C12 When the Person Came He Didn't Bring Enough Money

"A few days ago, I came across a fifty-year-old bottle of Bamboo Leaf Green. Knowing you like it, I brought it as a gift," Wen Wan said.

Yue Xiliang didn't refuse and gestured for her to sit.

After taking a seat, Wen Wan noticed Xiao Chen. "The Duke is here too?"

Xiao Chen hadn't expected to see Wen Wan here. He tried to appear calm, raising his teacup with one hand and taking a small sip to cover his surprise.

Wen Wan was taken aback. How could he use just one hand to hold a teacup in front of Yue Xiliang? That was hardly polite.

"Ahem..."

Wen Wan, worried that Yue Xiliang might be offended, quickly reached out to grab Xiao Chen's left wrist, guiding his hand to support the bottom of the cup. "Careful, it's hot."

The whole exchange happened in a flash.

As Wen Wan let go, Xiao Chen finally snapped back to reality. He turned to see Wen Wan winking at him and whispering, "No need to thank me."

Should he thank her? Even if he should, he had done so thoroughly in another life.

"The wine is excellent, but unfortunately, I can't enjoy it. Please take it back," Yue Xiliang said coolly, not even touching the wine bottle.

Wen Wan immediately put on a flattering smile. "A fine sword for a hero, and good wine for a mentor. You definitely deserve it. Why not give it a try? I'll pour for you..."

"Stop!"

Nothing Free House educated three thousand students, and Yue Xiliang had many under his tutelage, but only a few left a lasting impression.

Among these people, Wen Wan was definitely one of them. Back in the day, Wen Wan had a great reputation at Nothing Free House—smart, good-looking, and excelling in all her subjects. In the eyes of all the teachers, Wen Wan was certainly not a troublemaker. Yet, ironically, she ended up doing just that!

Wen Wan had a knack for calligraphy, especially her copying skills, which even impressed Qin Yinghan in the study room. With this talent, Wen Wan managed to help her twenty classmates in the etiquette class by correcting their exam papers—for an entire year! This led Yue Xiliang to mistakenly believe he was teaching exceptionally well, only to have everyone but Wen Wan fail spectacularly at the last moment.

During the final exam, with all the teachers present, the papers were graded on the spot, and the results were announced. Yue Xiliang still remembers how he felt then, as if he was being rubbed into the ground, sparking a fire, burning up completely until nothing was left but ashes. The most frustrating part was that Wen Wan only altered the papers for the etiquette class; everything else was normal. So, who were you targeting, young lady?

Seeing Yue Xiliang call a halt, Wen Wan awkwardly held the wine jar, unsure of what to do. Xiao Chen sat silently beside her, also feeling a bit uneasy. "You wouldn't be here without a reason, County Princess Wen. Let's hear it," Yue Xiliang finally spoke.

"Ugh..."

Wen Wan set the wine jar back down. "Yesterday, I heard that the Golden Prosperity Building opened in the capital, and Yuu Buyi personally prepared the Nine Delicacies Feast. I got a little carried away and dragged Shaoxing out... This has nothing to do with him."

Yue Xiliang glanced at her. "Shaoxing has his own legs. How is it not related to him?"

"Shaoxing never dares to go against my wishes. He was forced into it." Wen Wan took the blame.

She had already left the Nothing Free House, so Yue Xiliang couldn't reach her.

"Shaoxing made a mistake because of your urging. Was I wrong to punish him?" Yue Xiliang countered.

Wen Wan found herself at a loss for words and instinctively looked at Xiao Chen, who was sitting beside her, hoping he would mediate. "What do you think, Duke?"

Xiao Chen hadn't expected Wen Wan to ask him, but he calmly replied, "If there's nothing else, I would like to take my leave."

This time, Yue Xiliang didn't stop him and nodded.