The Ji sisters were the precious granddaughters of Ji Duan, the Prime Minister of Chu State. Ji Duan had always raised his granddaughters as if they were boys.
From a young age, the two sisters studied with tutors, receiving the same education as boys would.
Chu State was wealthier than Jing Country, with more developed agriculture and commerce. The Ji sisters grew up in luxury, tasting all kinds of delicacies.
They didn't find milk tea particularly special. "Yuan, Grandfather said we shouldn't overindulge no matter how delicious something is. We must be grateful for what we have. Swallow what's in your mouth before you speak."
"You've had sheep's milk and cow's milk from the grasslands at home before."
Chu State had many peddlers who traded with the grasslands.
While others couldn't get sheep's milk, they had it so often at the Prime Minister's residence in Chu State that they were tired of it.
Even their maids had tasted it plenty of times and didn't find it special anymore.
"The fine Longjing tea at home is far more beautiful and clear than this tea." The two sisters felt Yuan was too excitable when going out. "We have rice porridge with rouge powder at home too..."
But as she said this, Ji Xiayue, the elder sister, noticed that the maid Yuan hadn't listened to a word. Her bamboo cup, which was originally nine-tenths full, was now less than half full.
"..."
The Ji sisters could only helplessly pull the little maid aside. "If Nanny Li saw you behaving like this at home, she would definitely scold you—"
But they didn't finish their sentence. After all, they were still young, and curiosity got the better of them. They carefully took a small sip from their own bamboo cups.
Afraid of the gamey taste, they didn't dare drink much, thinking the flavor might be strange.
But with just one sip, the doubt, hesitation, and confusion in their eyes were replaced by sparkling satisfaction!
"Young ladies, quick, try the little sesame balls inside~"
The soft white balls, rolled into tiny spheres, were something Ji Xiayue had never imagined would appear in a tea soup.
Yet they fit so perfectly. With a slight bite, the thin layer of snow-white glutinous rice skin broke, releasing a fine, pitch-black sesame filling from inside.
Sweet, soft, and warm, with a fragrant oiliness, they could be eaten one after another even on their own.
But after two or three, they became slightly cloying. At this moment, the mellow, clear tea fragrance would wash over the palate, completely eliminating any possibility of sweetness overload, leaving only a faint aroma and milky taste on the tongue.
"...It's actually quite good." The Ji sisters tasted their own and then tried each other's.
"This milk tea is so amazing, it seems to go well with everything. The taro balls are chewy, the honey balls are sweet and soft, the Acacia confusa seeds are tender, the Job's tears are soft yet have texture, and the rice with rouge powder is just the right level of smoothness," Ji Qiuyue discovered after careful tasting.
"This milk tea is not simple. It will likely become a popular business on every street corner soon."
It was easy to make, the ingredients weren't complicated, and the sweet, soft taste was suitable for both toothless elderly and children.
"Even if it were introduced in Chu State, it would do good business."
How did the Jing Country court come up with such a novel food?
"That's so true, young ladies. If this milk tea were available in our Chu State capital, I'd definitely be unable to resist buying it every day. At five coins a day for the cheapest one, I could still afford it~" Yuan was clearly a high-ranking maid with a good income.
"Oh my, young ladies, do you think there might be peddlers from our Chu State who want to start a milk tea business? Wouldn't we lose our bet with that scholar from Jing Country?"
The Ji sisters' hearts skipped a beat.
"It's alright, our bet was about whether Chu people would trade with the Jing Country Bank," the elder sister, Ji Xiayue, quickly regained her composure.
"This milk tea is convenient, but it has a problem – the ingredients are easily imitated, and the cost is not high."
"Not only can Jing Country make it themselves, but neighboring countries who want to start a milk tea business could easily learn how to do it. This milk tea couldn't possibly be a reason for merchants from neighboring countries to borrow from the Jing Country Bank."
As they spoke, the Ji sisters regained their confidence.
There was no way they could lose!
[Oh, that's right, milk tea isn't that difficult.]
