The butler of the Clan Master is a wise and gentle man. Of advanced age, with an aquiline nose and long white hair, he’s often seen in the main residence fulfilling menial tasks. His name is Lo Hu, but people call him affectionately grandpa Hu.
He entered the Clan in his thirties and little is known about his youth as he has a rather discrete disposition. One could say that he is an individual filled with mysteries.
“I welcome you to the Shen Clan.” Lo Hu said with a small bow to a plumb middle-aged woman that has been recently contracted by the Second Grand Elder. Working for one of the four major Clans in the mighty Qilin Empire is a prestigious occupation with countless benefits.
But, if something is well known about Clans and Sects by the populace is they fervent obsession about reputation. Countless rumors about how they heavily punish the insolent, starting by whippings and ending with decapitations made the ordinary citizens very fearful of them.
The florally decorated walls, the mosaic paved floor and the enormous iron gates of the Shen Clan created an imposing aura. The two guards fully equipped with exquisite black heavy armors with veins of green emphasized this effects making the legs of the maid tremble.
For this reason, Lo Hu likes to receive every new servant in the Clan and explain them they rights and obligations, at the same time lightening they worries and make they adaptation the better possible.
“T-this humble servant doesn’t deserve your kindness, honorable elder. ” The broken words full of apprehension were said at a frightening speed, as a mirror of her heartbeats. Kowtowing, her head was touching the ground.
Lo Hu couldn’t resist to sigh and give a small chuckle, this reaction was far too common. “You don’t need to be so formal between fellows servants, we’re all a big family. My name is Lo Hu, butler of the Clan Master, I’ll introduce you to the different aspects that you, as a maid, should be aware of. But first, let’s relax a little and talk to known each other, today is our first meeting, a joyful occasion”
The wealthy Clans – as a show of philanthropy – would often place a big amphora with medicinal tea next to they entrances at the disposition of the populace. This tea, called Cold Rose Lotus Tea, was packed with medicinal proprieties highly beneficial for the body – especially for the elderly – and could reach a high price in the market.
“Take this, it’ll help to calm you nerves.” Said Lo Hu after filling two cups of tea from the amphora keeping one from himself.
“Thanks you, honorable Lo Hu.” With shaky hands but with evident relief to be received with such kind treatment, the maid accepted the cup and drank a small sip. Lo Hu also drank fully appreciating the floral fragrance. For a while both remained in silence drinking tea under the orange light of the sunrise.
Both cups emptied, they started to walk in direction to the second pavilion, where the maid would be officially presented to the rest of the staff and assigned to her duties.
Crossing a beautiful garden with magnolia trees and small turquoise ponds, they started to chat informally, complimenting each other as if they were friends for years.
“Grandpa Lo Hu!”A loud shout full of naughtiness resembling the sound of a choked goose echoed in the gardens.
A young girl, that couldn’t be older than ten, was running in they direction. Her face was flushed red and her clothes were dirtied with mud and grass leaves.
Only a few meters before reaching them, Lo Hu made a hand signal to the young girl. The kid, noticing it, looked at the maid as if understanding. Her manners changed, showing the profound dignity and composure of a noble. But, her eyes were filled with greed.
“Honorable guest, I’m Shen Chenguang, the daughter of Shen Aiguo, the Clan Master of the Shen Clan. As a representative of the Shen Clan I welcome you to our residence.”
Saying this, Shen Chenguang looked at Lo Hu, her gaze full of expectations. The maid become flustered again knowing that this little girl was the daughter of the Clan Master, a person of great authority. She presented herself and gave words of respect but Shen Chenguang wasn’t even listening, she was looking at Lo Hu without breathing.
Lo Hu looked at this naughty brat, pondering. After a few breaths he gave her a nod. “Good morning Shen Chenguang, I know how occupied you are constructing the burrow for your Sliver Ice Fox, but you shouldn't forget about your other responsibilities and remember that you aren’t allowed to sleep in the burrow. If you need something I’ll be in the second pavilion.”
