The couple spoke and listened, their voices soft, the atmosphere warm.
Su Xiaoqi rested her chin on her hands, gazing quietly at Shen Yun.
As she watched, she mentally grumbled, "As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and gold adorns the Buddha."
Since he’d started wearing the fine clothes she’d prepared for him, this fellow had only grown more handsome.
As they chatted, a faint cough suddenly broke the silence.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at Shen Yun, thinking it was him, but saw a flicker of displeasure cross his face as he looked towards the courtyard gate.
It turned out to be Guo'er, announcing that a guest had arrived.
Su Xiaoqi motioned for Shen Yun to stay, and as she stood, she lightly kissed his cheek, a fleeting touch like a dragonfly skimming water.
Shen Yun’s eyes softened almost imperceptibly, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards.
Su Xiaoqi walked over to Guo'er, asking gently, "Did they say who it is?"
Guo'er shook her head. She explained that someone was knocking on the door ring, and Li Shushao had gone to see who it was. The visitor refused to give their name, only saying that the master would know when they saw them.
Su Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow. Such mystery piqued her curiosity. She turned to look at Shen Yun, who seemed to understand.
"Who is it?" Su Xiaoqi decided to stop asking Guo'er, figuring she'd get a more direct answer from Shen Yun, who seemed to have all the answers.
"It's likely the young master from the Princess Royal's estate," Shen Yun said calmly.
Su Xiaoqi pondered for a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense. I promised Baoge'er I'd visit him earlier, but things got busy, and I neglected it. How rude of me."
As she spoke, she walked towards the courtyard gate, instructing Guo'er to prepare several cups of milk tea according to her earlier recipe.
"They are still children, so use flower tea for them."
With that, Shen Yun joined her, and they went together to greet their visitor.
At the second gate, a carriage drove in.
As soon as it stopped, a robust little boy, his black eyes darting around, scrambled out. He spotted Su Xiaoqi and joyfully cried out, "Sister Xiaoqi, I'm here, I'm here!"
Su Xiaoqi was delighted to see him and quickly caught the small body of Baoge'er as he rushed towards her.
Following him, Princess Huian stepped down from a low stool.
She was much more composed, walking with small, delicate steps. When she looked at Su Xiaoqi, she offered a shy smile, her round face brightening, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
After greeting them both, Su Xiaoqi led them into the warm chamber, bringing in four charcoal braziers to keep them from feeling cold.
She also had them bring out the milk tea she had just prepared.
Baoge'er was direct. He took a cup, sniffed it, and the sweet, fragrant aroma made him down it in one gulp. He then extended the cup towards Guo'er:
"Wow, this tea is so delicious! Sister Xiaoqi, I want more, I want more."
Su Xiaoqi laughed. "Yes, yes, it's freshly made, and there's plenty. Drink as much as you like."
She had specifically asked Guo'er to use flower tea and pure milk, free from the additives found in some modern milk teas. Therefore, she wasn't worried about Baoge'er drinking it.
Princess Huian also found the tea delicious. She suppressed the excitement in her eyes and softly asked, "Mmm, what kind of tea is this? It's so good."
"Milk tea," Su Xiaoqi replied.
With milk tea shops now flourishing everywhere in modern times, she knew it was bound to be popular.
This was just her basic version, without any added ingredients.
But young girls generally favored sweets, and since it was novel, they were sure to like it.
"Mmm, delicious, delicious," Baoge'er finished his second cup, his big eyes fixed on Su Xiaoqi.
Beside him, his wet nurse, Granny Xu, seemed inclined to intervene.
Su Xiaoqi explained, "Don't worry, Granny Xu. Baoge'er is drinking milk and flower tea, so it's fine."
She worried that Baoge'er was too young to drink too much tea, so she had made the milk tea with flower tea.
For the adults, she had used black tea.
Su Xiaoqi also had a cup prepared for Granny Xu.
As Baoge'er's wet nurse and a favored attendant of the Princess Royal, befriending her would be beneficial.
