The Gu family still didn't have many maids; the original few were still the ones doing the work. It was only after Cai Xiaolian gave birth and Yang Shi brought the child over that four more maids were hired to take care of the child.
Chunyan entered, having already received instructions, and arrived on time with a tray.
"Chunyan, quickly serve Brother Gu some tea!" Gu Nian's tone was somewhat impatient. "Brother Gu, please try our own tea leaves, which were just brought from our hometown at the beginning of this year. Some people say they're delicious, some say they're not. We would be grateful if Brother Gu, as the young master of this tea merchant family, could give his opinion!"
Gu Chengyun didn't think much of it, but since the brothers had specifically asked him to comment, it would be a bit unfair not to drink.
Gu Chengyun took a symbolic sip.
This tea is amazing! It's just as good as their tea!
The tea his family supplied to the palace couldn't compare to this; it was arguably the best tea he had ever tasted in his life.
"How was it?" Gu Nian asked expectantly after he had drunk a cup of tea.
"Ahem." Gu Chengyun composed himself and said calmly, "It's alright! The taste is barely palatable. My dear brothers Gu, I remember your hometown is a small village under Qingzhou Prefecture. Do you grow a lot of these tea trees?"
The three Gu sisters were completely in awe of Gu Shouxin. Gu Chengyun's expression and tone during their conversation, as well as his words after drinking tea, were all exactly what Gu Shouxin had guessed. All they had to do was repeat what Gu Shouxin had taught them, and he would improvise the rest, and everything he said would be spot on.
“By the way, we planted…” Gu Xin was about to say, but Gu Nian interrupted her.
"Third brother!" Gu Nian scolded, then looked at Gu Chengyun and smiled, "Brother Gu, actually our family only grows a few trees. It's just that Grandpa and Grandma drink some, Uncle and Fourth Uncle drink some when they're tired from work, and my dad drinks some to refresh himself when he's tired from studying. Brother Gu, are you asking because you think our tea is good?"
Gu Nian looked incredulous: "Brother Gu actually thinks our tea is good! Does that mean our family can continue growing this kind of tea?"
Gu Chengyun quickly waved his hand: "Brother, you misunderstand! I just think this tea is alright. If you brothers really want your families to drink good tea, we can provide it. Although we all share the same surname, Gu, business is business. We can't let Lord Gu ruin his reputation. How about we do an exchange?"
The three Gu sisters were surprised again. Their father (second uncle) had even guessed this! This Gu Chengyun is truly shameless!
Gu Xin and Gu Nian cursed Gu Chengyun in their hearts. They knew that the tea in their home was planted by their father when he was growing fruit trees. He often had people water it with water from jade beads. Although the concentration was not high, the tea leaves were just as good as regular tea leaves brewed with jade beads.
Gu Chengyun could tell it was good tea, but he lied to them that the tea was just so-so, and then wanted to switch it out.
Haha, you really know how to dream!
Fortunately, the fish took the bait.
The three Gu sisters asked in unison, "How do we exchange them?"
Gu Chengyun chuckled and said, "From now on, our family will provide Lord Gu with the best tea from our own garden. If anyone brings this up, we'll say it's from tea trees grown by Lord Gu himself. But the prerequisite is that we have to sell the tea trees from your hometown to our family. That way, we can convince others. What do you think of my idea, my brothers? Hahaha, actually, it's not just my idea. Our Gu family of Fuzhou has planted tea trees for many officials in the court. Like the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Works…"
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