Tea Connoisseur Ling

"Me?"

While the other concubines had been picking out their items, I had also run a mental inventory of what I had with me today. My headpiece was given by Lu Qing Yu, my earrings and necklace were a matching set given by a dignitary, my fan was limited edition from Luna Marche... the only other item I had with me was a brooch, which Minister Hui's wife had custom made for me.

Nothing seemed right to put down. Why did we have to give up personal items? We couldn't give up silk or gold instead?

Reluctantly, I placed the brooch into the tray, feeling more and more lost the more I stared at it. I really liked that brooch too. I hoped I could get it back.

"Let the tea tasting begin."

I raised the tea cup and placed it to my lips, prepared to note down any specific citrus or floral notes or... whatever was used to identify tea.

Nothing.

It tasted a little thick, like all tea tasted to me, but was otherwise unassuming. After having gone a round to donate our accessories, the boiling hot tea was now lukewarm.

I drank a little more, then peered into the bottom of the cup.

Black and grey tea leaves sat at the bottom, reminding me of a pile of ash.

"Sisters, who will have the first go?" Noble Concubine Ju asked.

As I looked around, everyone looked expectant, as if they had something to say. Some even softly whispered to each other, discussing the tea.

I looked at the tea leaves again. Nothing. Hmm... Tea leaves could be used to tell fortune, couldn't they?

"Sister Ling, what about you?" Noble Concubine Ju asked, trying to help me gain some footing in the tea ceremony. Unfortunately, I could not take her up on her kind intentions. I didn't have the slightest idea about tea.

"Let the other sisters have a turn. I'll comment later." I said.

"Sister Shao?"

"Mao Jian tea from Xin Yang (信阳毛尖茶 Xìn Yáng Máo Jiān Chá," Noble Concubine Shao said without a pause. "Light floral taste with a refreshing finish. Tea leaves are silver tipped, which are a giveaway. Also, when the tea maids had prepared the tea earlier, the tea leaves were quick to sink to the bottom of the cup."

Hearing this, I peered into the cup again. The tea leaves which previously looked like ash suddenly seemed to become silver tipped. Why had I not noticed this earlier? And since when did it taste refreshing?

"Correct! Sister Shao may pick a prize." Noble Concubine Ju said.

"As expected, Elder Sister Shao is the most discerning when it comes to tea!"

"Elder Sister Shao is the most cultured, having tasted tea from everywhere. Of course she would be the first winner."

Noble Concubine Shao had a neither pleased not unhappy expression as she went over to the tray. Her hand hovered over the clearly displayed items, pondering over each piece.

A feeling of dread washed over me.

Don't pick my brooch... Don't pick my brooch...

"Hm... Sister Ling, is it alright for me to take your brooch?" her hand finally stopped above my brooch.

Before I could reply, she had already picked it up, and was admiring it with a pleased expression.

"Such magnificent craftsmanship. It must be custom made, right, Sister?" she asked, glancing at me.

I smiled rigidly, trying not to look outwardly unhappy and give her something else to use.

"It is, and it was a gift from Minister Hui's wife." I said.

"Oh." Her tone became flat.

"In that case, I don't want it. I'll pick something else." she dropped the brooch back onto the tray in a careless fashion.

I was upset that she tossed my brooch, but even more relieved that she had let go of it. Thankfully, Noble Concubine Shao had expensive tastes. After hearing it was from a minister's wife, she probably deemed it too low-class for her to accept.

Noble Concubine Shao settled on a hairpin from someone else instead.

The next tea was then brought out.

This tea was golden yellow and had a slight fragrance. It was served in a glass tea set, framing the tea in a delicate fashion. After hearing how Noble Concubine Shao could tell what tea it was by the tea leaves, I made sure to study the tea leaves in the cup.

The leaves were also dark but with more outstanding white patches. Upon tasting it, it had a lighter and pure taste.

I wasn't sure what tea this was either. Shou Mei Tea (寿眉茶 Shòu Méi Chá)? It tasted very familiar. I likely had this last night. Should I work up my courage to say so?

My goal was to try and get at least 1 tea right so it looked like I was participating and err... tea cultured.

"Gong Mei Tea (贡眉茶 Gòng Méi Chá)." Concubine Ran immediately said.

