Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 114

~ LOTUS FRAGRANCE SPREADS FAR ~

The moment the tea set was placed on the low table, it captured everyone’s attention.

The entire set was pure white, painted with lotus blossoms stretching to the horizon. Looking more closely, the scenery on the porcelain bore a striking resemblance to the lake view before them.

Su Qingwu finally couldn’t hold back. “Miss Mu… don’t tell me the pattern on this tea set was painted based on the scenery in front of us.”

“That’s right,” Mu Yunyao replied with a modest smile. “I’m afraid it will make the lords laugh.”

“How could it?” Su Qingwu said. “The tea set is exquisite, and the painting captures both form and spirit. Even I can’t help but like it.”

“Thank you for the praise.”

Mu Yunyao began to brew tea.

Su Qingwu had meant to say more, but the moment he saw her movements, his thoughts slowly drifted away.

She didn’t move quickly. Every lift of the hand, every tilt of the wrist flowed like water over smooth stone—gentle, elegant, and inexplicably soothing. Her slender, pale fingers held the white jade-like vessels so naturally that for a heartbeat, no one could tell which was more captivating: the tea ware… or the hands holding it.

A breeze passed through. Lotus fragrance rose in soft waves.

Watching her brew, it felt as though a faint chant of meditation drifted into their ears. Their sense of rank and identity blurred. Their minds quieted, empty and clear, until the tea aroma finally blossomed—and only then did they snap back, dazed, as if their bodies had been loosened from the inside out.

Mu Yunyao finished, folded her hands, and bowed, then personally carried the teacups to each of them.

Su Qingwu took his cup absentmindedly. The instant he lifted the lid, he froze.

In the white cup, the tea leaves had unfurled and gathered at the bottom like a lotus in full bloom.

His heart jolted. His grip loosened for half an instant, and the tea rippled. He nearly cried out—terrified he’d ruin that fragile beauty—when in the blink of an eye, the lotus scattered and reshaped into the silhouette of flying birds, like the lakeside scene they’d just admired.

For a long moment, none of them spoke.

They held their cups and stared, stunned.

“Lords,” Mu Yunyao reminded softly, “tea doesn’t taste as good once it cools.”

Only then did they come back to themselves.

The leaves had already sunk to the bottom. No lotus, no birds—nothing remained, like a dream that vanished upon waking, leaving only a trace of regret.

Eunuch Xu sighed, then took a small sip.

In an instant, it was as though he’d swallowed lotus fragrance itself, washing away that regret until all that remained was calm satisfaction.

Governor Zhang shook his head, almost as if trying to clear it. Even someone like him, who didn’t truly understand tea, could tell this cup was extraordinary.

He couldn’t help asking, “Miss Mu, what famous tea is this? Drinking it, I taste lotus fragrance everywhere—almost as if lotus blooms in my mouth.”

“It doesn’t have much of a name,” Mu Yunyao said. “I only picked the tenderest new leaves from my tea garden, selected them carefully, dried and pan-fired them… then used dew gathered from lotus leaves and lotus blossoms to brew it.”

Governor Zhang stared. “So this is the tea you personally pan-fired?”

“Yes.” Mu Yunyao smiled. “I was often busy with Ni Yun Fang and used tea to keep myself alert. But I’m picky—strong tea is too bitter for me. So I prepared some myself. I only hope the lords won’t find it laughable.”

Eunuch Xu spoke up at once. “Miss Mu, you said you’d give the tea to me to take back to the capital. You can’t go back on your word.”

Mu Yunyao looked as if she’d been handed a treasure. “Of course! As long as you don’t mind it, I’ll give you everything I prepared.”

For reasons he couldn’t quite name, Su Qingwu felt a flicker of displeasure.

“Miss Mu is truly biased,” he said, smiling. “I’m returning to the capital too. Are you not going to spare any for me?”

Eunuch Xu burst out laughing. “I forgot Lord Su is here. But Lord Su has always favored Longjing—don’t fight me for this one.”

Mu Yunyao immediately followed his lead. “Since Lord Su likes Longjing, then I’ll purchase some top-grade Longjing for Lord Su to bring back.”

