Teahouse Clash
In the dim light of dawn, a swift horse, its hooves still damp with dew, came to a stop at the side gate of the Prime Minister's residence. The rider, dressed in the attire of the Prince Rui's mansion, dismounted with practiced ease and handed a letter to the gatekeeper.
"His Highness Prince Rui invites the Third Miss to his residence for a chat."
The invitation was on fine gold-flecked paper, the ink bold and vigorous, the few words conveying an undeniable force. Under the pretext of thanking her for "indirectly protecting him," he invited her to "Yipinxiang," the largest teahouse in the capital.
Qingdai held the invitation, looking worried. "Miss, should we go or not?"
Su Qingyue's fingertips traced the sharp strokes of the calligraphy on the invitation, a slight smile playing on her lips: "How could I refuse an invitation from Prince Rui?"
She knew very well that this was not an invitation, but a summons. Once Xiao Jue had spoken, she couldn't refuse.
"Change your clothes." She stood up. "Wear that moon-white dress embroidered with plum blossoms."
Yipinxiang Tea House is located on West Street, the most bustling street in the capital. It has three stories with upturned eaves and is very grand. At this moment, the private seats on the second floor have been cleared out, and only a few guards stand solemnly around.
Su Qingyue followed the guards up the stairs, with Qingdai nervously following behind.
"Miss..." Qingdai whispered, "His Highness Prince Rui seems to be in a bad mood."
Su Qingyue had already heard the faint clinking of teacups upstairs, clearly indicating that someone was waiting impatiently.
The door to the private room opened, and Xiao Jue stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind his back, by the window. Today he was not wearing court robes, but a black casual robe that accentuated his upright posture, yet exuded an even more imposing aura than usual.
"Your subject, Su Qingyue, greets Your Highness." Su Qingyue bowed respectfully.
Xiao Jue slowly turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over her entire body as if it were a physical object. Today he was not wearing a crown, his black hair loosely tied back with a jade hairpin, which made him appear less imposing but more dangerous.
"Sit down." He gestured to the seat opposite him.
Su Qingyue calmly took her seat, her gaze casually sweeping over the tea set on the table. A fine purple clay teapot, the tea soup clear and bright, with a delicate aroma, clearly top-grade Yunwu tea.
"Your Highness has invited me; what brings you here?" she asked, getting straight to the point.
Xiao Jue poured tea for her, his movements elegant yet with the crispness characteristic of a soldier: "Third Miss is a smart woman, why pretend to be confused?"
Amidst the fragrant tea, his gaze, sharp as a hawk's, locked onto her: "I am very curious, how can a concubine's daughter from the Prime Minister's household possess such insight and courage?"
Su Qingyue picked up her teacup and gently inhaled the aroma: "Your Highness, the water temperature for this tea today is a little too high. It's a pity to waste such fine Yunwu tea."
Xiao Jue's gaze sharpened: "You know about tea?"
"I know a little bit." Su Qingyue took a small sip. "Just as Your Highness is curious about me, I am also somewhat curious about Your Highness."
"Oh?" Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."
"Your Highness is a man of great military achievements, renowned throughout the court. Why would you pay such attention to a sheltered young woman?" Su Qingyue put down her teacup. "Does Your Highness perhaps believe that I, a mere woman, pose a threat to your position?"
These words were so bold that even the guards standing nearby changed their expressions.
Xiao Jue, instead of getting angry, laughed: "Interesting. So, do you think you can?"
"That depends on how Your Highness defines 'threat'," Su Qingyue met his gaze. "If Your Highness refers to power and status, I admit I don't yet possess that ability. But if it refers to something else..."
She paused deliberately: "For example, breaking certain established rules..."
Xiao Jue's eyes suddenly sharpened: "You are indeed not simple."
"Your Highness flatters me," Su Qingyue said calmly. "This humble woman simply understands her place better than others."
"Your position?" Xiao Jue sneered. "Then tell me, where are you standing right now?"
"Where I stand is unimportant," Su Qingyue said, looking directly into his eyes. "What matters is where Your Highness wishes me to stand."
Upon hearing this, the air in the private room seemed to freeze.
Xiao Jue slowly rose, walked to the window, and looked down at the bustling street below: "Do you know how many eyes are watching you right now?"
"I understand." Su Qingyue also stood up. "That's why I need to understand Your Highness's attitude even more."
"My attitude?" Xiao Jue turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife. "What makes you think I would treat you this way?"
"Because I am still of use to Your Highness," Su Qingyue said without backing down. "Since Your Highness has summoned me today, it means that in Your Highness's heart, I am at least not entirely useless."
Xiao Jue stared at her for a long time, then suddenly said, "Three days later at the western suburbs horse farm, do you know why we've arranged to meet there?"
"I would like to hear the details."
"That's where the sons of the powerful and wealthy in the capital love to go," Xiao Jue said calmly. "It's also where the most concentrated network of informants from various factions is located."
Su Qingyue instantly understood his intention: "Does Your Highness intend to use me to test the reactions of all parties?"
