Chapter 203: Special - : Xiangyun Tea House Hubei Branch

Chapter 203

Special Chapter: Xiangyun Tea House Hubei Branch

Xiangyun Tea House is opening a new branch on the northern frontier!

As this news spread, excitement swept through the northern part of region. It wasn’t just the people of Hubei who were eager—neighboring cities were also waiting in anticipation. Now, they wouldn’t need to travel all the way to the capital to taste the renowned tea of the Ye Region.

People from the city flocked to see the progress of the tea house, which was being transformed from an old restaurant whose owner had decided to close down. The original structure was already well-built, but the Lady Boss had brought in workers to renovate and enhance the place even further. Everyone was curious to see how it would turn out. Once completed, the tea house stood out with its distinctive northern-style brick architecture, fused with the traditional design of tea houses from the mainland.

Qing De and Yu Zhen worked tirelessly even before the shop’s official opening. After all, this was a borderland, where the people’s tastes differed from those of the scholars in the capital or Huangjing. Nie Shuang spent months before the opening studying the locals’ preferences, as they were the target customers, and she knew she couldn’t simply apply the same business principles as those used in the mainland.

The tea house in Hubei exuded warmth and comfort, with spacious seating. The tables and chairs were covered with thick, soft woolen rugs, ideal for gatherings. The decor featured woven fabrics and local handicrafts, while incense burners imported by merchants filled the air with exotic scents. In addition to natural light streaming through the windows, lanterns were placed in various corners, making the interior bright even during the day. From the outside, the tea house appeared inviting and cozy.

Due to the all-year cold climate in the north and Hubei’s status as a trade hub between the mainland and the border, the city attracted many traveling merchants. Some of them sought places to discuss business, and unlike restaurants or taverns where you’d be rushed out after a meal, Xiangyun Tea House didn’t focus on selling food. The tables were small, just enough for tea without taking up space, allowing for more seating capacity. Crucially, there were braziers placed around the tea house to keep guests warm, making it a perfect spot to hold meetings and one could sit and wait for a long time without worrying about the cold. Many merchants preferred to pay for a pot of tea and sit comfortably rather than order one table of food. If they went to a restaurant, they would be hurried out of a restaurant once they’d finished their meal.

Since this branch didn’t focus on the quiet atmosphere like in the capital branch, and locals were already familiar with the six children, so on the opening day, Nie Shuang brought them along. The children were in high spirits that morning, so she had them sit in a row at the table to greet the guests. Song Qilin had official duties and couldn’t attend, but the Hou and Xu Shi were there to help watch over the grandchildren. All the prominent figures of Hubei came to the event, where tea was handed out for passersby to sample. At first, people were hesitant, but when they saw the six adorable children sitting in a row, they couldn’t help but come over and play with them. The children, not shy at all, laughed and smiled in return. Even at their young age, they knew they were helping their mother with the business.

Nie Shuang had sent invitations to the local business owners, and it was customary for people in this area to come with their families. As guests arrived, many brought their wives and children along. The city governor personally presented a gift to celebrate the occasion, and since he and the Hou had known each other from the latter’s previous posting here, he took the lead in welcoming the guests. The atmosphere was lively, and Nie Shuang began by explaining the properties of various types of tea, followed by a demonstration by the maids. They poured the tea for guests to taste, and as steam rose and filled the room, the fragrance of the tea mixed with the scent of incense, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Outside, the weather was freezing, but inside, guests relaxed on warm chairs with a cup of tea, feeling completely at ease.

The northern part of region remained cold for most of the year, so the local cuisine was rich in fat, dairy, and butter. Nie Shuang emphasized the benefits of tea, which helped break down fats and improved digestion. Drinking tea after meals could ease digestion, and the various teas offered at Xiangyun Tea House—such as Lü Cui, Hong Bao, Bi Yu, and Mo Cha Fen—provide many options. While some enjoyed sampling the different teas, others weren’t used to the tea’s bitter and astringent flavors.

In this area, people were more accustomed to milk and dairy products. As the final offering, Nie Shuang introduced hot milk tea. Some of those who didn’t typically drink tea found the fragrant, creamy flavor of fresh milk paired with the bitterness of tea to be delightful. They had never imagined milk could taste so delicious. The warm milk tea was both filling and energizing, and they liked that it was sweeter and more enjoyable than the goat’s milk liquor they were used to.

Nie Shuang only let them sample small cups of milk tea, but after finishing, they all wanted more. At that moment, they heard her explain,

"This milk tea is easy to make. Simply brew strong tea in hot water and pour it into fresh milk for a rich, flavorful drink. Milk tea is not only warming and thirst-quenching but can also be turned into a dessert. Zhenzhu Naicha, or bubble milk tea, is made with chewy sticky rice balls and is delicious with the milk tea."

Just hearing her description made their mouths water, and the rich flavor of the milk tea still lingered on their tongues. When the servants brought out small white bowls, everyone leaned in eagerly. The warm, fragrant milk tea was irresistible, and after one bite, they couldn’t stop eating, especially the women and children, who had never tasted anything so delightful.

As the tea-tasting event came to an end, the guests rushed to buy tea to take home, just as expected. They had all heard about the reputation of Xiangyun Tea House and knew that tea purchases were limited to two boxes per person. Not only the husbands and wives were buying tea, but even their children, who had come along, tugged at their mothers’ sleeves, begging for more Zhenzhu Naicha. The mothers couldn’t resist, but the tea house only served it on-site, so they planned to return another day.

Once the Xiangyun Tea Hou Hubei branch opened for regular business, it was packed with customers every day. In addition to tea, the shop offered homemade snacks, some of which were sourced from local vendors. One notable item was the famous meat-filled pastries from a local bakery. The shop owner had become good friends with Nie Shuang, but as she grew older, she couldn’t manage to keep her shop open all day. Nie Shuang suggested that she open only in the mornings and provide a daily supply of pastries to the tea house. Each day, she would sell only two hundred pieces in her shop, and once they were gone, she’d close and rest. For those unwilling to wake up early and queue, they could buy the pastries from the tea house at a slightly higher price, which many found convenient and willing to pay.

Life in the frontier city was more relaxed than in the capital. The six twins often accompanied their mother to the tea house, which meant their grandparents followed as well to help care for them. The children became familiar with the tea house’s atmosphere. Sometimes, Bao Bao and Xiao Hua Hua would even help their mother by greeting customers and making change. They mimicked Dong Yi, Yu Zhen’s son, who had grown healthy and strong and frequently helped his mother with her work. Whenever the twins saw him serving customers or clearing tables, they would eagerly follow along. Meanwhile, Bei Bei would often sit quietly at a table, observing the customers like a beckoning cat.

Everyone in the area knew the six twins. Even after General Song relocated to the capital, whenever he returned with his wife and children to visit and oversee the tea house, the locals would recognize them and greet them warmly. Especially Bao Bao, who used to accompany the General to the military camps, had earned the nickname Little General.