Chapter 35: Envy Among Blossoms
The very next day, word of Su Yanyue's order from the capital had spread through Peach Blossom Village like wildfire.
"Did you hear? A noblewoman sent a carriage—an actual capital carriage—to Yanyue's house!"
"They say she's selling tea that cures headaches and helps you sleep! That's medicine, not just tea!"
"My cousin from Qinghe Town says it's already being called 'Phoenix Blend' like it's some royal brand!"
By midmorning, Yanyue had to smile politely through three separate visits—one from the village head's wife ("Do you need more land for tea bushes, dear?"), one from a local seamstress ("I could sew your packaging bags for a good price!"), and another from Aunt Zhao ("I'll help you dry herbs again if I get a share!").
She appreciated the attention—well, most of it. What she didn't appreciate was the sudden, very loud voice of Madam Liu echoing from across the path.
"Hmph! I bet that tea isn't even that special," Madam Liu huffed, arms crossed over her chest as she stood outside her gate. "Just clever packaging and some sweet-talking. These days, a pretty face can sell anything."
Yanyue, hanging bunches of jasmine on her line to dry, chose not to respond.
But Su Lin, Su Rui, and Su Zhi—who were crouched behind her crates, counting bundles of herbs—most definitely noticed.
"She's jealous," Su Lin muttered.
"Do we teach her a lesson?" Su Rui asked, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Or do we use business tricks?" Su Zhi whispered, already sketching a plan with a stick in the dirt.
Yanyue caught the glint in their eyes and cleared her throat warningly. "No pranks."
The boys groaned in unison.
---
Later that day, at the village well, Yanyue overheard more murmurs.
"She must have come from money in her past life."
"No normal village girl knows how to make tea that good."
"Maybe she used magic—who knows what kind of tricks she picked up."
Yanyue kept her expression serene as she filled her buckets, but inside, she felt the old, familiar sting of being different.
It wasn't her fault she had knowledge beyond this time. It wasn't her fault she worked harder than most, or that she paid attention to quality.
But being exceptional always came at a cost.
---
Back at home, she carefully lined up her materials to begin blending the noblewoman's order—eight different tea types, all with subtle variations. Osmanthus for relaxation, chrysanthemum for clarity, red jujube for warmth, and her own secret ingredient for depth.
Yu Shiming entered with a fresh bundle of camellia flowers and paused when he saw her furrowed brow.
"Bad day?"
She hesitated. "Not bad. Just... loud."
He gave her a look, then poured himself a cup of her newest blend. "They're jealous. You're rising, and they don't understand it."
Yanyue sighed. "I didn't mean to make enemies."
"You didn't. They made themselves."
A quiet moment passed. Then Su Lin's voice piped up from behind the door.
"Auntie! Can we make a scarecrow made of gossip and put it in front of Madam Liu's house?"
Su Rui added, "It can say: 'I hate tea because I'm sour!'"
Yu Shiming nearly choked on his tea.
Yanyue rubbed her temple. "Absolutely not."
But despite her firm tone, her lips curved.
Trouble or not, this was her life now.
And she wasn't going to let a few whispers stop her.