Chapter 519 - 520: Business
Bai Suihe clicked her tongue, TSK, TSK, TSK, and shook her head. "It seems your young lady isn’t lucky enough to enjoy this. It looks like it’s cooled down enough. Bring out some more bowls so everyone can have a taste."
Zisu covered her mouth and giggled. "Madam, you know perfectly well that the young lady can’t drink this. It has so much sugar, it’s tea, and it’s iced. If you really fed it to her, not only would Nanny Pang be angry, but I’m afraid the master would also have something to say when he returns."
Bai Suihe pursed her lips into a smile. "I was just teasing her. I wouldn’t actually let her drink it.
"Once they dish it out, don’t forget to send a bowl to Nanny Pang so she can try something new."
The kitchen was still somewhat hot. Although some ice blocks had been brought in, the fire in the stove was still burning. Bai Suihe’s forehead was beaded with sweat. Carrying her own bowl, she headed back to her room.
In the backyard, Gu Xingyang, who had finally managed to calm herself down, saw Zisu walking over with a bowl. Her eyes lit up. She desperately wanted to taste this highly praised milk tea to see what it was like. What was all this talk about the ’first cup of milk tea for spring, autumn, summer, and winter’? Everyone looked so delighted when they drank it. Couldn’t she just satisfy her curiosity for once?
Unfortunately, besides her parents, no one else could hear her inner voice. Apart from a few AHH AHH babbles, no one could understand her thoughts.
She watched as Nanny Pang handed her over to Zisu, took the bowl, and had a sip, savoring it carefully. It had to be said, the taste was quite unique.
"It’s quite good," Nanny Pang praised. "But remember to remind Madam that no matter how good it tastes, she shouldn’t have too much."
Zisu quickly agreed. After Nanny Pang finished drinking, Zisu finally left with the empty bowl. She completely failed to notice the young lady’s resentful gaze as she was handed back from her embrace.
If Zisu could hear her inner thoughts, she would hear her screaming, "Meanie! Meanie! You’re all meanies!"
***
Meanwhile, Bai Suihe was thoroughly satisfied. She had drank her first cup of iced milk tea for the summer. Although it wasn’t perfect, it was already quite good.
Perhaps because she had been doing business and opening a few shops recently, she suddenly seemed to see another business opportunity.
"What do you think if I open a milk tea shop?" Bai Suihe asked Fuling. This maid was usually quiet and of few words, but she was exceptionally capable; all the trivial matters in the inner courtyard relied on her management. "Would business be good?"
Fuling answered respectfully, "Madam, this milk tea is quite delicious. However, since it is a single product and the preparation method is relatively simple, I’m afraid it would quickly be copied.
"The only thing that would be hard to imitate is the ice. But didn’t you say that the method of making ice cannot be disclosed to the public for now?"
Bai Suihe rested her chin in her hand. Sure enough, this girl was just too rational. Her budding excitement was instantly brought back down to reality.
"You have a point. Sigh, I could come up with a few other varieties, but without the ice, it loses its soul. It seems I won’t be able to catch this windfall."
Fuling smiled faintly. "Madam already has wealth rolling in every day. There will be other ways to make a fortune."
"You’re quite something today, even saying sweet things to coax me," Bai Suihe chuckled along. "Forget it. It doesn’t matter if we can’t do it for now; we can just make it for ourselves in the estate.
"I’ll think of a few more recipes for you later. In this weather, we just need something icy to satisfy our cravings."
"Madam," Zisu said as she lifted the curtain and walked in. "Nanny Pang was just reminding us that this is both sweet and cold, so you should eat less of it."
As someone who studied medicine, Bai Suihe naturally knew this as well. However, she just wanted to rely on her youth to properly enjoy herself. Feigning compliance, she said, "Don’t worry, I won’t make it every day. Besides, I might get tired of it after drinking it a few times."
Hearing this, Zisu and the others said no more. Their madam did indeed love tasting good food. Since arriving here, the thing she inquired about most was the local specialties. Even when she found something delicious, she would eat it a few more times at most before tossing it to the back of her mind. Presumably, it would be the same for this milk tea.
Little did they know that in every sweltering summer to come, Bai Suihe would whip up various iced drinks for herself. Sometimes, when Nanny Pang nagged too much, she would even sneak away to her shops and secretly make them behind the nanny’s back.
Gu Xingyang’s pout would grow more pronounced with each passing day. This heartless mother of hers would always flaunt these drinks right in front of her without ever offering a single sip.
"Madam, the master has sent a letter back."
Gu Kaiyuan had left for Shao County a few days prior when the timing seemed right. Gu Kaiping was currently in Shao County, and who knew what day he might gain power and target their properties? Therefore, they had to dispose of those assets before he could make a move.
They could have just transferred the official deeds to someone else like before, but the couple couldn’t swallow this anger. No matter what, they had to dig a few traps for Gu Kaiping and the Third Prince.
They had prepared several problematic properties and set up some illusions around them. Previously, under the guise of a bulk sale, they had slipped that small courtyard in and sold it to a passing traveling merchant. Then, they had someone disguise themselves as Mr. Gu and buy it back from the traveling merchant at an inflated price.
This time, Gu Kaiyuan was taking the newly transacted contract there to arrange for a new buyer. He would use some underhanded methods to ensure that this courtyard ultimately fell into Gu Kaiping’s hands.
For this matter to remain completely hidden, the fewer people involved, the better. Having acquired such a massive fortune, Gu Kaiyuan couldn’t trust just anyone with this task, fearing a mishap. So, braving the scorching summer heat, he made the trip himself.
Bai Suihe took the letter and read it. There wasn’t much written, but thanks to the unspoken understanding between husband and wife, she already knew the plan was likely a success. Her mood naturally lifted; they had finally eliminated that hidden danger.
As for whether shifting the blame to Gu Kaiping would weigh on her conscience? Bai Suihe felt that if Gu Kaiping was purged because of this, that outcome would still be far better than letting him scheme relentlessly and eventually drag the entire family down to hell. In this monarchical society, an extermination of all nine generations wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, so it was best to nip the problem in the bud.
At the end of the letter, his return date was noted. Bai Suihe checked the date. Wasn’t he supposed to arrive home tomorrow? There was only a one-day difference, yet he had still eagerly sent a letter back. What kind of game was he playing at now?
***
Gu Kaiyuan arrived at exactly noon the next day. When he returned home, he happened to see Gu Xingyang staring longingly at Bai Suihe’s bowl.
"What’s going on now?"
As soon as Gu Kaiyuan spoke, Gu Xingyang immediately started babbling away, lodging her complaints.
Bai Suihe took a sip and smacked her lips. "Ah, so good. Hurry and pour your master a cup. It’s perfect for beating the heat."
Having rushed back at noon, Gu Kaiyuan was also quite hot and had long since grown thirsty.
He took the cup and took a big gulp. That chilling sensation instantly cooled him to the bone, radiating from the inside out.
Licking his lips, he caught the faint, refreshing scent of peaches.
"Is this peach?"
Gu Xingyang was already frantic with frustration, thinking, "Daddy, I want some too! Give me a little sip!"