Hong Ye and Cui Ming had almost finished, so they got up to clean up the cups, bowls, plates, and saucers to avoid letting Treasure Bead see them.

No sooner had they tidied up than Treasure Bead’s voice rang out.

"Third Sister-in-law, has Third Sister-in-law eaten yet?"

Hong Ye couldn’t help but mutter softly, "What kind of little sister-in-law is this?"

Cui Ming whispered, "Don’t talk nonsense. If people hear, they’ll say the Miss and Seventh Miss don’t get along as sisters-in-law."

Hong Ye said nothing more, lowered her head, and hurriedly carried the tray out.

Qin Yuan responded from inside, saying, "I just finished. What made you think to look for me now?"

Treasure Bead immediately replied, "Third Sister-in-law, as soon as I got up, I went to the main room to pay respects to Mother. She kept me for a meal, or I would have come to chat with you earlier."

As she finished speaking, she lifted the curtain and came in to see Qin Yuan sitting on the Arhat Bed, leisurely drinking tea against a small heated table.

"What tea is Sister-in-law drinking?"

Treasure Bead leaned in familiarly.

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Cloud Mist Tea, would you like to try some?"

Treasure Bead asked, "What benefits does this tea have?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "This is Cloud Mist Tea from Tiantai Mountain. Wen Tingyun once praised it, saying that it could give you wings. Tea lovers adore it, and it has the reputation of being the dew of Buddhist heavens and the nectar of the imperial garden."

She pointed to the tea leaves in the cup for Treasure Bead to see, "The appearance is tight and slender, the color is green and fragrant, the taste is rich and elegant, making it a king of teas, and quite rare."

Treasure Bead listened attentively and silently noted it in her heart. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Qin Yuan found it a bit strange and smiled as she asked, "Since when did Seventh Sister become interested in tea?"

She then instructed Mo Zhu to brew a cup for Treasure Bead.

Treasure Bead smiled and said, "I see Sister-in-law is sophisticated, and you are adept at the things that cultured people appreciate, so I want to learn a few things from you. Since Sister-in-law can learn to ride, couldn’t I learn to appreciate tea with you?"

Qin Yuan could only nod and say, "You can."

Treasure Bead held the tea in her hand and sipped it with Qin Yuan.

She didn’t mention anything, just sat chatting idly, sitting for a good half an hour before saying, "Third Sister-in-law, do all scholars like these things?"

Qin Yuan considered and said, "Perhaps, though some people aren’t particular about them. Most people love drinking tea. Just yesterday, I heard your Third Brother talking about how people from the Northern Border enjoy tea. Their tea-drinking habits are quite different from ours in the Central Plains, yet they love it as well, showing that tea is a good thing beloved by most people."

Treasure Bead kept asking for a while longer before finally saying goodbye.

Hong Ye had returned with Brother Qi from visiting Mr. Songshan and asked, "What was Seventh Miss up to with such a visit?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, "I don’t know. If she’s just sitting idly, then fine; if not, she should state her purpose next time. Leave her be."

Hong Ye said, "Seeing Seventh Miss reminded me of something. Last time, that girl from the Wuqiao acrobatic troupe who worked on the high ropes wanted to come thank you for your reward, but seeing how busy the manor was, she didn’t come up to you."

Qin Yuan nodded, "This child loves watching. Let’s invite them to perform again during the Mid-Autumn Festival; Brother Kang and Fuguo’er should be on vacation to celebrate at home too."

Hong Ye was delighted, "That’s great, I love watching too."

Thinking of Treasure Bead’s impetuousness, Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh for a while. She let her hair down and took a nap. Just after changing clothes upon waking, she heard that Treasure Bead had come again.

Qin Yuan: "!"

Why is she here again?

Hong Ye, standing outside checking the books, came in upon hearing the commotion to serve, whispering, "Seventh Miss is here again. I don’t know why; she was just asking me about the time in the Qin Family out of boredom."

Qin Yuan felt a stir in her heart and asked, "What did she ask about?"

Hong Ye thought for a moment, "Just about how the Qin Family teaches children to read and such. She also asked what books Miss read and how long she studied."

Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, could she be like Sixth Master, wanting to study too?"

Hong Ye suddenly laughed and said, "Mr. Songshan staying in the estate could teach one more Seventh Miss without much trouble."

Qin Yuan adjusted the hairpin beside her ear while looking at the mirror table and said, "Why would you think of that? Mr. Songshan didn’t even want to take on Sixth Master. If you ask him to teach Seventh Miss enlightenment, I fear he might not stay any longer."

Hong Ye stuck out her tongue, "Is Mr. Songshan so eccentric?"

Qin Yuan earnestly replied, "Let me tell you, Mr. Songshan has great talent, and others couldn’t invite him even if they wanted. It’s due to the Marquis’s deep fortune that we have this great benefit. Mr. Songshan is willing to stay in the mansion long-term, and it’s our blessing."

Hong Ye immediately said, "Rest assured, Miss, I will take good care of Mr. Songshan’s daily needs. If there’s even a slight issue, I’ll promptly inform Miss and the Marquis."

Qin Yuan nodded, "I trust you to handle things well, just worried you might not realize his importance and look down on him. Scholars regard etiquette as vital, and having stayed in the Qin Family for so long, you ought to know."

Hong Ye said, "This servant surely knows. Adults often say that scholars are lofty and value etiquette, so everything must be careful and proper."

Qin Yuan said nothing more and, after tidying up, had Treasure Bead invited in.

Treasure Bead smiled, "So Sister-in-law was going to nap, and I disturbed her."

Qin Yuan invited her to sit and asked, "What brought you back here again, is there something important you need to ask me?"

Treasure Bead said, "Can’t I come if there’s nothing important? Didn’t we agree that we’re the best pair in the world, so I just wanted to come chat with you with nothing to do in the estate."

Qin Yuan had no choice but to chat idly with her.

After finishing her tea, Treasure Bead said, "Sister-in-law, do you want to go horse riding with me?"

Qin Yuan shook her head.

"I don’t wish to ride today. I need to write some letters. You’ve been helping entertain guests these past few days, so take some time to relax. But don’t forget to practice your embroidery. The Qixi Festival is just a few days away, and your Third Brother has been looking forward to seeing it for a long time."

Hearing this, Treasure Bead was no longer so composed and serene. She immediately frowned and complained, "Third Sister-in-law, you know I’m talented but started too late. To go to the Qixi Festival like this, isn’t it embarrassing? Can you talk to Third Brother and ask him to spare me from losing face?"

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

"Seventh Sister, do you think I haven’t tried persuading him? Once your Third Brother decides on something, nobody can sway him. Besides, you once said you wouldn’t embroider a fan cover for him, which made him quite angry, how could I dare to plead for you then."

Treasure Bead sighed, "I knew Third Sister-in-law is the best to me, surely wouldn’t let me embarrass myself. Oh, Third Brother, Third Brother, really so petty... He’s so much older than me, could be my father, and still competes with me, truly shameless."

Qin Yuan suppressed her laughter with great effort, changed the topic, and asked, "Have you seen your Sixth Sister-in-law yet?"

These past few days, Qin Yuan hadn’t gone to visit, and after Sixth Master decided to counter-sue the Xu family, she didn’t know what to say, so she kept putting it off.