Chapter 414: To Give Vent to Youthful Fervor

The one who opened the door was Madam Song.

She wore simple homespun cloth, her hair neatly combed and pinned up with a silver hairpin.

She smiled gently, "Miss Gu has arrived."

Gu Xixi gave a bow and called her "Madam Teacher."

Such an address conveys closeness.

Madam Song's smile deepened as she said warmly, "Don't stand outside—come in quickly."

Once again she arrived at Orchid Appreciation Residence.

It retained its serene, antiquated style, yet the signs of habitation everywhere added a warm, lively atmosphere.

The orchid grass on the ground grew well, showing that the owner tended it with care.

Madam Song led the way for the guest, saying, "I've heard Miss Gu is skilled in the tea ceremony."

"My husband has just acquired some Pearl Orchid Flower Tea; today is its first opening, and I've been waiting for Miss Gu to join me in tasting it."

Madam Song subtly switched to calling her "Miss Gu," which was also her way of responding to Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi laughed, "Those kids are just bragging for me, aren't they?"

"I've only planted a few tea trees and like drinking tea, so I've fiddled around making some myself."

"But in the end I'm just a farmer—unversed in the Three Elegancies, I dare not claim mastery of the tea way."

"I only hope I don't ruin Mr. Song's fine tea later."

Madam Song chuckled lightly, "You're truly a humorous one."

"Someone who can grow and make their own tea—how could they not grasp its flavour?"

Song Qingshan, Old Master Song, loves three things dearly.

Countless students, pure and noble orchid grass, and a serene tea fragrance.

When Gu Xixi designed Orchid Appreciation Residence, she specially set aside a space in the study for a tea room.

The floor was made into a wooden platform, covered with grass mats.

When drinking tea, one can sit on the mats.

At this moment the water on the small charcoal stove had already boiled.

Mr. Song rose personally to greet the guest, clasping his hands in salute.

Gu Xixi returned the salute, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Song and Madam Teacher, for inviting me to intrude."

Mr. Song gestured, "Please have a seat."

He first turned and knelt down behind the tea table.

Madam Song smiled at Gu Xixi, took her hand, and walked over.

The two then sat down opposite Mr. Song in turn.

Watching him open the canister of tea leaves, he scooped out an appropriate amount with a bamboo tea measure.

Pearl Orchid Flower Tea—true to its name—uses green tea leaves as the base, repeatedly scented with strings of pearl orchid buds.

Compared with the common osmanthus and jasmine teas, Pearl Orchid Flower Tea's aroma is subtle, not bold or overt.

Only upon careful tasting can one detect the flower scent, like threads of silk, faint and fleeting.

Gu Xixi held a bamboo‑hat‑shaped black‑glazed Jian bowl, her brows relaxing amid the tea's fragrance and steam.

"Good tea."

"Ordinary flower teas, because of the seasonality of their floral ingredients, rarely use pre‑rain tea as the base."

"Yet the wild pearl orchids of Lingnan happen to bud in early spring—truly a convergence of heavenly timing and earthly advantage."

Mr. Song raised his eyes, "This canister of tea leaves was indeed brought here by one of my students from Lingnan."

"Boss Gu took a sip, and even revealed its origin, yet still claims not to understand the tea way?"

Gu Xixi smiled, set down her cup, and said earnestly, "The tea ceremony is profound and also stresses technique."

"I truly don't know the tea ceremony; at most I'm a greedy drinker who's cultivated a somewhat picky palate."

"If I must claim any knowledge, it's merely that farming has given me a little more understanding of plants."

Madam Song agreed deeply, "Flowers and tea are both plants."

"In my view, one should be like Miss Gu—drink when you want to, and if it agrees with your stomach, it's good tea."

"If every cup of tea had to be weighed down with an 'elegant' label, it would truly be exhausting."

Mr. Song laughed, "Madam, are you complaining that I have too many tea‑drinking rules?"

Madam Song pursed her lips, "I never said that."

"Anyway, I don't bother with you, so don't come disturb me."

