176: Chapter 176 Searching for the Mansion

Early the next morning, the morning light of Lijiang filtered through the terrace of the Banyan Tree and spilled onto the floor of the room.

Liu Yifei woke up early and was busily packing with great enthusiasm, wearing a light-colored knit cardigan paired with jeans, her long hair tied in a simple low ponytail.

After spending most of yesterday exploring the old town, not only did she not feel tired, but she was also full of anticipation for today's trip to the Mu Mansion and the Five Phoenixes Tower.

When Chen Mo finished washing up and walked out of the room, he saw Liu Yifei leaning against the terrace railing, looking at the green mountains in the distance with a smile on her face.

"So early? It seems you're in a hurry to go to the Mu Mansion."

Chen Mo walked over, hugged her from behind, and said softly.

Liu Yifei turned around, looked into Chen Mo's eyes, and said with a smile:

"Of course! You said yesterday that the Mu Mansion was the residence of the Mu Clan Tusi back then and that it was magnificent. I want to go see it, and I can even listen to you tell stories about the Mu Clan Tusi. It's so interesting."

"What's the rush? Breakfast has already been arranged. We'll head out after we eat."

Chen Mo took her hand and led her toward the dining room, saying as they walked:

"The Mu Mansion isn't far from the old town, just a ten-minute drive. We'll take our time exploring; there's no rush. We can see every single sight in the Mu Mansion."

After finishing breakfast, the two of them got into the Tianxing custom business van and set off for the Mu Mansion.

The car slowly drove away from the Banyan Tree. The scenery along the way was still beautiful, with houses featuring black tiles and white walls scattered in an orderly fashion. The mountain mist had not yet completely dissipated, making everything look hazy and lovely.

Ten odd minutes later, the car came to a steady stop at the entrance of the Mu Mansion. Looking from a distance, the Mu Mansion was built against the mountain, its vermilion gates were magnificent, and the stone lions at the entrance stood majestically. The two large characters "Mu Mansion" on the plaque were bold and powerful, exuding the weight and style of a centuries-old residence.

"Wow, so this is the Mu Mansion! It's even more grand than I imagined!"

Liu Yifei took Chen Mo's hand and walked quickly to the entrance of the Mu Mansion, looking up at the building in front of her and saying softly:

"This gate is so imposing; it's clearly no ordinary residence."

Chen Mo nodded with a smile and led her into the Mu Mansion:

"Of course. Back then, the Mu Clan Tusi was the supreme ruler of Lijiang, and the Mu Mansion was their residence. It's equivalent to our ancient imperial palaces, just on a smaller scale, but its grandeur is not lacking at all.

Look at this architecture; it has the palatial grandeur of the Han ethnic group, the architectural characteristics of the naxi ethnic group, and the decorative style of the Tibetan ethnic group. It's very sophisticated."

Entering the Mu Mansion, the first thing that caught their eyes was a wide flagstone path lined with lush ancient trees. Their dense foliage blocked out the sun, and the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves formed mottled shadows.

At the end of the flagstone path was a tall Hall of Deliberation with vermilion pillars, carved doors and windows, and a roof covered in glazed tiles that shimmered in the sunlight.

"This must be the Hall of Deliberation, right?"

Liu Yifei walked to the entrance of the Hall of Deliberation and asked softly:

"Was this where the Mu Clan Tusi handled government affairs and received guests back then?"

"Exactly!"

Chen Mo nodded and said:

"This is the core area of the Mu Mansion. Back then, the Mu Clan Tusi would gather the clansmen to discuss important matters and receive outside guests right here.

Look at the furnishings inside; they've all been restored to their original appearance. The tables and chairs are made of solid wood with very exquisite carvings, showing the prosperity of the Mu Mansion in those days."

Liu Yifei walked into the Hall of Deliberation and looked around curiously at everything inside. She reached out and gently touched the solid wood tables and chairs nearby, saying:

"These tables and chairs must be hundreds of years old, right?

They still feel so smooth to the touch. It's truly not easy for them to be so well-preserved."

