Because Fan Jizheng was "unwell," Zhang Tie stayed at the hotel for another day. It was not until the afternoon of April 29th, his third day in Blessed Sea City, that he went to Fan Jizheng's residence to "pay a visit."
Fan Jizheng's family lived in a quiet area of Blessed Sea City, where the streets on either side were lined with grand residences and imposing gates.
Two stone lions stood before the Fan Family's gates, symbols of the family's standing among Great Xia's official households.
When Zhang Tie stepped down from the carriage, an elderly steward of the Fan residence was already waiting at the vermilion gates. Seeing Zhang Tie alight, the steward came forward and led him into the residence, while Zhang Cheng handed the gifts Zhang Tie had prepared to the Fan household's servants.
"Is Lord Fan Jizheng feeling better today?" Zhang Tie asked casually as they walked along the flower-lined path through the Fan residence.
A trace of embarrassment appeared on the steward's face. The Fan steward stammered, "Master... Master is much better!"
Everything in the Fan residence struck Zhang Tie as impeccably polite, servants included, yet it lacked a measure of genuine warmth.
Zhang Tie sighed inwardly. He had not expected his trip to Yingzhou to end up like this. But no matter what, since the Fan Family had made its choice, he would go along and finish this performance with them. After all, Fan Jizheng's daughter had waited for him for years; he could at least give the Fan Family this much face.
Even if business failed, goodwill remained. It was enough for everyone to part on good terms.
The ones who had slighted him this time were not the Fan Family, but Yingzhou's Devouring Party faction. When the time came to settle accounts,