Wanyi led me through the courtyard and into the back.
We passed through several round doors and finally arrived at the kitchen.
I was quite puzzled, the kitchen was so far away.
If a guest wanted a meal, wouldn't they have to wait a long time?
Before we even entered the kitchen, a man wearing an apron and a hat, somewhat stout, walked over from the side and said as soon as he saw us:
"Sister Wanyi, why have you come here?"
Wanyi smiled slightly.
"This young lady wants a pot of tea."
"That's easy. I'll go boil some water. What kind of tea would you like?"
I thought for a moment and said:
"Just Tieguanyin."
"Tieguanyin?"
Wanyi and the chef looked confused.
It was then I remembered this was not the mortal world. I said apologetically:
"That guest didn't specify the tea, but please bring some of the finest."
"Oh, I see. Now I understand.
Our Qingfang Tower's Jiubai tea is also top-notch."
"Alright, let's use that then."
"Certainly. You two wait here for a moment."
Saying that, he returned to the kitchen to boil water.
But how was I going to get to Liu Shinian like this?
If there was nothing in the tea, wouldn't I have come for nothing?
If only there was some chili powder, or even salt.
Thinking this, I said:
"Sister Wanyi, I'll go in and see if there's anything I can help with."
"Don't go. The guests might smell the oil and salt, and it wouldn't be good."
"I'll just take a quick look and come right out. Don't worry."
With that, I ran inside.
"Hey!"
Wanyi tried to stop me, but it was too late. She sighed helplessly.
"Are all young girls so impatient these days?"
I ran into the kitchen and indeed found it bustling with activity, filled with smoke.
Someone saw me enter and asked:
"Miss, what do you need?"
I said:
"The front hall needs some chili powder."
The person looked confused, not understanding.
"What do you need chili powder for?"
"That person likes spicy food. He can't eat without chili powder."
"Who is this person? So peculiar."
"He's a wealthy guest. Wealthy guests often have unique tastes.
Please scoop some into white paper and wrap it up for me to take."
The person looked confused again and asked:
"Don't you need a saucer?"
I lied to him:
"He said he wants to take some home to eat, and it would be inconvenient to carry it later."
The person, half-believing, shook his head.
"That person is truly strange."
He still listened to me, turned, and took a jar of chili powder from the shelf.
Then he found a piece of white paper, scooped three large spoonfuls of chili powder into it, and wrapped it up.
I watched from a distance, couldn't help but chuckle, and thought:
"Liu Shinian, I wonder if this much chili powder suits your taste."
The person finished wrapping the chili powder and handed it to me.
"This much should be enough for the guest to eat."
I took the chili powder packet, weighed it, and smiled.
"It's enough, thank you, brother."
The person blushed, a little embarrassed.
"You're welcome."
Taking the chili powder packet, I tucked it into my embrace and happily left the kitchen.
As soon as I saw Wanyi, I blabbed:
"There were so many people inside, they didn't need my help at all."
Wanyi smiled helplessly.
"I told you they didn't need your help, but you insisted on going in."
I chuckled foolishly.
"I was afraid he wouldn't be able to handle it."
"How could that be? It seems you need to explore our Qingfang Tower more.
Although Qingfang Tower isn't large, there are many things to be done here."
"Yes, I need to understand more."
Not long after, the chef came out with the teapot.
The teapot looked new.
But the steam rising from it indicated that the water inside was freshly boiled.
Presumably, he used an old pot to boil the water and then poured it into this new teapot.
He carefully handed the teapot to me and said:
"Miss, be careful, the water is hot."
I carefully took it, feeling a weight pulling my hands down.
Wanyi saw me struggling to hold it and offered to take it.
"This time, let me carry it for you."
A flicker of confusion crossed my face, and I shook my head.
"This pot is quite heavy, I'll carry it."
"When it comes to manual labor, I know much more than you do. Alright, don't argue with me."
With that, she took the teapot and held it in her hand.
Smiling, she thanked the chef.
"Thank you, Chef Bai."
I also said:
"Thank you, Chef."
Chef Bai smiled shyly.
"It's nothing. Be careful with the pot, don't burn your hands."
Wanyi nodded.
"Okay, I will be careful. We'll be going now."
"Yes, go ahead. Don't keep the guest waiting too long."
After exchanging a few farewell words, we walked back.
Walking behind Wanyi, I looked at her retreating figure, my heart filled with gratitude.
Although we had only known each other for less than a day, it was enough to cherish.
I wondered who her future husband would be, and how fortunate he would be.
We arrived at the door of the Water Moon Room. Wanyi stopped and said to me:
"I'll take you this far. You can deliver it inside yourself."
