"As I said, I am more capable of utilizing the Pearl Rice than the Burning Spirit Sect. If brewing some wine is all they can do, we should take this matter into our hands and monopolize the crop's production," said Yang Chunqiu. Each of his words is like a blow from a saint-level expert, capable of demolishing all the thoughts in Yang Xiao's mind.
"Yo-Young master! Words like these are not something to be said so loudly!" Yang Xiao's panic was more evident this time than before. Came along with his response was a hint of terror as if it was not advisable to speak ill of the Burning Spirit Sect at all.
"I am merely letting you know what to expect. Hopefully, you're not taking what I've said as a joke. In three months, there'll be a wave. And before that, I hope you can make up your mind, whether you're with or against us. There won't be an option of standing in between and reap benefits from both sides." Yang Chunqiu added.
"The next time you send a messenger over, I hope there's some good news. Also, I hope this matter will be made confidential from unrelated people. Deliver the Pearl Rice quietly into the Seven-Courtyard Manor and brewing jars with the height on my waist. I'll also expect you to arrange cooking stoves, firewood, and sugar for me." he continued.
"Will you be cooking?" Yang Xiao asked because most of the items requested by Yang Chunqiu are related to cooking.
"That's not something you need to know unless you decide. As for the rest, I'll decide how much to tell you after I see your performance." Yang Chunqiu confidently said before he left the Pavilion Master's office.
...
"The young master actually came out unscathed and unbroken? Does that mean that Pavilion Master Xiao failed to teach him a lesson? That would be impossible, don't you think?" the vice pavilion manager, Yang Guiren, whispered.
"I feel that the possibility of him failing is quite high. If not, the young master wouldn't be so carefree while leaving the office." The pavilion manager, Yang Guiyuan, also shared his thoughts.
"Managers..."
"!!!"
"Who???"
The two were frightened when an employee called them. They were startled like two chickens sneaked into the kitchen.
"Hush!" Yang Guiren's response also startled the employee who came to him. "Why are you calling us for?" he added while wiping away the sweat around his forehead.
"A client made a purchase, so we need a Mark of Release from the managers." the employee said.
Afraid that they'd be questioned by the Pavilion Master for being a busybody, the two quickly returned to their post.
Meanwhile, Yang Chunqiu had returned to the ground floor.
"Young master, I've asked for the places you mentioned earlier. We can leave anytime you want and pay them a visit." Yang Xuan said.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." Yang Chunqiu seemed to be in a good mood after leaving the office. With a big smile on his face, the two left the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion and went to the shops chosen by Yang Xuan.
The two returned to the manor later in the evening, with Yang Xuan carrying a few sacks of assorted fruits. The number of sweeter fruits was more than those with tangy flavor, but most belonged to the berries family.
"Young master, should I get the servants to prepare you water for a bath first?" the nanny came and helped wipe some dust away from Yang Chunqiu's face. Her eyes then glared at Yang Xuan with the intent to kill him for not taking care of the young master properly.
"No. Show me to the kitchen instead. Did Housekeeper Liang Sheng collects the information I've asked for?" Yang Chunqiu rejected the idea of going for a bath and chose to go to the kitchen instead.
"Why would you purposely visit the filthy kitchen, young master? If there's anything you need, just let this nanny know." the nanny was saddened by Yang Chunqiu's answer but didn't think too much of it.
On the contrary, she felt that the kitchen wasn't suitable for a visit by someone of Yang Chunqiu's caliber.
"I naturally had something to do there. You come with me as well, nanny. Just send a servant to call Housekeeper Liang Sheng over." Yang Chunqiu said without thinking much.
With the nanny and Yang Xuan leading the way, Yang Chunqiu quickly came to a considerably pristine kitchen that was cleaned in a hurry.
"Alright. Since this was the first batch, I hope that you people would just take this opportunity to follow and understand the steps. When the new set of equipment arrives, I will be expecting some of you to be informed with what you have to do." said Yang Chunqiu.
"Boil some water and bring me two buckets of clean water from the well. I will need some of you to separate the berries from the stem and remove any visible sand and dirt."
"The water is boiled. Quickly toss the pots and utensils we'll be using inside. Remember, this is what we call [disinfecting] process. Everything must go through this process once for the rest of the things we'll be doing next."
"Is there any sugar in the kitchen, nanny?" Yang Chunqiu asked. Only after visiting the kitchen did he realize the amount of seasoning available was little to none. Even the salt he consumed came from a piece of pure mineral salt that's yet to be refined into salt grains and must be done daily before the kitchen starts preparing the food.
"We have this piece of honey block refined from the Mountain Beenest. Can they be an alternative for the sugar you're looking for?" the nanny asked, bringing up a wooden box before him.
It seemed that the honey block was also considered an expensive commodity because it had to be locked within a wooden box and required the housekeeper's key before they were allowed to use it.
Coincidently, Housekeeper Liang Sheng also arrived at the kitchen to monitor the process with Yang Chunqiu.
"Can this subordinate ask, what are we trying to do here?" Housekeeper Liang Sheng said.
"I am cultivating some yeast that is suitable to be used to brew wine." Yang Chunqiu replied.