A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Chapter 420 Passionate Confession

Prefect Xu was dressed in plain clothes, with only a black gauze crown to tie his hair up.

He was middle-aged, with his temples streaked with frost, and the wrinkles around his eyes were clearly visible when he smiled.

Although Prefect Xu held a high position, he was a warm and kind person.

He exchanged pleasantries with Jiang Mingyuan, while also paying attention to the two female guests standing nearby.

After the two sides exchanged formal greetings, Prefect Xu personally invited the three inside.

"The prince is currently residing in the government office. I was worried that he might not like a noisy banquet tonight."

"I never expected that His Highness would make an exception and come in person."

Gu Xixi thought to herself, "It seems this prince has quite a high opinion of himself; he's usually not someone I can get my hands on."

No wonder Prefect Xu was all smiles and so happy.

Now that he had entered the house, the important person was already very close, so Jiang Mingyuan didn't dare to ask any further questions about which prince it was.

When Jiang Mingyuan first heard this outside the door, one person immediately came to mind.

But that man was hands-on in everything he did, and the emperor and the court couldn't do without him.

How could he possibly find the time to come to the Northwest?

Yes, it's definitely not him.

Jiang Mingyuan thought to himself, and continued to engage in conversation with Prefect Xu.

Gu Xixi followed closely behind, her mind solely focused on the tea garden, and therefore she felt no tension whatsoever.

Only Lü Jing still had the mind to steal glances at her surroundings.

She first saw a blurry figure reflected in the gauze curtain, which seemed strangely familiar.

No way……

Before Lü Jing could remind Gu Xixi, Prefect Xu had already led them behind the green gauze curtain.

The room was brightly lit, and a large round table came into view.

The banquet has been set out, and the aroma of food and drinks wafts through the air.

But all these different sensory stimuli combined cannot compare to the person sitting at the head of the round table.

Gu Xixi, Jiang Mingyuan, and Lü Jing suddenly fell silent.

Prefect Xu assumed that the two young women were simply captivated by the prince's extraordinary appearance upon their first meeting.

He smiled knowingly.

When the prince arrived a few days ago, most of the people in the government office had the same reaction when they greeted him.

Prefect Xu solemnly introduced, "Mr. Gu, Miss Lü, this is the Regent."

"Lord Jiang should have already met the Prince at the Apricot Grove Banquet, so there's no need for me to introduce him."

The three of them came to their senses and naturally bowed according to the rules.

Jiang Mingyuan's face was tense: "This humble official pays his respects to the Regent."

Gu Xixi and Lü Jing: "This humble woman pays her respects to the Regent."

Mu Nanzhao then looked up and said calmly, "No need for formalities."

"Today, Lord Xu is hosting, and I am just here to join in the fun. You don't need to be so formal."

His gaze lingered on Gu Xixi for a fleeting moment without leaving a trace, a hint of warmth flickering in his cold eyes.

Seeing that the prince had said so, Prefect Xu hurriedly invited the guests to take their seats.

When she sat down, Gu Xixi had a slight smile on her face, but she did not deliberately look directly at Mu Nanzhao.

Both parties portrayed the "first meeting" perfectly.

During the meal, Prefect Xu started a conversation, drawing everyone into the discussion.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed and harmonious.

Prefect Xu naturally brought up the proclamation concerning the Regent.

He said with a smile, "There are many rumors circulating, more exciting than those in storybooks."

"We don't know if it's true or not. Would Your Highness mind clearing up our doubts?"

Lu Jing glanced to the side.

Gu Xixi was calmly drinking tea, but Lü Jing wondered if this composure was genuine.

Jiang Mingyuan also looked at Mu Nanzhao and said, "This humble official is also very curious."

"Was the prince's announcement out of gratitude and responsibility, or was it as deeply affectionate as rumored?"

Prefect Xu glanced at him in surprise, his brows furrowing slightly. Was this top scholar really so straightforward?

I thought the regent would be somewhat displeased.

Just as Magistrate Xu was about to smooth things over, Mu Nanzhao smiled and said, "The wording of the rumors is somewhat exaggerated."

"Gu did indeed save my life, and she has shared life and death with me several times."

"But to say that I offered myself to repay a debt of gratitude, or that the Gu family is extremely wealthy, beautiful as an angel, gentle as water, and proficient in all the arts, is all untrue."

While confused, Prefect Xu felt embarrassed that he shouldn't have brought up the question.

Did everyone misunderstand that announcement?

The Regent's feelings for Lady Gu were not romantic; he simply wanted to provide her with protection.

The room fell silent, each person lost in their own thoughts.

Only Gu Xixi picked up the self-pouring pot and poured herself a cup of tea.

The sound of tea being poured into the cup was exceptionally clear at that moment.

Prefect Xu looked at Gu Xixi and was quite impressed with her.

The Regent's aura is so powerful that ordinary people can't help but be extremely cautious around him.

Despite her humble origins, this woman showed no fear of the regent and continued to eat and drink as usual.

Mu Nanzhao gazed intently at Gu Xixi, a smile appearing in his eyes.

"The person I cherish most in my heart, sometimes she has the world in her heart, and her magnanimity is no less than that of any man. But at other times she can be very stingy, and she will not give up an inch of what she deserves."

"Compared to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she has something she prefers even more, and she is willing to dedicate her life to it. She is even willing to give up being with me forever in order to realize her ideal."

"She's a bit materialistic, but she earns it all through her own abilities."

"She is defiant and cunning, and occasionally resorts to underhanded tactics."

“She felt that having me as her sole backer was not enough, so she used her abilities to find herself other backers, and not just one.”

"In this way, even if I were to turn against her one day, I wouldn't be able to do anything to her easily."

Prefect Xu could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Greedy, self-centered, headstrong, and so restless.

The regent actually took a liking to such a woman?

Moreover, judging from the Regent's words, it seems that this woman is unwilling to accept him.

It wasn't the regent considering whether to rekindle their relationship.

Even though Prefect Xu was over forty and had seen countless storms, he couldn't help but stare in astonishment.

But looking at the Regent, he could tell he was extremely serious and not joking.

Gu Xixi picked up a piece of cherry biscuit and ate it with relish.

Lu Jing was secretly thrilled, her heart overflowing with joy for Gu Xixi.

Lu Jing quietly tugged at Gu Xixi from under the table, then smiled and winked at her while half-lowering her head.

Does that mean you're not going to give any response?

He made a heartfelt confession in front of everyone at the prefect's banquet!

Audacious! Unabashed! Deeply affectionate! Heart-wrenching!

Who else but the Regent would be capable of such a thing?!

Gu Xixi returned the look, no rush, let them talk first.

She needs to eat first; she has other important things to do later.

Then Mu Nanzhao continued, "But I admire her just the way she is."

"I also love and cherish it."

"Lord Xu, and...Lord Jiang."

He emphasized his words slightly, looking at Jiang Mingyuan with a half-smile, "How does it compare to the rumors?"

Prefect Xu secretly broke out in a cold sweat, and said with a forced smile, "This Miss Gu is indeed no ordinary woman."

"Ambitious and broad-minded."

"She and the Prince are truly a match made in heaven!"

Jiang Mingyuan's eyes were filled with complex emotions. After a moment, he suppressed his melancholy, poured himself a glass of wine, and raised it.

"This humble official... wishes Your Highness well."