When a distinguished guest comes, he should be treated with good tea. Xu Jiang found a set of white porcelain tea sets, brewed two cups of jade green tea, and drank them opposite Wen Hui.
Yulu, the tea is as its name suggests, with a pure green color, as bright as jade, and filled with white porcelain tea cups, it is like dew and spring, so it is also called "Yulu".
Drinking it during the Lesser Heat season will please your eyes and heart and bring you a sense of peace.
"Shopkeeper Xu really knows how to enjoy himself." Wen Hui drank the whole cup slowly, feeling the fragrance of tea filling her lungs and making her feel refreshed.
Xu Jiang poured him another cup. "Mr. Wen, you're so kind. If you like it, take some back to your orchid garden later. I think it will taste better than what I've had in this humble shop."
"Alas, that's not the way to put it, nor can we compare it that way. Shopkeeper Xu's bookshop may be small, but it has people who are friendly. My orchid garden may be vast, but it's deserted everywhere. There's not even a tea companion."
Xu Jiang knew that his children and grandchildren were not close to each other, and she felt a sense of melancholy. Then she smiled and said, "Sir, if you say that, will Mr. Lan Ze and Mr. Zhong be sad?"
Wen Hui's expression brightened considerably when she mentioned her friends. "Lan Ze has been staying at the Taoist temple lately, cultivating his immortality, and Zhong Lu is busy with his historical work, so he has little free time. Besides, they both think my orchid garden is far away, so it's hard to treat them to tea."
Wen Hui's orchid garden is located at the foot of Linggao Mountain north of the capital, adjacent to the royal garden. It takes nearly two hours to get there by car from Jinguan Gate.
Not only did Zhong Lu and Lan Ze not like to go there much, even his own children and grandchildren rarely set foot there. Only one granddaughter was willing to accompany him there for a short stay, but when she got married, this companion was gone.
In order to relieve his loneliness and also fear that the orchid species would be lost after his death, he simply devoted his energy to compiling an orchid catalog, and then he came to find Xu Jiang.
"Shopkeeper Xu just said he found a master orchid grower for me. I wonder who he is?"
"Her name is Song Qiao, she is about the same age as me, and her family makes a living by growing and selling flowers." Xu Jiang then told him about Song Qiao. When she heard that she was a young woman, she hesitated for a moment.
"The person that Shopkeeper Xu recommended should be correct. I'm just afraid he's too young and lacks experience."
Xu Jiang understood his concerns and said, "If you have any concerns, why don't we arrange a date and invite him to see you?"
Wen Hui was a little impatient. "It's better to come today than to wait for a day. It's early now, so why not come and see me now?"
Xu Jiang thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Alright, she doesn't live far away anyway. I'll send someone to invite her."
Afterwards, he called Liang Mo and asked him to go to Chang'anfang to invite Song Qiao.
Liang Mo immediately rode away on his donkey.
After someone went to get it, Wen Hui asked about the paper again, "Where is the paper that Shopkeeper Xu mentioned?"
"It will take a few days for the paper mill to deliver it. It's called Silver Flower Paper, a new product from the paper mill, the first batch in Beijing."
"Yinhuajian, the name sounds extraordinary."
"There's something even more extraordinary. This paper is derived from the five-color satin paper with gold flowers made by the owner of the shop. However, that paper is too expensive and doesn't conform to the standard, so I didn't dare use it to make your orchid album. That's why I made this five-color paper with silver flowers."
Wen Hui was itching to try it out. "I wonder what this paper looks like. I really want to see it right now."
"Good things can only be obtained when the time, place and people are right. Let's wait patiently." Xu Jiang offered him a cup of tea.
Wen Hui raised her cup to greet him, "That's true."
Half an hour later, Liang Mo invited Song Qiao over, and Hu Xu was with her.
Xu Jiang and Wen Hui both stood up to greet them, and Hu Xu and Song Qiao greeted Wen Hui one after another.
"This is Hu Xu, and this is Madam Song Qiao." Xu Jiang introduced the three to each other. "This is Mr. Wen Hui."
Hu Xu bowed and said, "I'm honored to meet you, Mr. Wen."
"I've heard of the new number one scholar for a long time. Seeing him today is truly dazzling and extraordinary."
"Thank you, sir."
Wen Hui looked at Song Qiao again and said kindly, "I've heard that Madam Song is an expert in caring for flowers. I wonder how much she knows about orchids?"
Song Qiao and Xu Jiang exchanged a glance, and the other nodded at her. She then continued, "Orchids are divided into two major categories: orchids and irises. Orchids have one stem and one flower, while irises have multiple flowers. Orchids are more fragrant than irises, while irises are more gorgeous. There are thousands of species of each, each classified into nine grades and eighteen levels. I'm a humble woman, and I only know seven or eight of them."
Only know them? There are thousands of orchids and irises each, and yet she only says she knows seven or eight. If her tone wasn't calm and her expression sincere, everyone would think she was arrogant.
However, these words were just right for responding to Wen Hui. If he said too much, he wouldn't dare entrust her with anything. If he said too much, it would sound false and empty. Seven or eight is just right, not more or less.
As expected, Wen Hui showed her admiration. "Madam Song is very modest. I have been raising orchids for decades, but I only know half of them. Madam Song knows even 7 or 8 of them, which is rare."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
"I have an orchid garden with over a thousand varieties of orchids, many of which are rare and exotic. I recently compiled a catalog of orchids and would like to have someone edit it. Madam Song, would you be willing to lend a hand? I will reward you handsomely upon completion."
"Song Qiao is very happy."
The two of them were quick to agree and settled the matter after a few discussions. Xu Jiang was delighted and quickly invited everyone to sit down and have tea.
She added two more sets of teacups, and Hu Xu naturally divided the tea and poured water. Seeing this, Song Qiao couldn't help but lower his eyes.
Xu Jiang sat beside her and saw her expression clearly. She took the teapot and jokingly said to Hu Xu, "How dare you let the top scholar help a commoner?"
Then he handed the teacup to Song Qiao. Seeing Song Qiao looking up, he smiled at her and said, "It's a little hot. Drink it slowly."
Song Qiao held the teacup lightly and said softly, "Thank you."
Hu Xu sighed, "Boss, you really embarrass me by saying that."
Upon hearing this, Wen Hui asked curiously, "Why do you call Shopkeeper Xu 'Dongjia'?"
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