Red Date and Lily Bulb Milk Tea

Fu Zhiqiao was busy with the affairs of Fuyun Pavilion and didn't have time to think about other things, so Xie Zhuo's days weren't so pleasant.

After being rejected by Fu Zhi Qiao without any mercy, Xie Zhuo refrained from contacting her out of pride. He still held a sliver of hope, hoping that Fu Zhi Qiao was just angry for a moment and that she would come to him after she calmed down. But that woman was truly ruthless; if he didn't take the initiative to contact her, she would really ignore him.

The bittersweet feeling welled up in his heart again. Xie Zhuo tried hard to control his emotions, but when he heard that her new shop was about to open, he couldn't help but ask Sheng An to send a congratulatory gift.

What did she say?

“Miss Fu didn’t say anything.” Sheng An was a little embarrassed; he knew this was not what the young master wanted to hear.

Xie Zhuo paused, then asked, "Did she accept the congratulatory gift?"

"I've accepted it." Sheng An dared not tell the truth. Was he going to tell the prince that he was afraid Miss Fu would not accept the gift and that he had left immediately after delivering it?

"That's good."

Xie Zhuo had been in a bad mood these past few days, and his younger sister Xie Huaiwei couldn't help but notice. She saw Xie Zhuo several times, and his brows were full of a troubled expression.

An engagement is supposed to be a joyous occasion, so why is my brother acting like this?

She vaguely guessed that Xie Zhuo was not satisfied with this marriage. In order to find out why, she overheard Zuo Murui and Granny Zhang talking and learned that her brother's sweetheart was a merchant's daughter named Fu Zhi Qiao.

Xie Huaiwei was very curious: what kind of girl could make her brother so conflicted?

News is shared among wealthy young women.

A new shop opened in the capital, selling beauty and health-enhancing soups and porridges. Its reputation for delicious taste and effective results quickly spread.

The owner of Fuyun Pavilion is a woman surnamed Fu... Could it be such a coincidence? A bold guess popped into Xie Huaiwei's mind: Could this Boss Fu be her brother's sweetheart?

Both men share the surname Fu and are business owners; their basic information matches.

A woman's intuition can sometimes be quite amazing.

Xie Huaiwei decided to go and see for herself. Just then, Tang Yuying from the Duke of Anguo's mansion sent her an invitation to go out and have some fun. Xie Huaiwei happily accepted the invitation. She hadn't left the mansion for quite some time because of the rumors that had been circulating about it.

Xie Huaiwei's goal was clear: after leaving the mansion, she went straight to Fuyun Pavilion.

Two female attendants stood at the entrance, bowing and greeting her as they ushered her into the shop. Tang Yuying looked around the interior of Fuyun Pavilion, noticing its grand and elegant decor and the many customers coming and going. Her anticipation immediately rose.

The waitress respectfully led the two to their seats and presented them with the menu: "Miss, please order."

Just as Tang Yuying was about to order, she heard Qin Xiyu's voice. She looked up and saw that Qin Xiyu was sitting at the table next to her.

Qin Xiyu also noticed the commotion. When she saw Xie Huaiwei behind her, she took the initiative to come over and greet her, giving a curtsy: "Greetings, Princess."

The two exchanged greetings. Xie Huaiwei was the daughter of a prince and was born a princess. Unlike Xie Zhuo, who was the heir apparent, Xie Huaiwei did not have a title. Apart from her noble birth, she was no different from other young ladies.

Tang Yuying was also surprised to see Qin Xiyu there, and asked in a slightly provocative tone, "What are you doing here?"

Qin Xiyu retorted, "What, are you allowed to come here?" Since Tang Yuying's attitude was unfriendly, she didn't need to be overly friendly.

Although the Vice Minister's Mansion is not as prestigious as the Duke of Anguo's Mansion, Qin Xiyu is not one to be easily manipulated. Moreover, a few words of argument between the younger generation will not affect the relationship between the families at all.