"Clever." Xiao Jue's lips curled slightly. "Since you're already involved, why not stir things up even more?"
"Your Highness is quite cunning," Su Qingyue's tone turned cold. "But has Your Highness considered that I might not wish to be a pawn?"
"Did you have a choice?" Xiao Jue took a step closer. "From the moment you intervened to save the Emperor in the Imperial Garden, you were already in the game."
He looked down at her: "Now you only have two paths before you: either find a big tree to lean on, or... drown in this murky water."
Su Qingyue looked up to meet his gaze, then suddenly smiled: "Your Highness is right, I truly had no choice. However..."
She changed the subject abruptly: "How does Your Highness know that I will definitely choose you, my esteemed advisor?"
Xiao Jue's eyes darkened: "You have other choices?"
"For example... the Imperial Advisor?" Su Qingyue asked deliberately, "or... anyone else who is interested in me?"
"Pei Jin?" Xiao Jue sneered, "You think he can protect you?"
"At least the Grand Preceptor is more lenient than the Prince," Su Qingyue said, feigning innocence. "Besides, the pass he gave us was indeed very useful."
This statement was half true and half false, indicating both Pei Jin's attempt to win her over and implying that she was not without options.
Xiao Jue was indeed enraged. He suddenly grabbed her wrist, the force so strong that she frowned.
"Listen," his voice was icy, "since you've entered this game, you must abide by its rules. In the capital, no one can remain untouched."
Su Qingyue struggled, but finding it futile, she gave up: "Is Your Highness trying to force me to buy or sell?"
"No." Xiao Jue released his grip, his tone softening. "I was teaching you the rules of survival."
He returned to his seat and poured more tea: "Sit down."
Su Qingyue rubbed her reddened wrists and sat down as instructed.
"Your eldest sister will also be at the horse farm in three days," Xiao Jue suddenly said. "You know what to do."
Su Qingyue's heart skipped a beat. So he even knew this.
"Your Highness is truly well-informed."
"In this capital city, if you don't have good connections, you'll be dead long ago," Xiao Jue said meaningfully. "You should remember that too."
He pushed a freshly poured cup of tea towards us: "Try this; the water temperature should be just right."
Su Qingyue picked up the teacup; this time, the water temperature was just right. The tea soup tasted fragrant and sweet—truly a fine tea.
"Your Highness's request to see me today surely wasn't just to teach me how to brew tea, was it?"
Xiao Jue took out a token from his sleeve and placed it on the table: "This is a token from the Prince Rui's residence; it can protect your safety if necessary."
Su Qingyue looked at the black iron token but didn't immediately take it: "Is Your Highness trying to recruit me?"
"You can understand it that way," Xiao Jue said calmly. "Of course, you can also refuse."
Su Qingyue knew that accepting or rejecting this token was of great significance. Accepting it would be tantamount to being branded with the mark of the Prince Rui's mansion; rejecting it would be tantamount to openly making an enemy of Xiao Jue.
She hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Does Your Highness know the term 'mutual benefit and win-win'?"
Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"
"It means that cooperation should be based on equality and mutual benefit," Su Qingyue said slowly. "Your Highness provides me with protection, and I serve Your Highness in return; this is fair. But..."
Her gaze was firm: "This humble woman wishes to retain a certain degree of autonomy."
What kind of autonomy do you want?
"The freedom to practice medicine is the freedom to choose," Su Qingyue said. "I can serve Your Highness, but I cannot do anything immoral. I can accept Your Highness's protection, but I cannot completely lose myself."
These words were considered extremely treasonous in this era, and even the guards outside the door gasped in shock.
Xiao Jue smiled: "You truly are extraordinary."
He pushed the token forward: "I agree."
Su Qingyue then took the token, which felt heavy in her hand, with a sharp "Xiao" character engraved on it.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"No need to thank me." Xiao Jue stood up. "Remember what you said today. If I discover that you harbor ulterior motives..."
"Your Highness, rest assured," Su Qingyue also stood up. "This humble woman always keeps her word."
By the time they left the teahouse, the sun was high in the sky. Qingdai rushed up to them anxiously: "Miss, are you alright?"
"It's alright." Su Qingyue gripped the token in her sleeve. "Let's go back and prepare; we have a tough battle to fight in three days."
As the carriage departed Yipinxiang, Su Qingyue peered through the gauze curtains towards the top floor of the teahouse. She could vaguely see a figure in black still standing by the window, his gaze piercing.
She knew that from the moment she received the token, a subtle relationship had been established between her and this cold-faced prince.
It is not a master-servant relationship, nor an alliance, but a special cooperation based on mutual need.
Such a relationship may not be strong enough, but at least... it gave her some breathing room.
"Miss, is His Highness Prince Rui very scary?" Qingdai asked softly.
Su Qingyue withdrew her gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Terrifying, but also...interesting."
In this unfamiliar era, encountering such an opponent might not be a bad thing.
At least, the days ahead won't be too boring.
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