I have to say, this giant bamboo grove was truly wondrous. Strolling through it, the bamboo gave a sense of leisurely elegance—yet their colossal size made it feel like walking among mountain peaks and ancient woods. The clash of these two sensations stirred even me, someone utterly clueless about poetry, to want to compose verses on the spot.

"Here we are," said the Garden Guard leading the way.

The long stone path ended abruptly before an impenetrable wall of sky-high bamboo.

Was this the end? I scanned the surroundings but saw no buildings. Could this grove truly hide some mechanism?

"Hah! Finally here! Kept me waiting!"

A booming laugh startled me. A burly man with a wild beard, tangled hair, and deep wrinkles burst from the bamboo—his face screamed seasoned butcher. Yet he wore ancient scholar’s robes. The contrast was jarring.

But what caught my eye first was his clothing. Unlike the Sinan Family’s muted grays, his vibrant green robes radiated life. Such boldness meant he wasn’t ordinary.

"This is Sinan Dan, Captain of the Garden Guard," Rui Feng whispered. "Don’t let his looks fool you—he’s stronger than Elder Hong!"

So, an ultra-powerful head of security? And that name "Dan"... it made me think of danmei novels.

"Brother Dan, long time no see," Sinan Yuan bowed politely.

"Spare me the formalities—I hate that stuff! Where’s that old coot Sinan Hong?"

"Right here." Elder Hong materialized, face dark with obvious disdain for Sinan Dan.

"Heard you, a walking skeleton, charged straight into the beast tide? Hah! Surprised you’re still breathing!"

"Enough! We’ve traveled far and need rest. Open the path—now!"

"Tch. No sense of humor."

Sinan Dan shrugged, his boisterous grin vanishing. He turned to the bamboo forest.

"OPEN!!!"

He slammed his palms onto the ground. Before him, the giant bamboos shrank at astonishing speed—branches retracting, stalks compressing—until they became tiny bamboo shoots within seconds.

A wide path appeared where the bamboos had stood. Beyond it lay—

"Xiao Ye, welcome to the Sinan Family!"

Sinan Ying grabbed my hand and dashed forward first.

———

"Six kings ended, four seas united. Mount Shu stripped bare, Epang Palace rose. Three hundred *li* of covered land, blocking out sun and sky..."

"Xiao Ye, what’ve you been muttering since we got here? Makes no sense."

"Just the *Ode to Epang Palace*... forget it."

The moment I saw the complex before me, my breath caught. I’d blurted out Du Fu’s infamous exam staple without thinking. Not because I wanted to—but this place was a living replica of that ancient text’s grandeur.

The main compound was pure classical Chinese architecture: jade towers and clustered halls. Compared to Winteredge Lodge’s gaudy luxury, this place traded nouveau riche flash for imperial majesty. Timber-framed pavilions stood in orderly courtyard formations, streams and bridges weaving through them with refined grace. Lush ornamental trees lined the water—familiar yet twice Earth’s size. Altogether, it felt like stepping into a supersized Suzhou garden.

"The Sinan Family’s main house... it’s incredible."

Faced with this unprecedented splendor, I struggled for words. "Beautiful," "majestic," or "elegant" felt inadequate. Only "incredible" captured it.

"Great! After that long boat ride, I can finally rest. Xiao Ye, share my room with me—OW!"

"Don’t get carried away, Miss. The Family Head awaits you," Sinan Yuan said calmly, yanking Sinan Ying back by her collar.

"So troublesome..."

"Hah! Youthful energy! Nothing beats being young!" Sinan Dan boomed. *Why are you still here?* I wondered.

"Ye, I’ll take Miss Ying and Elder Hong to see the Family Head. You go with Rui Feng. For tonight, you’ll stay in their dorm—we’ll prepare your room tomorrow. Apologies for the inconvenience."

"No problem..." *I’d assumed the Sinans would’ve had a room ready. But it makes sense—they couldn’t risk the young masters sabotaging it before Sinan Yuan’s return. Sticking me with Rui Feng’s group is probably to keep me from causing trouble on day one.*

"Then Xiao Ying, I’m off. Good luck~"

"Meanie Xiao Ye..."

———

Walking down an endlessly long corridor beside a broad artificial lake, I listened to Rui Xin’s energetic tour despite his tired but precise footsteps. It reminded me of our days in the Winteredge Mountains—just last month, yet feeling like a lifetime ago.

"This is White Lotus Lake. Full of koi and lotuses. Turn left for the pavilion. We just passed the Junye Corridor, named to commemorate—"

Rui Xin detailed every building and its history like a professional guide.

The Sinan main compound divided into five districts: North for eldest son Sinan Xing, East for second son Sinan Feng, West for third son Sinan Qianming and fourth son Sinan Cheng, South for eldest daughter Sinan Xiao and second daughter Sinan Ying. The central district belonged to the Family Head. Since Rui Feng’s team served Sinan Ying, their dorm lay in the South District.

We were now at the East-South border—a scenic shortcut. The only flaw? Frequent encounters with East District members. Their icy glares at Rui Feng’s group made the air thick with tension.

*Just ignore the small fry. Please don’t let us run into any big shots from Sinan Feng’s faction...*

"Well now. If I recall, you’re my little sister’s people? Where is she?"

A man’s voice cut through from behind. Though phrased as a greeting, its domineering edge set my teeth on edge.

We turned. A group approached, all draped in lavish brocade robes. At their head stood a young man with sharp purple hair, a chiseled physique, and handsome features that might’ve charmed—if not for his insect-crushing gaze and suffocating aura of dragon-like pride.

*Purple hair, purple eyes, that overbearing aura... Could he be—?*

"Honored Young Master Feng!" Rui Feng stepped forward, bowing deeply. "We’ve just arrived, travel-stained and unworthy. Forgive any offense."

Rui Xin followed suit: "The Second Miss was summoned by the Family Head. She’ll visit you upon her return!"

The team bowed. I mimicked them. *In other novels, bone-headed protagonists would sneer at this arrogant young master, refusing to bow. They’d lecture him on pride, trigger his rage, then effortlessly crush him with cheat skills—winning the Family Head’s favor, beauties’ hearts, and loyal followers...*

*I’d love to do that too—especially since Sinan Feng’s my least favorite type. But that’s fantasy. I’ve no capital to act tough on someone else’s turf. Sometimes you swallow your pride...*

"Hmph." Sinan Feng ignored their deference, scanning the group with bored eyes.

"Hm?"

His gaze locked onto me. Sharp light flashed in his pupils as he strode forward.

"You. Remove that hood!"