Chapter 380: What She Has

A few Young Masters among them pointed at the carriage and spoke.

"They are outsiders; their clothes are either rich or noble. Such a carriage isn't owned by ordinary families, and those two horses—clearly Treasure Horses—pulling it must have a great background."

"How about we invite them up and have a cup of tea together?"

"No, they're older; let's just leave it, be straightforward."

"What's the issue? Friends are everywhere under the five lakes and four seas."

Thus the carriage viewing was halted; originally they were looking for trouble, but unexpectedly it turned into an invitation, and the Emperor was even happier.

They gladly agreed; the carriage stopped in front of a tea house called Qiong Lou, and there was no need to tether the horses to the posts—Dongzao and Tiexue automatically parked the carriage there.

No need to worry about anyone stealing the carriage, because no one could take it away.

Following the inviter, they arrived at a Yajian on the Erlou, where a few Young Masters gave them a bow.

"Welcome to Luzhou!"

After introductions, they were seated, and a man poured tea for them.

The next day, the weather was fine; Rong Mansion bustled early, its Dameng wide open as servants came and went.

"On what grounds? You robbed Prefect Wu's house; what good thing didn't you take?"

Some people spat sour water, and their mouths turned foul.

The Emperor glanced at the men and asked, "Are you all locals?"

They introduced themselves one by one; when it was their turn, the Emperor introduced himself as Sixth Master Huang, the Empress as Rong Shi, Qiao Mai as Qiao Shi, Yuan Jiaqi, who is Fifth Master Yuan.

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi exchanged a glance without a hum; the rain stopped by noon, and no one got out of the carriage. They ordered a few snacks, had the servants deliver them to the car, ate, returned the dishes, settled the bill, and continued strolling.

"Hm, they seem to like ice; how about sending a whole carriage of ice blocks tomorrow?"

Four of them took a sip and set the cup on the table; the five talented youths looked puzzled, "Is the tea not good? This is the most expensive tea in the Tea House."

The Fifth Young Master, impatient, lifted his cup, gently sipped, and immediately sighed, "Fine tea, such good tea exists in this world."

"Here, try the cold tea; this is truly authentic herbal cold tea."

While speaking, he took a request slip from his chest and respectfully placed it before the Emperor.

"Tomorrow we attend the banquet; should we prepare formalities?"

"That works, after all in such a hot place, even seeing ice blocks is rare, let alone eating them."

Anyway, she is an elder; speaking like this doesn't feel disrespectful.

"Oh, older brother, what tea is this, can we also have a taste?"

The Emperor lifted the tea; inside his heart was a jumble of five flavors and dust. Could he claim he didn't love this tribute tea? Naturally, after drinking the tea given by his mother‑in‑law, other teas couldn't satisfy him.

"No one comes empty‑handed at the door."

"I see."

"One carriage of ice blocks, twenty boxes,"

"What, a whole carriage of ice blocks? Where? Where?"

At the moment the tea was poured, the whole room filled with tea fragrance.

"This... how to store it? The house has no Ice Kiln; first place it in a shady room, I'll go find the elder."

"Hmm, it's good to hear you say that,"

"Indeed we are the Five Young Masters of Luzhou, also the top five in the Luzhou provincial examination."

"Your Majesty, I, the consort, seldom return to my main family, let alone this branch; if they keep to themselves it's fine, but if they use my name to act recklessly, Your Majesty may act."

"Two older brothers, older sisters‑in‑law, my family will hold a Jin Qiu Banquet tomorrow; if you don't mind, would you come to see the festivities?"

Anyone passing by the carriage felt a cool, refreshing chill.

The five members were stunned by her method; who is this person that can produce ice?

Heaven! Several people simultaneously examined those few again.

"Just drink it; in this scorching heat, what tea to drink, they're really a bunch of sour scholars."

Then they folded the slip. "Alright, we'll go then."

"Then it's settled; a carriage of ice isn't worth much, but it's nice—gift‑giving should touch the heart."

