The servant was confused.

An honored guest?

What kind of honored guest would come to their shop at a time like this?

But he didn’t dare ask. He simply bowed his head and went to carry out his orders.

...

A horse-drawn carriage slowly pulled to a stop before the tea shop. An old man with white hair and a white beard, dressed in fine brocade, stepped down. He looked up at the shop’s sign, stroking his beard.

"This must be the place?"

A passerby recognized him and gasped in a low voice.

"Lord Sacrificial Officer!?"

Who else could it be but Tang Zhongli, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer!?

Tang Zhongli seemed to ignore the surrounding murmurs. After confirming he was at the right place, he lifted the hem of his robes and strode inside.

Although the servant inside had never met Tang Zhongli, he had clearly heard the commotion outside. Both shocked and delighted, he hurried forward to greet him.

"Forgive my ignorance! I failed to recognize you, Lord Sacrificial Officer. Please pardon my failure to provide a proper welcome!"

Tang Zhongli chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

"It’s no matter. I heard your shop has the finest tea, so I came especially to ask for a cup."

His words stunned everyone present.

The crowd of onlookers gathered outside the door exchanged bewildered glances.

’What in the world? Tang Zhongli himself came to this little tea shop for tea!?’

Everyone among the court’s civil and military officials knew that the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer was an upright, strict, and self-disciplined man. He had only two hobbies, and drinking tea was one of them.

And now, he had appeared here!

The servant froze for a moment. Then he remembered what Ye Chutang had said before going upstairs and quickly bowed to welcome him in.

"Yes, yes! My—Our master has been waiting for you upstairs for quite some time. This way, please—"

Tang Zhongli nodded and followed the servant to the second floor, leaving behind the baffled crowd of spectators outside.

"What does the Lord Sacrificial Officer’s visit mean? This tea shop has been open for years, and I’ve never heard of them having any rare treasures."

"They say he’s extremely picky about his tea. For it to catch his eye... Could it be this shop is actually the real deal?"

Ye Chutang sat by the window, a full tea set already arranged before her. The faint aroma of tea filled the air, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

The moment Tang Zhongli entered, this was the scene that greeted him. Remembering the rumors that had been circulating in the capital today, he couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

’The imperial court is already in an uproar, yet Ye Chutang, the very center of the storm, is here calmly sipping tea as if nothing is wrong.’

"Miss Ye, I’ve kept you waiting."

Ye Chutang turned, rose, and curtsied. "Lord Sacrificial Officer, your presence brings light to my humble establishment. Any wait would have been worthwhile."

Tang Zhongli waved his hand and approached her, and the two faced each other across the table.

"Second Miss Ye, there’s no need for such formalities. I am not here on official business today, merely to ask for a cup of tea."

His gaze swept over the tea set before lingering for a moment on a canister of tea leaves, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"Is this the tea you roast yourself?"

He had tried it once before at the Yin Family’s residence and had never forgotten it. Unfortunately, that old miser Yin Shaoting was incredibly stingy, insisting that he only had one canister and that it was all gone. He had flatly refused to share any more.

Ye Chutang’s eyes curved into a smile.

"It is."

After inviting Tang Zhongli to sit, Ye Chutang sat down as well.

Skimming the foam, rolling the leaves, awakening the aroma, pouring the brew, unfurling the leaves, and letting them rest.

Her delicate hands moved with the effortless grace of flowing water.

In the quiet room, there was only the curling aroma of tea.

Ye Chutang gestured with her hand. "This is this year’s spring tea. Please try it and see if it is to your liking."

Tang Zhongli lifted the teacup. The liquid was clear and bright, its fragrance assailing his senses. The taste was sweet on the finish, a refreshing and heart-gladdening sensation.

This was indeed the tea he had been longing for!

Tang Zhongli’s eyes lit up.

"I never imagined Second Miss Ye possessed such skill."

Ye Chutang also picked up a cup, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"I simply dabble in it when I have idle time. It’s hardly a skill. As it happens, these tea leaves were picked by Yan. I still have some at home. If you like it, I can have someone deliver it to your residence another day."