"Young master!" The old steward clearly thought the price wasn't worth it, but Dongfang Chen waved a hand. "Say no more." He turned to the shopkeeper. "Well? If you can't decide, why not pass my offer along and let someone who can make the decision do so?" The goad did little good. The shopkeeper wanted to decide for himself, but a deal this large was beyond his authority. Though he was an Elder, there were many Elders, and they all answered to the head of the family. He could not decide alone.
The shopkeeper was reluctant to let such a large deal slip away. He nodded. "That would be best, if you're willing to wait, young master." Fang Chen smiled Pale. "For good tea, I'll wait even if I can't bear to." He rose. "I'll return in three days, then."
He chose three days because something important lay in between: the opening of Pinglu Amusement City. Dongfang Chen had watched Pinglu City rise brick by brick. It was like his bride-to-be, and he had to be there for such an important occasion.
After leaving Zhu Family Tea House, Dongfang Chen climbed into the carriage and said approvingly, "A fine performance, old sir!" The old man chuckled. "Before I ascended, I spent some time as an actor." So that explained it.
Back at Luo Cloudtop, Dongfang Chen explained the situation to Luo Qian. Luo Qian knew they could not rush things, so the two set the matter aside and headed for Pinglu City together. The invitations had long since gone out. Roughly eighty percent of the invitees had gladly accepted and promised to attend; those who could not come already had plans that day, rather than any wish to snub him. Luo Qian knew better than to invite people he was