Chapter 44 : Is She Playing Him?

The Xue family has a tea house, and the Duke of Zhao’s mansion also has one.

The former’s wealth is nowhere near the latter’s, so naturally, the tea they offer varies in quality.

But when Xue Qingyin invited them to the Xue family’s tea house, Manager Zhao did not show the slightest sign of disdain, cheerfully taking Zhao Xufeng along with him.

The manager of the silk shop was a bit anxious: “What about the matters at the silk shop?”

Xue Qingyin’s style of handling things was completely different from He Songning’s.

If it had been He Songning, by now, he would have already casually decided to deal with the troublemakers.

But Xue Qingyin… really left them scratching their heads.

“Professional matters should be left to professionals. We just have to wait for the results from the Jingzhao government,” Xue Qingyin said without looking back.

She didn’t have He Songning’s strong need for control. If someone else could handle things for her, she was happy not to burden herself.

“Yes, we’ve already given instructions, no need to worry further,” Manager Zhao agreed.

The Xue family’s managers were still a little lacking in experience, not calm enough when things happened, Manager Zhao thought.

In fact, with a master like He Songning, who was both powerful and suspicious, it wasn’t surprising that his subordinates were weak-willed and indecisive.

Xue Qingyin didn’t mind; she felt that every situation had its pros and cons.

She left the silk shop staff behind and went to the tea house.

The Xue family’s tea house was conveniently located not far away, making it quite practical.

Luckily, nothing unusual had happened at the tea house today.

Otherwise, if they made an enemy, wouldn’t that wear her out?

“Miss?” The tea house manager was quite surprised to see Xue Qingyin and didn’t immediately recognize her.

It was her first time here, and she hadn’t brought the chief manager with her, so her servant had to step forward and clarify their identity.

“This is the young master of the Duke of Zhao’s mansion, and this is Manager Zhao,” Xue Qingyin quickly explained.

The tea house manager had initially thought that the master had come unannounced to reprimand the staff, but now, he was confused.

If he remembered correctly… weren’t several of the Duke of Zhao’s shops not on good terms with them?

It was because they didn’t dare offend the Duke of Zhao that they had always retreated in defeat.

He had heard that not long ago, the silk shop had even been smashed, becoming the laughing stock of the thirty-six trades in the capital.

This had forced everyone involved with the Xue family’s businesses to lower their heads and behave.

The tea house manager had many thoughts running through his mind. When the tea was served, he became exceedingly respectful in front of Manager Zhao and Zhao Xufeng.

Manager Zhao furrowed his brow and said, “Miss Xue, please.”

The manager immediately realized he had flattered the wrong person and quickly turned to serve tea to Xue Qingyin.

Xue Qingyin didn’t mind. She casually pushed it toward Manager Zhao instead: “I don’t like this.”

Manager Zhao didn’t refuse and asked, “Miss Xue, what tea do you prefer? Yangxian or Shouzhou Huangya?”

He silently considered picking some tea from his own tea house to bring next time if Miss Xue liked it.

Xue Qingyin shook her head and replied, “As long as it doesn’t have salt, ginger, or things like Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, or other spices, I’ll like it.”

What they called tea nowadays? It was more like porridge.

But people today often drank tea like that.

The Xue family’s way of brewing tea was conservative, adding orange peel for its digestive benefits, which made it Xue Qingyin’s special tea.

The tea served at this tea house, however, seemed to have all kinds of spices added in, almost as if to show off.

It was ridiculous, Xue Qingyin thought.

“Miss Xue doesn’t mind the bitterness of the tea?” Manager Zhao asked, surprised.

Xue Qingyin replied softly, “How could it be bitter? The aftertaste is sweet, and the fragrance lingers. If you’ve eaten something greasy, a cup of tea without anything added is just perfect, isn’t it?”

Manager Zhao nodded and smiled. “Miss Xue makes a very good point. To have such a unique perspective and not fall into the common ways, it’s truly rare in this world…”

He showered Xue Qingyin with compliments, making her blush.

Could it be that this way of drinking tea is the real heresy?

After all, in later times, everyone drank tea without adding any ingredients! How was that some sort of genius idea?

Manager Zhao, following Miss Xue’s suggestion, tried eating some sweet snacks first, then drank the plain tea.

“It truly has a unique flavor!” he praised.

Even Zhao Xufeng, standing beside him, followed suit, took a sip, then spat it out with a dramatic gasp.

Xue Qingyin couldn’t help but laugh and asked the manager to bring more snacks for Zhao Xufeng.

Zhao Xufeng, ever so fond of food, always saved her a piece after eating each snack.

He could eat a lot, and by the time he finished, there was a small mountain of snacks in front of Xue Qingyin.

The tea house manager couldn’t help but think, “Are the Duke of Zhao’s people trying to eat us out of business?”

Fortunately, at this moment, Xue Qingyin put down her teacup and asked, “Young Master Zhao, have you ever been to the outskirts of the city?”

