The playboy county magistrate

Three days later, a gentle breeze was blowing.

The most widely circulated elegant event in Jinling City is the Linjiang Poetry Gathering held today, spearheaded by Linjiang Academy.

Scholars from both the north and south, along with local intellectuals, gathered along the riverbank to discuss poetry over wine and admire the scenery. The atmosphere was refined and elegant, attracting throngs of visitors.

Willow branches sway in the river, and a gentle breeze carries the coolness of the lotus leaves.

The female assassin from the capital, using the alias Fu Xiaoxiao, stood by the stone railing by the water.

She wore a simple white dress, untouched by worldly dust, and her dark hair was tied up with a single jade hairpin. Apart from two stray strands of hair at her temples, she had no other adornments.

Her eyes were cold and lonely, her shoulders slumped slightly, and her body trembled slightly. She looked pitiful, a woman with great talent but who had been forced into prostitution, and anyone who saw her would feel sorry for her.

Before long, the crowd stirred slightly.

Li Xuanzhi, dressed in a blue robe, walked slowly and calmly, his expression serene. He looked like a gentle and peaceful young master from a noble family, leisurely strolling in a garden.

He had already received a secret report from Su Wanwan late last night—

A female spy from the capital has been confirmed to appear at the poetry gathering today, disguised as a talented woman in distress.

Li Xuanzhi casually glanced at the crowd on the riverbank, his gaze lingering slightly on Fu Xiaoxiao.

There was no hint of surprise in his eyes, only a fleeting, perfectly measured expression.

He was calm and clear-headed, and was not misled by appearances in the slightest.

Li Xuanzhi silently shook his head in his heart.

The carefully selected female assassin's attempt to appear harmless was a complete failure; her demeanor was far too clean.

When a talented woman in ordinary circumstances encounters misfortune, will her eyes reveal timidity, flattery, or resentment?

She alone was too deliberately aloof, and her loneliness was utterly devoid of warmth.

She possesses neither the vulgarity of the marketplace nor the affectation of intellectuals. Such composure is not something an ordinary, down-on-her-luck woman could possess.

Anyone who isn't fooled by her appearance can tell that she's just faking it, that she's putting on an act.

But...

Li Xuanzhi smiled.

Since you want to put on a show of devoted admiration and helpless dependence, then I'll play along to the end. Let's see who's the better performer.

Li Xuanzhi paused, and following the etiquette of a refined gathering of literati, spoke gently, his voice clear and melodious:

"Young lady, you are here alone and do not speak to others. Do you dislike noise?"

Fu Xiaoxin's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly suppressed all her emotions and slowly turned around.

The moment she looked up, a thin layer of mist gathered in her eyes, her gaze cool yet tinged with a timid unease.

Like the shyness of being suddenly interrupted from solitude, her exquisite face showed no trace of artifice, only pure loneliness.

"Greetings, Your Excellency." She curtsied slightly, her voice soft yet cool.

Like the wind caressing the strings of a zither, it is melodious yet not vulgar.

"I am but an orphan, adrift in Jinling, and of little learning and talent. I dare not speak with you esteemed scholars, and thus I stand here quietly."

She deliberately lowered her status, displaying weakness in every word. Yet, she maintained the integrity of a talented woman, neither servile nor arrogant. She neither fawned nor flattered, clearly having thoroughly understood Li Xuanzhi and perfectly avoiding all the personality traits he disliked.

Li Xuanzhi's eyes softened, a faint, gentle smile played on his lips, and his tone grew even more gentle.

"Young lady, your speech is refined and your words are appropriate; you are by no means a person of little learning or talent. Why do you so unjustly belittle yourself?"

Fu Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and sighed softly.

"Talented but unlucky, with a life of wandering. Even with meager talent, there is no place to use it. Drifting in chaotic times, unable to control one's own destiny, one is merely surviving in this world."

Her words were poignant and heartbreaking.

While feigning sadness, she glanced at Li Xuanzhi's changing expression out of the corner of her eye.

