Three points are destined, seven points depend on face

Zeng Rui came to Rongcheng for business a few months ago. After learning about it, Zeng Rui came to visit the other courtyard in person. He was very attentive and humble to himself.

It is understandable that a fourth-grade official would respect the prince of Zhenguo due to his status. But Zeng Rui acted too much, like a slave, which made Ling Qingxuan suspicious.

Ling Qingxuan believed that this guy was either used to following others' influence and treating those in high positions in a humble manner; or he had some secret that he didn't want him to notice, and deliberately showed his incompetence to make him relax his vigilance.

Ling Qingxuan prefers the latter.

After several months of investigation, Ling Qingxuan got the answer:

Zeng Rui himself seems to have no major problems.

The only thing that was criticized was that he had a concubine, whom he loved deeply. This concubine's family is from the local area, and this family is quite rampant in Rongcheng. The so-called brother-in-law of the prefect should be this concubine's younger brother. It is said that because of this lustful brother-in-law, four or five wives have been separated. In the end, this concubine came forward to settle the matter.

Even if this kind of thing is reported to the emperor, it will only be a reprimand and will not hurt the bones at all.

Ling Qingxuan felt that Zeng Rui was not that simple.

Zeng Rui’s imperfect character is too perfect.

I have no problem at all, the only ones who have problems are my concubine’s family.

To put it bluntly, any official’s promotion depends solely on his or her own ability. You must have a network of connections and money to develop a network. Where does the money come from? It would be too fake to rely on your own salary in office. You must have more or less filial piety from subordinate officials. There are many people who are greedy for money in office.

This is the normal state of affairs.

Are there any officials with cool sleeves? have!

But he would definitely not be someone like Zeng Rui, who would grovel and bend his knees when he saw him.

Originally, Ling Qingxuan had no plans to investigate anymore. After all, Zeng Rui had nothing to do with him.

But now, it matters.

Since Zeng Rui himself can't find the problem, let's start with the people around him. As long as there are things he has done, there will be no traces.

The next day, Ling Qingxuan asked Xia Chuntao to have breakfast with him.

"Your Majesty, are you back?"

Ling Qingxuan glanced at Xia Chuntao, didn't answer, and started eating by himself.

Xia Chuntao curled her lips, this person was so rude, he could have just responded casually! This seems so pretentious on her part.

So, Xia Chuntao also buried her head in eating. If I ignore him anymore, I'm a pig!

Seeing Xia Chuntao eating so deliciously, Ling Qingxuan put down his chopsticks.

"Did you have fun shopping yesterday?"

"Fun."

Xia Chuntao didn't react until she finished answering, and scolded herself for not living up to expectations. She just said she would ignore him.

"If you have anything interesting to say, let me hear it."

"Actually...it's nothing, just...just strolling around."

Xia Chuntao felt a little guilty when she thought of what happened yesterday.

Ling Qingxuan sneered, "Walking around attracts crazy bees and butterflies? Xia Chuntao, you are quite capable!"

After saying this, Ling Qingxuan himself was stunned.

Xia Chuntao was even more stunned.

The two of them just stared at each other, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward for a moment.

Ling Qingxuan said that she attracted bees and butterflies, which meant that she was frivolous, which made Xia Chuntao very uncomfortable. Take a good look at your jewelry, who did you offend? That bitch suddenly came out to stop her, which she didn't want to do!

Xia Chuntao was not careful, but she had to retaliate immediately if she had any grudges and hold them back until she would get sick tomorrow.

You don’t make me feel comfortable, how can I make you feel comfortable?

Xia Chuntao smiled lazily, "You mean I attract bees and butterflies?"

"To put it bluntly, I stand with you. No matter who looks at it, your appearance will attract bees and butterflies even more!"

snort! Don't think I have no temper!

Ling Qingxuan really didn't want to say that she attracted bees and butterflies, he didn't think so. But for some reason, when he saw that she wouldn't tell him the truth, he became so angry that he lost his temper.

He thought that Xia Chuntao might cry or leave angrily when he heard this, but he never thought that Xia Chuntao would fight him!

It's really useless to worry, Xia Chuntao is just a fool!

Seeing that Ling Qingxuan didn't say anything and kept staring at her, Xia Chuntao continued to argue:

"The prince must have rich experience in this field. If I find a man that suits my heart in the future, I will definitely ask the prince for advice on how to attract bees and butterflies."

Ling Qingxuan's eyes became so sharp that Xia Chuntao couldn't resist and lowered his head.

"What? Do you still want to find a man?"

Xia Chuntao cursed in her heart, why didn't she find someone suitable if she could? When you get older in the future, you might as well find a pleasant companion to chat with!

Seeing that Xia Chuntao remained silent, was this an admission?

Ling Qingxuan didn't know where the evil aura came from. He pinched Xia Chuntao's chin with his long fingers, forcing Xia Chuntao to raise her head.

Xia Chuntao is really stupid this time. Prince, do you know what you are doing?

Xia Chuntao didn't dare to touch other people's hands, so she wanted to step back. She took a step back, and Ling Qingxuan took a step forward. Within a few steps, Xia Chuntao was forced to the wall.

Xia Chuntao had only one thought in her mind: Is this considered a wall-dong?

Then I heard a cold voice saying:

"What are you looking for?"

Xia Chuntao thought to herself, what kind of thing do I want to find, why should I tell you? What does it have to do with you?

But looking at Ling Qingxuan who was staring at her coldly at this moment, Xia Chuntao shuddered. Would he strangle him to death if he told the truth?

So, Xia Chuntao made a mistake that she regretted countless times.

"In my heart, Prince, you are the most outstanding man in this world. Of course I want to find someone as outstanding as you."

After a while, the fingers pinching the mandible loosened slightly, and a low voice sounded in Xia Chuntao's ears,

"Can't find it?"

Xia Chuntao said indifferently: "If I can't find him, I... I would rather be single for the rest of my life."

Ling Qingxuan looked deeply at the woman in front of him who seemed innocent but a bit rogue.

"Xia Chuntao, remember what you said today. You can't do it..."

Ling Qingxuan released Xia Chuntao's chin and moved his palm down to her white neck. Xia Chuntao was startled by the warm touch on her neck. Before she could react, Ling Qingxuan had already let go of his hand and touched Xia Chuntao's head soothingly.

"What are you afraid of?"

Xia Chuntao laughed dryly and stepped aside, avoiding Ling Qingxuan's hand touching her head.

"I...I'm not afraid. In fact, I just want to explain to you that I am not a casual person. If you still think so, then I think it will be difficult for our cooperation to maintain. After all, trust is cooperation. It’s basic, what do you think?”

Through this period of getting along, she had already regarded Ling Qingxuan as a friend. Unexpectedly, people thought that she was a woman who did not respect herself.

In this case, it's better to make it clear once and for all. From now on, the road will turn to the sky and everyone will go to one side.

Seeing the alienation in Xia Chuntao's eyes when she spoke, Ling Qingxuan suddenly felt panicked and involuntarily clenched Xia Chuntao's arm.

He had a hunch that if he let go now, he would never have any interaction with Xia Chuntao again in this life.

He was not sure where Xia Chuntao occupied his heart.

But he was sure that he didn't want to never see her again, never want to eat the food she made, never want to never hear her happily call him "Prince".

"sorry."