The serial The Grand Chancellor's Rise single-handedly packed Guiyuanju to capacity.
Yet beyond this gripping storytelling, the teahouse brimmed with other innovations.
The central stage—initially hosting the capital's premier opera troupes—soon diversified its offerings:
Some days featured storytellers delivering episodes of The Grand Chancellor;
Others introduced a novel performance art called xiangsheng—
A comedic dialogue form that initially baffled patrons.
But within half a session, audiences grasped its brilliance—
Alternately marveling at the performers' verbal dexterity and roaring with laughter at their punchlines.
An unexpectedly effective stress-reliever.
However, neither these novelties nor Guiyuanju's success became the capital's hottest topic.
That distinction belonged to Yaoyuege—
Guiyuanju's sister establishment under the same ownership, located two streets away.
Its predecessor, Juyou Teahouse, had enjoyed...
A certain notoriety.
Who but its original owner would open a massive teahouse on Shaohua Road—
That ultra-expensive district frequented primarily by women?
When Juyou closed months earlier, many assumed the owner had finally acknowledged reality.
Yet its reopening as Yaoyuege—despite the elegant facade and gleaming glass windows—
Still fundamentally remained a teahouse.
Observers privately pitied this apparent financial miscalculation—
Until Yaoyuege's leaflets began circulating.
These proclaimed it not merely a teahouse, but Tianqi's first women's leisure club—
With promotional copy so persuasive, it implied social obsolescence for any noblewoman who didn't visit.
Curiosity stirred further by the establishment's luxurious interior glimpsed through those crystalline windows.
Yet hesitation lingered—
Until they noticed the leaflet's fine print:
"Present this leaflet to receive Yaoyuege's exclusive custom-designed soap with any purchase!"
Soap!
Those with court connections knew—
This was the miraculous cleanser praised by the Emperor and imperial consorts themselves!
Rumored to leave skin immaculate, silken, and subtly perfumed.
And this version? Exclusive custom-designed!
What woman could resist?
Soon, noblewomen began arriving in clusters—
Their understanding of "women's leisure club" crystallizing when witnessing a notorious rake's expulsion.
"On what authority do you refuse this young master?"
Wang Jianbai—said rake—glowered at Manager Yao's blocking figure.
Her response remained courteous yet firm:
"Yaoyuege serves female patrons exclusively. Gentlemen are respectfully declined entry."
"Exclusive? Since when do women have spaces men can't enter? I'll go where I please!"
As Wang lunged forward, Yaoyuege's guards materialized—
Subduing him and his lackeys before they breached the inner sanctum.
Manager Yao's demeanor turned glacial:
"Throw him out."
These guards—on loan from the Prince of Li's residence—
Handled the task with practiced efficiency.
A precisely calculated toss landed Wang directly in the street's center—
A very public humiliation.
The incident occurred during Shaohua Road's busiest hours—
Dozens of noblewomen browsing cosmetics shops witnessed the entire spectacle.
As the crowd gawked at the disheveled Wang Jianbai, Manager Yao stormed from Yaoyuege's entrance.
"Pah! I warned you politely—women's club, no men allowed! But you had to force your way in like some back-alley prowler!"
She jabbed a finger toward Wang's nose, her tirade continuing:
"Do you barge into family courtyards and boudoirs when visiting others' homes too? Disgraceful!"
Still fuming, she turned to the guards:
"Guard the doors! If this lecher dares approach again, break his legs! Our proprietor answers for any consequences!"
A dismissive handkerchief flick later, she strode back inside—
Leaving Wang purple-faced before the gathering crowd.
The guards' hands hovered meaningfully near their sabers—
Their silent threat unmistakable: Try it.
Wang, ever the bully toward the weak but coward before strength, hastily retreated with his tail between his legs.
The noblewomen erupted in commentary:
"Wasn't that Marquis Ningyuan's second son? How humiliating!"
"Didn't the manager overreact?"
"Shouldn't businesses welcome all customers?"
"Overreact? The leaflets clearly stated 'women only'!"
"Exactly! Would you tolerate men invading your private chambers?"
"Of course not! Our guards would eject any intruder!"
"But threatening to break legs seems extreme..."
"For violating my quarters? Broken legs would be mercy!"
"Still...he's a marquis's son..."
"Didn't you hear? 'Our proprietor answers for any consequences.' That confidence suggests no fear of mere marquises!"
Inside, one noblewoman voiced these concerns to Manager Yao:
"Aren't you worried about repercussions for your proprietor?"
"Not at all."
Manager Yao's response came without hesitation:
"Our proprietor says 'With rightness, traverse the world.' Yaoyuege guarantees every lady's safety. Against unreasonable men, we match unreason with force. Whatever follows, our proprietor shoulders it."
Seeing her conviction, the noblewoman relaxed—
This was no empty bravado.
Between the soap gifts and this boldness, Yaoyuege's backing must be formidable indeed.
Word of this incident spread through aristocratic circles like wildfire—
Even previously disinterested noblewomen grew curious.
As patronage increased, Yaoyuege's thoughtful amenities became apparent—
Beyond the central stage and private rooms, the rear relaxation area delighted visitors.
Particularly the third-floor massage parlors—
Where one could soak in heated baths before receiving full-body treatments.
Rumor held the masseuses were trained by palace matrons who served imperial consorts—
Their techniques so refined, a single session left patrons feeling reborn.
But the true marvel lay in the accompanying facial and hair treatments.
Whoever devised Yaoyuege's masks and hair serums worked miracles—
A single application produced visible transformations.
Hair regained ebony luster, cascading like silk;
Facial skin turned petal-soft, shedding years in moments.
The effect was so startling, patrons became instant devotees.
Meanwhile, second-floor storytellers spun equally addictive tales—
Currently featuring The Merchant's Daughter and the Heartless Scholar.
When the plot revealed the scholar—newly passed as jinshi—
Concealing his existing wife and child to marry his superior's daughter—
Audiences nearly shredded their handkerchiefs in fury.
Cursing the scholar's treachery while pitying the merchant's daughter—
Surely destined for humiliating demotion to concubine status upon discovery?
Yet the story defied expectations—
The merchant's daughter uncovered the truth...
And petitioned for divorce!
Shocking!
Unheard of!
...Yet irresistibly compelling.
The noblewomen found themselves secretly grateful for Yaoyuege's men-free policy—
Such radical narratives could never be enjoyed with male company present.
Despite its subversive themes, The Merchant's Daughter spread through aristocratic circles like wildfire—
Becoming a fixture of flower-viewing party debates.
Some condemned the divorce as unnatural heresy;
Others championed the merchant's daughter's self-respect—
Why chain herself to a betrayer?
Controversy bred curiosity—
Even the most conventional gentlewomen succumbed to temptation—
Secretly visiting Yaoyuege to hear the scandalous tale.
Soon, Yaoyuege replicated Guiyuanju's phenomenon—
Patrons arriving at dawn to secure seats for the latest installment.