northernbook Chapter 253 The Emperor's Summoning
Chapter 253 The Emperor's Summoning
The second dish, tea-scented shrimp, consists of five or six tender and translucent shrimp balls placed at the bottom, garnished with a few bright green tea leaves, and some green specks casually sprinkled around the edge of the plate.
The third dish, tea-infused tofu, is green tofu; simply placed there, it already exudes a beautiful atmosphere...
The fourth one...
"A bite of fresh, spring-like flavor is the ultimate taste, surpassing even the heavens."
"The shrimp are as white as jade, and the aroma of tea lingers; the fresh fragrance of new tea is added to the dish."
"Pure and fresh like jade, it nourishes the soul..."
The scholar, inhaling the aroma of tea, began to compose poetry...
"A touch of tea fragrance intoxicates the world."
"A single jade bean reveals the soul of tea..."
Ling Yao had no mood for reciting poetry; the tea and snacks on the table seemed to possess a kind of magic that he simply couldn't resist.
He picked up a piece of tea-scented tofu, took a gentle bite, and the delicate aroma of tea slowly seeped into the smooth tofu. The initial taste was subtle, but the aftertaste was even more lingering.
He squinted, as if he could taste the flavor of spring breezes blowing through the new tea buds.
I picked up another tea-flavored pastry, took a gentle bite, and found it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The aroma of tea, intertwined with a subtle milky fragrance, slowly melted in my mouth, refreshing and mellow.
He unconsciously nodded slightly, admiring the delicate layers.
And every time I praise the food, I also silently praise its sweetness...
In the afternoon, a poetry reading began on the third-floor terrace.
Tian Tian prepared pastries for the talented men attending the poetry gathering, which they paired with their favorite teas...
Su Bing didn't set any questions, only saying that everyone could choose freely...
But...
"Clouds and rainbows are hidden beneath the glazed eaves, where bamboo shadows and pine sounds find a place to dwell. Water encircles the carved railings, creating a dreamlike scene, while the wind shakes the jade cup, reflecting the essence of Zen."
It describes the Tea Fragrance Studio.
"The first floor is filled with the pure air of pine and bamboo, the second pavilion is fragrant with orchids and the traces of ink. Forget all the mortal world, and walk on the cloud-covered terrace to face the stars."
Let's talk about Tea Fragrance Studio.
"The winding corridor leads deep into the clouds, and the babbling Jade Water meanders around the painted forest. Mist rises before the Bright Mirror Terrace, making one wonder if immortals have descended from the past."
It's still about Tea Fragrance Studio.
Su Bing felt quite helpless, but he couldn't say that the other person had gone off-topic.
To be fair, given the current situation... it's really hard not to admire Tea Fragrance Studio.
Shops like Cha Xiang Zhai...
Throughout history, this is probably a unique case.
Su Bing collected all the poems...
Then one of the poems will be chosen as the champion of this year's poetry gathering.
That is...
"Beneath the glazed eaves, clouds and rainbows are hidden; bamboo shadows and pine sounds share a dwelling place. Water encircles the carved railings, creating a dreamlike scene; the wind shakes the jade cup, reflecting the Zen spirit." This poem.
As the poetry gathering ended, the people in the shop reluctantly left...
The people at the gate, hearing their lamentations, realized that something was wrong.
They immediately ran to the casino, wanting to change their bets.
Unfortunately, the casino already knew about the situation and couldn't change the bets.
"Your Highness, please give these poems to the Emperor." Su Bing handed the collected poems to Ling Yao.
Ling Yao took it without even looking at it.
"Sweetie, today's tea snacks are absolutely delicious." His gaze was fixed solely on Tian Tian.
Su Bing pouted and, being sensible, walked ahead, waiting at the door after leaving the shop.
The scholar who had just come out was still reluctant to leave the gate.
"Mr. Su, do you know when Tea Fragrance Studio will officially open?"
"Today's tea snacks are probably just a part of what the shop offers. We can't wait to try the other tea snacks."
Su Bing didn't know when Tian Tian planned to open, but... the people of the capital were more concerned about the movements of Cha Xiang Zhai than anyone else about how long the shop could stay open.
"Don't worry, everyone. Once the shop opens, people will speak up."
The scholar immediately understood what was going on. "Mr. Su is right. We'll wait and see."
The crowd escorted Su Bing as he left the shop.
Ling Yao accompanied Tian Tian and her two sisters to tidy up the shop's kitchen before coming out through the back door.
"When do you plan to officially open?" Ling Yao asked.
Tian Tian hasn't set a date yet. "This time I've only ordered goods for one day, and the goods supplied by these merchants are pretty good..."
"I haven't finalized a long-term partnership with them yet..."
"So we'll have to wait until the opening date."
"Do you need my help?" Ling Yao asked. "I'm more familiar with the capital than you are."
Tian Tian shook her head. "No need. You've lived in the palace for so long, so your understanding of the outside world might not be as great as mine."
