Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Counsel Before the Opening

After seeing off Su Qingwu and Xu Li, Mu Yunyao’s entire body relaxed, and her face filled with a radiant smile.

Steward Qin ordered Yun Chun to brew tea, then personally brought it to Mu Yunyao’s side.

“Miss, has the matter you planned before succeeded?”

“Eight or nine parts out of ten.”

Joy surged in Steward Qin’s heart. “Excellent. With this, who knows how many times more convenient things will become.”

“Let us wait. I imagine it will not be many days before we receive definite news. For now, have people tidy up Jinxiu Garden. In a while, we must still receive Madam Jin and the others. Some of the madams have cold constitutions, so prepare some flower teas, herbal infusions, and fruit teas. I imagine the Governor’s wife will also come later. She cannot eat sweets, so prepare some savory pastries. When they are served, pay special attention. Do not make a mistake.”

“Yes. I will have people prepare them at once.”

After Steward Qin left, Mu Yunyao took off the scented pouch hanging from her body and handed it to Jin Lan, who was waiting nearby.

“Find a brazier and burn it. Do not leave any trace behind.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jin Lan did not ask what was inside. After receiving the order, she took the scented pouch and withdrew directly.

Mu Yunyao released a breath and gently rubbed the space between her brows. The corners of her lips could not help but rise.

No matter how likeable she might be, it was impossible for Xu Li to regard her so differently after only two meetings. The tea was good tea, and the water was good water as well. However, to reach the point where it could calm one’s mind and make one forget worldly vulgarity after a single taste, a little additional assistance had still been required.

This act was somewhat risky, but for the sake of her two golden signboards, this small risk was not worth mentioning at all.

It was only that this Eunuch Xu, since he had been able to come to Jingling City to convey His Majesty’s oral decree, and since he was so familiar with Su Qingwu, he should hold considerable status in the palace. Yet in her memories, she had no recollection of such a person at all.

It seemed she would have to find an opportunity to ask Yue Wang to help her investigate him.

If the matter was truly as she guessed, then perhaps she could form a great, favorable connection, allowing her to move even more smoothly in the Capital in the future.

After resting for an hour, Madam Jin accompanied the Governor’s wife to Jinxiu Garden. When Mu Yunyao received the news, she hurriedly led people out to welcome them.

The fifty people were dressed in fluttering white garments. When they bowed in unison, their posture was graceful and beautiful. In an instant, the madams were left staring in astonishment.

The Governor’s wife’s attitude toward Mu Yunyao had grown much more intimate.

This summer was the most comfortable one she had ever had. Wearing the clothes Mu Yunyao had made for her, she felt especially cool and pleasant. She no longer had to worry constantly about sweat soaking through her garments, so her mood was naturally at ease.

Moreover, Mu Yunyao had now become the benefactor of all the women in Jingling City and had received His Majesty’s rewards. Befriending her would bring a hundred benefits without a single harm.

The other madams naturally understood this reasoning as well. It was only that, in the past, Mu Yunyao had needed to curry favor with them in every possible way. Now, however, the situation had turned around, and it was they who had to pay attention to every word they spoke. In their hearts, they could not help feeling a little sour and uncomfortable.

Quite a few madams had come. If Mu Yunyao were to brew tea herself, she would not be able to manage them all. Yet she also could not receive only the Governor’s wife and Madam Jin, lest the other madams develop resentment.

Thus, she simply spared herself the labor and led the madams to sit in the Xiaoxiang Bamboo Courtyard. Then she directly called Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the others inside.

The Xiaoxiang Bamboo Courtyard was spacious. Even with so many people entering, it did not appear crowded.

Seeing the tables and tea sets arranged before them, the madams present became curious. It was the first time they had seen so many tea utensils used merely to brew tea.

Mu Yunyao stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke with a smiling expression.

“May the madams please enjoy Buxian Tower’s tea-brewing art.”

After finishing her curtsy, she withdrew. The fifty people bowed in unison and offered greetings.

Although these madams held distinguished status in Jingling City, they had never been greeted in unison by fifty people at once. For a time, they felt as though their own status had become much more noble. Before they had even begun to drink tea, a few parts of self-satisfaction had already risen in their hearts.

