The First Master lifted his teacup and took a small sip, his tone relaxed: "In recent years, I've become less accustomed to drinking. Do you recall the bitter tea from Yongzhou?" Madam Xia thought for a moment and nodded: "I remember." The First Master continued: "Once, while visiting Ganquan Temple in the suburbs, the abbot offered me a cup of bitter tea. Since then, I've often brewed it to drink. Unlike Tieguanyin, bitter tea has a simpler flavor; bitter at first, but sweet as it goes down..." He suddenly paused and said to Madam Xia: "I recall that you and I always differed when it came to matters of tea drinking."
Madam Xia pursed her lips with a faint smile: "I was born in Jiangnan and can only endure sweetness. I cannot understand the bitterness turning into sweetness that you describe, which means I am not blessed."
Her words carried deeper meaning, her light tone was imbued with deep melancholy.
Both deliberately avoided mentioning the events from six years ago.