Su Qingwu kept smiling, but his irritation deepened.

“I was only joking,” he said smoothly. “How could I let you spend money? I already sent someone to buy things. Since I came to Jiangnan, naturally I should bring gifts back for my family.”

Mu Yunyao smiled politely, but cold mockery rippled inwardly.

Yes. Su Qingwu valued family above all.

Even if he left home for only two or three days, he would still bring gifts back. Especially for the eldest Miss of the Su family—East Sea pearls, Sichuan brocade, Nanyun gauze… anything rare in this world, Su Qingwu had chased it down for her.

No wonder the noble girls of the capital had envied her until their eyes turned red.

Mu Yunyao’s expression dimmed slightly.

Su Qingwu’s brows drew together. His gaze lifted toward the six-story building not far away. “That is the Bu Xian Lou you spoke of?”

“Yes.”

With fragrant tea warming their hands, everyone’s guard lowered even more.

Eunuch Xu looked toward the building and remarked casually, “That tower seems to be missing a plaque.”

Mu Yunyao sighed softly, as if helpless. “It is. I wanted to commission a good one, but after looking at many, none of the calligraphy satisfied me.”

Eunuch Xu didn’t respond.

Mu Yunyao also didn’t press, as if it were only an offhand comment. She refilled their cups. The more they drank, the more remarkable the tea became.

Many teas tasted good at first, but grew dull the longer you sipped.

Mu Yunyao’s tea was the opposite.

The more you drank, the deeper the aftertaste became—like listening to a piece of Zen music. Every time you heard it again, you gained a new understanding.

After tea, Mu Yunyao led them around the rest of the garden.

With their minds calmed, the scenery became even more pleasing. Walking through the paths, it felt as if beauty waited at every turn. They toured for more than an hour without feeling tired.

By noon, Mu Yunyao had people prepare a meal.

“My lords, I asked the kitchen to make a few simple dishes. Would the lords honor me?”

Eunuch Xu shook his head. “No need. In a little while, we must depart for the capital.”

“So soon…” Mu Yunyao looked genuinely disappointed.

“Aren’t you planning to open a tea house in the capital one day?” Eunuch Xu smiled. “When your wish comes true, I’ll have another chance to taste your tea.”

“Then I’ll have to work twice as hard.”

Mu Yunyao brought out the prepared tea leaves, then added some delicate pastries, and personally escorted them out of Jin Xiu Yuan.

Just as he was about to step into the carriage, Eunuch Xu suddenly turned back and said, “Miss Mu—about the plaque for Bu Xian Lou. If you truly can’t find one you like… then wait a while.”

Mu Yunyao blinked, looking puzzled, and turned her eyes toward Governor Zhang.

Governor Zhang and Cao Yunian only smiled and said nothing as they helped Xu Li and Su Qingwu into the carriage. But in their hearts, both of them quietly decided:

The opening gift they would send to Mu Yunyao had to increase by another 30%.

As the carriage began to move, Su Qingwu abruptly lifted the curtain on the side wall. His phoenix eyes fixed straight on Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao looked up, meeting that deep gaze head-on.

In those ink-dark pupils, her reflection wavered, and a faint, unreadable glimmer passed through.

She curved her lips into a perfectly measured smile, dipped into a curtsy, and said clearly, “I respectfully see the lords off!”

The wheels rolled forward.

Only when Mu Yunyao’s figure had completely disappeared did Su Qingwu finally let the curtain fall.

Inside, Xu Li cradled the tea jar Mu Yunyao had given him. It seemed he could still smell that clean, elegant fragrance. He couldn’t help sighing.

“So many people say the capital is prosperous, full of heroes and talent… yet who would’ve thought that in a place like Jingling City, there could be a person, and a landscape, gathered with such heaven-and-earth spiritual beauty?”

Su Qingwu smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes…”

Spiritual beauty was one thing.

But what truly made her dangerous… was how frighteningly smart she was.

Even someone like Eunuch Xu—who had seen countless schemes—had been led along.

And that last sentence Xu Li said…

Did Mu Yunyao truly not understand it?

Su Qingwu didn’t believe that for a second.

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