Hua Ru's expression changed to one of sudden realization, "The beautiful prison that Your Ladyship mentioned is a place name? Such an unusual name, I would have remembered if I had heard it before. Moreover, although I've seen people from the other side of the sea, I haven't really interacted with them much. After all, our dynasty's customs aren't considered open-minded, and outsiders are often viewed unfavorably."

  "You've actually seen the real thing, I've only read about it in books, and I'm really envious." Tao Jia scolded for a few sentences, then talked about her purpose for this trip. "The second prince brought back a small box of tea leaves from the palace, we all like them so much when we use them, there's no need to compare with that black tea soup. But the quantity is really too little, and there are many masters in the mansion who like it, so they only get a few tea leaves. So, I took the trouble to investigate the origin of this tea leaf, wanting to buy more from the source, unexpectedly, I found out it was from Qi Fu."

  Tao Jia smiled with an ambiguous meaning as he glanced at the dark tea soup beside his hand.

  Everyone in the house was stunned, and it turned out that this was the purpose of Concubine's visit.

  The old lady was about to speak up, but Hua Ruochu beat her to it.

  "Concubine, this is a task entrusted by the Crown Prince, and our manor is just handling it. The Crown Prince's place is also in a tight spot, and there are only a few tea leaves left in our manor. Moreover, when others have just learned about this kind of tea leaf, the Qi family dare not show off like this. If we use it to entertain guests, it would be even more like showing off. Please forgive me, Concubine."

  "But as far as I know, it was you who came up with this method of making tea."

  Hua Ru was now not only pale, but her body was also slightly trembling, making the timid woman look like a completely different person. "Please report to Concubine Xi, once it's presented to the Crown Prince, it will be his."

  At this time, Tao Jia was already certain that the woman was not a transmigrant. What kind of transmigrant is so rustic? She seemed to be a native-born local, and with this thought, her politeness dissipated, and she only asked about the origin of the tea leaves.

  "What I'm curious about now is how you knew the method of making this tea?"

  "I report to Consort Ye, I am from Yangzhou, and what Yangzhou lacks the least are those strange and unusual things. Many of my dowry items came from other places. The method for making this tea was obtained by my brother from a foreigner, who said he had gotten it unintentionally because they didn't have tea trees in his place and it would be useless to them. Actually, many people in Yangzhou know about this method, but few can make good tea leaves. I am just lucky and happened to succeed."

  "Is it really so?"

  "If you don't believe me, just send someone to the Yangzhou seaside dock and ask if there is a foreigner named Ge Nantou. He comes to Yangzhou at least once a year, and many people at the dock know him."

  It was said so clearly that Tao Jia didn't have any reason to ask further. But, could it be that Ge Rui was a time-traveler?

  Shall we send someone to investigate?

  After seeing Hua Ruochu's humble and obedient appearance, Tao Jia gave up this idea. She couldn't be so high-profile. In this way, Wen Yuyang would only pay more attention to her, and if she were to transfer someone to Yangzhou, she would definitely not be able to deceive him. Even if she really found a time-traveler, it would be more harmful than beneficial for her.

  It's better to pretend it never happened.

  The world is so big, it's fine if you want to show off and be a good person somewhere else. Anyway, it won't threaten her.

  If she came to Hebei Province, she would have to be treated well.

  She didn't believe there would be a traveler who couldn't recognize those few shops.

  After thinking about it, the last bit of worry in her heart also dissipated, and when she looked at Hua Ruochu again, she lost interest.

  Beautiful indeed, but just a pretty face.

  She has met quite a few people from both the Tao Manor and the Imperial Prince's Manor.

  Can't stand the sight of it.

  "I really want to go to Yangzhou, but with my current status, I'm afraid I won't be able to go anywhere. Never mind, the more I talk about it, the worse I feel."

  As he spoke, Tao Jia stood up and didn't even glance at the people below, directly bidding farewell to the elderly lady.

  After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Qi family saw their guest off at the door before returning.

  After sending everyone else away, the old lady led her daughter-in-law back to the main courtyard.

  The old man just went to see Tao Jia and paid his respects before avoiding him.

  Listening to his wife talk about things outside, he looked at Hua Ruyin with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

  "First a crown princess, now a concubine of the emperor's brother-in-law, who knows whether it is good or bad that the daughter-in-law has started this trend."

  The old lady used to think it was good enough to enter the eyes of the Crown Prince's consort, but now that Concubine Tao has intervened, and thinking of the Jiang family who came to propose marriage, she can't help but feel uneasy.

  "It's better if this matter doesn't get out."

  "The crown prince gave an order, and you have no room to refuse." He glanced at his old wife, and the old man looked at Hua Ruochu, who had been silent but was sweating profusely. Today's ordeal must have scared her enough.

  "Daughter-in-law, don't think too much, you did very well today, didn't make any mistakes at all, great."

  The two of them chatted for a while, and it was clear that the old man was in high spirits. Suddenly, he changed the subject and started talking about the tea garden again. "You haven't been out for a long time, have you? How's the tea garden doing?"

