Chapter 411 The Promise

Chapter 411: Promise

She thought it was just etiquette, but she felt it was because the farmers had given them too much to eat, leaving them with too much free time.

However, he was slightly better than those old-fashioned types, as he strictly adhered to the rules himself without being overly talkative towards her.

Thus, Bei Jingchu regarded him as a gentleman from a prestigious family, while the others were like spirits haunting memorial arches.

Chang Tingyi waved his hand, dismissing all the servants in the room.

He even joked, "If Your Highness were a lady from the inner chambers, being alone with a man would surely ruin your reputation."

"The next step might be marrying into the Chang family."

Bei Jingchu: '...' (She couldn't muster a response.)

She couldn't laugh.

She simply continued to cross her arms, her face expressionless.

Chang Tingyi awkwardly fell silent and got straight to the point.

"The close attendants who grew up with us share a deep bond. I suspect Your Highness is reluctant to let them go."

"If evidence can be found that the firearm incident was not leaked under Changyan's watch,"

"Although she would be investigated for dereliction of duty, she wouldn't lose her life."

"Your Highness, would you like to owe me this favor?" he asked with a sly smile.

Chang Tingyi used a long-handled spoon to pour a cup of tea from the tea stove and handed it to her.

At this time, the popular method of drinking tea wasn't just with tea powder; it even included adding salt, scallions, and ginger for flavor.

Bei Jingchu found the taste odd. In the Eastern Palace, tea was brewed to her liking, using only pure tea leaves.

The palace servants even added butter to the milk tea she adored.

As for the popular mixed flavors on the market, Bei Jingchu still couldn't stomach them.

Facing the tea cup with floating scallions, Bei Jingchu's lips twitched.

She picked up the tea cup, returned the gesture, and downed it in one gulp.

The taste of tea mixed with scallions, ginger, and salt was really bizarre!!

Bei Jingchu drank the tea as if it were alcohol, and then... she gagged.

The smile on the person across from her froze.

Maintaining her composure, Bei Jingchu tried her best not to actually gag, but when she looked up, her face was a mask of agony.

Chang Tingyi realized belatedly, "Your Highness, do you not like this?"

"Obviously," she replied curtly.

He seemed to realize something and hurriedly defended himself, "I didn't mean to force you to drink it. I truly didn't know you disliked this."

Bei Jingchu was also confused, "Wasn't your rhetoric implying that if I wanted your help, I had to finish it?" (Note: Memorial arches are traditional structures erected to honor virtuous individuals, often symbolizing strict adherence to societal norms.)

"No, Your Highness, I do not have such a perverse interest. Why didn’t you ask me?"

Bei Jingchu would never admit that she had overthought it. She skillfully shifted the blame: "It's because you look like such a schemer."

"Talking to you feels like every sentence is going around in circles before I can understand the meaning."

Chang Tingyi: "..."

Is it really his fault?

Perhaps, this is the cost of being pretentious.

After Bei Jingchu expressed her complete disgust for the mixed tea, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She added water and tea powder to an empty cup, stirred it, and finally got a drinkable beverage.

Bei Jingchu always believed in a fair trade, so she asked, "What do you want from me?"

Chang Tingyi smiled and said, "I want a promise from Your Highness, to be called upon when needed in the future."

This deal was too good to refuse. Bei Jingchu couldn't help but look at him like he was an idiot.

Chang Tingyi seemed to understand her expression and gently explained, "I understand that the best deals are those where payment and delivery happen at the same time."

"Right now, the evidence to save someone is in my hands. Even if my request is a bit tough, Your Highness will do your best to meet it."

"But if Changyan has already been rescued, and I come back later to ask for the promise, Your Highness could easily go back on your word."

"A promise is the most unreliable thing in the world. Men's words cannot be trusted."

He looked directly at her, as if trying to see into her heart, and gently shook his head, saying, "And women's words cannot be trusted either."