Qin Yi squatted on the ground, holding a stick, and drew a large square in the dirt.
"Look, we can build the foundation like a platform. We just need to make it bigger than the platform itself."
Wang Gensheng squatted nearby, examining Qin Yi's simple sketch carefully.
"But… how do we secure it?"
Qin Yi spread his left hand, pointing at the air above the ground, while his right hand passed his fingers through the gaps of the left hand. His index and ring fingers touched the ground as he explained:
"Two layers. One represents the surface, the other the underground. The dozen or so posts fixed in the platform will pass through the surface and stand in the underground layer to secure it."
Watching Qin Yi's demonstration, Wang Gensheng understood immediately, clapping his hands with excitement:
"That's right, that's right! Da Tou, you're so smart!"
Qin Yi proudly lifted his head, pressing his hands downward, and whispered with a small smile:
"Stay humble, stay humble."
When he looked up, Qin Yi could hardly believe his eyes.
A muted teal carriage had appeared not far in front of him.
The horses pulling it were tall and majestic, entirely teal-colored without a single blemish.
The driver, a thin figure wrapped tightly in a cloak, rested his right hand on the carriage door and nodded slightly, as if dozing.
The carriage curtain on Qin Yi's side was lifted from inside, revealing the pale, clean-shaven face of a young man. He wore a gentle smile, his eyes dark and intelligent, examining Qin Yi with interest.
Qin Yi met his gaze. The young man in the carriage asked with a smile:
"Whose child are you?"
Qin Yi froze for a moment, then replied:
"My father's surname is Qin, his given name is Yong."
"Qin Yong… so it is him. Unexpectedly, he's raised his child so well—truly rare."
After saying this, the young man lowered the curtain, and the carriage slowly moved into the village.
Qin Yi shivered slightly, murmuring:
"Such a strong presence."
He glanced at Wang Gensheng and Da Shan—they were still in shock, standing like puppets with only their eyes moving, following the carriage slowly.
Qin Yi stood and looked at the other children in the lot; they, too, were frozen like Da Shan and Wang Gensheng, as if mesmerized.
This wasn't normal.
Could it be some supernatural phenomenon?
Was this the legendary ghost or spirit that could mesmerize people?
Qin Yi was unsure what to do. Da Shan took a deep breath, snapped out of it, and exclaimed in shock:
"A… a carriage? How did a carriage come to our village?"
Qin Yi suddenly realized something. He hurried up the hill, watching the carriage slowly move toward the high-walled mansion in the west of the village, disappearing from his sight.
"So it's there!"
The western mansion—a vast compound surrounded by a ten-foot-high wall.
A forbidden area in the village; no one dared loiter nearby.
Since they could walk, the children were warned never to play near the western mansion.
Qin Yi even suspected that part of the reason the eastern lot was chosen for play was to keep them away from the west.
Who was this person?
Why had he come?
He seemed to know Qin Yi's father; perhaps his father could provide answers.
Thinking this, Qin Yi headed home to find his father, just as Qin Yong and a group of workers returned from the fields. Qin Yi ran toward Qin Yong immediately.
Seeing Qin Yi, Qin Yong shook his head without stopping and said:
"Shuanzi, take your two brothers home. No playing outside."
Qin Yong's words reminded the others, who also called their children home.
After speaking, Qin Yong didn't glance back at Qin Yi, instead following the group quickly.
Qin Yi returned to the hilltop, watching as the crowd grew larger with people joining along the way. They stopped only in front of the gate of the western mansion.
It really was the western mansion.
"Da Tou, come down. Father says we must go home."
Qin Yi frowned, his small face tense. With a heavy heart, he greeted Wang Gensheng and Da Shan, then followed his older brothers home.
…
The carriage moved again. A gentle voice came from inside:
"Master Huang, what do you think of this child?"
The thin elder on the carriage yawned casually, replying:
"Exceptional innate talent, quite wise—a fine young prospect."
"Yes… I didn't expect to encounter such a promising child here. Truly rare."
Hearing this, Huang suddenly became alert, asking in surprise:
"What? Has the young master taken a liking? Does he intend to take him as a sword-bearing disciple?"
"That is my intention."
Huang was puzzled. He had seen children with better potential and intellect before, but the young master had never taken them as disciples. Why now…?
Realizing the young master's current situation, Huang sighed silently.
On second thought, taking a disciple to personally instruct was a good idea. At least it gave the young master a purpose and eased his worries.
"The young master will personally teach him. This child is destined for greatness."
"Ha ha… I take your words as a blessing." A cheerful laugh came from the carriage.
Huang, hearing the young master's long-missed laughter, laughed along, his face creased in joy.
Meanwhile, the carriage slowly approached the gate of the western mansion. Huang's figure flashed, the gate opened, and the carriage rolled inside without pause.
Inside, it didn't stop immediately, instead turning two corners before slowly coming to a halt in a courtyard.
The carriage door opened. The pale, clean-shaven young man, wearing a jade-green crown and dressed in white robes, lifted the curtain and stepped down. He looked up at the plaque reading "Tranquility and Far-reaching" and sighed:
"Never thought… even I, Qin Xu, would be sent to a separate estate someday."
Huang sensed the melancholy in the young master's voice and quickly stepped forward to console him:
"Master, this place is for your benefit. It is remote, far from chaos—perfect for your rest and recuperation."
"Far from chaos?" Qin Xu echoed softly, shaking his head slightly. He didn't dwell on it, instead turning toward the mansion gate:
"They're coming. Huang, go welcome them."
"Yes, Master."
Huang led the carriage to the stables, unloaded and tended to the horses, then went to the gate, smiling as he greeted the visitors:
"Please, everyone. The young master has been waiting a long time."
"We are grateful for your patience, Master." The crowd bowed and followed Huang into the long-closed mansion.
(End of Chapter)