Although Old Lady Zhen had said nothing and had no intention of discouraging her granddaughter, the little look in her eyes as she squinted and secretly observed her was impossible to hide.
Zhen Tingyun: “…”
Why do I feel like I’ve just been looked down upon?
Since it was her own grandmother, she could hardly say anything openly. Instead, she silently made a vow:
She would study hard and improve enough that one day Old Lady Zhen would understand the meaning of “After three days apart, one should view a person with new eyes.”
As a result, her motivation to learn the xiao grew even stronger.
The next morning, after completing five sheets of calligraphy practice in Yuanhui’s room, Zhen Tingyun immediately brought out two bamboo xiaos.
She intended to give the new one to Yuanhui and make do with the old one herself.
To her surprise, Yuanhui merely glanced at it and made no move to accept it.
Instead, he asked, “You’ve just finished practicing calligraphy. Your mind is probably still tense and focused. That’s not the best state for music.”
After a pause, as though recalling something, he continued, “By the way, what happened to the tea set I told you to buy yesterday? Has it arrived?”
Zhen Tingyun nodded.
Yuanhui said, “Bring the tea set over first. I’ll teach you how to prepare tea. Once we’ve had some tea and relaxed a little, we’ll return to practicing the xiao.”
Zhen Tingyun silently complained that Yuanhui was far too fussy. Still, since both xiao-playing and tea preparation were things worth learning, she nodded and turned to call Liushun to bring over the tea set they had purchased.
Because the tea set had been bought with the gold Zhen Tingyun had secretly obtained from Yuanhui and had instructed Liushun to purchase without Old Lady Zhen’s knowledge, the entire matter was being kept from her grandmother.
As a result, both Zhen Tingyun and Liushun moved about furtively while carrying the items upstairs, whispering and sneaking around like underground operatives exchanging secret information, terrified of attracting Old Lady Zhen’s attention.
Especially the small stove used for boiling water. Fortunately, Liushun was accustomed to physical labor. She carried it all the way from downstairs with one hand and somehow managed not to make a sound.
Yuanhui found their sneaking about unbearable to watch.
Someone who didn’t know better would think they were thieves.
Unable to restrain himself, he remarked, “Anyone seeing this would think you’re committing burglary.”
Zhen Tingyun blinked, her round almond-shaped eyes making her look quite adorable.
Unfortunately, the words that emerged from her cherry-red lips were shameless enough. “If I’m a thief, then wouldn’t that make you the thief’s master?”
Yuanhui: “…”
Rubbing his forehead, Yuanhui forced himself to endure it and instead began instructing her on the proper water for tea preparation.
“The Classic of Tea says: ‘For water, mountain water is best, river water is second, well water is third. Among mountain waters, spring water and gently flowing stone pools are the finest.’ Of course, rainwater and snow water are often called ‘heavenly springs’ and are especially prized.”
Just then, Liushun returned carrying water from downstairs. Zhen Tingyun casually replied, “It did rain a few days ago, but that’s long gone now. I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with well water, Teacher.”
Yuanhui merely pressed his lips together. He instructed her to boil the water, pour the boiling water into the teapot, and then pour it out again. “This is the first rinse of the pot.”
Looking at the small teapot Zhen Tingyun had purchased, he appeared somewhat dissatisfied. “What a pity it isn’t a purple-clay teapot. The porcelain isn’t particularly good either.”
Keeping her head lowered as she rinsed the pot, Zhen Tingyun pretended she hadn’t heard a thing.
As if I could afford a purple-clay teapot! Good porcelain costs money too!
Next came adding the tea leaves and pouring boiling water into the pot.
After considering for a moment, Yuanhui said, “I’ll handle this part.”
Zhen Tingyun thought about it briefly and let him take over.
Taking the teapot, Yuanhui gently flicked his sleeve as he poured. The spout dipped three times during the process. “This is called ‘The Phoenix Nods Three Times.’ It symbolizes the host’s respect for the guest.”
Once finished, he gestured toward the opening of the pot.
Without hurry, he picked up the lid and used it to skim away the floating tea fragments on the surface.
As he moved, the fragrance of tea seemed to drift outward with the steam, light and intoxicating. “This is called ‘Spring Breeze Brushing the Face.'”