Li Xuanzhi's face showed just the right amount of regret, his eyes were gentle and calm, without the slightest hint of sharpness, and his tone was tinged with melancholy.

"Many people are trapped by their circumstances, wasting their talents; in the end, it is the world that misleads them. Young lady, there is no need to make yourself suffer too much."

He continued her words with gentleness and tolerance, his demeanor relaxed, appearing completely captivated by the delicate beauty's charm.

But deep down, he was calmly analyzing the situation, without making a single mistake.

This woman truly doesn't tell the truth.

First, gain sympathy by talking about their background, then establish a persona by talking about their talent.

He knows when to advance and when to retreat, and his actions are precise and accurate. He is extremely patient and has a very deep understanding of human nature.

Fu Xiaoxiao seemed to be touched by his gentleness, her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she timidly raised her eyes to look at him.

"I have long admired your reputation, sir. You are an upright official with a heart for the common people. You quelled the major case in Nanjing and restored peace to the people of this region."

"I originally thought you were an aloof and virtuous minister, but after meeting you today, I realize that you are gentle, humble, and extremely considerate."

The praise was sincere and earnest, expressing both admiration and reverence, and the balance was just right.

"Just an empty reputation." Li Xuanzhi smiled faintly, his tone casual and relaxed, deliberately conveying a sense of nonchalance.

"I am already weary of the endless infighting, backstabbing, and deceit in the imperial court. So-called honest and virtuous officials are nothing but shackles that bind them against their own will."

Fu Xiaoxiao's eyes flickered slightly, immediately catching the key information. A surge of joy welled up inside her, but her expression remained calm and gentle as she softly asked:

"Since you have made such great contributions, why do you still want to stay in Jinling? The imperial court in the capital is where you should truly make your mark."

Li Xuanzhi seemed to lower his guard, letting out a soft sigh as he leaned against the railing, gazing at the river with a languid and nonchalant tone. His voice carried a youthful weariness and melancholy, revealing a complete lack of interest in power.

"To achieve great deeds and establish a career, how burdensome it is!"

"The noble families in the capital are deeply entrenched, and factional infighting is endless. Today a marquis is eliminated, tomorrow a new faction rises. They can't be killed off, nor can they be completely eradicated. I am all alone, on edge every day, walking on eggshells, and I am already exhausted, both physically and mentally."

He spoke slowly and in a relaxed tone, with a hint of candid weariness, sounding like a heartfelt confession.

"On the contrary, Jinling is gentle and misty, with vibrant streets and bustling streets. There are no constraints of the court, no factional strife. In leisure, one can read poetry and drink wine, listen to the wind by the water. Occasionally, one can make friends with carefree wanderers, far away from the strife of the court. Such a peaceful life is far more comfortable than a high position in the court."

Every word and phrase is a deliberately constructed illusion.

It directly creates an image of someone who is tired of court intrigues, weary of power struggles, yet yearns for the beauty of Jiangnan, indulging in leisure and freedom, and having no interest in officialdom or power.

Fu Xiaoxiao quickly analyzed Li Xuanzhi's words in her mind.

In her eyes, Li Xuanzhi was a sentimental person who was tired of party and government affairs and longed for comfort.

Such a temperament is most easily trapped by tenderness and worn down by romance.

Simply approach slowly and gently. You can then completely control the situation and seize the opportunity to act.

With her mind settled, Fu Xiaoxiao raised her eyes, a soft light shimmering in them, and spoke in a gentle, watery tone.

"My lord, you have the well-being of all people in your heart and have weathered many storms; it is only natural that you are weary. I, your humble servant, wish to stay by your side, to brew tea and grind ink for you, and to offer words of comfort and solace."

Her words were tactful and shy, and her posture was humble and submissive.

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanzhi's smile deepened.

Hooked.

Once she completely lowers her guard and sends back false information, all the nobles in the capital will completely relax their vigilance.

Li Xuanzhi slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Fu Xiaoxiao's beautiful and gentle face. His eyes were warm and gentle, carrying just the right amount of emotion and joy.