Chapter 39: Xiangyun Tea House

Chapter 39

Xiangyun Tea House

As the year drew to a close, everything was beginning to take shape. Nie Shuang’s pregnancy had started to show, but she still visited the tea house undergoing renovations every day. If she had the time, she would also drop by Jiang Zilu and Jiang Ru’s tea plantation to check on their needs.

Since meeting Nie Shuang, Jiang Ru had felt deeply grateful. Even though it was unclear whether the tea house plan would succeed, Nie Shuang’s words had given her and her family hope. Previously, Jiang Ru had regretted not being a man, feeling that she couldn’t help her father as much as she should. But Nie Shuang’s words—that Jiang Ru was worth more than ten sons—had filled her with joy. For the first time, someone truly recognized her value.

Jiang Ru had grown up with the tea plantation, her knowledge of tea passed down through generations. She had a passion for tea brewing, able to discern even the slightest changes in aroma and color. She could differentiate between various teas and knew the precise water temperature needed for each type.

People in the city, like Jiang Zilu, wondered why anyone would open a tea house in Huangjing, a city known for its tea production. Who would go to drink tea in such a place? Yet, many would pass by the end of the street, curious about the progress of the building’s renovation. This Lady Boss was truly peculiar. Opening a tea house seemed to require a significant investment. Not only did she hire the best craftsmen, but she also ordered custom-made tea ware. The strangest thing of all was that her tea house employed only female workers!

It wasn’t unusual for women to work as servants, but female workers in a tea house were unheard of. Many women from nearby villages were hired to work there, a mix of young and older women. Some people even began to gossip about the true nature of the tea house, but since it had yet to open, no one knew for certain. The Lady Boss was shrouded in mystery. The Ding family, suspicious of her intentions, had tried to gather information, but failed. Hence, they tried to meet Nie Shuang at her mansion to offer to sell her tea. However, Nie Shuang had refused.

By the third month, Xiangyun Tea House sent out invitations to the merchants of Huangjing to celebrate its grand opening.

By this time, Nie Shuang was nearing her due date, but the tea house was her labor of love—her dream, which she had sacrificed much to achieve. Even though she found it difficult to move around, she insisted on attending the event.

Dressed in red to match today’s auspicious occasion, Nie Shuang looked radiant. Her petite frame and the loose-fitting outfit made it nearly impossible to tell she was pregnant. She arrived at the tea house early in the morning, with Xiao San and Xiao Tong not far behind, ever-watchful as they had grown increasingly concerned about her well-being in recent months.

The Xiangyun Tea House had been transformed with simple, elegant decorations, almost unrecognizable from its original state. Inside, the space was minimalist and clean, with paintings by Young Master Li adorning the walls. The furnishings were tastefully arranged, creating an atmosphere of serenity and refinement. The doors were replaced with wooden sliding panels covered in paper, which, when opened, revealed a breathtaking view of the river and the gentle swaying of willow branches. Most of the guests had come merely out of curiosity, but upon stepping inside, they were captivated by the peaceful and graceful ambiance, suddenly feeling the urge to sit inside and relax. The garden at the back of the tea house was similarly understated, with portions of the ground covered in smooth white gravel, adorned with small potted plants and shrubs, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting.

The aroma of tea filled the air as the sound of a zither gracefully echoed through the silence, blending harmoniously with the gentle flow of water and the soft breeze. The maids of Xiangyun Tea House, dressed in dark green uniforms, elegantly served hot tea and snacks to the guests, their manners graceful and pleasing to the eye. As they poured the tea, the guests were puzzled—rather than the usual clear white tea, the tea in their cups was a light green color, with a stronger aroma than they were used to.

"What...what did you put in this tea?"

One of the shop owners asked the maid.

"This is a new blend created by Xiangyun Tea House, sir," she replied, just as she had been trained to say.

Though the guests were familiar with drinking tea, the serene atmosphere seemed to enhance the flavor. Who said there was no need to visit a tea house to enjoy tea?!

And when they paired the slightly bitter tea with the soft, white flour snacks, they found themselves finishing everything before they even realized it.

Ding Tao, the current patriarch of the Ding family, was among the attendees at the tea house’s grand opening. His face darkened as he tasted the tea, his heart roiling with envy and fear. His hand, which was holding the teacup, trembled slightly.

