By the time Wang Shilang arrived, panting and out of breath, he finally reached Luo Longwen’s study. There, he found Luo Longwen alone, sipping tea. The table was adorned with fruits and snacks, and a small charcoal stove was simmering a teapot.
Inside the study, the tiny flames licked the teapot’s base, releasing a swirl of tea and fruit aromas. Luo Longwen poured and drank by himself.
What was going on?
Hadn’t they said Little Duke Yan was here tasting tea? Why was it just Luo Longwen?
“Lord Wang, a rare guest! Please, sit—try this pot of Biluochun,” Luo Longwen said with a smile, rising to greet him.
“Lord Wang, you’re in for a treat today. The water for this Biluochun is melted snow from plum blossoms—not just any plum blossoms, mind you, but those from Qingguo Temple. As they say, tea’s essence comes from the water. With eight parts tea and ten parts water, the tea becomes ten parts great; with ten parts tea and eight parts water, it’s only eight parts good. I’m not bragging, but even Tea Sage Lu Yu would give this pot a thumbs-up.”
Luo Longwen boasted cheerfully as he welcomed him.
“Thank you, Lord Luo. I’ve come uninvited today with urgent business for Little Duke Yan. I heard he was here tasting tea, so I took the liberty of dropping by. Perhaps the news was off—he doesn’t seem to be here,” Wang Shilang said, thanking him before explaining his purpose with a touch of regret.
“No mistake, no mistake. Brother Donglou is indeed at my residence,” Luo Longwen replied with a smile.
“Huh?”
Wang Shilang froze, glancing around in confusion. “Then why don’t I see Little Duke Yan?”
If Yan Shifan was here for tea, where was he? The snow-melt Biluochun was brewing, yet no sign of him.
“Oh, Brother Donglou isn’t tasting tea in my study. He’s in another room. Going by his habits, he’ll finish in about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then come here to try my brew,” Luo Longwen explained.
“There are other tea masters in your household? Why not taste together?” Wang Shilang asked, puzzled.
Something felt off. Why was Yan Shifan tasting tea elsewhere? Couldn’t he join Luo Longwen?
“Ahem, well, I do have other tea experts here, but their tea-tasting methods are… unique. They don’t like outsiders interrupting. Once Brother Donglou finishes with their tea, he’ll join me here,” Luo Longwen said, his expression stiffening slightly.
“Oh, a tea method that peculiar? If I didn’t have urgent business today, I’d be curious to try it myself,” Wang Shilang mused, intrigued, before pressing, “Lord Luo, I’ve got pressing matters for Little Duke Yan. Where’s he tasting tea? Please lead the way—I need to report to him.”
“Little Duke Yan’s in the thick of it right now. Can’t disturb him. It’s just an incense stick’s time—wait here a bit, Lord Wang,” Luo Longwen said, shaking his head firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Lord Luo, it’s about Zhu Ping’an’s reward. Time’s tight—His Majesty’s deadline is looming. I need Little Duke Yan’s approval on this draft. Please, do me this favor,” Wang Shilang urged anxiously.
Though confident in his plan, if it didn’t pass muster, he’d need Yan Shifan’s input to revise it. Until Zhu Ping’an’s reward was settled, Wang Shilang felt like his backside was on fire.
“It’s just an incense stick’s wait. Disturbing Little Duke Yan’s enjoyment? Neither of us could bear the consequences,” Luo Longwen replied, unyielding.
“This… ugh,” Wang Shilang let out a long sigh, helpless.
“Come now, Lord Wang, it’s only a short wait. Here, have a full cup,” Luo Longwen said, pouring him some tea.
With the host uncooperative, Wang Shilang had no choice but to take the cup.
Snow-melt Biluochun? With urgent business weighing on him, he had no mood to savor it. A sip tasted like wax.
Fortunately, Luo Longwen’s timing was spot-on. Just as Wang Shilang was about to lose patience, Yan Shifan’s voice boomed from outside.
“Hahaha! Exhilarating, exhilarating! Brother Luo, your two concubines have leveled up—quite the gut-twisting battle. Thoroughly satisfying!”
Yan Shifan strode in, laughing heartily, hitching up his pants and tying his belt. His face glowed with delight, though his steps wobbled slightly, as if drained of stamina.
Wang Shilang’s face filled with question marks at his words.
What?
Wasn’t Little Duke Yan tasting tea? Why was he praising Luo Longwen’s concubines’ skills?
Were they rare tea masters, hosting him just now? No wonder Luo Longwen wouldn’t let me go—his concubines couldn’t be seen by outsiders. Serving Yan Shifan with their tea skills was a privilege for such a VIP.
But what tea technique was this, described as a “gut-twisting battle” that left him “thoroughly satisfied”?
The more Wang Shilang thought, the more question marks piled up.
“Oh, Lord Wang’s here too?” Yan Shifan noticed him as he entered, surprised. He quickened his belt-tying, tugging his collar to hide the lipstick marks from his earlier “battle.”
“Little Duke Yan, regarding Zhu Ping’an’s reward, I racked my brains for days and nights and finally drafted a proposal. I went to your residence earlier, heard you were here, and came straight over,” Wang Shilang said eagerly, presenting his plan like a prized treasure, claiming full credit without mentioning his wife.
“I’m a bit worn out and too lazy to read. Since you’re here, just tell us,” Yan Shifan said, taking the proposal, tossing it onto the table, and slumping into a chair.
“I’ll keep it brief. Zhu Ping’an’s feats are staggering—by standard rules, a promotion to third-rank official would be fitting, and for a title, a numbered earldom would suffice. Our dynasty decrees titles only for military or state merits, and numbered titles only by special edict. His achievements easily qualify him for an earldom,” Wang Shilang began, outlining Zhu Ping’an’s merits and the usual rewards, before adding smugly, “After days of hard thought, I devised a plan that gives him neither promotion nor title.”
“What? No promotion, no title? How’s that possible?!” Luo Longwen gaped in disbelief.
Yan Shifan’s eyes widened too, incredulous.
