"Madam, Young Master Qi San has come to pay his respects to you."
"Please let him in." Song Ci already knew Qi Zhen would come to greet before the attendants announced it, because it was customary.
Qi Zhen strode boldly in, not looking sideways, and upon reaching Song Ci, he cupped his hands and bowed: "Qi Zhen pays respects to the Madam, may you be blessed." Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI(F)ire.net
"Thank you, Madam." Qi Zhen lifted his head, his gaze quickly glanced over Song Ruqi’s face, who was standing behind Song Ci.
Song Ruqi lifted her head, saw him looking at her, glared at him, then blushingly lowered her head again.
Seeing Qi Zhen in official attire, Song Ci asked, "Why are you here, are you on duty today?"
"Replying to Madam, I am on duty today; because the results of the autumn examinations are being posted, there is concern over any stampede incidents, so I have been dispatched to maintain order," Qi Zhen replied solemnly.
"You have worked hard." Song Ci smiled gently, tilting her head slightly, and said, "Being on duty is tiring, Qi’er, pour a cup of tea for your brother Qi San to soothe his throat before he leaves."
Song Ruqi’s face was as red as an apple, especially with her younger siblings behind her making faces, her face flushed even more deeply.
Yet, grandmother still asked her to pour tea. Oh dear, how embarrassing! Can’t he pour his own tea?
Though grumbling in her heart, her body acted very honestly. Song Ruqi walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to Qi Zhen with both hands: "Here."
Qi Zhen took it, drank it in one gulp, and said meaningfully, "Thank you, Sister Qi, the tea is delicious."
His words held a double meaning.
Song Ruqi was so embarrassed she gave him a sharp look, then retreated behind Song Ci.
But Song Ci smiled knowingly, who said Qi San was a silent gourd, see how subtly he teases, much classier than those with sweet tongues.
Song Lingzhao, who admired martial arts, was very impressed by Qi San from a military position, and he asked boldly: "Brother Qi San, when will they post the results?"
Qi Zhen: "It should be around now." He took out a Western pocket watch from his robes, glanced at it, then put it back, and said to Song Ci: "Madam, I still have duties to attend to, so I shouldn’t linger. Please forgive me, I’ll visit again later?"
"Duty is important, off you go, come by again to visit." Song Ci waved with a smile.
Qi Zhen cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, glanced at Song Ruqi again, then headed towards the door.
"Qi’er, see your brother Qi San out."
Qi Zhen hesitated slightly in his steps.
Can grandmother stop teasing her?
With her elder’s directive, Song Ruqi could not defy Song Ci and followed a step behind Qi Zhen, walking out of the room with him.
In front of the stairs on the third floor, Song Ruqi curtsied and whispered, "Take care on your way."
Qi Zhen, a head taller than Song Ruqi, could only see the girl’s smooth, full forehead, a small nose, and delicate lips from his angle, making her look especially docile.
Qi Zhen turned his gaze away, thinking her forehead was truly white and smooth, without the slightest hint of fluff.
"You should go back; there are many people outside. Don’t be separated from others, lest you bump into someone," Qi Zhen said stiffly.
Song Ruqi looked up in surprise, saw the slight awkwardness on his face, but couldn’t hide the concern, and her heart skipped a beat. She shyly nodded.
"I’m leaving." Qi Zhen turned, paused, and added, "The weather is getting cold, wear more layers to avoid catching a cold, and eat more; you’re too thin."
Looking at how thinly she was dressed, with such a slender figure, the wind could almost blow her away.
Song Ruqi looked at him in astonishment as he walked down the stairs, subconsciously touched her face, thin?