NFBE Chapter 392 You Play Me, I Play You
Chapter 392 You Play Me, I Play You
Yunxi bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes reddening, but she knew that what Yu Wan said was true.
Despite her fear, she could only slowly loosen her grip, her voice trembling slightly: "Alright, I'll wait for you for two hours. If you haven't returned after two hours, I'll go and ask Prince Chen for help."
This time, Yu Wan didn't refuse and agreed.
She reached out and gently touched the top of Yunxi's head, her movements soft as if soothing a frightened fawn, and said gently, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."
With tears in her eyes, Yunxi watched her board the carriage, and even after the carriage was out of sight, she was still worried about going home.
The carriage moved slowly forward, and Xizhu sat to the side and said softly, "Miss, the Prince of Qi's men want us to go to Mingsi Teahouse first."
Yu Wan is no stranger to Ming Si Tea House.
Previously, when the people were causing trouble in front of the Dali Temple government office, she went there for several days in a row.
That teahouse is located across the river from the Dali Temple government office, offering a good view, directly facing the Dali Temple government office.
The Prince of Qi told her to go to Mingsi Teahouse first, which was his way of telling her that he knew that the matter of the Prince of Yong's mansion was related to her.
He also knew all of her recent schedules.
Yu Wan took a deep breath, cursed inwardly a few times, and then said, "Go."
Before long, the carriage stopped at Ming Si Tea House.
Previously, every time Yu Wan came to this teahouse, it was bustling with people, but today it seemed to have been forgotten, with a desolate and quiet atmosphere.
It seems that the King of Qi has cleared them out.
Xizhu stood in front of Yu Wan with some concern and whispered, "Miss, do we really want to go in?"
Yu Wan nodded calmly, "Now that we're here, we probably can't leave even if we wanted to."
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager walked out of the previously quiet teahouse.
He bowed to Yu Wan, his attitude quite respectful, "Miss, you've arrived. My master has been waiting for you for quite some time."
Upon hearing this, Xizhu became even more vigilant, moving closer to Yu Wan, only a fist's distance away, ready to protect her at any moment.
Yu Wan gave a faint "hmm" and followed the person into the teahouse.
The man did not lead her to a private room, but instead walked around the hall and through a narrow corridor to a very elegantly decorated courtyard.
Yu Wan secretly estimated the distance they had traveled and guessed that this place should no longer belong to Ming Si Teahouse.
The courtyard was quiet and still, with only a few green bamboos swaying gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound.
The steward stopped at the courtyard gate, then reached out to stop Xizhu, still smiling, "Miss, I'm sorry, but my master said he only wants to see you."
Xizhu blurted out instinctively, her voice rising several decibels, "No, this servant must stay with you, young lady."
The steward glanced at Xizhu, who looked nervous, but his smile remained unchanged. "Don't worry, young lady. If my master has any designs on you, no one can stop him."
Xizhu became even more anxious upon hearing this, but Yu Wan calmly pulled her back, shook her head at her, and whispered, "It's alright, I'll go in by myself. You just wait for me here."
Xizhu was naturally unwilling to agree, but...
Xizhu was naturally unwilling to agree, but she glanced at the man who had stopped her, then looked around the courtyard, bit her lower lip, and reluctantly stepped aside, saying, "Yes."
This is the territory of the King of Qi; if they cause trouble, they will be the ones who suffer.
The steward bowed with a smile, "Please, young lady."
Yu Wan stepped into the courtyard, and after a few steps, she heard a creak behind her.
She looked back and saw that the steward had closed the courtyard gate.
Yu Wan's eyebrows twitched.
Was the King of Qi trying to create a fuss or scare her?
Indeed, if it were an ordinary noblewoman, after being subjected to such a deliberately mysterious and suspenseful ordeal, she would surely be anxiously guessing the purpose of the King of Qi. Before even seeing the King of Qi in person, she would already be imagining things that would scare her to death.
Yu Wan's lips curled slightly.
Alright, King Qi has gone to such lengths; if she doesn't cooperate, wouldn't that be disrespectful?
The courtyard was very quiet. If Yu Wan didn't know that Prince Qi was definitely here, she would have suspected that there was no one else here but her.
The manager didn't tell her which way to go, but there was only a pebble path in front of her. Yu Wan thought for a moment and continued walking along the pebble path.
After walking for about five minutes, an ancient octagonal pavilion came into view.
Inside the pavilion, a man dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist had his back to her, so his face was not visible.
On the stone table beside him sat a set of white jade teaware, steam rising gently and the aroma of tea filling the air.
Yu Wan stopped a few steps outside the pavilion, hesitated, and asked, "Is it His Highness Prince Qi?"
She knew roughly what kind of person the Prince of Qi was, but she had never met him in all the time she had been in Shengjing.
King Qi, who was in the pavilion, had already noticed Yu Wan.
But he pretended not to know.
Only when Yu Wan spoke did he turn around, feigning surprise. His deep, sculpted features were adorned with a gentle smile as he said, "Miss Yu?"
Yu Wan responded timidly.
The King of Qi looked her over and asked, "When did Miss Yu arrive? Why didn't anyone come to inform her?"
"It's all my men's fault for being so ignorant; how could they let Miss Yu come alone?"
Yu Wan twitched the corners of her mouth, a forced smile.
He kept complaining to himself.
They even installed it for him.
Seeing that she had been standing outside the pavilion, King Qi stepped out and said with a gentle expression, "I just received this tribute tea a few days ago. Would I have the honor of inviting Miss Yu to enjoy it with me?"
Yu Wan really wanted to reply, "Sorry, I don't drink tea," but considering that they had only just met, she couldn't afford to offend the person directly, so she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
She smiled slightly at him, which was her way of agreeing.
The two sat down on the stone bench, and Prince Qi personally picked up the teapot to pour tea for Yu Wan. Yu Wan looked flattered and quickly declined, saying, "No, no, Your Highness is so noble, how can I trouble you to pour tea for me?"
King Qi seemed not to hear Yu Wan's refusal, steadily filled the teacup, raised his eyes and smiled, "Miss Yu, there's no need to be so formal, it's just a cup of tea."
His tone was gentle, and his face wore a warm smile, but there was a hint of undeniable authority hidden within that smile.
Yu Wan's face revealed an undisguised fear and unease. After hesitating for a moment, she respectfully accepted the teacup with both hands.
Her voice was timid as she said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She held the teacup, her fingers trembling slightly with nervousness, yet she seemed to be trying her best to appear calm.
As King Qi watched this scene, a dark glint flashed in his eyes.
“Miss Yu,” King Qi picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, and took a small sip, “are you afraid of me?”
Yu Wan quickly raised her eyes, "N-no."
He said that, but he didn't even dare to look at the King of Qi.
Looking at her, the King of Qi seemed helpless and chuckled a few times, "Miss Yu, there's no need to be so nervous. I mean no harm."
Yu Wan lowered her eyes and secretly rolled her eyes.
He meant no harm; he just wanted to kill her.
Yu Wan did not respond.
The King of Qi seemed unconcerned, and was even quite pleased with her reaction. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, "Does Miss Yu know why I invited you to meet me?"
Yu Wan looked nervous, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her skirt. She shook her head slightly, her voice trembling with unease, "...I don't know, could it be that I've offended the Prince in some way..."