Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Zhu Biao continued, "In comparison, Gu Qingping's performance makes me feel more down-to-earth but powerful. Whether it's calligraphy or cooking, she doesn't deliberately compete for victory, but she does every step carefully and steadily. This kind of temperament makes me feel solid."

Zhu Han smiled faintly and turned to look at Zhu Biao: "You are right. Gu Qingping's advantage lies in her stability. She is never in a hurry to show herself, nor does she seek to attract attention, but she can always show her inner cultivation in her own way. This calmness is her greatest advantage."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, and his tone revealed a bit of appreciation: "Yes, although her lotus tofu is simple, every detail shows her dedication. I even think that her personality is more suitable for gaining a foothold in the complex harem."

The two walked to the corner of the courtyard. Zhu Biao stopped and looked at the still-lit kitchen lights in the distance. "And Zhao Wan'er. Her stir-fried asparagus and diced chicken may seem ordinary, but it has a rare delicacy and freshness. Her delicate temperament is really impressive."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, with a hint of approval in his tone: "Zhao Wan'er is indeed outstanding. Her performance is not as dazzling as Jinyun, nor as steady as Qingping, but every step she takes is delicate and gentle. Such a woman is suitable for harmonizing the atmosphere in the harem and relieving a lot of pressure for you."

Zhu Biao chuckled softly, "Uncle, I didn't expect that choosing a crown princess is like fighting a war. It requires weighing every step and being indecisive."

Zhu Han heard this and looked up at the moonlight, his expression gentle but with a hint of deep meaning: "Biao'er, this is not just about choosing a partner, but also about choosing a stable force for the court. Every woman has a family connection behind her. You can't just look at their appearance, but also see if they can assist you, protect you, or even become your arm."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Uncle, I understand. No matter how outstanding their talents are, their character is the most important. Only with an extraordinary character can they stand firm in the future storms."

Zhu Han patted his shoulder, his tone encouraging: "Not bad. These three women each have their own merits, but the final choice is in your hands. No matter who it is, you need to remember that this is not only a selection, but also a training."

Zhu Biao looked up into the distance. The lights in the courtyard gradually went out, and the night became darker. A firmness flashed in his eyes: "Uncle, I will take this assessment seriously, and I will choose a truly suitable Crown Princess for the future Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, put his hands behind his back and continued to walk forward, saying in a low voice: "Okay, then I'll wait and see."

The next morning, an exquisite tea ceremony was arranged in the courtyard. The bluestone-paved path was lined with various tea sets, jade porcelain cups, and purple clay teapots, exuding a faint tea fragrance.

Each woman has the same tea leaves, teapot and kettle on her desk, and their task is to perform the tea ceremony skills in their own way.

The courtyard was filled with the aroma of tea. Gu Qingping sat at her desk with an exquisite jade porcelain teapot and a handful of tender green tea leaves in front of her. She raised her hand and gently brushed the tea leaves, her fingers moving gently and delicately, as if she was feeling the texture and flavor of the tea leaves.

Gu Qingping lowered her head, brought the tea leaves close to her nose and sniffed them lightly, with a faint smile on her lips: "It's West Lake Longjing, spring tea, with complete buds and leaves, and a clear aroma."

This quiet mumbling was heard by Yurong who was standing next to her. Yurong came over, widened her eyes and asked curiously: "Sister Qingping, how did you know it was spring tea just by smelling it? Isn't this tea similar to other teas?"

Gu Qingping put down the tea leaves and turned to look at Yurong. Her expression was gentle and her tone was full of patience. "Longjing tea is divided into spring tea and summer tea. The buds and leaves of spring tea are tender and complete, and the color is emerald green; while the color of summer tea is darker and the aroma is slightly heavier. It is not difficult to distinguish them carefully."

Yurong listened carefully, looked at the tea leaves in her hand, and murmured, "You say it lightly, I think it's about the same no matter how I look at it."

Gu Qingping chuckled, picked up the kettle, and began to slowly pour water. The boiling hot water flowed out from the spout, as thin as a silver thread, and poured into the teapot accurately. Her movements were gentle and calm, and even the angle of inclination was just right.

Yurong opened her eyes wide and came forward curiously: "Sister Qingping, why are you pouring the water so slowly? Once the water is cold, can the tea leaves still be brewed?"

Gu Qingping smiled and explained, "Tea brewing is all about timing and temperature. Longjing tea is most afraid of high temperatures. If the water temperature is too high, the fresh fragrance of the tea leaves will be scalded, and the brewed tea will taste bitter. So the first step of brewing water should be slow and the water temperature should be lower, so that the tea leaves can slowly expand and release the most refreshing fragrance."

