Chapter 17

The next day, Xie Mingyue rose early. Behind her quarters was a small bamboo grove where she had set up a guqin. As the blue smoke curled from the lotus-shaped incense burner, Xie Mingyue lightly plucked the strings, lost in thought. Last night, she had asked Wutong to explain the complex relationships within the Shunqing Marquis Estate. The main branch of the family resided in the estate, alongside three other branches, each growing and thriving in their own way. Years ago, when the estate was first expanded but remained rather quiet, the Marquis and Qi Jinshan had agreed to house the three side branches on the western side of the grounds, hoping for a harmonious, close-knit life together. Naturally, the household affairs were currently held firmly in the hands of Xie Wanqing.