Chapter 167: Opening the Shop

Chapter 167

Opening the Shop

After completing her postpartum confinement period, Nie Shuang had to return to work. The new branch of Xiangyun Tea House was now finished, and she had a lot to take care of. Fortunately, Song Qilin was helping take care of the children at home, so she wasn’t overly exhausted. During the day, she could manage to slip away to handle business matters. As it was nearing the end of the year, the weather had grown colder, and the capital was much chillier than Huangjing City in the south. Every day, the three older siblings were bundled up in thick, padded clothes, wearing fluffy fur hats. When they saw Nie Shuang leaving the house, they toddled after her, looking like three adorable little buns.

Da Ge and Xiao Hua Hua cried and clung to her, wanting to come along. Only Bei Bei stood silently, watching his mother, his lips quivering slightly and his eyes reddening. This quiet child, who refused to cry, tugged at Nie Shuang’s heart more than anything. She crouched down and hugged all three of them. While she hesitated, Song Qilin stepped forward and helped her stand up.

“You can go ahead. Take them with you. I’ll come along to help watch them. I won’t let them distract you from your work,”

He reassured her, gently scooping up the three children into his arms. Da Ge, who had been crying with a runny nose, sniffed loudly and smiled through his tears when he heard his father’s words, looking so mischievous that he deserved a scolding. Bei Bei snuggled contentedly into his father’s chest, while Xiao Hua Hua smiled sweetly as always, melting her father’s heart. Now that the three troublemakers had stopped crying, Nie Shuang felt more at ease, though she still looked at her husband with some doubt.

“I’m going for work, so I didn’t plan to bring many people. We’re only taking one carriage, so we can’t bring the wet nurses along.”

Carrying the children in his arms, Song Qilin approached and kissed his wife on the forehead.

“I can handle them by myself. Don’t worry. Just take Xiao San with you.”

The wet nurses hurriedly packed all the necessary items for the children—diapers, snacks, spare clothes, and other essentials—into baskets. Xiao San loaded everything onto the carriage and took her seat up front with the coachman, leaving the parents and the three children inside the carriage. Nie Shuang planned not to stay out long, worried about the little ones left at home with Xiao Tong and the other wet nurses.

Once inside the carriage, the three troublemakers, who had been fussing moments before, were now all smiles, their tears drying up. Xiao Hua Hua had started speaking in longer sentences, but Da Ge still struggled with short words. During her free time, Nie Shuang often taught them songs and counting. Whenever she sang, the little girl would hum along in her own way, while Da Ge tried to join in but could only manage incoherent sounds. Bei Bei simply lay there, smiling with sparkling eyes, watching his mother.

“Are you sure you can handle them?”

Nie Shuang asked, still uncertain as they sat in the carriage. Song Qilin smiled and reached into his sleeve, pulling out three waist straps.

“If we’re indoors, it’s fine. But if we’re going outside to play, we’ll need to leash them, especially Da Ge. Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep up with them.”

When Da Ge heard his father mention him, he immediately turned around and let out a loud Ai! Meanwhile, Bei Bei and Xiao Hua Hua had already claimed their parents’ laps, lying down comfortably without a care in the world. Nie Shuang laughed, imagining Song Qilin leading the children around like little puppies. It amused her, as she had often thought her husband sometimes behaved like a dog himself.

When they arrived at the tea house, Nie Shuang saw A’Yi sitting with two other elegant women—Concubine Zhang and Concubine Liu, whom Song Qilin had taken in when Nie Shuang first married into the household. Upon seeing the General, the women hurriedly bowed, too fearful to even meet his gaze. Everyone knew how deeply General Song loved his wife, and these women were smart enough not to entertain any frivolous thoughts. Ever since the General had taken them in three years ago but never touched them, they had known this day would come. Both had been sold to a brothel at a young age and had no family to speak of. Even if they left the manor with plenty of wealth, they would still be vulnerable to unsavory characters. Thus, they were happy to work at the tea house. At least, as employees of the Lady Boss, no one would dare harm them.

These women were courtesans who sold their artistic skills. Having served wealthy nobles in the capital, they were well-educated in manners and etiquette. Zhang Liyong was an expert in the zither and well-versed in the arts, while Liu Qiulian was sharp and efficient. Since being sent to the tea house, they had helped A’Yi manage affairs smoothly. The two women only wished for a peaceful life, far from the brothel, and so they were determined to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

Nie Shuang appointed Liu Qiulian as the manager, overseeing the daily operations, while Zhang Liyong, with her artistic talents, was tasked with playing the zither and performing tea ceremonies. Even before the shop had officially opened, the two women had already divided their responsibilities efficiently.

