After deceiving the villain, I was forced to love him.

Although the vacancies in various official positions brought Lu Jian a lot of trouble, the situation where noble families monopolized official careers was finally over.

The additional "literary test" and "martial arts test" this year not only selected many ambitious individuals from humble backgrounds.

This has also made many people afraid to continue joking around and wasting their days like before.

"In this way, we officials will no longer fear having no way to serve our country."

"Especially the provision that 'newly appointed officials can receive three months' worth of resettlement allowance upon presentation of their appointment order and official seal'—Your Majesty is truly wise!"

"In this way, even if one goes to serve as an official in another place, one will not have to bow down for five pecks of rice because of the livelihood of one's family or being short of money at the beginning of one's career."

“Yes, yes,” Baili Ce echoed, starting to flatter.

"And this one, 'officials stationed in Beijing or visiting Beijing can be provided with accommodation after approval,' is truly a wise ruler's move!"

“What you say is absolutely right, young lady.”

"Look at this one..."

Although Baili Ce often refers to the emperor as a "dog emperor," his arrangements over the past few months have indeed been people-oriented, combining both kindness and severity.

This is especially true for women who are unable to return home or who were sold into brothels by their families.

All she could think of was for the Baili family and the government to take the lead in sending them to learn a trade from the properties owned by various wealthy families.

Textiles, pottery, winemaking, silkworm rearing, flower cultivation... In short, as long as they are willing to learn, supporting themselves is not a problem.

Lu Jian not only gave them the opportunity to be self-reliant, but also provided them with good household registration, land, and marriage partners.

"The area of ​​the three cities has now been renamed 'New Life Town' and has been exempted from taxes for five years, which means it is now in need of manpower."

“Everything is renewed and thriving. Your Majesty’s move is truly brilliant!” an official exclaimed.

"exactly"

With the name "New Life Town" as a starting point, there's no worry about not seeing the day when the government is clean and the people live in peace.

Even if she still can't go home by then, she doesn't have to worry about being eaten by anyone just because she has no money or power.

"Gentlemen, now that the matter in Shucheng is settled, goodbye."

"Is the young lady leaving already? Why don't we eat together..."

Her colleague, who had tried to persuade her to stay, was pulled away and immediately fell silent, his expression changing drastically.

Bai Li Ce was already used to this, so he bowed slightly, giving himself a way out, and said, "I have an appointment today, so I'll take my leave now."

Her colleague's voice trembled slightly, "Young...Young lady, please take care."

Turning around, Wang Qingyan was indeed right behind him.

If she had reacted any slower, yesterday's performance would have been for nothing.

"Was it all right?" Wang Qingyan seemed not to notice Baili Ce's sudden pause, and stepped forward to take her hand and walk into the street.

Bai Li Ce felt a sense of helplessness, but he let him lead him, saying, "Hmm, it's alright."

"I did encounter a small problem, but it's all resolved."

"It's still early. I noticed you haven't eaten much breakfast. Why don't you go get something to eat now?"

Wang Qingyan's handshake was light and warm, and he was very careful, as if he had really begun to care about her feelings.

"Okay," Bai Li Ce stopped and looked at Wang Qingyan, then pointed to a restaurant behind him. "Let's go eat there."

"Brother, I'd like a stewed pig's trotter, a stewed chicken with snow dates, two bowls of rice, and two jars of Pear Blossom Spring tea."

"Good Le!"

Seeing her order drinks, Wang Qingyan frowned slightly, his suspicion growing. "You want to drink?"

They had known each other for seven or eight months, and she had never drunk alcohol in front of him.

What happened today...?

Bai Li Ce replied listlessly, "I'm exhausted these past few days, I want to have a drink to relax."

It's Zhang Shan again, and it's Sixth Uncle again.

They had to prevent their friends from being innocently implicated after she left, and they also had to deal with Wang Qingyan every day.

If she doesn't relax a bit, she'll really break down.

However, what Wang Qingyan heard was—

Baili secretly sent people to take her away again. She was exhausted from dealing with them and didn't know how to talk to him.

"A-Zhu, if anything happens to you, you must tell me."

Wang Qingyan looked at her meaningfully, his expression practically screaming, "Don't forget what you promised me last night."

what?

What is this person saying again?

Did she promise him anything last night? Probably not.

Bai Li Ce smiled casually, "It's nothing."

Just as Wang Qingyan was about to say something—

"Your food is here, please enjoy, but be careful, it's hot!"

"Wow, it smells so good, let's eat it quickly!"

Seeing that she didn't seem inclined to say anything, Wang Qingyan didn't press the matter further.

Since we can't solve the problem, let's deal with the person who created it.

......

"Come on, let's have a drink!" Bai Li Ce picked up the wine jar and downed it in one gulp, looking like he had a high alcohol tolerance.

“…” Wang Qingyan hesitated for a moment.

After a quick mental calculation, he picked up another jar of wine and clinked it against hers, saying, "Alright, let's get drunk and forget all our troubles. We won't leave until we're completely drunk today."

"You won't come home until you're drunk!"

Start ton ton ton...

"Drink slowly," Wang Qingyan tried to stop her.

"Ouch!" Baili Ce shoved Wang Qingyan's hand away, stood up, and drank heartily. "I can hold my liquor really well, chugga chugga..."

Half an hour later.

"Drink!" He swayed left and right.

Shout at the air, "Keep drinking!"

"Hey? Say something! Drink some more! You coward, bang bang bang..." He unleashed a barrage of attacks on the empty wine jar.

