Chapter 52

The sky was clear and vast, stretching endlessly.

Nianxi and Wang Muyi opened their fragrant tea shop, giving it an elegant name: “Fusheng Banzhan (Half a cup of fleeting life).” The name was derived from Su Shi’s verse: “Snow foam and milk flowers float in the noon cup, knotweed shoots and wormwood sprouts try the spring platter. The true taste of life lies in its simple joys.”

The grand opening day was bustling with excitement. There were no male guests—only the female elites of the capital, adorned with mother-of-pearl, precious jewelry, and rich perfumes.

Wang Muyi, having grown up in the capital, had numerous acquaintances among young ladies and noblewomen. Though Nianxi had only been in the capital for half a year, she had already formed many close friendships. Today, everyone came to celebrate.

Many distinguished ladies, including Gu Ci’s sisters, also eagerly attended to support Nianxi. The scene outside the shop was bustling with carriages and horses, resembling a grand gathering.

Nianxi and Wang Muyi warmly welcomed the guests inside.

The shop’s interior was tastefully decorated, featuring a spacious hall for larger groups and private rooms, each with its own unique design and name—like “Walnut Melody,” “Silent Valley Serenity,” and “Shades of Green,” all unusual and poetic.

Wang Muyi joked, “In the past, our gatherings relied on various households hosting, always mindful of propriety and losing a bit of casual comfort. Today, this tea shop that Nianxi and I have opened offers a space for ladies to unwind. Whether for small gatherings of a few friends or larger banquets, our rooms and halls provide a perfect place to spend time away.”

Naturally, only friends were invited today. Everyone heaped praise on Fusheng Banzhan. Wang Muyi smiled throughout, so much that her face grew stiff by the end.

The event was finally deemed a success after hosting the noblewomen and young ladies in the private rooms and serving fine tea.

The entire day was filled with constant visitors, to the point where several private rooms had already been reserved in advance. Though it was only their first day, Nianxi and Wang Muyi’s tea shop showed promising signs of success. It wasn’t until all the various drinks, syrups, and dairy snacks were completely sold out that the day finally ended.

Wang Muyi was so exhausted that she couldn’t even lift her hands or feet. She pointed to the corner of her eye and said to Nianxi, “If I wake up early tomorrow, I bet I’ll have two fine lines under my eyes. Even my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.”

Nianxi was equally drained. She hadn’t anticipated such a grand spectacle on the shop’s opening day, nor so many people.

Wang Muyi agreed, “Isn’t that right? It’s rare to see such a scene in an ordinary shop opening. Not to mention all the uninvited guests who showed up.”

Nianxi nodded knowingly. “You mean the young lady from the Xu family?”

“Exactly, Xu Wanxin.”

Speaking of her, Wang Muyi suddenly regained some energy. “Sure, it’s all about reciprocity—we sent her scented sachets with the invitation, and her attendance alone would’ve been polite enough. But no, Xu Wanxin had to bring something as extravagant as a set of gold-embroidered jade figurines of the Five Blessings Gods.”

“Tell me, what do you think she’s up to? Who gives gifts like that? What could she possibly want?”

Nianxi had always found it hard to understand Cousin Xu. She was born delicate and beautiful yet possessed remarkable strength. Even as she reached her twenties, she resolutely married a man plagued by chronic illness despite her mother crying her eyes out in protest. She would not change her mind. At that time, although she had spent years idling in the boudoir, with the Xu family’s prestige and exceptional beauty, many accomplished young men had sought her hand in marriage. However, the husband Xu Wanxin chose was unremarkable in every aspect. A few years later, he passed away early, leaving her as a widow with a child, mistreated by her in-laws.

As a fellow woman, Nianxi could not bring herself to blame another woman because her husband did not love her. Yet, she could never bring herself to like Xu Wanxin. She always felt there was something detestable hidden behind that gentle and charming smile.

To this day, she still remembers that moment. When she had lost her child, Xu Wanxin came to visit her. As Xu Wanxin turned to leave, there was a flicker of joy in her eyes.

Nianxi said calmly, “Let’s return the favor with a gift.”

Even though Pei Jian was no longer between her and Xu Wanxin in this life, she had no desire to associate with someone like her.

Wang Muyi was just about to agree when she turned and noticed someone standing by a carriage across the street. The man was gazing in their direction with a cheerful smile, silently waiting for Nianxi to notice him. She teasingly nudged Nianxi with her elbow, “I don’t know what kind of priceless treasure you are to have someone wait for you every day.”

“In this wide, open world, do you think I could possibly lose you?”

Nianxi shifted her gaze and saw Gu Ci standing across the street. His smile was so charming that it instantly relieved her exhaustion from the day and washed away the irritation caused by Xu Wanxin.

Gu Ci quickly walked up to her.

Nianxi looked up at him and deliberately asked, “Cousin Mu said I’m some rare treasure of the world, worth you picking me up every day—is that true?”

Gu Ci laughed even more heartily, putting on an incredibly proud expression to humor her. “A one-of-a-kind treasure in the entire world!”

By now, Wang Muyi was quite familiar with Gu Ci. Unable to handle the sweetness between the two, she waved her hands repeatedly and said, “Leave quickly! You’re so sickening it’s giving me goosebumps.”