Although the two families had no personal grudges, there were some frictions between the two girls.

The reason was that both families had unexpectedly hired the same needlework teacher. Tang Yuying was not good at needlework, and the things she embroidered could never satisfy the needlework teacher, while Qin Xiyu was praised by the needlework teacher.

Tang Yuying was very resentful of being outdone, so she never gave Qin Xiyu a friendly look. She was about to say something, but Xie Huaiwei behind her tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to calm down.

Tang Yuying let out a breath: "I won't stoop to your level."

Fu Zhiqiao came out after hearing the noise.

Qin Xiyu was overjoyed to see Fu Zhiqiao: "Sister Fu, you're here!"

Fuyun Pavilion held a place in Qin Xiyu's heart that surpassed all other jewelry and clothing shops, so she would often come here to have a bowl of sweet soup, which not only satisfied her appetite but also had beauty and skin-nourishing effects. Such a good place could not be found anywhere else.

Tang Yuying turned her head and saw Fu Zhiqiao, looking surprised: "What are you doing here?"

Fu Zhiqiao remained calm upon seeing Tang Yuying, and politely greeted her with a bow: "Miss Tang."

"Do you own this shop?"

Fu Zhiqiao nodded.

The owner of Fuyun Pavilion has arrived? Xie Huaiwei felt a surge of excitement upon hearing Fu Zhi Qiao's voice. Was it her? Was she the one her brother loved?

Xie Huaiwei turned around, and what came into view was a pair of bright, clear eyes, eyebrows like willow branches, and rosy cheeks that were faintly visible. Crystal jade earrings swayed gently below her ears, and she wore only a delicate jade hairpin in her hair, simple yet fresh and refined.

She stood there quietly, her brows relaxed and a gentle smile shining into people's hearts like the spring sunshine.

Xie Huaiwei was startled. She had imagined that Fu Zhiqiao would be a beautiful woman, but seeing her in person, she was still amazed by Fu Zhiqiao's beauty.

Tang Yuying had no intention of introducing Xie Huaiwei to Fu Zhiqiao. In her view, they were not from the same world as Fu Zhiqiao, and there was no need for them to get to know each other. Therefore, Fu Zhiqiao did not know Xie Huaiwei's identity.

Xie Huaiwei kept staring at Fu Zhiqiao. After Fu Zhiqiao felt her gaze, she smiled slightly at her.

Xie Huaiwei blushed. She was so beautiful!

It turns out she was the girl my brother had his heart set on.

Indeed, only a woman with such beauty could make a brother so unforgettable.

"Since it's your shop, then you can recommend a few dishes for me." Tang Yuying's tone was intimidating, which made Qin Xiyu very unhappy, and she wanted to retort.

Seeing Qin Xiyu step forward as if to argue, Fu Zhi Qiao immediately stopped her.

She had already experienced Tang Yuying's personality at the Flower Festival. Tang Yuying was a spoiled young lady who didn't care about ordinary people, let alone Fu Zhiqiao, who was just a commoner merchant. The two were not on the same level at all, so it was normal for her to look down on her.

Although Tang Yuying was a bit spoiled, she wasn't unreasonable. Fu Zhiqiao thought she could figure out her personality a little, and she looked Tang Yuying up and down.

Tang Yuying felt uneasy under his gaze: "W-what are you doing?"

Fu Zhiqiao: "Miss Tang, have you been sleeping poorly lately?"

Tang Yuying looked at her in surprise, her eyes seeming to say, "How did you know?"

This person can brew beauty wine, make beauty-enhancing soup, and even treat patients?

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiyu looked at her in surprise and immediately asked, "Sister Fu, you also know medicine?"

Fu Zhiqiao: ...

Of course not, she's not a doctor, she just knows the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

Tang Yuying's complexion looked dull and lifeless. Even though she had covered it with face powder, there was still a faint dark ring under her eyes, a typical symptom of lack of sleep.

