Chapter 6, Wang Po Sells Melons

She placed the roasted tea cake into the tea mill to grind it into tea powder, then carefully sifted it through a tea sieve. Next, she boiled the spring water that Ah Tai had fetched from the mountain early in the morning, adding an appropriate amount of salt. When the water reached a second boil, she scooped out a ladle of boiling water and set it aside in a bowl. Using bamboo tongs, she stirred the boiling water, pouring the tea powder into the center of the whirlpool. After boiling it three times, she then poured in the previously set aside water to stop the boiling, allowing the tea to mature. Only then was the tea considered properly brewed.

Yuan Chenglie, in light of the recent lesson, no longer dared to rashly praise Murong Xue's tea art, but to be fair, it was truly excellent

A few petals fell from the tree, drifting onto his shoulder. He casually brushed them off his sleeve, and the petals floated into the stream. Murong Xue felt a stir in her heart, realizing that she had never perceived the fall of a single petal to be so enchanting, solely because it had passed through his hands

These two words are indeed far from the expectations in Murong Xue's heart, and for a moment, she felt so wronged and disappointed that she could barely maintain her smile

Yuan Chenglie was taken aback: "Thank you."

Murong Xue then led him out of the flower hall, around the small bridge and flowing water in the garden, and arrived beneath the several pear trees.

Although Yelv Yan's evaluation was not high, he did not eat little. As soon as Murong Xue saw that he had emptied a whole bowl of pearl rice in front of him, she could not help but feel secretly pleased and immediately served him another bowl herself. This indicated that her cooking skills were quite good, and thus, her confidence was instantly restored to a great extent

After the meal, Bai Zhifu removed the dishes and chopsticks from the table, while Peilan and Dingxiang brought mint tea for everyone to rinse their mouths. At that moment, the warm afternoon sunlight streamed into the flower hall, and a subtle fragrance of orchids wafted from the purple incense burner

Unfortunately, when he lifted his eyelids and met her eager and passionate gaze, he still replied with a lukewarm "it's fine"

Does Brother Ye know why I eloped with my cousin that day

Yelü Yan unceremoniously sampled all twelve dishes, put down his chopsticks, and simply remarked: "Not bad"

Please speak, young lady

Brewing tea is merely a trivial matter for her

Yelü Yan displayed a slightly surprised expression: "Can you brew tea?"

Murong Xue cleaned her hands, then took out the cake tea and placed it on the gilded double-handled stove to roast.

Brother Ye, I have invited you to dinner and tea today to discuss a matter.

She must present herself in the most perfect manner within the shortest time possible, so that he can quickly develop feelings for her. This is her expectation; she simply wishes to find a suitable husband and grow old together. She does not want to be selected to enter the palace and become a breeding tool for the old emperor, who is already sixty-two this year, and then be trapped in that golden cage for eternity without the possibility of rebirth.

Brother Ye, I have something I would like to discuss with you privately

The tea was poured into the cloisonné lotus leaf double-handled vase, and she held it up with both hands and presented it to Yelv Yan, smiling sweetly and confidently: "Brother Ye, give it a try." Then she poured another cup and offered it to Yuan Chenglie.

Yuan Chenglie looked at Murong Xue's disappointed little face, feeling truly reluctant; he almost wished to reveal Yelv Yan's true identity. It is not that the young lady did not perform well; rather, this individual has been accustomed to a life of luxury and abundance since the day he was born, having grown tired of delicacies from both land and sea. To receive even a modest evaluation is already quite remarkable.

Seeing that her culinary skills and tea-making techniques failed to impress him, she wished she could showcase all her other talents one by one. However, time did not permit, and the venue was also unsuitable. For instance, she was proficient in horseback riding, throwing pots, and swimming.

