Chapter 103 Getting Straight to the Point

The Imperial Preceptor's Residence, the Star Gazing Platform.

The place was quiet and desolate, isolated from the hustle and bustle outside the mansion. Fang Xu was still dressed in spotless white robes, his face covered by a light veil, obscuring his features. He stood with his hands behind his back by the railing, gazing at the outline of the imperial city in the distance, exuding an aura of aloofness and seclusion.

This is the scene that Li Bao'er and Li Yu saw when they were led to this place.

"Your Excellency, the person has been brought here," said the servant who led the way.

Fang Xu slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Li Bao'er through the light veil, his voice calm and even: "Princess Jing, Young Master Li." He paused, then cut straight to the point, "I presume you two have come about Ling Jin's matter."

Li Bao'er nodded: "You said you knew the inside story, so it must be because of this."

Fang Xu turned his head slightly to look at Li Yu: "This matter is confidential. Please move to the side hall for tea, Young Master Li. I need to speak with the Princess alone."

Li Yu immediately frowned and stepped in front of Li Bao'er: "What can't you say in front of me? What do you want to do to my sister?!"

Fang Xu was not angry, but said calmly, "Some truths are safer for those involved if fewer people know them. If Young Master Li really wants to help Ling Jin, please step aside for now."

Li Bao'er pressed down on Li Yu's arm and gently shook her head at him: "Ayu, go outside and wait for me." Her eyes were firm, indicating that he could rest assured.

Li Yu glanced at her sister, then glared at Fang Xu, before reluctantly following the boy who was leading the way away from the observatory.

At this moment, only Li Bao'er and Fang Xu remained on the huge observatory.

Fang Xu did not speak immediately, but instead raised his hand and gently removed the veil from his head.

It was an unnatural paleness, even his eyebrows and eyelashes were a very light silvery-white, almost blending into the color of his snow-white clothes.

Ancient people might have seen this as a monster, but Li Bao'er instantly realized that it was albinism.

This morbidity, ironically, endowed Fang Xu with an almost eerie handsomeness, a sense of fragility and alienation.

Fang Xu took in Li Bao'er's fleeting surprise, but did not see the fear or disgust he expected.

A faint smile played on his lips, his voice tinged with inquiry: "Most people, upon first seeing me like this, would instinctively avert their gaze, even if they didn't scream in fright. Princess Jing, on the other hand... is quite composed."

He tilted his head slightly, his silvery-white hair gliding across his pale cheeks. His tone was unreadable, more like a pure question:

"Aren't you scared? Or... disgusted?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bao'er was slightly taken aback. Could it be that Fang Xu looked like this before he transmigrated?

Bao'er didn't avoid his gaze; instead, she met Fang Xu's unique light amber eyes: "Afraid? Why be afraid?"

"In my eyes, the Grand Preceptor's appearance is not strange, but rather very beautiful."

"Like a lotus on a snowy peak, or jade under the moon, it possesses a pure beauty untouched by the dust of the world."

"People are often afraid of the rare, but forget to appreciate the unique charm that rarity itself brings. Your Excellency, why bother with the common eyes of ordinary people?"

Fang Xu froze completely.

For the first time, a clear crack appeared on his face, which was usually expressionless. His light amber pupils contracted slightly, filled with disbelief and shock.

Since childhood, he has endured countless whispers, fearful stares, and even malicious slander because of his unusual appearance. Over the years, apart from one person who treated him differently, everyone else has called him a monster.

Therefore, after he transmigrated, he always wore a veil. Even when he later held the high position of Imperial Preceptor and was respected by everyone, there was often a hidden curiosity about his appearance beneath that respect.

He had long been used to being seen as an oddball, and had even accepted this label himself. But now, someone actually... so calmly, even with admiration, told him, "You are beautiful."

Fang Xu subconsciously avoided Li Bao'er's clear gaze, lowered his eyes slightly, and his long, light eyelashes trembled slightly, trying to cover up his momentary loss of composure.

Several seconds passed before he found his voice, which was deeper and hoarser than usual, with a hint of disorder that he himself was unaware of:

"Your Highness, you are indeed... extraordinary."

This further confirmed his suspicions.

Fang Xu spoke slowly, "Princess Consort Jing, there have been many rumors in the capital lately, all saying that your attitude towards His Highness the Third Prince has suddenly changed, and that you are now... in perfect harmony with His Highness Prince Jing." He gently stroked the rim of his teacup with his fingertips, and asked seemingly casually, "I wonder if Your Highness could enlighten this Imperial Tutor? What is the reason for this change?"

"After all, as far as I know, the Princess Consort used to be deeply in love with the Third Prince. This sudden change of heart... reminds me of some common plots in storybooks, such as... mistaking one's benefactor for another, and then suddenly realizing the truth?"

Fang Xu put his veil back on, his gaze fixed on every subtle change in Li Bao'er's expression through the thin veil. He did indeed suspect Li Bao'er. How could someone who had been infatuated with Mu Yuan since childhood suddenly change her personality and turn precisely towards Mu Cenlin, whom she had previously targeted? This was too illogical; it was more like a scene from a time-travel novel where the protagonist realizes they've mistaken their target or conquest and hastily corrects their course.

He needed to confirm whether this Princess Jing, like him, had a different soul inside her body.

Li Bao'er sneered inwardly. Sure enough, he came. This old fox was testing her.

"Little Zero!" she immediately shouted in her mind, "Quick! Quickly sense that guy over there! Does he smell like you? Is he also cheating?"

The disgruntled grumbling of 001 immediately echoed in its mind: "Host, do you think I have a dog's nose? And a smell..." But despite its complaints, it immediately began to sense its surroundings. After a few seconds, it replied with a hint of uncertainty:

[After scanning the area, no trace of his companions was found. This guy's soul is a bit off; compared to the people of this world, it's like it was forcibly inserted.] [Looks like his system probably abandoned him and ran away. He's a poor guy who came here naked, relying entirely on his own brains to survive. Tsk tsk, not easy.]

Upon hearing 001's report, Li Bao'er immediately felt reassured; things would be much easier without the system.

"Your Excellency is joking. There's no such thing as a fictional story." She gave a wry smile. "It's just that I was young and didn't know people well. I was blinded by superficial kindness. After experiencing some things, I've finally seen who truly cares for me and who harbors malicious intentions."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear as she looked at Fang Xu: "Now that you've seen things clearly, you should turn back in time. Are you going to go down a wrong path to the end? Besides, His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon me, and His Highness Prince Jing is my husband. We are husband and wife, sharing honor and disgrace. How can Bao'er be fickle again?"

Li Bao'er suddenly changed the subject!

She leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and her once clear eyes instantly sharpened:

"We've finished with the pleasantries. Fang Xu, now let's get straight to the point."