Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven: Brewing Tea

Xie Shu did not understand what exactly the emperor had in mind, but since the sovereign had spoken, she naturally assumed the demeanor of a noble lady, replying with gentle grace and dignity, “Your servant humbly accepts.”

Brewing tea was an art in itself. With a subtle lift of her fingertips, after a moment, wisps of pale blue steam rose from the kettle.

When water boils, it first bubbles faintly like fish eyes with a soft sound—that is the first boil; then along the edges, it bubbles like a string of pearls—that is the second boil; finally, it surges and churns vigorously—that is the third boil.

The young lady’s delicate manner made the act of brewing tea a pleasing sight. Qin Yufeng’s eyes were deep and enigmatic, his gaze drifting as if it both rested upon her and yet somehow did not.

Xie Shu tried hard to ignore the invading aura that clung to the emperor. This man was scrutinizing her, but in this life, they had no ties whatsoever. Why would he be examining her so? The more anxious she felt inside, the more poised and charming she appeared on the surface.

When the plum blossom tea in the kettle reached a boil, Xie Shu poured a cup for the emperor and personally handed the porcelain cup to him, saying softly, “Your Majesty, please.”

“Miss Xie’s tea-making skills are exquisite,” Qin Yufeng commented calmly after taking a sip, his slender, well-defined fingers grasping the cup.

His leisurely demeanor made it seem as if his sole purpose in coming to the Moonlit Tower today was just to enjoy a cup of tea brewed by her. Seeing that he lingered without addressing the matter directly, Xie Shu grew slightly anxious and decided to take the initiative, speaking gently, “Princess Shenghua mentioned the other day that Your Majesty wished to ask me something. May I know what it concerns?”

Noticing the eager light in her eyes, Qin Yufeng raised an eyebrow slightly. Whether or not this woman was the so-called “Imperial Concubine” from his dreams, she was indeed unlike the noble ladies of the capital. Which woman in the capital did not yearn for the emperor’s favor, dreaming of rising swiftly and gaining prominence?

Seeing her almost flustered avoidance, Qin Yufeng found it amusing and curled a faint smile, “Miss Xie, have you had any dreams in the past month?”

Xie Shu’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively glanced at the young emperor opposite her and met his slightly raised phoenix-like eyes. His expression was calm, as if the question was casual.

Since the new emperor’s enthronement, Xie Shu had often dreamed of scenes from her past life. So upon hearing “dreams,” she grew uneasy. Was he recalling something? Yet it did not seem so.

“I am still a young lady living quietly in my chamber, without worries, so I seldom dream, and not in the past month either,” she answered, having already resolved to feign ignorance no matter what he asked today.

“I see.” The emperor regarded her carefully, thoughtful. He could not see the face of the woman in his dreams, so he could not be sure if this was she, but all signs seemed to point to her.

Xie Shu lowered her gaze, playing the part of an innocent noble girl who understood nothing.

Knowing he would not get any answers today, the emperor felt a strange mix of emotions, almost absurd. He took another sip of plum blossom tea and then asked an unrelated question, “Miss Xie, do you have anyone you fancy?”

Xie Shu was momentarily stunned. Based on her knowledge of the emperor from her past life, such words were unlike anything he would say. If the man before her were not truly the emperor, she would suspect he was possessed. She forced a smile and replied softly, “My marriage is to be decided solely by my father and mother.”

Qin Yufeng, handsome and composed, gave a faint “hmm,” then summoned the eunuch Li and others. As soon as Li Gonggong entered, he was met with the rich fragrance of plum blossoms and quickly bowed.

“You will escort Miss Xie back,” Qin Yufeng instructed.

Li Gonggong respectfully acknowledged and was about to approach Miss Xie when she gracefully bowed to the emperor, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. The guards and coachmen are waiting at the gate; I shall return by myself.”

If others saw the emperor’s entourage escorting her, she would never be able to explain it clearly, she thought.

The emperor seemed to realize this as well and said nothing.

