Chapter 30 -

Chapter 30: Chapter

Just as the crowd watched Mr. Gu scurry away, a young scholar near the front reached out and picked up one of the fresh wooden cups. He blew softly on the steam and took a deep, cautious sip.

The moment the warm liquid hit his tongue, his eyes literally sparkled.

"Gods above..." the scholar breathed out, his expression turning into complete awe. "The heat... it goes straight down to your chest! It’s not just sweet, it completely clears the bitter cold!"

He took two more quick gulps, his face flushing with a healthy, rosy warmth. He looked up at Liu Fang with wide, desperate eyes. "Give me five tea bricks! No, make it ten! I need to take these home to my grandfather!"

That single reaction broke the dam.

"I want three bricks!" a merchant yelled, waving a silver pouch.

"Let me through! I need two for my shop!" another voice called out.

"Pour me a cup first!"

In an instant, the peaceful wooden stall turned into a bustling hub of eager buyers. People pushed forward, silver coins clinking loudly onto the wooden counter as Liu Fang, Qinqin, and the other workers scrambled to wrap up tea bricks and fill cups as fast as their hands could move.

Standing on the steps of the tea house, Yimei watched the chaos with a calm, satisfied smile, her emerald cloak catching the bright midday sun.

[Host, at this current rate, your stock will be completely sold out within the next hour,] Nine reported cheerfully in her mind.

"Good," Yimei murmured softly under her breath, her eyes sparkling with sharp intent. "Let them buy every last piece. Tonight, when the Bai family elders drink this exact tea at the banquet, no one in that manor will be able to look down on me again."

By mid-afternoon, the wooden stall outside the tea house was completely cleared out. Every single tea brick from the morning batch was sold, and the kitchen had finished brewing extra reserves to keep the shop running for the rest of the day under Liu Fang’s careful watch.

Satisfied with the smooth operation, Yimei smoothed out her emerald cloak and called for the carriage.

"Keep the quality exactly as we practiced today," Yimei instructed Liu Fang, her voice cool and steady. "If any high-ranking nobles come by asking for bulk orders, take their names and tell them we will deliver directly to their estates tomorrow."

Liu Fang bowed respectfully, her face glowing with pride. "Yes, Young Madame! Leave everything here to me."

Yimei and Qinqin stepped into the carriage, carrying several carefully wrapped packages of premium dark tea, dried jujubes, and brown sugar blocks they had set aside from the fresh supply. Yimei was planning to brew a fresh pot of the warming tea specifically for the Old Master and his brothers when they returned later that evening.

When the carriage pulled up to the side entrance of the Bai Manor, the entire estate was buzzing with intense preparation. Red silk lanterns hung along the covered walkways, and servants hurried back and forth carrying polished silver trays, fine wine jars, and expensive decorations.

Stepping down from the carriage with Qinqin right behind her carrying the heavy bundles of ingredients, Yimei didn’t waste a single moment. Without stopping to rest in her own room, she went straight into the Northern Courtyard kitchen.

She rolled up her sleeves and got right to work. She washed the ingredients, crushed the ginger, and set the copper kettle over the crackling fire, monitoring the temperature with practiced ease.

Once the brew was finished and simmering gently, Yimei stepped out of the kitchen into the main courtyard to get fresh air. Across the paved walkway, she spotted Madame Ba, her mother in law and standing with her were her two daughters, Yimei’s sister-in-laws. They were surrounded by maids holding fine silk robes and jewelry boxes, reviewing the evening’s arrangements.

Yimei stopped in her tracks, watching them from a distance. She hadn’t seen Madame Bai since that tense breakfast where Madame Bai had slapped her.

Looking at her mother-in-law’s stern, sharp profile in the cold winter air, Yimei couldn’t help but wonder if the woman still held a bitter grudge against her, or if the return of the Old Master would force everyone to keep their claws hidden for the night.

Yimei walked over to them, her steps calm and steady, with Qinqin following close behind while carrying the bundles of tea.

Having just come straight from the kitchen, Yimei’s sleeves were still slightly damp from the boiling water, and her clothes were very simple. Compared to her two sister-in-laws, who were already wearing bright, expensive silks and shiny gold hairpins, Yimei looked completely plain.

