"You'll know soon enough!"
Qingqing didn't believe anything good was about to happen and quickly tried to stop him. "Granny Fang in the embroidery room is waiting for me. I can't be late!"
She tried to break free, but Leng Feng held on tighter, refusing to let go!
"I've already spoken to Granny Fang. Don't worry! Our matter is the most important right now!"
"Our matter?"
Qingqing found it baffling!
What business could she possibly have with Leng Feng?
"Guard Leng, can you tell me where you are taking me?"
"No need to ask so many questions. You'll know soon enough!" Leng Feng kept her in suspense.
Qingqing: "....."
Fine, if he wouldn't say, he wouldn't say!
She wasn't that eager to know anyway!
After walking a short distance!
Qingqing, who had been calm and composed, suddenly felt something was wrong!
This direction... it was towards the Emperor's quarters!
"Guard Leng, are you taking me to see the Emperor?"
Leng Feng glanced back, a wicked smile curving his lips. "Little girl, you're quite clever! As expected of the woman I fancy!"
"I don't want to go. Why are you dragging me to see the Emperor for no reason?"
She was going to be scared!
"It's not about whether you want to see him or not. It's that my master wants to see you!"
Knowing the Emperor wanted to see her, Qingqing broke out in a cold sweat!
Why would the Emperor want to see her? What had she done wrong?
"Guard Leng, have I done something wrong? What does the Emperor want with me?" Qingqing was truly panicked. She only wanted to be a quiet embroiderer and never imagined she would ever meet the lofty Emperor!
Seeing Qingqing's flustered state, Leng Feng suddenly stopped.
Lost in her thoughts, Qingqing didn't notice Leng Feng had stopped.
She accidentally bumped into Leng Feng's arm!
"Ah! Guard Leng, why did you suddenly stop?" Qingqing's forehead throbbed from the impact!
But she dared not scold or complain!
"Girl, I like you and want you to be my woman. If the master asks if you're willing later, just say yes. Do you understand?"
What?
Be his woman?
Qingqing's eyes widened in disbelief!
Leng Feng frowned. "What's with that expression? You're not willing?"
Qingqing stammered, "Guard Leng, have you made a mistake? When did I say I would be your woman?"
"You didn't say it before, but it's not too late to say it now!"
"But this is too sudden. I haven't planned to get married yet!" Qingqing lowered her head, her face flushing crimson!
Leng Feng was indeed handsome, tall, and skilled in martial arts!
He was also close to the Emperor, with a generous annual salary. But they were not from the same class!
She hadn't considered marrying into wealth!
Someone of Leng Feng's status was already considered nobility!
He would inevitably have multiple wives and concubines in the future.
Although she was just a humble embroiderer, no different from a servant, she disliked a household filled with women!
She knew Leng Feng would eventually get tired of her and favor newer women, and she didn't want to live a life like that!
"Girl, what are you thinking about?" Leng Feng didn't know why. He had confessed his feelings, yet the girl showed no sign of joy!
If it were any other woman, she would have happily hugged him and started acting coy.
Could it be... she was unwilling to be his woman?
"Guard Leng, you are a high and mighty noble, and I am just a village girl. I am not worthy of you!"
"I know you are not worthy of me, which is why I don't plan to marry you. I only want you as a concubine. What are you thinking?"
Little did Leng Feng know, his words sent Qingqing's heart plummeting to the abyss!
And Leng Feng was also unaware that this was a classic case of putting his foot in his mouth!
"Guard Leng, please let me go!" Qingqing didn't know how to refuse. Frankly, this man simply wanted her as a plaything, and she truly didn't want to...!
Leng Feng became anxious. He hadn't expected Qingqing to refuse. "You don't want to be a concubine?"
Qingqing didn't understand Leng Feng's intention at first and nodded blankly.
"Then you should have said so earlier! I can take you as a secondary wife. As for the main wife... your current status indeed makes it inappropriate!"
Qingqing quickly shook her head. "Guard Leng, you've misunderstood. I will be neither a concubine nor a wife. I haven't considered romantic matters yet."
Leng Feng was displeased. "That's not up to you to decide! If the master bestows you upon me, you are mine. You will never think of another man in this lifetime!"
"I haven't thought of other men. Guard Leng, can you be reasonable!"
"It's best if you haven't. In any case, you will be my woman for life! Let's go!" Leng Feng took Qingqing's small hand and headed towards the imperial study again!
Inside the imperial study!
"Your humble subject greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!" Qingqing dared not look at Xie Qianmo. Upon entering the hall, she immediately lowered her head and prostrated herself.
Seeing this, Leng Feng also knelt down with Qingqing.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qingqing's body trembled as she slowly stood up.
Leng Feng, seeing Qingqing so frightened, proactively helped her up.
Qingqing was slightly touched by Leng Feng's gesture.
"What is your name?" Xie Qianmo asked coldly.
"Your humble subject is Qingqing, employed in the embroidery room!"
Xie Qianmo nodded.
This little embroiderer had a clear and elegant appearance and was a skilled woman. It was just her status that was a bit lacking. Otherwise, she would indeed be worthy of being Leng Feng's main wife or secondary wife!
"How old are you?"
"I just reached my capping ceremony this year."
Upon hearing that Qingqing had reached her capping ceremony, Leng Feng became even happier. This meant he wouldn't have to wait any longer!
"Leng Feng fancies you and wishes to take you as a concubine. Are you willing?" Xie Qianmo got straight to the point.
Qingqing fell into deep thought. In this situation, could she refuse?
It seemed not!
If she refused, Leng Feng would surely know. Would he trouble her later?
Furthermore, Leng Feng was the Emperor's personal guard. If she refused... would she also anger the Emperor?
Would they think she was ungrateful!
As a mere embroiderer, why should she refuse the favor of a noble?
Seeing that Qingqing hadn't replied for a long time, Leng Feng felt a bit anxious!
He nudged Qingqing with his elbow.
Qingqing immediately came back to her senses!
"Your Majesty, your humble subject's status is low, and I fear I am not worthy of Guard Leng!"
Leng Feng frowned. "My master is asking if you are willing or not, not about your status!"
Under pressure, Qingqing replied in a small voice, "Willing."
Upon hearing Qingqing's willingness, Leng Feng was overjoyed. Disregarding Xie Qianmo's presence, he scooped Qingqing up and spun her around on the spot!
Xie Qianmo frowned. Why did this scene look so glaring?
"Enough. If you want to embrace, do it back there. Don't offend my eyes here!"
"Yes, Master!"
As soon as the words fell!
Leng Feng indeed carried Qingqing away from the imperial study!
Moreover, he ran out carrying Qingqing!
Outside the hall!
Qingqing was startled!
"Guard Leng, what are you doing? Put me down quickly!"
"You just said you were willing in front of the master. You can't go back on your word now!" Leng Feng thought Qingqing was having second thoughts.
"I haven't gone back on my word. It's just that the Emperor hasn't spoken yet! It seems improper for us to leave like this."
"You don't understand my master. He won't blame us!"
Leng Feng held Qingqing tightly, clearly cherishing her and unwilling to let go for even a moment!
"Guard Leng, where are we going? I need to return to the embroidery room!"
Leng Feng gave a wicked smile. "Why go to the embroidery room? Embroidery work is so tiring. From now on, I will support you. I'm taking you to my residence!"