  "On that side are my elder sisters and some other women who were also familiar with me when I was in Yangzhou, with them leading the way, there won't be any problem."

  "It's all right then, if you want to go out just go ahead, I'll cover for you from behind."

  Although she knew that Old Master was saying this for the Qi Manor, Hua Ruoyu still felt a bit moved. Someone was backing her up, and it was better than being busy for someone else's sake but having to bear everything alone, which made her feel more at ease in her heart.

  "Yes, thank you, grandfather."

  "You're also tired today, go back and rest, don't come so early tomorrow."

  "Yes, I'll take my leave."

  Listening to the footsteps fading away, the old lady sighed and said, "It's actually a knowledgeable and interesting person. There were some unpleasant rumors circulating in the mansion some time ago, although I stopped them immediately. I reckon she must have heard them anyway, otherwise she wouldn't have stayed out of the mansion for so long. It's not that you didn't ask me, but I would have asked anyway. We can't let those gossiping women delay important matters."

  The old man's face sank, and the words of rebuke came out as soon as he opened his mouth. "You're all full and idle, with nothing to do but bother people. Take care of your daughter-in-law, I think she's quite good, don't let her be bullied."

  "Don't worry, I'll be more careful."

  But as soon as Hua Ruochu returned to the house, the first thing she did was take off that golden hairpin, earlier she really felt her head had become several catties heavier.

  Rubbed his neck and patted it soothingly, saying: "You're tired."

  "Hmph......" The big and small maidservants in the house couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Yun Shu didn't know what to say anymore, and she had never seen Miss act so cute before.

  "Alright, Yun Shu, stop sulking and go prepare for me, I'm going to take a bath."

  "Now? Miss, isn't it too early? We haven't even had dinner yet."

  "I feel uncomfortable all over my body and want to take a bath. Didn't you drive those people away with various excuses? The ones left are our own, it doesn't matter."

  Yun Shu had no choice but to go and make preparations. Hua Ru had just come out of the hall, so she went straight past the screen and headed towards the inner chamber.

  She had been soaking in the bathtub for half an hour, sweating profusely as she did so. Feeling refreshed, Hua Ru finally emerged from the wooden tub under Yun Shu's repeated urging.

  She casually put on her clothes, wiping her hair while walking back into the house, still scolding, "Yun Shu, you're becoming more and more like a wife, at least other wives are married, what about you?"

  "At this age, I should already be a married woman. If not, you'll have to treat me as one in the future."

  "Are you still a widow or have you remarried? Is there any difference?"

  The two masters and servants were chatting freely in the house surrounded by their own people, without much vigilance, until one foot stepped into the house before they felt something was wrong.

  A long and lingering sigh.

  The two exchanged a glance, this is...

  "What's wrong with you still standing there?"

  Calm tone, taking a step forward to see the person sitting at the round table drinking tea, their face still stiff and expressionless, but Hua Rujiu felt that this person was smiling.

  "How did you come back so quietly? Have you gone to see your grandparents?"

  "You've seen it for yourself, Grandma said you had a shock today, let me take good care of you." Qi You looked her up and down several times, "What's shocking about that?"

  He gave her a glance, and Hua Ru initially signaled that she didn't need to follow him, so he walked over and sat down by himself.

  "Does everyone know?"

  "Grandma said that Grandpa said you did a great job."

  "What do you think?"

  Qī Yòu lowered his eyelids and sipped tea, without responding.

  It's been almost two months since they got married, and Hua Ruochu has also come to understand a bit about his gloomy personality, thinking that he must have thought so too.

  "Did everything go smoothly on your trip?"

  "En." Qi You felt a little regretful. Why didn't he ask as usual? If he had asked, she would have definitely answered that she was doing very well.

  "By the way, I wanted to talk to you about tea leaves. Autumn has made new tea according to my instructions, and I've had the tea garden keep it under wraps. I was thinking of waiting for you to report the good news to the Crown Prince, which should earn you some brownie points with him."

  Her eyes were softer, even if she didn't have him in her heart at first, but everything she did was for his consideration.

  What would it be like if she had him in her heart?

  He couldn't wait any longer with this thought in mind.

  Emotions can't be forced.

  Suppressing those thoughts, Qi Youdao said: "After all, it's a good thing that the prince can remember the Qi family a little more. Tomorrow I will go to report to the prince."

  Looking out at the sun outside, Hua Ru furrowed her brow, "Not going now?"

  "Is it better now?"

  Accompanying the prince for many years, Qi You naturally knew how to make the prince more satisfied, but he just wanted to hear Ru Chu say it.

  "That's natural. Having just arrived home from a long journey, he then rushed to send such good news, and on top of that, the errand you went out to do was also accomplished. Wouldn't this make the crown prince even happier?"

  Qī Yòu didn't say a word, suddenly got up and walked to Huà Rúchū's back, just as Huà Rúchū was wondering what this man wanted to do, the half-wet handkerchief in his hand was taken away.

  A strand of hair was twisted and dried, the force used on the top part was just right, Hua Ru Chū couldn't help but relax into a smile.