"Isn't that inconvenient on the road? If you transport it back, aren't you able to use Transformation Trick, just a change and the good thing appears?"

"If you've had breakfast, you can come early."

When they opened the tea packet, they inhaled deeply; the tea aroma was wonderful.

"Rong Young Master, what is the relation between your family and the Rong of Jingcheng?"

They alighted at the entrance of Rong Mansion, gazing at the imposing Dameng, and exchanged a knowing glance.

"Not bad, not bad, the five of you are truly talented; I believe Jingcheng will soon have a place for you all."

To drink a pot of icy tea in the South is something even the wealthy can't manage; they didn't expect to not only get good tea but also taste the chill.

The Emperor looked at Qiao Mai, "Mother‑in‑law, would you like to prepare?"

The Emperor said lightly, "We usually drink only one kind of tea; after getting used to it, other teas lack flavor."

Qiao Mai gave him a withering glance, took a tea packet from her sleeve, and said, "Take it, brew a pot, everyone have a taste."

The Emperor held the request slip, led a few people inside; beside the Dameng was a ledger table, and he placed the slip on it, where Yuan Jiaqi spoke directly to the accountant.

A few couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"Yes,"

"We have no ice here; even if northern ice is transported, it becomes water."

"That's our main family; we are a branch of the Rong family."

"Ha ha"

The Fifth Young Master watched from upstairs; they all thought these people were beyond price, yet approachable!

On the carriage, the Emperor looked at the Empress and said, "Rui'er, this is your Rong Family, right?"

"It's okay, but it's so hot today; if this were cold, it would taste even better."

The Emperor glanced awkwardly at Qiao Mai and said, "She has some over there."

"Here, have a taste. This is the famous tribute tea from Luzhou, sent to the palace every year."

"On the carriage outside, you can find someone to unload it, right?"

A few men grew more curious about their identities, and one of them extended an invitation to the four of the Emperor.

The Emperor stared at the lavish invitation bearing "Rong Mansion," frowned, and, without showing emotion, glanced at the Empress.

The Emperor's party of four did not arrive that early; after breakfast, they began strolling around Luzhou City.

Qiao Mai smiled, "Please try, gentlemen. We drink it often, so we don't think it's anything special."

Some of the attendants, hearing for the first time that someone had delivered ice, all rushed outside to look; the Steward, accompanied by servants, arrived at the carriage, lifted the lid, and a rush of cool air instantly billowed out.

"Don't ask too many questions; just taste the cool tea."

"It's just a carriage of ice; what's all the fuss?"

One of the men among the Fifth Young Master's party took the tea bag, promptly had his assistant bring a teapot and a pot of hot water.

Qiao Mai reached beneath and pulled out a small Wooden Box; inside were tiny square ice pieces. She took the teapot and poured the ice into it.

She poured the tea leaves into the teapot, added hot water, and let it steep for a few minutes. No one spoke, all eyes fixed on the teapot, clearly seasoned tea drinkers.

"So, you actually brought ice?"

A whole carriage of ice threw the Rong Family members into a tizzy.

The Empress also gave a proper look to that Rong Young Master; being a branch line, they shared no resemblance.

The group sat only briefly; seeing that the rain outside had lightened considerably, they took their leave from the Tea House.

The sun was high when they hired a carriage, its sides laden with wooden boxes, but as the carriage moved, water kept dripping continuously from beneath.

"Your ice?"

"I have some here."

Qiao Mai shot the man a sideways glance, "If you have the skill, can you bring it?"

A mute cannon—no matter how much this thing costs, it can't be procured; earlier it was just empty talk.

When the people of Rong Mansion heard someone had delivered a carriage of ice, they all rushed out excitedly; Wang Laoyezi Rong didn't bother to ask who delivered the ice, and upon seeing the pile of ice, immediately gave orders.

"Send three boxes to the old lady's side, three boxes to the Madam's side, one box each to each Miss, Young Master, and Concubine's rooms, and the rest to the back kitchen."

(End of chapter)