Chapter 112 Goodwill
The tea lady's smooth and flowing tea-brewing skills dazzled even the well-informed Madam Shangguan.
I had no idea there were so many intricacies to brewing tea.
There are specific rules for which tea to pair with which utensils and what kind of snacks to enjoy with it.
Take the osmanthus-scented tea they ordered, for example.
The tea lady not only brewed osmanthus-scented tea, but even the incense sticks burning in the incense burner in the room were osmanthus-scented.
Once the tea was brewed and accompanied by the osmanthus cakes carefully made by the cook, everyone felt as if they were under the osmanthus trees of Nanjing.
The flavor is just right, not too sweet, subtle yet delightful.
Madam Shangguan ate a piece of osmanthus cake and paused for a moment.
But she quickly returned to normal and continued drinking her osmanthus-scented tea.
The situation is the same as the half-moon dragging blue private room.
The nobles in the other private rooms were also enjoying the fragrant tea served by the tea ladies or tea gentlemen.
Or perhaps some people haven't even had a sip of tea yet, but the sight of the tea lady and tea gentleman makes them melt.
As expected, you get what you pay for.
Having spent a lot of money to drink tea, the experience is definitely different.
The tea lady is elegant and refined, while the tea gentleman is handsome and dashing.
It didn't feel like serving anyone at all; it was more like inviting close friends over for tea...
I'll come here often in the future. Why wouldn't I come to a place like this?
This is much more elegant than going to a brothel...
After quietly leaving the private room, Dongmai looked a little dejected.
She had secretly taken three months' worth of savings, intending to support her mistress's teahouse.
But it turns out they can't even afford a private room...
Sigh, I'll embroider more purses and handkerchiefs instead, and do it later.
Dongmai wandered around in the late spring while thinking.
After strolling around for a while, her mood improved.
Every private room was full, which meant the teahouse was doing good business.
If the teahouse does well, it means her mistress will receive more money at the end of the year...
Thinking about it this way, Dongmai looked at the six taels of silver in her small purse and suddenly felt less upset.
As long as the young lady earns money, she doesn't need to worry about anything else...
"Winter Wheat, what are you doing?"
Dongmai was about to sit down at the seating area on the first floor and order a pot of tea when Aunt Xin suddenly appeared and stopped him.
Aunt Xin was stunned when she saw that she was wrapped up tightly and wearing a veil.
"Yunniang, what are you doing here?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Dongmai slapped his forehead.
"Look at my memory! Chunbuwan is opening today. You're the master of those tea ladies and tea gentlemen, so you definitely have to come and take a look!"
Aunt Xin shook her head smugly.
The veil in front of the swaying hat also swayed along with it.
She really enjoys being the mentor of those tea ladies and tea gentlemen!
Hearing them address me as "sir" so respectfully made me feel incredibly comfortable.
They all call themselves "sir"!
Turns out I'm a female teacher too!
Most importantly, Manager Qiu paid me my wages yesterday.
In addition to the agreed-upon thirty taels of silver, they also gave me an extra fifty taels in silver notes.
"My young master said that you have had a hard time these past two weeks, my wife."
The students taught by my wife are all exceptionally good.
The extra fifty taels is a separate fee for your hard work.
"I'll have to trouble you to pay even more attention to things from now on, my wife!"
How could Aunt Xin not be happy?
"I took eighty taels of silver yesterday!"
This is almost two years' worth of monthly salary in the manor!
As soon as I received the silver yesterday, I went to the jewelry shop and ordered a small gold lock for the old lady, the madam, you, the eldest young lady, Aunt Qiu, and Aunt Lin.
I remember someone telling me that a golden lock brings peace and safety.
Everyone in our household is safe and sound...
"Dongmai, why are you looking at me like that?" Aunt Xin asked, puzzled as Dongmai stared at her without saying a word.
"You...spent all the money you earned?" Dongmai asked in a low voice.
"Yes! It's all spent, and it's still not enough. I even added some of the monthly allowance I had saved up before," Aunt Xin said with a smile.
I don't know what to say about winter wheat.
That spendthrift young woman, her young mistress doesn't need that little gold lock...
Are you angry?
Oh no, I forgot!
"Don't worry, when we get paid next month, I'll definitely set aside five taels for you to take to the children at the charity in the suburbs." Aunt Xin assured Dongmai, holding her hand.
The more Dongmai looked at Aunt Xin, the more unfamiliar she seemed.
Is this still the same concubine who almost cried her eyes out when she called the Duke away?
"Yunniang, why did you always try to seduce the Duke into your bed back then?" Dongmai suddenly asked.
Aunt Xin's face immediately turned red.
Even through the veil, Dongmai could see the tips of her ears, which were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.
"That happened so many years ago, why are you asking about it?"
"Besides, the Duke is a great hero, why can't I like him!" Aunt Xin argued softly.
"And now?" Dongmai pressed.
“Now Madam is a great hero, a heroine among women,” Aunt Xin said hurriedly.
Dongmai let out a long "oh".
Thinking of what Aunt Xin had said about giving her five taels of silver to send to the charity hall when she received her next paycheck, Dongmai felt relieved.
She grabbed Aunt Xin's hand and pulled her downstairs.
"What are you doing? What are you going downstairs for?" Aunt Xin was baffled.
"I'd like to offer you some tea. I brought some money with me, so you don't need to pay," Dongmai said.
Aunt Xin immediately became anxious.
Dongmai seems quite shrewd, so why isn't she using her brain properly right now?
Downstairs, the cheapest tea costs two ounces per pot.
And you can't just drink tea; you have to add some snacks or something, which would cost at least four or five taels of silver!
"What are you doing! If you want tea, I'll make it for you when we get back. Why are you getting involved here?"
Why let others earn this money? Aunt Xin pulled Dongmai, preventing her from going any further.
She herself felt that the tea in the teahouse was too expensive. Wasn't it just that the ladies and gentlemen who brewed the tea were a little prettier?
"This teahouse is funded by my young lady," Dongmai said softly.
That means that even if you make money, you still have to give a portion of it to the prostitute.
Aunt Xin paused, then pulled Dongmai down the stairs as well.
"Then... let's drink it!"
Order whatever you like to drink. If you don't have enough money, I'll talk to Manager Qiu Niang and put it on my account. It will be deducted at the end of the month.
Dongmai, let me tell you, I'm earning money now, and I don't need to do embroidery anymore.
What I learned is still useful!
I've thought about it. I'll teach them tea ceremony first. Once they've mastered tea ceremony, I can teach them music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and so on.
I've learned all of these quite well.
There's still Qin Niang in the building, right? I'll ask Manager Qiu Niang in a couple of days if they need me to teach them.
"At worst, I'll just charge less..."
Dongmai grinned.
That silly Yunniang!
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