20demayo Chapter 395 I am not your imagined enemy
Chapter 395 I am not your imagined enemy
Sheng Yi Tea House.
The man emerged from the private room on the second floor. He was tall and slender, and the soft, light blue silk robe he wore fluttered like clouds and mist.
His skin was as white as porcelain, and his appearance was exceptional. When he lowered his eyes and smiled gently, everyone passing by, regardless of gender, couldn't help but take a second look.
The male protagonist turned around and went into the house, where a woman came out to greet him.
The two walked side by side toward the stairs, their brows relaxed and smiles playing on their lips.
It's clear they had a very pleasant conversation inside.
The woman stopped at the top of the stairs, cupped her hands in greeting, and said, "Please wait, sir."
"I wish you all the best in the future, and I await your good news."
The man bowed slightly in return, his expression and demeanor gentle, and said, "May your journey be long and fruitful."
I watched the woman's figure disappear through the lobby and out the front door.
Sensing someone behind him, a sharp glint flashed in the man's gentle eyes.
He looked up, his expression unchanged.
The newcomer was dressed in a narrow-sleeved, belted, short jacket, resembling a guard from a wealthy family in the capital.
"Young Master Jianlan, my master invites you."
Jianlan looked behind the guards and saw a private room at the end of the corridor, its door half-closed.
He was neither surprised nor wary of asking who the other person was.
It was as if they had anticipated this meeting.
"Let's go."
Inside the private room, someone was already seated at the long table.
Jianlan bowed deeply to the Regent, remaining neither humble nor arrogant, saying, "This humble subject pays respects to the Regent."
Mu Nanzhao, holding his teacup, looked up and said, "How do you know it was I who wanted to see you?"
Jianlan lowered her eyes and replied, "I noticed someone was following me when I entered the teahouse with Boss Gu."
“I came out again halfway through, and by chance… I saw a carriage with the Prince’s emblem passing by in the back alley.”
"A coincidence?" A cold smile appeared on Mu Nanzhao's lips.
"It seems you can wield a sword; you're not just a show-off who can please others."
Jianlan raised her eyelids, her expression revealing neither joy nor anger, but she looked directly into Mu Nanzhao's eyes.
“A trivial skill, not worth mentioning.”
"If Your Highness is curious, you are welcome to visit the Flower Shop."
The two looked at each other for a moment.
Mu Nanzhao said, "Sit down."
Jianlan did not refuse and knelt down on the ground opposite Mu Nanzhao.
At this moment, Mu Nanzhao was still sizing him up.
Some people say that you look somewhat like me, but I can't see it at all.
Sword Orchid said calmly, "So-called form and emptiness both originate from the mind."
"When Your Highness looks at yourself, you are looking at your heart."
"And the sword orchid is the sword orchid, each with its own heart as the prince."
"Your Highness, you will naturally not see any resemblance to Jianlan."
Mu Nanzhao took a sip of tea and said, "Well-read, skilled in swordsmanship, knowledgeable in Zen, and discerning in manners."
"No wonder even she favors you."
Gladiolus lowered her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Mu Nanzhao saw it and was somewhat displeased. "What are you laughing at?"
Jianlan smiled and said, "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean to show off in front of my rival."
“To be precise,” he looked at Mu Nanzhao, “this humble subject is not the… rival in love that Your Highness imagines.”
A stick of incense passes.
Mu Nanzhao had mixed feelings, but he managed to keep them from showing on his face.
It turns out that Gu Xixi's repeated visits to Jianlan were still related to the tea business.
The ancestors of Jianlan were tea merchants.
He was able to leave the flower shop a few months later and intended to revive his family business.
Gu Xixi, who runs a tea plantation, intends to open up a market in the capital.
No matter how good the quality of newly produced tea leaves is, if they lack a reputation, they will inevitably be heavily discounted when they fall into the hands of well-known tea merchants.
In contrast, for Gladiolus, he needs a high-quality, affordable, and unique source of goods to establish the reputation of the tea shop.
So, the two people, who were both looking to get started, hit it off immediately.
They decided to support each other and help each other succeed.
