Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

Wang Xuan led Ao Jin into the Retreat Hall.

Then, he turned around and glanced at Zhu Yingtai behind him with a calm expression, his eyes flickering slightly.

Zhu Yingtai stood awkwardly in place, her eyelashes trembling slightly, exuding a delicate and pitiful charm.

My heart was pounding with anxiety. I wondered how the magistrate intended to punish me.

If she were to be punished with a cane on the spot, she would have no choice but to grit her teeth and endure it.

After all, she couldn't reveal her secret of being a woman disguised as a man.

Once exposed, not only will she be expelled from the academy, but the entire Zhu family will also be disgraced, and she may even face accountability from the government.

Her voice was soft and slightly apprehensive: "My lord."

Wang Xuan frowned slightly and sternly reprimanded, "Look at you, acting like a woman, all coy and hesitant. What kind of behavior is this?"

Now that he knows this is Zhu Yingtai disguised as a man, he naturally wants to tease her.

Zhu Yingtai remained silent to herself.

My lord, is it possible that I am a woman?

However, she dared not say these words aloud. Instead, she straightened her back and deliberately lowered her voice, saying, "I was momentarily flustered and lost my composure. I hope you will forgive me, sir."

Wang Xuan looked at her deliberately affected manner and a smile rose in his heart, but he forcibly suppressed it and did not show it at all.

He walked slowly to the main seat, flicked his wide sleeves, and sat down properly, while Ao Jin stood quietly by his side.

"Since you dared to incite a disturbance, don't you think it's too late to say you're afraid now?" Wang Xuan sneered, his gaze towards Zhu Yingtai filled with oppressive force. "According to the laws of this dynasty, you should be stripped and flogged twenty times. Do you have any objections?"

Zhu Yingtai's heart tightened, and the shock in her eyes could no longer be concealed. She exclaimed in a trembling voice, "Take off your clothes?!"

Putting aside how painful twenty strokes of the cane would be, how could a girl like her be stripped naked to be tortured?

Furthermore, how can a girl expose such a private part of her body to others?

Moreover, once she takes off her clothes, her identity as a woman will definitely be exposed.

If this gets out, how will she ever be able to face anyone again?

"Who wants to see your buttocks? This is for your own good. Twenty strokes of the cane will definitely leave you with torn and bleeding skin. The wounds will be trapped in your clothes and easily fester and become inflamed. This will make it easier for you to receive treatment later."

Zhu Yingtai bit her lower lip, already prepared to reveal her identity. Her throat tightened slightly, and she timidly began, "My lord, I..."

Wang Xuan coldly stood up, grabbed a ruler from the desk, and interrupted, "Everyone in the county government is busy with flood relief and is short-handed. Today, I will use this ruler to do the work."

"Ah?" Zhu Yingtai exclaimed again in disbelief, "My lord, you hit me?"

If a ruler were used, it certainly wouldn't hurt much, but she was a girl, and just thinking about it made her feel very ashamed.

"Why are you so easily startled? You have no manliness at all."

Wang Xuan chuckled inwardly.

This was obviously meant to scare her.

They didn't actually fight.

Zhu Yingtai is now seventeen years old. In an ordinary family, this would be the age for marriage and childbirth. However, Wang Xuan has his own bottom line and will not take advantage of her under the guise of punishment.

Even if you really want to indulge in such a wicked pleasure, you can save it for your future wedding night.

Zhu Yingtai's face turned pale, and she looked pitiful as she asked softly, "My lord, do I still need to take off my clothes?"

If she still had to be punished by having to strip, she decided to go all out and reveal her identity.

If it was just punishment through her clothes, she would grit her teeth and endure it.

Just imagining that action made her feel uneasy and hot all over. Why did she have a faint sense of anticipation?

Looking at her pitiful little face, Wang Xuan resisted the urge to pinch her.

He walked up to Zhu Yingtai, his brows furrowed, and his face showed displeasure: "Ridiculous! What kind of person do you think I am? You want me to look at your buttocks? How could you even think of that? I'm going to spank your hand."

"Huh? Oh."

Zhu Yingtai's cheeks flushed instantly, the weight on her heart lifted, and an indescribable joy welled up within her.

She couldn't help but feel that although the magistrate seemed stern, he actually left room for maneuver in everything he did.

His sternness seemed more like an act.

Bringing myself in here is probably for show, to the outside world.

In short, he's a kind person who seems cold on the outside but is warm on the inside.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

See, she even has to thank us.

Wang Xuan's expression remained cold, and he feigned sternness: "What are you thanking me for? Do you think this is a reward? Go stand by the wall and reflect on your actions. I'll punish you later."

Zhu Yingtai obediently turned around, facing the wall, and stood quietly with her body upright.

Perhaps because he knew that Zhu Yingtai was a woman, Wang Xuan's gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the outline of her slender and delicate figure.

Wang Xuan returned to his seat, reached out and gently pulled Ao Jin into his arms, resting his head lazily on her soft belly.

The faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her body brought on a wave of weariness.

He stayed at the breached dam for a day and a night without closing his eyes, and during that time he used his magic to save many people who were swept away by the flood. He was indeed quite exhausted.

Ao Jin remained motionless, letting Wang Xuan lean against her gently.

After a moment of hazy sleep, Wang Xuan slowly opened his eyes, gently nuzzled his head against her, and then fully woke up.

Ao Jin blushed slightly as he rubbed against her, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

Wang Xuan pulled Ao Jin onto her lap and asked softly, "How long did I sleep?"

"About half an hour."

Ao Jin's pretty face was fair and delicate, with a crystal earring hanging from her right ear, emitting a faint blue light that drew his gaze.

Wang Xuan leaned close to her flushed ear and whispered, "Once I'm done with all this, I'll go to your house to propose."

Wang Xuan is not the type to procrastinate or linger.

However, Ao Jin is different from Bai Suzhen, Mingzhu and others; she still has family.

The proper etiquette and procedures should not be omitted.

He can afford to waste this little bit of time.

Unfortunately, his cultivation period was too short and his foundation too shallow, so he couldn't offer anything of value as a betrothal gift.

However, given Dongting Jun's character and his doting affection for his daughter, he certainly wouldn't mind. On the contrary, he would likely bestow countless treasures upon her without hesitation.

"Hmm~"

Ao Jin responded sweetly and softly, then mustered her courage and planted a sweet kiss on Wang Xuan's cheek.

Wang Xuan smiled knowingly and kissed her warm, cherry-like lips directly.

Zhu Yingtai, facing the wall, had her view blocked by the wall, which ironically made her hearing even more acute.

The room was quiet at first.

But just now, I heard whispers behind me.

Human curiosity is boundless. She listened intently, but still couldn't hear clearly.

As for the rustling sounds, they were more like the sound of fabric rubbing together slightly.

She really wanted to go back and take a look, but since she was currently being punished by standing in the corner, she didn't dare to act rashly.

The two lingered tenderly for a long time before slowly separating, their lips glistening with moisture.

Ao Jin felt shy. This was the first time in her life that she had been kissed by someone. She had no idea how to respond, let alone what a verbal battle was. She simply let Wang Xuan do as he pleased.

"My benefactor, shall I reveal my dragon horns?"

"Show it off."

Wang Xuan's warm breath sprayed onto Ao Jin's fair neck, bringing her a ticklish sensation.

A pair of translucent and lustrous dragon horns slowly emerged from Ao Jin's originally smooth forehead, their lines flowing and long, instantly adding a touch of awe-inspiring nobility and ethereal beauty.

However, Wang Xuan's greatest characteristic is her strong sense of challenge.

The more sacred and inviolable something is, the stronger the throbbing in his heart becomes, and the more he wants to act recklessly.

He couldn't resist kissing her jade-like neck, his fingertips beginning to feel the texture of Ao Jin's dress.

"Mmm." A long, melodious moan escaped from Ao Jin's red lips.

……

The soft whispers and subtle sounds behind her, like tiny feathers, repeatedly tickled Zhu Yingtai's heart.

Her curiosity finally gave way.

She was curious to see how the stern and unyielding county magistrate would speak to the young woman.

However, since she was currently facing the wall in contemplation, she dared not openly turn around to look back, lest she anger the magistrate. So she deliberately twisted her neck to the left and then to the right, intending to use the opportunity to loosen her muscles and quickly steal a glance behind her.

"Zhu Yingtai, stand at attention."

A low shout reached his ears.

Zhu Yingtai trembled all over.

Wang Xuan and Ao Jin spent a few more moments together, but it was limited to hugs and kisses.

"Jin'er, go and see how the fish and meat are being processed outside the county government office. If they're ready, send some to the ladies in the backyard."

"Uh-huh."

Ao Jin put away the dragon horns and walked gracefully out the door.

Wang Xuan picked up the ruler from the table and walked towards Zhu Yingtai.

As the footsteps behind her grew closer, Zhu Yingtai involuntarily tensed up.

Wang Xuan walked behind Zhu Yingtai and gave her a light tap on the waist.

"Turn around."

Wang Xuan's voice rang out softly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yingtai immediately turned around.

This pat actually dispelled her tension.

"How dare you! I made you stand facing the wall to reflect on your actions, and you still tried to peek back."

"The student...the student's neck is sore from standing for so long."

Wang Xuan held a ruler, lifted her right arm, and then picked at the back of her delicate hand.

"You've been facing the wall for so long, have you ever realized your mistakes?"

"Students should not gather to discuss public affairs or make irresponsible remarks about official matters."

Wang Xuan frowned in dissatisfaction: "That's all?"

"Hmm..." Zhu Yingtai was about to say something more.

Wang Xuan took the ruler and slapped her palm once.

Zhu Yingtai winced in pain and withdrew her hand, letting out a soft, sweet sound.