Ugh......

Seeing that she was very drunk, Wang Qingyan had no choice but to quickly pay the bill and take her home.

However, drunkards are rarely so well-behaved. Along the way, Baili Ce was either causing trouble, jumping around, crying and making a scene...

By the time Wang Qingyan brought her back to the inn, he was already covered in sweat.

"Drink! It's my treat today...wait, where's my wine?!"

"Did you hide it?" she said, reaching for her head to slip into Wang Qingyan's sleeve.

Wang Qingyan quickly put her on the bed and pressed her down with the blanket, saying, "You're still drinking? Look at you, you can't even sit up straight."

"No, no!" Baili Ce kicked off the blanket and stretched one leg high.

"Look how high I'm standing!"

"Be careful of catching a cold."

Wang Qingyan put the blanket under her, but she stuck it out again.

Put it back in the blanket, stretch it out again, put it back in...

Repeat several times, and hold it down!

“…” He stretched out his hand.

Wang Qingyan, "..."

Forget it, leave it to her.

The victorious Baili Ce chuckled and pulled Wang Qingyan to sit up unsteadily.

He slapped his mouth with his left hand, "Wah wah wah..."

Switching to the right hand, "Wow wow wow..."

He chuckled to himself for a while, then secretly covered his mouth and giggled, "Hehehe..."

Then he beckoned Wang Qingyan closer with his finger, "I'm telling you..."

Thinking he was speaking very softly, he said, "I can still... hiccup... drink twenty jars!"

He said twenty, but he held up three fingers.

"Yes, yes, you have the best alcohol tolerance in the world." Wang Qingyan wrapped her in a blanket, completely disbelieving her.

"Hmm..." Baili Ce shook his head vigorously, "The number one in the world is..."

He leaped upwards, fists raised, shouting, "Great Sage! Long live the Great Sage! Yeah—"

"Okay, okay," Wang Qingyan quickly picked her up and wrapped her up.

However, "Who is the Great Sage?"

"Hehe..." At this moment, Baili Ce's voice was completely oblivious to his sudden tension.

He then approached mysteriously, saying, "Then I'll tell you, but you mustn't tell anyone else."

"Um"

"Hook"

"..."

After making a pinky promise, Baili Ce leaned close to his ear—

He laughed loudly, "Hahaha, it's a little puppy!"

"The big bad guy got tricked! Great!"

"Hiccup~" Another burp came, the smell so strong Wang Qingyan couldn't bear to look at him. "Besides, my dog ​​is way cuter than yours~"

"Cuter than me?" Hearing this, he immediately became unhappy.

No, why would he compare himself to a dog?

Just as I was about to ask her when she got the dog, I noticed that Baili Ce, who was clearly seeing things, stared at the air next to him.

Then he nodded seriously, "Yeah, you're still cuter."

Wang Qingyan then realized that he shouldn't argue with a drunkard, and that he should "love me well."

"..." Baili Ce turned his head, blinked, and looked at him with a dazed expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" The latter was soon flustered by her gaze.

"You're being naughty!"

"...What did I do wrong?"

Patting his flushed cheeks, Baili Ce tried to clear his head...

However, the more she filmed, the heavier her head felt.

"Ouch, stop hitting him!" Wang Qingyan grabbed Baili Ce's wrist.

She almost slapped my cheeks until they were swollen.

"Then...then move the stone away!"

???

Looking puzzled, he asked, "Where did this stone come from?"

“Here…” Baili Ce tapped his head. “Stone, move it away, it’s so heavy.”

"..." Wang Qingyan let out a long sigh, speechless.

Helplessly, he hugged her and gently patted her back, "Sweetie, if you fall asleep, there won't be any more stones."

Push it away!

"do not want!"

"I can't sleep because of the rocks!"

"There are no stones, so I can sleep."

"Yes, here!"

She tapped her head again, and Baili Ce felt as if a dozen little people were kicking her head back and forth.

"They hit me... Waaaaah..."

Why are you crying again?

Wang Qingyan suddenly felt like he had shot himself in the foot.

“…” As he cried, Baili Ce suddenly stopped.

"A-Zhu?" Wang Qingyan saw her clutching her stomach and remaining silent, then—

Go get the spittoon right now!

"vomit......"

After she finished vomiting, "Come and rinse your mouth."

Drink it obediently, then spit it out.

"More"

Without thinking much, Wang Qingyan gave her another sip.

Spit it out—

"More"

Hmm? He was puzzled, he hesitated... Maybe he didn't rinse his mouth properly?

Give her another sip.

Spit it out, and you'll feel happy!

"More~"

Now I understand, "You're just spitting water for fun, right?"

"More more!"

"Be good, don't drink anymore."

"I do not!"

"Sweetie, we'll drink again tomorrow," Wang Qingyan said, putting his arm around her shoulder and wiping her mouth.

Baili Ce burst into tears again.

She cried and said, "You're bad..."

He wiped his snot and tears vigorously with his clothes.

"..." The waiter shook his head and took all the dirty things out to throw away.

"Don't cry, okay? I'll buy you candy tomorrow."

Keep crying.

"new clothes?"

She was still crying.

"I'll buy you dried fruit."

"woo woo woo woo......"

"If you keep crying, you'll lose everything."

“…” She bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears, looking pitiful.

Seeing her like this, Wang Qingyan felt even more sorry for her.

I changed her clothes and then held her tightly, comforting her gently.

If I had known, I wouldn't have tampered with the wine.