Manager Zhao sighed, “It’s hard enough to get out of the mansion.”

“I’m going to a manor on the outskirts of the city later. Would Young Master Zhao like to come along?”

Manager Zhao’s eyes lit up, eager to go, but he was worried he might trouble Miss Xue.

But the opportunity was too rare… After a moment of thought, he said firmly, “Let’s go!”

As they left the tea house, Manager Zhao stopped to ask the manager, “How has the business been at the tea house recently?”

The manager didn’t dare answer, thinking, This is our rival!

“Just answer when asked,” Xue Qingyin interjected.

The manager wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied, “This year, due to the droughts, the tea harvest has been poor, so… our business is certainly not as good as the silk shop’s.”

He gave an awkward smile.

Manager Zhao didn’t say anything more but wore a contemplative expression.

Miss Xue treated them so well, they would naturally have to repay her somehow.

Xue Qingyin didn’t know what Manager Zhao was thinking as she walked out and saw the young man, Kong Qun, standing outside.

He was wiping his head with a handkerchief.

After such a long time, his face was even more swollen, and his eyes were narrowed, giving him a fierce look.

But when he noticed Xue Qingyin looking at him, he quickly lowered his head.

“What are you standing here for? Go back and accept your punishment,” Manager Zhao said sternly when he saw him.

Kong Qun responded and left with his group.

An hour later, Xue Qingyin arrived at the manor on the outskirts of the city.

But the atmosphere there felt different…

Xue Qingyin’s maid shuddered. “Why is no one here to greet us?”

Xue Qingyin was puzzled too. Could something have happened?

Just then, several armored men wielding spears entered their line of sight, exuding a fierce aura.

Manager Zhao stiffened. “Xuanwu Army?!”

He quickly grabbed Zhao Xufeng, his expression serious.

Xue Qingyin, however, immediately walked up to them and asked, “Where is General Du?”

Manager Zhao was momentarily stunned, thinking, Miss Xue is really bold, she isn’t afraid of anything.

The Xuanwu Army stopped, exchanged looks, and asked, “Are you…”

“Are you the young lady from the Xue family?” they asked.

Xue Qingyin nodded.

Manager Zhao was speechless, watching as a young general hurriedly came out and warmly greeted Xue Qingyin.

He couldn’t hear their conversation.

But he was deeply shocked inside.

Miss Xue got along so well with everyone?

This was truly an extraordinary talent!

General Du Hongxue explained the situation to Xue Qingyin.

“It turns out that Prince Xuan has ordered the takeover,” Xue Qingyin murmured.

Du Hongxue nodded with a smile. “Prince Xuan has stayed here for two nights already.”

But the host who was supposed to entertain them wasn’t here.

Xue Qingyin nervously touched her nose.

Suddenly, Du Hongxue changed the subject. “The Prince is inside. Someone has already gone to inform him.”

Xue Qingyin: “Huh?”

So now, I’m the guest?

Xue Qingyin walked in front of Du Hongxue and swaggered into the door without any fear.

Halfway through, she didn’t forget to turn around and greet Zhao Zongguan.

Zhao Zongguan led Zhao Xufeng into the door in a daze. When he saw Prince Xuan in the flower hall, he unconsciously straightened his body, and his old bones felt a little cold.

But now… it’s too late to leave.

“Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Xuan.” Everyone saluted the person sitting on the seat.

Today, King Xuan was wearing a white robe and a jade belt around his waist. He looked calm and noble as he sat there.

But when he turned his eyes slightly, he saw a black sleeve armor on his left forearm.

The sleeve armor has a cold and hard shape, sharp lines, and a murderous aura.

The combination of white and black.

The calm nobleness and the cold and sharp aura complement each other.

I don’t know why… Xue Qingyin tilted her head, thinking that there was an indescribable taste of abstinence.

Xue Qingyin looked at King Xuan.

King Xuan was also looking at her.

For a moment, the atmosphere was cold and stagnant, and no one spoke.

King Xuan moved his lips and said in a cold and hard tone: “Xue’s manor…” Yes.

King Xuan hadn’t uttered the last two words.

Xue Qingyin quickly said: “Your Highness King Xuan, can you lend me the horse cavalry in the army and teach us how to raise horses?”

If not for free now? When will I be for free?

Xue Qingyin thought.

Xue Mansion.

When He Songning knew that something happened in the silk and satin shop, it was already a little late.

The servant said: “The eldest girl went with the steward.”

“What can she handle?” He Songning said, and pursed his lips again.

Then he stood up and said, “Let’s go to the silk and satin shop.” Who knew that when he arrived at the silk and satin shop, the manager said that the eldest girl went to the tea house.

He Songning went to the tea house again. When he arrived at the tea house, the manager of the tea house said respectfully, “The eldest girl said she went to the manor on the outskirts of the city.” He Songning: “…” As expected, she has grown up, her temper has grown, and her brain has grown! Is she deliberately playing a trick on him?