When Xiao Qingyin opened the door, Yi Shuihan slipped to the side, not wanting to meet the newcomer.

The person outside the door was dressed in white, with a refined and otherworldly appearance. He was carrying a food box in his hand. The moment he saw Xiao Qingyin, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Happy birthday, Xiao Xiao!

Yi Shuihan frowned.

What's wrong with this newly crowned top scorer? He's been harassing someone else's fiancée every few days.

Did you waste all your knowledge of Confucian classics on the dogs?

What is the meaning of "Happy Birthday"? Is it a birthday greeting used by people in Yizhou?

I would be happier if you didn't come.

Xiao Qingyin made no attempt to hide her disgust for him.

Bai Musheng looked a little hurt, but still wore a smile.

He opened the food box in his hand, revealing a large bunch of crystal-clear grapes, as green as jade.

"I used to only be able to send you raisins, but now I can finally send you fresh fruit."

Xiao Qingyin chuckled, "But I don't like eating it anymore."

Bai Musheng's expression stiffened slightly, but she closed the food box as if nothing had happened.

"So what do you like to eat now?"

"I love to eat anything that wasn't given to me by you."

"..."

Bai Musheng rubbed his forehead, a wry smile on his face, and looked into Xiao Qingyin's eyes, saying, "Xiao Xiao, stop making trouble, let's make up, okay?"

Yi Shuihan: He's still breathing!

This is outrageous! Openly seducing someone else's fiancée in broad daylight!

A spark suddenly ignited in my heart.

He quietly left and returned to the next room, giving Yi Wu an order: "Go back to the Marquis's residence, load a cart of Western Region fruits, and deliver it to the next room. Tell them it's a birthday gift from your master to Miss Xiao."

Yi Wu accepted the order and left.

Yi Shuihan returned to the Yun residence.

Xiao Qingyin was unaware of what was happening on his side. When she heard Bai Musheng's words about making up, she just found it amusing.

"Young Master Bai, was I not clear enough before, or are you just too forgetful?"

Do you need me to help you remember?

From the moment you offered me to that academic official, we had no connection whatsoever.

Please don't come looking for me unless you absolutely need my favor.

"Xiao Xiao, you can't sentence me to death because of one mistake."

Bai Musheng's face was filled with pain.

"I didn't know he had taken a liking to you. I thought he really wanted to see you for treatment, which is why he sent you there..."

“I don’t believe you don’t know his true nature,” Xiao Qingyin sneered. “Bai Musheng, stop deceiving yourself. You’re the kind of person who will stop at nothing to advance your career!”

If she hadn't had some means of self-defense, she would have long since become another soul cruelly tortured to death in that person's hands.

"That's not how it is!"

Bai Musheng cried out in despair.

"Xiao Xiao, I never intended to hurt you. From the day I met you, my only two wishes were to pass the imperial examination with flying colors and marry you."

"You can only fool yourself with that, don't say it out loud, I'm afraid I'll laugh my teeth out, I won't even be able to chew the meat."

Xiao Qingyin said without any mercy.

"You'd better stay away from me. I don't want to be retaliated against by your admirers all the time, and I won't even know how I died."

Bai Musheng's expression changed.

"Is someone causing you trouble? Who is it?"

"I think you should know very well."

Xiao Qingyin didn't want to argue with him any longer, so she turned to Yi Shuihan and shouted, "Let's go."

Bai Musheng was wondering who she was talking to when a loud voice rang out behind her.

"Young lady, the master has sent me to deliver your birthday gift."

Yi Wu stopped the carriage, revealing a set of white teeth. Behind him was a whole cart piled high with melons and fruits, like a small mountain.

Melon, grapes, pears, apples, figs, apricots, dates, walnuts...

Its vibrant colors and enticing aroma make it incredibly tempting.

Is this really a gift from the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an?

Xiao Qingyin felt that this was Yi Jiu's work.

Yi Shuihan nodded to her.

Xiao Qingyin immediately realized that this was the guy's doing.

"Please thank your master for me!"

Xiao Qingyin smiled.

He turned and called out into the courtyard, "Cousin Zhao, Cousin Shu, please come out and help me."

"Here I am!"

Yun Shu rushed out like a gust of wind, and upon learning that she needed to move fruits and vegetables, she went back into the yard and brought out two large baskets.

Yun Zhao filled the baskets, and she carried the load on a shoulder pole. Xiao Qingyin didn't need to help at all, and in the blink of an eye, the whole cart of fruits was moved.

No one paid any attention to Bai Musheng.

He stood by the door, glancing down at the food box in his hand.

The bunch of grapes in the food box was a gift from His Majesty; he hadn't touched a single one and had sent them all over.

No matter how perfect this bunch of grapes is, compared to that cartload of fruits and vegetables, it is so shabby, humble, and dull.

Xiao Qingyin scolded him for being willing to use any means to advance his career, but how could he not pursue power?

Without power or influence, one can only be trampled upon by others, unable even to protect one's own woman.

She didn't know that the education commissioner had used his mother's life and his right hand to coerce him into sending her there.

He knew she would definitely escape that ordeal; she was so clever.

The only thing he hadn't anticipated was her ruthlessness.

No matter how much he begged, she refused to forgive him, took back all the kindness she had shown him, and refused to even see him.

He was only forced to deceive her once, and she wasn't hurt at all, so why be so heartless?

Bai Musheng thought about it night after night and finally found the answer.

Because he was too weak.

No female prefers a weak male; even hens know to follow the strongest rooster, let alone a human.

He had to climb up, climb to the pinnacle of power, and become second only to the emperor.

Then she will come back to him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!