Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Lotus Fragrance Carries Afar

As soon as the tea set was brought out, it drew everyone’s attention.

The entire set was pure white, painted with lotus blossoms stretching toward the sky. Looking carefully, one could see that it resembled the scenery before their eyes in several places.

Su Qingwu finally could not help speaking. “Miss Mu, could the pattern on this tea set have been painted according to the scenery here?”

“Precisely. I have made the lords laugh.”

“Not at all. The tea set is exquisite, and the painting captures both form and spirit. Even I find myself exceedingly fond of it.”

“Many thanks for Lord Su’s praise.”

Mu Yunyao began to brew tea. Su Qingwu still wished to say something, but after seeing her movements, he gradually lost his train of thought.

Her motions were not fast. Every lift and turn flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, carrying an indescribable gentleness and elegance. Her slender, pale hands held the jade-white tea ware, and for a moment, one could hardly tell which was more captivating.

A faint breeze brushed past, carrying waves of lotus fragrance.

As the few men watched her movements, it was as though the sound of Buddhist chanting slowly spread beside their ears. Gradually, they forgot their own identities and felt only their minds grow peaceful.

Only when the fragrance of tea drifted over did they abruptly come back to themselves. In that hazy moment, they felt their whole bodies relax, every limb and bone becoming comfortable and at ease.

After Mu Yunyao finished the tea ceremony with her hands folded in salute, she delivered the teacups to them one by one.

Su Qingwu lifted his cup somewhat absentmindedly. The moment he raised the lid, he was stunned by the scene within the cup.

Inside the jade-white teacup, the tea leaves had unfurled and gathered at the bottom like a lotus flower in full bloom. His heart shook. His hand failed to hold steady, and the tea immediately rippled.

He nearly could not stop himself from exclaiming aloud, afraid that he had ruined the beautiful scene within the cup. Yet in the next instant, the lotus flower scattered and transformed into the shape of a flying bird, just like the lakeside beauty they had admired a moment ago.

For a long while, the lords did not speak. They held their teacups in a daze, lost in thought.

“My lords, the tea will not taste as good once it cools.”

Only after Mu Yunyao spoke to remind them whether they returned to themselves. The tea leaves in the cups had already settled to the bottom. Where was there still any lotus flower or flying bird? It was like a dream of Nanke, leaving only a few traces of regret in one’s heart.

Eunuch Xu could not help sighing softly. He took a light sip of the tea, and it was instantly as though his mouth filled with lotus fragrance. The regret in his heart was washed away, leaving only an ease that filled his chest.

Governor Zhang could not help shaking his head. Even someone like him, who knew nothing of tea appreciation, could tell how rare this cup of tea was. He could not help asking, “Miss Mu, may I ask what famous tea this is? Drinking it, one feels waves of lotus fragrance, as though lotuses might bloom in one’s very mouth.”

“In truth, it has no great name. I simply picked the new tender leaves from the tea garden, selected them carefully, dried and roasted them, then gathered dew from lotus leaves and lotus flowers to brew the tea.”

“So this is the tea Miss personally roasted?”

“Yes. Previously, I was busy with matters at Niyun Pavilion and often drank tea to refresh myself. But I have a rather picky mouth. When drinking strong tea, I cannot bear bitterness and astringency, so I selected some tea leaves and roasted them myself. I only hope the lords will not disdain them.”

Eunuch Xu said, “Miss said before that you would give the tea leaves to me and let me bring them into the Capital. You must not go back on your word.”

Mu Yunyao was overjoyed. “Naturally. So long as Eunuch Xu does not disdain them, I will give you all the tea I roasted.”

For some reason, upon hearing this, displeasure rose in Su Qingwu’s heart.

“Miss Mu is truly too partial. I am also returning to the Capital. Are you not going to spare some for me?”

Eunuch Xu could not help laughing heartily. “I had actually forgotten Lord Su was here as well. But Lord Su has always favored Longjing, so do not compete with me over this tea.”

Mu Yunyao immediately took up the words. “Since Lord Su likes Longjing, then I will buy some superior leaves for Lord Su to take with him.”

Su Qingwu wore a smile, but the displeasure in his heart deepened even more.

“I was only joking with Miss. How could I make you spend silver? I have already ordered someone to purchase some. Since I have so rarely come to Jiangnan, naturally, I must bring a few things back for my family.”