I nodded, gratefully.
"Thank you, Sister Wanyi."
Wanyi nodded slightly and instructed me:
"Work hard. I'm leaving."
"Okay, you go ahead."
After Sister Wanyi left, I took out the packet of chili powder, intending to put it into the tea.
But then I felt a pang of reluctance. After all, this tea was carried by Sister Wanyi, and I hadn't contributed at all.
However, upon remembering Liu Shinian's lewd and dissolute smile, I suddenly became angry.
So, with a swift movement, I poured the entire packet of chili powder into the teapot.
Then I picked up the teapot and shook it, revealing an evil smile, and thought to myself:
"Hahaha, this is the consequence of your wicked deeds.
Wicked deeds, but they haven't done anything bad.
Then it's committing crimes, that's not right either.
It's the consequence of abandoning me. Yes, this is the consequence of you abandoning me.
Tremble, fear from a woman, hahaha."
Thinking this, I couldn't suppress my laughter and pushed open the door to enter.
Passing through the screen, I was horrified to discover the presence of another person.
"Sister Qing!" I almost cried out.
But as things stood, there was no use in retreating. I had to go through with it.
As soon as I saw Jin Yulan, I subtly signaled him.
He understood my intention. I walked over and poured tea for them one by one.
Jin Yulan picked up the teacup, sniffed it, smiled slightly, and knew what had been added. He praised:
"This is fine Jiubai tea, just arrived, isn't it?"
Sister Qing replied with satisfaction:
"Precisely. The shipment arrived from the east a few days ago."
Perhaps too much chili powder had been added, staining the entire tea a shade of red.
Upon close inspection, there was also a strange spicy aroma.
Liu Shinian picked up his teacup, looked closely at the tea within.
He sniffed it again and almost choked to death. With a look of disdain, he picked it up and asked, puzzled:
"I've drunk this Jiubai tea before.
But why is it a bit strange today? And why is it still red?"
Jin Yulan offered his own interpretation:
"I've heard that this Jiubai tea is made by brewing fine tea leaves with aged fine wine,
and then drying them. The wine color can be red or white, so it's not surprising that the tea water is red."
"Liu Shinian, you are well-traveled. Surely you aren't scared by tea you haven't seen before."
Jin Yulan intentionally provoked him, and Sister Qing also found it strange.
She knew what the tea she had procured tasted like.
However, now that Jin Yulan had spoken, she couldn't say anything.
If punishing Liu Shinian was an option, it wasn't impossible.
Pleased and provoked by Jin Yulan's words, Liu Shinian's blood boiled with pride.
"What kind of tea haven't I drunk? It's just a bit red.
Perfect for tasting new tea."
"Yes, this red white wine tea has the effect of nourishing yin and yang, and calming the spirit.
It's quite suitable for you."
Hearing such eloquent words, Liu Shinian couldn't help but take a big gulp.
"Pfft!" He spat it out, sticking out his tongue and shouting:
"So spicy, so spicy!"
Ali felt puzzled and curious, and also took a sip.
Immediately, he spat it out, his face flushed red from the spiciness.
Ada silently swallowed his saliva, not daring to take a sip.
I watched from the side, smiling with satisfaction.
I recalled the effort I had put in at the kitchen earlier.
Well, fine, I easily got such a large bag of red chili powder.
I put it all in for you. If it's not spicy, it wouldn't be worthy of these three large spoonfuls of chili powder.
Jin Yulan couldn't help but laugh, but he deliberately teased him:
"Hahaha, what's wrong? Haven't you drunk this red Jiubai tea before?"
Seeing his smug expression, Liu Shinian feigned arrogance.
"Tch, who hasn't drunk it? I was just drinking it too quickly."
Sister Qing looked at me standing beside Liu Shinian and seemed to understand something.
However, she didn't expose me.
"Wipe Liu Gongzi's mouth."
Jin Yulan pointed at me.
I took out a handkerchief and approached Liu Shinian.
Suddenly, I rubbed his face vigorously, causing his features to contort and his face to twist in pain.
He grabbed my hand and made muffled sounds.
After rubbing Liu Shinian, I looked at Ali.
Ali immediately realized what was happening and hastily protested:
"I can wipe it myself, I'll do it myself."
Then he carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand.
Jin Yulan also felt it was enough. A cup of chili water was punishment enough. He waved his hand.
"Alright, alright, stop teasing them."
Sister Qing looked at him, puzzled, and asked:
"Boss Jin, is this your person?"
"She is mine."
Jin Yulan stated without concealment.
Only then did Liu Shinian realize that Jin Yulan was deliberately tricking him.
