Shen Qingyao held her breath, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Even though she had prepared herself earlier in the carriage, now that she was truly facing him, she couldn’t help but feel nervous again.
It seemed he really did look down on her humble origins and didn’t want anyone to know about their meeting!
Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to be so indirect?
Steadying herself, she cautiously peeked inside once more.
This time, the moment her gaze landed on him—thump!
Her heart seemed to freeze in her chest.
She had been discovered.
Behind the desk, Song Jiuchen leaned lazily against the back of his chair, his posture relaxed, but his gaze was calm and inscrutable, fixed on the woman hiding outside the door, peering in.
His expression was impassive, yet an aura of authority radiated from him.
Shen Qingyao felt a chill run down her spine!
She had to go in.
Continuing to stare back would be fatal, and turning to flee would be even worse.
She adjusted her breathing, then steeled herself and walked in, her steps unsteady.
The man watched her intently, his posture unchanged, his handsome face still devoid of emotion.
Shen Qingyao stopped about ten feet away from the desk. Not daring to meet his gaze, she performed a formal bow first.
Lifting her skirt, she knelt, placing her hands together before her forehead as she bowed. “Your humble subject, Shen Qingyao, pays her respects to the Southern Prince.”
Her voice was soft and clear, neither submissive nor arrogant.
Song Jiuchen looked down at her but did not immediately ask her to rise. After a brief silence, he stood up and slowly walked out from behind the desk, moving to the tea table by the window and taking a seat.
“Come here.”
He finally spoke, his voice cool and steady, yet carrying an undeniable pressure.
Shen Qingyao’s heart tightened at his words. She cautiously lifted her head to look and saw him sitting as still as a statue by the tea table. She quietly let out a sigh of relief and rose to her feet, walking over as instructed.
It wasn’t that she was timid—this feeling was like being summoned by a high-ranking official for a private audience. And since he was not amiable, the oppressive aura of someone in power was truly overwhelming for someone of her lowly status.
Song Jiuchen did not look at her but gestured faintly. “Sit. Brew the tea.”
His command was concise and brooked no refusal.
Shen Qingyao glanced at the three seating positions and chose the one closest to her. “Yes.”
She carefully sat on the embroidered stool, her posture elegant and her back straight, doing her best to remain composed.
Then she washed her hands, warmed the tea utensils, and prepared the tea…
The room was silent, with only the faint hissing sound of water about to boil on the small red clay stove.
Song Jiuchen watched quietly, his expression unreadable, as her fair fingers moved deftly among the tea tools.
The woman’s movements were skilled, flowing seamlessly like clouds and water, full of grace.
His gaze flickered slightly, and then he slowly turned his face, lifting his eyelids to scan her features.
He studied her brows, her eyes, her delicate nose, and her rosy lips.
Though his gaze was not intense, it was deep and penetrating, silently sweeping over every inch of the woman’s face like a whirlpool.
Shen Qingyao focused on her task, but she was acutely aware that the man was secretly observing her. She didn’t dare look at him, pretending to know nothing, and continued brewing the tea.
The water on the stove had come to a boil, and her preparations were nearly complete.
Before long, she picked up a cup of clear, amber tea and offered it to him.
“Your Highness.”
She kept her head lowered, respectful and cautious.
Song Jiuchen stared at her, reached out to take the tea from her hands, first smelled it, and then took an elegant sip.
As he savored the tea, a rare glimmer of approval flashed in his cool eyes.
Gazing at the tea, he pondered for a moment.
“How old are you?”
His clear, crisp voice rang out, striking a particularly resonant chord.
Shen Qingyao’s lowered eyes flickered, a hint of surprise crossing her mind.
Hadn’t Uncle Liu told him?
With this fleeting thought, she replied respectfully, “Your Highness, I am eighteen.”
Was he pretending?
Or had Uncle Liu only briefly mentioned her?
Song Jiuchen stared at the tea in his hand, silent for a moment before asking, “Since you recognized me, why did you pretend not to know me yesterday?”
Thump!
Shen Qingyao’s heart skipped a beat.
Right!
In her earlier speculation and nervousness, she had completely overlooked this detail.
But it was fine—this was easy to answer.
She explained, “Your Highness, I knew my status was too lowly to have the right to meet you, so I dared not presume.”
Wasn’t that reason sufficient enough?
Upon hearing this, Song Jiuchen neither agreed nor disagreed.
He set down the teacup, then turned his face to stare at her. His calm gaze drifted from her lowered brows and eyes to her rosy lips.
“And now? Knowing who I am, do you know why I summoned you?”
His words were slow, carrying a subtly bewitching quality!
Shen Qingyao pretended to shake her head. “I do not know. Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”
Even if she knew, she wouldn’t dare say it. What if she was wrong? Wouldn’t that be a joke?
Song Jiuchen fell silent, then withdrew his gaze and looked out the window.
After a brief consideration, he said calmly, “Although you were born into the common streets, your appearance is decent, and your tea skills are not bad. You could pass as presentable. I can make an exception and take you as an unofficial concubine.”
At this point, he turned his gaze back to the woman who was already staring at him in shock. The corners of his thin lips lifted slightly as he spoke softly.
“Are you willing?”
??
Unofficial concubine?
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyao was instantly dumbfounded. A wave of immense absurdity and humiliation seized her mind.
Fuck!
She cursed inwardly.
Seeing the woman frozen in shock, Song Jiuchen’s eyes darkened, and the curve of his lips deepened slightly. She… must be overjoyed to the point of stupidity!
However.
He reminded her, “But you should know the rules of being an unofficial concubine. You must not tell anyone that you are my woman. I will protect you under another name, and you will receive all the benefits you deserve.”
Although this woman before him had caught his eye, her status was too low, and her character was unclear. It was still too early to take her as a formal concubine.
Shen Qingyao’s eyes flickered as she stared at him in utter confusion.
Hmm… she had a curse in mind, but wasn’t sure if she should say it.
Go to hell, you fucking idiot?
Forget it—her life was more important.
“Your Highness.”
She immediately rose, stepped back, and knelt. Outwardly, she feigned respect, inwardly cursing him as a beast, while her voice trembled with fear. “Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable. To be honest, I already have someone I love, and I am already pregnant. I am truly unworthy of being your woman.”
After saying this, she bowed her head to the ground.
To hell with it—she was going all out.
Although rejecting him this way was akin to deceiving royalty and could lead to punishment if discovered, telling the truth would also be a death sentence. So why not take a risk?
Given how arrogant he was and how much he looked down on her, he probably wouldn’t suspect her enough to investigate.
After all, among common-born women, many secretly engaged with their lovers.
Song Jiuchen was stunned, his gaze turning heavy.
The faint smile on his lips had long vanished.
He was caught off guard, finding it hard to believe.
In his imagination, this young woman should have been secretly delighted, at most feigning reluctance before gratefully accepting.
But what did she say?
That she already had someone she loved and was pregnant?
His gaze instinctively, with a probing intent, wanted to look at Shen Qingyao’s abdomen, but she was kneeling and bowing low, making it impossible. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Instantly, a strong sense of disappointment, as if he had misjudged her, quietly crept into his heart.
“Is that true?”
He asked these two words heavily, his tone carrying a decisive edge.
After meeting her that day, although Xiao Che had asked Liu Hui about her identity at the time, it was only briefly mentioned. Liu Hui did not elaborate, so he truly had no idea about this matter.
Shen Qingyao’s face was hidden, and no one could see the disgusted expression on it. She still replied respectfully, “This humble woman would not dare deceive Your Highness.”