Chapter 115: Inappropriate

Chapter 115

Inappropriate

Song Qilin’s departure this time had a profound impact on both Nie Shuang and the children. Although he had only been home for a short time, everything he did left a deep imprint on their hearts. Song Qilin took care of both his wife and children himself, never complaining that it was the servants’ work, as if he was desperate to be close to his family. On the carriage ride back, absent his presence, the children were inconsolable. Xiao Tong and Xiao San, who had joined them in the carriage, were left to console the young masters and young miss. Once again, it was Da Ge who started crying, followed shortly by the younger two as they realized their father hadn’t returned with them.

Nie Shuang discreetly wiped away her tears. She had so much left to do. When she had fled the Hou Manor, she never thought of returning, not even for a moment. But now she realized she had fallen completely in love with her husband. Her in-laws had also accepted her. If the family could be together again, it would be a wonderful thing.

After the New Year, Nie Shuang reviewed the previous year’s accounts. Although Xiangyun Tea House had only been open since the fourth month, it was the most profitable business, followed by Shen Nong Protection Agency, which was managed by Yan Zhan. The agency had seen several new recruits. Many believed that working for the agency, which was owned by the Lady Boss, promised a bright future, in addition to learning martial arts. Many young men who dreamed of traveling the world applied to become followers and trained in martial arts while they were there. The tea shop branches in other cities had opened later in the year, and although their sales weren’t bad, they still couldn’t match the success of the main Xiangyun Tea House.

Nie Shuang drafted instructions, delegating the distribution of red envelopes for the upcoming Lunar New Year to Da Shi, Wang Dongpo, and Yan Zhan. This was essentially a generous bonus. At that time, there was no concept of bonuses here. For servants who worked well, the best they could hope for was a small reward in the form of loose change. On Lunar New Year, even receiving a couple of silver taels in a red envelope was cause for great celebration. But Nie Shuang intended to give them a bonus ten times their monthly salary—equivalent to nearly a year’s pay! She chuckled to herself, imagining how overjoyed they would be, possibly fainting from excitement. They had worked tirelessly, and with such successful earnings in the first year, how could she not reward them?

Today marked the first day the academy sent the teacher who taught etiquette and ceremony to learn the tea ceremony. He Shangbian was a reserved and polite young man of twenty-five. He had passed the civil service examination and served as an official in the capital for three years but left after conflicts with his superiors to become a teacher at the academy. Nie Shuang arranged for him to train at the mansion, preparing all the necessary equipment in the reception hall.

After waiting a while, he saw Mu Rongying enter the room with Chunmei, along with four other maids waiting on them. Once they exchanged formal greetings, He Shangbian spoke.

"Today I must trouble you, Young Miss Nie Ying. The tea ceremony during the New Year’s celebration was truly peaceful and graceful. I, He Shangbian, am grateful that you are willing to pass on your knowledge."

Mu Rongying smiled and responded,

"You are too kind, Teacher He. Nie Ying is not skilled at all; it was Sister Nie Shuang who taught me everything. She has graciously agreed to spread the tea ceremony far and wide. If you wish to offer thanks, you should thank Sister Nie Shuang."

She spoke humbly, and He Shangbian smiled politely without continuing the conversation. He wasn’t much of a talker but had deep knowledge of etiquette and rituals. When he first saw Mu Rongying during the tea ceremony, he couldn’t help but think she carried herself like a lady from a noble family. However, remembering that she was the daughter of the wealthy merchant Nie Ran, it wasn’t surprising. With wealth like Nie Ran’s, hiring the best tutors for his daughter was only natural. Look at Lady Boss herself—intelligent, graceful, with an undeniable aura that made it impossible to overlook her.

Mu Rongying didn’t start by brewing tea. Instead, she explained the qualities of Mo Cha Fen, tips about water temperature, and even some interesting facts about the types of water used for brewing and their differences, including the ideal temperature. She then introduced each piece of equipment. Having an excellent memory, she retained everything Jiang Ru had taught her, missing nothing. He Shangbian listened intently. Her voice was pleasant, clear, and she explained things step by step. Before he realized it, two hours had passed.

Mu Rongying took a sip of tea. This first session didn’t include a practical tea brewing demonstration. He Shangbian was taking notes while listening. When she paused to rest, he set down his brush and asked her a couple of clarifying questions before speaking up again.

"You must be tired, Young Miss Nie. Let’s stop for today. I will come again tomorrow after I finish at the academy."

Mu Rongying didn’t object, as she was indeed feeling a bit tired. He Shangbian was an intellectual and strict in his demeanor, which made her put in extra effort to deliver the lesson with precision. As she set down her teacup, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"It’s my fault for taking so long. I apologize for making you come again tomorrow, Teacher He."

He Shangbian smiled, his usually serious face softening a little. By now, he had grown to admire her. He didn’t expect someone so young to speak so eloquently and conduct herself with such impeccable manners.

"Please, Young Miss Nie, don’t say that. I am the one who is fortunate to learn from you..."

He Shangbian was about to continue praising her when the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted him. Both turned toward the door, and upon seeing who had arrived, they bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness,"

Mu Rongying said, her voice slightly hoarse after speaking for two hours. Hearing this, Kang Wang frowned.

"Is Lady Boss not here?"

He asked, directing the question to Mu Rongying as if he had come on business with the Lady Boss. Moments earlier, he had stopped by Xiangyun Tea House, thinking the lessons were being held there. During the tea ceremony, he had overheard that the academy’s headmaster would send someone to study with Mu Rongying. After some inquiries, he learned it was Teacher He. Though He Shangbian was serious and rigid in his adherence to rules, he was still a young man, unmarried, and not unpleasant-looking. Meanwhile, Mu Rongying was an unmarried young woman as well. No matter how it was looked at, the situation was inappropriate. Even though Nie Shuang had given her approval, she was preoccupied with her children and couldn’t always be around to supervise. A man and woman alone together could easily lead to gossip. That’s why Kang Wang had ‘coincidentally’ decided to stop by Xiangyun Tea House early that morning, lingering over tea with the scholars for hours, but after drinking a lot of tea, He Shangbian and Mu Rongying had yet to appear.

Until Wang Dongpo ‘accidentally’ mentioned in passing that the Lady Boss had instructed Young Miss Mu to teach tea brewing at the mansion, Kang Wang had quickly made his way there. He arrived just in time to see the two of them together, even though there were four or five maids nearby pouring tea and preparing ink. Still, no matter how it looked, it wasn’t appropriate!

"I seem to have interrupted you, Teacher He. I came to discuss something with the Lady Boss. I heard voices and thought she might be here. General Song asked me to help with the arrangements for his children’s one-year celebration, so I was hoping to consult with the Lady Boss and Young Miss Nie Ying today..."

Kang Wang quickly came up with a reason. Hearing such an explanation, no one would think to linger. He Shangbian quickly clasped his hands together in a respectful gesture, not feeling as though he had been dismissed rudely at all. After all, Kang Wang was a noble man of great virtue, far from acting like a petty person with bad intentions.

"I was just about to leave. I bid you farewell, Your Highness."Teacher He bowed politely and then left, following the maids.