472 What Do We Have? (1/2)

Lady Ge Beining brightened her smile. She briefly glanced at the maidservant that accompanied the Crown Princess.

”I prepared a cup for your maidservant to test the tea out, Princess. Before the Empress eats or drinks anything, she has her most loyal servant try out the food. I'd assume the same applied for the Crown Princess.”

Li Xueyue slowly nodded her head. It seemed Lady Ge Beining was prepared. She glanced down at the silver spoon, as shiny as ever indicating the absence of any poison. Silver turned black from poison.

Suddenly, Lady Ge Beining sniffed the air, her eyes widening with delight. ”Oh, I closed the lid, but the scent is so strong and sweet, it still came out!”

Lady Ge Beining calmly stood up and poured the tea from the large teapot into a smaller tea pitcher that was light and could be held with one hand.

”Look at how lovely this color is, Princess!” Lady Ge Beining said with delight. ”Usually, raspberry leaf tea is a light yellow, but the orange peels turned it into a lovely amber color.”

Lady Ge Beining poured the tea into the three teacups, filling them up in the exact amount.

Truthfully, Li Xueyue was slightly impressed. It was difficult to pour it all to the same amount. The tea smelled amazing as if she was stepping into an orchard.

Lady Ge Beining placed one cup in front of the Princess, then herself, and then the maidservant.

”I will understand if we can't become friends, Princess…” Lady Ge Beining lifted the teacup.

”But at the very least, I hope we can end on a better foot, Princess,” Lady Ge Beining softly said. ”For one day, the Crown Prince of Nanhui might be swayed by the decision of his wife… which in this case, would be me.”

Li Xueyue refrained from making another snarky comment. Pillowtalk would work too well for Lady Ge Beining.

”I do not mind being acquaintances, nothing more, Lady Ge Beining,” Li Xueyue finally said. She wrapped her fingers around the teacup, seemingly warming up her hands. Then, she lifted it briefly.

Xiao Hua picked up the teacup, lowered her gaze as she turned her head to the side, and drank it as politely as possible, like that of a poison tester.

Li Xueyue's stomach clenched at the sight. She did not want Xiao Hua to be a food tester. It was not her responsibility, but another handmaiden's. Alas, nothing happened to Xiao Hua.

”The tea is fine, Princess… You might enjoy it, for it has a hint of sweetness,” Xiao Hua whispered.

Li Xueyue peered down at the amber color tea. The smell wafted into her nose, shrouding her in warmth. She was curious about the tea, thus, lifted the teacup and drank half of it before her eyes widened in surprise.

”Delicious, isn't it, Princess?” Lady Ge Beining commented in a cheerful voice, her smile widening, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Li Xueyue slowly nodded her head. The tea filled her with a strange heat that spread throughout her body. It nearly made her tear up a bit for the Duchess's tea always brought a calming sense of warmth.

”Here, try it with sugar now, the taste will be completely different, Princess!” Lady Ge Beining eagerly said. She placed her teacup down and opened a small, short bowl covered with a wooden lid, with a small opening for the handle of the spoon.

Li Xueyue noticed how excited and passionate Lady Ge Beining was when it came to the conversation of tea.

Li Xueyue was always intrigued by the drink and all of its wonders. Duchess Wang would often go on excitedly about how amazing tea was—it can be made into a dessert, cold drink, added to the liquor, and even become medicine! The versatility of it was immense.

And it seemed Lady Ge Beining shared the same passion.

”Just a small amount and you can taste the difference, Princess,” Lady Ge Beining explained. She opened the lid for the Princess and offered the bowl of sugar to her.

Li Xueyue lifted the teeny tiny spoon that was the size of her finger. She poured in a little bit of sugar into her teacup, then settled the utensil down. Then, she glanced around, confused as to how she was going to stir her tea.

”Oh, I almost forgot to give you another spoon. I'm so sorry, Princess!” Lady Ge Beining exasperated in a worried voice. She hurriedly handed a small white porcelain spoon to the Princess.