Chapter 203
Entertaining Li Yuanyi
Jiangnan’s spring is very short . In early April, the weather seemed to have suddenly turned into summer . Ni Yun Fang also started selling the thin and light dresses they used to wear during the summer .
Without Cai Yue Pavilion, the business in Ni Yun Fang had become more prosperous . In respected people’s homes, the clothes that the women wore were all from New Ni Yun Fang, so in a short amount of time, they had already obtained nearly fifty thousand taels of silver for Mu Yunyao .
Under the help of Ding Yuelan, Su Qing received the ladies and madams of the various families . Her understanding and bearing had changed a lot . Compared to before, she is quite different . Although there are still some shortcomings, it had already made Mu Yunyao extremely satisfied .
In the middle of April, the Emperor ordered a thorough examination of the salt tax . He appointed Li Yuanyi, the governor of Liangjiang, as his official minister, to inspect Jiangnan, verify the salt tax, and reorganize the salt policy .
Li Munian, as the Salt Transportation Envoy of Jingling City, was the first to respond to the Emperor’s imperial edict . After cleaning up the account books, he sealed them for inspection by the official minister .
Cao Yunnian was an honest and upright official, and the atmosphere in Jingling City was cleaner and more frank than that in other places . Therefore, the salt tax account books were still transparent, and it didn’t take much effort to rectify them up .
Mu Yunyao made preparations in advance and asked Nan’er to find a child from Ci You Bureau and sang a ballad about Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo .
“Jiangnan is good, Jiangnan is good, and the immortals will always remember when they come . The colorful clouds around Ni Yun Fang, the immortals’ beauty of Bu Xian Luo; Si Cha is graceful as a fairy, a cup of fragrant tea forgets all worries …”
The ballads were extremely smooth going, and with the addition of the well-known Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo also mentioned, it didn’t take long for the news to spread throughout the entire Jingling City . The effect was so good . Many merchants who pa.s.sed by Jingling City all came to Ni Yun Fang to buy clothes, and Bu Xian Luo to drink tea after hearing the ballad . If you don’t come there, it will feel like coming to Jiangnan is pointless .
The first destination of Li Yuanyi’s route in Jiangnan was to come to Jingling City . This year, the fame of the Jingling City was incomparable to anyone else’s . Coupled with Li Munian’s presence, he naturally wanted to give the family some face . Li Munian was the son of Prime Minister Li, also the Salt Transportation Envoy of Jingling City, so the salt policy is apparent and transparent . Isn’t it just political achievements?
Li Munian brought the officials to greet him, and even Governor Zhang was alarmed . The next day, he took the initiative to come to visit, and they were having a pleasant conversation . Governor Zhang also mentioned Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo . Therefore, Li Yuanyi said that he would come to taste the tea .
Ming Yin sat with Mu Yunyao in the pavilion, her expression very perturbed .
Mu Yunyao noticed that the hand she used to hold the teacup was slightly trembling and couldn’t help but ask, “Ming Yin, are you afraid?”
“This servant isn’t afraid . ” Ming Yin forced herself to stabilize the teacup bit by bit as the smile on her face became more and more natural . “Young Miss, I’ve waited for this day for far too long, and I feel excited in my heart . How can I be afraid? I won’t be afraid . No matter what happens, I won’t be afraid . ”
“Alright, tomorrow will be the day Li Yuanyi comes to Bu Xian Luo to drink tea . At that time, I will have someone arrange the appointment under your name . ”
“Thank you, Young Miss . ”
On the evening of the second day, Li Munian accompanied Li Yuanyi and came to Bu Xian Luo .
Steward Qin hurriedly came out to welcome them personally and led them into the Hibiscus Courtyard .
Li Munian looked at the surrounding scenery, and a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes from time to time . “The scenery here is beautiful beyond words . May I know if Miss Mu is here?”
Li Yuanyi turned around . “Miss Mu, you’re talking about is the one who was rewarded twice by the Emperor?”
