My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

During Mu Yuyan's absence in military campaigns, Gu Lan wandered within the palace.

"Grand Tutor?"

On the way, she encountered a familiar face, none other than the Imperial Tutor, Su Hua.

"It's Prince Jingyang, indeed..." Su Hua's expression carried a hint of ambiguity, making Gu Lan feel somewhat uneasy.

They had a brief acquaintance before when they played chess at Su Hua's residence, where Gu Lan managed to win, earning the admiration of the venerable tutor.

But now, meeting under these circumstances, Gu Lan couldn't help but find Su Hua's demeanor peculiar.

Especially addressing him as Prince Jingyang, it clearly wasn't a common title between acquaintances...

Su Hua, who was Madam's tutor, shouldn't have been so distant, should he?

"Youngster, you've been in the palace for a few days now and haven't greeted Grand Tutor. " Gu Lan, as the junior, smiled humbly.

Their only previous encounter was their chess game.

Could it be that Su Hua was still harboring resentment over losing to him?

However, Su Hua, being the Imperial Tutor, didn't seem like the type to hold grudges over such matters.

Could it be because...

Gu Lan pondered, gradually considering a possible explanation.

"Greetings? As a first-grade prince, you need not greet me, a mere Grand Tutor. Her Majesty has bestowed hereditary succession upon you. Besides Her Majesty, who else deserves the respect of a first-grade prince like you?" Su Hua smiled meaningfully.

Confirmed!

This slightly ambiguous tone definitely hinted at something!

Gu Lan thought to himself; he was certain that Su Hua had some grievances towards him and the reason.

Most likely related to Madam.

With the previous emperor's early demise, Grand Tutor Su had served as a mentor and father figure to Madam.

The recent incident where Madam returned to the palace might have caused dissatisfaction among her family...

Gu Lan smiled indifferently, pretending to be oblivious.
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Finally, Su Hua didn't say more.

Men of letters knew when to stop.

He didn't explicitly state the reason, changing the subject instead: "Today, we have the fortune of meeting, let's go. Accompany me to the Eastern Palace's study for tea."

"It's also an opportunity for me to carefully observe how the husband chosen by Her Majesty is."

"Last time, I didn't have a clear understanding. We only played chess on the board. Today, it's fortunate that the rare treasures and exotic flowers of the Eastern Palace are blooming. Appreciating flowers and tea, it's also a great pleasure for us."

"Grand Tutor, you have ordered, and I dare not disobey." Gu Lan lightly smiled in response, neither humble nor arrogant.

Su Hua had his own study in the Eastern Palace.

Besides Mu Yuyan, Princess Ming Yue also studied here during Jia Qing's time.

However, Princess Ming Yue, being lively and playful, often couldn't be found.

As they entered the study, palace maids immediately served tea and pastries.

Gu Lan wasn't particularly interested in tea but found the palace pastries quite flavorful.

Mu Yuyan also often indulged in them, leaving the taste lingering on Gu Lan's lips...

Observing Gu Lan's expression, Su Hua recalled the incident a few days ago when Mu Yuyan returned to the palace with a displeased face, likely due to a quarrel with this youngster.

Hence, today's encounter was likely a result of that!

As Mu Yuyan's tutor, if his disciple was wronged in her husband's household, Su Hua naturally wanted to stand up for her!

As for right or wrong?

Humph, his disciple couldn't be wrong!

"Prince Jingyang, are the pastries to your liking?" Su Hua sipped his tea, casually asking.

Gu Lan's expression froze.

It seemed that Grand Tutor Su was still holding a grudge against Madam's grievances.

She couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Grand Tutor is jesting. You are Her Majesty's tutor, calling me Gu Lan would be sufficient."

"You've been addressing me as Grand Tutor all along."

Gu Lan paused, then continued: "Should I then follow Her Majesty's example and address you as a teacher?"

"Don't. I can't bear it!"

Su Hua waved his hand, refusing directly.

Gu Lan: "..."

It was somewhat uncomfortable to be treated with this inexplicable kindness...

Well, the old master was just protective, being of such an age, Gu Lan couldn't argue with him.

However, Madam having such a teacher to stand up for her made Gu Lan happy...

After all, he had lost his parents when he crossed over.

"Why keep eating pastries and not drinking tea? Is it not to your taste?"

The palace maids brought various types of precious teas from around Jing Nation, some even rare treasures from the mortal world.

Gu Lan smiled lightly: "It's not that I don't like tea, but I'm reflecting on the true meaning of the tea ceremony, feeling sentimental..."

"In the end, tea is just water. When people enjoy tea, there are three levels of understanding."

"Oh? What are these three levels?" Su Hua's eyes lit up with interest.

He had loved reading and drinking tea all his life but had never heard of someone dividing tea enjoyment into three levels.

"The first level is regarding tea as tea, which is how most people perceive it. They drink tea simply for the sake of it, with no deeper contemplation of its significance."

Su Hua nodded. This level was easy to understand.

He continued to inquire, "And the second level?"

Gu Lan smiled faintly: "The second level, which Grand Tutor embodies, is when drinking tea is not just about tea. At this level, drinking tea is imbued with various cultural and philosophical thoughts, what we call tea culture."

"I categorize the cultural features formed during tea activities, including tea ceremony, tea poetry, tea literature, tea utensils, tea snacks, tea painting, and tea art, collectively known as tea culture. This is the second level, where one isn't just drinking tea but indulging in a culture."

"I see. I've been in the second level. What about the third level? Since you mentioned three levels, could you be in the third level?"

Su Hua was somewhat skeptical.

He accepted the second level, but he felt Gu Lan was being too mysterious about the third.

Gu Lan understood Su Hua's curiosity and continued to explain with a smile: "The third level, I call it 'drinking tea is still tea.'"

"Drinking tea is tea; drinking tea is still tea. Though the difference is merely a word, it signifies two completely different realms. Without experiencing the influence of the second level and then transcending it, it's impossible to reach the third level."

"Let me hear you explain the third level then. How is it different?"

Su Hua was somewhat incredulous.

He acknowledged the second level, but as for the third, he felt Gu Lan was being overly mystical!

Gu Lan smiled slightly and said, "Tea leaves, fundamentally, are just leaves. The process of brewing tea is nothing more than boiling leaves in boiling water. When simplified, it's not something particularly elegant."

"Just as the saying goes, 'seeing a mountain is just a mountain; drinking tea is still tea.' Only when the state of mind transcends, reaching such a detached realm, during tea drinking, one no longer focuses on any tea utensils, tea water, tea seats, or tea leaves themselves."

"Drinking tea is just drinking tea, but drinking tea is still tea. Stealing leisure time, the ultimate pleasure in the human world is serene enjoyment."

"Stealing leisure time, the ultimate pleasure in the human world is serene enjoyment..."

Unconsciously, Su Hua listened with a trance-like expression.

He didn't expect Gu Lan to articulate such beautiful words!

[You have imparted the three realms of tea enjoyment to the people of this world, gaining a reward of a hundred years of cultivation, and a celestial treasure—Grand Immortal Tea.]

Gu Lan was slightly stunned.

He didn't expect to receive a system reward just by casually boasting to the old master.