Yurong nodded and looked at her in understanding: "So it's so particular. I always thought making tea was just pouring some hot water."

Gu Qingping retracted her gaze and said softly, "The tea ceremony is like being a person. Both calmness and concentration are indispensable. If you are impatient, you will only get half the result with twice the effort."

She gently closed the lid of the pot and carefully wiped the water droplets from the mouth of the pot with a white handkerchief. There was a natural elegance in her movements.

At this time, a female official in dark green palace clothes slowly walked to Gu Qingping's table. She lowered her eyes and scanned Gu Qingping's every move, with a hint of approval in her eyes.

"Miss Qingping." The female official's voice was steady and dignified. "Your movements are quite calm. It seems that you have a lot of experience in the tea ceremony."

Gu Qingping stood up upon hearing the voice, folded her hands in front of her stomach, and bowed slightly: "Your Excellency is too kind, I just know a little bit."

The female official did not say much, but just picked up Gu Qingping's teacup and sniffed it gently. After a moment, she took a sip of tea, and a barely perceptible smile appeared between her eyebrows.

"The tea has a sweet and elegant aroma, and the tea soup is clear. It seems that you have a good control over the temperature and the amount of water." The female official put down the teacup and spoke a little slower. "To be able to do this shows that you really put your heart into it."

Gu Qingping said calmly: "Tea ceremony is my hobby in my spare time, but more importantly, it reminds me that I should never be impatient at any time."

The female official's eyes revealed a trace of relief, and she nodded slightly: "Not bad. Being able to understand this shows your character."

Gu Qingping bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

The female official nodded and motioned for her to sit down, then turned and walked to the Yurong table next to her.

After the female official walked away, Yurong leaned over to Gu Qingping, her eyes full of admiration: "Sister Qingping, you were amazing just now! Even the female official praised you."

Gu Qingping shook her head slightly and whispered, "These are just some small skills I learned in my daily life. They are not worth boasting about."

Yurong disagreed: "Sister, don't be too modest. I think those adults are always strict. It's not easy to make them smile."

Gu Qingping looked up at the female officials who were inspecting, her eyes slightly fixed, but her tone remained calm: "Yurong, this is just the beginning of the assessment. No matter how they judge, all we have to do is to do our best."

Yurong nodded, and although she was full of emotion, she also began to be serious: "Sister, you are right. Since we are here, we must complete this journey well." Su Jinyun sat at the table, her movements as calm and elegant as always. She raised her hand and placed the blue and white porcelain pot beside her, and with her other hand she gently brushed a handful of tea leaves, and the delicate touch made her smile with satisfaction.

"Spring tea, with evenly shaped buds and leaves and a refreshing fragrance, looks like a carefully selected good tea." She muttered to herself as she put the tea leaves into the porcelain pot.

She lifted the jade pot and poured water into it, her movements as smooth as flowing water. The boiling water poured down from the spout of the pot, and the water flowed into the pot accurately like a smooth silver line. The tea leaves slowly expanded under the hot water, emitting a faint fragrance.

The woman standing behind her couldn't help but sigh in a low voice: "Sister Jinyun's movements are so beautiful, even making tea can be so pleasing to the eye, as exquisite as your embroidery."

Su Jinyun raised her lips slightly when she heard this, with confidence and calmness in her expression: "Tea ceremony and embroidery are indeed different, but what they have in common is the effort. As long as you master the skills, you will naturally be able to do it with ease."

She skillfully poured out the first batch of water and refilled it with hot water. Her movements were swift but graceful, as if every detail had been carefully considered and practiced over and over again. The color of the tea soup gradually became clear, exuding a refreshing aroma.

The female official walked slowly to Su Jinyun's desk, lowered her head slightly, and watched her movements. Her eyes were calm but sharp, and she was obviously observing every detail carefully.

Su Jinyun poured the tea into several jade cups. The amount of tea in each cup was almost the same. The color was clear like jade and the fragrance was overflowing. She placed the last cup in front of the female official, held it up with both hands, and bowed slightly: "My lord, please taste it."

The female official took the teacup with a dignified gesture, without spilling any tea. She sniffed it gently, raised her eyebrows slightly, and then took a sip, the taste of the tea spreading in her mouth.

