Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

The small boat was moored in the middle of the river.

Old Liu was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he dared not paddle any further. He nervously watched the river surface, afraid that he would become the green snake's meal at any moment.

Beneath the surface of the water, a huge green snake swam slowly alongside the boat.

Wang Xuan stepped out of the cabin, stood at the bow, and loudly reassured everyone, "There's no strange snake there, it's just a piece of driftwood, you've mistaken it for something else."

Old Liu, still shaken, said in a trembling voice, "Sir, it really exists!"

Ao Jin said softly, "Brother, come in and rest. Let me row."

Ao Jin moved towards the stern of the boat.

As a dragon princess, she wasn't afraid of these water spirits.

If it really came down to a fight, she was confident she could protect Wang Xuan.

As if granted a pardon, Lao Liu scrambled back to the middle of the cabin and sat down next to another colleague.

At least inside this cabin, he could still feel somewhat safe.

Xiaoqing concealed her form, transformed into human form, and appeared beside Wang Xuan.

Although she was invisible, Wang Xuan could see her clearly when she grabbed his sleeve.

Wang Xuan pulled her to sit down at the bow of the boat and asked in a low voice, "What are you doing here?"

"It's so hot, quickly hold an umbrella for me."

You little green snake, you've started to dominate me.

Wang Xuan took out an oil-paper umbrella from his portable magic cave, patted her head lightly, and then handed it to her: "Take it yourself."

"You asked me to hold the umbrella, not to hit me." Xiaoqing frowned, reluctantly opened the umbrella, and suddenly muttered to herself, "Why do I feel like that person at the stern of the boat keeps watching me?"

"Don't flatter yourself. What if she's looking at me?" Wang Xuan asked in a low voice. "So, how did you find me?"

"I was swimming in this river when I smelled a familiar scent, so I came over, and then I saw you flirting with other girls."

"Which eye of yours saw me flirting?"

"Both eyes saw it."

Wang Xuan rolled her eyes and frowned slightly: "You're not deliberately trying to scare people in this river, are you?"

"I couldn't be bothered to scare anyone," Xiaoqing pouted. "I swam for so long, and you didn't even notice me."

"Isn't it normal for something to swim in the water?" Wang Xuan waved his hand. "If there's nothing wrong, just go back to the water and soak."

"You haven't seen me in so long, and now you want to kick me out?"

Xiaoqing looked unhappy.

Wang Xuan said irritably, "You spit all over my face last time, and I haven't even come after you yet. Unless you make me pay you back, I'll remember this for the rest of my life."

"Hmph! You wish!"

"Then I'll go back to my cabin. You can stay here if you want."

Wang Xuan made a move to get up.

Xiaoqing instinctively raised her voice: "No!"

These past few days, she's been swimming alone in the water, and when she finally ran into Wang Xuan, she naturally wanted to chat with him as much as possible.

Old Liu asked疑惑地问道：“Was there some kind of sound?”

Another subordinate, Zhang Jinbo, was equally curious and looked towards the bow of the ship: "Sir, did you hear something?"

"No," Wang Xuan replied, then looked at Xiao Qing and said definitively, "I'll take that as your agreement."

Xiaoqing knew she was in the wrong for teasing Wang Xuan, so she simply tilted her head back, closed her eyes tightly, and looked like she was ready to let him do whatever he wanted: "Come on."

Wang Xuan bent his knuckles and lightly tapped her smooth forehead: "In broad daylight, under the clear sky, aren't you ashamed? Even if you want to pay back the debt, you have to wait until we get back."

He secretly thought to himself, "When I go back next time, I'll make sure you're completely bewildered."

Xiaoqing, unusually shy, changed the subject and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Go to Yuhang."

For the sake of getting his saliva all over her face, Wang Xuan began a quiet and friendly conversation with her.

The two chatted for a while until the sun became increasingly scorching and the umbrella could no longer shield them from the intense heat. Xiaoqing then bid farewell, her figure swaying as she returned to the river.

The small boat drifted along leisurely, moving forward.

We finally entered the territory of Yuhang.

Wang Xuan took out some silver and handed it to Ao Jin.

Ao Jin tried to politely decline, saying, "You are an honest official, I cannot accept this."

Wang Xuan insisted on stuffing the silver back into her hand, laughing, "If you don't accept it, I won't be seen as an honest official if word gets out."

Ao Jin had no choice but to accept it, and asked with a smile, "My lord, when will you return? I would like to take you back with me."

"I'm not sure how many days I'll stay this time, but I believe that if fate allows, we'll meet again."

……

Hangzhou Prefectural Government Office.

When Wang Xuan arrived, the sun was already setting in the west; it was already afternoon.

After announcing their names, they were quickly invited inside.

Guo Ping, the prefect of Hangzhou, was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance and a beard, exuding the air of a scholar.

Wang Xuan stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Lord Guo."

"Huaiyu (Wang Xuan's courtesy name)."

When Wang Xuan took office, he had visited this prefect.

This time, seeing each other again didn't feel like meeting strangers.

Guo Ping smiled kindly and waved for him to sit down.

"Over the past few months, your reputation in Qiantang County has spread to me."

Wang Xuan smiled and said, "You flatter me, sir. It's just my duty, and I'm only doing my job. There's still a lot I need to learn from you."

A decorated sedan chair is carried by many people.

Since the prefect had no ill intentions, Wang Xuan wouldn't refuse to give him face.

Guo Ping chuckled a few times and got straight to the point: "The reason I asked you to come here is actually to arrange a marriage for you."

I have a close friend who was formerly the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. He has now resigned and returned to Hangzhou. He has a young daughter who is exceptionally beautiful and talented, and suitors come to his door in droves. I am willing to help you two to get married.

Wang Xuan looked enlightened. No wonder the letter was vague; it turned out the prefect was arranging a blind date for him.

He politely declined, saying, "Lord Guo, you are mistaken. I am already married."

Guo Ping was slightly taken aback: "When you took office a few months ago, weren't you still unmarried?"

"I just got married recently."

Guo Ping sighed dejectedly, "What should we do?"

He had already assured his old friend that Wang Xuan was exceptionally talented.

But now Wang Xuan is already married. The Fan family is a noble and respectable family, and their daughter is proud and arrogant. There is absolutely no reason for her to become a concubine.

Wang Xuan comforted him, saying, "Hangzhou is a place of outstanding people and abundant resources, and there must be no shortage of good sons-in-law."

Now that things have come to this, why would Wang Xuan still be interested in ordinary, common women?

"Alas, Huaiyu, you don't know this," Guo Ping shook his head gently, "There are countless suitors, but she doesn't like any of them. Her parents spoil her too much, and they let her decide on every marriage proposal herself, which is why she hasn't married yet."

After saying this, Guo Ping looked at Wang Xuan, who was handsome and had an extraordinary bearing, and felt even more regretful.

After a moment's thought, he changed the subject: "After my old friend resigned from his post and returned to Hangzhou, he rarely interacted with people in official circles, but he and I were the only ones with whom he had a close friendship."

Now that you've just arrived in Hangzhou to take up your post, you should get to know more local celebrities and senior figures.

Tomorrow I intend to pay a visit to the Fan residence to apologize. You would like to come with me to pay your respects to the senior scholar and establish a literary connection. What do you think?

Wang Xuan immediately bowed and agreed, "I dare not disobey."