"Let me look around more and compare more."
Actually, the main food is meat; as for vegetables, she can buy land to grow them.
Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou walked behind, their expressions quite vivid.
Qin Youyou nudged Tian Xiang's arm and whispered, "Big sister, do you think... second sister might really become... the Crown Princess?"
Ling Yao is the Crown Prince, and Qin Youyou is still feeling dizzy.
But she could clearly see Ling Yao's feelings for her second sister.
Tian Xiang suppressed a slight laugh, then muttered, "I think it's possible."
Empress Li's attitude, in particular, made her feel that this was highly likely.
However, now that she has returned to the capital, the Emperor has yet to summon her, leaving her uncertain.
Ling Yao escorted the three sisters all the way to the Princess's residence without going inside.
"I'll definitely be there when your shop opens another day." Ling Yao and Tian Tian stood facing each other, showing no intention of leaving...
Tian Tian nodded, "Okay."
"Then, I'll go back to the palace." Ling Yao said reluctantly.
Tian Tian nodded, "Okay, let's go back."
Having said that, Ling Yao couldn't keep him any longer. "Then I'll take my leave."
Tian Xiang and Qin Youyou waited until Tian Tian turned around before the three sisters entered the Princess's Mansion together.
"Sweetie, have you asked His Highness when the Emperor will summon you?" Tian Xiang asked, taking her arm.
Tian Tian was taken aback, "I forgot to ask..."
Tian Xiang slumped her shoulders helplessly. She had forgotten to ask about something so important. Sigh... So, it seems that Tian Tian's thoughts weren't so clear when she was with His Highness.
Tian Tian smiled awkwardly, "I'll ask next time."
Tian Xiang shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. "Next time... who knows when that will be?"
Perhaps, before she could even ask His Highness, the Emperor had already summoned her.
Today, Tea Fragrance Pavilion has become the talk of the town; even Lu Tao and Liu San Niang, who stayed at home, know about it.
The poems written by the scholars in the shop were copied down by the servants of the princess's mansion and sent to Tian Jinghe.
He spent the entire night admiring these poems, marveling at how the scholars of the capital were truly talented...
Lu Tao was afraid that he would lose his motivation to continue studying, so she kept encouraging him from the side.
"Mother, don't worry. Seeing how capable they are will motivate me to work even harder," Tian Jinghe quickly reassured Lu Tao.
Tian Tian, Tian Xiang, and Qin Youyou exchanged glances and then loudly complained, "Mom, aren't we going to eat dinner yet? We're starving!"
"Eat! Eat right now!!"
"Are you starving? Come on, sit down and rest."
"You've had a hard day... I heard the shop is doing very well..."
*
Inside the palace, Ling Yao handed over all the poems that Su Bing had collected to Ling Jun.
"These are the poems written by those scholars?" Ling Jun and Empress Li were about to have their meal, so they put the poems aside and said, "Let's eat first."
Ling Yao sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and thought of the tea snacks he had eaten during the day.
"Mother, today I finally got to eat the tea snacks made by Tian Tian."
"Using tea as medicine, Sweetie is so clever."
Empress Li had eaten tea snacks before, so she had something in common with Ling Yao. "That's right, I don't know what's going on in that girl's head. She comes up with something on a whim, and she does it exceptionally well."
"Oh, Yao'er, tell your mother about what happened at the Tea Fragrance Pavilion today..."
Seeing that the mother and son were only focused on talking and ignoring him, Ling Jun casually said, "The Tea God Festival... is held every year, what's so special about it?!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Yao disagreed.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at Ling Jun seriously, "Father, this year's Tea God Festival is definitely different from previous years."
He described the idyllic scene inside the Tea Fragrance Shop to Ling Jun...
The more Ling Jun listened, the deeper his brows furrowed, until he finally came to the conclusion, "Yao'er, aren't you exaggerating a bit?"
"Even if you have feelings for this Miss Tian, you shouldn't protect her like this."
Ling Yao was stunned, then speechless with embarrassment, "Father...Father...I, I didn't..."
"What I said is real."
Empress Li said quietly, "I believe what Yao'er said. Tian Tian's thoughts are just that unexpected."
She glanced at Ling Jun. "Didn't His Majesty always disbelieve what I said... about that precious... air conditioner that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer?"
"But that thing really exists."
Ling Yao suddenly remembered something, stood up abruptly, and took the poem that Ling Jun had just put down. "Father, if you don't believe me, you can take a look at these poems."
Ling Jun took it with suspicion, and the first poem he opened was the champion of today's Tea God Poetry Gathering.
Hidden beneath the glazed eaves are clouds and rainbows, where bamboo shadows and pine whispers find their home. Water encircles the carved railings, creating a dreamlike scene; the wind sways the jade cup, reflecting the essence of Zen.
