"A table for three?" the waiter at Tea Fortune Tower asked as they entered, their attire indicating they were no strangers to wealth or status.
They were all handsome, appearing to be sheltered noble youths, save for one with a rougher, somewhat intimidating appearance.
"Find a good spot for my young masters," the leading young man said in a low voice.
The waiter, noticing the well-dressed attendant, dared not delay and quickly offered them a table by the window on the second floor.
The man gave the waiter a gold ingot. "Apart from the cost of the tea, the rest is for securing the second floor. This is for you. No one else is to enter the second floor." The waiter, overjoyed at the sum, nodded eagerly. "Rest assured, sir, I understand."
The man nodded and headed upstairs.
The waiter hurried to the kitchen and presented the gold ingot to the manager, who immediately said, "Go and serve them with utmost care. These are important guests not to be offended."
The waiter nodded and served them with dedication.
Tea, pastries, and various snacks were all provided.
After finishing, the waiter intended to ask if anything else was needed but was stopped by the man who had given him the money. "That will be all."
The waiter quickly replied, "I understand. I'll leave now."
At the foot of the stairs, the man instructed two people dressed as commoners, "Allow no one to ascend the stairs."
The two men cupped their fists. "Lord Shi, rest assured, your subordinates understand."
Shi Lang nodded and returned to his post behind the table.
Hua Yunjin poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards someone. "I've tested it. It's safe to drink," he whispered.
"No need to be so nervous."
Hua Yunjin offered a wry smile. "Your Majesty, you may not be nervous, but I am." If anything were to happen, he wouldn't fare well with Xue Jingyun.
Xue Zining smiled. "So, it was a hardship for you two to bring me out."
Han Xixia chuckled. "Don't listen to his nonsense. In our Han City, some women can still work before giving birth, so there's no need for such carefulness."
Xue Zining said faintly, "Fortunately, I don't fancy men from Han City."
Han Xixia almost slapped himself. What had he just said? He quickly clarified, "Don't misunderstand. If you were my queen, I would cherish you and dote on you."
Xue Zining couldn't help but laugh. "I will not love any man other than Xue Jingyun."
Han Xixia sighed. "Don't discourage me. I know."
"You're of age now. It's time you got married," Xue Zining said.
Han Xixia took a large gulp of tea. "I haven't met a woman who has stirred my heart yet."
The only one, he couldn't marry her.
Xue Zining drank some tea and asked, "Shi Lang, hasn't it begun yet?"
"The storyteller is about to arrive," Shi Lang whispered, bowing his head.
Xue Zining nodded. Suddenly, a woman's voice came from below.
"Do you know who my mistress is?" the young maidservant asked, hands on her hips, in a haughty tone.
The waiter, rubbing his bruised cheek, said aggrievedly, "Miss, I know you are wealthy and influential, but the second floor has indeed been booked. No one is allowed up."
The young maidservant shoved the waiter aside. "I'd like to see who dares to guard here and prevent people from entering. Is there no law?"
"Aunt Xin, so you are here too."
Suo Xin looked up at the newcomer and smiled. "So it's the eldest miss. It seems the eldest miss and I share a similar hobby."
Li Yaoqin narrowed her eyes. "I dare not agree with Aunt Xin."
Suo Xin was not offended. "Eldest miss, don't say that. Since we met here, it must be a fated encounter. It's a shame the second floor is off-limits."
Li Yaoqin frowned and looked up at the second floor. Suddenly, she saw someone and felt a sense of confusion. Why was Shi Lang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, here?
Anyone who could have the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice standing by their side must be someone of considerable wealth and status.
Suddenly, she remembered that her father had mentioned that the King of Hua and the King of Han had come to the capital. It was likely them. If so, it would be understandable for the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice to accompany them.
"It's fine to just sit downstairs if we're not allowed up," Li Yaoqin said, finding a spot on the first floor and sitting down.
Suo Xin scoffed at Li Yaoqin's condescension in sitting with commoners. She called her maidservant over and whispered a few words. The maidservant nodded and, with an air of arrogance, walked up to the second floor. "My mistress is a family member of Minister Li from the Ministry of Personnel. If you wish to hear the story, please make way."
As the maidservant reached the corner of the second floor, before taking another step, two guards stopped her. "Withdraw," they said coldly.
The maidservant puffed out her chest. "My mistress is a family member of Minister Li from the Ministry of Personnel. Be sensible and move aside."
"No one is permitted to enter."
The maidservant grew anxious and reached out to touch the two men. Their eyes turned cold, and one of them struck her shoulder. The maidservant tumbled down the stairs.
The maidservant, in pain, called out to Suo Xin, "Aunt, it hurts so much."
"You... how dare you injure someone in broad daylight? I'm going to report this to the minister." Suo Xin was furious.
"Suo Xin, your father's status isn't useful outside. One should have known there are always greater powers than one's own," Li Yaoqin said mockingly, looking at Suo Xin.
Seeing Li Yaoqin's mockery, Suo Xin's competitive spirit ignited. She instructed Rong'er behind her, "Rong'er, go back and report to the minister that I've been wronged."
Rong'er didn't dare to delay and quickly returned to the manor.
"Suo Xin, I advise you not to do that," Li Yaoqin said.
Suo Xin sneered, "Perhaps eldest miss hasn't been wronged, and I, unlike eldest miss, cannot bear such indignities."
Li Yaoqin shook her head.
The first floor was a mixed crowd. Suo Xin, adorned in fine clothing, looked quite attractive. Later arrivals, seeing this, grew a bit forward. Suo Xin frowned and snapped, "Keep your distance from me."
"Such a pretty young lady, why don't you accompany me..."
Suo Xin slapped him. "Do you know who I am?"
The man who was hit grew angry. "I don't care who you are!"
Suo Xin declared, "My master is Minister Li from the Ministry of Personnel."
The man immediately backed down and slunk away.
Suo Xin was quite pleased, not realizing how effective the title of Minister Li from the Ministry of Personnel was. However, seeing Li Yaoqin's dismissive expression, she walked up to her. "What? Do you look down on me?"
"Suo Xin, I don't know how you've become like this. You weren't like this before."
"What about me? Li Yaoqin, don't think you can casually speak to me just because you are the eldest miss of the manor. I am now the master's honored concubine, and the master has said that if I bear him a son, he will elevate me to the position of a secondary wife." Suo Xin said proudly.
"Is that so? Then congratulations," Li Yaoqin replied.