Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

Wang Xuan slowly spoke: "How did you end up living there? I remember, opposite the Temple of the God of Wealth, there was a royal mansion that had been abandoned for many years. The courtyard was in ruins, overgrown with weeds, and completely dilapidated. When did it become the Bai Mansion with its bright red gates?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xian looked at Bai Suzhen with a surprised expression.

Xiaoqing frowned, looking at the man who was undermining her.

I thought to myself, of course it's real, it's something my sister and I conjured with magic.

She puffed out her chest and said confidently, "My young lady inherited the family property and went back to her hometown to renovate the old house. What's so strange about that? If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself!"

Wang Xuan, seizing the opportunity, readily agreed: "Alright, in that case, I'll take my leave."

Bai Suzhen could tell that Wang Xuan possessed some cultivation, though not high, but he likely had a master, powerful backing, and magical treasures. If he saw through her illusion, it would inevitably cause further complications. Therefore, she explained:

"To be honest, Xiaoqing and I have fallen on hard times and have nowhere to go, so we are just staying there temporarily. It is indeed a ruin and has not yet been fully repaired. Xiaoqing said that only to make things look more respectable."

Wang Xuan nodded and smiled gently: "When interacting with others, it's always good to be honest."

Xu Xian was filled with doubts. He finally understood what Wang Xuan had said along the way, and his eyes were filled with obvious wariness as he looked at Bai Qing and the other two women. He bowed to Wang Xuan and said, "Brother Wang, the boatman is still waiting for me. I'll be going now."

After saying that, he turned and left in a hurry.

Xiaoqing was very unhappy to see Xu Xian fleeing in such a panic.

Bai Suzhen frowned slightly, also looking somewhat depressed.

Originally, she wanted to repay a debt of gratitude, but it seems that Xu Xian has become wary of her.

Wang Xuan ignored the emotions written on the two women's faces, nodded slightly to them, and left with Rouge.

A light drizzle was falling from the sky.

Wang Xuan channeled his spiritual power, and a faint protective shield enveloped the two of them.

Raindrops pelted the two of them, but their clothes remained completely dry.

Rouge curiously raised her hand to feel the raindrops, her eyes full of surprise: "Husband, why aren't we getting wet?"

Wang Xuan smiled mysteriously and said, "Because I know magic."

Rouge's eyes suddenly lit up, both surprised and delighted. Her eyebrows curved into smiles, her eyes full of admiration: "My husband is truly amazing!"

Wang Xuan was flattered by the praise and affectionately pinched her soft cheek: "More than that, I can even help you become an immortal in the future."

In the distance, Xiaoqing crossed her arms and watched the two figures disappear into the distance, muttering angrily, "I'm so angry, sister, that guy keeps causing trouble."

Bai Suzhen sighed softly, her face bitter: "He didn't know we came to repay Young Master Xu's kindness."

"Sister, why are you still taking his side? Don't you want to repay his kindness?"

"Of course we've thought about it. But we have no intention of harming anyone, and Young Master Xu will eventually let go of his resentment."

Xiaoqing said indignantly, "Sister, this person ruined your plans, and I'm furious."

Bai Suzhen gently advised, "Xiaoqing, don't act recklessly. That young master Wang is also a cultivator."

"He's only in the late stage of the Refinement Realm. I can easily handle him." Xiaoqing pouted and said coquettishly, "Don't worry, sister, I'm just trying to scare him. I just can't stand his calm and collected manner and his high-sounding talk."

"No." Bai Suzhen still had some reservations.

"Sister, think about it. What if he comes to cause trouble again in the future? Let him know how powerful we are, and he definitely won't dare to meddle in other people's business."

Bai Suzhen couldn't refuse, so she reluctantly nodded slightly: "Alright, but don't go too far."

"Okay, sister."

……

The rain came and went quickly; before Rouge could fully experience the wonder of the rain-avoidance spell, the drizzle gradually stopped.

"Young Master Wang, Young Master Wang!"

Then, Xiaoqing's sweet voice called out from behind.

Wang Xuan and Rouge stopped in their tracks.

Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing quickly arrived in front of her.