The very first sentence describes how, under the glazed tile eaves of the Tea Fragrance Pavilion, one can almost see the clouds drifting in the sky, and how the entire building blends seamlessly with the heavens and earth, like a fairyland.
Then... the bamboo shadows sway, the pines murmur softly, and the whole shop becomes an integral part of nature, allowing people to coexist with nature and enjoy tranquility.
Clear water flows around the exquisite railings, and the reflection in the water makes one feel as if they have entered a dreamlike world.
A gentle breeze caressed the jade cup on the table, and the flickering light of the lamp filled the entire shop with a Zen-like ethereal glow, as tranquil and serene as a Buddhist realm.
The four lines of this poem create a picture that is full of ethereal beauty and Zen-like tranquility.
It is very realistic.
Ling Jun still didn't believe it. "Does such a shop really exist?"
“If Father Emperor were to see it, he would know... that this poem is not an exaggeration at all,” Ling Yao said.
Empress Li pondered the poem, "My goodness, just imagining it... is already so beautiful."
"I must go and see her when she opens her business."
"Your Majesty, you will come with me then."
Ling Jun responded blankly, "Okay...okay!"
He put the poem back, saying, "Speaking of which, I can spare some time tomorrow to summon Fufeng. Perhaps we could have her come to the palace tomorrow..."
Make him some...delicious tea snacks.
He glanced at Empress Li, then at Ling Yao. It didn't make sense that the mother and son had eaten it, but he hadn't.
*
The next morning, someone from the palace arrived.
The gatekeeper anxiously notified the servants in the inner courtyard.
The maids in each courtyard were anxiously calling out to their masters.
"Madam, it's time to wake up. Someone from the palace has arrived."
"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived. Please get up."
"Miss, someone from the palace has arrived..."
"Young Master, someone from the palace has arrived..."
Tian Tian rubbed her eyes and asked, "What time is it now?"
"Midday, 5-7 AM".
The hour of Mao (5-7 AM)? That means it's only 6 AM?
It's only six o'clock!! People from the palace have already arrived?
Does that mean they...get up at four or five in the morning?
Getting up so early...
Tian Tian arrived at the front yard in a daze; everyone else was already there.
"Princess Fufeng." The palace maid smiled and fawned over Tian Tian.
“Princess, this old servant deserves to die for disturbing your peaceful sleep. I beg you to forgive me and not blame me.”
Hearing the slightly shrill voice, Tian Tian's expression cleared up a bit. "Fu Feng wouldn't dare, but it must be hard on... uh... the steward."
The person who arrived was indeed the chief steward, Eunuch Yin, who was serving Ling Jun and conveying imperial decrees.
"Serving His Majesty is no hardship for this old servant." Eunuch Yin was quite the smooth talker.
"Princess, the Emperor summons you."
Tian Tian's eyes widened. "Really?!"
The Emperor has finally remembered her!
“Princess, please forgive me. His Majesty is very busy with state affairs.” Eunuch Yin waved his hand. “Besides, the princess’s dress that I made for you was only completed yesterday.”
"Please change your clothes, Princess... and come with this old servant to the palace to meet the Emperor."
The palace maids behind him carried a large box together...
"Well... I'll trouble you to wait a moment, Steward."
Eunuch Yin nodded, "No rush, Princess, take your time."
After Tian Tian left, Lu Tao and Liu San Niang invited Eunuch Yin to the front hall.
Then I went to the kitchen myself and quickly made some breakfast.
I made soy milk, cooked an egg pancake, and brushed on a little bit of chili sauce...
Add a few slices of dried meat that I brought back from the shop yesterday.
"Time is short, please have some breakfast to tide you over, Steward."
Yesterday, Eunuch Yin heard from Empress Li and Ling Yao that the food served at Princess Fufeng's residence was extraordinary.
He was already quite surprised when he saw the egg pancakes and soy milk.
When it actually entered my mouth, my eyes widened in surprise.
The Empress and His Highness were right; the things from the Princess's residence are indeed different.
This is called an egg pancake. The pancake crust is smooth and tender, and it's full of the aroma of eggs and scallions, with a hint of spiciness.
Another sip of soy milk, rich and slightly sweet...it's so delicious!
Finally, I ate all the pieces of meat.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Madam. These dishes are indeed novel. I have spent most of my life in the palace and have never eaten anything like them."
Lu Tao bowed repeatedly, "You're too kind, Steward. If you like it, you can come anytime."
She didn't understand how busy Eunuch Yin's work was.
Therefore, Eunuch Yin did not doubt her sincerity. "Madam Xie, however... this old servant usually has to serve the Emperor, so I'm afraid that apart from delivering imperial decrees... I won't have the opportunity to come to the Princess's residence again."
Lu Tao gave an awkward smile, "Oh, I see..."
Liu San Niang, who was usually bold and straightforward, was somewhat reserved in front of the people from the palace.
It was more than half an hour later when Tian Tian came out after changing into her princess dress.