After hearing no response from inside the carriage for quite some time, Qian Miao gently knocked on the door again.
"Master."
"I know."
Qing Qianxue raised his eyes and spoke slowly.
He felt as though he had fallen under some spell today. Playing little tricks to tease this girl was already unlike his usual self, and now thoughts he ought not to have were creeping into his mind.
He reached out and gently nudged the person beside him.
"Chu Youning."
"Stop it!"
Chu Youning frowned and irritably slapped his hand away, pulling the cloak covering her stomach farther up toward her chest.
"Do you want... me, the State Preceptor, to carry you out of the carriage in full view of everyone?"
Qing Qianxue's voice was steeped in helplessness.
The words "State Preceptor" registered in her mind.
Chu Youning jolted upright at once.
She sat up too abruptly, bringing their faces within inches of each other. Chu Youning could sense not only the faint, cool fragrance surrounding Qing Qianxue, but also the slight warmth of his breath.
Seeing her reflection in those eyes, still as waters untouched through the ages, she felt as though they might swallow her in the next instant. Her heartbeat quickened.
She abruptly covered her chest with both hands and scooted back. "You... why are you so close to me? Let me tell you, an old ox shouldn't be grazing on tender grass. I like younger men. Younger, understand? Someone younger than me, a sweet little puppy who calls me big sister."
[Hmph! I knew you weren't innocent, you rascal. You really are coveting my beauty!]
[Don't even think about it. I'm the woman you're destined never to have, so you'd better give up now~]
Qing Qianxue looked Chu Youning up and down, momentarily so annoyed that