"Very good! That's correct! Sister Ran, will you explain Gong Mei Tea (贡眉茶 Gòng Méi Chá)to us?" Noble Concubine Ju said.

"Gong Mei Tea(贡眉茶 Gòng Méi Chá) from Fu Jian is typically orange or golden, and tastes mellow and pure. When brewed, the tea leaves remain bright with reddish veins and noticeable bulbs, white fuzzy tips and jade leaves."

I inspected the tea leaves again. Now that she said so, I did indeed see some reddish veins, although I didn't see how the tea leaves looked like jade.

I could already hear Qiu Ci lecturing in my head.

"Shou Mei Tea (寿眉茶 Shòu Méi Chá) and Gong Mei Tea (贡眉茶 Gòng Méi Chá) are both byproducts of White Peony Tea or Bai Mu Dan 白牡丹茶 Bái Mǔ Dān Chá), arguably the finest white tea in the empire," Qiu Ci said.

"Of the two, Shou Mei Tea (寿眉茶 Shòu Méi Chá) is of a lower grade, and one can discern which was which by the colour of the tea and the appearance of the tea leaves."

"Young Miss, are you listening?"

I had nearly mixed them up and embarrassed myself.

"As expected from Sister Ran!"

"The Ran Clan is famous for its tea houses. Sister Ran is such an expert!"

Concubine Ran smiled as she soaked in the praises, and turned to pick an item. However, when she saw me looking at her, her smile disappeared immediately, and she turned sullen.

"Sister Ran, is something the matter?" Concubine Rong asked, looking concerned.

"Everything is fine. Just suddenly thought of our poor Sister Ping, Sister Mao and Sister Qing. If only they were here to share in this rare annual gathering with us." Concubine Ran said in a sad tone.

Earlier, I had sensed some animosity from her, hadn't I? But she was now acting like a saint... She was clearly just trying to stir up trouble.

"Oh.. Sister Ran, it can't be helped. They are still recovering and can't come out."

"Sister Ran, you're kind to think of them."

"If only all of the sisters could be so forgiving. It's unheard of for a lady to get whipped." Concubine You said.

As they spoke, the concubines eyed me, sneering.

"I say... Elder Sister Ling, you won't try to whip us too, will you?" Concubine Rong said suddenly.

I smiled awkwardly. They had been whipped because they had slandered me and sent me a death threat. Why would I whip them for no reason?

But whatever I said would make me look bad regardless.

"Sister Ling wouldn't do it. I heard the whipping had been ordered by His Highness." Concubine Lay said.

"Sister Lay! Sister Qing has been whipped until she is now crippled! Who can compensate her for her injury? Are you saying His Highness is responsible?" Concubine Rong set her sights on Concubine Lay.

Concubine Qing was crippled? This was the first I heard of it. She had been whipped successively in such a short span of time... her body must have gave out.

It was truly unfortunate, but I hadn't wished it on her and I wouldn't do so.

There were also holes in her logic. If Lu Qing Yu wasn't responsible, then was I responsible for being the subject of death threats?

Nevertheless, Concubine Rong made a show out of it and glared at me.

"Now, now, sisters, how about we let this go? No one wanted it to happen. We're all here for a tea party to celebrate the New Year. How about it?" Noble Concubine Ju interjected in her usual mild and faint tone.

"It's unpleasant to sit here with such a malicious person." Concubine Rong said, rolling her eyes.

"I have to stand with my sisters on this." Concubine You said.

Noble Concubine Ju's ever present smile became wider and wider, until finally it looked strained.

When Noble Concubine Ju smiled, her eyes rounded into a half moon, giving her a sincere and joyous expression. It was nearly impossible to raise a hand against the delicate and diplomatic Noble Concubine Ju who never asked for anything.

But when Noble Concubine Ju wanted something done, she meant it.

"Younger Sisters." Noble Concubine Ju said, her tone cold and hard.

Noble Concubine Ju never addressed the other concubines as "Younger Sisters" as was required in the seniority ranking. She always addressed them as "Sisters" as she didn't want to maintain a distance with them. For Noble Concubine Ju to expressly assert her authority as the "Elder Sister"...

"I shall comply with Elder Sister Ju." Concubine Rong said sullenly.