Chapter 395: I Am Not Your Imaginary Enemy

Victorious Intent Tea House.

A man pushed open the door of a private room on the second floor and stepped out; his posture was tall and straight, the light azure soft gauze on his body fluttering like clouds and mist.

His skin was like porcelain, his appearance extremely fine; when he lowered his brows and smiled lightly, passersby of either sex couldn't help but glance at him a second time.

The male protagonist, however, turned and went back inside, where he met a woman coming out.

The two walked side by side toward the stairs, both brows relaxed and smiles playing at the corners of their mouths.

It was clear that they had been chatting happily inside just moments before.

The woman stopped at the foot of the stairs, clasped her hands, and said, "Young master, please stay."

"I wish you smooth sailing in all your endeavors thereafter, and I will await good news in quiet anticipation."

The man inclined his body slightly in return, his demeanor and movements gentle, saying, "May mountains be high and waters long; may you have a smooth journey."

He watched her silhouette cross the hall and exit through the front door.

Sensing someone behind him, a flash of sharpness crossed the man's gentle eyes.

He lifted his gaze, showing no reaction.

The newcomer wore narrow-sleeved, waist-tied short attire, resembling a guard from a wealthy household in the capital.

"Young Master Jian Lan, my master requests your presence."

Jian Lan looked past the guard to the private room at the end of the corridor, its door half-closed.

He showed no surprise, nor did he cautiously ask who the other party was.

It was as if he had anticipated this meeting all along.

"Let's go."

Inside the private room, a person was already seated at the long table.

Jian Lan performed a deep bow in greeting, still neither humble nor arrogant, saying, "Humble subject pays respects to the Regent Prince."

Mu Nan Zhao lifted his eyes from his teacup and asked, "How did you know it was I who wished to see you?"

Jian Lan lowered his eyes and replied, "When I entered the tea house with Boss Gu, I noticed someone following us."

"I stepped out again midway, and, by chance, saw a carriage bearing the prince's insignia pass through the back alley."

"By chance?" Mu Nan Zhao's lips curled into a cold smile.

"It seems you can wield a sword; you are not merely a decorative showpiece meant to please others."

Jian Lan lifted his eyelids; though his expression still showed no clear joy or anger, he met Mu Nan Zhao's gaze directly.

"Such petty tricks are not worth mentioning."

"If Your Highness is curious, you are welcome to visit the Planting Flower Pavilion."

The two locked eyes for a moment.

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Please have a seat."

Jian Lan did not refuse, kneeling and sitting on the floor opposite Mu Nan Zhao.

At that moment, Mu Nan Zhao was still observing him.

"Some say you bear a resemblance to me, yet I cannot see it."

Jian Lan replied lightly, "So-called form and emptiness both arise from the mind."

"When the prince looks at himself, he sees the heart."

"And Jian Lan is Jian Lan; each of us has our own heart."

"When the prince looks at Jian Lan, he naturally sees no resemblance at all."

Mu Nan Zhao took a sip of tea and said, "Well-read in poetry and books, skilled in sword dance, able to discuss Zen, and versed in sentiment and etiquette."

"No wonder even she looks upon you with favor."

Jian Lan lowered his head slightly, a faint smile blooming.

Mu Nan Zhao saw it, somewhat displeased, and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Jian Lan laughed and said, "Your Highness, do not misunderstand; I have no intention of showing off before a rival in love."

"To be precise," he looked at Mu Nan Zhao, "I am not the rival in love that Your Highness has imagined."

The time it takes to burn an incense stick passed.

Mu Nan Zhao's mood was complex, yet he kept it from showing too much on his face.

It turned out that Gu Xixi had sought Jian Lan several times, still for the tea business.

Jian Lan's ancestors had been tea merchants.

He would be able to leave the Planting Flower Pavilion in a few months, intending to take up his ancestral trade again.

Gu Xixi operated the Cha Yuan tea garden, intending to open a market in the capital.

Even if the tea freshly harvested from the thatched hut is of excellent quality, lacking a reputation, it inevitably gets harshly pressed on price when it falls into the hands of those famous large tea houses.

In contrast, Jian Lan needs high quality, good price, and a unique, exclusive source of goods to establish the reputation of his tea house.