Gladiolus tactfully got up to take her leave.
"I hope my words can put Your Highness's mind at ease."
"However, I, a humble citizen, also have a few words to say on behalf of Boss Gu."
"Separation between two places is the greatest test of one's heart, let alone... a humble commoner dares to speak out."
"The fact that Your Highness is so nervous and deliberately avoided Boss Gu when you came to me probably means that you haven't truly reached the point of mutual affection."
Mu Nanzhao's eyes darkened slightly, but he did not stop him from continuing.
Jianlan smiled and said, "Home is where my heart is, and the same applies to the feelings between men and women."
"Since you like her, Your Highness should consider how to put her mind at ease."
The next morning, at the long pavilion in the west of the city.
Just like when they arrived, it was still Gu Xixi, Jiang Mingyuan, An Qinghe, and Lü Jing, one carriage and one horse.
He Jinglan held onto Gu Xixi, reluctant to part.
Ziyan and the others surrounded the weeping pear blossoms, their faces streaked with tears.
Gu Xixi felt both sorry for him and amused, and comforted him, "Don't be sad, it's not like I'm never coming back."
He Jinglan nodded with red eyes, "Yes, you have to come back and make sure your tea sells like hotcakes."
"Don't forget, Ganyu Residence also has a share for you."
Gu Xixi agreed earnestly, "I understand. You can write to me anytime."
"Write down any Northwest specialties you want in your letter, and I'll bring them to you next time."
Guangzhu raised her hand, "Do we have some too?"
The little girl still had tears on her face, crying and laughing at the same time, which was very cute.
Gu Xixi nodded, "Yes, we have them all."
Her gaze occasionally drifted towards the city gate, and although she was smiling, a hint of barely perceptible disappointment could still be seen.
He Jinglan followed the gaze and complained in a low voice, "They didn't even come to see him off. What is this person trying to do!"
She deliberately stalled for time, talking about several new desserts that would be available in the summer.
When the third prescription was mentioned, Anqing had urged him several times from inside the carriage.
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves could be heard.
He Jinglan looked up in surprise and recognized Mu Nanzhao's personal Akhal-Teke horse from afar.
Good heavens, being a matchmaker is really tough!
Thankfully, God had mercy!
He Jinglan gazed at the sky with emotion.
Mu Nanzhao arrived alone on horseback, without any attendants.
Gu Xixi watched him approach from afar.
Mu Nanzhao held a roll of yellow paper in his hand, which was about the length of his forearm when rolled up.
He dismounted, casually tossed aside the reins, walked up to Gu Xixi, and handed her the scroll of paper.
“I got up early to go to the palace to ask for an imperial edict, and then went to the Jingzhao Prefecture to ask them to draft a proclamation.”
"Because we were waiting for the palace gates to open, we were delayed and arrived late."
He Jinglan pulled her maids back several feet away.
On the other side of the carriage, An Qinghe and the others also saw Mu Nanzhao.
An Qing frowned and was about to jump down.
Jiang Mingyuan stopped him and shook his head, "He came to see me off, and Xixi is also waiting for him."
An Qinghe's eyes darkened, but he ultimately held back and didn't make a move.
Gu Xixi smiled and said, "It's not too late, we're just in time."
As she spoke, she took the roll of yellow paper from Mu Nanzhao and slowly unrolled it.
An announcement? What is it?
This is a proclamation issued by the Jingzhao Prefecture, making it public to the world.
The content, however, had nothing to do with imperial decrees, but rather a story from the Regent's past.
The content is roughly as follows: The Regent Prince once fell into distress in the Northwest and was taken in by a woman named Gu. He used the alias "Chen Fang" and made a lifelong vow with Gu. Although they did not have a formal marriage ceremony, Chen Fang was already a member of the Gu family. This was recorded in the Qingtian County government archives and could be witnessed by the entire village.
Although Lady Gu and the Regent have not yet been formally married, according to the laws of our dynasty, marriage is legally binding.
Unless Lady Gu formally breaks off the engagement, the Regent Prince may not marry her in this lifetime.