Qin Yun was enraged and pushed Jie Jing'an away. "Second Prince, please mind your manners!"
These were words Ouyang Siqing had used on her, and now she was using them on Jie Jing'an.
When Qin Yun pushed him, Jie Jing'an merely took a slow step back. Qin Yun's strength was not great, and Jie Jing'an paid it no mind.
Jie Jing'an suddenly chuckled wickedly.
Seeing Jie Jing'an's ill-intentioned smile, Qin Yun's limbs went stiff!
He wouldn't see through anything, would he?
She made sure to tidy herself up properly every morning before leaving the house!
"Second Prince, what are you smiling about?" Qin Yun asked stiffly.
Although Jie Jing'an was one of the imperial powers she wanted to win over, it wouldn't be wise if he got too close and discovered something amiss.
It seemed she would have to keep her distance from him in the future to avoid any mishaps!
"Qin Yun, you're something else! You're quite good at hiding things!" Jie Jing'an said, then curved his lips into a smile.
Qin Yun's heart skipped a beat, and she asked cautiously, "I don't know what the Second Prince is talking about!" As she spoke, Qin Yun took two steps back, creating distance between herself and Jie Jing'an!
Instead, Jie Jing'an deliberately stepped forward two paces, crossed his arms, and smiled insincerely. "Still not admitting it? I know everything!"
Know everything?
Impossible?
Qin Yun absolutely refused to believe that her disguise as a man could be seen through by a brute like Jie Jing'an!
He was definitely bluffing!
"What does the Second Prince know? Please enlighten me!" Qin Yun said, her body angled away from Jie Jing'an, appearing outwardly calm but inwardly panicking!
Jie Jing'an slowly approached Qin Yun's ear and said devilishly, "You smell so fragrant for a grown man. You must be secretly using scented powder, right? How can you be so perverted?"
After hearing this, Qin Yun twitched the corner of her mouth speechlessly!
That's it?
Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Qin Yun immediately calmed down. "Normally, the wet nurses and maids who take care of my daily needs are the ones using scented powder. Perhaps some of it accidentally got on my robes."
"What's so surprising about that!" Qin Yun said, calm and composed.
"Qin Yun, I can smell the fragrance on your flesh too. Still trying to argue? You must have used perfume on yourself!" Jie Jing'an said earnestly.
Qin Yun felt a blush creep onto her face!
She hadn't used any perfume!
This was just her natural scent. How could Jie Jing'an think she had applied scented powder?
Qin Yun pretended to sniff her sleeve and said doubtfully, "No, it's just a normal scent!" She then laughed and said, "Second Prince, could it be that you visited a concubine last night, and that's why you smell of perfume? Are you mistaking it for my scent?"
Unexpectedly!
Jie Jing'an's face turned red, and he stammered, "I haven't! Consort Li... just found some sensible wet nurses to teach me about the matters between men and women, but I haven't sought out those concubines. I'm still a virgin! Don't falsely accuse me!"
After speaking, Jie Jing'an was not only shy but also a little angry!
Seeing that the little tyrant Jie Jing'an was actually shy, Qin Yun couldn't help but feel curious!
She hadn't expected this arrogant and overbearing little tyrant to be so pure!
"Oh, really? It seems the Second Prince is quite devoted!"
Jie Jing'an raised his eyebrows. "Of course. I must find a woman of unparalleled beauty, kind heart, brave and resourceful to spend the rest of my life with!"
"Then I wish the Second Prince all the best in finding such a woman soon!"
"So, you believe me that I don't have any concubines now, right?" Jie Jing'an said anxiously.
Qin Yun clicked her tongue. "Second Prince, is this important? You don't need to tell me all this!"
"That won't do. I am a devoted and loyal person. I would never touch a woman who isn't the one I've chosen, lest I tarnish my character in the future!"
Seeing Jie Jing'an's earnest expression, Qin Yun nodded in agreement. "Alright! I believe you, Second Prince!"
She thought that would be the end of it, but Jie Jing'an became suspicious. "You know quite a lot, kid! From your tone, your attendants are all young maids, with no young boys. Could it be that you've already...!" At this point, Jie Jing'an's eyes widened, and then he laughed. "Good for you! You don't look like much, but I didn't expect you to have concubines already!"
Qin Yun twitched her lips, unsure how to answer.
If she said yes, it seemed inappropriate.
If she said no, it also seemed wrong.
When a man reached marriageable age, his elders would usually guide him. Some wealthy families even arranged for two concubines to serve them!
Seeing Qin Yun's silence, Jie Jing'an chuckled. "Hahaha, Qin Yun, you actually have concubines! Impressive!"
Qin Yun decided not to be coy anymore and admitted it frankly. "Second Prince, isn't this quite common? Many young masters have concubines, don't they?"
Jie Jing'an thought about it carefully and felt that it made sense!
He had also been arranged concubines by Consort Li, but he simply didn't want them!
Qin Yun admitted it only because she had to, given her circumstances!
By admitting it so readily, Jie Jing'an wouldn't suspect her identity in the future!
Thinking of this, she could only feel sorry for Xiao Ju!
"Let's not talk about such useless things. Those who bet against you look down on you so much. Why don't you forfeit?" Jie Jing'an said seriously.
Qin Yun shook her head. "How can I say it's impossible without trying? In my world, there's no such word as 'forfeit'!"
"Qin Yun, I admire your courage, but it's clearly a case of an egg hitting a rock. I advise you to reconsider, lest you lose too badly!"
Qin Yun rolled her eyes. Was this person here to comfort her or to watch the show?
Why was it that nothing he said made any sense from beginning to end!
"Second Prince, the second round of the competition is about to begin. I shall take my leave!" Qin Yun left without looking back.
Jie Jing'an frowned, staring blankly at Qin Yun's retreating figure!
Had he said something wrong? This kid seemed angry again.
He wasn't even angry, so why was she?
He had come to kindly remind her, but unexpectedly, she was so ungracious! He shouldn't have come at all!
The second round was to pair couplets.
Two judges took their seats at the front.
The participating scholars were seated in a square around them.
When the announcer called Qin Yun and Su Qingwen to the stage, the entire assembly looked towards Qin Yun.
"Isn't that Qin Yun? She actually dared to enter?"
"This ugly monster is finished! She'll surely cry when she loses later!"
"Today is truly her bad luck to be paired against Young Master Su for couplets! In terms of literary talent, who in the capital can match Young Master Su?"
On the main platform!
Li Fengsheng, like a venomous snake, was spitting his forked tongue at Qin Yun!
His eyes appeared calm, but they concealed a sinister glare!
He hadn't settled the score with her for the last incident yet!
Today, she had come to him willingly!
Then he glanced at Su Qingwen, who was not far away.
He had long heard of Su Qingwen's literary talent. Qin Yun was destined to lose today!