Chapter 83: A Fight Sparked by a Cup of Tea

Tea ceremony has been gradually emerging nowadays, but it has not yet become the widespread hospitality etiquette of later generations.

At present, most tea drinkers belong to the aristocratic class.

At the same time, certain rules concerning the tea ceremony have already developed.

When a guest arrives, if the host's circumstances permit, they must serve tea; common folk instead present hot water or medicinal broth.

A guest may decline to drink, but it is best to accept, as it is a small token of the host's goodwill.

If the guest's status is sufficiently high, the host usually pours tea personally to demonstrate respect.

Gao Yang, of course, is testing Li Lizhi's self‑importance, refusing to drink tea poured by Qing'er, a maid.

Li Lizhi was stunned by the remark.

She did not expect Gao Yang to dare such a thing in front of Chen Yan.

Li Lizhi, still somewhat young and unprepared, was caught off guard, standing dumbfounded and at a loss.

Seeing this, Gao Yang continued, "Of course, I know the Princess certainly has no such intention."

"However… the Princess should be more careful when going out. Even if she has no such intention, she is still Princess Changle, while my 'Chen Lang' is merely a modest county marquis; I cannot afford to offend you, Princess."

Li Lizhi steadied herself and was about to speak when Chen Yan could no longer watch, snapping, "What nonsense are you spouting today?"

"Still, mistress, if you intend to act like a mistress from now on, you'd better return to your princess's residence. My temple is small; it cannot accommodate a great Buddha like you."

After speaking, he gave Li Lizhi an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Your Highness, please ignore her and have a seat."

Gao Yang opened her mouth, and Chen Yan immediately glared at her, then scratched his finger along her waist.

The familiar tickle reached her, and she instantly fell silent.

Li Lizhi noticed their subtle gesture but pretended not to see, hugging Sizi and sitting down.

For her, regardless of the final outcome, the Marquis of Weinan's residence will certainly have a place for Gao Yang.

Even if she achieves her goal, Gao Yang will still be Chen Yan's wife, an unchangeable fact.

She has long weighed this in her mind and has already accepted the situation.

Unlike Gao Yang's almost obsessive possessiveness, Li Lizhi does not see anything improper about a man having multiple wives and concubines.

After all, she grew up in the inner palace, accustomed to the myriad consorts fluttering around the Father Emperor, and to the Mother Empress magnanimously urging the Father Emperor to stay in other chambers.

Having been exposed for years beside the Grand Empress Dowager, she naturally cultivated this composure.

Therefore, Gao Yang's petty thought never registered in her mind.

At first, seeing the two holding hands, she was mostly surprised.

In her view, if Sizi isn't lying, the two should either fight or not be holding hands.

Many already‑married couples would not behave this way.

"......"

Only when they sat down did Chen Yan finally shake off Gao Yang's hand.

He asked Qing'er to bring the tea set and poured tea for the two himself.

Before the tea was finished, he saw the two locked eyes in a silent contest.

Seeing this stance, Chen Yan felt his head spin.

How could this go on forever?

Helplessly, he struck the table hard, reminding them not to overstep.

Gao Yang snorted coldly, lifted the cup to her mouth, and was scalded, sticking out her tongue.

Chen Yan, seeing this, couldn't help laughing aloud.

Sometimes, he truly thought Gao Yang was rather cute.

Hmm… adorably foolish.

"Laugh, what are you laughing at?" Gao Yang, angry and embarrassed, retorted, "Is it that funny?"

Chen Yan, too lazy to bother, thought, "A wild boar can't eat fine chaff."

Li Lizhi then lifted her teacup, gently blew on it, took a shallow sip, and said, "Sister Gao Yang, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Good tea must be savored slowly; only then can you taste its flavor and beauty."

"If you are too impatient, you'll miss the tea's taste and may even hurt yourself."

Li Lizhi calmly replied, "Of course, if Sister Gao Yang truly can't drink it, I, as the elder sister, can take over."

"You and I are sisters; I don't mind if you have a sip of this fine tea. I will cherish it, sip it slowly, not waste it, and then blame the tea‑maker's skill if needed."

With those words, Chen Yan's and Gao Yang's expressions changed.

The former became existentially doubtful.

The latter's face turned extremely sour.

Was Li Lizhi talking about tea?

She was clearly using tea as a metaphor for a person.

Letting the tea go out is better described as letting herself give up Chen Yan.

Blaming the tea‑maker's skill subtly alludes to her earlier complaint that the Father Emperor ordered her to marry Chen Yan, doesn't it?

Gao Yang suppressed her inner anger, her voice calm: "Princess, you're joking; this tea is mine and I've already drunk it, how could I give it to you?"

"I admit I was too impatient before; not only did I miss the tea's flavor, I was also scalded by the boiling tea."

"Now I know how good this tea is, so I will naturally follow the Princess's guidance, savor it slowly, and appreciate its beauty."

"Furthermore…" Gao Yang lifted her eyes, saying ambiguously, "I've always been different from ordinary girls; I like it hot!"

"The hotter the tea, the more I like it, the more satisfied I am!"

"Especially this tea that can't get any hotter; it matches my heart's desire perfectly!"

Chen Yan's expression turned indescribable once more.

Fine, fine, fine—I know you like it; can't I satisfy you in the future?

Hurry up and stop saying that, damn it.

Li Lizhi tilted her head slightly, feigning incomprehension as she said: "Is that so?"

"Then why did Younger Sister Gao Yang say it was hot when she was drinking tea just now?"

Li Lizhi said with deep meaning: "I know Younger Sister Gao Yang is stubborn; she insists on competing in whatever she does."

"But tea tasting is different from other matters; being stubborn won't help. If it doesn't suit your taste, I suggest you switch to another tea for drinking."

"Why change?" Gao Yang shook her head and sighed: "Elder Sister, you don't know, I wasn't lying just now; I truly like this tea very much, it really matches my heart's desire."

"At the same time, I also know Elder Sister is a tea lover; upon seeing good tea, she can't help but act improperly, which I can understand."

She said seriously: "However, there are simply too many fine teas in the world, yet Younger Sister insists on liking this one."

"So, could you please, Elder Sister, stop competing with me for it?"

"Another day, I'll have Chen Lang help Sister find another good tea; how about that?"

As the words fell, the atmosphere on site became tense.

Li Lizhi and Gao Yang locked gazes in silence; Li Lizhi's proud phoenix eyes met Gao Yang's gentle peach blossom eyes.

The two of them began the second round of their contest on that same day.

"......"