Phi-Fic Chapter 696 Tea Making
Chapter 696 Tea Making
The Daye Dynasty was somewhat different from the Ming Dynasty. The practice of frying and brewing tea had not yet become popular, and only some servants and slaves would drink loose tea.
True literati sons and wealthy young men were particular about tea, also known as tea drinking.
Brewing a cup of tea takes only a short time, but ordering tea takes at least fifteen minutes.
The act of preparing tea is also known as tea competition, which adds a sense of showing off.
If it were just showing off to high-ranking officials and nobles, it would be one thing, but now it's someone serving in the east wing. Meng Qingchao was burning with anger.
"What kind of look is that? Are you not convinced? Or do you want to back out in front of everyone?" Meng Qingfan said, glancing at him with disdain.
The Meng family has many relatives, more than ten of whom can enter the hall, so it is impossible for Meng Qingchao to renege on his debt.
"Qingchao, just order them some tea once," a relative kindly advised.
They eat the Meng family's food and hope that the Meng family can grow bigger and stronger. Since Meng Qingge has completed the task beyond expectations, they should spoil her and support her. What if she stops making money for the Meng family?
“That’s right, we’re all family, so don’t be embarrassed. We won’t tell anyone,” another relative comforted, though it was actually a denunciation.
Not only that, even the old lady gave him a look.
Left with no other choice, Meng Qingchao brought out a set of utensils needed for making tea, including a black Jianzhan teacup and a tea whisk for stirring the tea powder.
Before brewing tea, the tea cake must be roasted over a fire, then crushed, and finally ground with a stone mill. Only the resulting tea powder can be used to brew tea.
This process is tedious and complicated, and it's not the essence of tea making, so Meng Qingchao simply took a packet of ground tea powder and skipped this step.
Meng Qingfan stared at Lin Ping's expression, and only after seeing him nod did she refrain from interfering.
The so-called "tea whisking" involves putting tea powder into a black Jian ware teacup, adding a little water, whisking it into a paste, and then adding water again.
Water needs to be added seven times in total. Finally, water is poured in with a long-spouted teapot, and tea flowers appear. This tea is to be swallowed along with the tea powder. It is more like eating tea than drinking tea.
The essence of tea making lies in the final step of pouring water, and the most tedious step is stirring.
At this moment, Meng Qingchao looked quite comical, with his dark eyeliner, green face, sweaty forehead, and twitching muscles, almost making people burst out laughing.
After he whisked it three times, he prepared to add water.
"Meng Qingchao, stirring it three times is like adding water? Do you think we're fools, or that the old lady can't see through it?" Lin Ping said coldly.
It is common knowledge that the patriarch of the Meng family loves tea. The reason why the old lady of the Meng family was chosen as a concubine was because of her exquisite tea-making skills.
To cut corners in front of her is an insult to her, or rather, an insinuation that she is old and blind.
Not only was Meng Qingchao surprised, but Meng Qingge, who had remained silent the whole time, was also taken aback.
"He actually knows the art of tea making..." Even though he only glanced at it, he could still see Lin Ping's confidence.
In her eyes, Lin Ping was just a poor country boy who at most bought loose tea to brew; he had no leisure or interest in tea.
He was able to point out Meng Qingchao's mistakes and reprimand him in the name of the old lady, leaving Meng Qingchao angry but unable to speak out.
Left with no other choice, Meng Qingchao gritted his teeth and stirred the tea powder four more times before impatiently adding water, stopping when the white tea flowers floated on the surface.
White tea is preferred, and black teacups are ideal; this is the essence of tea ceremony. Judging from the evenly distributed tea flowers on the surface of the tea soup, Meng Qingchao's skills are quite good.
Of course, he only reached the level of "not bad" and was still some distance from "biting the cup" (a high level of skill).
"Bring it over here," Meng Qingfan said leisurely, crossing his legs.
Even though he hated it to the core, Meng Qingchao had no choice but to do as he was told.
"Hmm, the taste is not bad. It looks like I'll be coming here often from now on." Meng Qingfan nodded in satisfaction, but his tone was extremely sarcastic.
According to the bet, Meng Qingchao wasn't just going to serve them tea once, but rather he would serve them tea every time they met.
"Hehe, it's my turn this time." Lin Ping sat down next to Meng Qingfan without any hesitation and drank three cups in one go.
Meng Qingchao divided this cup of tea into four cups, just enough for Meng Qingge's family to drink, and had no intention of giving any to Lin Ping.
It's one thing to shamelessly drink tea, but is this kind of "bull chewing on a peony" manner really for real?
"The tea is too strong and doesn't quench my thirst. I want more," Lin Ping said shamelessly.
Meng Qingge was almost amused by his shameless behavior, but she managed to hold back her laughter.
"Lin Wuqing, who do you think you are? You dare to drink the tea I ordered?" Meng Qingchao was finally about to lose his temper.
"He is a distinguished guest in the east wing, of course he is entitled to tea. Meng Qingchao, are you going to break the bet?" Before Lin Ping could speak, Meng Qingge said angrily.
After all, she had rendered a great service to the Meng family and received the support of many relatives. Meng Qingchao dared not argue with her at this critical juncture and forced himself to continue serving tea.
Not long after, his arm became numb, clearly a side effect of stirring the tea powder.
"Meng Qingge, you just wait, one day you'll pay the price," Meng Qingchao muttered through gritted teeth.
"Oh? Are you going to make us pay a price?" Lin Ping saw through his thoughts and translated them directly.
"Before that, think about how to resolve this matter today." Lin Ping smiled faintly, waved his hand behind him, and a dozen or so servants from the east wing rushed in.
“They are all from the east wing, and they are a bit thirsty. You can stay here and make some tea. I’ll go back and rest for a while.”
Lin Ping said this while yawning.
As the ferocious servants approached, Meng Qingchao trembled with fear.
If they were given enough to drink, it would probably break his arm.
What can be done about this?
Even if the boast you made is salty, you have to stick to it.
"Qingchao, try your best to satisfy the people in the east wing."
Meng Qingchao was, after all, her grandson, and she didn't want to stand by and watch his dignity be trampled on...
So he chose to escape.
A short while later, all the relatives left, leaving only a dozen or so thirsty servants and Meng Qingchao, who was serving tea.
It is said that a dozen or so servants reluctantly left after dusk, as they really hadn't had enough to drink.
Meng Qingchao was exhausted, his arms were swollen and his whole body felt like it was falling apart.
"Damn it, I'll make you pay!" Meng Qingchao roared in fury.
When he casually pulled out the ten thousand taels of silver notes, he smiled with satisfaction, ultimately succumbing to the "it smells so good" phenomenon.
After leaving the old house, Meng Qingge followed behind Lin Ping, wanting to speak several times but holding back each time.
“That ten thousand taels of silver is Qingfeng Tower’s recognition of you. What does it have to do with Meng Qingchao? Why give it to him so cheaply?” Lin Ping took the initiative to speak, clearly knowing everything about Qingfeng Tower.
Meng Qingge didn't answer. Instead, she lowered her head, blushed, and said shyly, "Thank you!"
This thank you was hard-won, and just as Lin Ping was feeling satisfied, he heard the other person add another sentence.
"Don't worry, Young Master Lin, I won't reveal your relationship with Young Master Qingfeng."