Is it time to confront each other? Yelv Yan smiled and said, "Alright"

Murong Xue immediately revealed a smile that seemed to say "Of course"; confidence was undoubtedly her most abundant trait. Since her culinary skills failed to impress him, she decided to showcase another talent to astonish him. After all, she possessed many skills and believed she was no less capable than those refined young ladies from the capital. She was aware that he hailed from the capital, so today's gathering, which was not merely about drinking, was well-prepared, solely aimed at making him see her in a new light and not underestimate this girl from the county.

She thought with deep affection that if she could walk hand in hand with him for a lifetime, she would willingly accept growing old together, even if it meant turning gray at this very moment

She gazed at him eagerly, marveling in her heart at how even his dining posture was so graceful. Only a man of such elegance could be worthy of her exquisite and beautiful dishes

Murong Xue's smile stiffened for a moment; the silver chopsticks in her heart represented a tool for testing poison. Did he fear that she would poison him? Love makes one blind, and the slight displeasure was but a fleeting thought in her mind. She quickly convinced herself that his cautiousness indicated maturity and stability, which were indeed virtues.

Murong Xue smiled gently as she extended a pair of cloisonné enamel ivory chopsticks to Yelv Yan, but he did not accept them. Instead, he took out a pair of silver chopsticks that he always kept with him from his sleeve

At the time of brewing tea, Murong Xue naturally exuded a touch of elegant charm with every move, displaying a few more degrees of grace and poise than usual, making her even more radiant and captivating. The reason she brewed tea for Yelv Yan was precisely because she believed that brewing tea best reflected a woman's taste and the beauty of her demeanor.

Murong Xueyan smiled gently, looking at Yelv Yan with great anticipation. He lowered his eyelids, and the curve of his eyes beneath his handsome and elegant brows was so pleasing, slightly raised like a touch of spring light passing over a blade of grass

Yuan Chenglie lowered his head, silently swallowing the flattering words he had managed to come up with after much effort

Murong Xue knew that today she had encountered a particularly picky individual. She did not dare to comment on her needlework, but she was quite confident in her skills in brewing tea and cooking. Murong Lin traveled extensively as a physician and had tasted dishes from all over, gaining some insights. He often cooked at home, innovating his own recipes. As a result, Murong Xue had also learned his true techniques, and the dishes she prepared had their own unique system and flavor. However, they surprisingly did not catch his eye, merely being deemed acceptable.

Before his words had finished, a gaze swept over. Ye Liu Yan looked at him meaningfully and asked, "What, do you find the dishes at the royal residence unsatisfactory?"

In preparation for this feast, she began designing the menu last night and got up early to start the preparations. She worked tirelessly for an entire morning to complete these twelve dishes. Then, she hurriedly took a fragrant bath and changed into a new outfit infused with the scent of orchids, so as to avoid any lingering smell of smoke. She was as busy as if she were in a battle, all for the sake of receiving a compliment from him and hoping to leave him in awe. However, he merely said it was okay.

Yelv Yan did not have any expectations for Murong Xue's tea skills simply because her cooking was good. Sometimes, brewing a pot of good tea is more challenging than preparing a table full of exquisite dishes. Therefore, he leisurely waved his folding fan, waiting with great interest for her to make a mistake. However, after watching for a moment, he put away the fan, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon her snow-white wrist and her jade-like fingertips

He, who cherishes beauty, quickly offered his support: "This is wonderful, I have never tasted such delicious dishes before"

Dingxiang and Peilan brought the tea brewing tools and placed them on the rosewood table

Although Yixian is a small county, it is known for Murong Lin, who practices medicine far and wide, possessing extensive knowledge. He loves his only daughter, Murong Xue, dearly. Whenever she expresses a desire to learn something, Murong Lin has never hindered her; even if she wishes to learn horseback riding, he would immediately hire someone to teach her. Murong Xue is naturally intelligent and quickly masters whatever she wishes to learn, except for needlework, which she does not enjoy.

Murong Xue cleaned her hands, turned her head with a beaming smile and said: "I will brew tea for Brother Ye."

Unfortunately, time is of the essence, and she cannot cultivate her feelings for him gradually, so she resolves to be straightforward and direct.