At this time, the yard of Zhenzhu’s manor was covered with mats full of dark red coffee beans, turning the ground a deep red. They were now dry and crisp, ready to be hulled, roasted, and ground. “What do we do with these beans next, A’Zhu?” Li Si asked, looking around the yard. “They need to be pounded to hull them first, keeping the inner beans for roasting and grinding.” In her previous life, there were machines for hulling, but now they had to do it manually by pounding to remove the husks. "Alright, I’ll go fetch some servants from my place to help you." There weren’t many servants in Zhenzhu’s manor, and it would take several days to do all this work. Li Si ran through the walls back to her manor and soon returned with several dozen servants. Each carried tools for hulling, roasting, and grinding. "A’Zhu, we’re ready. Let’s start." She was eagerly anticipating tasting A’Zhu’s coffee. "Okay." With both people and tools ready, Zhenzhu quickly assigned tasks to all the servants. Although she didn’t have extensive knowledge of coffee production, she knew how to create a fragrant and well-rounded drink. The processes were something she was only vaguely familiar with. But never mind, she had plenty of coffee beans to experiment with to achieve a balanced flavor. “Try hulling these beans. Don’t pound too hard, just enough to remove the husk and keep the inner beans.” “And you, start a fire. We need to roast them.” The servants had no idea what dish or drink Lady He wanted them to make or what those dark beans in the yard were. They just followed Lady He’s instructions. Zhenzhu and the servants went through a lot of trial and error, not knowing what the correct process should be. Many times, they had to discard burnt coffee beans. “Miss, there’s smoke coming out.” “Whoa, you’re using too much heat. It’s burnt now. Discard it.” “Miss, the beans are all crushed.” “Ah, I told you not to pound too hard. Do it gently.” After many trials and errors, Zhenzhu finally had four bowls of roasted and ground coffee, each representing a different roasting time. The first bowl had the lightest coffee, roasted for the shortest time with a mild aroma. The second bowl was medium roast, with slightly darker grounds. The third was a dark roast, roasted longer with dark brown grounds. The fourth bowl was the longest roast, with almost black grounds. “A’Zhu, is this the powder to make the drink?” Li Si leaned down to smell the dark grounds in front of her. “It smells wonderful, A’Zhu. Will it taste good?” She had never smelled anything before. The well-rounded aroma was enough to make her eager to try it. “Mmm,” Zhenzhu instructed the servants to bring teacups, hot water, cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and sweeteners. Soon, all the items were brought in. Zhenzhu scooped the coffee powder into filter cloths and steeped them in each teacup before pouring hot water, without any artistry or technique in brewing coffee. She didn’t know much about brewing coffee, so she just did what she knew. For the light roast, she simply added hot water. The resulting coffee had a strong acidity, similar to fermented fruit, and could be drunk like tea. As the roasts got darker, the acidity decreased. For the darkest roast, she added cow’s milk and sweeteners to make it richer and smoother. “This is coffee. Try it and see which flavor you like. Coffee can be brewed in many ways. Give it a try.” Zhenzhu gestured to her friend to taste. Normally, she preferred coffee with little sweetness but a lot of milk, making it rich and smooth without being too bitter. However, coffee preferences varied from person to person, depending on their tastes. “A’Zhu! The aroma! It’s amazing! I’ve never smelled anything so wonderfully strange before.” Li Si inhaled the aroma of each coffee cup with sparkling eyes. She sipped each coffee slowly. She made a face at the first and second cups, not liking them, but when she tasted the coffee mixed with cow’s milk and goat’s milk with added sweetness, her eyes widened, sparkling even more. Follow current novels on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱 “Delicious! I one. Is it mixed with cow’s milk?” “Yes, cow’s milk. Coffee can be brewed in many ways depending on how it’s roasted—light or dark—and whether the coffee grounds are coarse or fine. Coarser grounds produce a milder flavor, while finer grounds make it stronger. The ratio of ingredients and the method of brewing also affect the taste. So, there’s a lot of variety in brewing coffee, but I don’t know much about it. I just tried brewing this for you to taste.” “Ah, it’s really good! I love it! A’Zhu, I’ll try brewing coffee in various ways, and we’ll let the customers at Fu Zhenzhu Shop try it. They’ll love it as much as I do.” Typically, nobles or wealthy merchants would serve tea when they met, as there weren’t many drink choices in this era. She thought that coffee might be an option that could make them forget the taste of tea. “Mmm, let’s try,” Zhenzhu nodded. She didn’t expect coffee to replace the long-standing tradition of tea. The art and culture of tea drinking were deeply ingrained in people’s lives. But at least it would be another option for them. The rich aroma of coffee made the servants swallow their saliva. They, too, wanted to know what this drink would taste like. Seeing their reactions, Zhenzhu waved her hand. “You all can brew some to drink as well,” Zhenzhu said. Seeing this, Li Si had a fun idea. “How about this, brew the coffee you like best and let’s have a contest to see whose tastes the best. A’Zhu and I will be the judges. The winner’s flavor will be offered to the