Chapter 103 Confession
To show that she was worth thirty taels of silver, Aunt Xin volunteered to demonstrate her talents to everyone.
Soon, the manager of Jufulou delivered a tea-making set.
Aunt Xin seemed like a completely different person, effortlessly brewing a cup of tea for everyone.
Warm the teapot, place the tea leaves, warm the cups, pour from a high position, steep from a low position, and serve the tea...
Every step is pleasing to the eye, dazzling yet not overwhelming.
Every step was so natural, as if it had been rehearsed thousands of times.
Even Shangguan Jin herself felt that Aunt Xin, who was making tea, seemed like a completely different person.
Elegant, confident, and with a touch of aloofness.
If the Duke of Dingguo of the past had seen a Concubine Xin like this, he might have felt sorry for her!
What a pity! I wonder if Shen Huaichen in the North would also be tempted if he saw this.
Looking at the cup of tea that Aunt Xin had brought to her, Shangguan Jin felt a little dazed.
So this is how complicated the ancients' tea-making process was!
She originally thought that making tea was simply a matter of boiling water and pouring it into a cup with tea leaves.
At most, one more step of rinsing the tea can be added...
It all goes into your stomach eventually, right? Why go through so many procedures? It's a waste of time...
Shangguan Jin picked up the teacup and examined it closely; the tea inside looked like a painting.
Take a careful sip, and your mouth will be filled with the delicate fragrance of tea.
It has a slightly bitter taste at first, followed by a sweet aftertaste that invigorates the spirit.
Excellent tea! Excellent craftsmanship!
No wonder when I first met Aunt Xin, she said she was good at brewing tea!
You really know how to brew tea!
This is not meant as a derogatory term; it is Shangguan Jin's sincere praise.
"Madam! Is it still palatable? If you don't like it, we'll offer you a different tea next time." Aunt Xin looked at Shangguan Jin cautiously.
"Very good!" Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Even Qianli and Hua Wanli nodded repeatedly.
Excellent craftsmanship indeed.
This is much better than those tea masters at Wanhualou who look up at people all day long!
"How many years did it take you to learn all this?" Shangguan Jin asked with a smile.
Aunt Xin smiled, pleased with the compliment.
"Actually, I only studied for three years, but the master who taught me said that I have a very strong comprehension ability. As long as it is knowledge about tea brewing, I can remember it after hearing it once."
In addition, I brew different teas according to the different seasons of the twelve months.
There are more than a hundred kinds of tea in the world, and each kind of tea has different characteristics, which in turn brings out different aromas.
"Madam, I will brew you tea every day from now on... and also winter wheat!" Aunt Xin said with a smile.
“Great! Dongmai and I are in for a treat from now on.” Shangguan Jin agreed with a smile.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Aunt Xin is indeed a skilled tea brewer; thirty taels of silver a month is well worth it.
After drinking tea and eating, they split into two groups, one for those seeking rejuvenation and the other for those seeking rejuvenation.
Returning to the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion.
Shen Qingjun noticed that the Seventh Prince had remained silent.
"What's wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No! It's just that I ate a bit too much for lunch," the Seventh Prince said with a forced smile.
Shen Qingjun responded with an "oh".
Do you use it often? It doesn't seem like that!
The food at Jufulou is good, but I didn't see the Seventh Prince eat much of it!
Well, there are probably strangers around, so he's a little reserved!
Upon returning to the Duke of Dingguo's residence, Shangguan Jin noticed that one of the guards protecting the Seventh Prince was missing. She knew that he had gone back to report on the Seventh Prince's itinerary for the day.
Shangguan Jin ignored him, gave the Seventh Prince a few instructions, and then had Shen Qingjun take the Seventh Prince to settle in as usual.
She herself pulled Shen Qingyue back to her own room.
On the other side, after the secret guards returned to the palace, they reported to Emperor Xiao Jing, as usual, what the Seventh Prince had done throughout the day.
"After the Seventh Prince arrived at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, he went with the Duchess of Dingguo to a teahouse on Qianmen Street that had not yet opened for business and sampled some snacks."
We had lunch at Jufulou.
They returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion after having lunch.
After returning home, he continued as before, practicing calligraphy, reading books, and listening to the teacher's lectures.
They were settled in the Crown Prince's courtyard that night.
Emperor Xiao Jing lay reclining on the Luohan bed, while a young eunuch gently massaged his legs.
"What teahouse? It's not open yet, what are you going there for?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked casually.
"It's a newly opened restaurant in Beijing, and it hasn't officially opened yet."
"I heard that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion has some capital involved, so it's only natural that the Duchess of Dingguo would go and take a look," the guard explained.
Emperor Xiao Jing understood.
Which of the famous shops in the capital didn't have noble families behind them?
Without nobles, it won't last long.
Previously, the shops owned by the Duke of Dingguo's mansion were all rented out to others, and they never participated in these kinds of matters.
But now...
After a moment's thought, Emperor Xiao Jing felt he had figured it out.
This perfectly illustrates the Empress's saying: "A mother's love makes her strong!"
Without the Duke of Dingguo, and for the sake of so many people in the household, the Duchess of Dingguo ultimately chose to bow her head...
"Yes, this is a good thing. With an extra source of income, life will be easier for the household."
The best thing for the Duke of Dingguo's family now is to make the most of their lives.
That's what makes it more lively.
Wu Youde, please say something to those below.
That teahouse has capital not only from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, but also from the Seventh Prince. Be careful.
Emperor Xiao Jing smiled and gave instructions as he flipped through the book.
Upon hearing this, the guard knew that the day's work report was over and quickly withdrew.
Wu Youde smiled and agreed.
"I will go and speak to them myself tomorrow."
His Majesty truly worries a great deal about the Seventh Prince.
Seeing that Emperor Xiao Jing was in a good mood, Wu Youde quickly offered a few words of flattery.
"Xiao Qi is still young. With Consort Xian gone, if I don't pamper him more, who else can I rely on?"
"By the way, I vaguely remember that Old Master Shangguan's birthday is coming soon!" Emperor Xiao Jing asked, putting down the book in his hand.
"Your Majesty remembers correctly."
"Old Master Shangguan's birthday is next month," Wu Youde hurriedly replied.
Emperor Xiao Jing responded with an "oh".
"Go and pick out some calligraphy or paintings that the old master likes."
Old Master Shangguan is an aloof man, and his tastes are different from others, so you should pay attention to them.
Once you've chosen it, have Xiao Qi take it over on the appointed day, and just say it's a gift from me.
However, I have no worries about Xiao Qi.
With the Shangguan family and the Duke of Dingguo's mansion around, Xiaoqi won't go astray.
"Going to a teahouse is better than going to those shabby brothels," Emperor Xiao Jing said with a smile.
Wu Youde smiled and echoed his sentiments.
It seems I need to have a serious talk with those officials below me.
This teahouse is off-limits. Don't try to take advantage of it; just treat it with respect.
If the Seventh Prince comes back and complains one day, he might lose his job.
Emperor Xiao Jing read for a while longer, then got up and looked out the window again.
It's getting dark earlier and earlier now, and the weather is getting colder and colder. I wonder what it will be like in the north this winter.
Is it still covered in ice and snow?
If Xiao Qi weren't still so young, he really wanted to send Xiao Qi to inspect the northern lands...
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