The atmosphere grew silent. Li Gonggong felt a bit superfluous and cheerfully said, “Then this old servant will escort Miss Xie to the gate.”

“Thank you, Li Gonggong,” she replied, bowing again to the emperor. “I take my leave.”

Qin Yufeng glanced at her, noting she was courteous to those around him.

Li Gonggong personally escorted Xie Shu down the wooden stairs and smiled, “This old servant will leave Miss Xie here. Please take care.”

He still had to report back to the emperor.

From the Moonlit Tower to the carriage, Xie Shu felt as though she were treading on clouds. Though she did not understand the emperor’s intentions with his questions about dreams, she had passed safely. Her pounding heart finally calmed.

The carriage slowly departed the Moonlit Tower. Not long after Xie Shu left, the emperor also took his leave.

Once inside, Mei eagerly asked, “Miss, are you alright? I was frightened out here.”

They had heard no sounds outside the chamber, and Mei was anxious both inside and out, though Li Gonggong reassured her that the emperor would not harm Miss Xie.

How could Mei not be worried?

“I’m fine,” Xie Shu said with a warm smile, shaking her head.

Those close to her knew about her leaving the mansion. When she returned to Plum Blossom Courtyard, a lively figure rushed over, her voice sweet and tinged with childish innocence: “Third Sister.”

Xie Shu smiled softly upon seeing her and reached out to stroke her cheek. “Qingyan, have you just come from school?”

The loyal Marquis and his wife had two sons and one daughter, but the household was large. Xie Qingyan’s father was a cousin of the Marquis. Three years ago, he was appointed an official in Changzhou. Not wanting his daughter to endure hardship on long journeys, he temporarily entrusted her to the Marquis’s family. Qingyan’s nature was innocent and pure, and she was very close to Xie Shu.

Besides Qingyan, another cousin, Liu Rushuang, was also residing at the Marquis’s.

Qingyan blinked and hugged her sister tightly, reluctant to let go. “Yes, and today at school, the teacher praised me for being clever and said I might become a talented woman in the future. Third Sister, do you think I can become a talented woman like you?”

She admired and loved her Third Sister most of all. Since Third Sister was the capital’s top noble lady, she at least wanted to be a little talent to avoid embarrassing her.

Meeting her hopeful gaze, Xie Shu smiled indulgently, “Of course you can, Qingyan. Come on in.”

The words made Qingyan’s tail wag with delight as she skipped after her sister. Servants soon brought exquisite pastries and milk soup.

“The pastries in Third Sister’s room are always the finest. I saw you just returned from outside. Did you go shopping?”

Xie Shu’s expression turned slightly uneasy. Not wanting to cause trouble, she nodded stiffly, “Just took a little walk outside.”

“I haven’t been out for a long time either. Next time you go out, Third Sister, you must take me with you,” Qingyan pouted, missing their outings.

Xie Shu readily agreed, making Qingyan beam with joy as she clung to her sister’s wrist coquettishly.

The sisters had been close since childhood, with much to talk about when together. The atmosphere was peaceful, though it was mostly Qingyan chatting while Xie Shu listened quietly, occasionally offering her thoughts.

This reminded Xie Shu of her past life, when imperial consorts came to Chengqian Palace to pay respects, chatting for entire mornings, mostly about how the emperor favored the concubine, or airing jealous grievances and asking Xie Shu to intervene.

Thankfully, Xie Shu had a patient nature and endured their chatter, then helped solve their problems. When she could not, she sought out Emperor Zhao Chu, who would mock her for being too virtuous and gentle. She never quite understood his moods—emperors were known for their unpredictable temperaments, and Zhao Chu was no exception.

This life was no different.

“Third Sister, what are you thinking so deeply about? Did you hear what I just said?” Qingyan’s youthful voice pulled Xie Shu back.

Embarrassed, Xie Shu looked at her and coaxed gently, “Third Sister was just thinking about something else.”

“Do you have someone you like?” Qingyan asked curiously, surprising her.

Xie Shu laughed wryly and tousled her twin buns, “No.”

