Chapter 172 Goodbye Li Jin

As Su Jingyao got off the carriage, her unique temperament instantly attracted the tea girls who were shouting outside Mingxiang Yi Pavilion.

Their eyes lit up instantly, with some surprise and anticipation in their eyes.

When this luxurious carriage slowly drove onto the street, they secretly wondered if there was a distinguished guest. If they could get the distinguished guest to come into their teahouse and spend money, it would attract many customers.

One of the tea girls immediately had a warm smile on her face and came over hurriedly.

"Ma'am, would you like some tea?"

"Is your teahouse run by women?"

Su Jingyao was wearing a veil, so her expression couldn't be seen clearly, but her voice was faint.

Before the tea girl could answer, the shopkeeper of Cuilan Tea House came trotting over, with a flattering smile on his face and his waist slightly bent.

"Madam, if you want to drink tea, why don't you come to our Cuilan Tea House? Our Cuilan Tea House has been open for many years, and we have the best tea in Yicheng."

"Madam, you don't seem to be a local. We must come and try the most authentic tea in Yicheng."

The shopkeeper stretched out his hand as he spoke, inviting you in.

The tea girl next to her frowned immediately and it was obvious that she was not in a good mood either.

When he saw the shopkeeper opposite him blatantly trying to snatch customers, he immediately became ferocious and put his hands on his hips.

He said loudly: "This lady can go wherever she wants. Besides, in Manyi City, how come only Cuilan Tea House has authentic tea? Our Mingxiang Yige not only has good tea, but also various flower cakes that women love, as well as storytelling, singing and other entertainments."

"Most importantly, we have a unique tea-making technique. Madam, would you like to try it?"

At the end, Cha Nu put on a friendly smile again and asked Su Jingyao earnestly.

Su Jingyao raised her eyes and looked at Mingxiang Yige. The decoration was more feminine, with soft colors and exquisite layout, which had a unique elegance.

However, there were no customers inside at the moment. If Su Jingyao went in, she would probably be their first customer.

Su Jingyao already had her own plans, and naturally would not change them because of a few words from the Cuilan Teahouse owner. She went straight into Mingxiang Yige without hesitation.

Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper of Cui Lan Tea House stamped his feet in anxiety and wanted to say something, but Su Jingyao raised her hand lightly, and Miao Xia immediately stepped forward and stretched out her arm to stop the shopkeeper.

The tea girl was very excited to see this noble lady actually come into their teahouse, and she quickly followed behind her, introducing the place enthusiastically.

As he spoke, he led Su Jingyao to the position with the best view in the lobby.

"You haven't answered my question just now. Is your teahouse run by women?" Su Jingyao asked again after sitting down.

The tea girl thought that the lady looked down on women doing business, and the smile on her face froze instantly and she looked embarrassed.

But he bit his lip and said truthfully, "Madam, this teahouse is indeed run by four women, all from small towns far away from Yicheng, and they know each other for some reason."

"One is a widow whose husband died a few years ago, and the other three women are divorced from their husbands."

These tea girls have to come out to support themselves because they have conflicts with their husband's families for various reasons.

Although she had long been able to accept other people's criticism of them, she couldn't help feeling a little sad at this moment, with a barely perceptible trace of loneliness flashing across her eyes.

After Su Jingyao sat down, she said slowly, "Please serve some of your signature tea and flower cakes."

Seeing that the lady did not have any other reaction to their experience, but instead directly ordered tea, a smile instantly broke out on her face. She happily agreed and stepped back briskly to prepare.

Although Su Jingyao's initial advice to Jun Zechen on women's freedom of marriage had achieved certain results, it was still difficult to resist the powerful traditional ideas in this deeply rooted feudal era.

A woman can get a divorce, but she will inevitably be looked at differently by others.

If we want to stop such prejudice, the key is for women to be able to be independent and strong.

Just as Su Jingyao was lost in thought, the tea girl brought up the tea and flower cakes.

Su Jingyao took off her veil, her creamy skin glowing. She handed the veil to Miaoxia who was sitting opposite her. Miaoxia took it and carefully put it away for her.

She took a sip of tea and lowered her butterfly-like eyelashes to hide the thoughts in her eyes.

The taste is really good and the craftsmanship is exquisite.

maybe......

She can help these women, use them as opportunities and springboards, and strongly encourage women to become self-reliant and strong.

Su Jingyao accompanied Jun Zechen on his southern tour to understand the people's sentiments, and naturally the needs of women were extremely important.

Even if she could not completely change the status of women in the dynasty during her lifetime, she was able to lay a solid foundation for the improvement of the status of women in later generations.

If you want to be a virtuous queen, you must be a virtuous queen with real name and substance, not just a token virtuous queen.

