The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 52

The sky was clear and bright; the long horizon spanned for miles.

Nianxi and Wang Muyi’s fragrant drink shop opened, and they chose an elegant name: “Fúshēng Bàn Zhǎn” (Half a Cup of Floating Life).

The name was inspired by Su Shi’s poem: “Snow-foam, milk-flower floats in the noon cup, young rush and spring shoots are tested on the plate. The flavors of the world lie in pure pleasure.”

The opening day was incredibly lively. There were no male guests; all who came were the renowned ladies and noble wives of the capital, adorned with mother-of-pearl, jadeite, and rich fragrances.

Wang Muyi, having grown up in the capital, had many close friends among the young ladies and noble wives. Although Nianxi had only been in the capital for half a year, she too had acquired a number of confidantes.

They all came today.

There were also quite a few noble ladies, and even Gu Ci’s sisters, who were eager to attend and show their support for Nianxi. For a while, the carriages and horses outside the door were jammed together, making it look like a grand gathering.

Nianxi and Wang Muyi greeted the guests and ushered them in.

The shop’s displays were refined and tasteful, featuring both a large hall that could accommodate many people and numerous private rooms. The guests viewed them one by one, each room having its own distinct character and unique décor. Even the room plaques bore unusual names like “Walnut’s Allure,” “Secluded Valley,” and “Dotting the Green.”

Wang Muyi said with a smile, “In the past, when we ladies and sisters gathered, we relied solely on private banquets, and we always had to be mindful of the occasion, which often diminished the sense of leisure and ease. This shop that Nianxi and I have opened today is to provide convenience for all the ladies and young misses to find enjoyment. Whether it’s a small gathering of two or three, or a large banquet, various private rooms and halls are available; there will always be a place to pass the time.”

Those who could attend today were naturally true friends. They all praised “Fúshēng Bàn Zhǎn” effusively. Wang Muyi kept smiling until her cheeks were stiff.

It was considered a success only after the noble wives and young ladies were ushered into the private rooms and served tea.

Throughout the rest of the day, people kept coming and going. In fact, many private rooms were already booked in advance. Nianxi and Wang Muyi’s fragrant drink shop showed signs of prosperity right from the opening.

The day finally ended when all the various thirst-quenching drinks, juices, and creamy cheeses were completely sold out.

Wang Muyi was so exhausted she could barely lift her limbs. Pointing to the corner of her eye, she said to Nianxi, “When I wake up tomorrow morning, I might have two fine lines under my eyes; my jaw hurts from smiling so much.”

Nianxi was also extremely tired.

She hadn’t expected the opening to have such a grand scale and so many people.

Wang Muyi agreed, “Isn’t that right? How could an ordinary shop opening have such momentum? And there were also many people who came without being invited.”

Nianxi also noticed, “Are you talking about Miss Xu?”

“Exactly! It was none other than Xu Wanxin.”

Wang Muyi immediately regained her energy when talking about this. “Although giving a gift in return for an invitation is customary—we sent them a card and a fragrant pill, so their presence was already polite—there is no one like Xu Wanxin. She actually sent a set of jade-inlaid-gold statues of the Five Wealth Gods.”

“What do you think provoked her? Who sends a gift like that? What could she possibly be plotting?”

Nianxi had always been unable to understand her cousin, Miss Xu.

She was born so delicate and beautiful, yet so strong-willed. She waited until she was twenty years old, then resolutely married a gentleman who was constantly plagued by illness. She refused to change her mind, even though her mother cried until her eyes were swollen, begging her.

Although she had wasted her youth in the boudoir at the time, the Xu family was a high-status family, and she possessed such character and appearance; there was no shortage of young, talented men who sought her hand in marriage.

However, the husband Xu Wanxin chose was in no way outstanding. A few years later, he passed away early, leaving her a widow with a child, subject to harsh treatment from her in-laws.

As a woman herself, Nianxi did not want to attribute the fact that her husband did not love her to another woman. However, she had never been fond of Xu Wanxin.

She always felt that behind that beautiful, gentle smile hid something detestable.

She still remembered that when she miscarried, Xu Wanxin came to visit her, and the joy that flickered in her eyes as she turned away.

Nianxi said calmly, “We will simply return a gift to her.”

Even in this lifetime, where there was no Pei Jian between her and Xu Wanxin, she still did not wish to associate with such a person.

Wang Muyi was about to agree when she turned her head and saw someone standing by a carriage across the street. He was smiling and gazing towards them. He didn’t speak, just waited for Nianxi to notice him during her downtime.

She nudged Nianxi with her elbow and said sarcastically, “I don’t know what kind of rare, precious treasure you are, that he has to wait to pick you up every day.”

“The world is bright and clear. Do you think I would lose you here in my shop?”

Nianxi shifted her gaze and, sure enough, saw Gu Ci standing opposite them. His smile was extremely pleasing and cured the fatigue of her entire day, as well as the mood that Xu Wanxin had affected.

Gu Ci quickly walked to her side.

Nianxi looked up at him and deliberately asked, “Cousin Muyi says I am a rare, precious treasure, worthy of you picking me up every day?”

Gu Ci laughed even more heartily, wearing a look of immense pride, and played along with Nianxi, “A priceless treasure, unique in this world!”

Wang Muyi is now familiar with Gu Ci, and she was thoroughly disgusted by the couple in front of her. She waved her hands repeatedly, “Go, hurry up and go! You’re so nauseating, I’m getting goosebumps.”