Chapter 120: Courting a Lady

Chapter 120

Courting a Lady

After some time, Kang Wang lifted the curtain and looked outside. The scenery along the road was a forest, with trees beginning to bloom. White and pale pink blossoms dotted the fresh green leaves. Mu Rongying couldn’t help but lean over slightly to get a better view outside. Without turning, Kang Wang asked her a question.

"Do you still need to go to the tea house today?"

Mu Rongying thought for a moment, realizing that it wouldn’t be appropriate to go. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she figured it was best to return home and apply something to reduce the swelling.

"No, Your Highness, I think I’ll head back to the mansion."

"Mm,"

Kang Wang responded with a simple hum, continuing to look out at the scenery outside the window. Mu Rongying, seeing he had no further questions, remained quiet. It wasn’t until the carriage passed the turn leading back to the city that she glanced up at him again.

"Since you’re not going to the tea house, I’m taking you to see a place."

Her eyes were full of questions, but Kang Wang didn’t offer further explanation. The carriage headed toward a small hill, not far from the city, on the opposite side of Qinghai Lake, facing Mount Dushan, known for its tea plantations.

When the carriage stopped, Chunmei, who had been riding next to the coachman, quickly dismounted to assist her mistress. But Kang Wang had already stepped down and, with his tall frame, blocked Mu Rongying from view as he personally helped her out of the carriage.

Mu Rongying looked around, captivated by the sight. It was early spring, and the air was still a bit cool. The vast lake sparkled under the sunlight, its waters a clear emerald green. In the background stood the majestic Mount Dushan, shrouded in mist. She had never seen the lake from this side before. Every time she accompanied Nie Shuang to the Jiang family’s tea plantation, they viewed the lake from the mountain. She had not realized how breathtaking it looked from the opposite shore.

Kang Wang noticed her reaction and smiled slightly.

"Come this way. Just a little farther ahead, there’s a pavilion with a view. Let’s sit and have tea there."

Mu Rongying followed Kang Wang. Other than the two of them, there was no one else by the lake. Most people preferred to visit the opposite side, closer to the city and the tea plantations on Mount Dushan. The area was peaceful, with wild peach, pear, and plum trees scattered along the shore. The plum trees, which bloomed earlier than the others, were already in full bloom with their white and pale pink petals. The scent of grass and the faint fragrance of flowers drifted in the breeze.

As they walked a little further, a small pavilion came into view, standing alone by the lakeside. Next to the pavilion was a white plum tree in full bloom, its petals falling gently like snow. Mu Rongying couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

"It’s so beautiful, Your Highness."

Seeing her delight, Kang Wang smiled slightly and led her inside. Mu Rongying followed and sat across from him. From the outside, the two young people in the pavilion, surrounded by fallen flower petals, looked like a scene from a painting. Kang Wang’s attendants lit a fire outside and soon brought in a tea set, placing it down before retreating.

Mu Rongying gazed out at the vast lake, where the water shimmered under the sun’s rays. A gentle breeze blew, creating a calming atmosphere. Her sadness from the recent farewell gradually faded away. Chunmei stepped in to pour the tea before stepping back to stand under the eaves.

"Are you feeling better now? Going back to the mansion alone would only make you feel lonelier. It’s better to come out and clear your mind."

Kang Wang asked, lifting his tea to take a sip. His almond-shaped eyes lowered to glance at the tea in his cup, strong hands holding the lid as he gently brushed the tea leaves aside before drinking. He understood all too well the feelings of loneliness and the pain of separation. Even now, in the grand and magnificent Wang’s palace, he ruled alone. In this distant city, far from any true companions, without anyone by his side, surrounded by subjects who dared not treat him as an equal, finding someone who truly understood him was incredibly difficult.

Mu Rongying was moved by his words and clasped her hands together, bowing her head as she spoke.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I...I..."

She couldn’t continue, nearly breaking into tears again. Kang Wang chuckled softly.

"Are you going to cry again? Drink some hot tea. It’ll warm you up."

Hearing this, Mu Rongying quickly wiped away her tears and carefully lifted the tea to her lips. The tea was Lü Cui, a light, green tea with refreshing scent that felt like the arrival of spring itself. They sat quietly, enjoying the atmosphere and each other’s company.

"Yingying...how long do you plan to continue in the trade?"

After a long while, Kang Wang asked. Mu Rongying set her teacup down.

"Your Highness, I don’t intend to marry. I plan to dedicate my life to managing the business for Sister Nie Shuang."

She answered earnestly, expressing her true feelings. Since birth, the happiest time in her life had been working alongside Nie Shuang at the tea house. She felt she was using her abilities in a meaningful way without relying on her appearance to gain favor with men. Simply managing her responsibilities each day, without having to cater to anyone’s mood, felt like the ultimate freedom to her.

