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The rest of her words were trapped behind vermilion lips as Long Ang casually picked up a book, lifted and plucked at it lightly, and instantly shredded it into tiny pieces with a whoosh. With a gentle sweep of his palm, a fragrant breeze blew and those shredded paper pieces poured down from the top of her head like ice-cold water.

The solitary moon hung high, and the pitch-black night was completely devoid of stars.

A figure was busy in the moonlit night, sweating profusely.

Organizing books, moving volumes, occasionally stopping to raise a scholarly sleeve to wipe away sweat, then bending down again to pick up the books with a heave and continue working.

"Straightening your spine, are you? I didn't expect a bootlicker to have some backbone occasionally. It seems he isn't buying my routine." Resting her embroidered fan against her lips, Long Ang leaned against the banyan tree, his slightly smiling voice echoing leisurely as he cast a sideways glance at the man standing stock-still beside him. "Perhaps I was too lenient. Merely doing some heavy lifting and moving a few books—such little tricks are not enough to scare him into coming to you right away and begging on his knees, Xiaojing."

Li Chenjing's back was elongated by the thin-wing-like moonlight, his unblinking gaze locked on the busy, short figure. His clenched fists were hidden within wide sleeves, and his narrow eyes were tightly squinted.

"If you want to cut off his thoughts of climbing high branches and make him obediently return to your side, stop being soft-hearted. I warned Xiaojing long ago that this person is deeply scheming and takes every step with a plan; he definitely has alternative motives. If I hadn't informed you that he and the Emperor come and go together, I'm afraid