Luyin Pavilion, West City.
Fang Tianba, dressed in a jet-black gauze robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, greeted the punctually arriving Prince Ping, Zhao Tingyue, with a radiant smile. He escorted him to the premium private parlor reserved in advance, and had his servants bring out exquisite dishes, fruits, and pastries that had been prepared beforehand. He even offered to summon a few singing girls to play music for the Prince, but Zhao Tingyue flatly refused.
After a brief pause for thought, Fang Tianba cupped his fists in a bow and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. The privacy of the first-class parlors in my Luyin Pavilion is absolute. Whoever you meet here today and whatever is discussed—only Heaven and Earth will know, and not a single soul besides. You may put your mind entirely at ease. Today, I will have all the tea served throughout Luyin Pavilion replaced exclusively with 'Quietude Tea.' In another hour, apart from the room you are in, no one in Luyin Pavilion—not even the servants—will be moving about the premises; they will all have drifted off into a sound sleep. As for your humble servant, I happen to have an appointment with The Third Prince today, so it would be inconvenient for me to linger here much longer..."
Chapter 51