With Lo Hu nod the lips of Shen Chenguang trembled. Where they parted, with a great dexterity that could only be acquired by repeating the same action thousands of times, Lo Hu gave something to Shen Chenguang secretly. The maid was completely unaware of it.
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When alone, Shen Chenguang opened the bundle, revealing a giant dumpling, her favorite. Full of giggles, she ran to a patch of threes nearby disappearing from sight.
At the second pavilion, that was used to receive ordinary guests, maids and butlers were fuzzing with activity arranging jars with flowers, setting round tables with food and drinks while making other preparations that made the atmosphere prettier and gentler. A big portion of the Clan staff was present.
When they saw the couple of figures approaching, all prepared to receive them.
“Welcome to the Shen Clan!!!” All of them shouted with energy. Lo Hu used this moment to distance himself of the maid while giving her a wink.
The maid was utterly confused, turning her head from the crowd to Lo Hu continuously, clearly not understanding the situation. When a young man gave her a bouquet of flowers, she broke down. Dropping tears and thanking the people, her voice trembling with emotion.
Lo Hu felt satisfied. In his opinion, the principal strength of the Clan was his unity. Not only of the Clansmen and associate soldiers, but also of the servant. It wasn’t by luck that the Clan had never suffered an internal bloodshed. It treated his people strictly but fairly, winning they hearts.
The crowd chatted cheerfully, presenting themselves to the new maid. The new maid was clearly exited, internally redoubling her determination to perform well in her work.
“Grandpa Hu, the Clan Master requires your presence.” Said a guard fully equipped with black leather armor and a sword held in his waist. His right hand was in the sword handle, and even inside the property while doing a menial task he was carefully inspecting the people and the surroundings. Indications of a highly trained soldier.
The Clan Master was in the main building, an hexagonal green pagoda of twelve floors called Sky Jade Pagoda. The top floor, that he used as a office, was austere but practical.
Shen Aiguo, the Clan Master of the Shen Clan, was a tall and robust man. With black hair and green eyes, his mere appearance denoted authority. He was at the seven level of the Origin realm at his forties, a feat worthy of respect.
“I selected Shen Junjie as my successor candidate.” Said Shen Aiguo looking at his butler.
Lo Hu raised his left eyebrow in surprise. “He isn’t worthy, he has become arrogant.” As his butler, pointing at the mistakes of his master is of the upmost importance.
“He’s my son, at the nine level of the Qi realm with only sixteen summers, with deep intelligence and enough political aptitude to win the admiration of all his tutors, but in the end… Yes, he has become arrogant. For this reason, for now on you’ll become his butler, with your influence at his side he’ll become worthy. As I did.” Words full of certainty, but his tone contained a slight trace of apprehension.
Lo Hu remained silent. After fifty breaths he said. “When will the competition start?” He had accepted implicitly the request. Shen Aiguo couldn't help to give a strange smile, as if he didn’t expect to receive his butler help.
“In a year. Every Grand Elder has been informed to select they candidates. The winner will be considered the next Clan Master and nurtured accordingly. An arrogant person in the position would be a disaster. Help my son to become a true leader, worthy of respect. I give you full authority about this matter, but remember that in ten days he’ll reenter the imperial academy, make the appropriate preparations.“
Lo Hu left the Sky Jade Pagoda in direction to a small house north of the pagoda, nearby a small lake with koi fishes.
Ten meters before the house, Lo Hu made a series of hand signals. This was the code to ask for admittance to the house, a code that was changed daily.
A person with black silk clothes and a silver mask appeared in from of him, as if he was there since the beginning. He was one of the shadows of the Shen Clan, a unit dedicated to intelligence gathering and assassination. “This is the token of the Clan Master and these are his orders.” Lo Hu said, giving to the shadow an intricate Jade Deer Token and a silver scroll.
“Wait a moment until we have the room prepared, grandpa Lo Hu.” Said the shadow cordially.
Lo Hu was very familiar with this shadow, a slim man in his thirties, adopted by the Clan when young. He used to bribe him with sesame fritters to complete his literature homework.
