Shopkeeper Chen wasn’t very confident about the new product.

But everyone present, especially the previously despairing waiter, was now full of ambition, ready to give it their all.

Li Zhiyue began giving out instructions.

She planned to open the shop tomorrow, so all preparations had to be finished today.

Shopkeeper Chen mainly handled the accounts.

The raw materials previously purchased had been billed through the Hou Mansion’s account, but now everything needed to be transferred over.

The main tasks of brewing milk tea and cooking the pearls were handed to Aunt Zhang and Qiu’er. They would work at the tea house from now on.

Meanwhile, Qiao Jia would learn from Aunt Zhang and take over this part later.

Aunt Zhang would then continue developing new products according to Li Zhiyue’s instructions.

Qiao Mu would temporarily follow the waiters to learn how to serve customers.

Li Zhiyue was busy when someone entered the tea house.

The visitor wore black clothes and an official hat, clearly a government officer.

Shopkeeper Chen bowed and greeted him warmly: “Honored guest, please take a seat. We have Bi Luo Chun, Tie Guan Yin, Longjing, black tea, green tea… all kinds. Just let us know what you wish.”

The man took out a scroll of calligraphy from behind him: “This is a piece commissioned by Lord Cheng to be delivered.”

Shopkeeper Chen was confused.

Li Zhiyue recognized it immediately and quickly came forward: “Thank you, Young Minister Zhao, for coming specially to deliver this calligraphy.”

Young Minister Zhao was Cheng Changyan’s subordinate.

This was the first time he’d seen his superior write a calligraphy dedication for a mere tea house. He said, “Miss Li, you are too polite.”

Then he was about to leave.

Li Zhiyue called after him, “Since you’ve come, Young Minister Zhao, please sit and have some tea.”

Zhao shook his head: “Lord Cheng is in pursuit of the culprit. I must go assist. Your kindness is greatly appreciated, Miss Li.”

He saluted and turned to leave.

Shopkeeper Chen was excited: “Looks like that vile flower thief is about to be caught! The young ladies of the capital no longer need to worry.”

Li Zhiyue unrolled the calligraphy.

The brush strokes were bold and vigorous.

The characters deeply impressed.

What a fine piece!

Chen curiously leaned in and read aloud: “The beautiful encounter of milk and tea — Li’s Black Pearl Milk Tea.”

He looked incredulous. “The honorable Dali Temple Minister Cheng actually likes milk tea, and can even write something like this…”

Was it a poem? Not quite. Lyrics? Also no. It was just so simple and colloquial that he couldn’t tell what literary form it belonged to.

Li Zhiyue smiled to herself.

She remembered yesterday, when she suggested writing this phrase, Cheng Changyan had frowned.

Such a talented scholar probably despised such a simple and straightforward advertising slogan.

Li Zhiyue spent the entire day immersed in the tea house.

The next day, Li’s Tea House officially launched the new product, with the slogan written by Cheng prominently displayed outside, fluttering in the wind.

Business wasn’t booming, but since the tea house was on a busy main street, the slogan caught many people’s attention.

Crowds stopped to discuss.

“Black Pearl Milk Tea? What’s that?”

“Must be some kind of tea boiled with milk. Sounds strange.”

“What’s the black pearl mean?”

“Let’s go inside and see.”

A group was the first to enter.

Qiao Mu and another waiter immediately stepped forward to greet them: “Welcome, honored guests, please come in and sit anywhere.”

A man asked, “What is Black Pearl Milk Tea? How much does it cost?”

Qiao Mu replied enthusiastically, “This is a new creation by Li’s Tea House. Even the commander princess praised it. The special trial price is only one tael of silver per cup.”

“What?!”

“One tael of silver?!”

“You might as well just rob people!”

Most who came in were common folk and were scared off by the price, grumbling as they left.

Qiao Mu’s smile froze.

Several more groups came in afterward but left with excuses after hearing the price.

Shopkeeper Chen became anxious.

He went to the elegant room on the third floor, knocked and entered. “Miss, we do have a good gimmick with the new product, but the price might be a bit high. How about lowering it a little?”

Li Zhiyue sat by the window on the third floor, practicing calligraphy.

She looked up and clearly saw what was happening outside the tea house.

She carefully finished writing a line of poetry, then said slowly, “Those who think it’s expensive are not our customers. What’s the rush?”

These days, the wealth gap was huge.

You can’t make much by earning from the poor; her target was the wallets of the rich.

Chen knew he couldn’t convince her and could only feel frustrated.

An hour passed, and not a single cup of milk tea was sold.

Just as everyone was feeling down, a group of youths on horseback arrived and stopped in front of the tea house.

Shopkeeper Chen perked up and hurried to greet them: “Everyone, please come in. Our shop has launched the new Black Pearl Milk Tea… Ah, Your Highness!”

Li Muyun was among the group.

Early that morning, he had arranged for someone to watch the tea house.

After an hour, they learned no one had come to support his sister’s business.

Because of this milk tea nonsense, the mistress was working herself to the bone every day, and he had to show support.

So, he waved his hand and came with a dozen classmates.

Li Muyun took a money pouch from his waist and tossed it into Chen’s arms. “Shopkeeper Chen, bring the milk tea!”

Chen was speechless.

The prince’s money was still basically their own family’s money—what was the point?

Despite grumbling, Chen got to work.

With Aunt Zhang, Qiu’er, and Qiao Jia busy, within a short time, over a dozen cups of milk tea were served to the scholars.

“Brother Li, is this the Black Pearl Milk Tea the commander princess praised?”

“It looks kind of weird.”

“If you think it’s weird, don’t drink it. I haven’t even had enough myself.”

Li Muyun grabbed the cup from the other’s hand.

The others quickly guarded their cups and started drinking. After the first sip, no one could stop.

The man whose cup was taken eagerly ordered another.

Li Muyun snorted, “Didn’t you just say it was weird?”

“I meant this milk tea tastes strangely good, very delicious.”

“That’s more like it.”

The youths happily drank the milk tea, chatting about poetry, enjoying themselves.

At that moment, another group arrived on horseback and stopped at the tea house entrance.

“Guests, please come in,” Shopkeeper Chen greeted with joy, but then froze. “Old Marquis?”

The old marquis had passed by the tea house multiple times this morning, finding not a single customer inside.

So he gathered his usual friends—who often drank and feasted—and brought them to support his granddaughter, lest she cry secretly at home.

He took out a money pouch and tossed it over: “Bring the tea quickly.”

He smiled to his friends: “This Black Pearl Milk Tea tastes excellent. You’ll know I’m not exaggerating once you try it…”

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly saw Li Muyun sitting inside.

His smile disappeared instantly.

He strode over: “Yun’er, shouldn’t you be at the National Academy? Why are you here?”

His words caused a commotion in the shop.

The other old men saw their grandson who was supposed to be studying, and were furious.

“Hey, you’re skipping classes at the National Academy!”

“Little brat, stand there, or I’ll give you a beating!”

The youths scattered, holding their heads and fleeing.