Xiangyun Tea House was spacious and serene. The interior exuded a sense of luxury without being ostentatious. All the materials used were of the finest quality, and the decor was understated, featuring paintings by Young Master Li, who had graciously offered to paint for them. The utensils were of the highest quality, the same used by Princess An Le in the palace. The tea house was surrounded by the view of rock gardens and towering trees. The maids hired to work at the tea house had all undergone extensive training, starting several months before the opening. If it weren’t for the Xiangyun Tea House having a substantial financial backing, such preparation would have been impossible.

Recently, people in the capital had been buzzing about Xiangyun Tea House, calling it a first-class establishment that supplied tea to the royal palace. The tea ceremonies performed there were so renowned that some had traveled all the way to Huangjing to study them. Many scholars in the capital regarded the tea ceremony as a path to enlightenment. Upon hearing that the tea house, the original creators of the tea ceremony, were opening, many resolved to become regular patrons. Nobles and wealthy merchants in the capital wouldn’t miss the opportunity to flaunt their status by spending money there. Moreover, knowing that Kang Wang and Princess An Le had a stake in the business further encouraged them to show their support. Though Xiangyun Tea House had not sent out formal invitations, on the first day of its opening, a long line of customers had already formed.

Nie Shuang had been managing the tea house since early morning. Both sides of the family—her husband’s and her own—came to congratulate her. They sat together at a table, sipping tea and chatting happily. Nia Ran had come with Xiao Yi Niang, who had now been elevated to the status of the principal wife, replacing Gao Shi. Much of the conversation revolved around the six grandchildren. The Hou laughed continuously as he reminisced about the one-month celebration they had held for the children. The Hou Manor had invited many guests, and everyone who saw the chubby, beautiful babies couldn’t help but feet fond of them and express their congratulations to the Hou. He was bursting with pride. Word quickly spread that the daughter-in-law of the Hou Manor was truly blessed, expanding the Song family lineage so swiftly. After just two pregnancies, Nie Shuang had given birth to six children, making Song Qilin the young man with the most direct heirs in the capital. Many women who hadn’t yet conceived were eager to be near Nie Shuang, hoping to absorb some of her good fortune. Some even went so far as to nickname her the Goddess of Fertility.

Nie Shuang was busy welcoming guests, with Song Qilin standing beside her. Many who were close to the Hou Manor eagerly congratulated him when they saw him. At that moment, he didn’t feel that being involved in business was shameful in the least. Without the intelligence and skill of his wife, how could such a grand and beautiful tea house have come to be? Before long, the newly opened Xiangyun Tea House was filled with well-known figures from the capital.

Just as Nie Shuang was thinking of sitting down to rest, a royal carriage arrived in front of the tea house. Eunuch Gao stepped out and loudly announced,

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Everyone immediately knelt, feeling fortunate to have visited on this day. Xiangyun Tea House was truly remarkable—on its opening day, the Emperor himself had come in person. After granting permission for everyone to rise, Nie Shuang saw that Princess An Le had accompanied the Emperor. The princess, upon seeing Nie Shuang, approached her warmly and began speaking.

"I told Father about how I helped with many aspects of this tea house. Since it’s opening today, he wanted to come see it for himself. Besides, isn’t there supposed to be a tea ceremony today? If everything’s ready, let’s begin."

Princess An Le said proudly, urging her with impatience. The Emperor, hearing his daughter’s words, laughed and gently scolded her with affection.

"You brought us here without notice, and the General and his wife are probably already quite busy. Now you’re rushing them?"

Hearing this, Nie Shuang quickly responded,

"Not at all, Your Majesty. The tea ceremony is prepared and ready. Please, proceed inside."

The Emperor surveyed the interior of the tea house. Everything was arranged tastefully—simple yet elegant. As he walked, he asked Song Qilin,

"Are the three children not here? I had hoped to see them today."

There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"This place requires a peaceful atmosphere, and the children are rather playful, so they are staying at home today, Your Majesty,"

Song Qilin replied.

Just thinking about the three little dumplings waving enthusiastically as they had during their last visit to the palace brought a smile to the Emperor’s face.

"If you have time, bring them to visit me at the palace sometime. I heard that your wife has recently given birth to another set of triplets, hasn’t she? If it’s not too much trouble, bring all of them together. I’ve never seen six twins all at once before,"The emperor said, laughing in good spirits.