Chapter 1986: Dumbfounded

Upon hearing Zhao Di’s confirmation, it became undeniable.

Not only was it Purple Fragrance, but it was also of the highest quality–Supreme-Grade Purple Fragrance. Valued at 30 taels of silver per tael, equivalent to an astonishing 300 taels of silver per catty!

It was worth noting that the tea they typically consumed at home cost only a little over ten taels of silver per catty. Even then, they weren’t particularly keen on splurging. More often than not, they settled for tea leaves priced at five to six taels of silver per catty, indulging in finer varieties on rare occasions.

Zhao Shu’s willingness to offer such luxury was remarkable.

Tsk, he had never shown such filial piety before! The Shao Family must be exceptionally fortunate…

For a moment, a sense of unease settled upon them.

Ms. Fang interjected, surprised by the revelation. “We cultivate these tea leaves ourselves; it’s not because of Shu.”

Qiao Xuan, with a knowing smile, replied, “Mom, they’re guests. They’re not aware of our affairs.”

Turning towards the Zhao Family, she continued, “We operate a sizable teahouse spanning nearly 2,000 mu, cultivating both Golden Sprout and Purple Fragrance varieties. We reserve the finest tea leaves for our own family each year, and as our esteemed guests, it’s only fitting that we serve you the best!”

Zhao Shu and his uncles were left speechless.

Zhao Di’s smile appeared strained, his skepticism evident. He forced a smile and remarked, “Your family’s teahouse exclusively cultivates these two tea varieties? They’re quite rare. Tea seedlings aren’t readily available. Could it be that you’ve been misled…”

Qiao Xuan chuckled softly. “Every year, reputable businessmen from Yuzhang province come to purchase our tea leaves. Golden Sprout typically fetches around 40 taels of silver per catty, while Purple Fragrance goes for about 100 taels of silver per catty.”

Embarrassment washed over Zhao Di, rendering him speechless. He managed to force another smile and conceded, “Well… in that case, you truly are fortunate… Zhao Shu must have provided these tea seedlings for your family, right? He’s been quite generous to the Yue family, haha.”

Qiao Xuan, wearing a puzzled expression, responded, “Why would you assume that? Our teahouse was established before we met Zhao Shu!”

Zhao Di felt deflated. Unable to contain his curiosity, he inquired, “Where did you obtain the tea seedlings, then?”

With a gentle smile, Qiao Xuan replied, “It’s a rather lengthy tale. My husband procured a batch of tea seeds from a merchant, and we nurtured them ourselves. We didn’t have high expectations, but all the tea seeds sprouted beautifully! My husband and sister-in-law are incredibly fortunate. They make an excellent match for Young Master Zhao!”

Everyone laughed.

Ms. Fang’s delight was palpable, her smile radiant as she exchanged a meaningful glance with Qiao Xuan.

Unable to refute Ms. Fang’s words, the uncles of the Zhao Family joined in with compliments for Taotao, their smiles masking any lingering discomfort.

Feeling slighted, Zhao Di couldn’t comprehend how this discussion related to Zhao Shu’s fiancee. Why was she receiving praise?

“Well, your family certainly seems fortunate. With your wealth, why haven’t you purchased a home in the city and relocated? Living in a village can be quite inconvenient!”

Ms. Fang’s expression soured at the suggestion. “There are benefits to rural life as well. The villagers here are incredibly welcoming. This village is the foundation of our Shao Family–how could we simply uproot ourselves? Even if we’re not lacking in funds, we mustn’t forget our roots!”

Qiao Xuan chimed in, “My mother speaks the truth! However, we do own properties in the county and the province. We can comfortably reside here whenever necessary.”

Zhao Di found himself at a loss for words.