Thus, the two, both seeking to get started, hit it off immediately.

They decided to support each other and help each other succeed.

Jian Lan, sensing the mood, rose and took his leave.

"I hope my words can put Your Highness at ease."

"However, I also have a few words to say on behalf of Boss Gu."

"Separation between two places is the greatest test of one's heart; moreover... I dare to say."

"Your Highness being so tense, and deliberately avoiding Boss Gu to seek me out, suggests you have not truly reached mutual affection."

Mu Nan Zhao's eyes grew slightly dim, yet he did not stop him from continuing.

Jian Lan chuckled and said, "Where my heart is at peace is my homeland; love between men and women is no different."

Since you like her, shouldn't the Prince think about how to put her at ease?

The next morning, under the long pavilion west of the city.

Just as when they came, it was still Gu Xixi, Jiang Mingyuan, An Qinghe, Lv Jing, one carriage, one horse.

He Jinglan took Gu Xixi's hand, reluctant to part.

Ziyan and the others gathered around the pear blossoms drenched in rain, weeping.

Gu Xixi felt both heartbroken and amused, comforting, 'Don't be sad; I'm not not coming back this time.'

He Jinglan nodded with reddened eyes, 'Yes, you must return victorious and sell your tea far and wide.'

"Don't forget, there's still your share at Sweet Rain Residence."

Gu Xixi earnestly agreed, 'I understand; you can also write to me anytime.'

"If you want any specialties from Xi Bei, write them in the letter; next time I'll bring them for you."

Guangzhu raised their hand, 'Do we have any too?'

The little maid's face still bore tears, both crying and laughing, very adorable.

Gu Xixi nodded, 'Yes, we have them all.'

Her gaze occasionally fell on the city gate; although she smiled, a faint, hard-to-detect sadness could still be seen.

He Jinglan followed her gaze and whispered a complaint, 'He didn't even come to see us off—what on earth is he up to?!'

She deliberately stalled for time, mentioning the several new sweet drinks to be launched in summer.

When she mentioned the third recipe, An Qinghe had already urged her several times from the carriage.

At last they heard the sound of hooves galloping swiftly toward them.

He Jinglan looked up in surprise and, from afar, recognized Mu Nan Zhao's exclusive Blood-sweat Steed.

Oh heavens, this matchmaker of mine really has it tough!

Fortunately, heaven has opened its eyes!

He Jinglan gazed at the sky, moved.

Mu Nan Zhao came alone on a single horse, with no attendants.

Gu Xixi watched him approach from afar.

Mu Nan Zhao held a scroll of yellow paper, rolled up to about the length of a forearm.

He dismounted, casually tossed aside the reins, walked up to Gu Xixi, and handed her the scroll.

"I went to the palace early this morning to obtain an imperial edict, then went to the Prefecture of Jingzhao to have them draft a notice."

"Because I waited for the palace gates to open, I was delayed and arrived late."

He Jinglan pulled the maidservants back quickly several zhang away.

By the carriage, An Qinghe and the others also saw Mu Nan Zhao.

An Qinghe frowned tightly, about to jump down.

Jiang Mingyuan, however, blocked him and shook his head, 'He's come to see them off; Xixi is also waiting for him.'

An Qinghe's eyes dimmed, but he ultimately restrained himself and did not move.

Gu Xixi said with a smile, 'Not late; just in time.'

She said while taking the scroll of yellow paper from Mu Nan Zhao and slowly unfurling it.

"A notice? What is it?"

"This is a notice issued by the Prefecture of Jingzhao, a proclamation to the world."

"Its content has nothing to do with imperial court edicts, but rather a past event of the Regent Prince."

The content is roughly that the Regent Prince once met with misfortune in Xi Bei, was taken in by a lady of the Gu clan, and under the alias 'Chen Fang' made a lifelong pledge with the Gu clan; although they did not undergo the three matchmakers and six rites, Chen Fang is already considered a member of the Gu clan, recorded at the time in the Qing Tian County County Office archives, and the whole village can bear witness.

Although the Gu clan had not yet formally become husband and wife with the Regent Prince, according to our dynasty's law, a betrothal is a betrothal.

Unless the Gu clan formally breaks off the engagement, the Regent Prince may never take a wife in his lifetime.