Chapter 19 The Same Promise, Different Hearts His voice carried irritation sharp as a blade. Ma Ting's hand trembled against her teacup. She dared a glance at Qi Rong across the table, bewildered. He had seemed composed when he entered, yet he bristled the instant he sat down. He was as mercurial as a summer storm. But none of this showed on her face. She quietly produced the papers she had written the night before, set them neatly upon the table, and slid them toward him. "My lord, please read this first before I speak further." Qi Rong raised a brow. The clarity of her bright gaze swept the irritation from his chest in an instant. He picked up the papers and began to read. His expression darkened at once. "Ms. Ma, what is the meaning of this?" The papers contained nothing less than a complete record of the Ma family's holdings, together with her dowry. The night before, she had wrestled with how to prove her sincerity. Words were hollow, so she had chosen something real-gold, silver, and valuables. At least with those, she could negotiate. Yet his anger now made her feel she had gravely erred. "My lord, coming here in secret already places me at risk. Even if you are displeased, I ask you to hear me out." Her eyes reflected quiet helplessness. At last, Qi Rong sank back into his chair. Foolish girl. Does she take me for some greedy merchant? he thought. "This list records Ma family's property and my dowry," she said softly. "I know this marriage troubles you, and it troubles me as well. That is why I brought this, to propose a bargain with you, Lord Zhu." Qi Rong's brow arched. He understood her meaning well enough, yet he chose to feign ignorance. He leaned upon his hand with careless elegance, watching her with a crooked smile. "And what bargain do you wish to strike with me?" His gaze set her cheeks aflame. She turned her eyes aside. "My lord, since we share the same burden, why not join hands? That paper is my token of sincerity." The Ma family had little else left. Once, their influence in court had been vast, but with no one left to wield it, she had no power to offer. 1/4 Only these assets remained within her grasp. "Ms. Ma, are you saying you wish me to marry you?" His words carried neither warmth nor coldness, only an unsettling calm. Yet the hand hidden in her lap curled into a tight fist. Qi Rong's gaze lingered on the young girl who kept her head lowered. Delight flickered in his eyes, and he gave Meng Ding a discreet look of command. Meng Ding obeyed at once, pulling Ding Jie outside to stand guard. "Yes." Ma Ting drew in a deep breath and lifted her head at last. Her eyes met his without bowing, and her bearing held no trace of submission. "Your Grace, I ask you to rest assured. This union is a partnership. Should the day come when another captures your heart, you may release me with a letter of divorce." She spoke steadily. "While I remain in your household, I will remember my place. I will not provoke envy. "I will also honor Lady Miao, and I will never create discord between mother and daughter-in-law that would cause you unrest." Her voice carried across the room, yet when silence stretched on without answer, unease stirred within her chest. She parted her lips to speak again, but his voice finally broke through. "Indeed, Ms. Ma, there are times when you and I share the same mind." The words struck her like a sudden storm. She lifted her head sharply. Without her noticing, he had leaned close. His lips brushed past hers in a fleeting touch that stole her breath. Alarm flared in her eyes, and she pulled back in haste. Her balance gave way, and she nearly struck the floor. Amusement glinted in Qi Rong's eyes as he caught her with ease, drawing her against him and steadying her across his lap.. His warm breath swept across her neck, and her heart thudded wildly. "Your Grace, release me." Her muffled plea carried the strain of her struggle. No matter how she resisted, his hold did not loosen. Anger flared in her tone. "Your Grace, what is it you intend?" Qi Rong arched a brow, and her flushed, indignant face stirred a deep fondness in him. Yet fearing her displeasure, he slowly set her free. "Even had you not come today, Ms. Ma, I would have sought you out. I meant to speak of this regardless." 2/4 His words froze her in place. Her eyes swam with confusion. "If it is marriage you desire, countless noblewomen in Ming City stand before you. Why choose me?" "Then tell me, why did you choose me, Ms. Ma?" His voice deepened as he advanced, pressing her back until her shoulders touched the wall. "I chose you because you stand above all others as the most distinguished man in Ming City." A sharp laugh broke from him. "You little liar." Tension knotted in her chest, as though he had pierced the heart of her secret. "I am not a liar!" Her protest escaped her lips with a girlish stubbornness, carrying an unguarded charm that deepened the amusement in his eyes. He leaned close, stopping only a breath away from her lips. In the narrow space, their breaths mingled. "I chose you because I gave my word to your parents. And beyond that, only you bring me peace." Ma Ting sensed there was more hidden in his words, yet her mind caught upon that one-peace. Yes. Qi Rong had only just returned from Zhu County to Ming City, and he was still commanding the tiger's talisman in his hands, a token that granted its wielder total authority over a nation's military forces. Were he to marry into another powerful house, the emperor's suspicions would sharpen. Only she, a lone orphan with no kin, could calm such fears and ease the throne's unease. "You chose me because I am alone. That is the truth, is it not?" Though her heart already knew, she still forced the words out. Qi Rong met her gaze and gave a solemn nod. "Yes." He longed to confess, 'I have cherished you for long years.' Yet he swallowed the words, fearing they would drive her away. He would wed her. And time itself would be enough to prove his heart. Knowing his thoughts mirrored hers, the unease in Ma Ting's chest at last dissolved. "In that case, it is I who has gained an advantage here. Tell me, Your Grace, do you have other requests of me? If I am able to, I will certainly meet them." 3/4 Her words drew a soft laugh from Qi Rong. He straightened and returned to the table with measured grace. "Ms. Ma, you are unlike any other person. Were I to make requests, most would seize the chance to bargain for gain. Yet you believe I am the one who profits?" Ma Ting sank back onto her seat and lifted her cup, sipping tea to soothe her parched throat. "To wed me may wound your reputation. I may not hail from a noble house, yet I am not so ignorant as to miss that truth." Her outburst in front of the palace still stirred whispers across Ming City. The glory and honor he had bled for on the battlefield, once tainted by her, would no doubt be diminished. He was such a good man, and she truly wanted to make it right. "Ms. Ma, I'm not the kind of man who shirks responsibility. If you sincerely wish to marry me, then I'll take care of you. We'll live as husband and wife. Would you agree to that arrangement?" The words made Ma Ting freeze for a moment. It felt as if someone else,had once said the exact same thing to her. But that person had broken the promise, and worse, had humiliated her. And now the same promise was said to her again, this time by another man. Ma Ting's heart was overwhelmed with emotions, yet not a single ripple stirred. Her fingers traced the rim of the cup, and she could not decide how to answer. 4/4