When the fifty began brewing tea, the madams were even more stunned.

The white garments seemed untouched by dust, fluttering like immortals. On the women’s side, their fingers were slender and pale, their fair wrists like jade. Every movement was soft and graceful, winding and gentle. On the men’s side, firmness and gentleness blended together. They were warm as jade, broad-minded and composed, their bearing refined and elegant.

Never mind that the tea they brewed carried a clear, fragrant aroma. Even if they had directly served a bowl of plain water, one would still feel that this water was different from all others.

The tea was brewed, yet the madams had still not returned to themselves.

Wei Yi and Yun Chun led the others in carrying the tea to them in order. Then they respectfully withdrew.

Only after everyone had left did Madam Jin finally sigh in admiration.

“In the future, aside from this place of yours, I fear I will not go to any other tea house.”

This display alone was enough to throw every other tea house far behind.

“Indeed. It is my first time knowing that brewing tea could have so many refinements. Merely watching it was pleasing to the eye and heart.”

The madams gradually returned to themselves and praised Mu Yunyao again and again.

Mu Yunyao’s smile was full of delight. “Many thanks for the madams’ praise. Hearing you say this, my heart feels much more assured. It seems Buxian Tower should not lose money after opening.”

The moment she said this, the madams could not help laughing. One after another, they said that if Buxian Tower lost money, they would personally bring people here to support it. For a time, laughter rang again and again within the Xiaoxiang Bamboo Courtyard.

After the laughter and conversation, they began tasting the tea.

Quite a few madams who could not drink tea held their cups and looked left and right. Then sincere smiles appeared on their faces. Knowing they could not drink tea, Mu Yunyao had changed theirs to flower and fruit infusions. No wonder Mu Yunyao had been able to rise so smoothly within Jingling City in such a short time. Her thoughtfulness was truly far too meticulous.

The guests and host enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Mu Yunyao received another long string of praises. When she saw the madams off, she specially presented them with some dried rosebuds, drawing smiles from them again and again.

After being busy for an entire day, Mu Yunyao finally truly relaxed. She poured herself a cup of fragrant tea and sat in a chair, slowly savoring it.

Steward Qin led Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the others over.

“Miss, our tea house will officially open for business tomorrow. Are there any words you still wish to teach them?”

Mu Yunyao set down her teacup.

“Speaking of it, there is nothing in particular that I need to deliberately instruct you on. Only, you must remember that from now on, your identities are the tea attendants of Buxian Tower. Receiving the guests well is the first priority. If you cannot make the guests like Buxian Tower, then everything else will be nothing but empty talk. Nothing can be realized.”

Mu Yunyao clearly understood Yue Wang’s purpose in selecting these fifty people. She gave this warning because she feared they would be eager for quick success and immediate gain, focusing only on gathering information and the like, which would instead bring the opposite result.

Steward Qin’s heart tightened.

He had nearly forgotten this point. There was still a long road ahead. The first priority was to make Buxian Tower grow. If they became too eager for quick success and allowed others to sense that something was wrong, then even with His Majesty’s golden signboard, even if others could not touch this place, they could simply choose not to come.

Once Buxian Tower could no longer attract guests, it would exist in name only.

“Yes, Miss.”

Everyone hurriedly answered.

Mu Yunyao nodded.

“Additionally, I will have people search for books on tea arts, poetry, and literature. Each of you is to choose what you like and read it thoroughly. I do not require you to master everything, but you must each master one or two unique points.

“Also, each of you should think carefully about your own origins. Where is your home? Do you have family? What did you do before? How did you come to Jingling City? Why do you know how to brew tea? In short, the clearer and more detailed you make your background, the better. Then remember it firmly. No matter how others ask, you will answer according to that.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Furthermore, your temperaments are all too cold and detached. No matter what method you use, combine it with the background you have created for yourself and change your personality for me.

“You may be lofty. You may be proud and aloof. You may be cynical and resentful of the world. You may be delicate and pitiable. You may look down upon all others. You may be innocent and guileless. The only thing you may not be is fifty people all wearing the same face.

“Once you have chosen your own personality, then for the time to come, maintain it for me. You must never change back and forth in front of outsiders.”

“…Yes, Miss.”

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