Chapter 129: A Rising Talent

Chapter 129

A Rising Talent

Since returning to the capital, Nie Shuang had been training A’Yi to manage general affairs in place of Da Shi, who needed to oversee the main branch in Huangjing City. Normally, A’Yi handled various errands, so it’s not difficult at all, and she seemed to enjoy the added responsibility.

This time, the funding for the new tea house was much larger than expected due to investments from both Kang Wang and Princess An Le. So, there was no need to worry about the construction costs, and the two investors were unconcerned about when they would break even. For them, the money involved was trivial, which eased Nie Shuang’s pressure considerably.

Nie Shuang decided to lease one mu of land, agreeing to pay the princess an annual rent of 100 taels—a fairly high sum. Her principle was that when someone showed generosity, it was important not to take advantage. Finally, construction began. She hired a court architect to design the building and skilled carpenters to handle the construction. The Xiangyun Tea House in the capital would maintain the refined elegance and simplicity of the original branch, while also reflecting the grandeur of the capital city. Then, she tasked A’Yi with contacting agents to recruit maids for the establishment.

Nie Shuang then sent a letter requesting a meeting with Young Master Li, a well-known painter who had sold her a house and paintings before moving to the capital. His reputation had since grown, and one of his paintings could now fetch hundreds of taels. When he met with her, he immediately recognized her and greeted her warmly. Before Nie Shuang could speak, he hurriedly thanked her.

"Back then, Lady Boss mentioned opening a tea house as a gathering place for scholars. Since my paintings were displayed there, I’ve benefited from the exposure. Now, scholars from all over make it a point to visit the tea house in Huangjing City, and my work has become far more recognized."

Young Master Li hadn’t expected that the woman he had felt a connection with would prove to be so capable. Her Xiangyun Tea House had become well-known across the land, and her production of high-quality tea, that was sold everywhere, had revolutionized the tea trade in Huangjing City, which had been passed down for hundreds of years, in just a year. Nie Shuang was pleased to hear this and handed him a box of tea as a gift before saying,

"I’m here because of this, Young Master Li. I’m opening a tea house in the capital and would love to have your paintings to adorn it. I came to see if I could purchase some..."

Young Master Li quickly raised his hand.

"How many paintings would you like, or would you prefer that I visit the location and create new ones specifically for it?"

Nie Shuang was delighted by his offer.

"The tea house is currently under construction. While it will retain its simplicity, this branch of Xiangyun Tea House must reflect the grandeur of Shangjing, our capital city. Could you capture that in your work, Young Master Li?"

They discussed the details for some time, and when the topic turned to pricing, Young Master Li shook his head.

"Having my work displayed in your tea house is an honor in itself. How could I possibly charge you?"

Nie Shuang smiled. She thanked him but firmly declined his generous offer.

"Business should always benefit both parties. Your paintings are renowned because of your talent, and my tea house is merely a venue for showcasing them. I can’t claim credit for your success. Therefore, I insist on paying for the paintings you’ll create this time."

Young Master Li admired Nie Shuang even more after hearing her words. This Lady Boss conducted business with integrity and had a way with words. He had met many people in his time, and when he first started making a living through painting, his work was often undervalued by merchants, leaving him barely able to make ends meet. It was clear that Lady Boss was not the type to exploit others in business, which explained her continued success. Unable to hold back, he shared his admiration with her.

Nie Shuang smiled kindly and explained,

"There are many ways to achieve success without taking advantage of others. While this path may take longer and be more exhausting, I believe it will yield better results in the long run."

Of course, success also depended on factors such as capital, skill, experience, and luck! She, too, had made many mistakes and faced countless failures in the past.

Meanwhile, Mu Rongying, who had taken over the business in Huangjing City, was also quite busy. After Nie Shuang’s departure, she had taking on full responsibility for the tea house and tea trade. After the tea ceremony’s resounding success, Mu Rongying—now known as ‘Young Miss Nie’—gained widespread recognition. Her reputation wasn’t just due to her connections to the Song family and Kang Wang, but also because of her striking beauty and graceful demeanor. Scholars and young men, drawn by tales of her charm, flocked to the tea house. Meanwhile, women believed that associating with Young Miss Nie elevated their status, giving them something ‘artistic’ to boast about. The tea house had also become a gathering spot for promising young scholars, where women could casually meet eligible men without needing to host extravagant flower-viewing parties.

Despite not fully capitalizing on her fame, Mu Rongying knew it would be a waste not to use it to her advantage. Over the past few months, she had learned much from Nie Shuang and decided to seize the opportunity to ‘advertise’ the tea house’s offerings. With tea ceremonies still in vogue, she aimed to push the business further while the trend was strong. Every seven days, Xiangyun Tea House hosted a public tea ceremony in the main hall, allowing visitors to witness the event. However, those wishing to taste tea personally brewed by Young Miss Nie had to pay 50 taels per cup. Who would have thought that once the sign-up sheet was posted, reservations extended through the end of the year. This was no surprise; drinking such expensive tea offered a status symbol. Everyone knew of Young Miss Nie’s reputation, and she had once personally brewed tea for Kang Wang. In Huangjing City, filled with wealthy merchants, no one wanted to miss the chance to show off. Many sought to flaunt that they had partaken in a tea ceremony led by the same woman who had served tea to Kang Wang. Wang Dongpo even consulted her, asking if they should increase the number of ceremonies.

"No need, Manager Wang. Didn’t the Lady Boss say that if something becomes too common, it loses its value?"

However, she was unaware that her rising fame was causing discontent to someone...

And that person was no other than Kang Wang...Ever since Mu Rongying had declared her willingness to serve him but refused to become his consort, Kang Wang had not visited her. Yet every night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was her and the night they had shared. Still, he couldn’t accept her conditions. As Mu Rongying became the object of desire for many admirers, his jealousy grew. He couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else gazing at her. But Mu Rongying was like a little bird, soaring free. The more Nie Shuang entrusted her with decision-making power, the more she showcased her hidden talents. With each passing day, she seemed to drift further away from him, filling Kang Wang with fear.