In the morning, Li Zhiyue called all the second-class maidservants in the courtyard and took them to the tea pavilion.

Two of them were responsible for receiving female guests inside the shop, while the other two worked as assistants in the preparation area, moving wherever needed.

Currently, there were ten employees in the shop altogether.

Li Zhiyue had the new raw materials moved into the kitchen and asked Aunt Zhang to research and develop the new product as soon as possible.

The new product was grass jelly milk tea, a drink very popular in later times.

The main ingredient was a plant called Zhufengcao, also known as “xiancao” (herbal jelly).

The finished product made from it was called grass jelly, which, when added to milk tea, became the trendy grass jelly milk tea.

The process wasn’t too difficult, but they needed to fine-tune the perfect flavor and carefully study it.

After clearly assigning the tasks, Li Zhiyue prepared to return to the third floor to continue practicing calligraphy.

Passing by the main hall, she saw a group entering through the shop’s door. Although they were dressed modestly, she immediately recognized them—these were princes from the palace!

The original self had followed Bai Ruzhu to the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet and had met these nobles before.

The one on the right was the Second Prince, the one on the left the Third Prince, and the one in the middle was the male lead of this book she was currently in— the Fourth Prince, Ning Ye.

It had to be said, Ning Ye was indeed qualified to be a male lead: a celestial appearance, outstanding among the three princes, every glance and movement exuded the aura of a ruler.

No wonder he would later become Crown Prince and preside over the grand ceremony.

When reading the novel, she was fascinated by the Fourth Prince.

But now, as a member of the Marquis of Xiangyang’s household, with the Fourth Prince becoming the stepping stone to the throne, she naturally felt no fondness toward him.

Perhaps because she had stared too long, Ning Ye glanced over.

Li Zhiyue didn’t avoid his gaze.

Smiling, she approached with a respectful bow and said, “Your Highnesses honor us with your presence. This humble servant failed to greet you properly. Please forgive my lack of ceremony.”

The Second Prince spoke gently, “No need for formalities outside. You must be Miss Li of the Marquis of Xiangyang’s house?”

“That is this servant,” Li Zhiyue replied. “May I ask how Your Highnesses find this Black Pearl Milk Tea?”

The Third Prince’s face was full of admiration: “Miss Li is truly ingenious, thinking to brew milk and tea together—refreshing and delightful.”

Li Zhiyue smiled, “Your Highness’s praise is an honor. The tea pavilion will launch new products soon. Please do honor us with your visit. I won’t take more of your time.”

She bowed and turned to the counter, telling Manager Chen to waive the princes’ bill.

No matter the enmity between the Marquis of Xiangyang’s house and the Fourth Prince, at least for now, before the succession struggle heated up, they had to maintain appearances.

The princes were supporting her business, so she wouldn’t charge them for such trivial expenses.

Li Zhiyue went upstairs.

Sitting by the windowsill, she casually glanced downstairs and froze.

Standing opposite the tea pavilion was a woman in white clothes—wasn’t that Lu Jingxue?

Lu Jingxue was the female lead of this book.

After the Zhen family rose to power, during the autumn banquet held by the Marquis house, Lu Jingxue and the Fourth Prince fell in love at first sight.

It was only midsummer, and Lu Jingxue appeared across the tea house—was this an early encounter with the male lead?

Li Zhiyue frowned.

Was the butterfly effect affecting the trajectory of the protagonists?

The reason the Marquis of Xiangyang’s house became a stepping stone for the Fourth Prince was because of Lu Jingxue, who, as the stepdaughter of the Marquis house, falsely accused the Marquis family of treason for “righteousness,” a fatal blow to the family…

She absolutely could not let these two get close, or the Marquis family would be doomed.

“Mo Yu,” Li Zhiyue decided quickly, “have her brought in through the back door, and tell her I have something to discuss with her.”

“Yes, Miss,”

Mo Yu hurried downstairs, and soon Lu Jingxue was brought to the third floor.

Lu Jingxue looked up and saw the calligraphy on the table, a mocking smile appearing at her lips.

A noble daughter of a Marquis family, with the best teachers, yet producing such shameful handwriting.

A fool, just because of noble birth, could she be so high and mighty?

Why was it that despite her mastery of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she never reached the top?

Was one’s social class determined by birth alone?

Lu Jingxue lowered her head, hiding the resentment on her face, and bowed, “Greetings, Miss Li.”

Li Zhiyue stood up and said, “Sister Lu, no need to be so formal. Please sit down, let’s talk. These are new snacks from Li’s Tea Pavilion. Please try them.”

Lu Jingxue lifted her head, now wearing a gentle smile, “Then I won’t refuse.”

She picked up the milk tea and smelled it—the fragrance of milk and tea blended with sugary sweetness. No wonder so many people were crazy about it.

It was said that one cup cost one or two silver coins.

When she came upstairs, she casually glanced at the main hall where at least twenty people were seated. They probably sold two hundred cups a day—like picking up silver coins from the ground.

The Marquis house was already so wealthy, why couldn’t this profitable business belong to their Lu family?

Her father died saving the Marquis, yet why couldn’t the Marquis family be more generous?

Lu Jingxue’s thoughts surged, but her face remained smiling: “This milk tea is really delicious. No wonder the business is so good.”

Li Zhiyue asked, “Sister Lu, did you have some business downstairs? Can I help you?”

“Ah…” Lu Jingxue sighed. “Since my father died, the family lost income. Over the years, we’ve relied on the Marquis family’s care, but it’s never enough. Now that I’m grown, I want to help ease the burden. I wonder if I can work in your tea pavilion to earn some money for my family.”

Li Zhiyue showed surprise. “The tea house is indeed short on staff, but the highest pay is only eight hundred copper coins a month. That wouldn’t even buy the clothes you’re wearing. Aunt Zhen wouldn’t want you to come here and suffer.”

Lu Jingxue pressed her lips.

A cup of milk tea was one or two silver coins, yet a server earned only eight hundred copper coins a month—the Marquis family really squeezed every penny.

But what she didn’t know was that this wage was already raised by Li Zhiyue.

In all inns and restaurants in the capital, servers’ pay was usually four or five hundred copper coins.

After Li took over Li’s Tea Pavilion, she raised everyone’s pay by three hundred and added meal allowances, plus bonuses depending on performance. Such benefits were rare in the capital.

But there was no need to tell Lu Jingxue this.

Li Zhiyue said, “Besides, my parents wouldn’t allow Sister Lu to work so hard outside. If you need money, just tell me, and I’ll send silver coins over.”

Lu Jingxue bit her lip.

She hated the charity-like attitude of the Marquis family—it made her feel like a beggar.

Her dignity was trampled.

Her eyes immediately reddened.

Li Zhiyue didn’t know what to say.

Was she supposed to give her money and have her beg to accept it?

If Lu Jingxue hadn’t done those terrible things later, Li Zhiyue wouldn’t mind lowering her posture.

But unfortunately, they were not on the same path.

Looking downstairs, after the Fourth Prince and his group left, Li Zhiyue lifted her teacup and saw Lu Jingxue off: “Sister Lu, I still have business to attend to. Please excuse me.”