Su Jingyao sipped her tea leisurely while thinking about what to do next.

Before she knew it, more and more guests were sitting around her.

The female shopkeeper in yellow looked at the lively scene with a delighted look on her face. She said to the waitress excitedly, "This lady is really beautiful and has a very outstanding temperament. She is sitting here and attracts many customers."

Su Jingyao was completely unaware of this and was still thinking about how to implement this effectively.

Suddenly, a tall man walked in with a haughty look.

When the female shopkeepers of Mingxiang Yige saw this man, they all frowned and looked worried.

It was Master Li, the overlord of Yicheng. The female shopkeeper in red took a deep breath, pretended to be calm, and immediately stood up and asked, "Master Li, do you want some tea?"

"We, the Li family, run the Cuilan Tea House. Do we need to come to your place for tea?"

Master Li curled his lips, his face full of disdain.

"Women are supposed to take care of their husbands and children. It is immoral for you four women to run a teahouse. I advise you to close the shop as soon as possible, otherwise the Li family will not let you go."

Mr. Li folded his hands in front of his chest, raised his chin, and his arrogant expression was disgusting.

He originally thought that Mingxiang Yige had just opened today and no one would patronize it. However, when he looked carefully at the lobby, he found that there were quite a few customers, and the anger in his heart instantly bubbled up.

Master Li shouted at the top of his voice, "Today, Cuilan Tea House is half price. Drinking tea is an elegant act. You are drinking tea in a teahouse run by a woman. Aren't you afraid of tarnishing your reputation as a scholar?"

Most of the customers who come to the teahouse to drink tea are well-read people who come with like-minded friends.

After hearing what Master Li said, everyone seemed a little hesitant.

But they have already ordered tea. Wouldn't it be a loss of credibility if they left now?

Seeing the hesitation on their faces, Master Li continued to threaten them: "If you drink tea in Mingxiang Yi Pavilion, you will be against the Li family."

The guests who had come to the lobby because of Su Jingyao's beauty and temperament and wanted to taste the tea of ​​Mingxiang Yige, were frightened when they heard the arrogant tone of the young master of the Li family and dared not stay any longer.

After all, the Li family is a wealthy and powerful family in Yicheng, and they cannot afford to offend them.

Soon, Su Jingyao was the only one left in the lobby.

Several female shopkeepers looked at the empty lobby, feeling extremely angry but helpless.

"Mr. Li, we are operating as normal. How can you threaten our customers like this?"

Mr. Li glanced at them with disdain, and then ignored the female shopkeeper's question and walked directly to Su Jingyao with a swagger.

"This lady looks beautiful and must be of high status. If you like to drink tea, why don't you go to Cuilan Tea House? I will treat you."

Master Li narrowed his eyes and looked Su Jingyao up and down with lustful eyes.

Su Jingyao's expression was as calm as water, as if the person in front of her was air, and she didn't even glance at him.

Through the man's vulgar words just now, Su Jingyao has a deeper understanding of the difficulties and hardships of women doing business today.

Miaoxia was just about to stand up to stop Mr. Li, but Su Jingyao signaled her with her eyes and Miaoxia did not act rashly.

When Master Li saw that Su Jingyao had no reaction, he immediately scolded her, "Do you know who I am? Who in Yicheng doesn't treat me with respect? Don't refuse my toast and then drink the wine for punishment!"

If she wasn't so beautiful, he wouldn't have been so patient talking to her.

"You look like you're married, but you come alone to this widow's teahouse to drink tea. Could it be that your husband has died? I, your beauty, will not give up on you. You can marry me..."

Before he could finish, Su Jingyao, with a cold face, splashed the tea in her hand directly onto Mr. Li's face without hesitation.

I'm afraid he doesn't want this mouth anymore!

Young Master Li never thought that someone in Yicheng would dare to treat him like this. He was immediately furious and said, "You!"

Just as he was about to raise his hand to attack, a man in white came in at lightning speed. He had a strong figure and a sharp look in his eyes. He kicked out with such force that he kicked Master Li out in an instant.

Master Li was caught off guard, and he fell heavily to the ground like a kite with a cut string, in a state of panic.

The guards who were originally ready to protect the lady in the dark were about to rush forward, because the man in white could only remain in place, remain highly vigilant, and closely observe the development of the situation.

Su Jingyao looked at the newcomer in surprise. She didn't expect to meet Li Jin in Yicheng.

They haven't seen each other for three or four years.

Su Jingyao's eyes revealed complex emotions, including surprise and a hint of joy at reunion after a long separation.

Master Li was kicked to the ground, and he felt his blood rushing up, and he felt dizzy from anger.

