This is not what she wanted.
But all she could say was a fake thank you, "Thank you for thinking of me, Xiao Ci'er."
Ruan Ci waved her hand generously, "We're best friends, you don't need to thank me!"
But inwardly, he scoffed dismissively.
Yan Xue really comes from an ordinary family and has never seen the world. She actually thanked me for such a small thing.
It's absolutely ridiculous!
Ruan Ci had no idea what Yan Xue was thinking.
After the tea tasting at the spring banquet, a tea-making competition was held.
At this time, many women gathered in front of the Imperial Garden, and many were waiting for this opportunity to show themselves so that some wealthy families would extend an olive branch to them.
It's like a top scholar in the imperial examination being offered a son-in-law.
At the spring banquet, some people also come to see their wives.
Once you've found someone you like, you can go ahead and discuss it.
During the tea-making competition, Emperor Anqing and Consort Shu both stood at the top.
The two weren't interested in this, but the necessary procedures still had to be followed.
Shen Pingjin also went to join in the fun.
In order to help Consort Shu and avoid arousing suspicion, Shen Ruixue naturally followed behind.
Consort Shu glanced at the competition and lazily opened her eyes to Shen Ruixue beside her.
Have you participated in any tea-making competitions before?
Shen Ruixue did not expect that Consort Shu would suddenly ask her a question.
I was somewhat surprised.
But she still replied humbly and confidently, "Your Highness, I have participated in such competitions before, and even won first place once."
"First place?" Consort Shu frowned slightly.
"Then go down now and personally brew me a cup of tea. I want to see just how good this tea-brewing competition is."
Shen Ruixue hadn't expected Consort Shu to mean this, and for a moment she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
I shouldn't have said those things just now in an attempt to impress Consort Shu; it backfired.
Consort Shu disliked me to begin with, so I should just stay silent and not say a word.
But now that it had already happened, Shen Ruixue had no choice but to obediently go over.
Shen Pingjin, who had come to join in the fun, naturally didn't miss the scene and couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Consort Shu is still the same Consort Shu as before!
He is straightforward and outspoken, and doesn't mince words at all. After getting to know him, you'll find that he's kind-hearted and very generous!
However, Shen Pingjin didn't know why Consort Shu disliked Shen Ruixue, and she was a little surprised. Perhaps Shen Ruixue had ruined her image in front of Consort Shu?
Thinking about this, Shen Pingjin felt that this was very likely the reason.
"The tea-making competition is about to begin, Yan Xue. Do you remember what I just told you?"
Shen Pingjin was strolling around when she suddenly heard whispers coming from not far away.
However, this wasn't exactly a whisper; if someone were paying close attention to the two, they could clearly hear what they were saying.
Shen Pingjin looked over with some confusion. Why did the name Yan Xue sound so familiar?
Shen Pingjin found a spot and walked over, trying to slow her pace so as not to attract their attention.
Ruan Ci had never intended to keep a low profile. Looking at Yan Xue, who remained silent, she felt a surge of anger.
"Yan Xue, I'm asking you a question, so why aren't you answering me?"
Yan Xue sighed helplessly as she looked at the aggressive demeanor of the woman in front of her.
Why is she always so afraid of surpassing her?
She's clearly already far ahead of me in terms of family background.
Yan Xue had known Ruan Ci for quite some time, and she knew him very well.
Knowing that she wouldn't let him off the hook if she didn't hear him, he finally spoke up after a moment.
"I know Xiao Ci'er, so don't worry."
Ruan Ci proudly raised her head, looking smug.
"That's more like it!"
Shen Pingjin, who had been secretly observing all of this, suddenly remembered something.
Xiao Ci'er, Yan Xue, etc., these names sound more and more familiar the more I say them!
Could it be...?
Shen Pingjin suddenly remembered what happened at Zuixianglou last time.
She remembered hearing a lot of gossip about herself at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, including about two people: one named Yan Xue and the other named Ruan Ci.
Yan Xue seems to be a good person, but her family background is poor, while Ruan Ci is the opposite. Her family background is relatively superior, but she is rather arrogant and domineering.
Shen Pingjin remembered Ruan Ciyan and Xue; they were truly just fake friends.
She suddenly remembered it too.
In her previous life, this woman named Yan Xue won first place in the tea-making competition, but in the end, someone had poisoned the tea she drank.
Originally, this was just a minor matter, because Yan Xue's family background was not illustrious, and Emperor Anqing obviously wanted to let the matter drop casually.
Unexpectedly, Yan Xue was a woman of strong character. After realizing she had been framed, she jumped into the lotus pond to prove that she had been harmed.
The Spring Banquet is one of the most important banquets in the Dongyue Kingdom. Now that something has happened at the Spring Banquet, Emperor Anqing has been forced to investigate due to pressure.
The result was truly regrettable. Emperor Anqing sent people to investigate and found that the person who had poisoned Yan Xue was actually Ruan Ci, who had always called Yan Xue a sister.
Tsk tsk tsk.
Now that Shen Pingjin thinks about it, she can probably understand the reason behind it.
Adding to what she's hearing now, Chen Pingjin can guess it all.
It must be that Ruan Ci was unhappy that Yan Xue won first place, so he drugged Yan Xue's tea to make her lose her innocence.
From now on, we can only keep our tails between our legs and make them lose face.
She never expected that Yan Xue would use her own death to prove that she had been framed.
Shen Pingjin thought that since she knew about this matter in advance, perhaps she could try to change things secretly.
Yan Xue's tea-making skills are quite good, which means she must be very skillful. If I save her, I might be able to get to know her and have her come to my Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to help out from time to time.
This seems quite good.
Shen Pingjin felt that her idea was really quite good.
The opportunity hasn't come yet. Since this happened after Yan Xue won first place, it means that Ruan Ci definitely hasn't drugged her yet.
Therefore, there's no need for me to rush into action.
Shen Pingjin stood to one side, watching the women step forward to tinker.
There are specific techniques involved in brewing tea.
Brewing tea, the Miyun Double Phoenix tea, its golden threads just beginning to unfurl. Outside the window, smoke rises automatically from the incense burner; opening the bottle, I taste the fragrant spring water. Gentle waves rise, fragrance arises from the jade-like tea leaves, snow-like droplets splash in the round purple cup.
It is divided into four steps.
Every step had to be done with utmost care and skill, which was extremely demanding on the women's technique.
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