Chapter 27: A Step Into the City
Su Yanyue adjusted the strap of her basket as the town gates of Qinghe came into view. It had been over an hour's walk from the village, but she refused the idea of a cart. Her feet had grown used to the mountain paths, and her spirit—independent as ever—preferred steady pacing over bumpy wheels.
The triplets had wanted to follow her, of course. Su Lin tried to sneak inside the basket. Su Rui claimed he needed to "spy on the competition." Su Zhi simply hugged her leg like a small, silent ghost.
But Yanyue promised to bring them back something sweet, and under Yu Shiming's suspiciously stern supervision, the boys had been left behind.
The gates of Qinghe Town were wide open, welcoming. Inside, the streets bustled with color and movement—vendors shouting, carts creaking, children running barefoot through the alleys. Compared to Peach Blossom Village, Qinghe was a living heartbeat of trade and tales.
Su Yanyue had no illusions about her place in it.
She was still a stranger here.
But not entirely unknown.
As she entered the tea district, several heads turned. Murmurs followed her.
"Is that her? The village tea maker?"
"She's younger than I imagined."
"And prettier."
She kept her head high and her stride graceful. Her long robes were simple yet clean, her sleeves tied up neatly to reveal elegant wrists. Her figure—tall and willowy with a narrow waist—earned more than a few double takes from idle shopkeepers.
She finally arrived at the appointed teahouse—Jinxiang Hall, one of the most established businesses in Qinghe.
Liu Yuan was already waiting, sipping golden tea with the air of someone who had never been late in his life.
"Miss Su," he said with a broad smile, standing to greet her. "You made it."
"I said I'd consider," she replied calmly. "Not agree."
He chuckled. "Of course. This is merely… exploration. Come, sit."
She did, her back straight, gaze steady.
Tea was poured. Conversations began.
He introduced his guild, mentioning partnerships in three cities. He spoke of profits, of branding, of packaging that bore phoenix motifs—"an homage to your tea, naturally."
"I'm flattered," Yanyue said. "But let's talk practicals. What portion of the profits do I receive? How much say do I have in product quality and sourcing?"
Liu Yuan's fan paused mid-wave.
"...Ah, direct. I admire that."
"I don't trade in flattery," she said smoothly. "Just tea."
He blinked once, then leaned forward with a slow grin. "Then let's talk tea."
---
By the time she left Jinxiang Hall, the sun had dipped behind the rooftops. Her sleeves smelled faintly of oolong, and her fingers carried ink from the scrolls they reviewed.
She hadn't agreed to anything—yet. But she'd left with something more valuable than an offer.
Respect.
Outside the hall, she passed a familiar figure leaning against a post.
Yu Shiming, arms crossed, looked as if he'd been there for hours.
"You followed me?" she asked, half amused, half exasperated.
"Escorted," he corrected. "Quietly."
"I can handle myself."
He nodded. "I know. But I also know merchants who smile too wide and wear too much silk."
She studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Come on, let's get some sugar dates for the boys. They'll be waiting by the gate like little wolves."
He chuckled. "They better not be charging tolls again."
"Not unless they're using feathers as currency again," she smirked.
And with that, the two walked side by side into the marketplace—an unspoken partnership, not yet bound by name or fate, but undeniably in step.