customers at the fabric shop. Our decision is final, no one can oppose, and the winner will receive a prize of 10 taels!” Upon hearing Li Si’s announcement, the servants were very excited. Ten taels was no small amount. “Then, the second place will get 8 taels, and the third place will get 6 taels,” Zhenzhu added, encouraging the servants to experiment freely. She might even find a skilled coffee brewer among them. That evening, people passing by Zhao Manor and the adjacent He Manor could smell the wonderfully strange aroma wafting out, tickling their noses. They speculated about what the delightful smell could be, but they couldn’t guess. Some even climbed the fence to peek inside, only to be caught by the manor guards and handed over to the authorities. Still, the enticing aroma continued to draw curious eyes. Finally, the aroma that puzzled the townspeople was answered when the Fu Zhenzhu Shop introduced a new drink for its customers to try. Coincidentally, on that very day, a fourth-rank noble brought his wife to purchase outfits for a banquet to welcome the Tang Region delegation who were delivering war tributes. Fu Zhenzhu Shop not only sold women’s clothing but also had a small selection of men’s attire. When the noble tasted the various flavors of coffee the shop offered, he was very impressed. “What is this called? Why does it smell so wonderful?” the old noble asked the shop employee who brought the coffee. “This is called coffee, Master. It’s a new drink we are offering to our customers instead of tea. But if you don’t like it, I can bring you some tea instead.” “No need to change it. I . Do you have more? What ingredients are used, and is it for sale? I’d like to buy some to take home.” The shop offered him various kinds of coffee, but he particularly liked the light-colored one, which had a fragrant aroma and a tangy yet smooth taste. His wife, on the other hand, preferred the coffee mixed with goat’s milk, which was sweet and easy to drink, and also very aromatic. “To be honest, Master, this new drink isn’t available for sale yet. But since you like it, we’ll give you some coffee powder to take home. However, next time you’ll have to wait until the Fu Zhenzhu Coffee Shop officially opens to get more.” “Oh, thank you very much,” the old noble said with satisfaction. He was the first to try it, considered himself lucky to have booked to shop at Fu Zhenzhu Shop this day. He planned to coffee with his friends, who would undoubtedly be eager to find where it came from. “Please wait a moment.” The shop employee disappeared into the back and returned shortly with a small cloth bundle. “In this bundle, you’ll find brewing instructions and the proportions for each type. You can brew it to your liking. But don’t drink too much coffee. Just one cup a day is enough, as it can invigorate you and may cause heart palpitations and insomnia if consumed in excess.” “Oh, thank you very much.” After the noble left, many other customers who enjoyed the coffee also asked to buy some. Before long, the coffee prepared for the customers ran out. “See? Everyone loves our coffee, A’Zhu!” Li Si said excitedly. “Mmm, that’s enough for now. Stop giving it away. Let them wait for the coffee shop to open in a few months. Save the rest for the customers who come to the shop,” Zhenzhu instructed the servants. “A’Zhu, you’re amazing,” Li Si looked at her friend admiringly. A’Zhu handled everything perfectly, with everything falling into place as she had planned. “You’re amazing too,” Zhenzhu smiled at her friend. As coffee started spreading among the townspeople through the customers of Fu Zhenzhu Shop, the new drink gradually became more in demand due to its enticing aroma. Most of Fu Zhenzhu Shop’s customers were nobles and people from prominent families. When they received coffee powder from Zhenzhu, they served it to guests in their manors or during gatherings, allowing their guests to try the coffee. This increased the demand for the new drink from Fu Zhenzhu fabric shop. Customers with reservations for the shop’s products prayed for their turn to come soon so they could taste the coffee again. The coffee from Fu Zhenzhu Shop was freshly made and offered a variety of rich and smooth brewing options. "Can I buy some coffee powder to take home?" A madam asked the shop employee to attend to her. A few days ago, she had the chance to visit an old friend and taste coffee for the first time. Her husband also loved it, but despite repeatedly asking, Fu Zhenzhu Shop always said they had no coffee powder for sale, leaving her disappointed. Now, with another opportunity, she asked again. "I’m sorry, Furen. We’re out of coffee powder," came the familiar response. "Could you spare me a little? You sold some to Gu Furen last time." "I truly apologize, Furen. We really don’t have any. Please wait a little longer; the Fu Zhenzhu Coffee Shop will open soon. Then, you can come by and drink coffee anytime you like." The shop employee was extremely troubled. She had repeated these words countless times throughout the day. She couldn’t wait for the mistress to finally open the Fu Zhenzhu Coffee Shop. "Really?! When will it open?" the customer asked excitedly. "We don’t have a specific date yet. The shop will announce it soon." This scene played out repeatedly. Most customers who came into the shop wanted to buy coffee powder, but none could. The coffee powder sold to the initial customers became a precious commodity. At the same time, a young man walked confidently into the shop. Unfortunately, all the space inside was already taken. The customers inside looked at him curiously. Did he not know that Fu Zhenzhu