Yang Qing naturally knew that Purple Smoke, seated opposite him, was secretly sizing him up.
He simply had no intention of responding.
"So the proprietor doubles as a gatherer of gossip?"
As Yang Qing's words fell, Purple Smoke blushed despite herself.
"Please don't take offense, young master. I merely..."
Yang Qing said coolly, "I heard that the proprietor of the Elegant Charm Pavilion had exceptional skill in brewing tea, so I came to see it for myself."
"But judging by what I've seen, I fear I've come to the wrong place!"
As he spoke, Yang Qing made to rise.
The fright drained all color from Purple Smoke's sweet, lovely face. She hurriedly stood before he could.
"Young master, I overstepped. You are a generous man; please don't stoop to taking offense at someone like me."
Purple Smoke looked at Yang Qing apologetically, a trace of pleading already creeping into her voice.
If her recklessness delayed the young lord's important plans, she feared she would never again have the face to return to the Dark Alliance.
"Please forgive me, young master. I won't dare offend you so carelessly again."
As she spoke, Purple Smoke knelt properly before Yang Qing.
Yang Qing watched her silently for a long while, his lips pressed together, before slowly waving a hand. "Serve the tea."
Delighted, Purple Smoke hastily bowed to him. "Thank you for your generosity, young master. I'll have everything prepared at once!"
She hurried to her feet and instructed the servant outside the private room to bring in all the tea-making implements. Then she sat upright at the table, stilled her mind, and began heating the water and brewing the tea.
Throughout it all, Yang Qing sat in the seat of honor, watching her every movement with great attention.
Purple Smoke was indeed