Xia Tao was pissed, but sometimes it made little sense to show such anger, especially to a refined woman such as Madam Wang.

Being around the hag was as frustrating as sleeping next to a flock of cicadas flapping their wings in the dead of the night, constantly.

Still, Xia Tao held a gent smile, nodding his head before the old woman could croak her beak.

“So you want to know about what’s the most lucrative venture in Fuzhou?”

“Yes.” He said with a smile.

“Forget it boy, you don’t have the balls to do what it takes to have business in Fuzhou.”

“I had the balls to overtake you, taking your own advice, haven’t I?”

The Hag chuckled, rocking back as she did so. “Lad, you didn’t do anything. You simply used your father’s funds. If I were in the Xia Clan, I too would be swimming in taels.”

“My clan has nothing to do with this!”

“Oh really? Where did you get the money to build that mammoth of a tavern, from the gutter?”

“I took out a loan!”

“A loan? From who? Your niece?”

Tao ground his teeth, but did his best to not show it on his face. A chuckle broke from his lips as he snatched up a cup of tea cup, then clapping it on the table.

Madam Wang clapped her own tea, then another shot of tea.

Tao looked to his left, watching as the woman who sat next to him stroked her face after placing the cup on the table.

He slid his hand across her leg feeling the her inner thigh and fought the urge to caress further up her leg.

She woman didn’t flinch but smiled, placing her hand against his shoulder and slid it down, caressing his forearm, sending waves of goosebumps up his arm.

“Madam Wang, I can admit this. You’ve trained these wenches well.” Tao said calmly. “I wish Hostess Li was half the woman you were, then I wouldn’t have to come here for advice.”

“Oh Hoo, I thought you would’ve gotten rid of her by now.”

“Why would I? Ever since she came, my business has tripled.”

“That little wench is a schemer. You need to watch her!”

“Madam Wang! One would think you would care if my business failed or succeeded!”

Madam Wang harrumphed, turning up her nose as she looked at Tao. “I’m just giving fair warning Young Master Tao, after all, you did pay me a hefty consultant fee.”

“…and yet you haven’t said a word!”

“Because I’m waiting for more tea to brew. Young Master Tao. I understand you love olan tea, is that correct?”

“It is, but how do you know that?”

“Does it matter? I’m sure you know things about me that you shouldn’t”

Like how you were the secret Mistress of the Gu Clan’s former Patriarch? Of course I do. Tao thought. “I know nothing about you, Madam Wang, you humor me.” He said.

“As do you.” She said, wryly

A young woman approached the two with a tray with a fresh set of cups and teapot. The young woman removed the teapot and cups replacing them with the new set.

She lifted the lid of the tea for a few seconds, and blew the wafting vapour of the olan tea towards Hao. A sweet scent fluttered into Tao’s nose.

He tasted the vapour, releasing the olan tea’s sugary texture and water his mouth. “Brewed to perfect” He said.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I do try Young Master, after all. But yes, let us get back to business. You said you want to know about Fuzhou, what would you like to know?”

Tao poured a cup for himself and Madam Wang. He raised the cup in respect to her, then took a long gulp, hissing the wind to cool his mouth from the heat of the tea.

“Are Aksumites valued within Fuzhou?”

“They are.” Madam Wang said, “Why ask this?”

“Curiosity. Why else?”

“Humph…curiosity. You’re aren’t one to be curious lad, you can fool everyone else but you can’t fool me.”

“I’m serious Madam Wang, I’m considering a new venture.”

“One that relates to Aksumites?”

“No…nothing of the sort. I’m trying to understand the market within the Northern Region.”

“Don’t bother to, The Northern Cities aren’t someplace to haggle with, especially with Prince Tian Yin ruling there, it has become difficult over the years as of lately.”

“Why is that?”

“The Emperor’s cousin has cracked down on corruption and without lifting a finger. The people in Fuzhou love him for it” Madam Wang said calmly.

“Then.”

“Whatever plan you’re thinking of could only bring shame on your family. And we both know how your father takes his pride.”

“Deadly,” Tao whispered.

“If you want, I could pay off that miserly debt you accrued building the Red Lantern Tavern. If you give me a discount on the taels. I’ll even let you have five percent of the profits…” She said.