Insufficient sleep can leave the body in a state of fatigue, and the skin will become dull and pale if it does not get enough rest. In severe cases, the skin may become dry and flaky, or excessive oil secretion may lead to an oily face.

Tang Yuying is clearly the former.

Fu Zhiqiao: "Given Ms. Tang's current condition, I recommend you drink red date and lily milk tea. Red dates can nourish blood and replenish qi, and beautify the skin, while lilies can calm the mind, soothe the nerves, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. The combination of the two can suppress insomnia and excessive dreaming."

Tang Yuying hadn't recovered from her shock yet. Seeing Fu Zhiqiao's eloquent explanation, she nodded mechanically.

Making red date and lily milk tea is also very simple. Just remove the pits from the red dates, stir-fry them in a pot, add brown sugar, and cook until it becomes thick. The red date paste is prepared in advance; simply add the red date paste and lily to raw milk and simmer.

The milk was delivered from the farm early this morning; it's very fresh!

Soon, the waitress brought out the red date and lily milk tea.

Fu Zhi Qiao made an inviting gesture: "Miss Tang, please have a taste!"

Tang Yuying naturally believed what she said, as she had already witnessed the effects of plum wine.

At first, she didn't believe that plum wine could improve her complexion, but after drinking it for a while, she found that plum wine did have an effect, so she no longer doubted what Fu Zhi Qiao said.

Smelling the red date and lily milk tea, Tang Yuying nodded and said, "It smells quite good." As soon as she finished speaking, she picked up a spoon and took a small sip. Instantly, her eyes lit up, and she looked at Fu Zhiqiao in disbelief: "Delicious!"

Xie Huaiwei blinked, and after seeing Tang Yuying's reaction, she quickly picked up her own portion and took a sip. From her smiling eyes, it was clear that she was also satisfied with the red date and lily milk tea.

Fu Zhiqiao: "Please enjoy your meal, both of you!"

After Fu Zhi Qiao left, Tang Yu Ying and Xie Huai Wei each held a cup of red date and lily milk tea and drank it. Thinking about Tang Yu Ying's attitude when she spoke to Fu Zhi Qiao, Xie Huai Wei curiously asked Tang Yu Ying about Fu Zhi Qiao.

"What, are you interested in her?"

"No, I just think that Mr. Fu looks to be around our age, so why would he be out in public doing business?"

"She has had a tough time. As far as I know, she is the only daughter in her family. Her father died in an accident, and she and her mother, a widow and orphan, can only make a living by doing business."

Xie Huaiwei pressed further, "Sister Yuying, how do you know so much?"

Tang Yuying took two sips of milk tea and replied, "I saw her last year when I attended the Flower Festival in Qingzhou."

Xie Huaiwei nodded, thinking that it was no wonder her mother was so opposed to her brother being with Miss Fu. She came from such an ordinary background and had now become a merchant... Merchants were a level below farmers, and the Prince's mansion would never accept a woman like that.

On the other side, Qin Xiyu was also somewhat curious about the relationship between Fu Zhiqiao and Tang Yuying: "Does Sister Fu know Tang Yuying?"

Fu Zhiqiao nodded. "We've met once before."

Qin Xiyu understood. Their brief encounter meant they weren't particularly close. Besides Zhou Miaosi, she was Fu Jieqiao's best friend in the capital. So, she pestered Fu Zhiqiao, asking, "Sister Fu, is the red date and lily milk tea a new product? I didn't see it last time I came!"

"It's newly released."

"I want to drink it too," Qin Xiyu said coquettishly.

"Here, have some." Fu Zhi Qiao found it a little funny; the possessiveness of this young girl was truly inexplicable.

The waitress immediately brought her a serving.

"Next time Fuyun Pavilion releases a new product, remember to send someone to let me know!"

"good!"

The benefits of Fuyun Pavilion are obvious. Many ladies and young women have come here to spend money, especially Qin Xiyu, who has become a loyal customer of Fuyun Pavilion.