147: Chapter 147 Autumn Examination

"My husband will only ever have me."

White Fox Jiu sat on the bed, reached out to hook Jiang Xun's belt, and suddenly pulled it backward.

Jiang Xun's body leaned forward, forced to press White Fox Jiu underneath him, his palms bracing on either side of her.

Their nose tips touched.

Jiang Xun tried to get up, but was held tightly by his lapels by White Fox Jiu.

She spoke:

"Husband, if you don't believe me, you can test me tonight."

Her throat carried the hoarseness of alcohol, and her eyes grew hazy.

It was hard not to suspect whether her earlier claim of not being drunk was just a stubborn, drunken lie.

Jiang Xun's face flushed red instantly.

He was a man; naturally, he understood the meaning behind those words.

A flush rushed up from the base of his neck, as if someone had splashed boiling water on him.

His reaction came all at once.

He feigned ignorance of her meaning and asked in confusion: "Wife, what do you mean by this?"

White Fox Jiu did not answer.

She released Jiang Xun's lapels, raised her hand, and pushed the fabric of her clothing on her chest aside.

The fabric slid over her shoulder, revealing a section of her collarbone and the striking, snow-white skin beneath it.

The room was dim, but Jiang Xun felt it was blindingly white.

White Fox Jiu chuckled: "Exactly what you're thinking."

Jiang Xun's breathing stalled.

What he was thinking? He was thinking of many things.

Jiang Xun calculated quickly in his mind.

What exactly was this fox planning? Testing him? Teasing him? Or did she really want it?

His brain began to heat up; he could no longer tell.

Did she not understand that his body wouldn't allow it?

And even if White Fox Jiu wanted it.

Whether he could break her defense was another matter.

Not to mention that Jiang Xun was currently just a Mortal who couldn't even mobilize Qi, let alone his previous Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation; he wouldn't be able to scratch White Fox Jiu even a little.

The harm he spoke of was not physical.

Jiang Xun hesitated and did not move.

The air was stagnant like a pool of dead water, with only the two of them's breathing intertwined.

One of White Fox Jiu's hands still rested on his belt, neither withdrawing nor advancing.

Although they had slept in the same bed before, the two had always maintained a relationship of mutual respect.

An invisible line separated them under the quilt; neither crossed it.

Mostly because Jiang Xun was too severely injured to exert any strength, panting for a long time just from turning over.

White Fox Jiu hadn't thought about that either.

But now, Jiang Xun had clearly improved a lot.

He could get out of bed and walk on his own, and carry her through several streets; using his illness as an excuse no longer worked.

White Fox Jiu was waiting for Jiang Xun's next move.

But this block of wood hadn't moved at all, as if he were stunned.

Did she, a woman, really have to lead this kind of thing?

Her voice suddenly dropped: "It seems you are the one who finds me repulsive."

Jiang Xun was stunned.

He didn't expect this fox to use this tactic.

The boomerang he had thrown finally returned to him.

Facing a beauty like White Fox Jiu who made others envious, if he remained indifferent, then he really had a problem.

Either his body had a problem, or his brain had a problem.

It would be even worse if he were suspected of faking amnesia.

As time passed, both their bodies were heating up.

With the atmosphere at this point, no one could retreat.

Jiang Xun slowly lowered his head and said: "The words I said, you are now throwing back at me. It seems we truly have mutual dislike!"

"Mmph—"

Jiang Xun kissed her.

White Fox Jiu wanted to say something, but her breath stopped.

Everything she wanted to say was blocked.

The blush on her face made it impossible to tell if it was from drunkenness or surging passion.

Her fingers clutched the sheets nervously.

Their breaths intertwined, teeth and tongues clashing; this was the first time Jiang Xun had kissed her proactively.

White Fox Jiu's body trembled slightly, as if struck by something.

Her hand slid off his belt, climbed up his back, and her fingertips sank into his clothing.

If the System were still here, Jiang Xun's kissing skills would likely be max level without adding any points.

He used to believe that only when two people truly loved each other could they do such intimate things.

But after having it taken away so many times, he didn't care anymore.

Like a garment he once cherished, worn and worn, washed and washed, until it was just a piece of cloth.

Some things, once you abandon your bottom line, become very cheap.

Jiang Xun understood this principle.

So the first bottom line he abandoned was kissing others.

White Fox Jiu closed her eyes.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly like butterfly wings, and her fingers found his belt again, pulling it bit by bit.

Two thoughts were intertwined in her mind.

One thought was hatred.

As long as they joined together tonight, Jiang Xun's heart would forever be imprinted with her name.

He would love her, love her madly, love her until he lost his reason.

Then she would abandon him, trample on him, and let him taste the feeling of heartbreak too.

