake with Xu Hengyan in his arms. Just as she was pinching Xu Hengyan's chin, preparing to kiss him, she would coincidentally meet Yi Yangen walking towards them. Yi Yangen would sneer and then throw a punch at her...
Never mind, let's forget that one.
Having only Yi Yangen and Xu Hengyan wouldn't be enough. The mansion was so large; it would be a waste to leave it empty. She heard that Xia Zeshi's third brother was exceptionally handsome; she wondered if that was an exaggeration.