Qin Yao thought Liu Ji would argue with her about how diligent he was in preparing for the imperial exams.

She had even anticipated his excuses, like "Madam, you misunderstood, I only relaxed after the exams. I usually work very hard."

As expected, he would also bring up his overly protective teacher, suggesting she ask the old man Gongliang Liao to vouch for him.

But, unexpectedly!

Liu Ji suddenly knelt down, hugging her legs tightly, resting his head on her thigh with a gloomy expression, saying:

"Madam, you don’t know how miserable I’ve been without you these days..."

While speaking, he took her hand, putting it on his face, and looked up at her, rubbing his face against her warm palm.

The He Family slept early, and following their hosts, Liu Ji had already changed into a thin white inner robe, ready for bed.

However, before sleeping, he couldn’t help but vent his grievances on paper, to avoid going to bed with emotions that might affect his appearance.

At this moment, his ink-black hair was loosely tied with a jade hairpin at the back of his head, the remaining dark strands draped over his firm back.

The thin white robe clung to his body, and in his kneeling position, the straight line of his spine was fully revealed.

Going down, his narrow waist and round, upturned buttocks were occasionally visible, hidden amidst the dark hair.

Qin Yao bent down, stretched out her right hand that wasn’t held by him, and suddenly gave a slap.

Liu Ji’s whole body shuddered, his half-narrowed eyes widened like copper bells, as if something unbelievable had happened, his expression full of shock and some indescribable dark intrigue.

He seemed to want to confirm something and quickly glanced up at her.

The woman had already returned to her dignified position, looking down at him with a slight smile at the corners of her mouth, full of provocation and disdain, as if saying "what can you do to me?"

She suddenly extended her hand again, quickly pinching his retreating chin, unlike the delicate touch of ordinary women, her slightly rough and cool finger rubbed his cheek, looking left and right, clicking her tongue twice, suddenly using force to lift him up.

Due to the great strength, Liu Ji was forced from kneeling to standing by his chin.

He staggered back several steps, only stabilizing himself when his lower back hit the desk.

The hot summer breeze blew in from the wide-open window behind him, his dark hair fluttering, entwining around the owner’s body.

Liu Ji looked at the slightly narrowed eyes opposite him, like a narrow abyss leading straight to the heart of the earth, tempting you to delve deeper, only to be instantly covered by the erupting magma and heat, not even a trace of ash left!

Clearly so dangerous, yet wearing a highly deceptive pink scholar’s dress.

Her slim yet powerful waist was perfectly outlined by the dress; perhaps the summer night was too hot, she left the lapels open, exposing her sharp collarbones, making her neck look even longer.

Liu Ji’s heart pounded wildly, his mouth dry, feeling as if his heart was burning, his throat moved, swallowing a gulp of saliva.

He internally cursed, thinking "this is a demon!"

Watching her stand up, Liu Ji’s heart suddenly tightened, eerily finding himself somewhat expectant.

However, she merely walked up to him, arms crossed, coldly asking, "Tell me, what kind of misery?"

"Wha-what?"

Surrounded by her chilly scent, Liu Ji, expecting something to happen, was blank-minded, completely not comprehending her words or hearing them clearly.

All he could sense were the temptingly fragrant exhalations from her soft lips, causing his whole body to tense up, frozen in place.

Qin Yao glanced down, unexpectedly raising her eyebrows slightly.

In annoyance, Liu Ji grabbed the stack of paper filled with coins from the desk to cover himself, his usually light gaze now fixated on her, ready to fight if she made any move.

"Under the peony, even death is romantic!"

Qin Yao looked at him.

Liu Ji also looked at her.

Due to their height difference, Liu Ji’s current demeanor appeared almost equal to hers.

For some reason, seeing him like this, Qin Yao’s heart suddenly itched for a moment.

Her fingers rubbed at her side, her gaze traveling from his chest down to his waist, wanting to grab that narrow waist, flip him over onto the desk, and spank him mercilessly.

The woman’s eyes suddenly darkened, alerting Liu Ji greatly, the atmosphere tense as a bowstring, when suddenly the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside.

It was a servant of the He Family, stationed nearby, who, upon hearing Liu Ji’s earlier exclamation of "ghost," worried something had happened to him. Hesitant after hearing no other noise from the guesthouse, they hurried over to check the situation.

"Mr. Liu, are you alright?"

With discretion, the He Family servant stood in the courtyard, looking at the people inside, asking with concern.

Liu Ji turned around, the edges of his eyes red, his face calm as he waved his hand, "No problem, I was startled by the tree shadows. You may leave, I am going to rest."

The He Family servant looked at him worriedly, "Should I have the kitchen prepare you some calming soup, sir?"

The young master had specifically instructed them to carefully serve his fellow student, the servant did not dare be negligent, expressing deep concern.

Liu Ji’s eyes drifted to the pink figure hanging upside down from the beam, waving his hand again, "No need to trouble the kitchen, I’m fine now."

Saying so, he put away the supports, closed the open window, blew out the candles, looking prepared for bed.

Seeing this, the servant quietly withdrew.

Only when the footsteps faded did Qin Yao lower herself from the beam, landing lightly on the floor.

The moon was not very bright tonight, the room dimly lit so only a blurry silhouette could be seen, eerie like a ghost, all the romantic ambiance of before gone.

Liu Ji shook his head vigorously, glaring at her with some irritation, daring to be angry but not speak.

In the next second, Qin Yao asked, "Tell me where you spent the silver!"

"Plop," he knelt again, sitting on the ground, raising his sleeve to start lamenting his recent miseries.

Qin Yao had thought it was something serious, but it turned out he had merely been teased and bullied by the noble children who paid their way into Guangwen Book Hall.

"Didn’t your teacher tell you, ’No pain, no gain,’ and isn’t it just the beginning and already you can’t stand it?"

Liu Ji snorted, "That’s easy to say, but I come from a humble background, unlike those true noble family scions, whom even Mr. He has to show some respect. I’m just a rural bumpkin, I can’t resist when bullied."

He spoke more seriously, his low, aggrieved voice surprisingly carrying a hint of pitifulness.

"Didn’t your teacher and senior brother help you?" Qin Yao squinted and asked.

Her question only fueled Liu Ji’s anger.

"Madam, do you know how my teacher lost his leg?" he asked himself rhetorically, not expecting Qin Yao to know such secrets about renowned figures, continuing with anger, "He was framed!"