Chapter 2132: The Proprietor of Su Su Qingxi Creek

After the military council ended, You Huan was burdened with worries, but he had not yet left the palace gates when a voice called from behind:

"Big brother!"

His younger brother You Su came running from behind.

"You came to the palace too?"

"I came to discuss the transport of frontline supplies; several transport commissioners have arrived." You Su wiped the thin sweat from his forehead, "This weather is truly stifling—let's go to the teahouse for some hot tea, work up a sweat?"

"Want to work up a sweat? You shouldn't be going to the perfumer's to soak in hot water?" You Huan saw through his thoughts at a glance.

"Come on, let's go!" You Su grabbed his elder brother's arm, "These few cups of tea, I'll treat!"

"Fine, then let's go to Red River Teahouse. You're treating."

"Red River? That teahouse is ancient—its tables are peeling, and I've heard they used to adulterate tea leaves in the back." You Su smiled, "We should go somewhere new, good, and fair."

You Huan rolled his eyes toward the sky.

So, two hours later, they were seated in the Su Su Qingxi Teahouse.

"Su Qingxi" is the teahouse that opened just ten days ago; if guests sit too close to the wood, they can still smell the wood fragrance mixed with paint.

Rather than say it's a teahouse, it's more like a private garden: the front is a three-story teahouse where storytelling and lectures are held regularly, or opera and acrobatics, with audiences sitting together sipping and watching, emphasizing a lively, bustling atmosphere.

Behind it lies a small lake, with a clear, sweet spring at its center, surrounded by pavilions, gazebos, and elegant dwellings; the setting is tranquil, with scattered trees and flowers, ideal for small gatherings and refined conversation, cultivating an air of elegance.

You Huan and his brother went up to the third floor of the teahouse today.

It's not yet night, but the ground-floor hall is already seventy percent full. As soon as one enters, the tea fragrance and laughter come rushing forward.

The second floor is the "Huan Tang," meaning the tables are spaced far apart, allowing for more private conversation; however, sitting here naturally costs more than downstairs.

The third floor consists of private rooms, partitioned into window-facing booths, with considerable distance between them, offering excellent privacy.

You Huan and his brother entered one after the other, just stepping onto the third floor when the attendant approached, half-bent: "Mr. You, have you come? Then,

shall we sit in your usual spot?"

His attentive smile was directed at You Huan, which made You Su mutter inwardly.

You Huan gave an affirmative hum.

So the attendant led them to a private room: "Mr. You, would you like the same Late Jade Osmanthus as last time, or would you prefer to change the flavor?"

You Su laughed: "Of course, I'll change it."

The attendant produced a seven-section bamboo tablet, each section inscribed with a type of fragrant tea.

You Su pointed casually: "Just this one."

Gold Toad Holding Holly.

"This is a new tea blend recently developed by our proprietor, containing toad fat—it may not suit everyone's taste."

What is meant by "blended tea" is, in contrast to plain tea, it incorporates various flavorings, resulting in a rich taste.

"Too much nonsense." You Su pointed at his brother: "In the entire Assistant Bureau, no one enjoys strange, niche flavors more than he. Hurry up and prepare the tea!"

Upon hearing the three words "Assistant Bureau," the attendant shuddered, his waist nearly bending to ninety degrees: "Ah, it's actually an official from the Assistant Bureau! I have been remiss."

After speaking, he performed a respectful bow and hurriedly retreated.

"How many times has the elder brother come here before?"

"Just two days ago." You Huan spoke solemnly, "This place is near the palace, convenient for colleagues to chat after court."

"The staff here doesn't even know who you are?" You Su stroked his chin, glancing casually downstairs.

He has seven guards, yet his elder brother brought only two—truly "minimal attendance." Right now, the guards are basically seated downstairs, while only those two accompanying the elder brother came up, standing not far away.

"Sigh, why has the elder brother suddenly become so low-key?"

The last time You Huan assumed office as Chief Assistant Coordinator, he set up a flowing banquet in his mansion, celebrating for three days and three nights. Although some accused him of extravagance and waste, neither Mou Ting nor he himself took it to heart.

How did he suddenly become so restrained?

"Lately, who has the mind for extravagance?"

"Your brows are almost knotted into a knot." You Su expressed concern, "What happened?"

"In today's meeting, my opinion opposed that of Chief Assistant Guo." This was a military secret, so You Huan could not elaborate, "In the end, Chief Assistant Guo still insisted on his view, and the Emperor allowed it. But I"

He shook his head.

"I have carefully studied the Nine Abysses Great Emperor. Though it is said that soldiers do not despise deceit, judging from his life and conduct, this man values keeping promises and fulfilling his word; otherwise, he could not have earned such affection from the soldiers and civilians of the Cangyan Army."

He let out a long sigh, "Chief Assistant Guo's decisions—I truly fear they may backfire."

You Su advised him: "Having said what you needed to say, you have already fulfilled your duty as a Palace Attendant. Chief Assistant Guo and the Emperor's decisions,

are beyond your control, elder brother—best not to dwell on this."

Palace Attendants have only the duty to remonstrate, not the power to decide.

"If—" You Huan wanted to speak but stopped himself.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." You Huan glanced outward.

At this moment, the storytelling arena downstairs had already begun; the narrator's voice rose and fell with rhythm, granting ample time for laughter, instantly warming the atmosphere.

Then the attendant arrived with the tea set, carefully placing it on the table before retreating.

You Su tapped the table with his folding fan: "Are you letting us blend it ourselves?"

The attendant bowed again, about to speak, when the bamboo curtain was lifted and a woman in green entered.

Her green skirt was trimmed with gold-thread lotus edging, her high bun centered with a red-bud gold flower, and a butterfly gold hairpin. As she walked, the butterfly's antennae would tremble lightly.

Though this golden butterfly was so beautiful, the You brothers did not notice it at first, for their attention was wholly captured by the woman's visage.

You Huan recognized her at a glance—this was Lady Mei, who had been bumped into by Miss Sun in the bustling market a few days prior.

At that time, Miss Sun's divine beast had been startled, charging wildly all the way, trampling many innocent passersby; the carriage Lady Mei was riding in was also overturned.

When she crawled out of the carriage that day, her face was bloodied yet still unmatched in beauty; now she wears light makeup, subtly enhances her features with powder and penciled brows, and as soon as she entered, the You brothers felt the private room brighten—You Su even unconsciously softened his breath.

"I have met the two Master Yous. My surname is Mei, and I am the proprietress of this Suqing Creek." Lady Mei said with a smile, "With honored guests arriving, how could I be negligent? I shall personally brew the tea."

Clearly the waiter who had just gone out was a big mouth; the moment the teahouse proprietress heard that a big shot from the Futaige had come, she hurried over to pay her respects.

Doing business in Moudu, if one does not know a few figures with far-reaching connections, the business cannot grow large.

She very naturally hooked back the curtain with a backhand motion and said to the two maids standing outside: "Burn incense."

The round-faced maid still asked: "Which kind?"

"Naturally it is Lingyun Incense." Lady Mei turned to the You brothers and said, "This incense uses spring plum blossoms as the main ingredient, taking only those few flowers on the highest branches after the snow; its fragrance is exceptionally different."

Seeing the maid carry the censer in and begin to lay charcoal and place incense cakes, You Su once again took up the conversation on his own: "How is it different?"