Qin Liuxi glanced over Du Mian’s introduction letter, then looked at the man across from her who appeared slightly haggard and wore a worried expression.
"Li Xuefu?"
Li Xuefu stood up sowhat awkwardly, accompanied by a smile as he cupped his hands in greeting. "Yes, that’s ."
"How did you find ?"
Li Xuefu said, "I sent people to inquire early on, knowing you were here. And Jiuxuan Auction Hall has an auction on the first day of the year, so I ca to see if I could get lucky. I didn’t expect heaven to favor , granting Mr. Li a bit of good fortune."
He certainly knows how to put a positive spin on things.
Qin Liuxi glanced at the letter again. Du Mian described Li Xuefu’s identity clearly, stating that this rchant nad Li was a famous tea rchant in Da Feng. The Li Family’s tea, known as Jade Mist, was a tribute tea. It was said that Jade Mist ca from only three exceptional tea trees, harvested on specific pre-rain days, and went through multiple roasting to produce no more than two pounds per year. Nad Jade Mist due to its refreshing tea aroma like mist, consuming it brings clarity and vitality.
In fact, there were more than just these three trees; among the sa batch, only these three were the best. Though they appeared similar to others, the tea from these trees tasted much stronger.
It was said that the ancestor Li Weng personally cultivated and tended these trees, which were nearly fifty years old.
But in recent years, the yield of these trees has declined. Previously yielding two pounds, it gradually reduced to one, and last year, the new tea was rely three ounces, making tea more precious than gold.
This year was even worse; due to cold weather, the Li Family had built a greenhouse around the trees to prevent freezing, but accidents still occurred, and the old Jade Mist tea trees were about to wither.
Jade Mist was a tribute tea, and if the trees withered this year, the new tribute tea would definitely be a failure. Amidst the snow disaster, they could attribute the tea tree freeze to natural disasters to excuse the lack of tribute this year, but what about later?
Without this tribute tea, the title of first tea rchant must pass to soone else.
But Li Xuefu’s main concern wasn’t even that; it was the downfall of family business and misfortune befalling family mbers, with illness, death, and disability seeming to plague them, indicating a possible family curse.
Li Xuefu, as the current Family Head, sought divine help and consulted many, befriending Du Mian, who told him how Qin Liuxi had saved him at the brink of death. He shared his family issues with Du Mian, who introduced him, hoping Qin Liuxi could help.
On the letter, Du Mian ntioned the Li Family, after gaining wealth, has frequently built bridges and roads, donated generously during disasters, famously known as a family of good people, amassing considerable rit, and asking Qin Liuxi for so assistance, if willing.
A family of accumulated virtue.
Qin Liuxi looked at Li Xuefu with an ambiguous expression, saying, "Tea trees wilting is nature’s way; I have no spell to revive them. Shouldn’t you consult so old experts? After all, in such cold, freezing the roots is possible."
Li Xuefu was stunned. Was this a refusal to help?
"We prepared greenhouses early, ensuring no freezing," he replied.
"But if the roots are rotten, have you checked?" Qin Liuxi asked.
Li Xuefu was stunned again, shaking his head.
"Why haven’t you?" Qin Liuxi said. "Tea tree wilting requires investigating the cause, primarily checking roots for pests or rot. It’s basic gardening knowledge, and likely similar for tea trees."
Li Xuefu fell silent, aware of this, but those tea trees had ancestral rules prohibiting tampering.
Suddenly, he felt a bitterness he couldn’t articulate.
"Temple Master, tea trees are minor; our family’s feng shui has worsened in recent years. I have only one son, now bedridden," Li Xuefu said bitterly. "Mr. Li asks Temple Master for help as a last resort, considering Helm Leader Du’s connection."
Saying this, he knelt before Qin Liuxi, saying, "Temple Master, any request you have, Mr. Li will do all to fulfill."
"Hmm, achieving a goal at any cost. Even if I ask you to kill, you would agree?" Qin Liuxi smiled.
Li Xuefu’s face changed with fear, lips trembling, unable to speak.
To be honest, the rchant world is a cesspool, full of all types, applying survival of the fittest principles. A finite pie shared among many inevitably requires unconventional thods like crushing competitors or gradual encroachnt.
Who in comrce dares claim a clean slate? Even indirect involvent through orders is complicit.
Li Xuefu, as Da Feng’s leading tea rchant, surely has such sins on his record.
Had another asked, he likely would agree, willing to sacrifice all for family, even resorting to murder if justified.
But in front of Qin Liuxi, Temple Master, Du Mian says she values justice, differentiating right from wrong, heavily weighing karma. If he agreed, how might she view him?
Li Xuefu felt cornered, helplessly elevated to a precarious position.
anwhile, Qin Liuxi watched him with a chilling smile, even for soone seasoned like him, it felt eerie, causing cold sweat to drip.
Beside himself, Li Xuefu couldn’t et her gaze, waiting for reprieve from Qin Liuxi, hesitantly asking, "Is Temple Master testing ?"
"Not at all. Du Mian’s letter says your family is virtuous; I’m rely assessing whether Li the Good Person is genuinely good or falsely so," Qin Liuxi replied lightly.
Li Xuefu, irate, stood swiftly with suppressed anger, saying, "If Temple Master won’t help, consider it my misfortune. Since prosperity, we’ve built bridges and roads, distributed dicine and food, donated amid disasters, earning our first tea rchant title. I, as Family Head, uphold ancestral guidance, refusing to bully or oppress, consistently treating others kindly, not exploiting our na for wrongdoing. Temple Master insults my family."
He cupped his hands to Qin Liuxi, saying, "Today’s visit was presumptuous; Mr. Li apologizes and takes leave."
Qin Liuxi tapped the table lightly, saying, "Fine, assuming you’re truly virtuous, is your ancestor equally so? Are you certain your ancestor committed no terrible sins?"
Li Xuefu’s eyes widened, wondering at the implications, facing insult even to his ancestors. Infuriating indeed!
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