With a red face and thick neck, he shouted: "You! You! Just wait, I will go and call for help, and I will definitely make sure you guys pay for it in Yicheng!"

He struggled to get up from the ground, cursing and limping out of Mingxiang Yige, looking both wolfish and funny.

Su Jingyao calmed herself down and looked at Li Jin carefully. She found that his face had not changed much. He still looked as gentle as jade, but more mature, with a more sad look in his eyes.

She raised her hand slightly and said, "Sit down."

Li Jin sat down as she was told, lowering her eyes slightly, her eyelashes hiding the complex expression in her eyes.

"Did you come here specially?"

Su Jingyao asked bluntly, she never believed in coincidences.

Li Jin nodded lightly and let out a low "hmm" from his throat.

Ever since he got the news that His Majesty was taking the Empress on a southern tour, he had been paying attention until she arrived in Yicheng.

"Master..." Li Jin paused, as if considering his words, and continued, "Madam, how are you these days?"

"I am fine."

Su Jingyao's expression was as calm as water, and her eyes showed a kind of tranquility and satisfaction.

She was getting what she wanted step by step.

During this southern tour, she didn't want to always be Jun Zechen's pendant. Even though her own abilities were limited, she was determined to keep this small teahouse.

The two were speechless for a moment, then Su Jingyao tilted her head slightly and asked with a gentle look, "Have you met a woman of your dreams in the past few years?"

When Li Jin heard this, sadness was revealed in her eyes, like a bottomless pool of stagnant water, without a single ripple.

No woman could get close to his heart.

Seeing that he was silent, Su Jingyao shook her head lightly and sighed helplessly.

"Li Jin, you have trapped yourself. There are many beautiful women in this world. As long as you are willing to open your heart to accept them, you can have a happier and more fulfilling life."

Su Jingyao is selfish. When Li Jin was useful to her, she would never persuade him to do these things. She would only try her best to make him willing to serve her.

But now several years have passed, and after this meeting, perhaps they will never meet again.

It would be great if he could let go of the knot in his heart about the past. Li Jin's love for her might be because she once saved him from danger when he was in dire straits, or it might be because she gave him a completely different new life.

Li Jin sees her as his savior, so he is unwilling to accept anyone else. He needs to learn to let go of himself.

Li Jin pursed her lips tightly.

If I could let it go, I would have let it go long ago.

Just as she said, he never thought of opening his heart to other people. He didn't want to care about whether they were men or women.

I don’t want to make friends, I don’t want to get married and have children, I just want to wander alone in my own world.

But since it was what she expected, he would never make things difficult for her, so he agreed, "Okay."

Afterwards, Su Jingyao and Li Jin sat quietly, drinking tea and chatting leisurely.

Su Jingyao told Li Jin some of her inner thoughts about this teahouse. Li Jin has been helping to manage her business and has a great talent for business. With his help, Mingxiang Yige's future operations will surely be very smooth.

When the two talked, the atmosphere was harmonious and they enjoyed the conversation very much.

But An Shun in the house was like an ant on a hot pot, getting anxious and a little overwhelmed.

The guard who had just protected the lady came hurriedly to report that someone was looking for trouble with the lady, but it was quickly resolved. After hearing this, An Shun breathed a sigh of relief and no longer cared.

But not long after, another guard came to report with a nervous look that the lady was now drinking tea and chatting happily with a man, and that the previous conflict was also resolved by this man.

This……

An Shun suddenly looked embarrassed, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He secretly glanced at His Majesty who was carefully dealing with the memorials sent from the capital at the desk.

After much hesitation, he finally gritted his teeth and said it carefully.

"Third Master, the Madam is drinking tea with a man in the teahouse right now."

The pen in Jun Zechen's hand stopped instantly, and the tip of the pen left a thick ink spot on the paper.

His face darkened. "What's going on?"

An Shun did not dare to be negligent and quickly explained to his wife exactly what had happened in the teahouse.

When Jun Zechen heard that she was rescued by a heroic man, a hint of gloom flashed across his deep eyes for a moment, and his eyes dimmed.

"What are those guards you sent for? How could a strange man save your wife when she was bullied?"

Jun Zechen was furious and stood up suddenly.

When Jun Zechen arrived at Mingxiang Yige, there were already many people gathered outside Mingxiang Yige to watch the excitement.

Mr. Li, who had just left, came in with a large number of guards and surrounded the table where Su Jingyao and the others were.

Jun Zechen walked a little closer, and when he saw clearly the man sitting at the same table with Su Jingyao, his body froze for a moment.

It’s actually him!

Jun Zechen's hands clenched into fists unconsciously. He shouldn't have let her out of his sight!