♂?，，

  A smile is the best way for strangers to meet and ease awkwardness. // Baidu search for the latest chapter // Under Ding Rou's and Qian Zhao's smiles, the two felt a bit closer. Ding Rou intended to cooperate with the Qian family but wouldn't say it outright, so she smiled and asked: "Does Miss Qian have something on her mind?"

  "Call me Qian Zhao, I'm also called Ding Rou, is that okay?" Qian Zhao said proactively: "I feel close to you at first sight, how about having a cup of tea together?"

  "Good." Ting Ruo also didn't say much, and went with Qian Zhao to the tea house. Ting Ruo was carrying the books she had bought, but didn't seem to be struggling at all as she walked. Qian Zhao hadn't carried anything, yet couldn't keep up with Ting Ruo's pace, and after a few steps, she was panting. Ting Ruo slowed down her pace, and Qian Zhao's cheeks flushed red. Had she guessed wrong? Wasn't Ting Ruo the young lady of a wealthy family?

  Qian Zhao wanted to be friends with Ding Rou, and didn't care about her status, whether she was a lady or not. Ding Rou's confident smile moved Qian Zhao, who took her to a high-end teahouse in the capital. Ding Rou wasn't afraid to go to the teahouse because she felt embarrassed about her financial situation. Doing business is also about choosing the right occasion, and being content with a humble tea shed just shows a lack of self-respect. On the contrary, Ding Rou thought that this move showed a lack of confidence, and that living a difficult life now didn't mean it would always be so. Guarding what seems like self-respect but is actually an inferiority complex will only lead to disappointment, even if good fortune does come, it's only for those who are prepared.

  "Where does Ting Rou live?"

  "In the suburbs of Beijing, I am with my mother."

  On the road, Qian Zhao inquired about Ding Rou's background, and Ding replied very naturally. He mentioned that his family was like a famous family in the capital city, without any intention of hiding or feeling inferior, which moved Qian Zhao to sympathy. The more Qian Zhao thought about it, the more he felt that taking the initiative to befriend Ding Rou was the right thing to do.

  "Please come in, ladies."

  Inside the two-story high carved beam and painted building of the tea house, Tea Doctor came out to greet her. Seeing that it was Second Miss Qian from the Qian family, he smiled even more warmly: "Miss Qian, you've come for a cup of tea? Please go upstairs, I have reserved a elegant room for you."

  After nodding solemnly, Qian Zhao turned to Ding Rou with a smile and explained: "This is the tea house opened by Father's good friend. I sometimes come here to sit for a while. The Tea Doctor's tea art is very good. Ding Rou, try it in a moment, my favorite is Bi Luo Chun."

  "Second Miss likes tea leaves just like Emperor Taizu, they are used by noble people, and only you can taste the refreshing aroma of Bi Luo Chun."

  Ding Ruo's eyes widened slightly as she smiled and asked: "Wasn't Bi Luo Chun also named by the Taizu Emperor?"

  "At first, our ancestors relied on this to start their business. Bi Luo Chun was the famous tea at that time." Dr. Tea said, seeing that Ding Rou had an interest in it, Qian Zhao was very enthusiastic and courteous towards Ding Rou, leading them upstairs while talking about the legend of Bi Luo Chun, "Thinking back to our ancestors..."

  The more Ting Ruo listened, the more she found it laughable. It was said that Taizu Emperor's tea business was a blessing to those who loved tea, but in reality, he was just a private tea seller. Salt, iron, and tea had always been controlled by the emperor, and private sales were punishable by beheading. Taizu Emperor had not been caught at first, and instead took advantage of the situation to start a rebellion, eventually winning the world. It could be said that the protagonist's halo was shining brightly.

  Inside the elegantly decorated tea room, Ding Rou and Qian Zhao sat facing each other on soft cushions. It had to be said that drinking tea required a certain atmosphere, and kneeling was indeed necessary. On the red wooden tea table, a small clay stove was placed, which the Tea Master lit up after entering from outside with a tray of tea utensils carried by a young maiden in a light green long dress, her slender figure and charming demeanor seemed to match the scene perfectly. However, Ding Rou furrowed his brow, wouldn't these women be taken advantage of? They all looked quite delicate.

