Ageing

In Ancient China, when a Mandarin was getting old, he used to leave the Capital, going South.
The ageing Mandarin knew he would have been in need for even more protection. So he spent days and days in having Trees growing all over the place, as new symbols of his power. He now could rest, They were looking after him, he was safe again.
The three photos here were sent to me early this morning from Shanghai, where C. Lee is hiding at the moment (hiding has no negative meaning at all. Hide yourself in the woods is a wish I would say to my best friend).
She said these trees have been protecting first the Mandarin, then the Yuyuan Garden for centuries.

Now she found new protection too.