"Young Master Rong has come from afar; my humble abode is truly honored."
Inside the council chamber, Hu Yanwang smiled obsequiously at Rong Heng.
"I wonder if any official has asked you to convey a message to me on your journey, Young Master Rong?"
Rong Heng waved his hand: "Don't worry, Master Hu. You've always been reliable when working under the magistrate. He didn't have anything to say to you this time."
King Hu Yanwang breathed a sigh of relief and felt at ease.
He had given the lion's share of his business profits over the years to that important person, and it was precisely because of the important person's patronage that he was able to live a carefree life in the mountains year after year.
Although his business was large, he was also self-aware enough to know that the silver he had given as tribute over the years was nothing more than a drop in the ocean to the lord. If he did well, that was to be expected; if he did poorly and the lord had to trouble himself to give him pointers, then he would truly deserve to die a thousand deaths.
He knew beforehand that a young master named Rong was coming, and the master had specifically instructed him to treat him with utmost respect and not to offend him lightly, or else he would be held responsible. Therefore, he had been quite uneasy these past few days, fearing that young master Rong had received orders from the master to come and deliver a message. After all, he had no way of finding out who this young master Rong was, otherwise he could have made preparations earlier.
Now, knowing that Young Master Rong hadn't come to punish him, the worry in his eyes finally subsided, and he felt relieved. He quickly smiled and said:
"Young master, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest well today. Tomorrow I will prepare a simple feast to entertain you. I hope you will do me the honor of attending."
After finishing his tea, Rong Heng said in a cool voice, "I came here this time on someone's behalf to inquire about someone from Master Hu. She is the daughter of the governor of Jiangzhou. She was abducted last winter. I know that you, Master Hu, have absolute power over all the business in the capital, so I asked you for help and came here."
“I know Mr. Hu’s business practices. You just need to tell me who she was sold to, and I’ll handle the rest with the buyer. I won’t make things difficult for you, okay?”
"As for the banquet, I think it's unnecessary. I'm short on time and I'm afraid there won't be enough time to spare."
King Hu was surprised that he was so cold-hearted, asking him for people right away and refusing his invitation. He felt a sudden displeasure in his heart.
But being a businessman, he was accustomed to being diplomatic and tactful, and instead of getting angry, he gently explained to him:
"This will probably take some time. Even if we act quickly, we won't be able to gather the information until this time tomorrow. It's also not advisable for you to go out into the mountains at night, as jackals and tigers roam freely there. If something were to happen to you, how could I explain it to my superiors?"
“What you say is true, Master Hu, but please hurry. If you find her, I will send her to Jiangzhou and make sure she doesn’t gossip and let Master Hu’s business slip by.” To put Master Hu’s worries to rest assured, Rong Heng added.
He needed a bargaining chip to enter the game and sit at the same table as Prince Cheng.
The governor of Jiangzhou, who controlled the military forces of Jiangzhou, was an excellent candidate. Unfortunately, he had neither lofty ambitions nor immediate worries, and his only concern was his young daughter who had gone missing last year.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have done business with that person, just to find a way to get in touch with King Yama.
Having received Hu Yanwang's permission, Rong Heng did not linger any longer and turned to rest in the small courtyard that Hu Yanwang had prepared for him.
After the footsteps faded away, the smile on Hu Yanwang's face disappeared. He stared fiercely at the teacup that Rong Heng had used, raised his hand and flicked his sleeve, and the teacup was rolled up by his sleeve and fell to the ground, shattering into pieces in an instant with a crisp cracking sound.
"Who does he think he is? If it weren't for the support of the adults, would he dare to speak to me, King Hu?"
At this point, the word "King Yama," which others used to describe him as extremely vicious, became his own label.
The butler exclaimed "Oh dear!" and quickly brewed some warm tea for him, bringing it to him: "Master, please calm down. Why bother arguing with him? He was just lucky to be able to stand before you and speak to you, but you earned your position today through your own hard work!"
The steward had been by his side for a long time and had figured out his temperament, so after he said that, Hu Yanwang's mood indeed improved.
"He's just a greenhorn, thinking he's some kind of phoenix from a pheasant's nest. What's with all this arrogance? He doesn't deserve to look down on me. In twenty years, I'll make him understand who's the grandson and who's the grandfather!"
He tilted his head back and gulped down the tea, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve and instructed the steward, "You heard what he said earlier. Go and handle this matter well, and make sure he doesn't find any fault with it."
"Yes, sir, I'll go right away."
"Wait," Hu Yanwang called out to the steward who had already turned to leave, "Go and fetch Haitang."
The butler lowered his head and replied with a "Yes."
...
Haitang lived in Qingyin Garden behind the West Courtyard. She used to be a member of an opera troupe and had a beautiful voice. It was because of this that she was noticed by King Hu and bought back.
The steward went to Qingyin Garden and asked the maid where the crabapple was. After receiving the answer, he went to the side room as instructed.
"Knock knock knock—"
"Who is it?" Haitang asked in a soft voice as she lay on the bed, glancing at the door.
"Madam Begonia, it is I."
"Butler, come in." Haitang sat up, buttoned up her clothes, thought for a while, then unbuttoned them, leaned against the headboard, and lazily looked at the door.
As soon as the steward entered, she threw off the brocade quilt, stepped barefoot, and rushed into his arms. "You rascal! I thought you had someone else since you hadn't come for so long, but I never expected you would still remember me, a flower that has faded with time."
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