Shop required reservations because of the high number of people wanting to see the products? How foolish of him to just walk in. Still, the shop employee greeted him nicely. "Young Master, I apologize, but we don’t have enough space. If you wish to browse, please come back another day." "Oh, it’s alright. I’m here to see Lady He and Lady Zhao. Are they in?" The man had a fair face, a valiant demeanor, and a graceful presence. Upon looking, he was as beautiful as a celestial being. At that moment, a customer that was a titled wife recognized him. As soon as she exclaimed, everyone was startled and quickly knelt to show their respect. How could they have forgotten that the owners of Fu Zhenzhu Shop had a special relationship with Taizi? Wasn’t it Taizi and Young General Zhao who first wore the shop’s clothes when they were tailored? "Please, everyone, be at ease. I’m just here to greet some friends." Hearing the commotion, Zhenzhu and Li Si, who were upstairs in the manager’s room, came down to see. When they saw Wenlang standing in the middle of the shop, they called out. But once they regained their composure, the women quickly descended to greet the high-status man with proper respect to avoid any criticism. The young man was then invited upstairs to the second-floor reception room. "Brother Lang, how is it that you came here today?" Zhenzhu asked immediately. Since the war ended, Wenlang had numerous duties as the crown prince. The Emperor had entrusted him with more responsibilities to prepare for the transition of power, leaving him with little time. But today, how could he suddenly appear here? "I heard there’s a new drink at Fu Zhenzhu Shop. It’s said to be very rare, and those who get to taste it need to have luck. I wanted to have luck, so I come here to try.” "This drink is very expensive, Brother Taizi. Can you afford it?" Li Si teased him with a smile. "Is it that expensive? Oh, what a pity. I hoped to try it. If it meets my taste, I intended to serve it at the upcoming welcome banquet for the Tang delegation and other nobles. But if it’s that expensive, I suppose I’ll have to pass," the young man said with a sorrowful face, though his eyes were sparkling. "Oh, if that’s the case, never mind, Brother Taizi. We’re all friends here. We won’t charge you a high price. Please sit and relax. I’ll call the servants to prepare some coffee for you." Not only that, Li Si fanned him, trying to please. If he weren’t a man, she would have given him a massage too. Wenlang raised his hand to knock the head of the general’s daughter, since she was cute, and he couldn’t help it. Look at this, how similar these two women are. Soon, several small cups of aromatic coffee were placed in front of him, each with different hues. There was a plate of sweets in the tray as well. "This is called coffee, Brother Lang. Coffee comes from the beans of a plant that I happened to get seeds from a villager. When these beans are dried, roasted, and ground, you get coffee powder to brew. The coffees in front of you have different aromas and flavors due to various production methods, such as roasting for different durations and grinding to different fineness. Coffee energizes you, improves blood circulation, reduces blood fat, and helps relieve stress. But drinking too much can be harmful because it also stimulates the heart, which can cause palpitations and insomnia if overconsumed," Zhenzhu explained, sharing what she knew, even if not in great detail, she still had some knowledge. Shi Wenlang listened attentively, some parts he understood, some he didn’t, but he grasped that coffee had benefits but shouldn’t be consumed in excess. "So, can I drink all of these?" He was enticed by the rich aroma and couldn’t wait to taste it. How could there be a drink that smell this good? "Yes, but Brother Lang should only take small sips of each one. If you like a particular taste and aroma, then choose that cup. Drinking too much isn’t good." "Alright." The young man nodded and began to sip each cup slowly, savoring the rich aroma. It was hard to stop. No wonder all the nobles were talking about the new drink from Fu Zhenzhu Shop, saying it was extraordinarily fragrant. The young man sipped slowly, one cup at a time, until he had tried them all. After pondering for a moment, he picked up the darkest cup and drank it entirely. He liked this coffee, even though it wasn’t sweet. However, its aroma was rich and slightly smoky with a lingering bitter taste. Excellent! "Excellent." He already became addicted to this smell. "Ah, if that’s the case, at the welcome banquet for the delegation, there must be coffee served, right?" Li Si, who had been anxiously watching the Crown Prince slowly savor the coffee cup by cup, clapped her hands with satisfaction when he said it was excellent. When the Crown Prince approved, the coffee was bound to gain fame under his patronage. Heh-heh. "Mmm, it will be so. I’ll let you know how much we need. Also, send someone to the palace to make coffee for me." "That’s not possible. Our coffee brewers were carefully selected for many days. They are now adept at making coffee. If Brother Taizi wants, you should send your people to learn from us," said Lady Zhao, interrupting. Zhenzhu could only look at Li Si admiringly. Perhaps only she would dare to contradict the Crown Prince. Wenlang merely raised an eyebrow at the petite woman. "Why are you so possessive?" "My people were not easily trained." "Sigh... Very well," the young man sighed. This little girl, she wouldn’t give up her servants. Perhaps he should just take Lady Zhao herself. 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