20demayo Chapter 192 The Milk Tea Shop Officially Opens in Ancient Times
Chapter 192 The Milk Tea Shop Officially Opens in Ancient Times
On the most bustling and vibrant street in the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom, a brand-new shop quietly began its business. Its location was superb, a prominent spot on the street, making it hard for passersby to miss. Above the entrance hung a beautifully crafted plaque. Made of fine wood and meticulously carved by skilled artisans, its surface was smooth as a mirror. Engraved in gold foil were five large, flowing characters: "Yu Xiang Milk Tea Shop." Each character was powerful and vigorous, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight, making it a striking sight from afar.
Below the ornate signboard, two bright and eye-catching red lanterns hang symmetrically. The lanterns are made of red silk and embroidered with auspicious patterns. They sway gently from side to side in the breeze, like two warm and hospitable greeters, smiling and inviting passersby to come in and enjoy the delicious food.
Looking at the overall design of this shop, it is truly unique and ingenious. Its doors and windows are made of high-quality wood, carved with a variety of exquisite patterns. These patterns, some intricate and delicate, others simple and grand, blend perfectly with the surrounding antique traditional architectural style, complementing each other and creating a harmonious beauty.
On either side of the shop entrance stand two enormous signs. These signs, also made of wood, are adorned with vibrant and lifelike milk tea designs. Inside the cups, the translucent pearls are plump and round, resembling delightful little pearl dumplings; the fruits garnished are fresh and juicy, as if just picked, making one's mouth water and one's mouth water at just a glance.
Upon entering the store, the first thing that catches the eye is the warm and elegant interior. On the snow-white walls, exquisitely framed paintings are hung in a pleasingly irregular arrangement. Some of these paintings depict the magnificent and beautiful landscapes of the Nanzhao Kingdom, while others vividly portray the rich and varied daily life of the local people, filling the entire store with a profound cultural atmosphere and artistic ambiance.
Although the shop isn't particularly spacious, the owner has cleverly planned and utilized the space. Several sturdy and durable wooden tables and chairs are neatly arranged, each covered with a spotless tablecloth. In the center of each tablecloth sits a small, exquisite vase filled with colorful flowers, emitting a refreshing fragrance that puts customers in a pleasant and comfortable mood.
A young man next to him replied with a smile, "Uncle, I heard that this milk tea was developed by the ladies in the palace. It has the aroma of tea, the aroma of milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. It's so delicious."
"Really?" The uncle was still a little skeptical. "How much does a cup of this milk tea cost? Can ordinary people like us afford it?"
Just then, the shop door slowly opened, and Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan, dressed in gorgeous clothes and smiling, walked out. Their appearance immediately caused a small commotion.
"It's the Empress and the Empress of Xijing Kingdom! I never expected that they own this milk tea shop." Someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.
Gu Liuli smiled and said to everyone, "Fellow villagers, today is the opening day of our Yuxiang Milk Tea Shop. To thank everyone for their support, the first 100 customers today can enjoy milk tea for free."
These words immediately caused a stir among the crowd. People quickly formed long queues, their faces beaming with excitement.
"This is wonderful! I'm so lucky to be able to drink the Empress's milk tea for free!" an elderly woman said happily.
At the front of the line was a cute little girl, dressed in tattered clothes, but her eyes were full of anticipation. Gu Liuli personally handed her a cup of milk tea, smiling and saying, "Little friend, try this milk tea and see if it's good."
The little girl took the milk tea, carefully took a sip, and her eyes immediately lit up: "Wow, it's so delicious! These pearls are so chewy and fun!" A satisfied smile appeared on her face, which made the people around her laugh as well.
Then, a young scholar stepped forward, took the milk tea, took an elegant sip, and praised it highly: "This tea has a wonderful aroma and a mellow taste. It has both the fragrance of tea leaves and the sweetness of milk. It is truly a fine beverage."
A woman holding a child stepped forward and said hesitantly, "Madam, may I buy a cup for my child too? He's been seeing everyone else drinking it and he's really craving it."
Jia Xiaoyan smiled and said, "Of course, this milk tea is very nutritious and good for children." As she spoke, she handed the woman a cup of milk tea and thoughtfully instructed, "Be careful, it's hot. Blow on it before giving it to the child."
As time went on, the milk tea shop became increasingly popular. The queue grew longer and longer, stretching all the way to the end of the street. The staff inside were extremely busy, skillfully brewing milk tea, making tapioca pearls, and handing out delicious cups of milk tea to customers.
An elderly man selling vegetables bought a cup of milk tea, sat down on a chair in the shop, and slowly savored it. As he drank, he exclaimed, "I've lived most of my life and never tasted anything so delicious. The Empress and Lady Jia are truly blessing the people!"
A wealthy young man arrived at the milk tea shop with a group of entourage. Looking at the bustling scene inside, he said disdainfully, "It's just a cup of milk tea, what's so special about it that it attracts so many people to queue up?"
However, persuaded by his attendants, he reluctantly bought a cup of milk tea. After taking a sip, the disdain on his face vanished instantly, replaced by surprise and satisfaction: "This...this milk tea is so delicious, I underestimated it."
As the milk tea shop's reputation grew, not only ordinary people came to buy its products, but also some high-ranking officials and nobles who came specifically to try it. The wife of a high-ranking official arrived at the shop with several maids. Looking at the shop's decor and the milk tea, she nodded in satisfaction: "This milk tea shop is indeed extraordinary, truly worthy of its reputation."
"It's run by the Empress and Madam Jia." She bought several cups of milk tea in one go, saying she wanted to take them back for her family and friends to try.
Amid the lively atmosphere, some interesting little incidents also occurred.
A young man, in his haste, accidentally spilled his milk tea all over himself. He stood there awkwardly, at a loss for what to do.
Upon seeing this, Gu Liuli quickly went over, handed him a clean handkerchief, and said with a smile, "It's alright, here's another cup for you. Be careful next time."
The young man gratefully accepted the milk tea and left with a blush on his face.
Before they knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west, but the milk tea shop was still doing brisk business. Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan looked at the bustling scene inside and outside the shop, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
"Xiaoyan, I didn't expect our milk tea shop to be so popular," Gu Liuli said to Jia Xiaoyan with a smile.
Jia Xiaoyan nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's all thanks to everyone's support. Seeing how much everyone loves our milk tea makes all the hard work worthwhile."
As night fell, the number of customers at the milk tea shop gradually decreased. Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan began to tally up the day's earnings and remaining ingredients. Although
They were a little tired, but their faces were beaming with happy smiles.
"Today's income is pretty good. It seems our milk tea is really popular," Gu Liuli said happily, looking at the ledger.
"Moreover, we have also heard a lot of suggestions from our customers, which has been very helpful in improving the taste and quality of our milk tea."
Jia Xiaoyan added.
The two also discussed some future development plans for the milk tea shop, and they decided to continuously launch new flavors and varieties to give customers more choices.
At the same time, they also plan to open branches in other cities so that more people can taste the delicious milk tea.
After the last customer left, Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan closed the door of the milk tea shop.
Gazing at the brightly lit streets, their hearts were filled with anticipation for the future. They knew that the success of the milk tea shop was just the beginning, and they would continue to work hard to bring more delicious food and joy to the people of Nanzhao Kingdom.