Chapter 61: A Gloved Invitation and a Shadowed Smile
The late afternoon sun cast golden slants through the paper windows of Plum Courtyard Pavilion. The tea-tasting judges had retired to deliberate, murmuring over scrolls and ceramic teacups, while the crowd relaxed amid murmurs and speculative chatter.
Su Yanyue stood beside her table, calmly refolding her cloth napkin.
She had managed to reclaim the triplets—barely. Su Rui was still wearing the stolen noble's hat, Su Lin had traded a decorative spoon for two chicken buns, and Su Zhi was pretending to be a traveling merchant with a pebble "inventory."
Yu Shiming, ever stoic, stood behind her like a silent wall. If anyone had noticed him quietly "intercept" a particularly nosey servant trying to peek into their belongings, they said nothing.
"Miss Su."
A soft, clear voice broke through the room.
Yanyue turned and was met with a tall, elegant noblewoman dressed in jade green robes embroidered with flying cranes. Her gaze was warm but keen, and a faint smile curved her lips.
"I am Lady Wen Qingyue," she said, offering a hand clad in sheer silk gloves. "The wife of Lord Inspector Wen."
Yanyue bowed politely. "It's an honor, Lady Wen."
"I couldn't help but admire your blend. It's unlike anything I've tasted. Would you join me for tea in my private salon this evening? Just a small gathering—women of influence, you see." Her tone was graceful, her words almost casual. But there was weight behind them.
An invitation like this could open doors—doors Su Yanyue never imagined entering before.
"I would be honored," Yanyue replied.
Before more could be said, a steward stepped onto the platform with a lacquered scroll. "First round results," he declared. "Top three: Miss Su Yanyue, Master Lin Zicheng of the Southern Plains, and Young Lady Ji of Autumn Lake."
A soft wave of applause rippled through the crowd. Yanyue's name rang out clearly, and she bowed modestly.
From across the pavilion, a young woman in red robes narrowed her eyes. Her delicate features were pinched with annoyance, her fingers clenching the edge of her silk fan.
"Su Yanyue," she repeated under her breath.
She had watched quietly from the side, observing the way Yanyue's tea drew attention, how the noblewoman smiled at her, and—most irritatingly—how calm the woman remained even with three chaotic boys tumbling around her like feral kittens.
Ji Mingxuan, daughter of the Ji family tea syndicate, did not like competition. Especially not beautiful, composed competition with mysteriously charming tea and a guard who looked more like a nobleman than a servant.
"Well," she murmured to her maid, "let's see how long she stays lucky."
Back at Su Yanyue's booth, the triplets were dancing in a circle.
"Top three! Top three!"
"We're famous now!"
"Do we get free buns?"
Yanyue gave them each a stern look. "Behave tonight. I have an important gathering."
"Will there be snacks?" Su Lin asked seriously.
"Can we wear disguises and sneak in?" Su Zhi added.
"Should we bring a gift to bribe the host?" Su Rui wondered.
Yu Shiming sighed faintly, then placed a hand on Su Rui's head. "No."
Yanyue laughed softly. Her eyes drifted back to the grand pavilion doors, where nobles strolled and whispered.
One foot in their world now.
But she would walk it her way.