After everyone had left, Meng Ruqiao released Su Xiaoning's hand, her face returning to its usual indifferent expression.
Su Xiaoning leaned closer and asked curiously, "Why did you step forward to help me?"
Although they didn't have any deep-seated hatred, they weren't exactly close either. Meng Ruqiao first intentionally gave her some pointers, and now she's directly standing up for her, which is really hard to understand.
Meng Ruqiao glanced at Su Xiaoning indifferently, and after a long silence, she spoke in a somewhat cold tone: "These things are basically being orchestrated by others. Although I don't like you, I don't want you to be forced out of the game because of these things. I want to compete with you fairly."
She disliked beating around the bush and bluntly stated her dislike for Su Xiaoning, insisting on a fair competition with her. Her head held high resembled that of a proud peacock, completely different from the ill-tempered young lady Su Xiaoning had first met.
Perhaps, this is the real her?
Su Xiaoning unconsciously smiled, snapped her fingers, and said with equal confidence, "Miss Meng, I admire you. Let's see who the final winner is."
She is determined to win this selection, but will also give her opponents the utmost respect.
The two gazed at each other for a long time, each seeing a different kind of brilliance in the other's eyes.
...
After the commotion subsided, Su Xiaoning returned to her room.
The room was pitch black, so she groped for a light, but suddenly someone pulled her and she fell into a warm embrace.
Su Xiaoning was startled, but then she suddenly smelled a familiar scent on this person. She felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Didn't I tell you to leave first? Why are you still hiding in my room?"
"I can't bear to part with you." Su Qingcai buried his head in Su Xiaoning's neck and nuzzled her affectionately.
The room was dark, and the two embraced quietly. The darkness stirred up unusual feelings that quietly swirled in their hearts.
Su Xiaoning could clearly hear her own heartbeat. Suddenly, she felt like she couldn't breathe. The overwhelming atmosphere of ambiguity was too much for her to bear. She felt dizzy and disoriented, as if she were about to drown in Su Qingcai's arms.
"You, you let me go first..." Su Xiaoning's cheeks flushed slightly. She gently pushed Su Qingcai away and stumbled to light the lamp.
Candles lit up the room, and Su Qingcai stood in front of her with a gentle smile on his face.
Su Xiaoning walked over, took Su Qingcai's hand, and sat him down on a chair. She scolded him, "Just leave when I tell you to. How can you stay just because you don't want to? Anyway, we'll have a chance to meet again in the future."
Su Qingcai smiled slightly, looked into Su Xiaoning's eyes and said, "You're right, we can see each other again tomorrow, but I just miss you so much today."
"Tomorrow?" Su Xiaoning was taken aback. How come she didn't know she was going to meet Su Qingcai tomorrow?
Seeing Su Xiaoning's puzzled look, Su Qingcai gently tapped her head: "Didn't your headmistress tell you that tomorrow is your first round of assessment, and that I will be coming in person?"
"Huh?" Su Xiaoning originally wanted to say no, but then she suddenly remembered that the head maid seemed to have mentioned this matter when dinner ended, but she was absent-minded at the time and didn't pay much attention to it.
She blushed deeply, lowered her head, and muttered, "I just don't remember. Since you're coming tomorrow, why don't you hurry back and get ready..."
"What's there to prepare? You can just change your clothes tomorrow and come over directly." Su Qingcai cupped Su Xiaoning's face in his hands, a hint of ambiguity in his eyes. "I'll have Ding Yi bring the clothes over tomorrow. How about I stay with you tonight?"
Stay here?!
Su Xiaoning's head exploded with a "boom." Her eyes widened, her mouth agape, unable to speak. After a long while, she stammered, "This won't do. Where are you going to sleep if you stay here?"
Su Qingcai didn't speak, but he smiled and glanced at the bed next to him, his intention quite clear.
Su Xiaoning's face turned even redder, her head was lowered as low as it could go, and her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.
"This won't do, this isn't suitable for us..."
"What's inappropriate about it?" Su Qingcai pulled Su Xiaoning's hand to his chest, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Anyway, we'll be like this from now on."
Through his thin outer garment, Su Xiaoning could feel his strong heartbeat, and... she could touch his muscles.
She trembled all over, almost collapsing into Su Qingcai's arms, and could only nod with a blush, which was her way of agreeing.
Su Qingcai smiled with satisfaction. He stood up and began to take off his clothes, as if he and Su Xiaoning were a normal couple who did not shy away from each other.
Su Xiaoning was trembling with fear, afraid that something inappropriate might happen between the two of them, and she didn't even dare to take off her outer clothes.
Su Qingcai didn't care at all. Wearing his undergarments, he hugged Su Xiaoning, and the two lay quietly on the bed. He was very well-behaved and didn't make any extra movements, as if he just liked the feeling of Su Xiaoning in his arms.
Even though nothing happened that night, the two of them were very ambiguous with each other, and their feelings for each other deepened considerably.
The next day, Su Xiaoning woke up early. The blush on her face hadn't faded yet, and she didn't dare to look Su Qingcai in the eye until she finished washing up and went out.
When Su Xiaoning hurriedly arrived at the place where the head maid had gathered, a large group of girls were already seated. The room was furnished with many tables, complete with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, making it look like a school.
Once everyone had arrived, the head maid announced loudly, "I believe all of you ladies already know that the Prince will be personally testing you today. In addition, the palace has also sent a female tutor to teach you. Her name is Feng Jiu, and she has an excellent reputation in the community. You must all respect her!"
Did the palace even send a female tutor?
Su Xiaoning looked up curiously and just then saw the female teacher, Feng Jiu, walk in.
She gracefully entered the inner room, living up to her scholarly reputation, yet her foxy eyes added a touch of flair to her dignified bearing. Upon closer inspection, one could also discern a hint of spiritedness in her features, but it didn't seem out of place; rather, it enhanced her charm.
She was beautiful and stunning, captivating everyone.
Su Xiaoning had never seen a face that could perfectly combine feminine gentleness with masculine heroism, and she looked at it with interest for a few more moments.
Feng Jiu seemed to notice Su Xiaoning's gaze, and a subtle smile appeared on her lips, but it vanished in an instant.
The other girls were also amazed by Feng Jiu's appearance. As everyone was whispering among themselves, a report suddenly came from outside.
"The Ninth Prince has arrived!"
As the announcement sounded, Su Qingcai strode into the inner room.
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