Granny Xu drank it and also praised it, saying she had never tasted such delicious tea.
Su Xiaoqi chuckled. In truth, milk tea, in the truest sense, couldn't really be classified as tea.
It was a beverage.
But it was most suitable for those who couldn't get used to the taste of tea.
Su Xiaoqi was already contemplating developing more varieties of milk tea, just like in modern times.
When she opened Chen Jin Ji, she would also incorporate the milk tea business.
The three of them drank milk tea and chatted.
Princess Huian was originally a quiet child. Upon arrival, apart from drinking milk tea, she barely spoke, seeming a bit shy.
Even when she did speak, it was with caution, as if afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Su Xiaoqi observed her, finding it hard to believe.
She was a princess, the daughter of the most favored Princess Royal in the palace.
How had she become so timid and unrefined?
Su Xiaoqi only thought this to herself; she wouldn't directly question someone's personality.
Instead, she did her best to entertain the two honored young guests, ensuring they ate, drank, and had fun.
If they were comfortable, the Princess Royal would surely be pleased, which would make her own life easier.
Seeing Princess Huian finish one cup and clearly wanting another, she simply held her empty teacup without speaking, her tender lips pursed, a flicker of longing in her eyes.
Su Xiaoqi noticed this and quickly gestured, "If the Princess likes it, have another cup." As she spoke, she refilled it for her.
Princess Huian furtively glanced at a middle-aged nanny standing behind her.
It was then that Su Xiaoqi noticed her.
The nanny was very prim and serious, never cracking a smile.
Her impression of her was that she had very little presence.
Aside from a greeting upon entering, she hadn't said a word.
Earlier, when Su Xiaoqi had greeted Granny Xu, she had also offered a greeting to her, but the nanny hadn't accepted a cup.
Su Xiaoqi had assumed she didn't like it and hadn't thought much of it, nor had she invited her again.
Only now did she realize the problem.
Princess Huian, despite her noble status as a princess, actually had to look to a servant for permission.
Su Xiaoqi felt both shocked and worried, yet also began to understand.
She could imagine that the Princess Royal, being busy with affairs, couldn't personally raise Princess Huian. However, fearing she might lack proper etiquette and shame the name of the Princess Royal's estate, she had hired such a strict governess.
Unfortunately, while Princess Huian's manners were now impeccable, they were also too impeccable compared to children her age, making her almost timid, lacking the grace and poise of a young lady from a prominent family.
Su Xiaoqi wondered if the Princess Royal was aware of this.
No matter how much she mused, she was an outsider, and her thoughts held no weight.
She could only do her best to care for her, hoping Princess Huian could have a slightly better, freer time here.
She beckoned Guo'er and gave her a meaningful glance. Guo'er looked confused and wanted to ask, but dared not with guests present, so she could only shake her head, indicating she didn't understand.
Su Xiaoqi sighed. While Guo'er was usually clever, she lacked adaptability.
It was Zhang Yu, standing nearby, who noticed and subtly nodded at her.
Then, she invited Granny Xu and Princess Huian's governess, Granny Yan, to join her for tea and snacks in the adjacent side room.
Granny Xu knew that the ladies needed to speak privately. She remembered Su Xiaoqi had saved their mistress and that the Princess Royal had instructed her to let Baoge'er and Sister Hui play with Su Xiaoqi before coming.
She was a good person and would surely not harm her children.
Therefore, she had no objections.
However, Granny Yan was more difficult to persuade, stating she needed to attend to the Princess.
Ever since Zhang Yu had made her suggestion, Su Xiaoqi had been observing Princess Huian's expression.
Upon hearing Zhang Yu's proposal to have Granny Yan leave, a clear flicker of joy appeared in her eyes, suggesting she was eager for her to go.
But when she heard Granny Yan refuse to leave, the light in her bright eyes instantly extinguished.
Su Xiaoqi understood. It was evident that she disliked Granny Yan immensely but dared not object.