Unaware of them, Lin Xuan Qi had his hands raised wanting to push the door of the kitchen.
But his hands froze in mid-air when he heard the conversation inside.
Lin Xuan Qi was surprised that Xue Cong had gotten into the role of supervising the sisters well.
He was pleased with what she had said.
As for Yue Jie and Yue Xin, he understood why they would be worried about their father.
He decided to try and find out information about their father when he had the opportunity.
Lin Xuan Qi then turned around and went to the dining hall.
When it was lunchtime, Xue Cong went to check the dining hall, and she was glad to see Lin Xuan Qi sitting next to the dining table, sipping a cup of tea.
"Master Lin, lunch is ready. Do you want me to serve it now?" Xue Cong asked.
Lin Xuan nodded his head and said, "Yes, I'm starving."
He was slowly enjoying his life as the head of the clan in this mansion.
Having three servant girls serving him and attending to all his needs was something he had never dared to dream of.
But Lin Xuan Qi knew that it was only the beginning, and that there were lots more things to be done.
Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin came into the dining hall with plates and bowls of food in their hands.
Lin Xuan Qi was impressed with the spread.
There were chicken, fish, rice and soup.
Most families in Da Qian could only afford to have meat once a year during the new year festival.
And here he was, getting to enjoy these on a normal day.
Lin Xuan Qi picked up his chopsticks and tucked in.
He was starving after walking so much in the morning, trying to seek a security chief.
He glanced at Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin, gesturing to them to join him.
They nodded and they sat down and started eating.
Lin Xuan Qi munched on a piece of meat, swallowed it and asked, "Yue Jie, Yue Xin, do you know of older martial arts fighters?
"Someone who might be able to join the mansion?
"I tried at the Cloud Sword Martial Hall, and all the disciples aren't available.
"The Master there, Master Xin, recommended me to seek someone retired."
Yue Jie and Yue Xin glanced at each other, glanced up at the corners of their eyes as they tried to think of someone suitable.
Yue Xin gave up after a while.
She, as the youngest in the family, didn't get to know others as much as her elder sister.
Yue Jie's eyes opened wide as she finally thought of someone.
"There was an old man my father would visit occasionally; his name is Lee He Song.
"He sometimes lives in the city, inside the red tiled house next to the Hou Gong temple.
"Other times, he is out venturing in the lands."
"Great, I shall try and go pay him a visit later," Lin Xuan Qi said.
Finally, there was some progress, he thought.
Lin Xuan Qi continued eating and started to have images of Lee He Song as an old sage in his mind.
Yue Jie nodded with a smile, happy that she was able to help.
After he finished his lunch, Lin Xuan Qi took some of the copper coins from Yue Jie and ventured out again.
...
Before he went to the Hou Gong temple, Lin Xuan Qi decided to settle the matter about selling the rice first.
Lee He Song might not be in his house anyway.
"More buns?" Luo Bao asked when he saw Lin Xuan Qi approaching his store.
Lin Xuan Qi shook his head and said, "No thanks, I just had lunch.
"Do you happen to know where I can sell rice?"
"Rice?" Luo Bao heard Lin Xuan Qi and frowned.
"There's nowhere to do so?"
Luo Bao shook his head and said, "You misunderstood.
"It isn't so simple compared to getting servant girls.
"The right to sell rice falls under the rice merchant association, helmed by Magistrate Ho, under the appointment of the Governor, Governor Tan.
"They've cornered all the rice supplies from the lands nearby.
"You wouldn't be able to get rice from the farmers."
"Don't worry, I have my own supply of rice," Lin Xuan Qi was relieved.
He had thought it was something else.
But getting the rice to sell to the rice merchants wasn't an issue for him.
Luo Bao raised an eyebrow and thought, "His master must be someone with a very big and powerful background.
"Being able to get rice to sell takes someone with wealth, power and influence to do so."
Luo Bao proceeded to point at a building under a tower in the distance and said, "That's where the rice merchant association is located; rich merchants will gather there to make their trades.
"I have to remind you that a little bit of greasing might be needed."
Luo Bao gave Lin Xuan Qi his advice on approaching the rice merchant association officials.
"Thanks! I will definitely buy some more of your delicious meat buns when I come back later," Lin Xuan Qi thanked Luo Bao.
He turned around, left and walked towards the tower.
The Rice Merchant Association wasn't too far.
Lin Xuan Qi arrived after half an incense time.
The building for the Rice Merchant Association was big but not as big as his mansion.
Inside the building, there was bustling activity.
Men in silk clothes were chattering with each other.
Bargaining with each other for a better deal.
The helper sitting at the counter saw Lin Xuan Qi and looked up and asked, "Here to buy or sell?"
"I'm here to arrange for the sale of the rice I have."
"You need to register for the right to do so. That will be a hundred copper coins," the helper said and glanced around.
After seeing that there wasn't anyone nearby, the helper continued and said, "I can make it better for you depending on your sincerity."
Lin Xuan Qi knew what he was asking for.