The playboy county magistrate

"It would be my great fortune to have you by my side, young lady. But I already have wives and concubines at home, and if you come with me, I'm afraid you will suffer."

Fu Xiaoxiao lowered her head slightly and gave a bitter smile.

"If it weren't for you, sir, I would have remained in the brothel, where I would have been the object of countless men's affections. Even if I were just a nameless maidservant serving you, sir, that would be enough."

……

into the night.

An evening breeze swept through the corridors of the inn, carrying a faint scent of water and flowers.

The lanterns under the eaves swayed gently, casting a warm and soft glow on the ground.

It makes the cold, gray bricks and tiles appear gentle and tender.

Fu Xiaoxiao settled in the backyard wing room, and in just half a day, she transformed the small house into an elegant and unique space.

On the table lay freshly picked lotus branches, served in a pale celadon vase, simple and elegant. The windows were swept clean, and the books were neatly arranged.

It was a picture of peaceful and idyllic life, with people living in harmony.

She sat upright at the table, a delicate silver needle between her fingers, and carefully sewed the half-dry plain-colored fabric with gentle and graceful movements.

With her eyebrows lowered and her eyelashes casting soft shadows, she appeared gentle and harmless.

Light footsteps sounded outside the door, neither hurried nor slow.

Fu Xiaoxiao paused slightly, instantly gathering all her emotions. A soft warmth settled in her eyes, and a faint, natural smile touched her lips.

When she looked up at the doorway, she was all gentle and tender, full of admiration.

When Li Xuanzhi pushed open the door, he saw Fu Xiaoxiao put down what she was holding, walk to the table, and carry a bowl of warm lotus seed soup, the sweet aroma spreading out.

"The night air is cool, and the air in Nanjing is very humid."

She approached slowly, her voice gentle and full of just the right amount of consideration.

"The kitchen just made lotus seed soup, which is good for calming the nerves and moisturizing dryness. I thought you might come over in a little while, so I asked the kitchen for a bowl. Please drink some."

Li Xuanzhi smiled as he took the lotus seed soup and gently placed it on the table, his gaze falling on her delicate and gentle features.

Her eyes seemed to be brimming with tenderness, but her heart was even more clear-headed.

No one knows if there's been a slow-acting poison added to this lotus seed soup. It's always best to be cautious about what you put in your mouth.

However, this resistance must be done in a proper way; being too deliberately wary can have the opposite effect.

Therefore, this soup must be drunk. As for how to drink it…

Li Xuanzhi turned the upside-down teacup on the table over, scooped out a small portion with a spoon and put it into the teacup, then pushed the large bowl of lotus seed soup in front of Fu Xiaoxiao.

"Your health is weak, so lotus seed soup is more beneficial for women. You don't need to be so careful anymore. Now that you're mine, you'll receive all the treatment you deserve."

"We had a poetry gathering by the river today, and the wind was blowing on both of us. You're quite frail, so let's just share this lotus seed soup."

Fu Xiaoxin's heart trembled slightly, but not because she was moved; instead, she became even more wary.

She has seen too many people.

Most powerful ministers like Li Xuanzhi are arrogant and cold-hearted. Very few are as considerate and understanding as he is.

Such tenderness is either a genuine expression of emotion or a facade used to deceive.

Fu Xiaoxiao stood up to thank him, her posture gentle and shy. A subtle emotion flickered in her eyes.

"Your kindness makes me feel uneasy."

Li Xuanzhi shook his head and chuckled, reaching out a hand to ruffle Fu Xiaoxiao's hair.

"There's no need for such formality. The inn is deserted. I've been living alone for so long that I'm quite lonely. Now that you're with me, I feel a hundred times more at ease than before."

Fu Xiaoxiao waved her hands repeatedly, "I am but a guest here, how could I possibly deserve your concern, sir?"

Li Xuanzhi raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How did you become a guest in my home? Were you just trying to fool me when you said you'd serve me personally? Or have you changed your mind and no longer want to be my bedmate?"

Li Xuanzhi put down the teacup that was half-filled with lotus seed soup and sighed helplessly.

"Since you are unwilling, I will not force you. It is getting late, so you may rest here for the night. Tomorrow at dawn, I will instruct someone to escort you away."

Seeing that Li Xuanzhi was indeed walking towards the door without even turning his head, Fu Xiaoxiao became anxious.

Everything was going smoothly until I was sent away because of something I said. Then, sending someone to use my beauty to seduce me would be useless.

After all, the occasional appearance of a beautiful woman can be considered a coincidence. But if it were always a honey trap, even a fool would realize it.

She had originally resolved never to serve the emperor, upholding her reputation as a talented woman who valued herself, had integrity, and knew shame.

Now, in order to stay by Li Xuanzhi's side, he can't care about any of these things.

"It would be best if you, sir, would not despise my dullness and clumsiness."

Fu Xiaoxiao had already run up behind Li Xuanzhi in three steps, reached out and hugged his waist from behind, her whole body pressed tightly against Li Xuanzhi's back as if she had no bones.

"Please have mercy on me, sir."

Li Xuanzhi slowed his pace, his tone tinged with a lazy, indulgent smile. He appeared completely captivated by the beauty's tenderness, his heart filled with longing.

He didn't turn around, but simply raised his hand and gently placed it on the back of her hand that was wrapped around his waist. His fingertips pressed lightly, showing his doting and indulgent nature. "You're getting more and more clingy."

His tone was relaxed and tender, carrying the helplessness and soft-heartedness of a young man facing the woman he loved.

Fu Xiaoxiao finally relaxed, a hint of joy in her heart, and gently tightened her arms around him. She lightly rubbed her cheek against his back a few times, whispering softly:

"My lord, please be gentle."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuanzhi slowly turned around.

The warm lamplight cast a soft, gentle glow throughout the room, creating a tranquil and ambiguous atmosphere where a man and woman are close together.

Fu Xiaoxiao still gently wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek moving from being pressed against his back to being pressed against Li Xuanzhi's chest.

Her face was full of tenderness and affection, her slender fingertips gently brushing against his clothes, her movements delicate. With just the right amount of shyness and adoration, she perfectly portrayed a heart full of devotion and a willingness to serve him intimately.

Li Xuanzhi raised his hand and gently supported her shoulder, his fingers lightly hooking onto her gossamer-thin coat.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze was warm and deep, settling on her beautiful, shyly lowered eyes.

It is like a sky full of moonlight, so gentle it can drown you.

A gentle breeze swept across his palm, enveloping her slightly cool hand in his. The force was gentle yet firm, allowing no escape, holding her securely.

"Silly girl," he murmured softly, his tone tender and affectionate, displaying the gentle tenderness of a young man in love.

Fu Xiaoxiao's eyelashes trembled violently, and when she looked up, her eyes were filled with a thin layer of mist. She seemed to be completely moved by those soft words, and her heart had fallen for them.

She tiptoed slightly, leaned in and planted a kiss, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Li Xuanzhi said nothing more, only raising his hand to gently brush away the stray hairs that had fallen beside her temple. His fingertips brushed against her delicate earlobe, the movement tender.

The lamplight flickered, and the two figures overlapped, inseparable.

The next day, as dawn broke, morning dew clung to the window.

Fu Xiaoxiao woke up early and lay quietly beside him with her eyes closed.

Her eyes were serene and peaceful, her long hair scattered on the pillow. She looked utterly exhausted, as if she had spent the whole night in tenderness and longing.

Beside him, Li Xuanzhi slowly opened his eyes.