Before entering the inn, An Xiao Ning and An Xi Ming came from inside and both gave the proper courtesy.
"Eldest young master, the staying arrangements have been done but…" An Xiao Ning said.
All focused their attention on An Xiao Ming when he said 'but', but An Xi Ming interceded, "But we are going to stay on the second floor", making their gazes shift to him.
"Second floor?" The Great Elder said inquisitively.
An Xi Ming didn't answer and just looked up towards An Xiao Ning, his pitch black eyes were obviously telling 'you answer that'.
An Xiao Ning, who felt his gaze on him, didn't bother to look at him; replying, "The Imperial family allowed two Top Noble Clans to stay here".
Apart of the rank given to a clan for their strength, all the clans in the Liu Dynasty had a special way of addressing which was like a title, mean to determine another kind of status that came with certain privileges. Ancient Clans were the ones who along the Imperial family founded the Liu Dynasty through an alliance, being the biggest contributors and also the ones who set up the several rules that this Dynasty has. The Noble Clans were as old as the Ancient Clans and were also present in the foundation of the Dynasty but they didn't actually take much part on it; there wasn't much meaning to this title now as Noble Clans could also be demoted of their status and also because Neo Clans, which were clans that were formed after the Empire's establishment and that rose to prominence throughout this Dynasty's long history, could gain such addressing as long as they made enough merits for the nation.
"Hoh, I wonder which ones?" The Great Elder said.
"The Li and Xun Clans", An Xi Ming quickly replied.
"Did the…"
"Enough of this, if they are staying here already, it means that they came to an agreement with the other Ancient Clans. There's no meaning in discussing this, we came late after all", An Yu Yong interrupted the Great Elder, emphasizing his last sentence.
The Great Elder furrowed his brows; he understood An Yu Yong's hidden meaning. The Imperial family wouldn't bother to ask them for their opinion. He was certain that the Imperial family had only asked for the three Top Ancient Clans' consent.
At long last, the Great Elder sighed before turning his head back to look for Captain Xiu Tu; but he wasn't here, he had gone to park the carriages at the inn's side square. He pondered a little before turning around at An Yu Yong call.
"If there isn't another problem, let's enter, then". An Yu Yong flapped his long sleeves and walked towards the inn's doorway but he stopped after giving five steps or so, he didn't hear the familiar steps of his little sister. He turned his head back and saw her rooted to the ground, motionless.
"Little sister, little sister…" He called a few times but he received no answer.
"… little sister, An Bing Qing", he heightened his tone.
"Eh, ah… what is it?" She was completely lost; her head had gone into deep thought when she heard the Xun Clan was also staying here. Xun Fei Rong, Xun Clan's third miss, had been one of the Concubines that had entered her husband backyard in the past; though he had never paid them any heed, they had still made things complicated. Especially her along with Mo Clan's eldest miss, Mo Yan Yan; the latter being the most troublesome as she came from a Top Ancient Clan and also was the niece of the second wife of her father-in-law. She was already prepared to face her in her stay here, as she was one of the geniuses in the Mo Clan but now she was going to stay in the same inn with Xun Fei Rong, as well. This made her innards churn in discomfort.
An Yu Yong shook his head helplessly and said, "Tsk, I see that you still aren't completely awake, you are even sleeping standing. If you want to sleep so badly wait until you reach your room".
"I wasn't", An Bing Qing instantly retorted, changing her line of thinking.
She stomped her feet on the ground and strode forward. As she passed by An Yu Yong's side, she said, "Anyway, which one is going to be my room?"
"Number 255 has the best view of the inn's backyard while number 256 has the best view of this street", An Xiao Ning was the one to answer.
"Oh, really…" She said as she turned her head to look towards An Xiao Ning; she gave a pause and regarded his serious looks. After appraising him for a second, she nodded, adding, "Thank you".
She turned back and entered the inn.
An Yu Yong followed her after giving An Xiao Ning a meaningful gaze.
The Great Elder tilted his head when he saw this gaze. At length, he thought, 'You are overthinking things'. He knew his son well. Both of them were alike; though his son had a stern standing, he was kind and that was even more with women. Because of An Xiao Ning's deceased mother, who was a sickly person, he tended to be more conscious of women necessities.
But An Xi Ming didn't think like the Great Elder and threw him a gaze that said, 'You see, even the eldest young master and your father think like me'.
An Xiao Ning gave him a slight glimpse before following his father who had already entered the inn.
An Xi Ming gave a mirthful laugh and only chased after him when he didn't see his silhouette.