The other thought was that she also liked him.

The hatred was real, and the affection was real; these two contradictory things had tortured her for a thousand years.

Over the last thousand years, White Fox Jiu had gradually understood a principle.

Time can smooth over some things, but only love and hate can remain in a person's heart for a long time.

Tonight, she wasn't just preparing for future revenge; she was fulfilling a wish for the little fox from a thousand years ago.

The little fox who had waited and hoped, again and again, at Luoshen Mountain and the True Martial Emperor Temple.

From now on, she would make Jiang Xun wait for her.

Jiang Xun was shocked!

The belt was pulled open halfway.

He could feel the fabric loosening at his waist; if he stood up, his pants would fall down immediately.

For real?

He had been betting that White Fox Jiu wouldn't easily cross that line.

Betting that she would know when to stop.

After all, she was a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox who had lived for over a thousand years; she had her pride and reserve.

But now she was going to give her first time to her enemy?

That didn't make sense no matter how he thought about it.

For the first time since pretending to have amnesia, Jiang Xun began to panic.

And he realized a problem.

White Fox Jiu dared to pull tricks under the noses of two Ascension Realm Cultivators and steal him away from the snowfield; her own strength must have reached the Dongxu Realm.

Void-Piercing Realm Cultivators were no longer the same species as ordinary Cultivators.

Could she really bridge this gap?

What if she was just aroused and forgot the hatred...

Jiang Xun didn't want to explode and die!

Furthermore, engaging in relations with such an existence involved not just two people, but the Karma of two fate lines.

Once tangled, it would be very difficult to untie.

The two kissed more and more intensely.

Jiang Xun's lip was bitten, and he tasted the salty-sweetness of blood.

White Fox Jiu's hand wandered on his waist like a snake, looking for the knot.

Just as her hand was about to reach into the deepest part.

Jiang Xun grabbed her wrist.

Jiang Xun looked up, gasping for breath.

He couldn't let this fox continue to act recklessly.

His lips were stained with blood, and the flush on his face had not yet faded, but his gaze was already clear.

White Fox Jiu was serious.

If it were an ordinary person, they might have lost control long ago.

But Jiang Xun forcibly suppressed all the romantic emotions in his heart, like holding down a pot of boiling water with a lid, not letting a single drop spill out.

White Fox Jiu was not an ordinary woman.

Once he had relations with her, the responsibility would be huge.

It wasn't the kind where you could just walk away.

If it were another woman, Jiang Xun might not have been able to resist.

But not White Fox Jiu.

Not just her, but any woman who had a connection with Dao Xun in the game.

It was precisely because of this that Jiang Xun could keep himself clean when facing them.

With no debt in his heart, he wouldn't linger when he left.

Even when Yan Qingning called out to him like that back then, he didn't even look back.

White Fox Jiu opened her eyes and looked at him.

The lust in her eyes grew thicker.

"At this point, do you still want to hesitate?" she asked.

Jiang Xun gripped her hand tightly.

He couldn't think of any reason to stop her from continuing.

Did he really have to admit that he couldn't?

Jiang Xun was helpless and could only say harshly:

"Are you giving me charity?"

White Fox Jiu was stunned.

Her brows furrowed, as if chewing on the taste of these words.

Looking at the vigilance and defensive look in Jiang Xun's eyes.

"You think I would use my own chastity to give you charity?" she said, staring into Jiang Xun's eyes.

"I just wanted to fulfill my duty as a wife; do you have to look down on me so much?"

After speaking, her eyes turned red.

Her lips trembled slightly, and she looked extremely aggrieved.

Jiang Xun looked at her, and an indescribable emotion suddenly welled up in his heart.

He explained: "My memory of you is only from these past few days."

"So in my view, I have only just met you. If you want me to sleep with a woman I've only known for a few days, aren't you also looking down on me?"

White Fox Jiu looked at him quietly.

Her lips moved slightly: "Do you mean that in your eyes, I am a stranger?"

Jiang Xun felt a slight murderous intent.

He quickly made up for it, shaking his head repeatedly: "No, I can feel that you are very important in my heart."

"It's just that I don't think it's the right time yet."

This explanation was not accepted by White Fox Jiu.

The mist in her eyes did not fade, but instead reflected Jiang Xun's rejecting expression even more clearly.

As if in his eyes, she, who was lying under him, was just a very promiscuous woman.

Jiang Xun did not dodge, but met her gaze directly.

From the look in White Fox Jiu's eyes, he felt that what he said was not enough.

Jiang Xun continued:

"I don't want you to think that I am a man who can sleep with a woman after only knowing her for a few days."

"I want to tell you that I am serious about you."

White Fox Jiu withdrew her gaze.

