Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 115

~ LAST INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPENING ~ 

After seeing Su Qingwu and Xu Li off, Mu Yunyao finally loosened all the way through, her smile bright and effortless.

Steward Qin had Yun Chun prepare tea and personally brought a cup to Mu Yunyao’s side. “Miss… did what you planned come through?”

“Eight or nine out of ten.”

Steward Qin’s heart leapt with joy. “Wonderful. That makes everything so much easier.”

“Don’t celebrate too early. We’ll wait—within a few days, we should have definite news.” Mu Yunyao tapped the rim of her cup lightly. “For now, have everyone tidy up Jin Xiu Yuan. We still need to host Madam Jin and the others later.”

“Some of the madams have cold constitutions, so prepare more flower infusions and fruit teas. Governor’s Wife will likely come too—she can’t handle sweets, so make sure there are savory pastries. When serving, be extra careful. Don’t mix anything up.”

“Yes. I’ll have them prepare it at once.”

When Steward Qin left, Mu Yunyao removed the sachet hanging at her waist and handed it to Jin Lan, who was waiting nearby.

“Find a brazier and burn it. Leave no trace.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jin Lan didn’t ask what had been inside. She took the sachet and went.

Mu Yunyao exhaled, then rubbed her brow gently, the curve of her lips rising despite herself.

Even if she was likable, it was impossible to win Xu Li’s special regard in only two days through charm alone. The tea was good, the water was good… but to reach the level where the mind quieted, and the vulgar world fell away, she’d needed a bit of help—a subtle assist that made everything land exactly where she wanted it.

It was risky.

But for two golden signboards, that risk was nothing.

Still… Xu Li had come to Jingling to deliver His Majesty’s verbal decree, and he spoke with Su Qingwu as if they were familiar. That meant he held real weight in the palace.

Yet in Mu Yunyao’s memories, she couldn’t recall such a person at all.

She would need Yue Wang to help her look into him. If things were truly as she suspected, she might be able to form a powerful, good connection—one that would let her swim far more smoothly in the capital later.

After resting for an hour, Madam Jin arrived with the Governor’s Wife. Once Mu Yunyao received the message, she hurried out to welcome them.

The fifty attendants in flowing white bowed in perfect unison, their posture graceful and refined. The madams froze on the spot, stunned.

The Governor’s Wife treated Mu Yunyao far more warmly than before.

This summer had been the most comfortable she’d had in years. The clothing Mu Yunyao had made for her was cool and breathable—she no longer had to worry about sweat clinging to her robes, and her mood naturally improved. Besides, Mu Yunyao had now become the benefactor of Jingling’s women and had received rewards from His Majesty. Befriending her was all gain and no loss.

The other madams understood that, too.

The only difference was that, before, Mu Yunyao had needed to please them carefully.

Now, it had flipped.

They had to mind their words, watch their tone, measure their smiles… and that sour, uncomfortable feeling—jealousy wrapped in pride—inevitably crept in.

There were too many guests. If Mu Yunyao brewed tea alone, she’d be overwhelmed. Yet she couldn’t serve only the Governor’s Wife and Madam Jin, or the others would feel slighted.

So she “took a break” the neatest way possible.

After leading everyone into the Xiaoxiang Bamboo Courtyard and settling them, she had Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the rest come in.

The space was broad enough that even fifty people didn’t feel cramped.

When the tables and tableware were set out, the madams’ curiosity flared. This was the first time they’d seen tea prepared with so many tools.

Mu Yunyao stepped forward, bowed, and smiled brightly. “Madams, please enjoy Bu Xian Lou’s tea artistry.”

She withdrew after the greeting. The fifty bowed and offered salutations in unison.

These women were powerful in Jingling, yes—but none had ever received a salute from fifty people at once. Before they’d even tasted a sip, their hearts were already floating with satisfaction.

Then the brewing began.

White robes, dustless and drifting, like immortals descending.

On the women’s side, fingers were slender, wrists pale as jade—every movement soft, graceful, and winding like silk.

On the men’s side, strength and gentleness balanced perfectly—warm as polished jade, poised and elegant, their manner restrained yet refined.

Forget the tea being fragrant.

Even if someone had served plain water, it would’ve felt different.

When the tea was ready, the madams still hadn’t fully recovered.

Wei Yi and Yun Chun led the others forward in order, placing cups respectfully before each guest, then retreating with perfect decorum.

Only after they were gone did Madam Jin sigh in admiration. “From now on, aside from your place, I’m not going to any other tea house.”

Just that opening spectacle alone would crush the competition.

“Yes! I never knew tea could have so many nuances.” Another madam fanned herself, delighted. “Just watching was pleasing to the eye.”

Compliments poured in from every direction.

Mu Yunyao smiled, openly happy. “Thank you, madams. Hearing you say that puts my heart at ease. Bu Xian Lou’s opening shouldn’t lose money, then.”

Her tone made them laugh.

“If you lose money, we’ll personally bring people to support you!”

“If you lose money, we’ll drink until you earn it back!”

Xiaoxiang Bamboo Courtyard is filled with laughter.

After the jokes, they finally began to sip.

Some of the madams couldn’t tolerate tea. They held their cups, glanced around… and smiled, genuinely touched. Their tea had been replaced with flower-and-fruit infusions instead.

No wonder Mu Yunyao had risen so quickly in Jingling.

Her attention to detail was frightening.

Everyone left satisfied, and Mu Yunyao gained another string of praise. When she escorted them out, she even gifted each a small packet of sun-dried rosebuds—earning more laughter and affectionate teasing.

Only then, after an entire day of hosting, did Mu Yunyao finally relax for real. She poured herself a cup of fragrant tea and sat back, sipping slowly.

Steward Qin arrived with Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the others behind him.

“Miss, Bu Xian Lou opens officially tomorrow.” Steward Qin bowed. “Do you have any final guidance for them?”

Mu Yunyao set her cup down.

“There isn’t much that needs repeating,” she said calmly. “Just remember this: from tomorrow onward, your identity is Bu Xian Lou’s tea stewards. Serving the guests well is your first priority.”

“If you can’t make the guests like Bu Xian Lou, then everything else is empty talk. Nothing can be achieved.”

Steward Qin’s spine chilled.

He’d nearly forgotten. There would be plenty of time later. First, Bu Xian Lou had to grow. If they rushed and exposed something unnatural—fine, no one could destroy Bu Xian Lou with His Majesty’s protection, but they could choose not to come.

And if guests stopped coming, Bu Xian Lou would become a hollow name.

“Yes, Miss,” everyone answered quickly.

Mu Yunyao nodded.

“Also, I’ll have people gather books on tea, poetry, and scholarship. Each of you pick what you like and study it thoroughly. I don’t need you to master everything—but every one of you must have one or two areas you can speak on with real depth.”

“Next—each of you must create a background for yourself. Where were you born? Where is your home? Do you have family? What did you do before? How did you come to Jingling? Why do you understand tea? The clearer and more detailed you make it, the better.”

“Then memorize it. Nail it into your bones. No matter who asks, you answer the same way every time.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“And one more thing.” Mu Yunyao’s gaze swept across them. “All of you are still too cold.”

“I don’t care what method you use—tie it to the background you created and change your temperament.”

“You can be aloof. Proud. Cynical. Pitiful. Arrogant. Naive. Innocent.”

“But you absolutely cannot have fifty people wearing the same face.”

“Once you choose a personality, maintain it. Don’t shift and change in front of outsiders.”

“…Yes, Miss.”

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