Xu Lingzi felt she had been out long enough. She had originally just wanted to get some fresh air, but there were so many officials' wives at the banquet in the small garden that she couldn't sit still.

She had only gone out for a short walk, but unexpectedly, she became a hot commodity.

"Sixth Miss Xu".

The young man was dressed in a light-colored robe with dark patterns, and had delicate features. However, for some reason, Xu Lingzi felt uncomfortable after just one glance at him.

"Sixth Miss Xu, don't be afraid. I am currently a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. The young master was a fellow examinee in the same year and once visited the Xu family. I wonder if the sixth young lady still remembers him?"

He appeared respectful, as if he had memorized the principle of "do not look at what is improper." In his heart, however, he suppressed the itch in his heart, stubbornly refusing to look at that graceful figure and the luxurious skirt outlined in gold thread.

A hint of obsession surfaced in his eyes. They had all taken office in the same year, and it was one thing for someone like Xu Yunci, who came from a noble family, to become a high-ranking official. But even someone like Guo Xun, a scholar from a poor family who was not as good as him, had risen to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, while he was still just a minor compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

His family wasn't exactly poor, but compared to those noble young men, they couldn't even afford the sachets they wore.

If he became the son-in-law of the Xu family, and the Xu family's daughter became his bride, would there be a shortcut he could take?

He spent a lot of money to find out that Xu Yunci's younger sister, Xu Lingzi, was going to get married. She was the Crown Princess's younger sister and the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Duke's family.

If he marries her, even if he doesn't have a promising official career, the Xu family will not let Xu Lingzi suffer; he will live a life of wealth and honor.

Xu Lingzi took two steps back and turned to the side. The maid behind her quickly stepped forward and shielded Xu Lingzi with her body.

Xu Lingzi, unusually, covered her face with a round fan in her hand, feeling glad that she had brought her elder sister's fan with her when she came out.

The maid, who had followed Xu Lingzi since childhood, was the most clever: "I wonder what business the compiler has? Miss has been out for a long time, it's time to go back."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Wang Jing's eyes, as if he were blaming the maid for suddenly stepping forward. In his view, she was really inconsiderate and extremely annoying.

Passing the maid, his gaze quickly softened, like spring water flowing to Xu Lingzi's feet, gradually climbing up her legs, waist, chest, and even the half of her delicate face hidden behind the fan.

"My name is Wang Jing. I came here for some fresh air and never expected to run into Miss Liu. It was quite an accident. I would like to get to know Miss Liu."

Xu Lingzi concealed the disgust between her brows, and after a few words, she finally understood where the uncomfortable feeling she had felt when she saw Wang Jing came from.

There's a feeling of being prey, being watched, which is somewhat disgusting.

“Wang Xiuzhuan, there is a difference between men and women. If you want to befriend me, you should go and find my brothers.”

After saying that, Xu Lingzi wanted to turn around and leave, but Wang Jing quickly walked around and blocked her way, clearly not willing to let her go easily.

He kept walking, wanting to get even closer.

The maid frowned and called out, "Sir, please wait."

Wang Jing glanced at Xu Lingzi's fan, his brows furrowing and his eyes showing displeasure. He suppressed his impatience and stopped walking.

"It really is just to get to know you. I have long admired you, Miss Liu, and I have finally found this opportunity. Please forgive me if I have been too forward."

As he moved, a gentle breeze blew by, and Xu Lingzi smelled a rich aroma of wine.

The smell was unpleasant; Xu Lingzi felt that the strong stench of alcohol seemed to pollute the fresh air. The air itself seemed to be filled with the smell of alcohol, making her even more eager to escape, afraid of getting even a trace of it on her.

But Wang Jing was not about to give up. He pretended to step forward again, but he pushed the maid away. Seeing that the obstacle was pushed away, Wang Jing could no longer hide the greed in his eyes.

Xu Lingzi wanted to back away, afraid that if she hesitated even for a second, Wang Jing's outstretched hand would land on her.

She turned around, but was suddenly pulled back by a force that grabbed her sleeve and used the other sleeve to protect her and support her back.

Before she could react, Guo Xun helped her to her feet, then let go and took a few steps back.

"Wang Jing, what are you doing?"

Compared to Guo Xun's sudden appearance, when Xu Yunci's voice came from behind, the flush on Wang Jing's face from the smell of alcohol instantly vanished, leaving only a deathly pale expression.

Only two words came to mind: It's over.

Xu Yunci walked over with his hands behind his back, glanced at the terrified Xu Lingzi, then at Guo Xun who had moved away from Xu Lingzi, and sneered inwardly, thinking that he had wasted the good opportunity he had created.

However, now is not the time to talk about this. Xu Yunci looked coldly at Wang Jing, whose legs had already gone weak. He stopped and did not want to take another step forward.

Unable to conceal the disgust and disdain in his eyes, what kind of trash dared to touch his, Xu Yunci's, sister? Even Guo Xun, he had observed for a long time before daring to let Xu Lingzi come into contact with him.

With dark circles under his eyes, this incompetent and talentless person has actually set his sights on the moon in the sky.

"roll."

He uttered a single word, and almost in the blink of an eye, Wang Jing, disregarding his composure, hurriedly fled.

Xu Lingzi seemed to have just come to her senses. When she saw Xu Yunci's icy gaze, she was startled and quickly took two steps forward, grabbing his sleeve: "Second brother, I..."

"Where is Mother? Where are Yan Yan and Ninth Sister?"

Xu Yunci glanced at her indifferently, his expression unreadable. But that one glance sent shivers down Xu Lingzi's spine.

It's just that Xu Yunci has been angry since childhood, unlike others who show obvious signs of anger and are usually calm and collected.

"My mother and Yan Yan are in the garden. I can't sit still and want to come out for some fresh air..."

As she spoke, Xu Lingzi's voice gradually faded into the background, and under Xu Yunci's gaze, she couldn't even utter the last words.

"I was wrong, second brother."

She lowered her head, like a rabbit that had lost its beloved carrot. Even though he couldn't see her, Guo Xun could still see Xu Lingzi's two long, large ears drooping down because of her depressed mood.

Guo Xun couldn't help but chuckle softly, then received a warning look and a puzzled look from the Xu siblings. He looked away, thinking to himself: This scenery is really beautiful, and the lake water is so green.

Xu Yunci looked at Xu Lingzi, who quickly lowered her head again: "I'll take you back, don't run around anymore."

Xu Lingzi's lips moved slightly. She glanced at Guo Xun and saw that Xu Yunci didn't intend to speak. She walked over, placed her hands in front of her, and knelt down, saying, "I apologize to Young Master Guo for his concern earlier. Please accept my bow."

Guo Xun looked like an honest man, but seeing how serious Xu Lingzi was, he almost jumped aside and looked at Xu Yunci for help, but he didn't even get a glance in return.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Sixth Miss, you're too kind. It was nothing."