The morning of the tasting came with a pale gold light spilling over the tiled roofs of the city. The air was cool, but it carried the quiet bustle of a day that promised noise. Lin Xun was up before the first bell, his hands steady as he set each jar and utensil into the wooden crate he had prepared the night before.
He checked the aged leaf twice, making sure the seal on the jar was tight. It would only take one careless bump in the crowd for the leaves to scatter, and he had brought only enough for the day's brewing.
Shen Lan waited by the doorway, her sword strapped over her shoulder, her expression calm but her eyes scanning the street. "The East Market will already be busy," she said. "You should walk behind me once we get close."
Lin Xun nodded. He had no desire to be jostled, especially not with the tea in his hands.
They left the shop just as the city stirred to life. Vendors were rolling out carts, calling to one another across the lanes. The smell of steamed buns and frying oil drifted from the food stalls along the main road. Somewhere nearby, a gong sounded three times, marking the beginning of market hours.
As they walked, Lin Xun noticed more glances than usual. A few shopkeepers gave polite nods. Others offered quiet smiles. Even those who did not greet him seemed to know who he was today. The rumors had reached far beyond the customers who normally passed through his door.
By the time they reached the edge of the East Market, the crowd had thickened. Canvas awnings in bright colors stretched between the buildings, shading rows of stalls. Merchants called out their wares, from fresh fruit to polished jade hairpins. The noise was a steady hum, broken only when someone shouted about a bargain or a rare find.
At the center of the square stood the raised platform where the tasting would take place. Two long tables had been set side by side, each covered in clean white cloth. Behind one stood Zhou Ren of Eastern Cloud Teahouse, his fine silk robes catching the morning light. Behind the other, a space waited for Lin Xun.
Zhou Ren looked up as they approached, his mouth curving in a polite smile. "Master Lin," he said, inclining his head. "I am glad you accepted my invitation. May today bring clarity to the market's tastes."
Lin Xun set his crate on the table without answering right away. "And may the tea speak for itself," he said finally.
Around the platform, benches had been set up for the early spectators. More stood behind them, craning their necks for a view. The trade hall judges had not yet arrived, but a tall man in a plain grey robe was already inspecting the setup, making sure the kettles were clean and the brazier fires were ready.
Shen Lan stayed at the edge of the platform, close enough to intervene if needed. She rested her hand lightly on the hilt of her sword, her gaze sweeping the crowd.
Lin Xun unpacked his tools with the same care he used in his shop. The clay teapot he had chosen was not ornate, but it had been seasoned through years of brewing. The cups were plain white porcelain, smooth enough to show the tea's true color.
Zhou Ren, by contrast, had set out a glittering display. His teapot was carved from dark jade, his cups painted with gold filigree. A small incense burner sent a thin trail of scented smoke into the air. Even his kettle seemed polished to catch the sun.
The crowd murmured at the sight, and Lin Xun caught more than one approving nod aimed toward Zhou Ren's table. He ignored them. In the end, the only judgment that mattered would come from the first sip.
A bell rang near the front of the platform, drawing attention to the group of officials making their way through the crowd. The three trade hall judges took their seats at a smaller table between the two competitors, each holding a thin wooden board for their notes.
The man in grey stepped forward, raising his voice just enough to carry. "By agreement of both parties, this tasting will consist of two rounds. In the first, each tea master will brew their chosen leaf for the judges. In the second, they will brew the same tea for the crowd. The tea will be judged on aroma, flavor, and aftertaste."
He stepped back, and the first judge lifted a hand. "Eastern Cloud Teahouse will begin."
Zhou Ren inclined his head, his movements graceful as he took up his high-mountain black leaves. He brewed with practiced ease, pouring the hot water in a thin stream, the scent rising almost immediately. It was bold, rich, and meant to impress from the first breath.
The crowd leaned forward as the judges took their first sips. Two of them nodded slightly, the third hiding his reaction behind a calm face.
When it was Lin Xun's turn, the platform seemed quieter. He opened the jar of aged leaf, letting the aroma rise slowly into the morning air. It was not as sharp as Zhou Ren's tea, but it had a depth that made those nearby tilt their heads as if to catch more of it.
He moved through the steps without haste, letting the water swirl over the leaves, the steam curl upward. Each cup he poured carried the faint glimmer of amber in the sunlight.
The judges lifted their cups. The first sipped, then set it down with a thoughtful look. The second let the tea rest on his tongue before swallowing. The third drank in one slow motion, eyes half-closed. None spoke.
The man in grey cleared his throat. "Both teas have been presented. The second round will be prepared for the crowd."
Zhou Ren's assistants began setting out dozens of cups. The scent of his black leaf filled the space quickly, drawing murmurs from those in the front rows.
Lin Xun worked alone, pouring each cup himself. The steam drifted between him and the crowd, carrying the layered scent of rain, stone, and something softer beneath. Shen Lan caught the faintest smile from one of the younger spectators, a boy leaning against the railing as if already trying to guess the taste.
By the time both tables were ready, the judges stood to signal the crowd forward. Hands reached for cups, and the noise rose again, a mix of exclamations and quiet discussion.
The results would not be given until everyone had tasted, but already Lin Xun could see the shift in a few faces. His tea was not fighting for their attention, but it was settling into their memory all the same.
The man in grey raised his voice once more. "We will now allow the crowd a short time to speak their impressions before the judges announce their decision."
The noise swelled, voices mingling in the warm air. Lin Xun poured himself a small cup, letting the taste settle on his own tongue as he listened to the market's hum. The day was not yet decided, but he knew the tea was doing what it was meant to do.
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