Chapter 32: Tasting Tea

Upon returning to the Clear Harmony Courtyard, Mama Wang came up to greet her, followed by two young maids, Cheng’er and Ping’er. Meinang glanced toward the East Garden, noticing that Mama Wang’s expression had darkened as she whispered, “I’ve never seen such a shameless girl! She acts as though she owns this courtyard. I brought Cui Si in to assist, only to be driven out by her, claiming it was Master’s instructions…”

Meinang comforted Mama Wang with a few words. Instead of going into her room to rest, she instructed Cui Xi to fetch a few items and, accompanied by Cui Jian, walked straight toward the Moon Gate leading to the East Garden.

In the East Hall, the banquet had ended, and Xu Jun Ying was drinking tea with Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi at a low table. The small red clay stove glowed warmly with charcoal, and two maids, Rui Zhu and Rui Bao, stood nearby with blank expressions. Rui Zhu, in particular, glared at Zheng Mei Yu, who sat close to Xu Jun Ying with a smile, elegantly pouring tea for the guests with graceful gestures. The behavior of the cousin today had shocked them, she was typically thick-skinned, but today, she’d gone too far. Lord Marquis had clearly stated that he wanted time alone with close friends, and yet she ignored his words, clinging by his side, pouring wine and tea as though she were the hostess. Rui Zhu and Rui Bao, eavesdropping from outside, felt deeply embarrassed for her.

It seemed that the Lord had eventually realized she had no intention of leaving, so he called them back in to serve. Bao Ju and Bai Zhan, sweating outside, had failed to stop her from entering the East Garden and were now likely dreading how Lord Marquis might reprimand them for it.

As the host and guests drank tea in silence, Bao Ju’s voice rang from the door, announcing, “The Lady of the House is here!”

Everyone reacted differently. Xu Jun Ying remained composed, while Zheng Mei Yu’s hand trembled, spilling a few drops of tea onto the polished table. Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi exchanged a glance and rose to their feet.

Seeing his friends standing formally to greet Meinang, Xu Jun Ying reluctantly joined them, stepping slightly forward. Rui Zhu and Rui Bao looked on with a trace of schadenfreude as Zheng Mei Yu fidgeted, clearly uneasy. Standing would mean losing her spot by the low table, yet not standing would be a breach of decorum, as both the Master and the guests had risen. Who was she to remain seated, failing to greet the Lady of the House?

With a radiant smile, Meinang entered the hall. Rui Zhu and Rui Bao immediately curtseyed at her entrance and respectfully addressed her, “Lady of the House!”

Meinang nodded, her gaze warm as she looked at Xu Jun Ying. With a soft voice, she greeted him, “Meinang greets her husband.”

Xu Jun Ying introduced his friends, “These are my two close friends, Mr. Zhang Jing Yun and Daoist Master Ling Xu Zi.”

Meinang exchanged greetings with Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi. Being well-acquainted with Xu Jun Ying, they had heard about his remarkable wife, though they were not surprised by her beauty. What puzzled them was that Meinang, as someone who had recently been gravely ill to the point of “death,” should by rights still be resting in bed. Yet here she was, a little thin but radiating energy and moving with a lightness unexpected of someone recently bedridden. Her face, free of makeup, glowed with health, her lips a soft pink, and her bright, intelligent eyes shone with vitality. As students of medicine, they were astonished by her rapid recovery.

Meinang’s thoughts were much simpler. These two men, called “gentlemen” and “Daoists,” sounded like refined scholars, yet they were merely young men in their twenties. Ling Xu Zi wore Daoist robes and had delicate features. She imagined that if he removed his hat, tied his hair with twin knots, and let a few strands frame his cheeks, he’d resemble Qing Feng or Ming Yue, guardians of the ginseng fruit in “Journey to the West”. Zhang Jing Yun, though more mature, had an elegant and scholarly air, although his pallid face resembled that of a sickly nobleman.

