"If you're in love, just say so. Why do you have to talk about it in such a flowery way? You're such a hypocrite, you stupid scholar."
"This is utterly absurd."
Liu Bowen was at a loss for words, so he forcefully waved his sleeve, then, after a moment's thought, added another line:
"As the saying goes, a gentleman's word is as good as a tamed horse's, so do you take what Miss Shen just said seriously?"
"Of course it's fake, you're just a hypocrite."
Seeing that the two were about to argue endlessly, Li Boyang interrupted, "Alright, stop joking. Shen Rong, you lead the way to Xishuiguan."
The three walked along the main road in Jinling City for a while before heading west around the city.
Before long, the Qinhuai River in Jinling City came into view.
At this moment, Liu Bowen's eyes widened, and he stopped walking abruptly, clearly attracted by something.
The Qinhuai River ripples with clear water, and from afar you can see many painted boats floating on the water. The boats are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, their tops are painted yellow, and their pillars are carved and painted with phoenixes, making them very beautiful.
If it were just a pleasure boat, no matter how beautiful it was, Liu Bowen wouldn't be interested in it for half a year. It's just a boat, what's so interesting about it?
More importantly, the painted boat was lit by red candlelight, and some of the women on board leaned against the railings, while others gently waved painted fans in their hands. The women's faces were covered by light veils, and they wore thin silk robes, making them very alluring.
"Cough, cough."
Seeing Liu Bowen looking like he couldn't move, Li Boyang coughed awkwardly twice, wanting to remind him, but found that Liu Bowen didn't seem to hear him.
"Dirty."
Enraged, Shen Rong kicked Liu Bowen hard in the foot.
"Ouch, who stepped on me?"
The pain brought Liu Bowen back to his senses. He was bewildered to see Shen Rong seemingly walking away in a huff. He then looked at his teacher and noticed that the teacher's gaze towards him was also somewhat strange. He couldn't understand what he had done wrong.
At this moment, Liu Bowen saw Li Boyang suddenly walk up to him, pat him on the shoulder, and say something:
"We're all men, I understand. You'll have plenty of opportunities to come and have fun later, don't rush it now."
If Liu Bowen still didn't understand what was meant after all this, then he was truly stupid. He instantly blushed deeply. Young scholars are generally quite thin-skinned and haven't yet reached the point of being invincible.
I walked along the banks of the Qinhuai River for a while.
Numerous gilded pavilions and terraces have appeared along both sides of the Qinhuai River. These buildings stand side by side, and together with the painted boats gliding on the water, they create a truly magnificent scene.
Shen Rong walked silently beside Li Boyang, admiring the stunning scenery along the Qinhuai River. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, wishing time could stand still at this moment.
Just then, a spoilsport voice rang out.
"Rong'er, you've gone back to Jinling? Why didn't you tell me? I could have come to pick you up."
The man who spoke was in his early twenties, dressed in an ink-wash style outfit. His jet-black hair was neatly combed into a bun on top of his head, encased in an exquisite white jade hair crown. He had a handsome face, and his long, clean hands occasionally shielded his eyes from the sunlight, exuding the air of a scholar.
The man seemed overjoyed to see Shen Rong, but his expression instantly turned hostile upon seeing Li Boyang beside her. He walked up to Shen Rong and asked with a hostile look:
"May I ask who this gentleman is?"
"Hu Chunxue, it's none of your business when I come back, teacher, let's go."
Shen Rong showed impatience as soon as she saw Hu Chunxue. She subconsciously reached out to grab Li Boyang's hand and leave, but she missed.
Li Boyang smiled at Hu Chunxue and said:
"I am a teacher at Songyang Academy and also Shen Rong's teacher. I am here to escort Shen Rong home."
"You are truly Rong'er's teacher."
Hu Chunxue's face showed a hint of doubt.
Li Boyang did not explain again. He had already said it, and whether the other party believed him or not was none of his business.
"Hu Chunxue, what do you mean? Did you come here specifically to cause trouble?"
Shen Rong, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and gave Hu Chunxue a dressing down.
Hu Chunxue was actually her childhood friend. Both the Shen and Hu families were famous large merchants. Shen Wansan and Hu Chunxue's father were very good friends, so the two families were close friends.
Naturally, Shen Rong and Hu Chunxue were childhood sweethearts. After Shen Rong grew up, Hu Chunxue also fell in love with her and pursued her relentlessly, which was tacitly approved by Shen Wansan and supported by his father.
Both families were happy to strengthen their ties through marriage, but unfortunately, Shen Rong didn't really appreciate it; he didn't like Hu Chunxue.
"Rong'er, don't misunderstand."
Hu Chunxue, sensing Shen Rong's impending anger, quickly said:
"Rong'er's house is not far ahead. I happen to be going that way anyway, so let's go together."
Li Boyang agreed to the other party's suggestion, and led by Hu Chunxue, they arrived at the outside of a large mansion. Shen Rong seemed reluctant throughout the journey.
Seeing the two large characters "Shen Mansion" hanging on the plaque, one knows that this is Shen Rong's home.
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Chapter 122 Shen Family Garden
"Miss, you're back."
As soon as the group arrived at the gate of the Shen residence, the gatekeeper recognized Shen Rong and looked overjoyed.