Kang Wang raised his hand, and everyone, including Chunmei, withdrew out of earshot.

"And what if one day Nie Shuang no longer needs you? She has a family now, trusted people to oversee the tea business. Don’t forget, she’s the Young Furen of Yong An Hou Manor. Even if she stopped trading, she’d still have wealth and live comfortably. Do you plan to live under her wing for the rest of your life?"

Mu Rongying raised her eyebrows adorably, looking as if she’d never considered this before. However, she didn’t seem troubled, simply responding with her honest thoughts.

"If Sister Nie Shuang no longer needs me, Yingying would try to run my own business. Over the past few months, she’s taught me a great deal and has even given me a monthly stipend. Yingying doesn’t spend much, so if I save up a little more, I could use it as capital to start my own business."

Her answer brought a smile to Kang Wang’s face, though he masked it by raising his teacup to his lips.

"Mm, you’re quite determined."

Someone like this should be kept close.

Mu Rongying was surprised by the compliment. She had thought that Kang Wang would try to persuade her to marry, as most people would. After all, wasn’t that the common thought? Got married quickly, had children to continue the family line, then watched as the husband took concubine after concubine, causing endless heartache. If one was lucky, a son would offer some support. When the son grew up and took a wife to take care of him, and finally, one died.

"When Nie Shuang no longer needs you, would you come work for me instead?"

Kang Wang said with a smile. Thinking he was joking, Mu Rongying smiled brightly and quickly responded,

"Yes, I would be honored to serve Your Highness."

Kang Wang smiled faintly and nodded. The wind by the lakeside was getting stronger, so he stood up and draped his cloak over her shoulders. Mu Rongying lowered her head and thanked him softly.

Kang Wang was this kind, so how could she not admire him? Her cheeks blushed a soft pink, making her all the more beautiful. Seeing his teacup was nearly empty, she refilled it for him. The two of them sat for a while longer, peacefully sipping tea. When Kang Wang noticed her cup was empty, he spoke up.

"The wind is picking up; it looks like it might rain. Let’s head back."

Mu Rongying agreed and stood. Kang Wang’s attendants swiftly packed away the tea set. The early spring weather was unpredictable—what had been a clear sky moments ago now darkened with gathering storm clouds. They had walked quite a distance, and before they could make it back to the carriage, rain began to fall. Kang Wang removed the cloak from Mu Rongying’s shoulders and held it over her head to shield her from the rain. He turned to her and said,

"Hurry, or you’ll catch a cold."

Mu Rongying quickened her pace, but in her haste, she stumbled over a tree root and nearly fell. Fortunately, Kang Wang caught her by the waist and pulled her close to his chest. In her fluster, she didn’t realize that his arm was still wrapped around her, holding her firmly as they continued. When they finally reached the carriage, both of them were soaked through. Kang Wang hurriedly helped her into the carriage before climbing in himself, but he still pulled back the curtain and told Chunmei to sit inside with them. Mu Rongying looked at Kang Wang with gratitude.

Inside the carriage, Kang Wang opened a compartment and pulled out a clean cloth, handing it. Chunmei, who just boarded, took it and carefully dried her young miss’s face and clothes. However, Mu Rongying looked at Kang Wang.

"And what about you, Your Highness...?"

She felt guilty for using the cloth meant for him. Kang Wang smiled gently and replied,

"You use it. It’s nothing—I’m fine. But your body shouldn’t receive too much cold air, as it wouldn’t be good for your health, especially if you’re expecting one day."

Mu Rongying’s heart stirred, her admiration for Kang Wang growing even more. The carriage began to move slowly, with a procession of attendants riding behind them. Kang Wang turned to her and said,

"Not far from here is my palace. Let’s stop there and change into dry clothes."

Although Mu Rongying wasn’t very wet, thanks to Kang Wang shielding her, and she had already dried off and didn’t feel cold, she couldn’t help but worry about him, seeing how soaked he was. She nodded in agreement.

"That sounds good, Your Highness. You’re completely drenched—you should change quickly before you catch a chill."

Even Chunmei couldn’t help but think what a good man Kang Wang was. Though Kang Wang had been finding opportunities to spend time close to her young miss, wasn’t that only natural? How could any man not be captivated by someone as beautiful as her young miss? Deep inside, she hoped that her young miss would end up with Kang Wang.

Kang Wang then ordered his attendants to head to the nearby summer palace. Some of the entourage, having received their orders, left ahead to make the necessary preparations. They had served Kang Wang for a long time and only recently noticed his unusual behavior.

When the rain started, he didn’t call for an umbrella, even though they had prepared one...

There were always spare garments in the carriage, but instead, he insisted on going all the way to the palace.Still, even a Wang wasn’t always direct when courting a lady. As fellow men, they understood all too well...