Chapter 137: Bi Yu Tea

Chapter 137

Bi Yu Tea

On the day of the product launch, Xiangyun Tea House was livelier than ever. The number of people appeared to have doubled because many shop owners who came to drop off their wives lingered outside the tea house, refusing to leave. It could be said that they were envious of their wives, as they were usually the ones granted the privilege to drink tea inside. Today, however, they could only stand at a distance, peeking in.

The lady bosses, fully dressed in their finest attire, with immaculate hair and makeup, created an especially luxurious atmosphere inside the tea house. Since today’s event catered exclusively to female guests, Mu Rongying had the tea house decorated with fresh flowers and soft, fragrant incense. With spring in full bloom, it was easy to find various vibrant flowers in season. The sliding doors were opened wide, offering a view of the rock garden and river beyond. Above the doors, she had a sheer white curtain that was tied with strands of pearls, giving a different atmosphere. It felt less like a scholarly tea house and more like a heavenly garden, something out of a young woman’s fantasy.

Mu Rongying wore a pink outfit, looking particularly delicate. Once all the guests had arrived, she gave a short speech to officially open the event. She thanked the lady bosses for their attendance, and they, looking pleased, eagerly awaited the unveiling of the new tea. They couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, as in previous events, it was their husbands who had the privilege of returning home with two boxes of tea to show off. Today, it was their turn to savor the tea firsthand in this beautiful, refreshing setting. For a brief moment, they couldn’t help but imagine themselves as deities wandering in a heavenly garden.

"First, let me introduce our new fermented tea, called Bi Yu. This tea is stronger than Lü Cui and Hong Bao, which you might already be familiar with. The reason is that Bi Yu undergoes a more special fermentation process, allowing it to be stored for a much longer time. How long, you may ask? I think you will be surprised. Anyone who guesses correctly will receive a packet of Bi Yu tea as a prize."

The Furens excitedly began shouting their guesses, filling the hall with lively chatter. Some guessed three years, others five or ten years, but none of them got it right. Finally, Mu Rongying revealed the answer.

"Bi Yu tea can be stored as long as fine wine—the longer it ages, the more valuable it becomes. So, you can keep it for ten, twenty years without issue. Even after a hundred years, this tea will not lose its quality. In fact, it will become even richer and more aromatic."

The lady bosses were left speechless. Before Xiangyun Tea House opened, they had only ever drunk white tea, which could only be stored for up to three months. But now they were hearing about a tea that only increased in value as it aged. They couldn’t help but feel intrigued. Their husbands were fond of collecting old and expensive wines, and now they had the tea leaves to keep for drinking—how could they not be interested? Besides, it was the renowned Xiangyun’s tea leaves.

"The Bi Yu tea leaves that will be sold today are part of the first batch. Years from now, even with money, it may be impossible to find this again."

When they heard this, their eyes widened. What a valuable investment this tea could be. Even before tasting it, they were eager to purchase it. Mu Rongying smiled and continued speaking.

"More important than the increasing value of Bi Yu tea each year are its medicinal properties. This Bi Yu tea is excellent for health, with numerous benefits for enhancing beauty and preventing illnesses."

As soon as Mu Rongying mentioned this, the lady bosses listened even more intently. Beauty and health were topics they cared deeply about. For business owners like them, money was not an issue. They lived comfortably and luxuriously, and if there was a way to enhance their beauty and maintain good health, they would gladly spend as much as they needed.

At that moment, Mu Rongying turned to nod at Chunmei, signaling the staff to serve the tea.

"Please taste the Bi Yu tea for yourselves. It has a more bitter flavor, but as the saying goes, bitter is medicine. While initially bitter, the tea leaves a fragrant, refreshing taste in the throat and offers numerous health benefits."

As Mu Rongying spoke, the maids promptly poured tea for the female guests. The steam swirled through the air, filling the room with the tea’s rich aroma. What Mu Rongying said was no exaggeration; Bi Yu tea was indeed much stronger than the previous teas. Even the bosses standing outside, waiting for their wives, inhaled deeply as the scent of the tea reached them. Wang Dongpo, being considerate of his long-time customers, had his staff serve each of the merchants a cup of Bi Yu tea to sip as they waited.

Inside, the lady bosses, already intrigued by the tea’s promise, were even more eager to buy once the fragrant aroma hit their senses. Even before the maidservants retreated, they already held their cups to blow.

The fragrant aroma wafted into their noses; the warmth in their hands and the steam gently brushing the tip of their noses in the cool morning air. The scent was fresh and invigorating, and when they finally sipped the tea, the initial bitterness left a lingering, warm sensation that spread through their bodies. The combination of Bi Yu’s scent and taste was the perfect way to start the day. As everyone was calmly sipping their tea, Mu Rongying’s melodic voice rang out.

"Bi Yu tea is good for the heart and stomach, nourishes the blood, promotes healthy blood circulation, and helps reduce bad breath while preventing cavities. If consumed regularly, it can detoxify the body, slow down aging, and help prevent illnesses like heart disease and clogged arteries."

As they listened to Young Miss Nie describe the tea’s properties, they couldn’t help but be captivated by her beauty. Her eloquent speech and soothing voice made the information easy to understand, and the elegant way she spoke about beauty secrets left them in awe. How could they not believe the benefits of this tea when the person describing it was as radiant as she was?

"Bi Yu tea can also reduce dark spots on the face, diminish dark circles around the eyes and lips. Simply apply the used tea leaves in a cloth pouch over the eyes, lips, or any dark spots, and it will help make the skin soft and radiant, erasing any unwanted marks."

Mu Rongying nodded to Chunmei again, signaling her to instruct the maids to distribute brochures.

"There are many more beauty benefits to Bi Yu tea, whether it’s for eliminating odors, nourishing hair, or enhancing skin. You can read more about these tips in this brochure."

It’s often said that beauty products were the most effective way to draw money from a woman’s pocket, especially those who did not lack anything. Some of the lady bosses were naturally frugal, intending to attend the event without spending a cent. However, before they knew it, each had two boxes of Bi Yu tea in hand. Looking around, they saw others scrambling to buy the tea as well, money in hand. If it weren’t for the two-box limit per person, the stock would have likely sold out before the day was over.

Seeing the overwhelming response, Mu Rongying was overjoyed. Every Furen who attended had purchased the tea. Limiting the number of boxes was a strategy devised by Nie Shuang herself. The fermented tea would only increase in value as it aged, especially since this was the first batch ever produced, making its future worth immeasurable.

Wang Dongpo and Chunmei stood nearby, marveling at how Young Miss Mu had created such a buzz, comparable to what Nie Shuang had achieved in the past. Both were intelligent and beautiful women, though with very different personalities. Nie Shuang was quick-witted and outspoken, while Mu Rongying was sweet and graceful. Yet, when it came to selling goods, both had the ability to generate massive sales.

At first, Manager Wang had been worried that inviting only women would negatively affect the event. Typically, men were easier customers, while women tended to be more careful with their spending, considering household expenses. He never expected that every woman present would be so eager to spend. It wasn’t just about wanting tea that promoted health and beauty; for some, it seemed like a matter of pride. Some bought because their friends did.The motivations behind women’s spending were something Wang Dongpo could never quite understand.