This was the very first time the two sisters were seeing their new sister-in-law.

The elder sister, Bai Rulan, was nineteen. She stood gracefully with a quiet, mature posture, her soft eyes curiously studying Yimei’s calm face. Beside her was the younger sister, sixteen-year-old Bai Meiling. She was playful and childish, standing on her tiptoes while openly staring at Yimei’s wet sleeves with a small pucker on her lips.

Madame Bai turned around as Yimei approached. Her sharp eyes immediately swept over Yimei’s simple dress.

Madame Bai wasn’t a truly evil woman, but she was strict, spoke with a bitter, sarcastic tongue, and rarely gave anyone a warm smile.

Yet, as Madame Bai looked past Yimei and glanced around the Northern Courtyard, she was secretly surprised. The usually cold and messy yard had been swept completely clean. The stone paths were clear of snow, and several maids were actually working hard instead of hiding in their rooms.

"Mother," Yimei said softly, giving a polite bow. "Sisters."

Madame Bai folded her arms inside her warm fur muff. She looked at Yimei up and down, a sarcastic smirk pulling at her lips.

"Oh, look who finally decided to come home," Madame Bai sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Running around outside all morning while your sleeves are soaked like a low servant’s. But I suppose I should be shocked—you actually made this broken yard look like human beings live here for once."

Younger sister Meiling giggled childishly behind her sleeve. "Mother, does sister-in-law always cook her own food? Her dress is so plain!"

Elder sister Rulan gently patted Meiling’s arm to quiet her down, bowing politely back to Yimei with a kind, mature smile. "Sister-in-law must have worked very hard today."

"I went to the kitchen to prepare a special hot tea for the Old Master and the two uncles when they arrive tonight," Yimei explained smoothly, not getting angry at Madame Bai’s harsh words.

Madame Bai scoffed lightheartedly, rolling her eyes. "A special tea? Don’t make me laugh. The Old Master only drinks top-tier tea leaves from the capital markets, not whatever cheap leaves you boiled in there. Just make sure you don’t embarrass us tonight."

"Since you are already here," Madame Bai added, her sarcastic tone turning sharp and commanding, "take these and get yourself ready. I will not have anyone looking like a beggar in front of the elders."

She took the neatly folded silk garments and velvet jewelry boxes from Rulan and Meiling’s hands and thrust them toward Yimei. Qinqin quickly stepped forward, taking the heavy armful of bright clothes and silver ornaments into her arms.

Meiling pouted slightly, muttering under her breath, "That silver hairpin was meant for me to wear tonight..."

"Hush, Meiling," Rulan whispered softly, giving her younger sister a warning look before offering Yimei a kind smile. "Sister-in-law, these colors will suit you well."

Madame Bai paused, her sharp gaze shifting past Yimei toward the closed doors of Zhengyu’s room. Her usual sarcastic mask cracked for a split second, revealing a flash of real worry.

"And another thing," Madame Bai said, her voice dropping lower. "If you can... try to get Zhengyu to attend tonight. He hasn’t shown his face at a family gathering in over two years. Having him present will help reassure the Old Master that he hasn’t completely forfeited his right as the family’s next heir."

Yimei noted the subtle shift in her mother-in-law’s voice. Behind the harsh words and arrogant attitude, Madame Bai still cared deeply about her eldest son’s position in the house.

"Go change into those robes now," Madame Bai added quickly, snapping back into her usual stiff posture. "When the Old Master’s carriage passes the front gate, I expect you standing in the main courtyard alongside everyone else."

Yimei bowed politely. "Thank you, Mother. I will ready myself, and I will speak to Zhengyu."

Yimei turned and walked back toward her warm quarters, Qinqin trailing right behind her with the gifts.

[Host, Madame Bai’s hostility level has dropped. She uses harsh words to hide her satisfaction with the cleaned courtyard and her concern for Zhengyu,] Nine reported in her head.

Yimei smiled faintly as she pushed open her door. "Let her talk, Nine. Tonight, actions will speak louder than words."