Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Nan Nuan had only just returned to her room at the inn when she heard a knock at the door.

How timely.
So soon already?

“Who is it?” Nan Nuan asked, already guessing who stood outside.

“Young master, I am the inn’s shopkeeper. I heard you were asking for Nan tea, so I’ve brought it personally. The waiter is not well-versed in tea matters—I hope this does not disturb your refined interest,” the shopkeeper said.

“Come in,” Nan Nuan replied.

The shopkeeper pushed the door open, entered, then carefully shut it behind him and slid the bolt into place.

“This humble one greets the young lady.”

With that, the shopkeeper knelt.

“Oh?” Nan Nuan toyed with the folding fan in her hand and suddenly looked up at him. “How do you know I am a young lady, and not a young master?”

The shopkeeper felt the air turn cold in an instant. Cold sweat broke out on his back.

“Reporting to the young lady—years ago, my master instructed that when Miss Nan Nuan traveled the jianghu, we were to keep watch and provide assistance, obeying her commands at all times.”

“So that is how it is,” Nan Nuan said with a smile. “But how did you recognize that I am the Nan Nuan your master mentioned?”

“There are three reasons,” the shopkeeper replied respectfully.
“First, in this world, the number of people who ask specifically for Nan tea can be counted on one hand.
Second, the folding fan in your hand—I have seen it before at my master’s side.
Third, my master once said that Miss Nan Nuan would never wrong herself. Therefore, I was certain you must be her.”

He did not underestimate her for her youth. Having weathered many storms, he knew that those who appeared gentle were often the most dangerous.

“That is indeed correct,” Nan Nuan said, clearly satisfied. “Shopkeeper, it seems I may trouble you for the next few days.”

“I am at your service. If there is nothing further, I shall take my leave.”

“Wait,” Nan Nuan said. “I am new to Ji City. Earlier, I saw a woman selling herself to bury her father. From her behavior, she did not seem ordinary—and the fragrance on her person was far too strong. I wonder if the shopkeeper might enlighten me.”

With such keen insight, surely the shopkeeper knew most of what happened in the city.

“Reporting to the young lady, that woman is indeed not ordinary. Her name is Huo Rui, known in the jianghu as Huo Sanniang. She excels in disguise and hidden weapons. Of the ten cases of ‘selling oneself to bury one’s father’ in this city, nine are her doing.”

The shopkeeper inwardly groaned. He had warned Huo Sanniang countless times that a distinguished guest was coming—how had she still run into trouble?

“I see,” Nan Nuan replied, folding her fan to show she understood.

“Huo Sanniang only seeks money and has never taken a life. She has never been exposed before. Young lady, you truly have a discerning eye,” the shopkeeper said earnestly, also hoping Nan Nuan would not pursue the matter further. For those at the bottom, a single command from above could mean disaster.

“And how do you know her?” Nan Nuan asked calmly, idly turning her fan.

“Huo Sanniang is also one of our master’s people. If she has offended you, allow me to apologize on her behalf.”

The shopkeeper’s heart sank. Had she mistaken the young lady for easy prey? This time, Huo Sanniang had truly kicked an iron plate.

“Offended me? Not quite,” Nan Nuan said lightly. “She merely mistook me for a fat sheep.”

The shopkeeper sighed inwardly. That woman truly feared neither heaven nor earth. Fortunately, this young lady was not one to nitpick—otherwise, Huo Sanniang would have paid dearly.

“Miss—”

“Rest assured, shopkeeper. I will not pursue it. You may go. I am tired.”

“Yes.”

The shopkeeper rose and withdrew.

After the door closed, Nan Nuan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

From the moment the shopkeeper entered, she had felt unwell. A burning heat spread from her chest, scorching her entire body. She circulated her inner energy to suppress it—but it was useless.

“An Yi,” Nan Nuan called.

A man appeared instantly.

“Master, are you injured?” An Yi asked.

“I believe I’ve been poisoned by a gu,” Nan Nuan said calmly. “Ordinary poisons could never force me into this state. I know little of gu arts—and I was careless.”

Her chest felt as though countless ants were gnawing at it.

“Master… could this be the work of someone from the capital?” An Yi asked.

“Unlikely. Gu cannot remain dormant for long—it must have been planted after I arrived in Ji City. Listen carefully. I don’t yet understand this gu or its price. I need you to do three things. First—”

Before she could finish, heavy knocking sounded.

“An Er, go see what’s going on,” Nan Nuan ordered.

Before An Er could act, the waiter’s voice came through the door.

“Honored guest, you can’t go in—!”

The door was shoved open.

Standing there was the fat man from earlier—
No, correction—the county magistrate’s son.

The instant Nan Nuan saw him, all her discomfort vanished.

In that moment, she understood everything.

The wealthy young man’s eyes were bloodshot as he charged toward her.

“An Yi—hold him.
An Er—seal the door. No one enters without my command.
An San—no matter the method, bring me the red-clad woman I met today. Immediately. Alive. Let her suffer a little.”

Within seconds, the man was pinned face-down on the table.

“Miss, are you all right?” the shopkeeper’s anxious voice came from outside. Having received the waiter’s message, he rushed over immediately. If anything happened to this master here, he would be doomed.

“I am fine. Shopkeeper, carry on with your duties.”

Though uneasy, the shopkeeper dared not disobey and left. He needed to contact Huo Sanniang at once to apologize—if anything went wrong…

“An Yi,” Nan Nuan said coldly, “cut off his manhood.”

“Yes.”

Blade rose, blade fell.

The county magistrate’s son screamed and fainted from the pain.

“Let him live,” Nan Nuan added, turning away in disgust. Any trace of good mood was gone.

This world was full of people who fancied themselves righteous.
This time, I will teach you what reason truly means.

“Master, do you suspect this is related to that woman?” An Yi asked.

“Yes,” Nan Nuan replied. “From her clothing, she appears to be of a foreign tribe. You know the borderlands harbor clans skilled in gu arts. And someone who prides herself on justice—how could she possibly forgive someone who ‘stood by’ and did nothing?”

To Nan Nuan, this was a calamity without cause. Some people lacked brains—and refused to tolerate others having them.

At this moment, Nan Nuan truly harbored killing intent toward Wen Cha.

If you can serve me and please me, you may live.
If not—
I will send you to meet the King of Hell.

Nan Nuan snapped off the corner of the table with her bare hand.

After all, encountering such nonsense the moment one steps out the door was enough to ruin anyone’s mood.