"I'm just good-looking, but I've never been a womanizer."

"I've only ever said that to you!"

Helian Jue was taken aback, then grinned and held up three fingers to swear, concealing the panic in his eyes.

A voice inside him told him that if he admitted to the reputation of being a playboy now, Liu Shaodong would probably never speak to him again!

Besides, he's just a playboy, not interested in women...

It's not that he doesn't like women, but he usually just does harmless things like teasing cats and dogs. He would never go to a brothel like other playboys!

"Then I am truly honored, but I still prefer the money I earn myself. It makes me feel more at ease spending it. I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness."

Zi Xi smiled slightly, then suddenly became somewhat indifferent.

Helian Jue was speechless for a moment, and just as he was about to say something, he heard Zi Xi continue, "Your Highness should refrain from harassing respectable women in the future. With your status and position, it would not be good for the reputation of the Prince's Mansion if word got out."

"You!! What are you saying! Do you think I'm such a frivolous person? Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can catch my eye!"

Helian Juejun's face turned red, and he jumped up like a rooster being choked.

Heaven knows, he's really not that kind of person!!

"Yes, yes, the young master has very high standards."

Zi Xi calmly took a sip of tea and replied perfunctorily.

She then turned to Xiao Liuzi and said, "Go and bring all the newly made dishes to the young master as a way of thanking him for his help today."

Helian Jue glared angrily, but saw that Zi Xi had already lowered her head to organize the account books, looking like she was seeing the guest off.

"You...you're simply...an incomprehensible woman..."

He sat back down dejectedly, muttering to himself.

Xiao Liuzi nervously brought out the roast duck, preparing to slice it, but Helian Jue, as if venting his anger, tore off a duck leg and took a big bite. His eyes lit up immediately: "Hmm? This taste..."

"The newly developed recipe includes honey and more than a dozen spices. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Zi Xi smiled slightly.

"It's alright, I guess."

Helian Jue was all talk and no action, but his hands never stopped moving, and in the blink of an eye, half a duck was already in his stomach.

He stole a glance at Zi Xi's profile as she focused on her work, and suddenly felt that this woman was more tempting than any of the delicacies on the table.

“Miss Liu… I meant what I said just now.”

He suddenly became more serious.

Helian Jue tapped his long fingers lightly on the table. Although his marriage proposal had a hint of testing, he knew in his heart that it was true.

The position of Crown Princess is an irresistible temptation for ordinary women.

But the woman in front of him, Liu Dongjia, was clearly no ordinary woman.

He looked with great interest at Zixi, who was checking the accounts, as sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows on her profile.

Is she plotting something else, seeking greater power?

Or is she completely different from those sycophantic people like Xia Momo?

If it's the latter... a hint of admiration flashed in Helian Jue's eyes.

This Mr. Liu was not only stunningly beautiful, but also incredibly decisive and efficient.

But that sharp-tongued little mouth of hers seemed to be coated with deadly poison.

Helian Jue couldn't help but smile. If she accidentally licked it, she would probably be half-poisoned.

"Which sentence? Could it be the one you said to the young master, 'Don't harass respectable women anymore'?"

Zi Xi didn't even look up, her slender fingers turning a page of the ledger.

"Hey, you!"