But, he didn’t interact more with him. The real identities of the shadows were precious secrets. Interacting with a shadow in duty was equally to a give clues to possible observers, even in the heart of the Clan one shouldn’t be careless.
Being granted admittance, Lo Hu entered into the house where a comfy room with a table brimmed with scrolls awaited him. This was all the information about young master Shen Junjie; his character and habits, his friends and foes, his merits and demerits.
As his newly appointed butler, he needed to study about his new master. Lo Hu was very familiar with Shen Junjie, being the butler of his father for three decades, he had paid especial attention to him. But, occurrences outside the Clan like his attendance to the imperial academy were beyond him, enough reasons to ask for information.
Hours passed slowly, when the sun was setting Lo Hu stopped reading and gave a heavy sight.
It was bad, worse that he had thought. Under the Clan influence, the young master acted proudly but composed, outside the clan was an entirely different matter. He acted like the classical arrogant young master, looking down on his peers.
He often started conflicts with people of low status, calling them trash. Disparaging they work, looking down on them. He was in love with the imperial princess Han Bi, revered by the students as the goddess of the imperial academy. He treated his unidirectional affection as if it was the will of the heavens. Creating problems to the princess and intimidating her male friends.
The young master was the genius of his generation. With both strength and intelligence. With this, his complex of superiority blossomed. It was Lo Hu duty to help him, to make him understand that even if he believes in himself, without people that believes in him we won’t be able to archive his dreams. Lo Hu prepared himself to pay his new master a visit.
In the residence of the Clan Master, the guards, maids and butlers cheerfully welcomed grandpa Lo Hu. When he saw an extremely old maid busily giving orders, he approached her and said, “Maid Wang Ushi, have you seen the young master Shen Junjie?” The maid frowned her wrinkled face, reacting as if interrupting her while busy was an unpardonable crime. Only when seeing that it was Lo Hu, she loosened slightly her frown.
“The young master is in his room meditating. He has requested to don’t be interrupted for an hour.” After saying this, Wang Ushi returned to give orders at the staff, completing disregarding him.
Lo Hu patiently waited outside Shen Junjie room, when the hour was up he knocked.
“Enter.” A steady voice, that denoted boundless confidence. Lo Hu looked at his new master, an exact copy of his father, but youngest. “My father has already told me about the succession competition and you being appointed at my service. I don’t intend to be disrespectful to you, grandpa Hu. But I don’t require your services, I’m more than capable to manage my interests form myself and I’m confident to perform well in the competition, winning the Clan respect. I’ll talk to my father and convince him that this is for the best, I’ll tell him that you’re more needed at Shen Chenguang side, she is really fond of you. Better not prolong this situation, you can leave. Dismissed.”
“Young master, pardon my disrespect. But, It looks like you have misunderstood something.” Said Lo Hu chuckling. “Since the moment that you entered the competition, you renounced at your freedom. You’ll agree that the Clan can’t be ruler by incompetent hands, right? If we give such authority to an arrogant brat like you the Clan will surely decline. Sadly, one year isn’t much time for the task, so I’ll have to be a little impolite in my methods, dropping the formalities, I hope that you can understand.”
Shen Junjie blinked twice, looking at his grandpa Hu – who used to change his diapers – as if he saw him for the first time. For him, grandpa Hu was an affable old man. Hearing him talking back like this was shocking.
After a few breaths, Shen Junjie started to turn red. “Disrespectful! You are heavily mistaken thinking that I won’t dare to punish you because you are well loved in the family. A servant must know his place in the order of things. You’ll be flogged in public twenty times as an example for the rest. Leave! Leave before I lose my temper and execute the punishment here and now.” His wrath was doubled as he considered this as a betrayal of a close member of his household.
“Don’t be so rash, young master.” Lo Hu laughed. “I came here to start your new training. Let this butler help you.”
Lo Hu body blurred, suddenly appearing in front of Shen Junjie. It was as if the time was slowed. Lo Hu casually raised his right hand, touching his master four times with his index finger, that’s all.
Shen Junjie fell into the floor, unconscious.