Xiao Chuchu, sitting in the carriage embraced by Xiao Yunzhou, secretly overheard the sisters' discussion and couldn't help but admire the wisdom of these Chu State beauties.
[Milk tea is easily imitated. In modern times, there are countless milk tea brands.]
[Only by constantly innovating flavors while maintaining the quality of classic tastes can a business survive in the long run.]
Xiao Yunzhou listened and was immediately enlightened.
Bystanders see things clearer; one word can wake up a dreamer.
Indeed, most things in this world can't be monopolized.
To maintain one's position, one must constantly strive forward, innovate, and always stay ahead of others.
Xiao Yunzhou made up his mind to have the Imperial Kitchen continue to improve upon their return.
[Hehe, these sister flowers are tough on the outside but soft on the inside. They speak ill of the milk tea, but their bodies are very honest – they've finished a big cup.]
[The elite collection rate of the Chu State beauties has silently increased to 23% in the time it takes to drink a cup of milk tea, it's killing me.]
Xiao Chuchu looked at the system progress and was truly impressed.
[The system says I've discovered the foodie attribute of the Chu State beauties, hahaha.]
Xiao Yunzhou narrowed his eyes.
Foodie?
This heavenly realm term was fresh.
People have always put eating first since ancient times. Who doesn't prioritize food?
Speaking of which, his precious little princess was also always craving food.
Xiao Yunzhou felt like laughing as he listened. His precious little princess had the leisure to laugh at others, yet she herself was constantly craving milk tea at Concubine Liu's place.
[Oh, they're going to the Royal Pancake Shop next door.]
Xiao Chuchu's sharp eyes caught this.
Xiao Yunzhou immediately carried his daughter and secretly got off the carriage, entering the pancake shop he had never been to before.
He wouldn't easily enter other shops to eat.
But this Royal Pancake Shop was run by the palace chefs, and the waiters were off-duty royal guards looking to earn extra money.
Apart from the Jing Country Bank, there was no safer shop than this pancake place.
Today, Xiao Yunzhou decided to give his little princess a surprise.
Let her taste the soy milk and tofu pudding she had been thinking about for so long.
But as soon as he stepped into the shop, Xiao Yunzhou was startled.
There were nearly twice as many people in this shop as in the milk tea shop. Every table was full, and people were even standing in the empty spaces, making it almost impossible to squeeze in!
"Another order of fried traitor!"
"One fried traitor, please—"
"One tofu pudding, one soy milk, and ten fried traitors!"
The Chu State beauties: "!"
Even Xiao Yunzhou felt a chill down his neck.
"All gone, all gone, today's fried traitors are all sold out..." the shop assistant hurriedly called out when he saw new customers enter.
"The tofu pudding is also sold out, all gone. There's only one cup of soy milk left..."
Xiao Yunzhou: "?"
Xiao Chuchu: "!"
The Chu State sister flowers: "!"
Everyone who had just entered the shop wore looks of disbelief.
"How can everything be sold out already? It's still early, and you've only just opened!" An elderly man who had just arrived protested.
In the time it took to queue up and buy a cup of milk tea next door, this breakfast shop had somehow managed to sell out completely.
Especially the "fried treacherous officials"... Wait, what?!
Just hearing the name was intriguing.
"Well, it's a long story. These youtiao (fried dough sticks) originated from the past when a loyal official was harmed by a treacherous official and his wife. The common people, unable to seek justice, could only vent their anger in secret. They would tie two human-shaped dough pieces together and fry them in oil, privately calling it by the name of the treacherous official."
"That's why it's called 'fried ghost' or 'fried treacherous official'!"
"Also known as youtiao."
"!!"
"..."
"I want an order..."
"All gone, I'm afraid. Come early tomorrow." Manager Liao from the Imperial Kitchen, who had come specially to help out today, didn't dare to look at the emperor's face!
Why didn't the emperor come earlier?
Oh well!
[Fried Qin Kuai, fried dough sticks, now becoming fried treacherous officials – how fitting.]
Xiao Chuchu's musings were interrupted mid-thought.
[Oh my, the progress of the Chu State sisters is skyrocketing!]