"Aww~"

Wang Xuan certainly didn't want to use too much force, but this little girl had been raised in a secluded mansion since childhood, and was a delicate and pampered person. Although the force wasn't heavy, it still hurt her a little.

He deliberately made a disgusted face: "If you keep making that delicate voice, I'm really going to torture you."

Zhu Yingtai secretly rolled her eyes in a resentful manner, her eyes sparkling with a gentle charm that, despite her scholar's attire, could not be concealed. She then respectfully replied, "This student will remember."

"Your mistake was questioning my decision," Wang Xuan began to reprimand in a stern voice. "I know more than you, I have more experience than you, I see further than you, and I consider things more comprehensively than you. You shouldn't blindly question me based solely on simple benevolence and righteousness. What you should do is trust me without any reservations."

Zhu Yingtai was unusually honest this time: "I am short-sighted and my thinking is not as comprehensive as yours. I should not question your decisions."

Wang Xuan's expression softened slightly, and he was quite satisfied: "Students your age are impulsive and reckless. They often follow the crowd because of one person taking the lead, without being able to see the underlying interests."

"However, considering your courage to stand up for your classmates, although your actions were inconsiderate, your heart is good, so we will let this mistake go for now."

Zhu Yingtai was overjoyed: "Thank you for your consideration, sir."

"Student, you should focus on your studies. If I see you getting involved in this kind of thing again, I will really punish you properly."

"The student will certainly remember this lesson and never repeat the mistake."

Wang Xuan calmly probed indirectly, inquiring about Zhu Yingtai's situation: "What courses are offered at your academy on a regular basis?"

Zhu Yingtai was slightly taken aback: "Didn't you attend an academy, sir?"

Wang Xuan smiled slightly, revealing a wistful expression: "Should I have read it? I didn't have the means back then. Even the books I read were borrowed from wealthy families in the area and copied by hand overnight."

"Your Excellency is truly a born pillar of society." Zhu Yingtai couldn't help but imagine Wang Xuan studying late into the night, and praised him sincerely. She then replied, "Your Excellency, at Wansong Academy, we rise at dawn every day to recite the writings of the sages. In the morning, the teachers explain the meaning of the classics and policy essays. In the afternoon, we practice calligraphy and write essays and policy questions. Occasionally, we also arrange study tours and debates. We can only rest at dusk."

"What is the size of the academy, and where will you be staying?"

"Wansong Academy has more than forty registered students. There are many side rooms in the back of the academy. All of us students live in the academy, two people per room."

Wang Xuan's true intentions were revealed; he asked calmly, "Who do you share a room with?"

"The student's roommate was none other than Liang Shanbo."

"No wonder." Wang Xuan attacked her rival without batting an eye, her words tinged with displeasure. "You live with him, no wonder you're so clueless about social situations."

Even though he knew that the two of them were fine at the moment, the thought that his future wife would be living with someone else made him feel very uneasy.

Zhu Yingtai instinctively spoke up in defense, "Actually, Brother Liang is a very good person, it's just... just a bit pedantic."

Wang Xuan's expression darkened slightly. He waved his hand and casually instructed, "Go back now, and while you're at it, call your dean here."

Zhu Yingtai immediately tensed up. Could it be that they were not going to hold her accountable, but instead wanted to blame the dean?

"Sir, what are you doing?"

"Go quickly."

Wang Xuan picked up the ruler and slapped her lower back, urging her to get going.

Zhu Yingtai pleaded earnestly, "Sir, this is a spontaneous act by our students; it has nothing to do with the dean."

"Who told you I was going to settle scores with him?"

"Huh? What's going on?" Zhu Yingtai asked, looking completely bewildered.

"You want to know? Then come on, take me to see your dean."

The two had just stepped out of the county government office.

Li Rusong, the dean of Wansong Academy, had been waiting at the entrance of the county government office for a long time. He was very worried when he heard that his students had led a disturbance at the county government office.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yingtai instinctively called out, "Dean."

Wang Xuan's gaze fell on the old man: "Are you the dean of Wansong Academy?"

Li Rusong bowed and said, "Indeed, the students' trouble today is all due to my lax discipline. I am ashamed."

"A student's good or evil lies within himself." Wang Xuan turned his gaze to Zhu Yingtai beside him, his tone tinged with appreciation. "Dean, your student Zhu is courageous and daring, which I greatly admire. I don't want her studies to be disturbed by others, so please provide her with a separate room from now on."

Li Rusong was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that Wang Xuan wouldn't blame him at all. Even Zhu Yingtai was shocked, especially by his kindness towards him.

However, if I really do have a dormitory room all to myself, I won't have to worry about dressing up as a man anymore.

"Since you have given such instructions, I will certainly comply." Li Rusong seized the opportunity and invited, "Sir, would you perhaps have some free time in the future to visit the academy and offer some guidance to the students?"

"Let's talk about it another day."

Wang Xuan did not refuse; he waved his hand, dismissing the two men.