"Miss Jinyun," the female official put down the teacup and looked up at Su Jinyun, with a hint of praise in her tone, "Your technique is indeed exquisite. The temperature and aroma of the tea soup are both excellent, which is enough to show your understanding of the tea ceremony."

Su Jinyun smiled politely when she heard this: "Thank you for your compliment, sir. I only know a little bit, and I dare not claim to be proficient in it."

However, after the female official's gaze lingered on her for a moment, she paused for a moment and spoke meaningfully, "However - although your movements are neat, they are a bit hasty. Although they are still elegant, they lack a bit of peace. If you can be more calm, the effect may be better."

After hearing this, Su Jinyun's face changed slightly, but she quickly adjusted her expression. She slowly stood up and bowed respectfully, with a humble tone: "Thank you for your advice, sir. I will definitely keep your teachings in mind."

The female official nodded and turned around to continue inspecting the other tables.

After the female official left, Su Jinyun looked down at the teacup in front of her, a hint of reluctance flashing across her eyes. She whispered to herself, "I was in such a hurry... because I wanted to show myself off so much."

The woman beside him whispered, "Sister Jinyun, although the master said you were hasty, he also praised your excellent tea-making skills. Are you unhappy?"

Su Jinyun raised her head and smiled, then shook her head: "How can I be unhappy? Your guidance is an opportunity for me to grow. As long as I can improve, the future will definitely be better."

The woman nodded and couldn't help but say, "Sister, you are amazing. You can make tea so perfectly. If it were me, my hands would have been shaking with nervousness."

Su Jinyun brushed her sleeves lightly, her tone gentle but firm: "The tea ceremony is like life. When you are impatient, you will lose your composure. Only when you are calm can you control everything. I will remember this lesson."

The sun shone in the courtyard. She picked up the teacup and took a sip of the tea. Her eyes were calm and peaceful, as if everything was under control.

Zhao Wan'er sat at her desk. Although her movements were not as skillful and smooth as Su Jinyun's, she was particularly gentle and delicate. She gently picked up the teapot and wiped the body of the teapot carefully with a white handkerchief, as if she were treating a precious treasure.

She whispered to herself, "Making tea is like being a person, if you are impatient, you will be confused, but if you are slow, you will be steady."

She gently picked up a handful of Biluochun tea leaves and put them into the pot. The tea leaves were emerald green and curled, shaped like silver snails, and had a refreshing fragrance. Zhao Wan'er did it in one go, but without any rush or impatience.

She picked up the kettle and slowly poured in lukewarm water, moistening the tea leaves while letting them gradually expand. Then, she slowly poured out the first stream of water, her eyes always focused, appearing exceptionally peaceful.

A woman next to her couldn't help but come over and whispered, "Sister Wan'er, the way you make tea looks like you are painting. It looks so comfortable no matter how you look at it."

Zhao Wan'er raised her head and smiled, then said softly, "Making tea is indeed like painting, and you need to be attentive at every step. Tea is like human nature, and if you want to taste its sweetness, you need patience and can't rush for success."

The woman nodded, her eyes full of admiration: "This is the first time I've heard such a detailed metaphor. Sister is indeed a person with a delicate heart."

Zhao Wan'er said modestly: "I just follow my heart. I don't have any special insights."

When pouring the second stream of water, Zhao Wan'er's movements were even slower, and the water flowed evenly like silk. The tea leaves slowly expanded under the hot water, and the tea soup gradually turned light green. She used a teaspoon to gently skim off the foam, her movements were as gentle as water, and there was a touch of peace in her eyes.

She poured the tea into the teacups, and the height of the tea in each cup was almost the same, which showed her carefulness and patience.

The female official walked to her table, her eyes turned from her gestures to the teacups, and after carefully observing them, she picked up a teacup and sniffed the tea. After a moment, she took a sip of the tea, and the expression between her brows softened a little.

The female official put down the teacup and said with a hint of praise: "Miss Wan'er, your way of making tea is not complicated, but every detail is handled properly. Especially the action of moistening the tea, which is meticulous and methodical."

Zhao Wan'er smiled faintly when she heard this. She stood up, bowed straight, and said humbly and gently, "Thank you for your compliment, sir. I just think that tea is like human nature. Only by paying attention can we wait and see what happens."

The female official nodded slightly, her eyes lingering on her face for a moment, seeming very satisfied, and then continued to inspect other tables.

After the female official walked away, a woman next to her couldn't help but approach Zhao Wan'er and whispered, "Sister Wan'er, you just said that tea is like human nature, so we can wait and see how it changes. It really opened my eyes." (End of this chapter)