The tea plantation is located at the foot of the mountain.
With the warm spring sun and gentle breeze, it's the perfect time to enjoy tea and the scenery.
After a morning of silkworm-raising ceremonies, the older noblewomen were somewhat tired and stayed in the side rooms to rest, while most of the people in the courtyard were unmarried young girls.
This tea party was originally organized for Pei Xuan, and the young women had all heard about it and dressed up carefully.
Although the Empress favored Miss Guo, if she could catch Pei Xuan's eye, even becoming a concubine or a secondary wife would be an unimaginable blessing.
Jiang Wan found a quiet corner, brewed a pot of tea, and watched as the girls in the courtyard gathered in different groups, chatting and laughing.
She disliked crowds and only waited for Biluo to return so that the two of them could go back to the mansion together.
On a stone bench not far away, Guo Wanqiu was talking with several close friends.
"The tea banquet is about to begin. I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince will come?" a noblewoman muttered softly.
"Does the Crown Prince really think the Empress would refuse?"
"You don't know this, do you? The Crown Prince is still unmarried, and the Empress is very worried about it. She has held many palace banquets and flower gatherings to find a wife for the Crown Prince. But who is the Crown Prince? He is the pride of heaven, the most noble and aloof person in the capital. Who can force him to do something he doesn't want to do? He has never appeared at those banquets. I think today... is not necessarily the case."
Upon hearing this, someone immediately coughed lightly.
The noblewoman belatedly realized that she had said the wrong thing and looked apologetically at Guo Wanqiu.
"Ah Qiu, that's not what I meant. If His Highness the Crown Prince hears that you're here, he'll definitely come!"
"Yes, yes, Ah Qiu, you're so kind, the Crown Prince will definitely like you."
"Don't talk nonsense." Guo Wanqiu's face flushed slightly. "Such shameless words will make us a laughing stock if people hear them."
She sat on the stone bench, raised her wrist and poured a few cups of tea: "Today is a tea banquet, let's enjoy the tea and stop talking about His Highness the Crown Prince."
Even so, her eyes kept drifting towards the door, as if she were somewhat distracted.
That day in the palace, I overheard the Empress's words implying that she intended to use the tea banquet as an opportunity for her to spend some time with Pei Xuan.
She had seen Pei Xuan from afar several times, and felt that his appearance was unparalleled, like that of an immortal.
Everyone in the capital knew that Pei Xuan had very high standards; no noblewoman in the entire Dayong Dynasty could catch his eye.
Guo Wanqiu was feeling uneasy when she suddenly heard someone scream softly, "Look, it's His Highness the Crown Prince!"
A thought struck her, and she abruptly looked up.
A tall, slender figure appeared at the entrance of the manor and leaped down from his horse.
The young man was dressed in brocade robes and wore a jade belt. His black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin. He had sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples, thin lips like cherries, and a handsome face that exuded a cold and heroic air.
Who else could it be but Pei Xuan?
Guo Wanqiu was overjoyed.
The Empress must have mentioned her to Pei Xuan, and the fact that he is standing here now shows that he has feelings for her!
Guo Wanqiu adjusted the hairpin in her hair. Now that she had received the Empress's permission, she no longer hesitated and took the initiative to greet Pei Xuan, bowing and saying, "This humble woman, Guo Wanqiu, greets Your Highness."
Pei Xuan raised his eyes and scanned the courtyard, but did not see Jiang Wan.
He then turned his gaze to the woman who had approached him: "Did she send you to find me?"
Guo Wanqiu was slightly taken aback, thinking he was referring to the Empress, and nodded with a blush: "That's right."
Pei Xuan frowned.
Jiang Wan said she had important business with him, but she herself was nowhere to be found. What was she doing sending a strange noblewoman here?
If it weren't for the fact that it was Biluo who delivered the message, he would have even suspected that he had been deceived.
All eyes in the courtyard were on Pei Xuan and his companion. Guo Wanqiu was extremely embarrassed, yet couldn't help feeling smug. She pointed to a pavilion not far away and said, "Your Highness, shall we go over there to talk?"
The pavilion was in a quiet and secluded spot, perfect for conversation.
Pei Xuan nodded.
Upon seeing this, the matron in the courtyard quickly went to the Empress to report: "His Highness has met with Miss Guo, and the two of them have gone to have tea together."
The Empress was relieved and very happy, and hurriedly told her to tell Jiang Wan.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan smiled and said, "Since things went smoothly, I won't stay any longer. Please tell Her Majesty that I will visit the palace to pay my respects to her another day."
She got up to say goodbye, and on her way out, she happened to pass by that pavilion.
At this moment, Guo Wanqiu was pouring tea for Pei Xuan.
Guo Wanqiu comes from a prestigious family and is highly skilled in tea making. Her movements are fluid and graceful, full of beauty.
Soon, a cup of fragrant Longjing tea was handed to Pei Xuan.
Unfortunately, Guo Wanqiu did not receive the praise she had imagined.
Pei Xuan, however, looked displeased, his cold and stern eyes revealing impatience. He took a small sip and put the rest down, saying in a cold voice, "Can we get down to business now?"
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you're saying." Guo Wanqiu blushed, poured another cup of tea, and slowly pushed it towards Pei Xuan, her hand intentionally or unintentionally touching Pei Xuan's fingertips.
Pei Xuan's expression hardened, and he suddenly stood up.
Guo Wanqiu was startled, her hand trembled, and the whole cup of tea spilled on Pei Xuan.
She exclaimed, "Your Highness, please forgive me, I... I didn't mean to."
Guo Wanqiu hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the tea stains off his body.
Just then, footsteps came from the path outside the pavilion. Guo Wanqiu looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Madam Jiang?"
Pei Xuan turned his head and saw Jiang Wan standing on the path. She had obviously seen everything that had just happened.
From her perspective, the two seemed to be behaving too intimately.
Pei Xuan coldly pushed aside Guo Wanqiu's handkerchief, walked to Jiang Wan's side, and was about to speak when he heard her say something.
"It seems that Your Highness and Miss Guo get along well."
Pei Xuan quickly realized what was going on, and glanced coldly at Guo Wanqiu: "You called me to the manor for this?"
Jiang Wan, unaware of what was happening, nodded and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer. I'll take my leave now."
She turned to leave, but Pei Xuan grabbed her wrist tightly.
Jiang Wan turned around in surprise.
Pei Xuan's eyes were dark, revealing a hint of displeasure.
It seemed like only a moment before he released Jiang Wan, his dark eyes still coldly fixed on her.
Without turning his head, Pei Xuan said to Guo Wanqiu, "Madam Jiang and I have something to discuss. Please excuse us, Miss Guo."
Guo Wanqiu responded blankly.
It wasn't until they had walked a distance that they realized the atmosphere between the Crown Prince and Lady Jiang was clearly off; judging from his expression, he seemed angry.
He won't make things difficult for Madam Jiang, will he?
Guo Wanqiu was filled with anxiety.
No, she had to go and tell the Empress.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com