Full of anger, he stood up and accused him:
"You scoundrel, you deliberately tricked me."
"I was just helping someone to the end."
"Helping someone?"
It was then he reacted, and with a pull, he removed my veil, exclaiming in shock:
"Liu Muye!"
Ali and Ada also looked astonished, beads of cold sweat appearing on their faces.
Ada sighed mournfully.
"I said I saw Miss Muye, but you all didn't believe me.
Fortunately, I didn't drink it, hahaha."
Ada even gloated.
Liu Shinian cast a menacing gaze at him, and Ada, in fear, corrected himself:
"It would have been better if we had brought Miss Muye with us earlier."
Sister Qing, watching the people in front of her chatter, became even more confused and asked:
"Do you know each other?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shinian, with his usual arrogance, began to explain to Sister Qing.
"Her? She's my concubine."
Sister Qing was speechless, but also found it amusing, and then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Shinian, you truly spare no one."
Liu Shinian smiled sheepishly. He didn't deny the truth of Sister Qing's words.
I quietly removed my disguise and sat down beside Ali. Ali, full of curiosity, asked me:
"Muye, why did you come ahead of us?"
I snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Speaking of which, you guys are too much.
You just dumped me, a living person, on the street and went off to have fun yourselves.
Fortunately, I'm smart enough to know where Liu Shinian would go."
Ada also apologized somewhat sheepishly.
"Miss Liu, I apologize.
Brother Liu said you were clever and would find us, so we weren't worried.
That's why we felt at ease running out to play."
"He was right. I'm not stupid. You know my capabilities now, don't you?"
This Liu Shinian, he does understand one thing correctly.
Liu Shinian spread his hands helplessly and said:
"See? Women are terrifying."
I remembered that I had also concealed things from Sister Qing, and I should tell her.
So I apologized to Sister Qing and explained my situation.
"Sister Qing, I'm sorry. I didn't have time to explain the full story.
It's truly regrettable that I deceived you like this."
Sister Qing smiled warmly, unconcerned.
"It's not a big deal. But Miss Liu is indeed exceptionally intelligent.
Liu Shinian deserves a scolding. He only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun all day, doing nothing.
Whether there's something or not, he just pleases the girls in my garden, making it difficult for me to discipline him."
Liu Shinian said with a playful smile.
"What do they have to do with it? It's because you love me the most."
"Go, go, go. You're trying to coax me into happiness again."
"I'm speaking the truth."
Liu Shinian's smug little expression couldn't help but amuse everyone present.
He himself was oblivious and joined in the foolish laughter.
Jin Yulan said:
"I can't stay too long today. I have to go back and look after my Qianji Hall."
Sister Qing curiously asked about the current Heroes' Assembly.
"I heard this Heroes' Assembly is to investigate some recent frequent anomalies.
This time, the four cities have placed the Heroes' Assembly in Nanhai City, and you are the main organizer.
You should know some inside information, right?"
Jin Yulan knew that Sister Qing wanted to probe for some information.
He smiled slightly, not avoiding the question, and said:
"I do know some facts, but not all of them.
I only know that this operation is to go to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest to investigate matters related to the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
Sister Qing said "Oh," having already guessed.
"I guess they already departed yesterday.
Otherwise, why would you have the leisure to come to my Qingfang Tower?"
Jin Yulan laughed heartily and replied:
"Sister Qing, what do you take me for? Don't I come over whenever I have time?"
"Yes, but it's only once every hundred years."
"Hahaha, who would have thought time passes so quickly."
I pouted, lamenting how casual people were here, waiting a century for a casual visit.
If they were humans, they would have gone through several reincarnations by now.
Thinking of this, my own lifespan of only a few decades seemed so short.
I wouldn't be able to stay here forever.
With this thought, my gaze shifted slightly towards Ali.
Ali sensed something and turned his head. He saw that my eyes were filled with tears, and he asked in confusion:
"What's wrong?"
I silently wiped away my tears and smiled faintly.
"You are so beautiful."
Liu Shinian, with his sharp ears, overheard this and leaned over, shamelessly saying:
"Praise me too."
I whispered in disdain:
"There are so many people here, behave yourself."
Liu Shinian was unconcerned and said again:
"Praise me."
I was utterly speechless. To avoid disturbing others, I turned my head and praised him.
"You are handsome and dashing, elegant and suave, peerless and unmatched.
You are wise as a fool, talented and beautiful, standing aloof from the world. There, satisfied?"
Liu Shinian nodded with satisfaction.
"You've praised me correctly. You're talking about me, hehehe, I'm going back to my seat."
He then returned to his seat, content.