  The young girl put away the tea set and asked softly: "What kind of water do you two ladies use to brew tea? What kind of tea leaves?"

  In this high-end place, every type of tea and every brewing water is very particular, even the tea utensils used are particular. Ding Rou, who is also a tea lover in modern times, is not unfamiliar with this. Qian Zhao doesn't know the situation, and before Ding Rou can speak, he says: "I like Bi Luo Chun, using spring water from the mountains."

  "Yes." The young girl bowed and went down to prepare. Qian Zhao said, "Let me try the dishes I like first, if they're not used to it, we can change them later, it's all the same."

  Ding Ruo knew that Qian Zhao was afraid of embarrassing her, so she always hid and avoided him, which made Qian Zhao underestimate her. This would be detrimental to their future partnership. Ding Ruo skillfully operated the small clay stove, placing the water for brewing tea on it, then took it down after precisely estimating the time, washing the teacup with smooth movements that showed no signs of awkwardness or stiffness, just like she was doing something as ordinary as eating or sleeping. Qian Zhao was taken aback, "Ding Ruo, you shouldn't be a peasant girl."

  "Am I like a peasant girl?" Ding Rou smiled and asked back. In modern times, there are also talented peasant girls, but in the Great Qin Dynasty, unless one is born with exceptional talent, the environment for growth and education is different. Peasant girls indeed cannot compare to well-educated young ladies from good families. It's not possible to expect a peasant girl who spends her days cooking and washing clothes and can't read, to understand poetry, music, etiquette, chess, calligraphy, painting, tea ceremonies, or hosting banquets. Of course, it's also not expected that a young lady would know how to cook and wash clothes.

  "Actually, rural families have their own fun, brothers and sisters are united, there's not so much conflict." Ding Rou had seen it in the village, older brother giving chicken legs to younger sister, younger sister mending clothes for older brother, embroidering a purse, compared to the big mansion's open strife and hidden struggles, country life is more comfortable.

  The young girl came in again, presented the Bi Luo Chun, and Qian Zhao let her leave. After Ding Rou poured tea, she took a sip, and the fragrance lingered on her teeth and tongue. She praised: "Good tea." It should be top-grade Bi Luo Chun. "I remember when picking Mao Jian, often using young girls' hands, or even placing Mao Jian on the tender breasts of virgins to dry off excess moisture."

  Qian Zhao said with a different tone: "Is it really so?"

  Ding Ruo nodded, "Most of the tea leaves picked in the tea garden are by young girls, and the top-grade Maojian roasted for the emperor's tribute is even more complicated." The emperor and nobles were good at enjoying themselves, and a hint of helplessness flashed in Ding Ruo's eyes, unable to change the subordinate status of women.

  "Ding Rou, I have something to ask you." Qian Zhao picked up her teacup, took a sip, and made a decision. "I have an older sister... not exactly a good friend, but as close as a real sister. She has taken a liking to someone, but that scholar doesn't like her..."

  "Is there only one scholar in this world? It's hard to find a three-legged frog, but two-legged normal people are everywhere. I don't believe that scholar is the only one in the world. Is it because his female friends really admire him or because they're upset that he rejected them? I shouldn't have said anything about meddling with other people's marriages, but since we were just talking about it, let me say a couple more things. A woman's marriage is a lifelong matter, and looking for someone with good character is the right way to go. Having talent is not as important as being genuine..."

  "Look, look, it's Wang Cheng and Qian Jia's young lady."

  Ding Rou and Qian Zhao stood up at the same time, looking down at the tea house entrance, where Wang Cheng was arguing with a woman. Qian Zhao was furious, tapping her fingers, saying "Big sister is really too much!" Ding Rou, however, noticed a carriage parked not far away, bearing the Ding family crest. Which Miss of the Ding family could it be? Ding Rou furrowed her brow, wondering what she was doing here, and whether it had anything to do with Wang Cheng.

  Complete works txt download, full text free, e-book, remember 77 reading books