Chapter 57: Too Many Gifts, Too Little Patience
It started innocently enough.
A finely dressed noblewoman from Qinghe Town—Madam Liang, known for her dramatic flair and competitive streak—had visited Su's Garden Teas once and declared it "refreshing."
The next day, she returned with two silk fans.
The day after, a bolt of snow-colored brocade.
And today?
A cart.
An actual ox-drawn cart pulled up outside Su Yanyue's modest home in the village, loaded with lacquer boxes tied in golden ribbons.
Madam Liang descended from her carriage in a whirl of perfume, silk sleeves fluttering like banners in battle.
"My dear Miss Su!" she greeted with exaggerated affection. "Please accept these humble tokens of my admiration."
Su Yanyue blinked. "Madam Liang, this is... rather too much."
"Nonsense! Friendship is like tea—it must be poured generously!"
The triplets watched from behind a bamboo screen, their eyes narrowing in perfect unison.
"She's calling herself our mother's friend?" Su Rui whispered.
"She called her 'dear,'" Su Lin added darkly.
"No one calls her 'dear' but us," Su Zhi concluded, folding his tiny arms.
Inside, Madam Liang waved at the table. "I brought you a tea set from Jiangnan, embroidered cushions, and—oh! This is a jade hairpin made by artisan Lu himself!"
Yu Shiming, sitting quietly by the side, sipped his tea and raised an eyebrow. Not a word.
But his gaze sharpened.
Su Yanyue smiled politely. "Madam Liang, your generosity is truly... bountiful."
At that exact moment, the triplets emerged in synchronized steps, wearing their "official steward" badges—actually wooden name tags they'd carved themselves.
"Madam Liang," Su Rui said with a bow, "we are honored by your visit."
Su Lin continued, "But we must now inform you of the official Su Family Gifting Quota."
"W-what quota?" Madam Liang blinked.
Su Zhi handed her a hand-drawn scroll.
On it, in bold ink, read:
"Excessive Gift Law: Clause 3. Gifts above three items may cause indigestion, suspicion, or temporary blindness. Refrain."
Madam Liang's eyes widened. "What nonsense is this?"
Su Rui stepped forward gravely. "Madam, we are concerned for your health. Jade can cause wrist strain. Embroidered cushions lead to napping. You must think of your safety."
"I just—"
"And," Su Lin added, "our mother is not for sale, bribery, or trade."
"She only drinks tea," Su Zhi concluded firmly. "Not flattery."
Yu Shiming choked on his tea.
Madam Liang stood in stunned silence. Then, she burst into laughter. "Oh, what delightful little guards!"
Yanyue, slightly pink from embarrassment and amusement, rose. "Madam Liang, I'm grateful for your kindness, but the children are right. Your presence is gift enough."
"I shall remember this forever," Madam Liang said dramatically. "Miss Su, you are indeed one of a kind!"
She swept away with her cart, now slightly lighter—but not by much.
After she left, Su Yanyue turned to the boys.
"Where did you even get the idea for a gifting quota?"
Su Rui shrugged. "Saw it in a storybook."
Su Zhi nodded. "The emperor used it to stop greedy officials."
"And flirty ones," Su Lin added.
Yu Shiming finally spoke, voice calm but pleased. "Remind me to read that book."
Yanyue chuckled. "You three are impossible."
"But loyal!" they chorused.
That evening, Su Yanyue sat beneath the lantern glow with her tea, thinking how chaotic, strange, and yet warm her life had become.
Perhaps some gifts were best left unopened.
Especially if they came with ribbon, perfume—and intentions.