The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi also wanted to see what the Jinling prefect was really up to by coming up at this time under the pretext of "visiting relatives".

"We're tired from shopping, let's head back."

Upon hearing this, Fu Xiaoxiao immediately suppressed all her personal thoughts, retreated behind Li Xuanzhi, and lowered her eyes.

Before long, Li Xuanzhi returned to the post station. As soon as he sat down in the reception room, several local officials in official robes bowed and entered.

The prefect of Jinling, who was in the lead, had a big smile on his face and was extremely respectful, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

After everyone had paid their respects, they dared not raise their eyes to look directly at this unfathomable high-ranking official in the capital.

Li Xuanzhi raised an eyebrow.

When the report came, it said that the prefect of Jinling had come to visit with gifts, but it didn't mention that there were other people present.

The officials entered in unison, bowing deeply with utmost humility.

The prefect of Jinling was the first to put on a respectful smile, step forward half a step, and shower him with flattery, every word obsequious:

"Your Excellency's presence in Jinling City has eradicated long-standing abuses and quelled chaos, bringing order and peace to the city, and ensuring the safety of merchants and travelers. This is a blessing for all the people of Jinling!"

The other officials who came with him quickly echoed his sentiments, their flattery rising and falling in waves.

"Throughout history, no young statesman has surpassed you! Your methods are swift and decisive, yet your heart is kind and compassionate. We who follow you in our duties hold you in the highest esteem!"

"In the past, Nanjing was plagued by deep-seated problems and rife with undercurrents. Since Your Excellency arrived, the chaos has vanished, and officials and the people live in peace. Such governing skills are rarely seen throughout history!"

"Your Excellency cares deeply for the people, and is diligent and selfless in your duties. You are truly a pillar of the court and a beacon of justice for the region!"

Everyone chimed in, each word overflowing with praise. They exaggerated his achievements and lauded his virtues. They adopted an extremely humble posture, full of deliberate flattery, afraid of falling behind, and seized the opportunity of praise to curry favor.

After a barrage of flattery and praise, the prefect turned to the side and raised his hand, signaling his entourage to step forward.

Two maids in green robes escorted a woman in plain clothes as she slowly walked out. She was slender and graceful, with delicate features and a gentle, shy air about her. She was clearly a meticulously groomed beauty, a stunning woman chosen to please the powerful and wealthy.

"Your Excellency is humbled. You are stationed in Jinling, where you are diligent in your duties, bringing peace and prosperity to the people. Jinling has beautiful scenery, but it lacks the company of beautiful women to enhance its charm."

The prefect bowed and smiled, his tone utterly obsequious. "This young lady comes from a local scholarly family. She is skilled in music and chess, gentle in nature, and of pure character. I have specially sought her out to present to Your Excellency, so that she may play the zither to relieve your boredom and keep you company on your leisurely outings."

The scholarly woman lowered her eyes and brows, her movements graceful. She stepped forward slowly, curtsied, and said, "This humble girl, Jiang Hanxiang, greets Your Excellency."

Li Xuanzhi sneered inwardly.

All the officials present knew that recently, rumors were circulating throughout the city that Li Xuanzhi was indulging in pleasure and had a particular fondness for the beautiful women around him.

The local prefect dared not rashly curry favor with him by offering gold, silver and precious jewels. He assumed that Fu Xiaoxiao was by his side, so he catered to Fu Xiaoxiao's tastes by presenting her as a gift and doing everything he could to please him.

If he had devoted all his time and energy to studying government affairs, he wouldn't have remained in the position of Prefect of Jinling for so long without moving forward.

No one noticed that Fu Xiaoxiao, who was standing under the eaves, suddenly tightened her fingers almost imperceptibly.

Her eyes remained lowered and docile, her face showing no sign of distress. Yet, a storm was brewing within her, churning endlessly.

For some reason, she suddenly felt a terrible panic, a feeling she had never experienced before.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Li Xuanzhi's reaction.