Xu Jun Ying invited them to sit, but Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi waited until Meinang was seated before they sat down. Zheng Mei Yu, feeling out of place, looked embarrassed. Meinang gave her a gentle smile, saying, “Oh, Cousin Yu is here! How mischievous of you, going off without a word and without even a maid to accompany you. Your aunt has been searching everywhere, worried you’d slipped into a pond while playing!”

Turning to Xu Jun Ying, she added, “Husband, should someone be sent to inform Mother so she doesn’t worry?”

Xu Jun Ying glanced at Zheng Mei Yu and replied coolly, “Cousin Yu, you should refrain from such behavior in the future. I wasn’t aware you’d left without informing Aunt… Rui Zhu, Rui Bao, please escort Miss Yu back so Aunt can be at ease.”

Zheng Mei Yu’s face flushed with embarrassment as she cast a resentful glance at Meinang, feeling that she had been portrayed as thoughtless. She had never wandered off alone or caused worry for her aunt! The image of a cultured young lady she had strived to project before the guests had been utterly shattered by Meinang’s words.

Rui Zhu and Rui Bao, holding back laughter, curtseyed and addressed Zheng Mei Yu, “Miss Yu, let’s go. Madam must be worried!”

Zheng Mei Yu closed her eyes briefly before gracefully walking out, though her posture remained elegant.

Meinang opened the teapot to inspect the tea leaves and, smiling at Xu Jun Ying, said, “This is spring tea, it’s quite fine, though we’ve had a cup already. Do you remember? Third Lady’s family runs a tea shop and always sends her some of the best seasonal tea. She recently had Hong Ye bring us some excellent autumn tea, with a mellow taste and a pure, elegant aroma. Why not enjoy it together while reminiscing with your old friends?”

Just then, Cui Xi entered with Cheng’er and Ping’er, carrying fresh tea leaves and new tea utensils. Cui Jian washed her hands and began the tea ceremony, and soon the fragrance of the rare autumn tea filled the room, refreshing their spirits. Ling Xu Zi couldn’t help but exclaim, “This tea rivals the cloud-tipped tea of Qing Yun Mountain!”

Zhang Jing Yun nodded in agreement, “This tea resembles the cloud-mist tea from Nan Yue Mountain. Its tightly rolled leaves unfurl into a deep green with a sweet, full-bodied taste truly on par with the best.”

Xu Jun Ying laughed, “You two are connoisseurs. As for me, good is good, and bad is bad; I lack the refined sensibility.”

Ling Xu Zi looked at Meinang with a smile and said, “The Lady of the House is a person of refinement, so don’t be so modest!”

Meinang quickly waved her hands, saying, “I know very little! A secluded woman like me has little knowledge. This tea is one of the few I recognize, nothing compared to Mr. Zhang and Daoist Master.”

Zhang Jing Yun replied with a slight smile, “If the Lady of the House knows little, then we truly know nothing! We’ve merely traveled far and seen many customs, tasting different regional delicacies.”

Meinang’s interest was piqued. “Mr. Zhang and Daoist Master travel in search of rare herbs? Are you both physicians?”

Xu Jun Ying explained, “Mr. Zhang is a renowned medical scholar, and Daoist Master Ling Xu Zi’s teacher is also a healer of great skill.”

Upon hearing this, Meinang stood up excitedly and said respectfully, “Please forgive my ignorance! Meeting both of you today is a great fortune.”

Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi, caught mid-sip, hurriedly gestured for her to sit. Ling Xu Zi said, “We’re merely Xu Jun Ying’s friends. No need for such formalities.”

Xu Jun Ying reassured her, “They deserve your thanks. The ginseng from Mr. Zhang and the pills from Ling Xu Zi surely contributed to your recovery.”

Meinang looked at them gratefully, “Then I must thank both of you properly!”

Ling Xu Zi reassured her, “Your well-being speaks for itself. Occasional dizziness may occur from the ginseng, but sipping ginseng broth will soon resolve that.”

Meinang thanked them again and poured tea for the two, savoring the moment with gratitude.