Feng Qingyi also glanced at Shen Lanyan. She was dressed elegantly, with several pearl hairpins adorning her head. A gentle smile graced her pretty face, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Miss Xu, Miss Feng, hello! I'm Shen Lanyan."
Xu Linghe didn't bother with pleasantries. "Miss Shen, I don't believe we're acquainted."
Shen Lanyan replied, "I heard this teahouse belongs to you two. My cousin and I are simply here to show our support. Surely you wouldn't turn us away?"
Xu Linghe rolled her eyes without responding.
Feng Qingyi said, "All visitors are welcome. Please, head upstairs."
Shen Lanyan took a couple of steps towards the stairs when she suddenly fell to the ground.
"Miss Feng, even if you don't welcome us, there's no need to trip me!"
Shangguan Yi glared at Feng Qingyi. "Is this how Miss Feng treats her guests?"
"Miss Shen, I didn't touch you at all. Yet you claim I tripped you. Do you think I'm easy to bully?" Feng Qingyi fixed Shen Lanyan with a piercing gaze.
Shangguan Yi helped Shen Lanyan to her feet. "If it wasn't you, how could Lanyan have fallen? You must apologize to her today!"
Everyone in the hall gathered around to watch the commotion.
"Shangguan Yi, I know you're displeased with me, but falsely accusing someone like this is going too far!" Feng Qingyi's mood soured, and her tone followed suit.
Shen Lanyan stood beside Shangguan Yi. "Cousin, Miss Feng didn't mean it. Don't blame her, I'm fine."
Shangguan Yi said, "Lanyan, don't worry. I won't let you be wronged. If you don't apologize today, your teahouse won't be able to stay open in Shengjing."
"My, what big words from Young Master Shangguan!" A cool voice came from the entrance.
Feng Qingyi looked towards the door to see Xuanyuan Yan.
Shangguan Yi was stunned for a moment upon seeing Xuanyuan Yan. He was about to bow when Xuanyuan Yan stopped him with a look.
Xuanyuan Yan asked, "What seems to be the problem here?"
Xu Linghe stepped forward. "Today is the opening day of our Peng Lai Residence. We opened our doors to welcome guests, but unexpectedly, Shangguan Yi brought this woman to cause trouble and even threatened that we wouldn't be able to survive in Shengjing."
Xuanyuan Yan replied, "Oh? I wasn't aware that the Shangguan family had taken control of Shengjing."
Shangguan Yi hurriedly explained, "She deliberately tripped Lanyan first. I merely asked her to apologize!"
"Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?" Feng Qingyi retorted.
Xuanyuan Yan's gaze lingered on Shen Lanyan for a moment. She felt a chill run through her body; she had never seen such a cold look before.
"Well, young lady, tell me, did she trip you?" he asked.
Shen Lanyan stammered, "It... it was my carelessness. It's... it's not Miss Feng's fault."
"Did she trip you?" Xuanyuan Yan repeated.
Shen Lanyan quickly shook her head. "No, no, I fell on my own. It has nothing to do with Miss Feng."
"In that case, get out!"
Shangguan Yi quickly left the teahouse with Shen Lanyan, and the onlookers returned to their seats.
Feng Qingyi looked at Xuanyuan Yan. "Thank you. What brings you out today?"
"I heard your teahouse was opening today, so I came to see," Xuanyuan Yan said.
Feng Qingyi glanced at him and Ming Qi beside him. "Well, welcome! Please, head upstairs."
Feng Qingyi led Xuanyuan Yan to a private room on the third floor.
"What made you decide to open a teahouse?" Xuanyuan Yan asked.
Feng Qingyi casually replied, "Opening a teahouse is naturally to make money."
"Surely Yuchuan can provide for you."
Feng Qingyi said, "Women need financial independence too. If we only rely on men, who knows what might happen in the future."
"Are you saying you don't trust Yuchuan?"
Feng Qingyi shook her head. "It's not that I don't trust him. I'm just being responsible for myself. What would you like to drink?"
"I'll have some Cloud Mist tea," Xuanyuan Yan said as he sat down.
"Alright, have a seat. It'll be ready soon." Feng Qingyi left the room.
Ming Qi asked, puzzled, "Master, did you come out of the palace specifically to see Miss Feng?"
Xuanyuan Yan replied, "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no, of course not." He wouldn't dare!
Meanwhile, people in the main hall downstairs were discussing the recent incident.
"Do you know who that young man was?"
"Even Young Master Shangguan was respectful to him. He must be someone important."
"It seems this teahouse has powerful backers. We'd better not mess with them!"
"This teahouse closed down before due to poor management. I heard it reopened under new ownership – that young lady we just saw."
"For a young woman to open a teahouse, she must have some support. How else would she dare to stand up to Young Master Shangguan?"
"..."
After going downstairs, Feng Qingyi headed to the kitchen. To get there, she had to pass through a small courtyard where Xu Linghe was standing, eating cookies from a plate.
"Linghe, what are you doing here?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xu Linghe pulled Feng Qingyi over. "Qingyi, how do you know that person?"
"Who?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xu Linghe said, "The one who just came."
"You mean Xuanyuan Yan?"
Xu Linghe quickly covered Feng Qingyi's mouth. "How can you address him so casually?"
Feng Qingyi replied, "It's just a name. If he doesn't mind, why should you?"
Xu Linghe asked, "How did you two meet?"
"He's friends with Qin Yuchuan, so we got acquainted. What's wrong?"
Xu Linghe shook her head. "Nothing, nothing. I'm just getting some fresh air. You go on with your work!"
Feng Qingyi brought the tea up to Xuanyuan Yan.
As he took it, Xuanyuan Yan asked, "Why is the owner of the teahouse serving tea herself?"
"To thank you for your help today, I brought it up personally. These cookies are homemade. Try some."
Feng Qingyi put a plate of cookies on the table and handed another to Ming Qi.
Ming Qi carefully accepted it. "Thank you, Miss Feng."
Xuanyuan Yan asked, "You seem to be at odds with Shangguan Yi?"
"You can remove the 'seem to be.' We are at odds," Feng Qingyi replied. "And today he even brought his cousin to cause trouble."
Xuanyuan Yan said, "Where's the token I gave you last time?"
"I left it at home. Why?" Feng Qingyi asked.
"Next time you encounter a similar situation, take it out," Xuanyuan Yan said calmly.
"I heard from Qin Yuchuan that the token is very powerful. Aren't you afraid I might misuse it?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xuanyuan Yan countered, "Would you?"
Feng Qingyi shook her head.
Xuanyuan Yan continued, "I gave you the token in case someone bullies you here. Remember to bring it next time. Once you show it, they won't dare trouble you again."
"Your pastries taste good. I have matters to attend to in the palace, so I'll take my leave now."
Feng Qingyi waved at him. "Alright, goodbye!"
Ming Qi hurriedly stuffed the cookies from the plate into his mouth. "Master, please wait for me!"
