256, Tea (2nd Update)
Xie Zhinuan had a peculiar habit. She loved to cook but disliked washing dishes. Thus, whenever there were dishes to be washed, Yuanbao would immediately call the inn’s old maid over, tossing a tael of silver her way, which made her ecstatic.
She would go wash the dishes with great joy.
Li Hengyi and Lian Huai were discussing whether to take the water route or the land route to hide the wine.
Meanwhile, Xie Zhinuan sat on the side, brewing tea. Into this tea, she mixed spiritual spring water and heated it on a small stove. As she brewed the tea, she listened to the two men talk.
From time to time, she glanced at the map.
Upon examining the map, Xie Zhinuan noted how meticulously it was drawn, including rivers, mountains, and small villages, all clearly marked. She saw that two circles had been drawn between Xiaohe Village and Fengping County.
Even the river had a cautious mark left on it.
“…”
Once the tea was ready, Xie Zhinuan handed the first cup to Lian Huai, “Master, your tea!”
“Hmm!” Lian Huai nodded.
The more he interacted with this disciple, the more he liked her.
Especially because the meals cooked by Xie Zhinuan were incredibly aromatic, and now even the tea she brewed smelled unbelievably good.
Xie Zhinuan poured another cup for Li Hengyi.
Pushing the cup towards Li Hengyi, she gave him a slight smile, “Try it and see if there is any improvement?”
“Hmm!”
Li Hengyi was the one who had taught her how to brew tea.
Before Xie Zhinuan’s tea brewing had been quite rough, as she lacked the finesse required for tea making. After Li Hengyi taught her several times, Xie Zhinuan learned diligently, remembered earnestly, and was careful not to be negligent.
Li Hengyi took the tea cup, took a gentle sip, and nodded, “Compared to before, your progress is remarkable. The most important is the mindset. You were too busy before, but now you’re focused on brewing tea, which makes all the difference!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan smiled.
Back then, she was busy managing the marinated meat shop, the affairs of the manor, and with the dried radishes and chili sauce, hardly having much time to brew tea.
She had only learned the basics and had not grasped the true essence of tea brewing.
Lian Huai took the tea cup and took a light sip.
He could swear he had never tasted such a fragrant tea in his life.
It had smelled incredibly aromatic before, and he assumed it was due to the tea leaves. It was only after tasting it that he realized something was different.
Xie Zhinuan poured another cup and called out to Yunbao.
Yuanbao stepped forward, joyfully taking the tea cup and sitting down to sip it, lavishing Xie Zhinuan with praises. She was truly unparalleled on this earth, which made Xie Zhinuan laugh uncontrollably.
She poured him another cup.
“Thank you, Miss Xie!”
“Is the tea not enough to stop your mouth?” Li Hengyi murmured softly.
Yuanbao chuckled and immediately fell silent, not daring to provoke the jealousy of his master.
Humph.
Miss Xie was not even romantically involved with him yet, and he was already so jealous. If others came to know how wonderful Miss Xie was and became like bees to honey, wouldn’t his master have to soak in vinegar every day?
“Why bother with him? I quite enjoy his compliments. After all this time, it’s impressive that he can come up with new praises every day,” Xie Zhinuan said with a light laugh.
She topped up the tea for Li Hengyi and Lian Huai.
Li Hengyi snorted but didn’t argue.
Lian Huai watched and had a clear understanding in his heart.
It was obvious that the prince was dreaming, while the goddess was unmoved.
The conversation in the room was not loud, but those with high martial arts skills could naturally hear everything clearly.
Especially the aroma of the tea, which made everyone outside envious.
Seeing there was still water in the pot, Xie Zhinuan sat down to make some for Yuanbao to take out for everyone to drink.
Yuanbao immediately complied.
Duobao glanced at him and turned his head away, “I’m not thirsty!”
He thought Yuanbao would persuade him, but unexpectedly, Yuanbao just muttered, “Then forget it, I’ll drink it myself!”
Failing to recognize something good, they shouldn’t blame him later for not reminding them, since he had already advised them more than ten times.
“Xiaoyue, would you like a cup?” Yuanbao asked.
Chapter 257