Her heart was full of emotion; everything before her eyes spoke of the Mu Clan Tusi's former glory and witnessed the changes in Lijiang.

"Yes, to remain so well-preserved after hundreds of years of wind and rain is indeed no easy feat!"

Chen Mo accompanied her, explaining slowly:

"The Mu Clan Tusi ruled Lijiang for hundreds of years, always focusing on cultural and economic development while actively communicating with the Central Plains. That's why the architecture and culture of the Mu Mansion blend the characteristics of so many ethnic groups, which also led to the prosperity of Lijiang back then."

The two walked along the flagstone path, slowly exploring the various courtyards of the Mu Mansion: Wenchang Palace, Wanjuan Tower, and Yuyin Tower. Each building had its own unique characteristics, with a rigorous and well-spaced layout.

Liu Yifei stopped from time to time to take photos and would occasionally ask Chen Mo stories about the Mu Mansion, all of which Chen Mo answered patiently.

After finishing their tour of the Mu Mansion, it was already after eleven in the morning. The two had a few local snacks, rested for ten odd minutes, and then set off for the Five Phoenixes Tower.

The Five Phoenixes Tower is located on Lion Mountain in Lijiang Old Town, not far from the Mu Mansion—just a few minutes' drive away. Looking from a distance, the Five Phoenixes Tower was built against the mountain with a uniquely shaped roof that looked like five phoenixes about to take flight, hence the name Five Phoenixes Tower.

"Is that the Five Phoenixes Tower?"

Liu Yifei pointed at the building in the distance and said to Chen Mo:

"The roof really looks like five phoenixes! It's so special, and the design is so exquisite!"

"Yes, this is the Five Phoenixes Tower."

Chen Mo said with a smile:

"It's one of Lijiang's landmark buildings. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty by the Mu Clan Tusi to commemorate his own achievements.

Look at its roof; there are five layers in total, each with upturned eaves shaped like phoenix wings. From a distance, it looks like five phoenixes spreading their wings to fly high, which is quite spectacular."

The two climbed Lion Mountain and walked to the front of the Five Phoenixes Tower to take a close look at this unique building.

The walls of the Five Phoenixes Tower are made of brick and stone, the carvings on the doors and windows are superb, the roof is covered with black tiles, and wind chimes hang from the eaves. When the wind blows, the chimes tinkle softly and melodiously.

Entering the Five Phoenixes Tower, the ceiling inside was covered with exquisite colorful paintings, mostly depicting flowers, birds, and landscapes in vivid and lifelike colors.

"These paintings are so exquisite!"

Liu Yifei looked up at the paintings on the ceiling and said softly:

"Every stroke is drawn so delicately, and the colors are beautiful. It's truly amazing that they could be preserved for so many years."

Her heart was full of wonder; whether it was the grandeur of the Mu Mansion or the exquisiteness of the Five Phoenixes Tower, she was deeply fascinated.

"These paintings were all meticulously drawn by the craftsmen of that time, and after hundreds of years, the colors remain vibrant."

Chen Mo said:

"Moreover, the Five Phoenixes Tower is in a great location. Standing on the tower, you can overlook the entire scenery of Lijiang Old Town—the black tiles, white walls, small bridges, and flowing water are all in full view. Let's go up and take a look."

Saying this, he walked up with Liu Yifei.

The two reached the top floor of the Five Phoenixes Tower and pushed open the window. The entire view of Lijiang Old Town came into sight: the winding flagstone paths, the clear streams, the well-arranged houses, and the green mountains in the distance formed a beautiful painting.

Liu Yifei leaned against the window, looking at the scenery before her, and couldn't help but say:

"It's so beautiful! Looking at the old town from here feels completely different from walking through it. The entire scenery of the old town is in full view; it's so breathtaking."

"Yes, this is the best place to overlook the old town."

Chen Mo gently put his arm around her shoulder:

"When we come to Lijiang again in the future, I'll bring you here again to see the old town's scenery in different seasons. It will surely have another kind of charm."

Liu Yifei nodded and said happily:

"Okay, I want to come back. The scenery here is so beautiful; I can never get enough of it."