Chapter 54: Keeping Watch Part 1

Normally, the Xiang family entered and exited through the side gate, but with Xiao Kun present that day, Xiang Xian casually knocked three times on the main gate.

“The Master has returned!” A family servant spotted Xiang Xian and shouted loudly, “The Master is back home!”

The scene reminded Xiao Kun of the two Stone Lions outside the Exorcism Division.

“We’re home,” Xiang Xian said to Xiao Kun.

Moments later, the main gate swung wide open. Servants and maids poured out, lining up to welcome them. After all, Xiang Xian held an official position in Kaifeng and had earned the title of Tanhua Lang through the imperial examinations—he was now the head of the household.

Several of Xiang Xian’s paternal cousins and uncles, who had been handling the funeral arrangements, hurried out upon hearing the news.

“This is Lord Xiao,” Xiang Xian introduced him. “My superior. He heard the news and came back with me.”

Many of the Xiang Family’s younger generation came forward to pay their respects. Most held official positions themselves, and upon learning that Xiao Kun was a fourth-rank official, they prepared to greet him with the proper courtesies for officials. Xiao Kun quickly said, “Xiang Xian is my brother. Here, we speak only of kinship, not court ranks. Uncles, elders, and brothers—I apologize for intruding.”

“Come! Please, inside!” The leader stepped forward, linking arms with Xiao Kun. “Nephew, come this way for some tea.”

Xiao Kun nodded to Xiang Xian, understanding that as the only son, he would be busy from this moment on. He signaled that there was no need to mind him. The instant Xiang Xian returned home, familiar sights stirred his emotions, and his eyes reddened. As his cousins led him to the mourning hall, waves of grief surged through him once more.

On his way to have tea and refreshments, Xiao Kun heard Xiang Xian’s loud cries coming from the mourning hall.

The Xiang Family member in charge of receiving guests was the second-in-command under the clan leader, a man named Xiang Bo. Though of high seniority, he was young, only in his thirties. The other nephews stood respectfully behind him, attending to him, which showed the family’s strict discipline.

“You must have had a hard journey, nephew,” Xiang Bo said. “I thought it would take String’er several more days to return home via the Grand Canal. It was that fast?”

Xiao Kun explained, “We cast spells and flew back.”

Everyone observed Xiao Kun. His eyes were deep blue, and though he was Semu People, he served as an official of Great Song. As Xiang Bo pondered his accent, Xiao Kun straightforwardly said, “I hail from Liao Person. I once served as Crown Prince Tutor to the Yelu Family. After my homeland fell, Xiang Xian brought me to Kaifeng, where I took the post of Demon-Exorcising Envoy to earn a meager salary.”

Only then did they understand. Xiang Bo earnestly said, “Be it Liao or Song, Western Xia or Dali Kingdom—all are people of Shenzhou. There is no distinction between us.”

Xiao Kun chatted a bit about Kuaiji and Kaifeng. From Xiang Bo’s words, it was clear that Jiangdong harbored dissatisfaction toward the Gold Stone Bureau and the Daojun Emperor, but as scions of a scholarly family, they spoke with restraint, touching on matters lightly without asking Xiao Kun to comment on court politics, sparing him any difficulty.

They did express concern about the Crown Prince’s ascension, however, as many Xiang clansmen served as local officials or envoys to the capital—this affected political stability.

Xiao Kun shared what he knew: power transitions were underway in Kaifeng and still seemed under control. Xiang Bo and the others relaxed.

After nearly half a shichen, the cries from the mourning hall ceased. Xiang Bo rose and said, “Let’s go to the mourning hall, nephew. After you.”

Xiao Kun understood it was time for the memorial rites. He entered the hall while the others waited outside. Xiang Xian had changed into the mourning clothes prepared by the family, donned a white cap, and knelt before the spirit curtain with a Mourning Cudgel laid across his knees. A spring breeze blew through.

Beside him knelt a young woman in mourning garb, her features delicate and lovely. She whispered to him, seemingly offering comfort.

Xiao Kun stepped forward to pay his respects. Xiang Xian’s eyes were bloodshot as he turned to glance at him.

“This is my cousin sister, Yingqiu,” Xiang Xian said. “This is Xiao Kun, my good brother.”

Yingqiu nodded, and they exchanged courtesies. She said, “The old lady heard Lord Xiao had arrived and wishes to speak with you.”

Xiang Xian replied, “Tomorrow. It’s late, and dark. I’ve only just arrived and haven’t even seen Mu Ma yet.”

“No matter,” Xiao Kun said as he rose. “Go have some water. You need to keep vigil tonight.”

Yingqiu led Xiao Kun to the inner chambers. It was nearly the second watch by then, with no more guests offering condolences. The Xiang Family gates were shut tight, and the outer hall’s relatives dispersed. Servants and attendants cleared away the sacrificial items for use the next day.

Xiao Kun passed through the garden. A cool breeze through the corridors felt refreshing.

The Xiang estate featured pavilions, towers, and all the trappings of a grand garden. Jagged rockeries paired with meticulously pruned pines and cypresses. Brooks trickled down, and the pond brimmed with lotuses reflecting the moonlight. A summer breeze stirred the lotus leaves like green waves. Rain had fallen nearby earlier, and water droplets rolled off the leaves.

The vast residence had once housed only Xiang Xian’s parents. The couple had a late child; his father, Xiang Yu, was already in his fifties when Xiang Xian was born. They enjoyed scant years of family bliss. Xiang Xian grew up in the home until age seven, then left with Shen Kuo to train.