“If you do, you must tell me. I’ll tell brother-in-law never to bully you,” Qingyan said earnestly. Though young, she knew no one should mistreat her sister.

Qingyan did not want to leave once with Xie Shu. Only when her nanny came to fetch her did she reluctantly say goodbye, “Third Sister, I’ll come visit again.”

Xie Shu smiled and promised, “Alright.”

Perhaps unsettled by the emperor’s visit earlier, Xie Shu had a restless night, pressing her lips in quiet frustration.

Early the next morning, a servant from Xie Huaiyu’s side came to summon her. Xie Shu changed into a pale yellow skirt and went over. Xie Huaiyu was already waiting in the pavilion, his demeanor calm and elegant.

She approached and greeted, “Big Brother.”

“Yesterday, you took Mei to the Moonlit Tower. Who did you meet?” Xie Huaiyu’s first question sat heavily on her heart.

Before the emperor’s ascension, Xie Huaiyu was his close friend, so he knew very well who stood behind the Moonlit Tower and could guess whom his sister saw—but he felt it was improper.

Because the emperor was famously indifferent to women’s charms; otherwise, the Empress Dowager’s schemes would have succeeded long ago. Moreover, the emperor had shown no particular fondness for Xie Shu the other day in the study.

Xie Shu guessed the guards had informed her brother. “How did you know?”

Worried she might be upset, Xie Huaiyu clarified with a smile, “Brother only worries about your safety, nothing else. Can you tell me who you met today?”

Her brother had likely already guessed.

Xie Shu said gloomily, “It was the emperor.”

Confirming her suspicions, Xie Huaiyu was silent for a moment before asking, “Why did the emperor want to see you?”

The truth would sound strange, so Xie Shu made up a reason: “It’s related to Princess Shenghua.”

Since Princess Shenghua was the emperor’s sister and Xie Shu’s close childhood friend, it was reasonable to say the emperor sought her on the princess’s behalf. This would stop her brother from pressing further. If he didn’t believe her, he could ask the emperor himself.

Mentioning this reminded Xie Shu of something else: in her previous life, the Empress Dowager had arranged for Princess Shenghua to marry the eldest son of the Minister of Rites, who was also Xie Shu’s cousin. It was a match made in heaven, but Princess Shenghua seemed unhappy. One evening at Chengqian Palace, after drinking heavily, the princess confessed to Xie Shu that she liked this cousin. Yet, the Empress Dowager regarded Xie Shu as an obstacle, and with the fierce undercurrents between Cining and Chengqian Palaces, as only a noble consort, Xie Shu could not influence Princess Shenghua’s marriage.

Perhaps knowing the outcome was fixed, the princess later said she had only spoken drunkenly and praised the cousin as a fine future husband, though her eyes said otherwise.

“Does Big Brother like Princess Shenghua?”

“Why do you ask?” Xie Huaiyu was momentarily caught off guard, still calm and composed, smiling.

In front of her family, Xie Shu was less reserved, even lively. She pursed her lips slightly and said, “Just say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”

Seeing her stubbornness, Xie Huaiyu laughed. “The emperor is newly enthroned, with many affairs to handle. Big Brother has no time to consider such matters yet. Do you understand?”

It was not yet time for Xie Huaiyu to ponder such things. But since his sister raised the topic, he had to answer, lest her temper keep him at arm’s length for long.

Xie Shu nodded obediently and took the hint, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Before he could reply, she lifted her tasselled skirt to stand, and Mei hurried after her, “Miss, slow down.”

Xie Huaiyu shook his head helplessly. He had yet to clarify matters, but his sister’s temper was growing. The capital praised the third young lady of the Marquis’s household as talented and graceful, but no one knew she was still a child at heart, and her marriage needed careful consideration.

Thinking of the emperor’s character and his sister’s genuine demeanor, Xie Huaiyu reckoned today’s events were likely as she said.

By May, the capital grew warmer, and people wore lighter clothes.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Rites had preliminarily drafted the list of candidates for the imperial selection.