If Xiangyun Tea House was only focused on selling an atmosphere for drinking tea, that would be one thing. But if this Lady Boss ever decided to compete in the tea trade, it would be a serious threat to the Ding family. It had not been easy for him to eliminate his competitors and reach his current position...

The quality of this tea... His tea-drying workshops couldn’t produce anything like this. Xiangyun Tea House didn’t buy tea from him, so where had they sourced this unique fragrant tea? He had to find out and steal the formula. And if he couldn’t, then he would have no choice but to...eliminate her.

At that moment, a luxurious carriage passing by the shop suddenly came to a stop. The patrons inside the tea house turned their attention to the new arrival. Nie Shuang stepped out to greet the guest with a bright smile. She hadn’t invited him, but she could guess who it was.

After all, his carriage had passed by her shop nearly every day...

"Greetings, Your Highness, Kang Wang."

The people sitting in the tea house immediately straightened up at her words. When Kang Wang stepped inside, everyone knelt. Nie Shuang, who was walking behind him, couldn’t help but smile. This was a rare sight indeed—her humble little tea house now had a visit from such a high-ranking royal, and all the arrogant shop owners present were now kneeling as if her tea house had suddenly turned into a grand palace hall.

Nie Shuang invited Kang Wang to sit in the seat of honor. The music from the zither continued to play softly in the background as the young man glanced around the room, his gaze eventually resting on her.

"Are you the owner of this establishment?"

Kang Wang was a handsome man, likely not yet thirty, dressed in an elegant blue robe embroidered with cloud patterns, looking calm and composed. When he spoke, he sounded as dignified as a scholar. Nie Shuang had been living in this city for nearly a year, and she had never heard anyone speak ill of him. It seemed that he truly was a capable ruler.

"Yes, Your Highness. I aim for this tea house to become a place where the tea culture of Huangjing can flourish,"

Nie Shuang said as she respectfully presented the tea she had just poured. In reality, there was no tea culture in Huangjing to speak of, but she said it to make the concept sound more impressive. With Kang Wang as the city’s ruler, hearing this would surely give him prestige, making him inclined to support her endeavors.

Upon hearing her words, Kang Wang merely smiled at the corners of his lips and took a sip of the tea. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste as it spread across his tongue and throat. The fragrant aroma of the tea filled his senses as the gentle sound of the zither and the soft breeze from the river created a serene atmosphere. Despite the crowd, the setting was calming. After a moment, he opened his eyes.

"Excellent! I’ve never tasted tea like this before."

As a city governor, there wasn’t a type of fine tea that hadn’t been gifted to his palace. By the entrance of the tea house, several small, beautifully arranged boxes had been placed, though no one had paid much attention to them yet. Sensing an opportunity, Nie Shuang signaled to Xiao San. Having served her for so long, the young girl quickly understood and handed her a beautifully decorated paper box with the tea house’s seal. Nie Shuang accepted it and said to Kang Wang,

"This is the opening product of Xiangyun Tea House, the same tea Your Highness has just enjoyed. Its clear green color has earned it the name Lü Cui (Emerald Green). This year, we have produced only two hundred jin of it. I would like to offer it to Your Highness as a gift."

Kang Wang’s smile deepened as he softly replied,

"Thank you."

Seeing his demeanor, Nie Shuang knew he was pleased. Seizing the moment, she paused briefly before speaking again.

"In truth, Your Highness, I have observed that while our city has many academies, there are few places where scholars can gather to discuss problems, talking about literature and poetry. The taverns are often too crowded and filled with distractions. Therefore, I created this tea house with the intention of providing a peaceful space for scholars to relax and be inspired in their studies."

It was like those coffee shops where students like to sit and study, she thought to herself.

"Your words are interesting and show that you have good insight."

Other shop owners quickly took the opportunity to join the conversation, praising and chatting with Kang Wang. After lingering for a while, he turned back to Nie Shuang and said,

"Could you spare twenty jin of your tea for me?"Nie Shuang quickly agreed and ordered her staff to prepare the tea. Her tea was packaged in beautiful boxes, clearly indicating a high price. Without asking the cost, Kang Wang’s attendants brought out a silver tray and placed it on the table. He then took his leave.