"Then, why are you still peeping at my state preceptor?"

Jiu Ming was speechless.

'I'm peeping at… Nan Xian?'

Jiu Ming's facial expression changed drastically. There was utter disdain in his eyes. "Who are you talking about? He and I? Why do you say that I'm peeping at him? I don't have this kind of disgusting behavior."

"I heard from the people of Paramount that you don't like women but you like only men."

Jiu Ming was confused.

"You looked at the state preceptor sadly just now. That's why I have misunderstood," Feng Ruqing said as she shrugged.

Jiu Ming did not know how to respond to that.

He froze and looked at the state preceptor. He could not help but imagine himself being together with another man because of what Feng Ruqing said. 

He could not bear the consequence of his imagination any longer so he went and vomited at the side of the road.

Normally, he would feel nothing if he saw the pictures of two men being together. But, he was nauseated when he thought of himself being with another man.

Jiu Ming was curious. Sometimes, he heard of people talking about the things that happened between men. He was curious as to how men could be together. Therefore, he had secretly bought a book and it was discovered by the people from Paramount.

That was how the rumor had spread in the first place.

Jiu Ming's facial expression darkened. He would go and investigate the people who had made up stories about him. 'How did Feng Ruqing come to hear about that?

'This is indeed ruining my reputation!'

"Xiao Qing'er, I'm an ordinary man." Finally, Jiu Ming was done vomiting. He walked toward Feng Ruqing again and gritted his teeth. He said, "Don't talk about such disgusting matters with me. If I were to want to fall in love with somebody, I'll fall in love with you."

"But, I like the state preceptor only." Feng Ruqing smiled happily. "If you have no feelings for the state preceptor, then we can be friends. If not, I won't even be friends with you."

Nan Xian's cold facial expression changed the moment he heard what Feng Ruqing had said.

A soft smile played on his lips. He gently stroked the hair that covered her forehead. "I won't fall for somebody like him. My taste is better than that. Even if he has any kind of notion, I won't accept him."

Jiu Ming was speechless.

Qing Zhu looked at Nan Xian in shock.

'What does that mean? Does Master really think that Jiu Ming likes men? If he does, the princess will surely stay away from Jiu Ming if she thinks that he likes master.

'Love is scary. It makes my master so wicked.'

Nan Xian seemed to read Qing Zhu's thoughts. He looked at Qing Zhu coldly. Qing Zhu was so frightened that it shut its mouth and retreated.

'Yes, I know nothing.'

Surely, Feng Ruqing narrowed her eyes and looked at Jiu Ming dangerously. 

"Are you slandering me?" Jiu Ming's facial expression darkened. He stared at Nan Xian angrily. Then, he turned to Feng Ruqing. "Young girl, listen to my explanation. This guy is slandering me. He's afraid that…"

"The state preceptor said that you have feelings for him." Feng Ruqing's smile widened.

That smile was wicked. Jiu Ming could not help but take a few steps back.

"I'll say that I'm innocent. Do you believe me?"

"The people from Paramount said that you're reading the books on that matter. The state preceptor said that you have feelings for him."

"They're slandering me."

"Fine," Feng Ruqing responded calmly. "It's okay. The state receptor does not like men. That's right. If you want to meet me, just come and meet me whenever the state preceptor is not around. Don't come and meet me when he's here."