Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan’er at the beginning

Chapter 43 The Tea House Raises Prices

“Gaolang?”

Zhao Pan’er didn’t expect Gao You to still be awake. She paused her movements and said awkwardly, “It’s a bit hot, so I want to lay my bedding on the floor and rest!”

“Just go to sleep!”

Sleeping on the floor? How could that be allowed!

Even though Gao You’s home had wooden flooring, it wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep on.

“The floor is uncomfortable!”

Zhao Pan’er smiled.

“I’ll lay down a few more blankets!”

“Gaolang, just rest easy!”

Before Gao You could respond, Zhao Pan’er had already found several blankets and laid them beside the bed. She originally intended to sleep a little farther away, but since Gao You was awake, she couldn’t go too far—otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t be happy!

Just as Zhao Pan’er finished making her bed on the floor, Gao You suddenly jumped onto it, laid down, and immediately fell asleep.

“Gaolang?”

Zhao Pan’er stared at him in surprise.

“Go back to the bed!”

“I like it here!”

Gao You yawned after speaking and fell asleep right away. After spending the last two days traveling, he was truly exhausted!

Hearing his snores, Zhao Pan’er had no choice but to lie back on the bed, looking at him.

Who would actually like sleeping on the floor? He clearly just wanted her to be more comfortable but didn’t know how to express it.

“Gaolang, why are you so kind?”

Zhao Pan’er whispered in her heart and slowly drifted off to sleep. The sunlight streamed through the window. When Gao You woke up, he found his wife secretly watching him from the bed.

“Dear wife!”

As soon as Gao You spoke, Zhao Pan’er quickly shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Seeing how adorable she was, Gao You sat up, leaned on the bed, and stared at her face. He kept staring until Zhao Pan’er’s cheeks turned red.

Only then did he smile and say, “Dear wife, we need to raise the price of tea!”

“Raise the price?”

Zhao Pan’er opened her eyes, full of surprise. “Why?”

Zhao’s Tea House had already been recorded in the local chronicles of Qiantang. In this era, there was no internet filled with travel guides. When people from all over visited a place, they would often refer to local chronicles. Historical residences, famous mountains, and rivers recorded in these chronicles were must-visit attractions.

“Tourist spots charge higher prices!”

Zhao Pan’er pondered over Gao You’s words and found them reasonable. At temple fairs, stalls with good locations and high foot traffic always charged more. Her tea house had the unparalleled view of the sunset and rainbow—many people would surely come for that alone. Following that logic, raising prices actually made sense!

“How much should we raise it by?”

Zhao Pan’er looked at Gao You with uncertainty.

Gao You smiled.

“Double the price!”

“What?”

Zhao Pan’er sat up in shock.

“Isn’t that too much?”

Zhao’s Tea House already charged high prices for its tea. If they really doubled the price, a single cup would be outrageous!

But Gao You didn’t think it was a big deal. Originally, Zhao’s Tea House catered to Qiantang’s local scholars and literati. Now, it was attracting the elite from all over Jiangnan.

“Will it work?”

Zhao Pan’er was unsure.

“It will!”

Gao You stretched, feeling a bit sore in his neck.

The floor really wasn’t comfortable! Zhao Pan’er quickly sat up and began massaging his neck. By late morning, Gao You and Zhao Pan’er walked together to the entrance of Zhao’s Tea House.

“So many people?”

Zhao Pan’er was surprised to see the crowd.

Gao You grinned.

“Raise the price!”

“Mm!”

Zhao Pan’er nodded.

After taking just a few steps, she noticed many distinguished figures from Jiangnan—people she rarely saw before.

Did these people have so much free time?

Coming so early just to drink tea?

“Pan’er!”

Sun Sanniang squeezed through the crowd. “Zhao’s Tea House has completely blown up!”

“I just saw an idle fifth-rank official—fifth-rank! A county magistrate is only eighth-rank!”

“Even such high-status figures are coming here to drink tea!”

Zhao Pan’er looked up at the tea house’s sign and felt that ‘Zhao’s Tea House’ no longer suited it. The name ‘tea house’ seemed too lowly!

It didn’t match the prestige of their high-class clientele. Just then, she heard a familiar code phrase—”Huluwa saves grandpa!”

Gao You turned towards the person who spoke and followed them into a small alley.

“Young Master!”

Lao Jia stood in front of Gao You, dressed in night attire. Gao You was speechless. Wearing night clothes in broad daylight—was he trying to get caught?

“You?”

Gao You pointed at Lao Jia’s outfit. As his subordinate, if Lao Jia was being foolish, Gao You felt obligated to set him straight.

“I infiltrated Zheng Qingtian’s residence last night and haven’t had time to change!”

Lao Jia explained.

Gao You nodded. As long as he wasn’t being dumb, it was fine.

“What’s up?”

Lao Jia glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then whispered, “I need your help!”

“What can I help with?”

Gao You was puzzled.

He had no martial skills, no official position—how could he possibly help Lao Jia, a head officer of the Imperial City Guards?

“Keep an eye on Zheng Qingtian!”

Gao You was even more confused—he barely knew Zheng Qingtian. He wouldn’t even recognize him if they passed on the street!

How was he supposed to keep an eye on him?

Lao Jia quickly explained, “Zheng Qingtian is hosting a spring outing banquet outside the city!”

“He has invited many officials and merchants from Jiangnan!”

“And among them is you, Young Master!”

“So I hope you can watch him during the banquet.”

“If you notice him leave, send a signal to alert me—I’ll use the chance to sneak into the county office and find evidence of his crimes!”

Oh, so that’s what he meant by keeping an eye on him.

Didn’t seem too hard.

Gao You nodded and agreed.