Chapter 107: Being Da Ge Isn’t Easy

Chapter 107

Being Da Ge Isn’t Easy

When Song Qilin learned that his wife was going out for business, he had the servants pack up the children’s belongings and load them onto the carriage. As Nie Shuang led Mu Rongying outside, she noticed that the General was already sitting in the carriage with the three children and rolled her eyes. Were they all going to be glued together like candy now?

“What about the Hou and Elder Furen? What will they say when they can’t find their grandchildren?”

Nie Shuang asked, hoping Song Qilin would reconsider bringing the children. The journey to the tea plantation required leaving the city and heading up a mountain, and she worried the trip would be too strenuous for the children. Although the road had been improved for transporting tea leaves, she was still concerned. The man peeked out from behind the carriage curtain, with Bao Bao’s round face appearing at the bottom of the frame as well.

“Father and Mother were exhausted yesterday. They said they’ll come in the evening.”

Bao Bao, who had climbed onto his father’s lap, poked his head out to greet his mother and pretty aunt. Mu Rongying chuckled.

“Sister Nie Shuang, why don’t you ride with them? I’ll ride in the other carriage with Xiao San, Xiao Tong, and the wet nurses. Look, they’ve even prepared two carriages,”

She said before quickly heading to the other carriage. Nie Shuang had no choice but to climb into the one filled with the excited chatter of the three little rascals.

“I won’t be home for long. After the New Year, I have to return to the battlefield. It’s better for us to spend as much time together as possible,”

Song Qilin said quietly once she was inside. Tears welled up in Nie Shuang’s eyes, and she leaned into his warm embrace.

“Mm, I know. From now on, wherever I go, we’ll go together.”

Inside the carriage, the children were crawling everywhere. Without the maids and wet nurses to help, it was a bit overwhelming. Bao Bao, in particular, kept clinging to the window, trying to peek outside. Song Qilin had to pull him onto his lap and hold him tightly. Bao Bao, frustrated by being restrained, started to cry, but his father didn’t relent. Bei Bei nestled contentedly in his mother’s embrace, proudly playing the role of the favored son. Meanwhile, Xiao Hua Hua sat between her parents, occasionally looking up at their conversation before resting her head on their laps, her behavior utterly adorable. Eventually, she sprawled across her mother’s lap, stretching her legs toward her father as she relaxed.

With one arm around his crying eldest son and the other pulling Nie Shuang against his strong chest. At that moment, the young couple felt immense joy at having their family all together. Bao Bao, seeing Bei Bei nestled in his mother’s warm embrace, grew envious. Why did he have to be stuck in the tight hold of this young slave? He began squirming to get closer to his mother.

Bei Bei, noticing his older brother’s antics, raised his leg and kicked Bao Bao. In the scuffle, Bao Bao accidentally stepped on Xiao Hua Hua’s plump little legs resting across their father’s lap. Furious, the little doll sat up and tugged at her older brother’s hair. Bao Bao wanted to retaliate, but his father’s strong arms held him too tightly. All he could do was wave his fists in the air. Despite being ganged up on by his younger siblings, the slave still had the nerve to reprimand him.

"Bao Bao, as the older brother, you mustn’t tease your younger siblings. A good older brother looks after them, knows how to be patient and selfless, do you understand?"

Bao Bao didn’t quite grasp the words, but he understood one thing: those two little dough balls had privileges he didn’t. He couldn’t hit them or tease them. His little head drooped in defeat, and the tears that had dried earlier threatened to return. Being Da Ge wasn’t easy at all.

After climbing the mountain, the carriage swayed for a while before stopping at the Jiang family’s tea plantation. The children had never been this far from home before. The furthest they had ever gone was the tea house. Now, seeing the open skies and towering mountains, they looked around in awe. Song Qilin carried Bao Bao and Xiao Hua Hua in each arm, while Bei Bei clung to Nie Shuang’s neck, calm and well-mannered, displaying a dignified aura even at such a young age. Mu Rongying and the others got out of the carriage and joined them.

The workers at the tea plantation, upon seeing Nie Shuang alight, quickly ran to inform the master and young miss of the house. Jiang Ru hurried out, still catching her breath. When she saw the little children, she exclaimed in delight,

"Sister Nie Shuang, are these my nephews and niece?"

