Truthfully, Yang Chunqiu's arrival at this fifth-circle Yuanling City was not announced publically. Even those who lived by trading around with information knew a little and assumed that Yang Chunqiu's appearance here was to reaffirm the Yang Household's standing in the city.
Only a few within this Yuanling City knew why Yang Chunqiu came here. These few include the Nanny, the Chief Guard of the Yang Seven-Courtyard Manor, the Housekeeper, and several important figures with close contact with the Yang Household within the city.
To the rest, Yang Chunqiu's arrival here was no different from coming here to enjoy his life leisurely. Even the house servants who were not informed would assume so. For example, the guard leader of Yang Chunqiu's Lesser Yang Courtyard, Yang Xuan.
He might have the surname "Yang" in his name, but that doesn't mean he was related to the noble "YANG" Household from the capital. In fact, even those like Yang Guiren and two other important figures in the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion weren't related to the noble family.
Still, they had a slightly higher status than a local like Yang Xuan. Those like Yang Guiren were considered a part of the "Yang" External Family, a household established for those who willingly took the surname "Yang" as their own.
...
"Angry? Why would I be angry with something menial like this?" Yang Chunqiu responded to Yang Xuan's question and reached his hand out to one of the teacups. Hot vapor escaping from the cup indicates that the hot tea inside was recently poured.
The reply confused Yang Xuan, as he was unsure how he should respond to the answer. He initially assumed that Yang Chunqiu was angered by Yang Guiren's deliberate action of keeping them away from the pavilion's upper floor.
But Yang Chunqiu's answer said otherwise.
"Didn't you tell the vice pavilion manager to give you a proper explanation later for his absurdity? How can you say that you're not after saying that?" Yang Xuan continued. As someone who lived straightforwardly and honestly, all these calculating matters were too much for him to understand.
"What kind of answer and excuses are you expecting from the vice pavilion manager?" Yang Chunqiu asked after finishing all the tea from his cup.
"In the first place, only two other people in this pavilion had the ability and power to make the vice manager take action. If that person wasn't the pavilion manager, it must be the Yuanling Branch Pavilion Master," Yang Chunqiu said.
"That deduction, actually... Make sense? I can't think of anyone else that could make the vice manager move." Yang Xuan nodded foolishly and refilled the teacup.
Just as Yang Chunqiu finished his second cup of tea, a knock came from the wooden door.
"This is the pavilion manager. May I obtain the young master's approval before stepping into the guest room?" the person outside the room said.
"Allowed," Yang Chunqiu responded to the request. He was slightly surprised deep inside because this was not much different from the historical TV Dramas. Hence, he was neither in a hurry nor taking his time.
Such a considerate and mild reply was considered giving the host ample face and respect.
"Thank you, young master." the door was pushed open afterward, with two people coming inside. One was Yang Guiren, the vice pavilion manager Yang Chunqiu met earlier.
"This humble one is the appointed pavilion manager for this branch. If the young master doesn't mind, please address this subordinate as Guiyuan." the other person said in his self-introduction.
"Was that all you come here for? If it is, then I am very disappointed..." Yang Chunqiu continued after seeing that both Yang Guiren and Yang Guiyuan already kept quiet.
Since neither appears to come here to apologize, Yang Chunqiu has no reason to phrase his words nicely.
Furthermore, how can Yang Chunqiu not see what kind of calculative thought they had in their head and from their facial expression? Even the salesperson back where he's from is more skillful than these two and the art of deception.
"Of course not, young master." Yang Guiyuan immediately interrupted before Yang Chunqiu could continue. The question also somewhat agitated Yang Guiren. Still, the flame of revolt was gone with a stare from Yang Guiyuan before he could open his mouth to say anything.
"Perhaps this subordinate is already getting old and took too long to respond. If so, I can only hope the young master could overlook this matter." Yang Guiyuan continued.
"Nevermind. There's nothing important anyway. If it's something important, the two of you would still be occupied with it instead of having so much time coming here to entertain me." Yang Chunqiu interrupted Yang Guiyuan with a sarcastic remark from his side.
"The negotiation we had early was indeed slightly important for the prosperity of Yuanling City. But it was considered a second-rate negotiation; hence, this subordinate dares not to bother the young master. I hope the young master can understand." Yang Guiyuan said.
"Since there's nothing important, I have no reason to stay here either." Yang Chunqiu placed the teacup in his hand and prepared to leave the guest room.
"Yang Xuan, since the matter of the pavilion has nothing they need me for, do you think I should find something else to do? I notice a lack of good-quality weapons on our way here. Should I purchase a smithery and start producing iron weapon on my own?" Yang Chunqiu chuckled.
"Young master... What happened today is our mistake. Please accept our utmost apology and forgive us for our unacceptable choice of words." Yang Guiren and Yang Guiyuan concede and quickly apologize before Yang Chunqiu places one foot outside the guest room.
"Alright, alright... Young master, you should stop teasing the two who weren't good at speaking. If you continue to do so, they'll panic and start making mistakes later. Allow this subordinate to brief you with all the updates you want." a third person joined the conversation just as Yang Chunqiu thought he was winning.
"You're?" Yang Chunqiu asked.
"Yang Xiao, Yuanling Branch Pavilion Master, greets the young master Yang Chunqiu."