In the silence of the entire room, Li Xuanzhi slowly raised his eyes.

His gaze swept indifferently over the pretty woman, showing no surprise or emotion, only a cold indifference, before returning to the obsequious prefect.

All the gentle smiles in his eyes vanished, leaving only the indifference and aloofness of someone in a high position, and an unquestionable pressure.

"I remain in Jinling to understand the people's conditions and to regulate the local area, not to indulge in sensual pleasures or crave romance."

His voice was not loud, but clear and cold, yet every word carried authority. The officials present were shaken to their core, their previous fawning smiles instantly freezing on their faces.

"High-ranking officials should prioritize the nation and its people. Instead of diligently fulfilling their duties and bringing peace and prosperity to the people, you are preoccupied with currying favor with your superiors and flattering them."

Everyone immediately lowered their heads in fear, no one daring to utter another word. They were filled with unease, completely unable to fathom the true nature of this young man.

Rumors circulated that he indulged in tenderness and pleasure. Now it seems that all of that was wrong.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze darkened slightly, his tone remaining cold.

"This woman has been returned to her home and properly settled. From now on, anyone who tries to curry favor with us through worldly pleasures and flattering intentions will be severely punished by this official."

"This humble official knows his mistake! This humble official will remember your teachings, sir!"

The officials hurriedly bowed and begged for forgiveness, their backs damp with cold sweat.

No one dared to linger any longer; the crowd hastily bowed and left in a sorry state.

The gate closed again, and the courtyard returned to silence.

Fu Xiaoxiao remained standing under the corridor, her lowered eyes slowly lifting.

The jealousy, unease, and sense of crisis that had been surging in my heart have all quietly faded away. Now, however, I feel increasingly lost, not understanding why my heart is beating so fiercely.

The rejection of the US just now was to establish authority, to guard one's heart, and also a silent favoritism.

It was to tell the world in front of the entire city's officialdom that the positions around him were never chosen arbitrarily.

Was he acting, or was he genuinely protecting her?

Li Xuanzhi walked slowly closer, stopped in front of her, and gazed at her quietly. The cold and imposing demeanor he had displayed earlier vanished, replaced by a familiar warmth and gentleness in his eyes.

"Were you feeling unwell just now?"

He spoke softly, his tone gentle and considerate. There was no probing, no teasing, only a straightforward inquiry.

Fu Xiaoxiao's heart trembled slightly, and she subconsciously wanted to pretend.

But when she looked into his clear, deep eyes, she swallowed the words back.

She gently shook her head, then gently nodded. With a hint of honest melancholy, she said, "A little."

"I was just thinking, what should I do if you accept her?"

No more pretending to be magnanimous, no more deliberately trying to be well-behaved.

Li Xuanzhi gazed at the genuine melancholy in her eyes, a subtle undercurrent of emotion stirring within them.

Fu Xiaoxiao's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the complex emotions surging in her eyes were almost overflowing.

She spoke softly, her voice slightly hoarse, carrying a vulnerability she herself was unaware of.

"Is what you say...truly true, sir?"

At this moment, she secretly longed for a sincere answer. She wanted to confirm that this exclusive affection wasn't just a facade he had created.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his deep gaze locking onto hers.

He raised his hand, his palm firmly covering the back of her neck, the force gentle yet not allowing her to break free, locking her firmly in front of him.

When have I ever lied to you?

"To outsiders, I seem to indulge in romance and be carefree and unrestrained. It's as if anyone can get close to me and flatter me, anyone can fawn over me and climb on my shoulders. But Xiaoxiao, you should know the truth."

"What I put on for the world has always been an illusion."

"Not with you, though."

The words struck Fu Xiaoxiao so hard that her mind trembled violently.

She always thought she was caught in the middle, manipulated by others. She thought his deep affection was a cage, and his gentleness was a shackle.

Only now has she realized that her mindset had quietly changed during those countless days and nights of tender companionship.