Chapter 2132: Mutual Testing

"Born facing the sun, soaring into the clouds." The spring water on the red clay stove was already boiling. Madam Mei removed a tea cake and placed it in the pot to steep. Her every movement was methodical. "The exquisite fragrance from on high can only be truly appreciated by those who have experienced it."

You Huan's gaze slightly narrowed. "Madam Mei, are you speaking of fragrance?"

"Of course, it's fragrance." Madam Mei's voice was also pleasant; it wasn't a clear, ringing tone but rather soft and gentle with a hint of warmth. "With me, the incense I burn depends on who my guest is."

This statement subtly wished them great official success and rapid advancement, far more elegant than a simple, straightforward compliment.

You Huan gave a slight sneer. "Madam Mei, you are quite frank." Merchants truly are snobbish.

If an ordinary merchant came to flatter him, he wouldn't even bother to respond. But this woman was simply too beautiful.

"Even ordinary noble descendants cannot perceive this fragrance," Madam Mei said softly. "Both sirs carry great fortune. Especially you, Sir You—"

She looked at You Huan and smiled slightly. "—a purple glow hovers between your brows. Soon, good fortune will shine upon you, and something immensely auspicious is approaching."

This remark made You Huan feel pleased. He chuckled. "I'll take your auspicious words to heart. You are the first to say such a thing. If it truly comes to pass, I will reserve the entirety of Su Mao Qing Xi and treat everyone to seven days of excellent tea and seven days of wonderful performances."

Madam Mei tilted her head in a gesture of respect. "It's a deal."

By her demeanor, she seemed quite confident.

The incense cake had already been lit outside. Now, placed in the censer, its fragrance quickly diffused.

When people speak of plum blossoms, they always mention their subtle, piercing fragrance. But the floral scent of this "Soaring Clouds" incense was faint, with a heavy, even slightly stark, base note.

To illustrate, it was like someone opening a door from a warm room and stepping into a world of ice and snow. The first breath of air inhaled would freeze the lungs, filling them with ice shards.

You Su immediately choked. "Wow, how pungent!"

Madam Mei calmly continued to brew the tea. "Regulate your breathing; it will soon feel better."

You Huan openly stared at her, assessing her from her hairpin to her cloud-patterned shoes.

He held a high position. Such undisguised scrutiny might even be difficult for men to endure. Yet Madam Mei seemed oblivious, her movements perfectly steady, not a single drop of tea spilling.

After taking a few more breaths of the incense, they no longer felt the initial harshness. A subtle, icy sensation permeated their bodies, and their minds felt clear.

The weather in Moudu had been muggy and hot recently, making people irritable. But these few breaths of "Soaring Clouds" incense dispelled their agitation, and they suddenly felt the ambient temperature cool down.

"Oh, this incense is indeed excellent; one feels calm and cool instantly," You Su asked curiously. "Where is this recipe from? I've never smelled anything like it before."

"The base recipe is from my hometown. I made some innovations based on it."

You Su asked naturally, "Madam Mei, where is your hometown?"

"You can just call me Wuniang." The hot tea was ready. Madam Mei took several herbs from a tray, crushed them in a wooden mortar, then first put a portion of the powdered herbs into two cups before pouring the filtered hot tea over them. "Xueyou City, a small, obscure place in the countryside."

The tea swirled twice in the porcelain cups, then settled.

Wuniang Mei presented the first cup to You Huan with both hands. "Sir You, please."

You Huan's gaze naturally fell upon her hands.

Wuniang Mei's fingers were slender, delicate, and beautiful. Her fingernails were a very healthy pink, first coated with a thin layer of clear polish, then sprinkled with a touch of gold dust.

This echoed the gold threads on her skirt, sparkling under the illumination of the spore lamp.

As You Huan took the cup, their fingers inevitably touched. Wuniang Mei's fingernail inadvertently brushed against the base of his thumb. It didn't hurt, but it caused a slight tickle.

That glint of gold dust seemed to linger in the man's eyes.

Yet, there was no change in expression on either of their faces. Wuniang Mei then immediately proceeded to offer the second cup of tea to You Su.

"Xueyou City is not a small place." You Huan raised the cup, first sniffing the tea's aroma lightly, then taking a small sip. "My esteemed mentor, Sir Tao Ying, settled in Xueyou City after his retirement."

"Oh, the Tao Residence, deep in Apricot Street." Wuniang Mei thought for a moment. "I heard his estate was a gift from the Emperor, the largest and most magnificent in Xueyou City. I passed by the Tao Residence when I was young and have a vivid memory of it."

You Huan then asked, "I've heard that the recent calligraphy gatherings in Xueyou City were all hosted by my mentor?"

"That, I'm not too clear about," Wuniang Mei said with a hint of regret. "I left Xueyou City when I was very young and have only returned twice since growing up."

You Su took two sips of tea and steered the conversation back. "What's added to this tea? It has a rich, buttery fragrance when I drink it, somewhat like Su Tea."

Wuniang Mei smiled. "I added toad venom from the Thunder-Sound Crescent Toad. Unlike ordinary toad venom, it's non-toxic but has cooling, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and anti-boil properties."

"Very good, very good. I'm afraid drinking too much might be addictive." You Su was clearly flattering the beautiful woman.

Wuniang Mei then prepared a second type of medicinal tea for them.

Although more ingredients were added, this time You Huan recognized it with one sip. "Patchouli?"

"Impressive." Wuniang Mei clapped, gently tapping her palm with her fingertips, a graceful gesture. "Sir You, if you take two more sips, you'll have learned my recipe."

You Huan smiled. "Wuniang Mei, you seem a little different from a few days ago."

Wuniang Mei paused. "A few days ago?"

You Huan looked at her forehead and simply said seven words. "Miss Sun's startled horse in the marketplace."

A floral ornament had appeared on Wuniang Mei's forehead, shaped like a plum blossom. It perfectly covered her wound and added a touch of delicate charm.

Upon hearing this, she blinked twice, suddenly realizing. "Oh... so Sir You was there too! My apologies for my discomposure that day, I made you laugh."

What did that mean? Her gaze had clearly swept over You Huan at the time, but she hadn't paid him any attention whatsoever.

Who remembers a background figure?

"That day happened to be the memorial day for my late husband," Wuniang Mei sighed. "I was buying some of his favorite foods to offer as sacrifices, and I never expected such an accident to occur on the city streets."

You Huan smiled. "It's uncommon. You also suffered an unprovoked misfortune."

Wuniang Mei continued on her own. "To be honest, ever since I took over this old teahouse, I've had a string of bad luck."

You Su finally found an opportunity to interject. "Is this teahouse particularly cheap?"

"Yes, when I first arrived in Moudu, I was unfamiliar with the place. The broker said there was a ready-made teahouse here that was large and inexpensive." Wuniang Mei shook her head. "After I came to see it, I knew there must be something wrong. Sigh, the environment here is too good, the facilities too new. Not only is the building newly constructed, but the furniture and signboard are also brand new, and even the entire staff of chefs and waiters are already well-trained."

Since everything was ready, and money and effort had been invested, why did the original owner suddenly stop operating the teahouse?

"On the eve of its opening, the previous owner of this place was murdered, and the opening plan fell through." You Su shook his head. "Three years ago, the owner before that also died suddenly and mysteriously at home. So... that's why it's cheap here."