She lowered her head, pulled her hand out of his, and pulled her clothing back over her shoulder.

"I was too impatient," she said, "I didn't consider your feelings."

From Jiang Xun's perspective, they had only known each other for a few days; it was indeed too fast.

She knew that Jiang Xun was never an impatient, lecherous man.

If he really were, his primordial yang wouldn't be here now.

Beauty could attract him, but it could never buy his true heart.

But White Fox Jiu still turned her back to him as if sulking.

"Sleep," she said.

Jiang Xun lay on his side next to her: "Give me more time."

"I want to get to know you all over again."

...

The next morning, Jiang Xun was woken up by Chun Cui.

"Young Master, Young Master!" the little girl's voice came from outside the door, light and urgent, "The Song mansion sent someone over, saying they invite you over for a chat."

Jiang Xun opened his eyes; the space beside him was already empty.

He sat up and stared blankly for a while.

"Understood," he said.

Chun Cui's footsteps faded away.

He took a deep breath, got out of bed, and dressed.

He didn't see White Fox Jiu when he went downstairs, but the decoction for the day was left on the table, with instructions for him to drink it.

Chun Cui watched from the side.

Since White Fox Jiu wasn't there, he boldly went out and headed toward the Song mansion.

The fox must still be sulking and didn't want to see him.

Jiang Xun went out, and Chun Cui followed by his side.

She was familiar with Lean County, and he still needed her to lead the way.

The Song mansion was located on the East Street of Lean County; it didn't occupy a large area, but it was decorated with elegant charm.

There were two stone lions at the entrance and two neatly trimmed sweet-scented osmanthus trees planted on either side; it was currently the flowering season, and the fragrance was strong.

A servant led Jiang Xun through the front courtyard, around a screen wall, and to the flower hall in the backyard.

Song Zhiran was already there.

He sat on a bamboo chair, holding a book in his hands. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, put down the book, and stood up with joy.

"Brother Jiang is here, please sit."

The flower hall was not large, ventilated on all four sides, and one could see the rockery and fish pond in the courtyard.

Jiang Xun sat down opposite him.

Song Zhiran poured him a cup of tea himself.

The tea was emerald green, with wisps of steam curling up.

"I thought about that poem from last night for a long time," Song Zhiran picked up his own teacup and held it in his hands, "'Raising a cup to invite the bright moon, facing my shadow makes three people'—wonderful, absolutely wonderful."

Jiang Xun picked up the teacup and took a sip; the tea was slightly bitter, but there was a hint of sweetness in the aftertaste.

"Brother Song is too kind."

"It is not being too kind," Song Zhiran put down the teacup and looked at him, "I have read many people's poems and seen many so-called talents. But Brother Jiang is the first one who can write such sentences."

Jiang Xun didn't speak.

He felt the other party was praising him a bit too much.

Song Zhiran was also silent for a while, then he changed the subject.

"Does Brother Jiang know that in another month, it will be the Autumn Examination?"

Jiang Xun's teacup paused at his lips.

The Autumn Examination.

The imperial examination held by the imperial court every autumn, conducted in the prefectural city.

Those who pass can obtain the rank of Juren and go to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination.

Jiang Xun put down the teacup.

"I know a little," he said, "But I have not yet obtained the rank of Xiucai..."

"No matter, you can buy a Xiucai status in the county for just a hundred taels of silver," Song Zhiran said, "And with Brother Jiang's talent, it would be a pity not to participate in the Autumn Examination."

Jiang Xun was silent for a moment.

So this Xiucai status could be obtained just with silver?

"Brother Song is right. It's just..."

"Just what?"

No money!

The power of the household was all held by White Fox Jiu!

Jiang Xun didn't answer; he looked at the fish swimming slowly in the pond, thinking about another matter.

The Autumn Examination was held in the prefectural city.

The prefectural city was hundreds of miles away; as long as he left Lean County, left the tavern, and left White Fox Jiu's sight, he would have a chance.

To return to Dongyang Prefecture and find Long Ninger.

He had promised her that he would return.

It's just that the travel expenses on this journey really gave him a headache.

Unless he restored his cultivation.

But to restore his cultivation, the first person he would face was White Fox Jiu.

He didn't believe that fox hadn't put some monitoring method on him.

"Brother Song is right," Jiang Xun raised his head and smiled, "I really should go to this Autumn Examination."

Song Zhiran also smiled.

"Then Brother Jiang must prepare well; the Autumn Examination is not like a wine party, there are many things to test."

Jiang Xun nodded.

"I will."

He had no intention of becoming a top scholar; he just wanted an excuse to leave this place.

Jiang Xun picked up the teacup and drank the last of the tea.

He muttered: "How am I supposed to ask for money!?"