Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 895 - 731: Meeting

Yao Mengxian followed the shopkeeper upstairs, heading towards the innermost private room.

This tea house seemed to be newly opened. Listening to the opera outside, Yao Mengxian found the setup somewhat novel.

Unlike the noise outside, it was rather quiet here.

"We’ve arrived! Please come in, Miss. I must excuse myself."

The shopkeeper, having brought them here, did not dare even to glance at Yao Mengxian and spoke respectfully before turning to leave.

Just as Yao Mengxian was about to knock on the door, it was opened from the inside. When Yao Mengxian looked carefully, wasn’t it Ming Yan who opened the door?

"Miss, please come in!" Ming Yan smiled, bowed, and then stepped aside.

Yao Mengxian initially felt a bit apprehensive, but seeing Ming Yan, she finally calmed down.

Ming Yan was Gu Chengyu’s close follower. With him here, it must be Gu Chengyu inside.

Yao Mengxian hesitated no more and entered the private room with Lianxin. Indeed, the person sitting at the table drinking tea was none other than Gu Chengyu.

He wore a long robe of pink and purple brocade embroidered with colorful auspicious clouds, with a stand-up collar, toggle buttons, and a right lapel. The collar and raised cuffs were embroidered with dark flowing cloud patterns.

His glossy black hair was secured with a golden crown inlaid with red agate. The bright attire made the young man’s lips red and teeth white.

Such a vibrant outfit contrasted perfectly with the youth’s cold demeanor.

However, Yao Mengxian found it odd. The capital’s weather in November was already extremely cold.

Every time she saw Mr. Gu, he always dressed rather lightly. Was he not cold?

Gu Chengyu looked up at the two women entering. The leading one wore a veiled hat, covering most of her body.

Seeing Lianxin standing to the side, Gu Chengyu knew this was Yao Mengxian.

"I pay my respects to Mr. Gu!" Yao Mengxian curtsied gracefully, her soft and delicate voice tinged with a trace of childishness.

"No need for formalities!" Gu Chengyu stood up and returned the courtesy.

The young girl was taller than the last time they met, showing a youthful and graceful beauty.

Since the room had a brazier burning, once she straightened up, she removed the embroidered fur cloak she wore outside and handed it to the maid, Lianxin.

When the cloak was removed, she revealed a cherry blossom red and teal trimmed floral short jacket and a bean green satin pleated skirt, with branches of proud white plums embroidered on the hem. A dark purple jade cord with multiple treasures hung at her waist, swaying slightly as she moved.

After removing the cloak, Yao Mengxian didn’t hesitate and took off the veiled hat on her head.

Gu Chengyu observed her carefully; indeed, the young girl had matured significantly.

The last time they met, he only took a cursory glance. Her face still carried a hint of childishness, with a touch of baby fat on her cheeks. This time, she had the contour of an oval face.

Her hair was styled in side braids with a lamb fat white jasmine hairpin. Red plum gold wire hollow pearl flower pins and gold inlaid obsidian dragonfly and locust pins adorned her temples. The small pink pearl earrings matched her jade-like earlobes, making the young girl appear both charming and adorable.

As for her appearance, Yao Mengxian was indeed impeccable, but Gu Chengyu rarely paid attention to a woman’s looks.

Today’s meeting marked the second time he seriously assessed Yao Mengxian’s appearance because she might become his fiancee in the future.

He should at least know what she looked like. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be embarrassing not to recognize her at their next meeting?

The first time he took note of her was during that time when they encountered robbers on the boat, but he didn’t look closely then. Plus, Yao Mengxian was much younger then, so her appearance differed somewhat.

Perhaps because she was alone facing an unfamiliar man, Yao Mengxian appeared slightly nervous.

Her rosy lips pressed tightly together, her moist apricot eyes looked towards the teapot on the table before Gu Chengyu.

Fearing she might feel awkward, Gu Chengyu quickly spoke: "Please sit, Miss Yao. I am sorry for the inconvenience of asking you here today. Please forgive me."

Yao Mengxian quickly waved her hand. "Mr. Gu is too polite. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve arranged this meeting concerning my marriage, correct?"

She didn’t stand on ceremony, composing herself before sitting across from Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu was satisfied with Yao Mengxian’s straightforwardness.

After Ming Yan served tea for the two, he stood by the door, assuming a posture of observing his surroundings silently.

"Please enjoy the tea, Miss Yao. These leaves were harvested wild from the mountains by me. Just one sip will leave your mouth fragrant."

Gu Chengyu smiled and gestured for her to enjoy.

Seeing Gu Chengyu smiling and not in a rush, Yao Mengxian picked up the tea bowl and took a sip.

Oh? Yao Mengxian looked at Gu Chengyu in surprise, "This tea is excellent!"

She had tasted this tea at her maternal grandfather’s place before and found its aroma enduring, refreshing the mind and leaving a lingering fragrance, much superior to those famous teas.

She once asked her grandfather where such good tea came from, only to later learn it was gifted by Gu Chengyu.

"Miss Yao, we are quite acquainted. As you mentioned, I asked you here naturally because of your marriage. I believe your mentor already discussed this with you, and I’m curious how you feel about it."

Standing by the door, Ming Yan raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. He was quite shocked, wondering why Mr. Gu was concerned about Miss Yao’s marriage.

Recalling how Mr. Gu had been distracted after returning from the Liang Mansion the previous day, could it be that he intended to marry Miss Yao?

Ming Yan glanced at the two sitting at the table, his eyes twinkling with realization.

Hey! Honestly, based on looks, Miss Yao is a match for his esteemed master.

The two extraordinary individuals sitting together seemed quite pleasing to the eye.

In terms of character, Miss Yao wasn’t one of those loud and spoiled young ladies, but rather composed like his master.

He had met Miss Yao several times, including during their return journey to Jingyuan Prefecture.

Based on her conduct during the journey, he could tell she was a calm, intelligent, and kindly girl.

If Miss Yao were to become the mistress of the Gu Mansion, she would likely manage the household excellently.

While Ming Yan’s mind wandered, the two inside had begun confronting the matter.

"Mr. Gu, my grandfather is primarily concerned that I might face grievances after getting married. Since you’ve been under his tutelage since childhood, he considers you a dependable choice, hence the sudden proposition. I hope Mr. Gu doesn’t harbor any resentment towards my grandfather, having strained the master-disciple relationship because of me."

Since it concerned her own marriage, Yao Mengxian found it difficult to speak about such matters with an unfamiliar man like Gu Chengyu.

Especially since her grandfather had approached Gu Chengyu about marrying her, it made her all the more bashful.

"Miss Yao! Your grandfather must have told you quite a bit about Prince Jing. Ultimately, how you choose depends on you, Miss Yao. If you have other plans, both I and your grandfather will try our best to support you. If you consider someone like me worthy, it would be an honor for me."