~ THE TEA HOUSE — BU XIAN LOU ~
“Thank you, Sir.” Mu Yunyao’s eyes shone. “I have my own tea garden, and my tea house opens tomorrow. I’ll definitely manage it well and spread Bu Xian Lou’s reputation far and wide. Maybe in a few years, when my tea house grows big enough, I can even open one in the capital. Then I can kneel outside the palace and thank His Majesty for his grace in person.”
Su Qingwu had been watching her the entire time, his eyes shifting. “Bu Xian Lou? A tea house called Bu Xian Lou—does that name have some meaning?”
“I opened the tea house inside a garden. There’s a small six-story pavilion within it,” Mu Yunyao explained. “I want this place to become a true gathering ground for people who understand tea and love tea—somewhere they can exchange thoughts.”
“Tea Sage once said:
I do not envy golden goblets,
I do not envy white jade cups.
I do not envy entering court at dawn,
I do not envy mounting the terrace at dusk.
Of all that I envy, one thing above a thousand and ten thousand—
It is the West River’s waters that once flowed down to Jingling City.
So that pavilion is called Bu Xian Lou. And inside, drinking tea costs no silver at all.”
Eunuch Xu nodded faintly. Her words had piqued his interest—not because he believed her tea would be astonishing (he’d been rewarded with tribute tea from the palace, after all), but because he himself loved tea. And the world Bu Xian Lou described was too beautiful not to want to see.
“Bu Xian Lou… it truly is a good name,” Eunuch Xu said. “Even the name alone is worth a visit. Earlier you said your tea house opens tomorrow—would you be willing to invite us to sit for a while as well?”
“If the lords will come, Bu Xian Lou will be honored beyond its humble walls.” Mu Yunyao looked delighted, a joy that made others feel lighter just by seeing it. “I’ll personally brew tea to receive you.”
“Good.” Eunuch Xu smiled. “Then it’s settled.”
“Yes.” Mu Yunyao bowed. “Tomorrow at Si hour, I will respectfully welcome the lords’ arrival.”
Mu Yunyao practically floated out of the front hall into the inner courtyard. She curtsied to Madam Jin with heartfelt gratitude.
“Thank you, Madam, for warning me in advance.”
Seeing her expression, Madam Jin knew everything had gone smoothly and felt happy for her as well. “As long as it went well.”
If Ni Yun Fang could receive His Majesty’s personal calligraphy, it would be a golden signboard—an unshakable shield. As long as Ni Yun Fang stood, the merit of teaching the people would keep being praised, and in the end, she and Cao Yunian would benefit too.
“Madam,” Mu Yunyao said, “Bu Xian Lou opens tomorrow at Si hour. Please honor it with your presence.”
“I’ve waited so long—of course I’ll go.” Madam Jin smiled. “I want to taste your tea-brewing too. But your hand…”
“It’s fine.” Mu Yunyao’s voice was firm. “The scab has already formed; it’s mostly healed.”
Even if her hand broke, she would still push through today.
“That’s good.”
Leaving the Cao Residence, Mu Yunyao went straight to Jinxiu Garden.
When Steward Qin saw her rush in, he thought something serious had happened. After hearing her explain, he froze, staring blankly.
“Miss… you mean a eunuch is coming to drink tea here?”
“Yes.” Mu Yunyao nodded. “That lord was pale and beardless, his voice slightly sharp, his aura… unusual. Thinking carefully, he should be an inner attendant from the capital.”
She knew Steward Qin belonged to Yue Wang. She was worried the eunuch might recognize him, so she’d come to warn him. If it was inconvenient, he could avoid appearing.
Steward Qin recovered, looking at her with open amazement. “Miss chose the timing too perfectly. If we manage this well, Bu Xian Lou may become famous in one stroke!”
Just hearing the name made him want to drink a cup here:
I do not envy golden goblets…
I envy only the West River’s waters that flowed down to Jingling…
A tea house could ride that poem to immortality.
