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After Feng Ren responded to Pei Zhiqing's identity, Gu Qingning and her two servants set out for the Qingyue Teahouse.
Inside the teahouse, a man in a deep purple cloak lounged by the window. His tall figure, reminiscent of the beautiful scenery outside where heavy snow weighed down the branches, made passing women unable to resist stopping to admire him.
"Miss Gu, please." Feng Ren extended his hand to invite Gu Qingning into the inner room while simultaneously blocking the two maids, Bai Zhi and Lü Yan, from entering and closing the door behind them.
"Your Highness, may you be well." Gu Qingning looked at the man standing by the window and bowed slightly.
Hearing the sound, Pei Zhiqing slowly turned around, his gaze locking onto Gu Qingning. His eyes scrutinized her with curiosity.
Since saving Gu Qingning's life at the cliff foot of Foguang Temple, every time she appeared before him, her outwardly delicate demeanor always piqued his curiosity.
"I wonder why Miss Gu has summoned me?"
Pei Zhiqing strolled over to the table as Gu Qingning sat down quietly. She began to crush the broken tea leaves in the mortar until they turned into powder.
"Surely Miss Gu did not invite His Highness here just to watch you prepare tea?" Pei Zhiqing asked with a faint smile, puzzled.
Without raising her head, Gu Qingning continued her task of sifting the tea powder repeatedly. She then picked up a glass kettle and poured in water, heating it before preparing the tea in a series of fluid motions.
Pei Zhiqing watched as her slender fingers danced gracefully over the table, making it hard for anyone else to interrupt this moment of beauty.
"Your Highness, please enjoy some tea!"
After a while, Gu Qingning presented a cup of fragrant tea before Pei Zhiqing.
The color of the Jiuqu Hongmei tea in the cup was bright red, and its rich aroma wafted through every corner of the teahouse.
Pei Zhiqing elegantly lifted the cup, lowered his head slightly to savor its fragrance, then took a delicate sip. The flavor lingered on his palate—rich and smooth—as it flowed down his throat, instantly refreshing his spirit.
"Miss Gu's tea preparation skills are indeed impressive; however, this should not be the reason for summoning me here," Pei Zhiqing remarked with a deep gaze as he glanced at the composed Gu Qingning across from him.
"Indeed. I believe that since we are already betrothed, it is better to be frank about certain matters," Gu Qingning replied with a gentle smile.
Pei Zhiqing fell silent and patiently awaited her next words.
"Your Highness should know that although I hail from the loyal Marquis's household, my status is still worlds apart from that of noble families," Gu Qingning continued calmly. "My father and brothers have achieved countless military feats, yet they cannot change the fact that I have merchant blood flowing through my veins."
"Your Highness does not disagree," she added.
Pei Zhiqing's gaze sharpened.
He understood that the military achievements of the loyal Marquis and his sons were built upon the immense wealth amassed by Lady Shi Min during her lifetime. When his father had just ascended to the throne, external enemies invaded while major families plotted unrest; the common people suffered greatly amidst this turmoil.
If it weren't for the financial assistance from Lady Zhongyuan, the loyal and patriotic hearts of the Zhongyuan Marquis and his son would not have been enough to defend the border for long. Unfortunately, Lady Zhongyuan was not blessed with good fortune; she was assassinated by enemies during childbirth, leaving behind two daughters, Gu Wan Ning and Gu Wan Liang, before succumbing to illness.
"Your Highness, I..." Gu Qing Ning continued, "I know that you wish to help me out of respect for my late mother and your own mother, Consort Chen."
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi Jing's body trembled slightly. How did she know about this? The bond between her mother and Lady Zhongyuan had never been mentioned in front of her by either her father or the Marquis. How could she possibly know?
Gu Qing Ning observed Pei Zhi Jing's furrowed brow and the deep contemplation in her eyes, and she couldn't help but murmur to herself. Her dear father had not mentioned it to her; if he had done so earlier, she wouldn't have felt so passive in this situation.
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