Qi Rong's tender words made Yun Xi blush and her ears burn. She really wanted to sew his mouth shut with a needle to stop this shameless man from being so flirtatious!
Although she thought so, the corners of Yun Xi's lips still couldn't help but turn up slightly.
However, it was only one day later that she really wanted to put her thought into action and shut Qi Rong up.
Watching Qi Rong chatting and flirting with the young lady of the prefect's family, Yun Xi almost crushed the handkerchief in her hand. Grinding her teeth, she glared angrily at Qi Rong's handsome and seductive face, secretly swearing in her heart:
In the future, even if she believed that a rooster could lay eggs, she would never believe Qi Rong's glib tongue again!
Because Qi Rong had stopped the construction and disappeared for several days, the accompanying officials and local officials such as the prefect of Lingchuan were already like ants on a hot pan, extremely anxious.
Therefore, after learning that Qi Rong had returned to his residence, the prefect of Lingchuan hosted a banquet in his mansion for Qi Rong and other officials from the capital. He also invited local officials and gentry to accompany them.
The purpose was to persuade Qi Rong to resume the construction of the weir without offending him.
This was to avoid failing to complete the project before the flood season of the Ling River, which would incur the emperor's punishment!
Now, Qi Rong had not only stopped the weir - building project but also sent people to guard it. Even if they wanted to secretly start the work, they would be stopped. Therefore, only when Qi Rong, the chief supervisor, personally gave the nod could the weir - building proceed!
Yun Xi originally didn't plan to go to this kind of occasion. After all, her relationship with Qi Rong was unclear, and she didn't want to attract gossips. She thought it was better to avoid trouble.
However, Qi Rong saw through her thoughts. He promised not to make any inappropriate moves or remarks to her at the banquet and tempted her with the local cuisine of Lingchuan. Only then did Yun Xi "reluctantly" agree to go to the banquet with him.
"Your Highness, the prefect's mansion is here."
Feeling the carriage stop and hearing the guard's report outside, Yun Xi quickly withdrew her hand that Qi Rong had been playing with.
He didn't ride his fine horse but insisted on squeezing into the carriage with her. He said he wouldn't make any inappropriate moves, but he hadn't been honest the whole way!
Thinking of the upcoming banquet, Yun Xi couldn't help but warn Qi Rong again:
"Later, in front of everyone, don't talk nonsense. You may not care about your reputation, but I do!"
Not to mention attracting gossips and being pointed at by others as a woman, as the supervisor of this weir - building project, Qi Rong bringing a woman along and flirting with her would also damage his prestige.
So, it was okay for Qi Rong to be playful in private, but in front of others, they must abide by their identities and never leave a flirtatious impression.
"My lord, the prince's carriage is here."
Through a corner of the curtain, Yun Xi saw Prefect Cheng leading some people walking towards the carriage. She was about to get off the carriage when suddenly Qi Rong hooked her slender waist.
"Stop being naughty!"
Yun Xi was anxious and whispered angrily. It was such a critical moment. If others saw this situation, she wouldn't be able to explain herself!
But Qi Rong just gave her a mischievous smile and calmly looked at her.
"Since you care so much about your reputation, kiss me before getting off the carriage. I promise I'll do whatever you say."
Yun Xi was stunned. She glared at this shameless man who was taking advantage of the situation, grinding her teeth and scolding:
"Don't even dream! Get off the carriage quickly!!"
Qi Rong raised his eyebrows and looked at her, not moving at all. Pointing at the people approaching outside, his eyes were full of playfulness as he said:
"Your time is running out!"
Yun Xi gritted her teeth and cursed in her heart. But she also knew Qi Rong's shamelessness of always keeping his words. So she steeled herself, endured the shame, and quickly pecked his face. Pushing against his chest with both hands, she blushed and urged:
"Okay, get off the carriage quickly."
Her embarrassed tone was almost a plea, afraid that this guy would do something even more shameless!
"It's not enough!"
Sure enough, just as Yun Xi was worried, Qi Rong grabbed the back of her head with one hand and quickly pressed her lips to his own. After a deep and lingering kiss, he finally let her go reluctantly.
Just then, Prefect Cheng Yu led several people to the carriage. Qi Rong looked at Yun Xi beside him, whose face was flushed and breathing was unstable. He hooked his lips into a smile and lifted the curtain.
Seeing Qi Rong, Cheng Yu immediately bowed respectfully:
"Prince Xian's personal presence has really added luster to my humble mansion. I'm sorry for not greeting you properly. Please forgive me!"
"Don't mention it."
Qi Rong ignored everyone's flattery. He stepped out of the carriage but didn't leave. Instead, he turned around and reached out his hand to Yun Xi and said:
"Come down. Be careful."
Yun Xi's appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.
The daughter of Prefect Cheng Yu was already a well - known beauty in the area. However, the woman in front of them was slender, with an outstanding temperament, skin like congealed fat, and a neck like a grub. Especially her beautiful eyes were full of charm, making people feel as if they were seeing a celestial being!
Noticing everyone's gazes, a look of displeasure flashed across Qi Rong's face. He directly blocked Yun Xi behind him and swept the crowd with a cold and sharp look in his eyes.
Qi Rong's intimidating look made everyone present can't help but lower their heads, sweating profusely. They didn't know what they had done to offend this nobleman from the capital, and no one dared to greet him rashly.
Seeing this, Prefect Cheng Yu quickly spoke up to smooth things over:
"Your Highness, this young lady looks flushed. She seems a bit tired. Why don't you go into the mansion and take a good rest?"
Yun Xi rarely went out, so Cheng Yu and others didn't know her identity. To avoid suspicion, she naturally wouldn't take the trouble to explain.
Hearing Cheng Yu speak for her, Yun Xi's already blushing face became even more embarrassed. She couldn't help but glare angrily at Qi Rong, the culprit.
Qi Rong was amused by her expression. He held Yun Xi's small hand with his big hand and helped her out of the carriage. His finger secretly tickled her palm.
"She's just a bit carsick and out of breath."
His tone was teasing, and his eyes were full of doting as he winked at Yun Xi. But Yun Xi was so angry that she ground her teeth and thought to herself:
It wasn't carsickness at all! It was clearly because of this man!
It was all Qi Rong's fault, this shameless man. He always took every opportunity to take advantage of her. She should have known that he had no good intentions when he forced her to come to Lingchuan. But for her father's safety, she had no choice but to compromise!
After getting off the carriage, Yun Xi shook off Qi Rong's mischievous hand and deliberately kept an arm's length away from him, silently following behind Qi Rong.
Qi Rong didn't object. He also kept his promise and didn't make any inappropriate moves towards her.
Lingchuan was located in the southwest of the Liu Kingdom. Although it wasn't as wealthy as the Jianghuai area, it had beautiful mountains and rivers and was relatively rich in resources.
Except that the lower reaches of the Ling River were often hit by floods, which made the common people suffer a great deal. The local government's ability to control disasters was limited, and their achievements in governance were mediocre. Therefore, it was very difficult for them to get promoted.
Cheng Yu had been the prefect of Lingchuan for ten years. Even though he had spared no expense to build connections with his superiors, he still couldn't make much progress.
So, he set his eyes on this opportunity. He wanted to ride on the wave of the weir - building project and rise to a higher position with the help of Qi Rong!
That's why, in order to win Qi Rong over, after learning that the latter was still unmarried, Cheng Yu had an idea. He directly brought out his proud and well - hidden daughter to the banquet.