Zhen Tingyun nodded slowly, beginning to understand.
Then Yuanhui covered the teapot once more and lifted the kettle, pouring boiling water over the exterior of the pot.
Steam rose in curling wisps, like a veil of white mist that blurred one’s vision.
What followed was a sequence of movements as smooth as flowing clouds and running water, elegant beyond description.
With each movement, the fragrance of tea spread through the room, like a tiny hook catching at one’s nose and heart, leaving both tingling with anticipation.
Yet Yuanhui’s expression remained calm throughout.
Only after pouring the tea liquor into a fragrance cup did he hand it to Zhen Tingyun.
She reached out to take it.
“Don’t rush,” Yuanhui said.
Blinking, Zhen Tingyun looked puzzled.
Yuanhui smiled. “First pour the tea from the fragrance cup into the tasting cup. Carefully appreciate the aroma. Then hold the cup with three fingers and drink it slowly in three sips.”
Following his instructions, Zhen Tingyun lifted the tasting cup, inhaled the fragrance, and then slowly raised it to her lips, taking three measured sips.
By the time she finished, she hadn’t really tasted much of the tea itself. Instead, she had been occupied mentally reviewing all the steps and procedures. Coming back to herself, she laughed. “With so many rules, one hardly has time to focus on drinking the tea.”
Yuanhui did not respond immediately.
He poured himself a cup, inhaled its fragrance, and took a sip before sighing. “This tea still isn’t good enough. A truly superior Longjing tea carries aromas of orchid and roasted chestnut, exceptionally clear and refined.”
After leisurely drinking a few more sips, he continued instructing her. “The Way of Tea concerns more than brewing and drinking. Tea etiquette itself is equally important. Seating arrangements, serving order, gestures, none of these can be done carelessly. If you know nothing about such matters, others won’t necessarily look down on you for it. But they likely won’t be inclined to converse with you very much, either.”
“Teacher makes a good point.” Zhen Tingyun finished her cup with obvious enjoyment and flattered him, “Listening to your guidance today is truly worth more than ten years of reading books.”
Yuanhui snorted. “Enough of that nonsense.” Then he added, “Since we’ve had our tea, hand me the xiao. I’ll teach you first. Once the lesson is finished, we can return and finish this pot of tea.”
Hearing this, Zhen Tingyun immediately adopted a serious expression.
Performing a proper salute, she said, “Then I thank Teacher for his instruction.”
Yuanhui had still been somewhat annoyed, but seeing her obedient and well-behaved appearance, even knowing full well that she was putting it on, he couldn’t help finding it amusing.
His irritation dissolved before it could fully form.
Holding the bamboo xiao, he lightly tapped her forehead with it and revealed the faintest hint of a smile.
***
While things were unusually relaxed between Yuanhui and Zhen Tingyun, the entourage of the Regent’s Manor, which was supposedly preparing to depart for the capital soon, was steeped in a tense and icy atmosphere.
Several groups of guards stood watch with stern expressions. Long sabers hung at their waists as they rotated shifts. Their movements produced almost no sound, and there was not the slightest hint of carelessness among them.
They were clearly seasoned veterans.
Most striking of all was the murderous aura surrounding them, the unmistakable presence of men tempered amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
In the midst of this silence, a cold snort suddenly rang out from the central room.
“I disagree!” The young general Xie Qiuyan still wore his armor. Standing ramrod straight beside the table, he frowned at the man across from him. His handsome face was cold and severe, while his dark eyes seemed to contain twin flames, burning with startling intensity. At that moment, he resembled the Autumn Water sword hanging at his side, sharp, cold, and uncompromising. His words were equally cutting. “Wangye has yet to be found. How can we leave? What exactly are your intentions in proposing such a thing?”
Standing opposite Xie Qiuyan was a scholar dressed in blue robes. In contrast to Xie Qiuyan’s blade-like sharpness, both in appearance and speech, this man’s looks and bearing were utterly unremarkable.
Plain and mild.
Like clear water.
Even in the depths of winter, the scholar in blue still carried a feather fan in his hand. He truly was the sort who valued elegance over warmth.
Gently waving the fan, the scholar said unhurriedly, “General, please do not be angry. My proposal is also made for the public good. It is the only way to find a path to survival amid mortal danger.”
