Chapter 2134: Suspicion

"Cheap has its cheap cat grease." Mei Wuniang pursed her lips, showing two parts helplessness, "But this price really moves me. In Ducheng, a teahouse this big, with such a good location and environment, would normally cost at least three times more? I simply can't afford it."

Poor people have no right to complain about haunted houses.

You Yu Su laughed: "It's probably more than five times."

This location is excellent, close to the royal palace, a natural magnet for customers.

Mei Wuniang brewed tea while chatting with the two, having them try all kinds of tea blends, and even changed the charcoal in the incense burner once.

This Lingyun fragrance is not stick incense; it requires continuous burning of silver-thread charcoal cakes, so the maidservants and attendants must wait outside the private room, often coming in to add charcoal.

Thus, it is destined that host and guest cannot discuss overly private matters.

After instructing the maid to fetch another pot of spring water, Mei Wuniang lightly parted her cherry lips.

Before the words left her mouth, You Huan already knew she wanted to take her leave.

At that moment, a young attendant ran over from outside, calling out "Master of the house," and whispered two sentences in her ear.

Though the voice was soft, You Huan's sharp hearing still caught it clearly:

"Master of the house, the Second Young Master Zhai of the Eastern Three Circuit Transport Commissioner has come again, by the streamside pavilion, and this time he brought four friends, specifically requesting you to come greet him."

Mei Wuniang lowered her gaze slightly; her long, upturned eyelashes fluttered like small fans.

"Understood, you may go first."

Though she showed no expression, You Huan recalled her reluctance to ride in Zhai Qiu Shan's carriage in the bustling market, guessing she was somewhat impatient.

But running a business, how could one casually offend customers, especially those with such strong backgrounds?

Mei Wuniang then said to the two: "You two, my lords, please continue your talk; I will not disturb you."

You Su, however, said: "What a big face Zhai Qiu Shan has! Just stay put—I want to see if he has the gall to come to our place and cause trouble!"

Mei Wuniang was startled, then couldn't help but smile: "Lord You is impressive! But I now need to return home for a visit, not going to the streamside."

You Su blurted out: "Really?"

"Naturally." Mei Wuniang also smiled quite naturally.

"If you walk out from the teahouse and they see you, there will be no peace afterward."

"I'm prepared." Mei Wuniang waved her hand, and a maid behind her handed over a gray cloak.

Mei Wuniang draped it over herself, covering half her face, leaving only a pair of moist, blinking eyes.

This unintentionally revealed charm was especially endearing.

"Wuniang takes her leave first, welcome you both to visit often." She bowed slightly to the two, then turned and departed, apparently intending to slip out through the back door.

The two watched her retreating figure disappear, and You Su finally exhaled, feeling a sense of loss.

You Huan instructed the attendant beside him: "Remove the incense."

The incense was taken down, the curtain lowered, outsiders also left, and the private room returned to being private.

You Su then asked his elder brother urgently: "How is it?"

You Huan, knowing full well, asked feigningly: "How what?"

"Big brother, stop pretending to be calm." You Su pointed outward: "Such a rare beauty—if you hesitate even a moment, someone will snatch her up. Look at Zhai Qiu Shan—didn't he come just because he smelled her?"

You Huan took a sip of tea.

This tea was still personally brewed by Mei Wuniang, indeed different from what they usually steep themselves.

"To open such a large teahouse before the royal palace, you think she relies purely on picking up bargains? Naive." You Huan made his judgment: "She certainly has someone behind her."

"So what if she has backing? It's not like she's related to the imperial clan." You Su said carelessly: "Under the emperor's feet, who doesn't have some connection?"

Having said that, "You've checked into it?"

"Mm-hmm, I have." You Su recited like a family heirloom: "Fan Shan Zhang of the Tongwen Academy, Fan Shengmao, the second son, had traveled abroad for a long time, suffered a serious illness, and was saved from danger by the Tao couple's treatment, after which he partnered with Tao Ying—oh, that is, Mei Wuniang's late husband—in business, and they still have dealings to this day. Mei Wuniang's coming to Moudu this time was entirely facilitated by the Fan family's care. I heard she gets along very well with Fan Shengmao's wife, like sisters. When she first arrived in Moudu, she even stayed at the Fan household, and only moved out these past few days."

"Like sisters?" You Huan chuckled. "Putting such a beauty at home—wouldn't sisters worry?"

You Su took a sip of tea: "Fan Shan Zhang is venerable and respected, with wide connections, and was even summoned by the emperor two months ago. His several sons haven't entered official service, but three or four disciples hold posts in the Wang Ting, uh, they hold no real power."

You Huan nodded: "So, the Tongwen Academy's influence has declined in recent years, while its rivals have grown in fame."

The academies in Moudu are actually mostly Daoist, teaching civil governance, martial arts, and cultivation methods.

You Su glanced at his brother with a smile: "Hey, big brother, you also have no real power, so no need to be so cautious."

The Fu Tai Ge Dian Shi, put plainly, are Mou Emperor's think tank, having ranks and receiving stipends, but unlike other civil and military officials who hold actual authority and duties. This is not to say You Huan has never served at the grassroots level or only talks—rather, upon being selected as a Dian Shi, his former office must be resigned, devoting himself fully to being the Mou Emperor's think tank.

P Gu determines the mind; once one has a stance, one has a bias, and is no longer objective. Removing the office is removing the stance.

You Huan smiled.

Yes, he is still a Dian Shi now; though he says he has ambition, it depends on whether the emperor gives him the opportunity. For now, considering all aspects, others believe Tang and Yuan are more likely to be appointed as the next Chief Minister.

Probably Tang and Yuan themselves think so, hence their recent high spirits and vigor.

Whoever now pins their hopes on you, You Huan, that's true discernment.

Seeing your brother clenching his fists and rubbing his palms, You Huan said helplessly: "Don't let beauty cloud your judgment. If you truly want to pursue romance, you must first investigate her family background. I see, Mei Wuniang's visit today for tea is merely a businessperson's perfunctory gesture—less genuine than when her carriage overturned that day."

Mei Wuniang's performance today was perfect, but the more flawless it is, the more false it seems. You Huan always feels she wears a mask, hiding her true feelings.

This woman seems unwilling to let anyone approach her heart.

You Su exclaimed in surprise: "Then what? Who would bare their heart and guts upon first meeting?"

"……" You Huan, rarely, was left speechless by his brother's question.

Yes, why should they be sincere with them? This is a teahouse; they provide a service.

"Alright, let's talk about Shuangyan State."

The two brothers then focused intently on discussing the political situation.

This discussion lasted most of the day; when the sky darkened, they simply ate dinner in the teahouse before leaving.

Yes, teahouses in Moudu usually offer simple meals and snacks.

But the food at Su Zha Qing Xi is actually not simple at all: lotus-leaf eight-treasure rice, water chestnut braised pork, lotus seed soup, and fried water cicadas—all seasonal pond dishes, echoing the character "Zha," quite distinctive.