Chapter 93 Exquisite Desserts
Two days later, Shangguan Jin indeed took Shen Qingyue and the other children, along with the Seventh Prince who had just arrived at the mansion the night before, as well as Dongmai and Aunt Xin, and went out.
Shangguan Jin also wanted to see how the teahouse she had been looking forward to was doing now.
Is it the kind of teahouse I imagined?
Dongmai originally didn't want to go.
But she and Aunt Xin had accumulated quite a few embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs, and she wondered if she could sell some of them at an embroidery shop.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xin also wanted to come out.
She felt that her embroidery could only sell for five coins, which must be because Dongmai hadn't negotiated the price properly.
"After you two finish shopping at the embroidery shop, come find us at the teahouse after you've been browsing around for a while."
I asked Butler Shen to reserve a private room at Jufulou Restaurant, and we ate there for lunch.
"You two better not stay out too late, or I won't take you with me anymore," Shangguan Jin instructed Dongmai.
Upon hearing this, Dongmai and Aunt Xin immediately agreed.
They indicated that they would definitely finish their business and come to find Shangguan Jin and the others after a short stroll.
Then they split into two groups.
Shangguan Jin, along with the others, soon arrived in front of the Chunbuwan Teahouse.
Looking at the large plaque with the three characters "Spring Never Ends" on it, Shangguan Jin thought, "These brother and sister must have spent a lot of money!"
Looking at this plaque, you can tell it was made by craftsmen working through the night.
The teahouse was bustling with activity on both the first and second floors; they must have spent a lot of money.
Lian Qianli and Hua Wanli, the brother and sister, were already waiting at the door.
Hua Wanli was still dressed in simple clothes and wearing a veil.
Lian Qianli, on the other hand, is different from the one I saw that day.
No longer dressed in all black, but in a moon-white brocade robe, with a jade pendant of excellent quality hanging from his waist.
A jade crown adorned his head, his hair was tied up, and he had a smile on his face, exuding a dashing and debonair air.
He doesn't look like an assassin who walks in the night at all; he looks exactly like a refined young master from a noble family.
"Madam Shen! Miss Shen and gentlemen." Lian Qianli and Hua Wanli bowed to Shangguan Jin.
Shangguan Jin smiled and led the children to follow the brother and sister into Chun Bu Wan.
Only the third floor is finished now, and even Qianli and the others were led up to the third floor.
"Madam, please sit for a moment. I'll have someone go check the back."
The cook should have almost finished making the desserts.
"Let Wanli stay here and talk to you for a bit," Lian Qianli said with a smile.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
After seeing Lian Qianli leave, Hua Wanli thought for a moment and decided to bring the girls transferred from Jiangnan to Shangguan Jin to see for herself.
See if there's anything you like; if you do, bringing it home isn't out of the question...
Soon, Hua Wanli whispered something in Shen Qingyue's ear and then went out as well.
The seventh prince, who had remained silent the entire way, finally spoke.
"Aunt, this is the person you saved while I was away!"
"They don't look like thieves at all," the Seventh Prince asked in a low voice.
Shangguan Jin patted the Seventh Prince on the shoulder.
"Don't judge a book by its cover; just keep it in your heart."
The seventh prince responded with an "oh".
It seems so; one really can't judge a book by its cover.
However, the shop I plundered from my father is quite suitable for opening a teahouse!
The seventh prince looked around and found the place quite nice.
Needless to say, the furnishings in the room, from the tables and chairs to the incense burner, are all exquisite.
Some of them are even better made than those made by the Imperial Household Department.
Outside, it's a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle, and a glance out the window reveals a vibrant cityscape.
Close the window, and a whole new world unfolds.
That's good. I can bring my cousins here more often in the future.
While thinking, the Seventh Prince leaned close to Shen Qingjun and whispered something to her.
Shangguan Jin wasn't worried about safety at all.
The Seventh Prince came along too, and the two secret guards sent by Emperor Xiao Jing should be in place by now!
I just don't know where those two cats are now.
Shangguan Jin spoke quietly with the children.
A short while later, Hua Wanli entered with a group of girls.
A group of graceful women, all dressed in the same clothes and wearing veils, performed a half-squatting bow in unison to the people in the room.
Shangguan Jin...
The other people inside the house...
"Madam Shen, do you see any that suit your eye? They're all tea maids."
If you like any of them, please bring them back to your residence.
"I'll play the zither for you, or serve you tea and water," Hua Wanli said, leaning closer.
Shangguan Jin...
Before Shangguan Jin could speak, Hua Wanli spoke again.
"Don't you like any of these? Then I'll get you another batch."
If you don't like him, Miss Tea, you can choose another tea master after the other batch has been trained in a couple of days...
Shangguan Jin quickly took a sip of tea.
She seemed to have traveled back to certain moments in later times.
The only difference was that the people in front of them were dressed in ancient costumes.
"Miss Wanli, the teahouse is the priority now. These tea ladies are hard-earned, so we must make sure they play a better role."
"I appreciate your kind offer, I know you're a good girl," Shangguan Jin quickly replied.
Hua Wanli thought about it and agreed.
In Madam Shen's eyes, the teahouse business was still the most important!
Sigh, if this were my own mother, it would definitely be...
"Change it! Pick the nicer ones!"
Forget it, I don't want to think about that woman from the Wan Hua Lou in Jiangnan anymore.
Now that I am the master of Chun Buwan, everything must be done according to my rules.
"Alright, Fuyao, take them all down! Practice your tea ceremony properly, understand?" Hua Wanli instructed the woman in the lead.
The woman agreed and led the tea ladies downstairs.
A short while later, Lian Qianli returned with his men.
A boy who looked only thirteen or fourteen years old held a plate of snacks high above his head.
"Madam Shen, please try the snacks made by the cooks at our teahouse."
"This snack is called 'Bamboo Brings Peace'! Take a look, is it to your liking?" Lian Qianli introduced.
After he finished speaking, the boy presented the snacks.
Shangguan Jin peeked out.
Wow, it's so exquisite!
On a beautiful white porcelain plate, pieces of bamboo-green pastries are delicate and small.
Upon closer inspection, the pastries were arranged in the shape of a bamboo symbolizing peace and good fortune.
"So exquisite!" Shangguan Jin blurted out.
Shen Qingyue also praised it highly.
Indeed exquisite.
No wonder Hua Wanli said the pastries in their building were delicious; just the presentation alone puts them way better than any of their own chefs.
"These things that look like bamboo leaves are all edible. Madam Shen and all the young ladies and gentlemen, please try them." Lian Qianli was quite proud of himself.
Shangguan Jin nodded, picked up a bamboo skewer from the side of the plate, gently pried a piece off, and put it in her mouth.
A refreshing bamboo scent immediately filled his mouth.
The snacks are not greasy, have a refreshing aroma, and a hint of fermented rice wine flavor.
But this taste... it seems a little familiar...
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