"You go on about your tea ceremony; I'll just enjoy my own cup of fragrant tea!"

Saying this, he lifted the remaining half‑cup of tea and drained it in one gulp.

This was so amusing that Gu Xixi couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Again, watching Mr. Song gaze at his smiling wife and shake his head, his expression held helplessness, but more so indulgence.

She was fussing, he was laughing.

Such interaction between an elderly couple is truly remarkable.

Gu Xixi stared off a little, the image of Mu Nan Zhao's gaze when he looked at her surfacing in her mind.

Mr. Song slowly poured hot water into the teapot, and spoke amid the sound of flowing water:

"When I first arrived at Huachi Du Cun, I once made a request of Boss Gu."

"This time Boss Gu returned from the capital—how did it turn out，"

he said, lifting his eyes to stare directly at Gu Xixi, "then I'll just ask him outright."

Madam Song frowned, her tone carrying a warning, "Qingshan!"

She glanced at Gu Xixi, forcing a smile to smooth things over, "We agreed that Miss Gu Xixi would come for tea and a chat."

"We haven't even finished three cups of tea, and you're already saying this!"

Initially, Song Qingshan had asked Gu Xixi if he could meet the Regent Prince.

Madam Song observed Gu Xixi's expression, thought it over carefully, and also felt her husband was asking too much.

Even if the Regent Prince once fell into hardship and lived in seclusion at Huachi Du Cun.

Even if the Regent Prince personally wrote a letter asking Song Qingshan to serve as the village schoolteacher.

But times have changed; not to mention that the Regent Prince's mansion is of lofty status, beyond reach.

The Regent Prince is far away in the capital, burdened with countless affairs, and his daily contacts are all major matters and important figures.

How could it be easy to want to see him even once?

Madam Song worried that if Gu Xixi failed to see the Regent Prince in person this time in the capital.

Bringing it up now would only embarrass Gu Xixi.

Yet Song Qingshan showed no reaction at all; he was determined to get an answer.

Madam Song shot him a covert glare, still wanting to say something.

Gu Xixi, however, smiled and said, "I had previously promised you, Sir. Upon my return, regardless of the outcome, I ought to visit you and report back."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Song silently watched Gu Xixi.

Then she said, "I can arrange for you to meet him. However, he cannot temporarily leave the capital for Xi Bei."

"But I can help you send a letter to the capital, to be delivered directly to the Regent Prince's residence."

Gu Xixi spoke in a calm and resolute tone.

Because during her last visit to Pinlan Ju, she still had too many uncertainties about Mu Nan Zhao.

Therefore, she could not arbitrarily promise Song Qingshan any conditions.

But now that their relationship has progressed further, her state of mind is naturally different from before.

Moreover, Song Qingshan was originally the teacher chosen by Mu Nan Zhao.

Merely arranging an introduction for him to Mu Nan Zhao is a small matter; Gu Xixi still feels confident she can decide on it.

Upon hearing Gu Xixi's words, Mr. Song suddenly froze.

He threw down his wooden spoon, his eyes blazing with fervor, yet also tinged with disbelief.

"Is it really possible?"

"Do I truly have a chance in my lifetime to see Master Mu in person? And even to correspond with him?"

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "Of course..."

Before her words had even finished, Mr. Song sprang to his feet.

He walked to the side, pacing back and forth rapidly, muttering to himself:

"No, no, Master Mu is swamped with affairs; how could I let him waste his energy replying to me?"

"But... if I could receive Master Mu's guidance and exchange a few words in writing, that would be no regret in this life."

Now it was Gu Xixi's turn to be startled.

Her smile froze, and she looked questioningly at Madam Song.

Madam Song, with an expression of 'nothing unusual,' said, "Getting old, getting old—acting like those youths who flirt and chase after those they admire."

"Please excuse Miss Gu Xixi's amusement."

Gu Xixi suddenly realized, she remarked that Mr. Song's behavior seemed somewhat familiar.

"Chasing a star?!"