Chapter 66

After the Qionglin Banquet, rumors began to spread in the city that Liu Changning, the top scorer in the imperial examinations, had refused marriage in front of the palace, angering the imperial family and suffering a harsh demotion as a result.

Almost every household in Jinling City knew that Liu Changning, the brilliant scholar from a humble background, was talented but straightforward and inflexible. Just as she entered officialdom, she had already displeased the emperor, and it was feared that she would never be able to serve as an official in the capital again.

Storytellers in teahouses specifically discussed this matter for three days.

Since ancient times, scholars have been pedantic, and Liu Changning, the top talent from a humble background, could not escape this fate.

Among the noble families who had previously wanted to recruit her as a son-in-law, many now kept their doors closed and were extremely cautious, not mentioning a word about marriage alliances.

Some officials even hastily arranged marriages for their eldest sons, fearing that bad rumors might spread.

With only beauty and talent, but almost no prospects for advancement in officialdom, the top scholar from a humble background now had only an empty title, which was useless for gaining favor with other officials.

In the eighth year of Yifeng, on the Spring Equinox.

Spring rain had been falling steadily for many days, drizzling continuously.

At the city gate of Jinling, a modest black lacquered carriage with a flat top was leaving the city.

The guards at the gate came forward to perform a routine inspection. The carriage driver took out a travel permit from her bosom and handed it over.

The guard took the permit and gave it a cursory glance. He withdrew his arm that was blocking the way and opened the city gate.

Unexpectedly, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from afar, growing closer, kicking up dust along the way.

The guard looked up in response.

Riding on a fine steed was a woman wearing a deep blue robe, with wide sleeves and orderly buttons, a black and gold jade belt around her waist. She had a jade-white face, phoenix eyes, and full lips slightly pursed.

She exuded an air of nobility and extraordinary demeanor.

The guard’s lazy expression suddenly sharpened. When his gaze fell upon the token on the newcomer’s belt, his small eyes widened. He fell to his knees with a thud, performing a kowtow to the woman on the horse.

Jing Huan glanced at the guard, tightened the reins, and stopped beside the black lacquered carriage. She called out in a clear voice, “Official Liu, please wait. This prince will see you off.”

The occupant of the carriage did not respond.

The carriage driver, who was about to pull the reins, clearly recognized the Prince of Zhennan. With fear in her eyes, she dismounted and knelt on the ground alongside the city guard to pay respects.

Inside the carriage.

Liu Changning raised an eyebrow, glancing at the man sitting on her lap, his unruly hands randomly igniting fires.

She raised her eyes to meet his displeased gaze, leaned down, and reassuringly pecked the corner of his lips.

However, he was still upset, lowering his eyelids, his sharp lips slightly parted, maliciously brushing against her lips, exhaling a hot breath.

Liu Changning’s eyes deepened three shades. She frowned and punishingly pinched the round buttocks on her lap.

She felt the person in her arms stiffen, his legs tightening, becoming much more obedient.

After a long while without a response from inside the carriage, Jing Huan didn’t find it strange. She knocked on the carriage window and said in a low, probing voice, “Official Liu, won’t you come out and chat with me? When you left the capital, that person didn’t even come to see you off. Have you seen him? He’s… quite cold-hearted!”

Inside the carriage, amidst the tea’s aroma, Pei Yuanshao pulled down Liu Changning’s neck, angrily grinding against her fair neck in embarrassed fury.

Liu Changning let out a heavy breath, glaring at him. She separated his mischievous fingers.

Her lips paused at his ear as she coaxed softly, “Be good, Shao-ge. Just bear with it… hmm? You’re not cold-hearted at all!”

After speaking, she cradled him sideways in her arms.

His head rested against her lower abdomen, a wave of heat pressing against his cheek.

Pei Yuanshao shuddered. He tremblingly lifted her long robe, revealing the white undergarment beneath. As he pressed his head against that soft abdomen, the blush on his earlobes could no longer be suppressed, spreading along his chiseled jawline and downward.

Liu Changning’s lips curved into an extremely subtle arc. She glanced at the shameful part of his lower body, then lowered her head and pressed against his ear again, chuckling softly, “If you really can’t bear it, Shao-er can move by yourself…”

The man in her arms blushed furiously, his ink-black eyes tinged with three parts of allure, utterly unable to withstand teasing!

Liu Changning narrowed her eyes, unconsciously tapping his forehead. Her thin lips moved silently, “Good boy…”

Without waiting for his response, she composed herself and half-opened the carriage window.

A cool breeze entered from outside!

She stuck her head out of the carriage, meeting Jing Huan’s gaze, and said slowly, “Others may not understand, but surely you, Prince Jing, know that you have already used the lives of the common people to threaten me. How dare I let that person appear before me? Now that I’m going far away, are you happy?”

Jing Huan neither confirmed nor denied, smiling ambiguously: “Your journey to Jiaozhou this time… This prince suspects it’s not due to threats, but perhaps to seek another way out!”

A gentle breeze caressed Liu Changning’s face, fine rain sprinkling on it, yet unable to cool the heat on her body. Inside the carriage, the red-clad man had already removed her lower garments.

He was now clumsily rubbing and fumbling, acting recklessly.

She was inwardly annoyed, her fine brows slightly furrowed, two shallow creases appearing on her smooth forehead.

Her almond eyes narrowed slightly, and she imperceptibly thrust forward. Only then did the person inside the carriage stop moving.

Improper behavior, becoming aroused anywhere – how would she manage after leaving Jinling City?

Liu Changning felt a faint anxiety in her heart, but her face showed no trace of it. She looked up to see her annoying disciple’s fake smile and completely lost her patience.

She raised her jade-white fingers and beckoned to Jing Huan.

She said flatly, “Do you really want to know? Come closer, I’ll tell you.”

The blue-clad “woman” on the tall horse was stunned for a moment, her eyes suddenly sparkling. She leaned in closer, a beat late.

Liu Changning’s hand, which was originally going to brush back her hair, suddenly changed direction and swiftly, forcefully slapped her face.

A few days ago, she had wanted to slap this cross-dressing dog to death!

Her eyes were cold as she said icily, “Huh? You know my temperament. Don’t touch my bottom line, otherwise…”