As Qingge stared at Ning Wang, she felt a stirring in her heart. She had never imagined that the once untouchable supreme master, the lord she had sworn utmost loyalty to, could show such a gentle expression. Even if it was feigned, it was still enough to make any woman’s heart flutter.
“Alright,” she quickly steadied herself and replied calmly.
“What kind of tea do you enjoy?” Ning Wang asked.
Upon his casual inquiry, Qingge glanced over and saw an array of tea resins1 laid out on the table. Though she had never tasted tea during her four years as a secret guard for Ning Wang, she had picked up some knowledge about tea culture.
She recognized that Guzhu Purple Bamboo Shoot tea was likely a tribute tea bestowed by the emperor, while Shouzhou Yellow Sprout and Qimen Round Yellow were his private acquisitions. Other varieties, such as Mengding Stone Flower and Kuizhou Fragrant Rain, were lesser-known specialty teas.
She gazed at the tea, then said deliberately, “Our family has always used Xianqian Spring.”
Xianqian Spring tea was produced in Ganliang, the Xiahou clan’s territory.
Ning Wang chuckled lightly. “I’ve heard of Xianqian Spring. They say the Xiahou clan is renowned for its expertise in tea culture, and Xianqian Spring tea from Ganliang is worth its weight in gold.”
Qingge smiled. “That’s a bit of an exaggeration. The production is limited, so we keep it for personal use, which makes it a rarity. Rumors tend to get distorted.” She then glanced at Ning Wang. “If Your Highness is interested, I do have some Xianqian Spring in my dowry. When there’s a free moment, I can brew some for you to taste.”
Ning Wang seemed pleased. “That sounds wonderful. But for now, why don’t you try these? They’re all tribute teas from various regions. See if any suit your taste.”
Qingge turned her attention back to the table. The teas were stored in fine porcelain jars, each labeled with neatly written characters indicating the name. Ning Wang personally selected a tea bowl and used a scoop to portion small amounts of tea, finally placing it before her. “Why don’t you give this a try?”
In truth, Qingge knew nothing about tea tasting. She had never even drunk a single cup of fine tea, let alone compare them? Still, after years of guarding Ning Wang, she at least had picked up some knowledge through observation, and the intensive crash course Mo Jingxi had arranged for her had made her well-versed in the preferences of ‘Xiahou Jianxue.’
Moreover, she could always improvise on the spot.
“Why not try this ‘Cicada Wing’?” She suggested, smiling. “The early spring leaves look as delicate as cicada wings, thin and tender. It would pair perfectly with… that set of tea wares over there.”
She gestured toward a multi-tiered shelf that displayed various tea sets, each designed to complement specific types of tea.
Ning Wang looked at her with appreciation. “You have a good eye. Cicada Wing tea is indeed a top-grade loose-leaf tea. As for that tea set, its porcelain is as white as snow and as thin as paper—an imperial tribute from the Dehua region. Paired with the Cicada Wing tea, it would be a flawless match.”
He immediately ordered the tea set to be brought over and instructed the tea master to prepare the Cicada Wing tea.
As the tea was being brewed, Ning Wang, seemingly in a good mood, began discussing tea culture with Qingge, including topics like the kind of water and various brewing techniques.
Qingge knew of his usual preferences. When it came to fuel, he naturally favored charcoal.
Feigning composure, she spoke of ‘her time in her natal family,’ mentioning the Xiahou clan’s tradition of using only pure snow harvested from plum blossoms, buried in a cellar for three years, to brew their tea. Only the finest charcoal was allowed—common hardwoods like mulberry or locust were never considered. “If one uses such hardwoods, or worse, oily firewood, it will inevitably taint the tea’s fragrance.” As she chatted, her slender fingers casually broke apart a piece of pastry, her smile calm and poised.
Ning Wang remarked, “We’re not as particular here, but the water used here is drawn from a secluded mountain spring, which gives it a unique taste.”
Qingge’s interest was piqued. “Oh? That sounds worth trying.”
…
After tasting the tea, Ning Wang led Qingge to watch the “Blowing Ash Play.”
Qingge, curious, asked, “What is that?”
Ning Wang explained, “It involves placing reed ash into pitch pipes to measure the solar terms.2 Once a new solar term arrives, the ash will blow out of the corresponding pipe. The common folk have replicated this method for a show.”
At that moment, the spring ox sent by the court appeared, led by officials to perform the ceremonial Whipping of Spring.3 Amid the beating of drums and the blowing of horns, the spring ox, adorned with red and colorful ribbons, paraded down the street, drawing a crowd of onlookers.
“You must have little knowledge of agricultural customs and haven’t seen this ceremony before,” Ning Wang remarked. “This ox is called the spring ox, and the person holding the colorful whip is symbolically whipping it for tillage.”
Qingge nodded, then casually pointed to a person in the crowd. “What’s the meaning of the tattoos on that person’s body?”
Ning Wang looked at her with slight surprise.
Noticing his expression, Qingge immediately realized her mistake.
Although this dynasty had no prejudice against tattoos—some scholars and poets even adorned their bodies with designs of fish, dragons, and other elegant motifs—this practice was strictly prohibited in the century-old aristocratic clans like the Xiahou.
Not only were clan members strictly prohibited from having tattoos, but even household servants were forbidden to display them. If a servant did have one, it would never be revealed to the women of the inner yard.
Her offhand remark about the tattoo—knowing what it was and showing no surprise—didn’t match what one would expect from a Xiahou daughter.
In the end, no matter how flawlessly she played her role, a fake was still a fake—lacking the upbringing of a real boudoir young lady, some details were bound to slip through the cracks.
Sensing Ning Wang’s lingering gaze, she quickly added, “Isn’t that a tattoo? I’ve heard the momo mention tattoos are becoming popular these days—not only among vagrants and outcasts but also among scholars and even some high-ranking officials. I thought that’s what this was.”
With her explanation, Ning Wang no longer looked surprised, “That person is a member of Jinti Society4, an itinerant group of performers and acrobats. They are going to perform for the pleasure boats.”
“Jinti Society?” Qingge repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Ning Wang nodded. “They know a bit of martial arts, though nothing extraordinary. Their tricks are mostly for show, to entertain the common folk.”
After a moment, he asked, “Would you like to take a look?”
Qingge hesitated. “Could I?”
Ning Wang raised his hand and directly took hers, saying, “Let’s go to the pleasure boat.”5
Qingge’s gaze briefly fell on their joined hands. His hand was clean and well-kept, with balanced knuckles, and his right thumb bore his signature jade thumb ring. “Alright,” she nodded lightly.
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Translator’s Note:
Extra chapter tomorrow!
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.
- Tea resin or tea paste (茶膏) is a small solid block of concentrated tea essence which dissolves in hot water.
- A solar term (节气) is any of twenty-four periods in traditional Chinese lunisolar calendars that match a particular astronomical event or signify some natural phenomenon. The points are spaced 15° apart along the ecliptic and are used by lunisolar calendars to stay synchronized with the seasons, which is crucial for agrarian societies.
- At the beginning of spring, officials gather in town halls and shatter a clay ox by whipping it, a symbolic gesture to urge tillage. This practice is called Whipping of Spring.
- Jinti Society (锦体社) is a society of people who regard tattoos as art. The word Jinti itself comprises two words: embroidery and body.
- Pleasure boat (画舫) is a richly decorated boat used for entertainment instead of transportation.