“That’s right . My wife has met Miss Mu and praised her for her brilliance and elegance . It is a particularly rare sight . ”
Steward Qin wore a smile on his face, but his mind full of fierceness . His purpose in mentioning Miss Mu at this time was definitely not simple . “Hibiscus Courtyard is here . Please come inside, Lords . ”
Ming Yin, who was wearing a white dress, slowly walked out and bowed to the two of them . Her gentle voice was like the soft cry of a nightingale, and her voice slightly raised, causing people to feel unsatisfied: “Si Cha Ming Yin greets the two lords . ”
Li Yuanyi was initially interested in Mu Yunyao, but when he saw Ming Yin, his heart immediately stuck to her . “Miss, there’s no need to be so courteous . Ming Yin is truly a good name . ”
Ming Yin raised her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly . She looked like a b.u.t.terfly flapping its wings . The setting sun shone with a golden light as she said, “Please come inside, my Lord . ”
The awe in Li Yuanyi’s eyes deepened . “Okay . ”
Li Munian carefully examined Ming Yin, a look of scrutiny flashing through his eyes .
“Milords, what tea would you like to drink? Ming Yin needs to choose the water source and tea set based on the tea . ” After the two of them sat down, Ming Yin asked gently .
Li Yuanyi’s gaze deepened, “This is my first time here . I don’t know what’s so special about it, so why don’t you judge for yourself?”
“Since that’s the case, then I, Ming Yin, will make a fool of myself . ” A set of tea utensils depicting blue and white flowers carried up . After Ming Yin bowed to him, she sat down behind the table and took in a deep breath without a trace . The cold under her eyes slowly flowed through . The hatred in her heart was turbulent, just like the tide almost broken her . But even so, her face remained as calm as ever, as if she was entirely at peace . She like a hunter, who lurks in the darkness and waiting for the opportunity to cut through the enemy’s throat in one fell swoop .
Li Yuanyi looked at Ming Yin’s every move and could not help but swallow his saliva . She did not do anything superfluous, but it was inexplicably attractive . He had not seen such a woman in a long time that could move his heart .
Li Munian frown . When he first met Ming Yin, he felt that she seemed to have the intention of seducing Li Yuanyi . However, after observing her movements, he realized that she did not do anything out of line . She was instead concentrating on brewing tea from the beginning to the end . Was he overly concerned?
“Milords, please have some tea . ” Ming Yin closed the teacup and respectfully handed it over to the two of them .
Li Yuanyi looked at her fingers . Her slender fingers looked like they chopped from a root of an onion, and her nails were trimmed and rounded, covered with a petal-like pink color, which was particularly attractive . His heart was slightly itchy, but Li Yuanyi’s smiling face was remarkably serious as he sipped a mouthful of tea and said, “Miss Ming Yin’s brewing tea is really extraordinary . ”
“It’s good that Milord likes it . Ming Yin has made a fool of herself . ”
“Miss Ming Yin is a local of Jingling City?”
“No, I’m from Linjiang City . ”
“Oh?”
Li Yuanyi asked about Ming Yin’s background and then turned his attention away . He told Li Munian about the verification of the salt tax . His words repeatedly revealed that he had a prominent ident.i.ty as if he was trying to show off .
When Ming Ying questioned, she replied softly . She lowered her head and sat down at the side without being asked, appearing extremely quiet .
The doubt in Li Munian’s heart gradually subsided . He finished his tea and admired the scenery in the garden . Then, they left after buying some tea .
Ming Yin kneeled on the ground as a cold sweat broke out on her forehead and back . When Steward Qin saw this scene, he immediately got someone to help her up . “Ming Yin, how was it?”
“Your servant is fine . ” Ming Yin took a few deep breaths and suppressed her surging emotions . Her body also gained a bit of strength .
“Mn, that’s good . Come with me . Master and Miss Mu want to see you . ”
“Yes . ”