The tea house attendant brought the tea cakes for this occasion, arranged on small porcelain plates and placed on two trays, totaling sixteen plates. Each was carefully labeled with its tea name.
Ye Qingcheng glanced at them with curiosity. The small tea cakes were pressed with various patterns, making them delicate and unique.
However, she leaned in to smell them and found no aroma. She felt a bit disappointed, suspecting that the tea-making method here had suppressed the original fragrance of the tea.
Murong Yun volunteered, suggesting she would be the one to brew the tea.
The necessary equipment for brewing tea was available in every room, allowing guests to have servants brew tea for them, or for those like Murong Yun who preferred to do it themselves.
The method of brewing tea in this dynasty was quite similar to that of the Tang Dynasty.
Murong Yun picked up a small fork and placed a tea cake on the charcoal stove to roast, flipping it occasionally to ensure the tea leaves loosened. As the tea cake heated, a roasted aroma gradually emanated from it.
Once the surface of the tea cake began to crisp, Murong Yun took a paper sachet from a nearby maid and placed the tea cake inside. She then used a roller to crush it. The crushed tea was then placed in a sieve box to be sifted, and then crushed and sifted again.
A maid carefully placed the tea powder onto a small porcelain plate.
The tea brewing method emphasized "three boils," during which spices such as pepper, dried tangerine peel, and salt would be added.
When the water in the pot began to boil, resembling fish eyes, Murong Yun added salt and stirred it with a small silver handle.
When the water reached its second boil, bubbling like strung pearls, Murong Yun used a ladle to scoop a bowl of water from the pot and set it aside. She then used a small spoon to add the tea powder to the pot, while a maid stirred continuously beside her.
Instantly, a delicate fragrance of tea wafted through the air, captivating Ye Qingcheng with its mellow scent.
Seeing that everyone was drawn in by her tea artistry, Murong Yun put in her best effort. Every movement she made was even more elegant.
During the third boil, the water in the pot surged and churned. The tea in the pot began to float with white foam.
She then poured the water from the ladle (used during the second boil) back into the pot to stop the boiling. Once the water began to bubble again, the tea soup was ready to be served.
The tea soup was poured into small cups. As a maid took a cup, Murong Yun subtly winked at her.
"Miss Murong is truly skillful and talented," Wang Shanchong said, accepting the tea soup and flattering Murong Yun with a lecherous gaze that was evident to everyone.
Murong Yun frowned. This Wang Shanchong was truly shameless, always seeking her out. This time, he had come uninvited and sat with them on his own accord.
She glanced at Xiao Wangye, who sat beside her, quietly holding his cup and sipping tea. A sense of anticipation stirred within her. "Brother Xiao, how is it? This is your favorite moon cake tea."
"Yun'er's tea artistry is as good as ever," Xiao Wangye said, placing the small cup on the table. He then remained silent.
Ye Qingcheng accepted the tea soup. Compared to the tea brewed from modern tea leaves, the tea brewed from tea cakes was more turbid and yellowish-brown, though still quite fragrant.
Ye Qingcheng looked at it for a while before setting it down.
A maid who had been observing her became anxious when she saw her not drinking, exchanging glances with her mistress.
"Why aren't you drinking, Sister Wangfei? The tea soup is best enjoyed hot." Murong Yun, who had been watching closely, did not miss Ye Qingcheng's actions. She said with a hint of sadness, "You don't find the tea soup I brewed to be delicious, do you?"
"Indeed," Ye Qingcheng nodded.
Murong Yun was surprised by Ye Qingcheng's directness. She had thought Ye Qingcheng had become more patient at the entrance earlier, but she hadn't expected her to be so blunt.
A silence fell over the room, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Although Wang Shanchong was a scoundrel, he was aware of the mood. With the new love and the old flame present, Wang Shanchong secretly observed Xiao Wangye's expression. For some reason, the Prince seemed to smile.
"It seems Sister Wangfei has excellent tea artistry. Yun'er's is merely a minor skill," Murong Yun said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Hahaha, I think Miss Murong's tea soup is excellent. Perhaps the Wangfei is unaccustomed to drinking tea soup," Wang Shanchong said with a forced laugh.
Upon hearing this, Murong Yun thought, "Since Sister Wangfei is unaccustomed to Yun'er's tea soup, please demonstrate your skills, Wangfei. Yun'er wishes to learn."
When Ye Qingcheng had just received the tea cup, she knew something had been added to it.
"It can hardly be called tea artistry." Ye Qingcheng reached into the tea cake and selected white tea. She broke off a few pieces, and simultaneously added some dried tangerine peel and Buddha's hand that a young attendant had brought, boiling them in the pot.
After a while, she took the white tea she held, rolled it a few times, and then took it out.
"Done." Ye Qingcheng took a new tea cup and poured herself a drink.
"This..." What kind of tea artistry is this? She just boiled it casually a few times.
"I didn't say what kind of tea artistry. White tea is clear, sweet, and reduces fire. Combined with Buddha's hand and dried tangerine peel, it clears heat and detoxifies," Ye Qingcheng poured another cup. "Everyone has their preferences, and it's simply about drinking tea according to one's own taste and liking."
This is truly like offering a rare pearl to a cow. Murong Yun secretly laughed. With this display, all the guests today would know that the Wangfei was a boorish person who knew nothing about tea.
As expected, many of the tea artists competing outside frowned upon hearing this. However, given Ye Qingcheng's status, they dared not say anything.
A judge sitting at the end of the corridor chuckled upon hearing this. "The Wangfei is approaching tea from a medicinal perspective. This is also a form of tea artistry."
"Sir?" his disciples and other tea artists exclaimed in surprise.
"Tea was originally used for medicinal purposes. Later, brewing methods developed, and it was pursued by the world as a form of elegance." He looked at Ye Qingcheng. "Wangfei, you have not forgotten the original intent."
Ye Qingcheng could only smile. She hadn't thought that much about it earlier. She simply didn't want Murong Yun to be smug.
Moreover, in her heart, tea was a medicinal herb, and whether it was brewed or steeped, its primary purpose was to serve the person drinking it.
The old master's words immediately made those present look at Ye Qingcheng with greater respect. Murong Yun's lips tightened.
"Then, Miss Murong can enjoy the tea soup you brewed yourself," Ye Qingcheng placed the tea cup in front of Murong Yun. "After all, you worked hard to brew tea for us earlier."
"No need, I have my own tea cup." Murong Yun quickly held her own cup.
Ye Qingcheng's cup contained a laxative. Once consumed, it would guarantee stomach pain, a trip to the latrine, and continuous flatulence.
In this gathering place of distinguished scholars and wealthy dignitaries, she was waiting for Ye Qingcheng to make a fool of herself.
"This really shouldn't..." Murong Yun hurriedly reached out and knocked the tea cup away.
The yellowish-brown liquid splashed onto the table, and Ye Qingcheng's sleeve was inevitably splattered.
"I'm so sorry, Sister Wangfei. Yun'er didn't mean to."
"It's fine. Prince and Miss Murong, please enjoy your tea. I'll be going back to the manor to change." Why waste time here with Xiao Wangye? She wanted to return to Yishan Village quickly.
"I heard the Imperial Uncle's brothel business has been quite good lately?" Ye Qingcheng paused as she stood up. What did Prince mean by this?
"The Prince knows I opened a brothel?" Wang Shanchong was somewhat uneasy, as this was not exactly a reputable business.