Rouge asked coldly, "What are you going to do?"

"Young Master Wang is such a kind person!" Xiaoqing praised him first, then revealed her true intentions: "You're so kind to Young Master Xu, you'll surely be to us too. My sister and I are currently facing some difficulties."

Wang Xuan was surprised, but remained calm on the surface, asking, "What difficulties are you facing?"

Xiaoqing's voice was clear and crisp, and she said confidently, "We have nowhere to live. We can't possibly stay in an abandoned palace, can we?"

Wang Xuan chuckled, "Are you perhaps short of money? If you pawn your hairpin, you'll have enough to stay at an inn, won't you?"

Xiaoqing immediately shook her head: "That's our young lady's family heirloom jewelry, it can't be sold."

Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Isn't there anything else you can sell?"

"Young Master Wang, Xiaoqing was just joking."

Bai Suzhen blushed and bowed to Wang Xuan. She hadn't intended to tease Wang Xuan in the first place, so she quickly reached out and pulled Xiaoqing over, saying, "Xiaoqing, let's go."

Wang Xuan generously said, "Since you have nowhere to go, then come with me. Just follow the rules."

He secretly pondered to himself that Xiaoqing was mischievous and unruly, but with Bai Suzhen keeping her in check, she shouldn't cause too much trouble.

Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

After all, this is a good opportunity to spend more time with Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing.

He wanted to take advantage of Bai Suzhen's naivety and lack of understanding of love to deceive her!

……

When the group returned to the county residence, the gatekeeper saw Wang Xuan returning with three women and immediately bowed and greeted him, "Sir, you're back."

"I didn't expect you to be so young, yet a county magistrate." Xiaoqing's eyes crinkled with a hint of teasing as she casually joked, "Instead of managing affairs in this place, you're out having fun with your women."

Bai Suzhen scolded in a low voice, "Xiaoqing."

This young master Wang Xuan is a kind-hearted and good person.

Not only did he offer Xu Xian many pointers, but he also took great care of the two of them.

She was now starting to regret agreeing to Xiaoqing's nonsense.

Wang Xuan wasn't angry. He slowly explained, "Miss Xiaoqing, I didn't go out for sightseeing today. I went out to inspect the lake embankment and water conservancy, to check for potential flood risks, to visit shops along the shore, and to understand the people's livelihood and taxes. As for Rouge, she's a local, and with her accompanying me, I can understand things more clearly."

Bai Suzhen looked apologetic: "Please don't be offended, young master. Xiaoqing's personality is all because I spoiled her."

"It's alright." Wang Xuan smiled, then looked at Yan Zhi: "Yan Zhi, go and arrange accommodations and food for them."

Rouge nodded and replied, "Please come with me, ladies."

……

Wang Xuan and Yan Zhi had dinner together.

"My lord, do you like that Miss Bai?"

Wang Xuan laughed and said, "Why would you ask that?"

"Miss Bai is so beautiful, it's normal for my husband to fall for her," Rouge said, changing the subject. "However, I feel there's something strange about them."

"How so?"

"When I reached out to help Miss Bai as we disembarked today, her hands were unusually cold, like a piece of cold jade, even though it's not cold outside."

"It seems my prediction was correct."

Rouge blinked her big, watery eyes, waiting for what was to come.

"Rouge, I have something to tell you, but you must not be afraid."

"Don't worry, my husband, I'm not afraid."

Wang Xuan leaned close to her ear, exhaling warm breath. Rouge's earlobe felt slightly hot as she heard him whisper, "Those two might be demons."

"ah???"

Rouge couldn't help but gasp softly.

It was initially hard to believe.

But when she thought about how Wang Xuan possessed magical powers, Rouge's mood gradually calmed down, and she slowly began to believe it.

Rouge asked worriedly, "Husband, can you beat them?"

Wang Xuan was quite straightforward: "I can't beat them."

"Then why take them in?"

Wang Xuan gently comforted them, "If they really wanted to hurt us, they wouldn't have waited until now. From our brief encounter today, they're not some vicious people, so you don't need to worry too much. Just interact with them normally."

"Uh-huh."