In a run-down home tucked within a narrow, secluded alley of Southern Prefecture City, a group of people suddenly arrived.
The visitor was Shang Shuqing. The son of this household was a student at Shang Shuqing's school.
While working for someone else, the man of the house had suddenly lost his strength, and what he had been carrying crushed his foot. Upon learning of this, Shang Shuqing had come especially to visit him.
However, Shang Shuqing's status was far from ordinary. For her safety, a group had arrived before her to inspect the area and set up defenses, guarding against any mishap.
Such a display left this impoverished family trembling with trepidation.
Their son, having learned some manners, bowed outside the door and led Shang Shuqing in. Aware of how poor his home was, he seemed somewhat embarrassed.
After entering, Shang Shuqing looked around at the crude, dilapidated, dark, and damp interior, not knowing what to say.
The County Princess had come. The lady of the house, dressed in old clothes patched upon patches, was at a loss, even stammering when she spoke.
With her rough hands, she brought out a ceramic bowl whose rim had chipped gaps the size of rice grains, brewed a bowl of tea, and presented it.
It could hardly be called tea—just cheap tea stems, and stale ones at that. They usually could not bear to drink it, only serving it when guests came.
The tea bowl was not dirty, but its age made it look unclean.
The accompanying guards would not allow Shang Shuqing to drink such grimy-looking stuff and reached out to stop her, leaving the lady of the house rather embarrassed.
Yet Shang Shuqing herself did not mind. She had the guards step aside, accepted it with both hands, took a sip,