Chapter 79: Back To The Pavilion I

As Lu Feng walked away from the noise and filth of the Lower District, he stopped under the shade of a wide stone archway and glanced up at the sun hanging high in the morning sky. It was still quite early, and returning directly to the mini estate felt like a waste of a productive day.

Besides, there was a pressing matter that had been weighing heavily on his mind since yesterday—a personal inquiry that required the insight and resources of someone with vast, city-wide influence.

Changing his direction, Lu Feng navigated through the bustling commercial avenues toward the towering, majestic structure of the Grand Crimson Pavilion. Its walls and roof tiles gleamed brilliantly under the bright light, standing out like a beacon of absolute wealth over the surrounding market square.

True to his word, he was returning to meet with Senior Sister Su Rong. What he did not know, however, was that the influential woman had been anticipating his arrival with equal eagerness. Ever since their brief encounter the previous day, Su Rong had left strict, unmistakable instructions with her staff regarding his arrival.

The moment Lu Feng stepped across the grand marble threshold into the opulent main lobby, a sleekly dressed senior receptionist immediately noticed him. She scanned his facial features and dark robes, her eyes widening slightly before she hurried forward, offering a deep, respectful bow.

"Greetings, honored guest," she said smoothly, her hands folded neatly over her sash. "May I ask your name and how the Grand Crimson Pavilion may assist you today?"

"My name is Lu Feng and I am here to see Senior Sister Su Rong," Lu Feng replied calmly, adjusting the dark sleeves of his robe.

The receptionist’s face lit up with an immediate, radiant smile. She bowed even lower than before, extending a welcoming hand toward the velvet-carpeted staircase.

"Ah! Young Master Lu! Senior Sister Su has explicitly instructed us to await your arrival! Welcome to our establishment! Please, step this way to our elite private viewing balcony."

As she guided him up the stairs, Lu Feng glanced sideways at her. "Is Senior Sister Su currently in her office?"

"Big Sister Su is currently out attending an urgent merchant guild meeting at the city hall, Young Master Lu," the receptionist explained politely as she opened a pair of carved rosewood doors. "However, she knew you might drop by today and left strict orders. She should return very shortly. Please, make yourself at home."

She ushered him onto a luxurious, silk-curtained viewing balcony that overlooked the central courtyard of the pavilion.

"If there is anything you require, simply call for us," the receptionist added with another bow before stepping backward out of the room. "Please enjoy your rest."

No sooner had Lu Feng taken his seat on a comfortable, carved rosewood chair than the curtain rustled open again. A flock of five attentive servant girls glided into the room like delicate butterflies, carrying polished silver trays.

"Young Master Lu, please allow us to serve you," the lead servant girl said softly, placing a delicate porcelain pot on the table. "This is our finest Jasmine Tea, freshly brewed."

"Thank you," Lu Feng said, nodding slightly.

"We have also brought fresh fruit pastries, candied lotus seeds, and roasted nuts," another servant girl chimed in, arranging small crystal plates across the table. "Please sample them while you wait."

Before Lu Feng could even pour his tea, two soft-stepping musicians carrying a zither and a wooden flute stepped onto a small stage behind a sheer silk curtain at the corner of the balcony.

"Would Young Master Lu prefer a lively tune or a calming melody while you enjoy your tea?" the zither player asked, her voice light and respectful from behind the curtain.

"A calming melody will do just fine," Lu Feng replied, taking a small bite of a candied lotus seed.

"As you wish, Young Master."

The soothing, ethereal notes of the zither and flute soon filled the private balcony, smoothing away the remaining fatigue of his sleepless night. Lu Feng leaned back in his chair, sipping the hot, fragrant tea while watching the bustling activity in the main courtyard below.

From his high vantage point, he casually observed the constant stream of customers entering and exiting the Grand Crimson Pavilion.

"That old man down there just traded nineteen gold coins for a single bottle of Qi Gathering Pills," Lu Feng murmured to himself, watching a gray-haired cultivator leave the main counter with a satisfied grin. "The profit margins in this pavilion are truly staggering."

"Indeed, Young Master," the lead servant girl, who had remained standing quietly nearby to tend his cup, offered with a soft smile. "Big Sister Su oversees all major transactions personally. Only the finest goods pass through our hall."

About thirty minutes passed smoothly amidst the soft music, quiet observation, and delicate snacks. Suddenly, the outer curtain of the private balcony was pulled aside, and a graceful female attendant dressed in the inner-circle robes of the Grand Crimson Pavilion stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"Young Master Lu, my sincere apologies for keeping you waiting," the attendant said smoothly. "Big Sister Su Rong has just returned from the merchant guild hall. She learned of your presence the moment she stepped through the rear gates and has requested that I guide you directly to her private quarters."

Lu Feng set his tea cup down, wiping his fingers on a clean silk cloth before standing up to adjust the front of his robes. "Lead the way."

"Right this way, Young Master," the attendant said, turning on her heel.

Following the attendant through a series of quiet, heavily guarded corridors lined with intricate array formations and guarded by silent, high-level cultivators, they climbed to the highest floor of the pavilion. The noise of the busy marketplace below faded away completely, replaced by the calming scent of burning sandalwood and fresh mountain tea.

The attendant stopped before a pair of heavy, dark rosewood doors decorated with elegant golden crane carvings. She knocked softly thrice.

"Big Sister Su, Young Master Lu has arrived," the attendant announced clearly.

"Bring him in," a rich, warm voice echoed from within the room.

The attendant pushed the heavy doors open and bowed low. "Please step inside, Young Master Lu."

Lu Feng stepped across the threshold, his mismatched eyes sweeping across the quiet, lavish private tea room. Sitting near a wide bay window beside a delicate bronze incense burner, dressed in her signature flowing crimson robes with her hair pinned neatly with a jade hairpin, Su Rong looked up with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Lu Feng," Su Rong said, setting down a delicate tea brush and gesturing toward the cushioned seat opposite her. "You actually came. I was beginning to think you had forgotten your promise from yesterday."

Lu Feng walked into the room with steady, composed steps, bowing slightly in greeting. "Senior Sister Su. I am a man of my word. When I say I will visit, I visit."

Su Rong let out a soft, amused laugh, her bright eyes twinkling under the warm room light. "Sit, sit. Dismiss the formalities. I’ve kept you waiting for half an hour, so the least I can do is invite you for a proper cup of tea and apologise for my absence. I didn’t know you would come so early."

Lu Feng took his seat across from her at the polished wooden tea table, his heart beating with a faint, underlying trace of anticipation as he prepared to finally ask the crucial question he had carried for so long—the truth regarding his aunt, Lu Ruoxi.