Chapter 135: Cold War (1/2)
Liu Ya smiled, “That’s only because Young Mistress didn’t put your heart into doing this craft. Young Mistress may be even better than me if you tried!”
“Just listen to those sweet words of yours. Enough chatting, go and brew a cup of high quality Da Hong Pao for Lady Fang now, will you?” Sang Wan jokingly scolded Liu Ya before smiling at Concubine Fang, “I don’t know what tea Lady Fang usually drinks, but this Da Hong Pao is newly acquired this year. I have not drunk it much myself, and I don’t know if it will be to your liking!”
“This concubine isn’t particular about such things, anything is fine! That tea must’ve been expensive!” Concubine Fang had no choice but to smile and answer.
“Lady Fang, you’re too polite! This tea, is it not made to be drank by people? Let’s not talk about whether it’s expensive or not!” Sang Wan smiled.
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Liu Ya served the tea to Concubine Fang. Sang Wan smiled, “Lady Fang, quickly, have a taste. How does it taste?”
Seeing the eagerness on Sang Wan’s face, Concubine Fang took two sips and smiled. She knew nothing about tea, and even if the tea was good, she wouldn’t be able to tell. However, she had to give Sang Wan face and acted as if she was tasting it carefully. She squinted her eyes before squeezing a compliment, “It is indeed a very good tea! It smells even better than the ones I normally drink!”
“That’s good if Lady Fang thinks so too!” Sang Wan smiled and said, “This tea’s aroma is really strong, and it has a rich taste! I think it’s quite good too! If Lady Fang likes it, take some back with you later! I don’t have much, so I hope Lady Fang wouldn’t mind!”
Concubine Fang was surprised by her good treatment and she hurriedly smiled, “Aiya, that’s very kind of you! This concubine will give my thanks to Young Mistress!”
“Haha, Lady Fang, you don’t have to be too polite!” Sang Wan smiled and continued talking about the art of tea and its culture. Even though there were times when Concubine Fang wanted to cut in, she could not find the right timing at all and could only hold herself back.
Just as she was thinking about how she could cut in appropriately, Zhide rushed in from outside and whispered softly into Sang Wan’s ear.
Sang Wan’s expression changed slightly. She creased her eyebrows and said, “I understand. Have them wait awhile, I will head over in a moment! I am not free right now, so tell them to calm down first!”
“Understood,” Zhide bowed and smiled, “Then this servant will tell them first. It’s just that, those head servants and nannies are impatient, so this servant may not hold out for long. Please head over there quickly, Young Mistress!”
“Alright, I got it!” Sang Wan smiled.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Fang did not dare to prolong her stay. She could only get up and smile,”Young Mistress, we’ll take our leave first. This concubine does not dare to take up your precious time when you’re busy!”
Sang Wan pretended to want them to remain but smiled soon after and said, “I really have some matters to take care of. Then, I will not ask Lady Fang to stay! Lady Fang, please come over and visit whenever you’re free! Hong Ye, please see Lady Fang and Nanny Ying off!”
“Yes, Mistress!” Hong Ye invited them out with a gesture, “Lady Fang and Nanny Ying, please!”
“Then this concubine shall take my leave now!”
“This old servant shall also take my leave now!”
Concubine Fang and Nanny Ying could only smile as they took their leave. Liu Ya did not forget to put some Da Hong Pao tea leaves into a small can and give it to them. Nanny Ying smiled and received it, “Sorry for the trouble!”
“No wonder everyone in the household says that Young Mistress is kind and treats people well. They really aren’t wrong! If the young mistress were someone else, she wouldn’t have been so courteous!” Nanny Ying smiled and said to Concubine Fang.
Concubine Fang immediately thought of Gu Fangzi and nodded, “You’re right, Young Mistress is really kind-hearted. If it were someone else, she would have already given us the air! She wouldn’t have invited us to sit or gift us tea leaves!” But Concubine Fang sighed again depressingly, “Just that the words I wanted to say weren’t said!”
“That’s nothing!” Nanny Ying smiled and said, “We can always go again tomorrow!”
“Nonsense!” Concubine Fang glared at her, “We’ll have to wait a few days more. How can we still go again tomorrow!”
“Why not? Didn’t Young Mistress say Lady Fang could visit her whenever you’re free? This old servant doesn’t think she was just being polite!” Nanny Ying said without concern.
Concubine Fang rolled her eyes at Nanny Ying but could not be bothered to explain to her, “You wouldn’t understand even if I explained to you!”
She was the concubine of the old master in the Second Shi family, while the young mistress was the eldest daughter-in-law of the First Shi family. Now that she was also in-charge of managing the household, as a concubine who belonged to the Second Shi family, how could she go over to Young Mistress place every two or three days? What would that imply? In addition, she had received a gift from them; if she were to return tomorrow, what would the servants at the side say about her?
Furthermore, if she went too often, Second Old Mistress Mi might get suspicious and question her, how would she answer her? If she found out that a concubine by-passed her authority to arrange fifth missy’s marriage, things would get troublesome! Concubine Fang made a resolve. It seems like these few days, even if she had to be thick-skinned, she would have to find a way to go to Ning Garden again. Before Second Old Mistress Mi found about her actions, she would have to settle it, otherwise——