Mu Yunyao smiled, yet waves of mockery spread through her heart.

Indeed. Su Qingwu valued his family greatly. Even if he only left home for two or three days, he would still bring gifts back for them.

Especially for that eldest Miss of the Su family. Pearls from the Eastern Sea, Shu brocade from Chuanzhou, gauze from Nanyun. So long as it was a precious thing that existed in this world, Su Qingwu had once sought it out for her, causing who knew how many young ladies of the Capital to redden their eyes with jealousy.

Seeing Mu Yunyao’s expression fade slightly, Su Qingwu could not help furrowing his brows. He lifted his head and looked toward the six-story building not far away.

“Is that the Buxian Tower Miss has established?”

“Yes.”

With a cup of fragrant tea in hand, the few men became even more relaxed.

Eunuch Xu looked toward the building and could not help saying, “I see that the tower is still lacking a signboard.”

“Yes. I wished to find someone to make a better one, but after looking at many examples, I was not very satisfied with the calligraphy.”

Mu Yunyao sighed softly.

Eunuch Xu did not respond again. Mu Yunyao also seemed to have only mentioned it in passing. She refilled their tea, and the more they tasted it, the more they felt this tea was rare.

Many teas had good flavor but could not withstand repeated tasting. Mu Yunyao’s tea, however, only seemed to gain a longer aftertaste the more one savored it. It was like listening to a Buddhist chant. Each time, there were many new insights.

After they finished the tea, Mu Yunyao led the group to admire the other sights within the garden. Once the mind had settled, the scenery became even more pleasing to the eye. Walking through the garden, they felt as though beauty existed everywhere. After looking around for more than an hour, they did not feel the slightest fatigue.

Seeing that it was nearly noon, Mu Yunyao ordered people to prepare a meal.

“My lords, I have had some simple dishes prepared. Might the lords be willing to honor me?”

Eunuch Xu shook his head. “There is no need. In a little while, we must hurry back to the Capital.”

“So soon…”

Mu Yunyao appeared somewhat disappointed.

“Did Miss not say that you wished to open your tea house in the Capital as well? Once Miss’s wish is fulfilled, I will still have the chance to taste your skill.”

“Then I must certainly redouble my efforts.”

Mu Yunyao brought over the tea leaves she had prepared and also arranged some delicate pastries. Only then did she send the lords out of Jinxiu Garden.

Just as he was about to board the carriage, Eunuch Xu suddenly turned back and said, “Miss Mu, as for the signboard of Buxian Tower in your tea house, if you truly cannot find a suitable one, you may wait for a time before deciding.”

A look of confusion appeared on Mu Yunyao’s face. She blinked slightly and looked toward Governor Zhang.

Governor Zhang and Cao Yunnian both smiled without speaking. They saw Xu Li and Su Qingwu onto the carriage, while secretly making up their minds that the gift they sent for Mu Yunyao’s tea house opening would have to be increased by another thirty percent.

As the carriage was about to depart, Su Qingwu suddenly lifted the curtain on the carriage wall. His phoenix eyes looked straight at Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao raised her head and met that pair of deep eyes.

His ink-black pupils reflected her figure. With a slight flicker, an unreadable glimmer passed through them.

She gently lifted the corners of her lips. The curve of her smile was just right. Bending her knees in a curtsy, she said, “Respectfully sending off the lords.”

The wheels turned, and the carriage slowly moved forward.

Only after Mu Yunyao’s figure could no longer be seen did Su Qingwu lower the curtain.

Xu Li held the tea jar Mu Yunyao had given him. It was as though he could still smell that clear and elegant tea fragrance. He could not help sighing inwardly.

“So many people say the Capital is flourishing, filled with outstanding people and spiritual grace. Yet who would have thought that in a place like Jingling City, there could also be both people and scenery that gather the spiritual essence of heaven and earth?”

Su Qingwu smiled and nodded.

“Indeed…”

It would have been one thing if she were merely overwhelmingly graceful and clever. But unfortunately, she was also extraordinarily intelligent, intelligent enough even to deceive Eunuch Xu, who was long accustomed to schemes and deception.

Did Mu Yunyao truly fail to understand the final words Eunuch Xu had spoken?

He did not think so.

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