Since collaborating with Nie Shuang, Jiang Ru had been incredibly busy, barely stepping foot out of the tea roasting house. Her daily work consisted of developing new tea flavors and experimenting with tea production as per Nie Shuang’s requests. Her latest creation was Mo Cha Fen that had just been released to the market.

"That’s right. These are Bao Bao, Bei Bei, and Xiao Hua Hua,"

Nie Shuang smiled, introducing the children to Jiang Ru before turning to Song Qilin.

"And this is my husband, the father of the children."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ru quickly bowed in respect. She had long heard that the Lady Boss’s husband was General Song. In her imagination, a General should be someone fierce and intimidating. She hadn’t expected such a warm and handsome young man, carrying his children and following the Lady Boss so closely.

Shortly after, Jiang Zilu and Da Shi arrived to greet them. After exchanging pleasantries, Nie Shuang explained her purpose for coming.

"I’ve brought my younger sister, Nie Ying, to train in the art of tea ceremony with Jiang Ru. You all can go about your other business."

Nie Shuang addressed Jiang Zilu, while Da Shi, who had been managing the tea plantation recently, quickly offered to accompany them.

"In case you come up with any new ideas, I’ll be here to assist and make the necessary arrangements,"

Da Shi said, ever thoughtful as usual. Recently, when the Jiang family’s tea plantation had begun sourcing tea leaves from other farms, it was Da Shi who handled the logistics, including building additional tea roasting houses and warehouses. He was responsible for executing Nie Shuang’s plans and regularly reporting on the progress, ensuring the tea production process ran smoothly.

Nie Shuang shook her head.

"Today is just for relaxation and training in the art of tea ceremony. You’re already very busy, so there’s no need to worry about this."

Hearing this, Da Shi left at ease, but he couldn’t help but wonder if Lady Boss’s personal visit today signaled yet another new business plan on the horizon.

Nie Shuang then turned to Jiang Ru and spoke.

"Let’s head inside your tea storage room for a chat."

Jiang Ru led them into a building near the tea roasting house. The building was newly constructed specifically for Jiang Ru’s work. Not only was she an important figure in the family, but she was also a key player in the tea business of Huangjing City. Everyone knew that the Jiang family had three capable daughters, all of whom contributed to the family’s success, especially the eldest, who had a special expertise in tea fermentation. This year, Jiang Ru was sixteen and unmarried. Everyone knew that the Jiang family had no sons, so it was expected that whoever married her would become part of her family. The Jiang family’s tea plantation had grown significantly, and despite the expectation of marrying into the family, many young men would still be eager to marry her. However, Jiang Ru wasn’t bothered by this—she enjoyed working on new tea recipes far more.

Inside the tea storage room, the walls were lined with large wooden cabinets. Upon entering the room, everyone could smell the fragrant aroma of tea. In the room, there was kettle and tea brewing equipment neatly arranged on wooden shelves. In the center of the room was a low table placed on a straw mat, with cushions stacked in a corner. Xiao San and Xiao Tong quickly placed the cushions for everyone, then went to light the stove to boil water. Xiao Hua Hua sneezed once, making Song Qilin hesitate about whether he should take her outside.

"It’s cold outside. Let her stay in here,"

Nie Shuang told her husband. Once everyone was seated, she explained her purpose for having Mu Rongying practice tea brewing.

"I want you to help teach which types of tea are suitable for which brewing methods, and at what temperature the water should be. I want Nie Ying to demonstrate how to brew Mo Cha Fen for everyone."

"Of course,"

Jiang Ru smiled, then began explaining the different types of tea and their brewing characteristics to Mu Rongying. However, she couldn’t help but ask curiously,

"Why doesn’t Lady Boss demonstrate it yourself? The people of the city all know you, and you’re familiar with the properties of each type of tea. Why have Sister Nie Ying demonstrated instead?"

"I’m not an expert in everything. Look at Nie Ying—her demeanor is graceful and elegant. If she demonstrates how to brew Mo Cha Fen, wouldn’t people admire it even more? I can persuade people to spend money, but I can’t make them feel that drinking Mo Cha Fen is a formal, refined ceremony. Only someone who has grown up with strict training can truly convey that feeling."

"Shuang Shuang is right. You’re sharp and quick-witted, but if you want the tea ceremony to have the air of deep wisdom, then Nie Ying is certainly more suitable,"

Song Qilin said while gently holding Xiao Hua Hua, without taking his eyes off his daughter. Mu Rongying and Jiang Ru exchanged glances and smiled.The General was truly affectionate toward the Young Furen...