“The third step, sealing the pot, covering it, pouring boiling water over the pot; the fourth step, dividing the cups, using a tea clip to group the smelling cup and the tasting cup, placing them on a tea saucer.”
“The fifth step, pouring from the pot, pouring the tea soup into the smelling cup and filling the tea cup seven tenths full.”
“The sixth step, serving the tea, offering it to the guest.”
“The seventh step, smelling the fragrance, the guest pours the tea soup into the tasting cup, lightly sniffing the residual fragrance in the smelling cup.”
“The final step, tasting the tea, the guest uses three fingers to take the tasting cup, sipping it three times slowly while listening to the accompaniment of the guzheng, and then inhaling the incense.”
Elroy couldn’t help but give Leo a thumbs up. “Dr. Bloomer truly understands the way of tea. Now, tell me about my Iceland tea.”
“Iceland tea is one of the most precious Yunnan Pu’er teas. It is a typical large-leaf arbor tree tea from Mengku, with large leaves, a dark green color, thick and soft leaf quality, rich tea aroma, very unique, it is the best of Mengku tea, and also the best of Yunnan Pu’er tea.”
“The leaves of Iceland tea are thick and large, generally presenting a brown-black color. The fragrance of Iceland tea, due to differences in individual olfaction or uncertainties in the production process, is mainly floral and fruity.”
“The soup of Iceland spring tea is golden and clear. The soup of summer and autumn teas is slightly cloudy at first, then becomes clear. It has a mellow taste, with coarse, full, and thick leaf bottoms, complete and soft leaves.”
“The strips of Iceland tea are thick and the buds are prominent, the color of the tea leaves is oily and brown-black, usually picked as one bud and two leaves, the strips are clear, and there are almost no ‘horse hooves’ in the tea leaves.”
“The aroma of Iceland tea is very gentle, accompanying the tea soup, enduring in the cup without being ostentatious.”
“Iceland tea can be steeped up to 20 times, and its soup remains bright yellow, with a mellow taste, showing no signs of decline.”
“The leaf bottom of Iceland tea is thick and full, with complete and oily leaves. A crucial point is that they are very soft and glossy.”
“The taste of Iceland tea tends to be sweet and refreshing. Sweetness is present in the fresh and sweet taste of the soup, refreshing and cool, with the emphasis on the sweet and fresh taste of the soup.”
“The tea soup of Iceland tea has a strong aroma. The tea aroma includes honey, orchid, and rock sugar fragrance, with rock sugar fragrance being the most persistent.”
“When tasting, the bitterness of Iceland tea upon entry is very low. The first two steeps may seem bland, but the rich layers gradually unfold in this progression.”
“After swallowing the tea soup, the taste gradually unfolds, piling up into a very rich, sweet, and refreshing flavor, coolness gradually emerges in the throat, transforming slowly into a refreshing sensation at the back of the tongue. Upon entry, there is almost no perception of the tea taste. The taste gradually extends from the throat to the entire oral cavity.”
“The lingering sweetness generates a lasting and delicate hydration. The tea soup is very full-bodied, and the hydrating effect is distinctly enduring. After two or three steeps, the tea taste becomes rich and the soup is full-bodied, with extremely distinct layers. After the third or fourth steep, there will be a cool and sweet aftertaste in the throat, very comfortable.”
Elroy couldn’t help but admire, “I never thought that not only are you knowledgeable in art and calligraphy, but you are also so well-versed in the way of tea. I can’t help but admire you, old man.”
Leo modestly replied, “Elroy, you flatter me. I only have a little understanding, far from being proficient.”
“Dr. Bloomer, I have something to ask, not sure if I should.”
“Feel free to ask, old man.”
“With your abilities, it should be a piece of cake to make a name for yourself in this society. Why then did you stoop to marrying into the Henley family?” Elroy asked, expressing his doubts.
Leo thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, “Old man, if I say it was for a woman, would you believe me?”
Elroy also laughed heartily, “Whether I believe it or not is not important. A golden carp is never to be found in a pond, once it meets a storm, it transforms into a dragon. Dr. Bloomer, let’s have some tea!”
After three cups of tea, Elroy took the initiative to ask, “Dr. Bloomer, you can tell me thereason for your visit today. As long as it’s something within my capacity, I won’t refuse!”
“Old man, to tell you the truth, I’ve taken the liberty to ask for a favor today,” Leo said.
“Please, go ahead!”
Leo spoke frankly, “I’m looking for three types of medicinal herbs: Dragon Whisker Grass, Phoenix Gall, and Goblin Essence.”
“The three herbs you mentioned are extremely rare and precious spiritual herbs,” Elroy said, though his expression did not seem particularly surprised.
Leo was intrigued by Elroy’s expression, “Elroy, do you know where to find these three herbs?”
Elroy nodded, “Indeed, the whereabouts of these three herbs can be considered a secret that my Zhao family has always kept.”
“Elroy, can you tell me where to find these three herbs? I am willing to pay a high price.”
“Dr. Bloomer, this is not a matter of money, but rather a matter of fate,” Elroy said, with a profound and inscrutable expression on his face.
Leo was taken aback, “What do you mean?”
“I only know the clues to these three herbs. As for the specific location, you would have to ask someone else. Of course, if you want to harvest them, you will also need his permission,” Elroy said, his expression becoming solemn and serious.
Leo became curious, “Elroy, who is this person you’re talking about?”
“You definitely don’t know this person. How about this, I will arrange a meeting with him, and then take you to see him. As for the result, it will depend on you,” Elroy said.
“Thank you, Elroy.”
Afterward, Leo chatted with Elroy for a while before taking his leave. Leaving Elroy’s villa, Leo drove to pick up Sophia from work in King’s Gate.
After picking up Sophia, they returned to Cloud Dream Mountain Villa No. 9, where, under Nora’s manipulation, a sumptuous dinner was soon served.
Midway through dinner, Martin received a phone call, and immediately turned pale.
Leo, Sophia, and Nora were puzzled, but Jessica went straight for Martin’s ear.
“Martin, tell the truth, did some wild woman call you? Look at how scared you’ve become!” Jessica exclaimed.
Leo had seen Jessica’s eccentric thought process countless times before. Fortunately, Martin had a strong patience; otherwise, the two might have divorced long ago.
Martin shook off Jessica’s hand, his expression turning sorrowful and dazed.
“Speak up, was it some cheap woman calling you?” Jessica interrogated.
“What cheap woman, where would a cheap woman come from!?” Martin angrily retorted.
Jessica had never seen Martin display such a temper with her before, and his behavior made her suspect that he was feeling guilty.
“If you dare to get angry at me, have you gone mad!?” Jessica shouted.
Seeing the situation escalating, Sophia hurriedly asked, “Dad, what happened? Please tell us.”
Martin’s throat moved slightly, and he said, “Your, your grandmother, she’s passed away!”