Barking Up the Wrong Tree – Ministry of Rites Turns

　　Night was falling by the time Tang Ye finished fifty steamers. He wrestled with his nausea to ask his questions. He suavely left with his hand over his mouth.

　　Meanwhile, Huang Shulang increased his enthusiasm in calling challengers, adding more to his income through the meat bun arena. In essence, Tang Ye helped him vent and helped him promote his business for free. However, he didn't look happy; he looked different to his usual self. He wore a frigid look after Tang Ye left. It was apparent to him Tang Ye was searching for Lu Xiazou. He gave some short instructions before heading upstairs.

　　There were two rows of towering and imposing guards outside the room. Ten or so men dressed in Han clothing, but they actually wielded the North's most popular curved broadsword. Huang Shulang whispered something to one of the guards, who then nodded: "You can leave now. Report back if there is anything else."

　　The guard didn't show Huang Shulang any courtesy. Huang Shulang nodded and left with a smile. He was scared, though he actually thought, "f.u.c.king barbarians! You think I'm your pigeon?! I'd be the first to report you to Shuntian Prefecture if it wasn't for Secretary Kong protecting you!"

　　The guard went into the room after Huang Shulang left. The guard stepped gently as though he was afraid he'd disturb the two sitting inside.

　　A young man between twenty five and twenty six looked clean and proper, but his long face, literally, ruined his aesthetics. He wore light makeup and rouge. He drew around his eyes, giving them a faint purple shade. His idea of facial aesthetics was rather disturbing. There was a trace of conceit accompanying his feminine gestures when he spoke. Based off appearances alone, there was no possible way of determining this gender. According to the seating arrangement, he was the master of the room.

　　The guest was an elder between sixty to seventy years old. His wrinkles on his forehead were deep as knife gashes. He dressed in a scholar's robe and sported a refined demeanour. Though old, he was once a refined young man. With a smile, he asked, "Lord Yang, you can't trust this old one? This old one is the reigning department head of the Ministry of Rights; you think he would not keep his word?"

　　Kong Duan, reigning head of the Ministry of Rights, looked as serious as he would look in the imperial court. He smiled as though his usual stern speech and mannerisms were a charade.

　　The young man, Lord Yang, Yang Lianhua, adopted an ambivalent countenance: "Of course I do. We both stand to gain. We agreed to make our move three months later, though; you are asking to deviate from the original plan. You asked me to act on two days' notice and sent out the cavalry, which ended up apprehended today. Had it not been for the restaurant's intervention, I am afraid the plan would already be exposed.

　　Your sudden change in plans bemused me. Secretary Kong, are you with the restaurant, or are you trying help the imperial court ensnare the restaurant. Hahaha, this is an important matter. Neither of us will get off scot-free if they find out our secret. Could I trouble you to explain the situation to me? I do not have spare heads should this fall through."

　　Yang Lianhua was one of the people in the shadows when Ming Feizhen was questioning one of the cavalry he captured. Yang Lianhua always spoke with a hint of a smile and added jabs every time he spoke at the meeting, indicating his displeasure for what transpired earlier in the day.