“You really think you’ll take over my business?” Tao huffed, laughing rolling his neck.

Old Woman Wang, tilt her eye, squinting as if looking at something on Tao’s face. “You really are touchy when it comes to the Red Lantern Tavern.” She huffed. “Don’t worry, I would be too.”

“Of course you would Madam Wang. When you saw me and I brought up your property, you’d be aggravated even.”

Madam Wang chuckled, slapping her knee as she eyed him with closed eyes. “Hardly.” She answered sternly. “Just because you’re from Xia Clan doesn’t bother me one bit, you should know that at least,”

“Is that a threat?” Tao asked.

“Young Master Tao, you can take it as such, but when the time comes you cannot say you were not warned.”

“I see, I came from advice and got a warning? Sounds like I shouldn’t be here, doesn’t it?”

“Life is never what you expect it Young Master Tao. The world is filled with people you can and cannot buy, remember that. I know your Father, silver and gold is what allows you to do as you please, but without decorum or respect for your peers you’ll find yourself alienated soon.”

“What does my father’s silver or gold have to do with anything?”

“Everything. You thought you could bully me with your silver and gold coins and taels. But look at you, you can’t even track your wine and mead stock accordingly. You import from Anqing and Nanhai. Don’t you think that’s too much trouble?”

“It is trouble, but the fine taste of wine is what bring the men back Madam Wang.”

“…Or is the fine taste of Women?” She answered smacking her lips after taking a sip of tea. “Young Master Tao…heed my advice, You’re spending too much copper and silver trying to keep your mead and wine replenished, find an alternative.”

I already have, Tao thought, thinking of his plan to sell his girls to the old woman. That money will go a long with with my mead and wine…but she doesn’t know that.

“I will consider it, but you still haven’t answered my question Madam Wang.”

“Prudent, aren’t you?”

“I try.”

Tao poured another cup of tea for Madam Wang and himself. Both of them drank it, eyeing each other as both the windmills in their minds churned as they tried to outmaneuver each other.

He knew that he couldn’t trust the Old Hag, but she was the only one who would took him seriously when he said he wanted to create the best pleasure palace within Huaxia.

He succeeded, but partially. As he knew that the only reason he was able to gain the foothold he had was because of his father’s taels.

Taels he would die to ensure to return, just so he could live without a word of his father’s influence, which was hard for someone like him.

“Is there a market for Aksumite in Fuzhou, Madam Wang?”

“There is, but it’s a very well kept secret. A select few have the appetite for the girls.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“I do not, but I know someone who does.”

Damn it. I still need to maintain this relationship. He thought sourly.

“Madam Wang truly is well informed. I hope one day to be as well informed as you.”

“Sell me the Red Lantern Tavern and you won’t have to worry about information Young Master Tao.”

“I can’t sell you MY Red Lantern Tavern, but I can sell you the girls you’ve been training for me.”

“Five silver stones for each and not penny more.”

“Five silver stones? Clearly you jest. They are worth TRIPLE THAT AND YOU KNOW IT!”

Killing Aura swarmed around the courtyard in instant. Tao felt his knees shiver, as he clasped his hands, trying to fight the pressure that exhumed from Madam Tao’s hidden body guard.

A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead making him dab it away. He scooped up the tea cup trying his best to hide his agitation, but the way Madam Wang smiled at him, he knew for certain that they’d all seen through him, which only served to infuriate him further.

“Are you cold Young Master Tao, you seem a bit pale.”

“Slightly, Madam Wang, it would seem there’s a cold draft leaking into your courtyard.”

The old hag raised her hand, and the intense pressure from the killing aura dissipated, making the air breathable for Tao once more. “It would seem colour has returned to your face Young Master Tao.”

“Yes, the sun finally shone upon me.” He said calmly.

“The sun will shine wherever there’s darkness Master Tao.”

“I would assume it would it.”

Madam Wang smiled, then shook her head. “It seems you’re not following what I’m saying Master Tao, so I think it’s best you take your leave.”

“Take my leave?” He said, incredulously.

“Yes Master Tao…leave, in case you haven’t realised. That, was a threat.”