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Tang Cunfu, being the clever man he is, must understand the implications of Tang Luo’s words.

After all, even though these words were veiled, their meaning was clear. If Tang Cunfu’s expectations exceeded his capabilities, even if Tang Luo had a strong desire to establish the pavilion as soon as possible, he wouldn’t be able to oblige.

Tang Cunfu, perceptive as always, obviously understood the meaning behind Tang Luo’s words. He simply responded with a smile. “Since Minister Tang is so straightforward, I’ll also speak my mind. I intended to offer you a favor, not as a form of a transaction, but as an apology for the conflict during the previous clan meeting. I hope you would not harbor any grudges. If you consider the advancement of building sequence for the Marshal Star Pavilion as a favor from me, I do have an impolite request, would you be willing to grant it?”

Despite his insistence that this favor exchange wasn’t about entrusting any benefits, Tang Luo didn’t believe him. Upon hearing about the ‘impolite’ request, Tang Luo finally felt at ease, “Please proceed.”

Tang Cunfu then pulled out a wedding invitation and extended it towards Tang Luo with a smile on his face. “I’d like to invite Minister Tang to my ‘Naxing’ Ceremony. Would you grace us with your presence?”

‘Naxing’ essentially means taking in a concubine. Unlike taking a wife, there are usually no ceremonies for taking a concubine. If any, it is a mere discreet affair, with the woman entering the household through a side door, and performing their wifely duties after that.

Despite both of them being women of the household, the status of a wife and a concubine are worlds apart. A marriage involves strict adherence to six traditional rites, including the proposal, birthdate compatibility check, sending betrothal gifts, choosing a wedding date, and finally, the wedding ceremony.

However, for a concubine, none of these rites are necessary. As far as husbands and wives were concerned, a concubine was no more than a servant, primarily to satiate the husband’s physical desire.

There are several origins and ranks for a concubine.

The highest rank would be for concubines who had eloped, usually widows or daughters from noble families. They would generally receive more affection due to their selfless love. If they were not incredibly naive, they could easily move up to the status of a ‘legal wife’ once the main wife accepted them.

Below them were purchased concubines, similar to the young women from Miaoyin Square, each costing tens to hundreds of thousands of gold. These women, specially trained to please men, eventually became legal wives. Some of the most attractive ‘aunts’ that Tang Luo had hosted in his family were indeed from Miaoyin Square.

At the lowest rank were seized concubines. For instance, every time the Wancheng Treasure Ship returned, they didn’t just bring back gold and treasures; the crew often brought back concubines, and sometimes even children with those concubines.

During wars between clans, victories often resulted in the taking of concubines from the defeated clan. Many noble ladies chose to end their lives by jumping into wells or hanging themselves, to avoid the fate of becoming concubines and suffering humiliation at the hands of their enemies.

Given that Tang Cunfu was openly planning a Naxing Ceremony, the concubine in question must be important. If Tang Cunfu’s favor exchange involved this, it was still within Tang Luo’s abilities. Thus, without showing any hesitation, he accepted the invitation. But instead of looking at it immediately, he directly asked, “Is this the exchange you want to make with me?”

Instead of the hypocrisy of pretentious pleasantries, Tang Luo preferred to lay everything out on the table. The other party would let the Marshal Star Pavilion be built earlier, and in return, he would attend their Naxing Ceremony. It seemed extremely fair with no gratuities or arrears.

Upon hearing Tang Luo’s indifferent inquiry, Tang Cunfu only smiled, “Yes. This is the exchange I want to make with Minister Tang.”

“Fine.” said Tang Luo as he stashed the invitation into his robes, nodding, “I will attend the Naxing ceremony arranged by Cunfu. If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave.”

“Then I won’t detain Minister Tang further.” Tang Cunfu smiled, glancing at the cup of warm water on the table, which was only half drunk.

“Mr. Cunfu, I bid you farewell.”

“Minister Tang, please have a safe journey.”

As Tang Luo, who had just left the small building, headed out with a frown, Cui Dayou, sensing that his master was in a bad mood, didn’t dare to say anything and silently followed him.

It was only when they were far away from the Artisan Department and aboard their carriage that Tang Luo finally took out the invitation from his robe. Upon reading it, he couldn’t help laughing coldly, “Huh, it’s as I expected.”

Cui Dayou, who had kept his eyes and heart focused on the road, couldn’t help but ask, “If I may ask, sir, what is it?”

“An invitation prepared for me.” Tang Luo handed the invitation to Cui Dayou with a poker face and said lightly, “Take a look.”

Cui Dayou carefully took the invitation from Tang Luo and his eyes immediately found the handwritten lines by Tang Cunfu: Married midday, October 27th, Ziyun Peak, Xiansang Mansion. Tang Cunfu cordially invites Minister Tang Luo of the Marshal Star Pavilion to attend his Naxing Ceremony.

“Mr. Cunfu is scheming against you, sir.” Cui Dayou paled when he read the invitation.

“Oh, why do you say that?”

“Who in the Tang Clan does not know of your lofty character, Minister Tang? You’re entirely devoted to the martial path and have no interest in any form of social obligations. Whether it be the Great Elder’s birthday or other clan gatherings, you disdain them all. Furthermore, all your responses to invitations… are very straightforward. Everyone thinks that it’s just your nature and do not take offense.” After a glance at Tang Luo’s calm demeanor, Cui Dayou continued, “But if you attend Mr. Cunfu’s Naxing Ceremony, things will be different.”

“What’s different?”

“Although I’m just the manager of grain stores, we lower servants love to gossip about the goings-on in the clan. The person we talk about most is you, sir.” No matter the era, there are celebrities. Within the Xiling branch of the Tang family, the most talked-about person is Tang Luo. Therefore, the servants love to compile information about him, especially since his victory against Mi Chu in the Jianglin Battle. Tang Luo was revered as the top bachelor of Xiling and his excel at emerging from the common people bestowed him a unique halo.

After Cui Dayou became Tang Luo’s steward, he also collected much information about him. Seeing Tang Cunfu’s invitation, he hurriedly explained, “Ever since your coming-of-age ceremony, sir, you had applied for a new division to the clan leader, thus becoming the youngest division head in the history of our clan. Everyone speculates whether you will support the old camp or the new.”

“Old faction? New faction? What do you mean?” Tang Luo asked with a frown.