Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan'er at the beginning-Chapter 24 - Does Madam Zhao’s Tea Taste Bad?

Chapter 24 Does Madam Zhao’s Tea Taste Bad?

The eunuch, seeing Zhao Pan’er’s hesitation, continued, “His Majesty understands that Master Gao has a free-spirited nature and does not conform to conventions.”

“Therefore, he does not demand an immediate painting.”

“But he does not want to wait too long either.”

“His Majesty is eager to see how much Master Gao has improved!”

“Improved?”

Zhao Pan’er’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly watched the eunuch. The eunuch understood—Zhao Pan’er wanted to know which of Gao You’s previous paintings the Emperor had seen.

Smiling, the eunuch revealed, “His Majesty owns three of Master Gao’s paintings, and his favorite is The Waterfall.”

Zhao Pan’er understood instantly. If Gao You were to submit another painting, it would have to surpass The Waterfall—anything less might disappoint the Emperor.

The fact that the Emperor had already collected Gao You’s paintings was astonishing news. The scholars kneeling on the ground mentally noted this, ready to boast about it later.

“How about one year?”

Hearing Zhao Pan’er’s proposal, the eunuch immediately let out a sharp exclamation.

“One year is impossible!”

“His Majesty cannot wait that long!”

“Madam Zhao, please don’t put me in a difficult position. Three months at most!”

Zhao Pan’er glanced at Gao You, who still appeared relaxed and unbothered. She felt that three months was too short. Since finishing The View of Qiantang River, Gao You had not picked up his brush.

Who knew when he would be in the mood to paint again?

“Eight months!”

Zhao Pan’er offered a polite smile.

“Sir, you know my husband’s temperament well.”

“This kind of thing cannot be rushed!”

“His Majesty surely wishes to see Master Gao’s most perfect work, which requires sufficient time for inspiration!”

The eunuch shook his head rapidly.

“That is absolutely unacceptable!”

“Eight months is far too long!”

“Madam Zhao, please try harder. Let’s settle it within four months!”

Zhao Pan’er kept shaking her head.

“At least seven months!”

“I promise I will urge my husband to take this seriously. We will not disappoint His Majesty’s expectations!”

Watching Zhao Pan’er and the eunuch haggle like street vendors, Gao You found it amusing. The bystanders, however, were utterly dumbfounded!

The Emperor was personally requesting a painting!

Shouldn’t they be rushing to complete it immediately, even working through the night to present it as soon as possible?

Yet here they were, stalling and bargaining. The most astonishing part was that the eunuch, representing the Emperor, kept making concessions. Clearly, this was under the Emperor’s instructions—otherwise, the eunuch wouldn’t dare act on his own.

Realizing this, the kneeling scholars became even more convinced that Gao You was extraordinary. The eunuch glanced at Gao You, finding his demeanor truly odd. Others either cowered in fear or showed disdain towards eunuchs.

But Gao You’s gaze held neither fear nor contempt—it was as if he were observing a rare species. Before departing, the Emperor had explicitly instructed the eunuch not to pressure Gao You.

Given that, he decided to make one final compromise.

Gritting his teeth, the eunuch said, “Six months!”

“That is my absolute limit!”

“Any longer, and I won’t be able to account for it!”

Realizing that further negotiation was impossible, Zhao Pan’er finally nodded.

“Six months it is!”

“Master Gao is lucky to have you as his wife…”

The eunuch looked at Zhao Pan’er and couldn’t help but comment.

Gao You immediately responded, “My wife is a treasure!”

He even defends his wife?

The eunuch was surprised but did not argue. “Master Gao is absolutely right!”

“Now, please hurry and complete the painting for His Majesty!”

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Trying to rush him?

Gao You couldn’t be bothered, turning his head away to continue gazing at the Qiantang River.

“This…”

The eunuch was speechless.

Zhao Pan’er quickly intervened, “My husband is just like this.”

“Please, sir, don’t take offense!”

“No harm done!”

The eunuch shook his head. Since the painting matter was settled, it was time for him to leave. However, since he had accepted Zhao Pan’er’s gold—He could not simply ignore the burly troublemakers who had openly stirred up trouble.

“You there—did you come here for tea?”

The black-faced thug trembled as the eunuch addressed him directly, nearly wetting himself.

He nodded frantically.

“Y-Yes!”

“Then why didn’t you finish your tea?”

The eunuch gestured towards the teacups, now deliberately filled with insects.

“Does Madam Zhao’s tea taste bad?”

“Ah!”

Was he… helping Zhao Pan’er settle the score?

What kind of terrifying figure had they provoked?

The thugs were trembling uncontrollably, on the verge of collapsing in fear.

“Speak!”

The eunuch suddenly slammed the table.

The black-faced thug stammered, “M-Madam Zhao’s tea is unparalleled in the world!”

“Then why didn’t you finish it?”

The eunuch coldly fixed his gaze on him.

Panicked, the thug grabbed his cup—bugs and all—and gulped it down in one go.

“What about you?”

The eunuch turned to the others. The remaining thugs immediately followed suit, hastily downing their tea. Watching their pathetic, flustered state, the eunuch scoffed.

“Next time, think twice before acting.”

“Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

The thugs were so terrified that they repeatedly kowtowed. The eunuch ignored them and turned to bid farewell to Zhao Pan’er.

Just then—A constable arrived with his men, rushing towards the teahouse. Seeing the courtyard filled with Imperial Guards, the constable hesitated in confusion.

The eunuch waved his hand—The guards let the constable in.

“Master Gao will be painting for His Majesty soon.”

“If anything happens to him in Qiantang, you had better be prepared for the consequences.”

The constable’s face turned pale with shock. He had originally accepted bribes from Wang Dashan, planning to stir up trouble here.

But now—Gao You had earned the Emperor’s favor!

Luckily, he had arrived late. Had he come earlier and acted rashly, today might have been the day he lost his head.