Leaving Yanyun Pavilion, Zhao Xunyin sent Dou Kou to gather information.
Soon enough, Dou Kou came jogging back.
Zhao Xunyin asked her, "How is it?"
Dou Kou replied, "The young master had the gentleman paint, which is why it took longer."
"What kind of painting?"
"It seems to be Phoenix Seeking Phoenix. The young master told the gentleman that this is a Lu Family tradition, called the door-opening ceremony; the gentleman must complete the painting before he can take the bride away. Right now, the guests and young masters from the family are all outside the gate watching the gentleman paint."
Zhao Xunyin chuckled, "Is it well painted?"
"There were so many people, I didn't see it," Dou Kou recalled the scene earlier. "But I heard them all praising it, saying the gentleman painted it really well, worthy of being the third-place scholar of that year."
