Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Chapter 1503: Chapter 865: What Is A Stale Green Tea? A Subtle Insult Without Profanity (4 Updates)

Yang Yiyi originally thought Shen Zhixian’s words were finished and felt slightly relieved.

She looks friendly, but when she suddenly takes a stand, her aura is quite intimidating.

"If Miss Yang wants to apologize, I’ll help convey the message. I’ve paid for today’s tea. Do you need me to have someone send you back?" Shen Zhixian sipped her tea.

"No, thank you." Yang Yiyi wouldn’t dare let her send anyone.

She felt that this Mrs. Jiang might find a deserted place to settle things with her.

Shen Zhixian didn’t insist, simply finished her last sip of tea, glanced at Tang Wan, "No wonder their business isn’t doing well."

"What’s wrong?" Tang Wan played along, suddenly steering the conversation to the tea house’s business issue.

"This tea is last year’s old stock, with mixed flavors and musty smell. It brews into a dull color, and the taste is flat. If you’re running a shop and use old green tea, you’re ruining your own reputation, right?"

Tang Wan didn’t really understand tea, but this tea didn’t seem as bad as she described.

Shen Zhixian turned to Yang Yiyi with a smile, "Miss Yang, what do you think of this old green tea?"

"I... I don’t understand these things," Yang Yiyi forced a laugh.

"There are many green teas on the market, but such an unpleasant one is a first for me."

This old...

Green tea!

It was clearly a sarcastic jab at Yang Yiyi, calling her an old, unappealing green tea!

Just then, the sound of the brass gong echoed, signaling the start of the performance at the Peach Garden.

"But it’s understandable, with green tea, non-experts might not discern it, while experts can tell just by the appearance." Shen Zhixian chuckled.

Tang Wan was quite impressed by her sister-in-law.

Just having tea, and she managed to tie it to the green tea metaphor.

Yang Yiyi’s level, in front of her sister-in-law, was truly insufficient.

She originally wanted to handle it herself, not wanting to trouble Shen Zhixian, but unexpectedly...

Her sister-in-law, usually not inclined to confrontation, had acted decisively without hesitation.

As Shen Zhixian leisurely tasted her tea, even if Yang Yiyi felt bitter inside, she could only smile and respond.

"Outside, it’s hot. Miss Yang, stay seated a while longer. Wanwan and I are heading back to Peach Garden, the performance has started." Shen Zhixian rose, smiling.

Yang Yiyi stood up, watching them leave, almost driven mad with anger.

**

While paying the bill, Shen Zhixian smiled at Tang Wan, "Want some more broad beans? I’ll bring you some to nibble on while watching the show at Peach Garden."

"I’m not a child, you don’t have to pamper me like this." This sister-in-law seemed to be treating her like a kid.

"I just saw you ate a lot today."

"It’s mainly because the show is captivating." Watching the drama, anything you eat tastes wonderful.

As they left the tea house, Shen Zhixian laughed, "Do you think I was too harsh earlier?"

"No, sister-in-law has always been gentle." Tang Wan linked her arm. They rarely got to spend such time together; Shen Zhixian was devoted to her two children, who need companionship for both studies and life at their age.

Shen Zhixian also had her work to focus on, generally proofreading scripts for productions, rarely having free time to chat over tea with Tang Wan.

"I’m not very gentle, it’s just that this Miss Yang was really out of line," Shen Zhixian said directly, "Had this matter blown up at the Peach Garden entrance, today’s news headline might have been a serious case of two women fighting over one man."

"If handled poorly, with Yang Yiyi starting to cry, in comparison, the Si Family would surely seem superior. Jiang Chengsi would be labeled a scumbag, and even Miss Si’s reputation would be damaged."

"I’m not being harsh with my words, I’m just worried she harbors evil intentions. Better to nip this in the bud than to let it escalate."

Tang Wan nodded, "I just worry your warning today might not have much effect on her."

"I’ve made my blunt statement. If she insists on acting recklessly, the outcome is not relevant to others."

...

By the time they arrived at Peach Garden, the show had already started.

Si Qingxiao was there too, sitting beside the old lady, listening to the opera. She wasn’t an expert in Beijing Opera, relying on the old lady for explanations, but the ambiance was enjoyable.

Throughout, she didn’t mention Jiang Chengsi, just absorbed herself in the performance.

At the end, Ruan Mengxi wanted to invite her to dinner, but Si Qingxiao declined gracefully.

After this incident, the old lady was increasingly fond of Si Qingxiao. Although matters were left unclear, Si Qingxiao didn’t show coldness towards others or deliberately offend her, behaving quite appropriately.

