Chapter 261: A Disgusted Smell
Song Tiantian’s every action was swift, yet she also strived to maintain elegance, as this was a tea ceremony performance for noble young masters, requiring genuine skill.
Song Tiantian had already asked the System to open the Beast Codex. She didn’t know Young Master Jiu’s preferences, but that wasn’t important; the preferences of Young Master Jiu’s Pet Beasts were recorded in great detail in the Beast Codex.
Young Master Jiu’s Pet Beast is the Crimson Feather Phoenix Crow, which likes Phoenix Tree Fruit.
Song Tiantian did not have Phoenix Tree Fruit, but there were Phoenix Tree Leaves here.
She quickly used her Spiritual Power to extract the purest Spiritual Power from the Phoenix Tree Leaves and then mixed it into the tea leaves.
Song Tiantian’s fingertips hooked the rim of the celadon lidded bowl, her wrist lifting slightly. As she poured from the kettle, the water flowed like a silver thread.
The spring buds unfurled into jade-like swimming fish in the boiling water. Song Tiantian gently tapped the side of the bowl with her index finger, the crisp sound startling the rising tea mist. Her half-curled eyelashes drooped, as if listening to the soft sound of pine waves created by the new leaves colliding with the white porcelain.
Young Master Jiu watched this scene, narrowing his eyes. It was interesting.
The demeanor of this tea brewing was completely different from before; one was in the heavens, the other on the earth.
Even that foul smell was not as noticeable at this moment.
Beauty is in the bone, not the skin.
Young Master Jiu suddenly recalled this saying.
This old girl could live this long, she truly had some skill.
The teapot’s pouring arc resembled the moon rising over the eastern mountains. The amber tea liquid flowed into the ice-cracked pattern of the fairness cup, carrying a wisp of scent like agarwood mixed with the aroma of moss after rain. The plain hand holding the cup suddenly paused in mid-air. Just as the cup was about to be lifted, the orchid-like curled index finger suddenly trembled—it turned out that the tea steam had condensed into water droplets, which were now winding down along Song Tiantian’s mutton-fat jade bracelet and dripping onto the dark rosewood tea tray, blurring the ink plum blossom painting.
The tea aroma truly began to spread at this moment. The top note was the scent of cold plum blossoms steeped three times with snow water. The middle notes surprisingly carried the scent of the phoenix tree; one was extreme cold snow, and the other was a phoenix tree capable of rebirth from fire. These two forces, by all logic, should not have been able to collide.
Yet, Song Tiantian had managed to perfectly fuse these two tastes.
When Song Tiantian handed over the tea cup, Young Master Jiu did not show any disdain and chose to pick up the cup.
Young Master Jiu took a light sip. Within the clear tea, a hint of astringency from rock wall green vines seeped out, but as it turned sweet in his throat, it transformed into a mouthful of clear bamboo dew.
After Song Tiantian served another cup to Young Master Jiu’s Pet Beast, she then stirred the remaining leaves into the tea cup. The moment the water ripples shattered the reflection, the lingering tea essence still hung in the air above the tea table, as if someone had cut a corner of mountain stream mist and locked it within this delicate white porcelain that fit perfectly in one’s grasp.
After completing all this, Song Tiantian bowed and then, with downcast eyes, walked to Chun Yue’s side, helped her up, and stood beside her.
Young Master Jiu also noticed Chun Yue because of this.
Gazing at Chun Yue’s helpless eyes, they were like a shattered piece of glazed glass, broken into countless crystalline fragments, fragile yet brilliant.
If only Song Tiantian had Chun Yue’s beauty, and without the foul smell, she would be perfect.
But this was fine too. Moreover, Chun Yue was from the same place as Song Tiantian, so he could find Chun Yue to pry for information about Song Tiantian’s origins.
Song Tiantian’s skills were extraordinary; if his other brothers found out.
He might not be able to keep her.
However, it would be different with Chun Yue’s cover.
Young Master Jiu quickly formed an idea in his mind.
【This old girl has some skill! 】
【The foul smell on her is probably a special Physique, likely a natural tea body. If you smell it closely, it’s not that bad. When it’s fused with the tea aroma, it’s actually a bit pleasant. 】
The Crimson Feather Phoenix Crow lowered its head and drank all the tea leaves and dregs from the cup.
It usually liked drinking tea and was very picky about the taste of tea, but for Song Tiantian’s tea, it couldn’t find any fault.
This girl actually knew to proactively offer it a cup. Usually, people didn’t proactively offer it tea. This showed that Song Tiantian was polite and clearly came from an extraordinary background with some knowledge.
“Master, actually, this old girl isn’t that old. She’s fine when she’s not talking. I don’t like girls who are too noisy and chatter all day. Looking at her for a while, she’s not that ugly. Keep her. At least she’s quite polite and knows to bow to me.”
The Crimson Feather Phoenix Crow usually remained silent.
But it spoke at this moment, pleading for Song Tiantian.
“Since Little Crow likes this old girl, then let her stay! Steward Wang, have the manor physician prescribe some Potion recipes to see if her foul smell can be removed.”
Steward Wang knew Song Tiantian had secured her position when he saw Young Master Jiu drink the tea Song Tiantian brewed.
As Young Master Jiu spoke, he walked up to Song Tiantian, but his gaze was fixed on Chun Yue. He gently lifted Chun Yue’s chin with his fingertip and asked her, “What is your name?”
“This servant’s name is Chun Yue.”
Chun Yue said, trembling slightly. She was very scared at this moment. This was the first time Steward Wang had hit her, and it was in front of so many people. Her ribs were still aching faintly.
“Chun Yue, what a beautiful name, it suits you perfectly. You not only have a face like the moon but also a beautiful heart. You risked your life to plead for a mute girl from your village; you are truly kind. Would you be willing to become this Young Master’s Concubine?”
“Young Master!”
Chun Yue looked up at Young Master Jiu, her eyes teary.
He was dressed in magnificent brocade robes, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his gait as graceful as the wind, like an immortal figure stepping out of an ancient painting.
Chun Yue nodded excitedly.
She had never imagined that she could become the Young Master’s Concubine.
“Good. From now on, you will live in my Courtyard. This mute girl will stay by your side to serve you.”
“Hurry and thank Young Master Jiu!”
Steward Wang reminded Chun Yue from the side.
In reality, each Young Master’s Concubine had a quota. Young Master Jiu actually only had one slot. Without even looking at others, he chose Chun Yue, which showed he thought highly of her.
Especially Young Master Jiu; he was not favored. If he were favored, he wouldn’t be selecting Maids here.
Chun Yue then hurriedly bowed to Young Master Jiu. Song Tiantian had no choice but to bow as well.
This Li Family was too outrageous, even demanding a kowtow.
Did they think it was the Emperor bestowing a consort?
Merely a Concubine.
However, she had finally saved her own life.
Being a Maid to Chun Yue was acceptable. Chun Yue was kind-hearted and had just fought for a sliver of hope for her.
Young Master Jiu immediately embraced Chun Yue and, lying on the chair, continued to evaluate the tea ceremony skills of these women.
Since Chun Yue had been promoted to Concubine, she was naturally exempted from this exam.
Young Master Jiu deeply inhaled Chun Yue’s scent, then looked at Song Tiantian, who had followed over, with disdain.
He waved his hand, signaling Song Tiantian to stand further away, as her smell was bothering him.
