One-Two Millennia Isn't Very Different than Before

Chapter 21: Having Tea with the General's Wife & Festivities in Chi'Shin

Jessica's POV

Not too long after our tea was served, the Earth General's wife, Yun-ho, came by to see how we liked her tea.

Although I was putting up quite the charade in front of the men that surrounded me, I think Yun-ho saw straight through me, "Who's this?"

Geun-Tae took the initiative and introduced me to his wife, "Yun-ho, this is Lady Jessica, high priestess of the Dragon's Shrine."

The guys were all tense and hardly speaking. I guess they didn't want Yun-ho to know about economic problems, so I spoke up next, "Is this your tea, Yun-ho-san?"

She brightened up and answered, "Yes! I grow it here."

"It has a wonderful scent."

"Why, thank you!" I gave a sort of pleading look and I think something clicked, "Would you like to see the gardens?"

I glanced to Soo-won (as much as I hate to admit it, I actually needed his approval for me to leave), who nodded and whispered softly to me, then I answered, "Of course. If you'll excuse me." I bowed to the men and followed Yun-ho.

~~

"Thank you," I said smiling to my savior.

Yun-ho laughed, "You looked as though you were about to slam your head onto the table multiple times."

"Sometimes I wonder how the king will be able to rule Kouka, and that alone makes me want to slam my head into the table," I said with a sigh.

We entered a greenhouse. Inside there were so many things, but it was mostly Yun-ho's scented tea leaves, "Here we are!"

"It's so pretty and relaxing here," I said looking around as she began to brew some more tea.

I walked over to the table in the middle and took a seat as she poured two glasses of the delicious tea, "Here you go."

"Thank you," she herself sat down with her own cup of tea. Now would probably be the best time to put Soo-won't plan into action.

~Flashback~

Soo-won nodded but whispered, "If you're going to go, try to convince her to sell her tea. I'm thinking of a festival . She'll be able to serve it to potential buyers there."

"Alright, alright," I whispered back almost inaudibly.

~Flashback End~

"You know," I began, catching the attention of the Earth General's wife, "You could probably make a fortune off selling your tea. I hadn't heard of anything like it until now."

She seemed to ponder it for a moment then answered, "Maybe, but to whom should I sell? We don't get many traders here anymore."

I took a breath and answered, "I believe Soo-won plans on holding a festival here. All the people seem to admire your husband, and I'm sure Soo-won's got something else in mind, but if Geun-Tae-sama approves, the king will invite people from all over. He said you'd have an opportunity to serve your tea there."

She smiled, I almost have her on board, "But will they even like it? It may appeal to you, but what about other people?"

"Well," I say with a light laugh, "I know if you sell, the inhabitants of the shrine would be more than willing to buy it, and I know people in the south have a preference for scented everything. I'm sure they'd buy from you."

"If you're sure, I don't see the harm in serving my tea at the festival."

I smile, "That's wonderful!"

~~

It's been a week since then, and all I've really been doing is hanging around Yun-ho and drinking tea.

I'm telling you, the tea is my favorite part of this trip.

I've also met with Soo-won many times, and he seemed surprised I could talk the general's wife into trying to sell so quickly. Although, I did try to avoid him as much as possible.

Now, was one of the times I was with Soo-won. We were about to head out to the tent where both him and Geun-Tae would wait until it was time for the festival's main event (in which they would partake): the mock fight.

"Alright," I had seen the serious side of Soo-won many times this week. This was another serious moment, "During the event you will–"

"Sit and observe the match while casually giving recommendations to Yun-ho on who to serve tea to. I will also show that I myself am drinking her tea to make the sell of her tea more widespread because of my influence on people all over Kouka. I know," I say. I've been treading on dangerous waters since he's become more serious. Only when we meet privately though.

Soo-won sighs, "Let's go then. The mock battle will start soon and I need to go greet Geun-Tae."

"Yes, Your Highness."

~~

We got there and stood in the tent . Soo-won was back to his usual air-headed front and was looking out the tent, "Amazing! What a turn out!"

I silently muttered, "There would be a turn out if you ordered a turn out." I got a glare from the king in return.

"I went along with your idea for a festival, but why do I have to be dressed like this? And what's with this bulky jewelry?" We turned towards Geun-Tae to see him messing with not only the stone necklaces, but the other jewelry as well.

I watched Yun-ho come up behind him. "You look so cute!" She exclaimed. "I knew I made the right decision on attire!"

Geun-Tae was up in a second with his arm around his wife, "It was you who chose this ridiculous clothing?" All-in-all, it was a rather cute moment between the two.

"Ah!" Soo-won ruined the moment, "It's almost time for the mock battle to start!"

Yun-ho jumped up and grabbed my arm, "Let's go!"

"R-right," I say as I'm dragged out of the tent and up to my designated seat.

~~

The mock battle ended with Geun-Tae's team winning. The crowd went wild, and Geun-Tae realized how much he influenced his people.

Geun-Tae wasn't the only one who benefited though. Yun-ho got tons of southern buyers for her tea.

The jewelry Geun-Tae wore was made as a consumer product and all of his people bought them. There was such a high demand!

Overall, the festival successfully boosted the economy of the Earth Tribe.

~~

Soo-won was kind enough (which was surprising considering how much crap I put him through, and his actual nature in general) to take me to the gates of the Wind Tribe capital, Fuuga. As I was about to step through the gates, I heard, "Thank you, Lady Jessica, for accompanying me to Chi'Shin to help with the economy."

I turned slightly and with a shallow bow said, "Of course, Your Majesty."

I then entered capital Fuuga with Soo-won's gaze piercing me until I was out of sight.

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Holy crap! Longest chapter EVER!

I for some reason feel particularly motivated to update, so yeah.

Hope you like,
~Ashley