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Chapter 37: The Capital Carriage Returns
It was barely past dawn when the sound of horse hooves echoed from the mountain path leading into Peach Blossom Village.
Su Yanyue stood at her gate, already dressed in a pale blue robe with wide sleeves, her hair neatly coiled and pinned. Her calm expression didn't betray the fluttering in her chest.
She had barely slept, checking and rechecking the tea boxes late into the night. But now, the time had come.
The black lacquered carriage with gold trim rolled to a gentle halt before her house, accompanied by two riders in light armor bearing the insignia of a noble household. One of them dismounted and stepped forward with a courteous nod.
"Miss Su, we've come on behalf of Madam Ruan to retrieve the Phoenix Blend order."
Yanyue bowed in return. "Thank you for coming such a long way. The order is ready."
With practiced ease, she motioned toward the stack of sealed bamboo crates near the courtyard entrance. Each box had been double-wrapped in silk cloth and labeled. A separate letter, addressed personally to Madam Ruan, had been enclosed—explaining the use and preparation of each blend.
The guards inspected the boxes briefly for damage and then began loading them carefully into the carriage.
Su Lin whispered from behind a barrel, "Do you think nobles eat tea instead of drinking it?"
"Maybe they soak their clothes in it to smell fancy," Su Rui offered.
Su Zhi added, "Or use it to bribe palace guards!"
Yanyue glanced back and gave them the look. The boys immediately stood up straighter and tried to appear dignified.
The older guard chuckled, overhearing them. "Are these your apprentices?"
Yanyue's lips twitched. "Something like that."
After the last box was secured, the lead guard handed Yanyue a stamped silver token—payment in full and proof of future dealings.
"Madam Ruan was deeply impressed by your previous sample. She hopes this is the beginning of a longer collaboration," the man said.
"I would be honored," Yanyue replied, bowing again.
The moment the carriage departed down the path, the triplets exploded into cheers.
"We did it!"
"We're officially capital merchants!"
"Can we open a tea shop next to the palace?"
Yanyue laughed, her tension finally breaking. She ruffled Su Zhi's hair. "We'll start with Qinghe Town first, alright?"
Yu Shiming emerged from the house, wiping his hands on a cloth. "You handled that like a proper business mistress."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that praise from the usually quiet hunter?"
He shrugged. "Just stating facts. Also—" He held up a small wrapped parcel. "Celebration breakfast. I brought sticky rice dumplings from Aunt Chen's place."
The family gathered under the shade of the plum tree to eat, the morning light dappling through the leaves.
Yanyue took a bite and leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction. "This… this feels real now."
"It is real," Yu Shiming said quietly.
The boys, meanwhile, had found a long stick and were already pretending it was a royal scepter.
"I declare today a national holiday!" Su Lin announced.
"For the Founding of the Phoenix Tea Empire!" Su Rui added dramatically.
"And Auntie is Empress Tea!" Su Zhi finished, bowing.
Yanyue nearly choked on her dumpling, laughing.
Yes. This was real.