Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

The four of them soared through the air, looking down at the boundless, vast sea.

Wang Xuan turned to look at Bai Suzhen and asked softly, "My lady, have you ever seen the sea before?"

Bai Suzhen smiled gently: "I've come here a few times now and then."

"This is the first time I've ever seen it with my own eyes," Wang Xuan said, then turned to Mingzhu, "Mingzhu, what about you?"

"This is the first time I've been here as far back as I can remember."

The Peony Fairy, standing nearby, asked in bewilderment, "Don't you have South China Sea pearls? How come you've never seen the sea?"

Wang Xuan casually made up an excuse and replied calmly, "We obtained the South China Sea pearls by chance."

Wang Xuan did not rush back to Qiantang. Instead, he took the three girls to a market along the coast and strolled around to relax.

He said he only wanted to experience the local customs and culture of the coastal area, and had no intention of deliberately seeing Lin Moniang.

Here, you can find not only a dazzling array of delicious seafood, but also exotic fruits unique to the coast, as well as exquisite ornaments made from pearls, conch shells, coral, and other materials.

Bai Suzhen displayed the demeanor of a mature woman, selecting many fine items along the way to bring back to her sisters at home.

The four of them flew through the air, stopping and starting frequently, enjoying themselves for a whole day before finally setting off back to Qiantang.

This trip to the East China Sea ultimately failed to result in an encounter with Mazu, Lin Moniang.

To be honest, Wang Xuan had always admired goddesses who were full of compassion and cared for all living beings. It was a pity that he had no chance to meet her this time, and he could only hope for the next time.

As for the evil dragon from the East Sea that committed evil deeds and stole the peaches of immortality, according to the original plot, the immortal Donghua will pass by this place, so let them face each other then.

The group returned to Qiantang safely.

A group of women rushed forward to greet them.

Bai Suzhen smiled gently as she distributed the gifts she had bought to the women, saying softly, "These were chosen by my husband for you."

This was met with cheers and thanks from a group of beautiful women.

"As the saying goes, there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Wang Xuan winked at Bai Suzhen, signaling her not to forget what he had told her, and arranged, "Suzhen, Yanzhi, you two accompany Mudan to stroll around West Lake today."

The two women readily agreed.

Wang Xuan naturally had important matters to attend to, and this back-and-forth trip took nearly two days, accumulating a pile of official business.

He sat in his study, calm and focused, and began to handle official business.

The other girls knew that Wang Xuan had important matters to attend to, so they naturally didn't go over to disturb him. Only Xiao Qing casually pushed the door open and entered, her eyes filled with resentment.

Wang Xuan looked at the girl who had barged in and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Who offended you again?"

"Of course it's you," Xiaoqing said angrily. "Hmph, you're fickle. The poems you write for others are better than the ones you write for me. I think your whole mind is on that fairy, and you even made my sister go with her to stroll around West Lake."

Wang Xuan was slightly surprised: "When did you become interested in poetry?"

"You're just trying to fool me because you're not interested?"

Xiaoqing pouted, looking resentful, as if Wang Xuan were a heartless man.

"Wasn't that poem from last time good?" Wang Xuan read aloud with a smile, "A green snake spirit, her capricious mouth never stops. In her leisure time..."

Xiaoqing interrupted angrily, "That sounds bad!"

"I think it's great," Wang Xuan said, amused, and then asked, "So what do you want to do?"

Xiaoqing tilted her head back and said confidently, "You write me a better one, one that's better than that fairy's."

Wang Xuan beckoned to her, gesturing for her to come to his side, and gently instructed, "Please prepare the paper and grind the ink for me, I need to think about it."

"You always order me around."

Xiaoqing muttered under her breath, reluctantly walked forward, picked up the ink stick, and slowly began grinding.

"What's wrong with ordering you around? Hurry up." Wang Xuan looked at her lazy appearance, casually patted her pert buttocks, and snorted, "Even your sister would do whatever I say."

"You're just bragging." Xiaoqing simply swayed her hips and quickened her pace, then urged, "Get it done, hurry up and write."

"Look, you're in such a hurry again."

Wang Xuan then stood up and handed the calligraphy brush to Xiao Qing.

Xiaoqing took it with a puzzled look: "Why are you giving it to me?"

"I'll guide you through the writing process."

Wang Xuan stood behind Xiao Qing, gently took her soft hand holding the brush, and guided her to suspend the brush on the Xuan paper. His left hand then gently rested on her slender waist.

As soon as Xiaoqing turned her head, she was met with his face so close to hers, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

Her face suddenly flushed, her mind went blank, and she let Wang Xuan hold her small hand and slowly put pen to paper.

"What do you think of this poem, 'To Xiaoqing'?"

Xiaoqing only snapped out of her daze when Wang Xuan's voice rang out softly, and looked down at the poem on the paper.

Green Snake is delicate by nature.

Harsh words and unforgiving words.

They often played around when they had nothing to do.

Innocence is inherently arrogant.

Xiaoqing frowned unhappily: "Aren't you just mocking my poem?"

Although she had limited education, the meaning of the poem was simple and easy to understand; it simply meant that she loved to make a fuss.

In any case, any poem that she can understand is definitely not a good poem.

"That makes sense." Wang Xuan nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips. "Then let's call it 'A Playful Gift to Xiaoqing'."

Xiaoqing huffed angrily.

At this moment, Wang Xuan wrapped his right arm around her waist and placed both hands on her slender waist.

Feeling the warm palms firmly covering her waist, the warmth seeping through her clothes, Xiaoqing's breathing quickened inexplicably, and she felt a little flustered.

What are you doing?

Wang Xuan was insightful. Judging from his talent as a third-place scholar, he felt that Xiao Qing hadn't come to him to complain because of the poem.

It's probably more because they feel neglected lately, so they want to find some sense of belonging.

Actually, you can't blame Wang Xuan for this. It's mainly because Xiao Qing used to frequently reveal her snake form.

If Xiaoqing hadn't been so pretty and charming, he probably would still have psychological trauma to this day.

Wang Xuan's voice was low and deep: "I was processing official documents, and you dared to disturb me. Tell me, shouldn't you be punished?"

Xiaoqing looked up, bewildered: "What punishment?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xuan lowered his head and kissed her soft cherry lips from behind.

Xiaoqing blinked her almond-shaped eyes, and with a clatter, the calligraphy brush in her hand landed on the table. A moment later, she slowly closed her eyes.

Wang Xuan had been secretly observing Xiao Qing's reaction.

I was afraid that she might get a little too hot and reveal her true colors.

Fortunately, after several kisses, Xiaoqing's resistance has greatly improved.

After a long while, she pushed Wang Xuan away, her cheeks flushed and her breath coming in short gasps: "Wait, my body is a little itchy."

Wang Xuan kindly asked with concern, "I'll just touch it for you."

Xiaoqing quickly shook her head: "It's because you touched me that it's itchy."

Wang Xuan tried to argue, "That's impossible."

"I'm going to soak in the pond."

Xiaoqing straightened her disheveled clothes and hurried away like a gust of wind.

"That wretched little green snake, it always teases you and then runs away."

Wang Xuan grumbled in dissatisfaction, but forcibly suppressed his emotions and patiently finished handling a series of government affairs.

He originally wanted to talk to Nie Xiaoqian about their relationship, but after thinking about it again, he headed towards Mingzhu's room instead.