Meanwhile, thinking of her grandson who went off drinking to drown his sorrows made her secretly frustrated.

Ruan Mengxi subtly mentioned Yang Yiyi’s situation, but Si Qingxiao didn’t seem eager to discuss, so the conversation couldn’t be forced.

As it ended, she specially requested a performance of one scene. Si Qingxiao wasn’t familiar with opera, just said she used to accompany her grandmother to listen to "Red Detachment of Women", wanting to relive it.

The Peach Garden didn’t have the costumes for this play, but an actor went on stage without makeup, performing several segments, receiving applause from the audience.

**

On her way home, Si Qingxiao heard that Yang Yiyi had visited the Peach Garden.

"I heard she tried to break in. The Jing Family’s territory, anyone dares to trespass? Truly fearless." The Si Family member sneered, "She ended up offending Boss Yun, got reprimanded."

"And then?" Si Qingxiao asked.

"Then Mrs. Jiang and Teacher Tang came out, sat for a while at the tea house. Yang Yiyi walked out with a dark face, seems like she hit a wall. It appears the Jiang Family is quite displeased with her."

Said the Si Family member, observing Si Qingxiao, lost in thought, gazing out the window, "Miss..."

"Hmm?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Wondering if she’s thinking about the Fourth Master, since it’s heard he was beaten last night, no knowing the extent of his injuries.

"I was thinking about the boss’s final act today..."

"Do you understand it?" It wasn’t that the Si Family member was intentionally teasing their Miss, Si Qingxiao wasn’t a fan of opera; Beijing Opera’s pronunciation and singing style were unique, making it mere spectacle for outsiders.

"Not really, I just thought his cyan feather headdress was quite beautiful, wonder if it’s for sale." Si Qingxiao frowned, "His costume was elaborate, pure handmade, likely Su embroidery."

"..."

Yun Hezhi was backstage, removing makeup, unaware someone watching the show would ponder his attire.

**

Meanwhile at the Huo Family

Jiang Jinsang had just arrived when Jiang Chengsi rushed over, "How is it? Heard that woman went to Peach Garden today? Did she see Xiaoxiao?"

"They didn’t bump into each other; she got reprimanded by Boss Yun and sister-in-law, didn’t dare to stir trouble."

"And what about Xiaoxiao? Did she meet with grandmother, did things get clarified?" Jiang Chengsi was naturally restless, now confined to the Huo Family, unable to go anywhere.

The horses in the backyard were for Huo Qinqi and Shen Shuci’s romantic afternoons, with a few wooden piles out front, too idle for him.

"Things weren’t clarified; she seems unwilling to mention it, forcing the topic might make her leave immediately."

"Did she mention me?"

"No."

Jiang Chengsi felt he might be spiraling into isolation, thinking his wife might truly forsake him.

"But..."

But?

Upon hearing this word, Jiang Chengsi instantly became energized, "Jiang Xiaowu, can’t you finish your sentence in one go."

"She requested a specific performance at the end."

"A performance? ’The Drunken Concubine’, ’White Snake’, ’Sitting Palace’..." Jiang Chengsi had accompanied the old lady enough to know some plays about loving couples, assuming Si Qingxiao was subtly expressing goodwill towards him.

"’Red Detachment of Women’."

"..."

His wife’s taste truly is... unique!

"Xiaowu, what do you think she meant by choosing this play? Tell me, is she stating she’s strong, independent, doesn’t need me, or... wants to ambush me?"

Jiang Jinsang laughed, ambush him?

His fourth brother has quite a vivid imagination.

"In ’Red Detachment of Women’, there’s a segment called [Inside Support & Coordination]."

"You mean she did it deliberately, she knows what we’re up to, wants to collaborate..." Jiang Chengsi persistently winked at Jiang Jinsang, "Is that what you mean?"

"I believe everything she does is for a reason, but there’s also the possibility she really wants to ambush you."

Jiang Chengsi grimaced, "I believe she’s signaling us, my wife is quite clever."

"Regarding intelligence, all I know is that your levels really aren’t on the same page."

Jiang Chengsi scoffed, "When can I finally leave here?"

"Today Yang Yiyi clearly came to stir trouble. This plan fails, then hears Miss Si met grandmother, they’ll surely fear you two reuniting soon. Wait for it, more actions will occur shortly."

"You ask me to wait, do you know how miserable life is at the Huo Family?" Jiang Chengsi sighed, "And then Qi Zeyan, that rascal, really did hit me; look at my face, it’s still a bit swollen."

"It shows you deserved a beating at the time."

Clearly saying he had it coming.