Seeing his reaction—and that he showed no intention of hiding—Mu Yunyao understood: Steward Qin was confident he could conceal his identity. And it made sense. If he could be recognized so easily, he wouldn’t dare move openly in Jingling.
“I hope it truly goes as you say,” Mu Yunyao said softly, “and Bu Xian Lou becomes known throughout Jingling.”
Steward Qin hesitated, worry creeping in. “It’s just… the fifty still fall short in tea-brewing. If many guests come tomorrow…”
Mu Yunyao thought briefly. “Tomorrow, several lords will attend. Madam Jin will likely invite other madams as well. We won’t receive ordinary guests.”
“Wei Yi and Yun Chun’s group may be lacking individually, but when they brew together, the scene is incredibly impressive. So for the opening, have them all brew once together as a display—then choose the most skilled few to serve the guests.”
Steward Qin considered it, then nodded. “That’s all we can do. I’ll have them practice again right away.”
“Good. I’ll go through the garden too—see what we should highlight tomorrow.”
Steward Qin suddenly remembered something. “Right—since the tea house has a name now, should we order a plaque overnight and hang it?”
Mu Yunyao shook her head, a small smile curving her lips. “A plaque we order ourselves is boring. I’m thinking… maybe I can get someone to bestow one.”
Steward Qin didn’t understand at first. Only after Mu Yunyao left did he suddenly jolt upright—his face exploding into wild joy.
If they could truly obtain such a bestowal…
Then His Royal Highness’s grand plan would be within reach.
He had once thought letting Mu Yunyao use the garden to open a tea house was a distraction.
Now he realized—
They’d dug up a priceless treasure.
He had to write to Yue Wang immediately: no matter what, this “treasure” must be brought into the wang’s residence!
Mu Yunyao stayed busy deep into the night, running tomorrow’s steps again and again in her mind. Only in the latter half of the night did she finally sleep. Two hours later, she woke, yet felt no fatigue at all—only bright, excited clarity.
Su Qing brought pastries and bird’s nest porridge, her face tight with nerves. “Yao’er, you’ll have so much to do later. Hurry and eat something now.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Mu Yunyao ate happily, then noticed that Su Qing looked as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t decide what to say. “Mother, what is it? Do you have something to remind me?”
Su Qing hesitated, then said softly, “Gaining it is fortune. Losing it is fate. Keep a calm heart. Don’t be too nervous—nervousness makes mistakes easier.”
Yesterday, Mu Yunyao had already explained everything to her: the situation, the plan, the stakes. After hearing it, Su Qing had become even more anxious than Mu Yunyao herself, already starting to fear the “what ifs” before anything even began.
Mu Yunyao laughed, stepped forward, and hugged Su Qing, nuzzling into her neck.
“With Mother supporting me, I feel like it has to succeed. Just wait here for my good news!”
“Alright.” Seeing Mu Yunyao like this, Su Qing’s anxious heart finally steadied. She helped Mu Yunyao change clothes, then combed her hair carefully. Looking through the bronze mirror, she sighed softly.
“Yao’er is getting prettier and prettier.”
Mu Yunyao’s eyes curved with a smile. “That’s because I take after Mother. Mother is beautiful, so I’m beautiful too.”
Su Qing tapped her forehead lightly. “That thick skin definitely didn’t come from me.”
Mu Yunyao immediately protested and clung to her until Su Qing admitted she’d “spoken wrong.” Only then—seeing there was less than half an hour left until 9:00 AM—did Mu Yunyao bring Jin Lan and Jin Qiao to Jinxiu Garden.
Oooooh, excited for the upcoming chapter! I want to see how she stuns everyone, how she gets the sign, and also whether anyone tries to plot against her...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter! Stay safe!
Looking forward to the opening of her teahouse! Sometimes I forget that she's only about 13-14, if you don't consider her past life.
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to the next chapter! This is very exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this chapter.
FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP AND WAKING UP REFRESHED? A TRUE SUPERPOWER
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