Chapter 462: I Am the Lord Master!

A few days later, Yuzhou City.

The damp river mist rose along the steep stone steps, winding upward all the way.

Just upon entering the Bashu region, countless mountain paths forced the party to abandon their carts and ride on horseback.

The vendor's shout rang extremely loudly: "Potstickers—spicy and jumping! Tofu rice—guaranteed full!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes weren't enough: "Big brother, I want to eat that!"

"Alright, have this then!" Xiao Ningyuan looked up at the riverside eatery and said, "The name is rather interesting."

Xiao Er lifted Tuan Tuan from the horse, leading her to follow Xiao Ningyuan inside.

The waiter greeted with a beaming smile: "Please this way, everyone. First time in Yuzhou? What would you like to eat?"

Lu Qi and his guards tied up their horses, entered, and everyone took seats.

Xiao Ningyuan asked, "What's the specialty dish here?"

Tuan Tuan was already drawn to a bright red bowl on the neighboring table, pointing: "What's that? So red!"

The waiter glanced back, gave a thumbs‑up: "You have good eyes, little miss; that's Yuzhou's specialty, hot pot."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Big brother, I want hot pot!"

"Alright," Xiao Ningyuan said, "Waiter, we're many; one pot might not be enough, you handle it."

After speaking, he pulled out a piece of broken silver and tossed it to the waiter: "Thanks for your effort, here you go."

The waiter caught the silver, delighted: "Got it! Sir, it'll be right away!"

Soon, two copper pots were carried up.

The broth boiled, scattered with Sichuan pepper and chilies, the hot, spicy aroma surged straight into the nostrils.

Xiao Er pulled Tuan Tuan's chair back a bit: "Miss, be careful not to get burned."

Lu Qi added meat slices and vegetables to the pot: "Don't be impatient, miss; once they're cooked I'll place them in your bowl. You have to dip them in this sauce to make them tasty."

The meat and vegetables cooked in the pot, becoming ready in moments.

Tuan Tuan happily scooped the meat slices from the bowl, blew on them, and shoved them into her mouth.

"Sss—ha! So spicy! So spicy!" Xiao Tuanzi was so hot she stuck out her tongue, tears welled, her little hand frantically fanned the corner of her mouth, gasping, "But it's so fragrant!"

Xiao Ningyuan couldn't help but laugh, quickly poured a bowl of ice‑chilled fermented rice wine glutinous rice balls and fed them to her.

Tuan Tuan gulped a few mouthfuls, finally suppressing the burning sensation in her mouth.

Xiao Er frowned: "Miss, you can't handle this; I'll see if there's something else tasty for you."

Tuan Tuan shook her head vigorously: "No, Uncle Er, this is delicious! I want more!"

Xiao Er glanced at Xiao Ningyuan, eyes clearly saying: "Young master, won't you intervene?"

Xiao Ningyuan pretended not to see, scooped another slice of meat from the hot pot for Tuan Tuan, and shouted, "Waiter! Bring me more ice‑chilled fermented rice wine glutinous rice balls!"

"Alright! Sir, coming right away!"

Xiao Er rolled his eyes.

Lu Qi smiled faintly, murmuring, "Young master, Yuzhou also has a tea house of the Tianji Pavilion; if you wish to gauge the depth of this place, its information is the most up‑to‑date."

"How about we go there?"

"Fine." Xiao Ningyuan added a few more slices for Tuan Tuan, "Once she's full we'll go."

After Tuan Tuan's little belly swelled with satisfaction, content, the group finally left, found a clean inn and settled the horses and luggage.

Xiao Ningyuan, Xiao Er, Lu Qi, leading Tuan Tuan, arrived at the tea house of the Tianji Pavilion.

The tea house, called Two Rivers Confluence, had a very ordinary façade, even somewhat dated.

But as soon as the few stepped inside, a noisy wave of heat slammed into them.

The first floor was packed with tea patrons, the chatter roaring.

The most eye‑catching sight was the tea servers darting about, each holding a copper‑spouted teapot nearly three feet tall; with a flick of the wrist, a stream of scalding water was precisely poured into a covered bowl several feet away, without a drop missing.

"Wow!" Tuan Tuan widened her eyes, tugged Xiao Ningyuan's sleeve, "Big brother, look! That pot's spout is so long!"

Xiao Ningyuan was also amazed: "That skill isn't achieved in a single day!"

The waiter came up: "Would you like tea, or perhaps a few games?"

Tuan Tuan produced a Mystic Command: "I am the Lord Master!"

The waiter saw the token, his expression instantly changed, and he bowed: "Honored guests, please proceed to the third floor!"

He raised his voice: "Four esteemed guests! A private room awaits!"

The waitstaff inside echoed in unison: "Got it! Private room on the third floor! Four guests!"

"Please follow me." The waiter led the group up the stairs.

When they reached the second floor, everyone stopped in stunned silence.

They had assumed the second floor was also a private lounge, but it turned out to be a gambling den.

The crisp clatter of dominoes, the shouts of leaf‑playing, and the crash of horse‑racing cards blended together.

Even more, some wagered over Go and Chinese chess, their faces electrified amid the swirling tea steam.

Xiao Ningyuan pulled Tuan Tuan closer to him.

Lu Qi, however, remained composed: "If the Tianji Pavilion's tea house weren't a gathering of all schools and factions, its information couldn't be so swift."

Xiao Er nodded: "Truly impressive."

The group entered a private room on the third floor; from the window they could see distant sail shadows on the river, and Tuan Tuan climbed onto the windowsill chair: "Wow, so beautiful!"

The waiter placed a few delicate pastries on the table: "Please wait a moment, everyone."

A moment later, the private room's door was gently pushed open, and a woman dressed in a lotus‑pink robe entered.

She appeared to be around thirty, her features clear and beautiful, her bearing brisk and dashing.

She knelt before Tuan Tuan, her voice crisp: "I am Su Wanyun, manager of the Two Rivers Confluence in Yuzhou, pleased to meet the Lord Master."

Everyone returned the salute: "Officer Su, pleased to meet you."

"Sister Su, how are you!" Tuan Tuan slid off the chair, smiling, walked up to her, "Come on, get up!"

Su Wanyun straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the few people, and when it landed on Lu Qi's face, she paused slightly.

Lu Qi was also looking at her; their eyes met, and both felt a jolt.

Xiao Er's heart stirred, he glanced at the two, but remained silent.

Everyone took their seats, exchanged a few pleasantries, and Xiao Ningyuan got straight to the point: "Shopkeeper Su, we came this time to inquire whether, within Yu Prefecture's territory, there exists any place that has existed since the previous dynasty and remained largely unchanged."

He paused: "Ancient sites, old residences, Taoist temples, etc., are all acceptable."

Su Wanyun poured tea for everyone one by one, then pondered briefly: "If we speak of places that have stood since the previous dynasty with their appearance largely unchanged, there are only two within Yu Prefecture city."

"One is the White Crane Ridge west of the city; during the dry season, stone carvings from the previous dynasty can be seen, a favored spot for literati to pay their respects. The other is the Incense-Burning Tower."

"Near the Heaven-Facing Gate Dock, the building is an old structure from the previous dynasty, but now it has become a song-and-dance entertainment venue, bustling with crowds coming and going every day."

She paused: "However, according to the information we have, this Incense-Burning Tower is actually the property of Prince Qing."