Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

"My real name is Rouge. I have known Li Xiuyuan since childhood. As we grew older, we stopped seeing each other due to the difference between men and women."

"Later, the Li family asked a matchmaker to propose marriage, and the two families agreed to the marriage."

"On my wedding night, I was sitting in the bridal chamber when the Li family and the matchmaker came in to humiliate and curse me, saying I was a jinx and a curse on my husband. That's when I found out that Li Xiuyuan had become a monk."

"Everyone is blaming me, but I really don't know anything."

"The Li family doesn't want me, and I can't go back to my family home. The world is so big, there's nowhere for me to go. I have no choice but to die."

Her rouge-painted eyelashes drooped down, her eyes were red, and her voice was weak, filled with grievances.

Wang Xuan adopted a listening expression, the smile on his lips gradually fading, and a hint of pity appeared in his eyes.

Although he already knew the whole story, seeing her tearful face still made him feel heartache.

"Peach blossoms adorn the mountaintops, while spring waters of Zhejiang lap against the mountains."

"The flowers fade easily, just like my lover's heart; the flowing water is endless, just like my sorrow."

Rouge looked up in a daze, her eyes glistening with tears: "Why...did you compose these lines, young master?"

"I spoke these words because I saw your current state of mind," Wang Xuan sighed softly, and continued, "Don't punish yourself for other people's mistakes. They've clearly wronged you, so why risk your life to pay for their heartlessness? Do you want to seek justice for yourself?"

Her lips trembled slightly, a mix of emotions welling up within her, yet she hesitated, unable to speak: "But there's nothing I can do..."

Wang Xuan slowly stood up, extended his large hand towards Yan Zhi, his smile gentle and his gaze open: "I'll help you."

He didn't intend to matchmake Rouge and Ji Gong, nor could he. He just wanted to use this incident to increase Rouge's favorability.

In this world, demons roam freely, and only by obtaining the system's rewards can he better survive.

Therefore, he must light up the rouge before him!

A faint blush quietly rose on Rouge's pale cheeks. She reached out and placed her hand in his palm, using the support to stand up.

Wang Xuan said, "No matter what, Li Xiuyuan shouldn't have left without saying goodbye, leaving you alone to bear the scorn of everyone. I will stand up for you in this matter."

Rouge was filled with confusion and quickly asked, "Why?"

"My name is Wang Xuan, and I am the newly appointed magistrate of Qiantang County. I should help you resolve your difficulties."

Old Liu, who was behind her, then leaned over and said with a hint of pride, "Young lady, you don't know this, but my master is not only a county magistrate, but also the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination. Even high-ranking officials in the court are vying to take him as their son-in-law."

Wang Xuan solemnly instructed, "After you return, take men to search for nearby temples and monasteries to inquire about Li Xiuyuan's whereabouts. Report back immediately if you have any news."

"Yes, sir!"

Rouge was filled with gratitude: "Thank you so much, Your Honor!"

"No need for formalities," Wang Xuan said gently. "You can come with me to the county government office for the time being, so I can inform you as soon as I find out where Li Xiuyuan is."

Rouge felt more and more that Wang Xuan was so understanding, knowing that she had nowhere to go, yet still using such a tactful and considerate way to take her in.

She frowned slightly, looking hesitant: "But...won't this damage your reputation, sir? They all say I'm an unlucky person."

Wang Xuan smiled gently: "The innocent will remain innocent."

……

Upon assuming office, the newly appointed official was greeted by a flurry of visitors from prominent families, humble households, merchants, and wealthy landowners in Qiantang County, who brought gifts to his door.

Wang Xuan accepted it calmly.

After all, in officialdom, the key is to blend in with the crowd.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the study.

Wang Xuan sat upright at his desk, reviewing case files and documents.

Rouge walked lightly into the study, carrying a cup of hot tea in both hands.

"Sir, would you like a cup of tea?"

These past few days, she has been staying at the county government office. Having nothing to repay him with, she has been doing odd jobs and acting as Wang Xuan's maid.

"It's Rouge. There's still no news about Li Xiuyuan. Please wait patiently for a few more days."

Rouge gently shook her head, her eyes serene: "No, I'm not in a hurry."

That day on the cliff, what truly made her happy wasn't that Wang Xuan was going to help her find Li Xiuyuan, but that Wang Xuan was willing to help her.

Looking back now, it was just fine to stay by Wang Xuan's side.

Even if we find Li Xiuyuan, what then?

There is no going back.

At most, I would curse him a few times to vent my anger.

The infamy and criticism she endured were real.

Just then, Old Liu strode into the study, his face beaming with joy: "Sir, I've found out! Li Xiuyuan's current Buddhist name is Daoji, and he's practicing at Lingyin Temple."

Rouge hadn't expected to find Li Xiuyuan's whereabouts so quickly, and her first reaction was resistance.

"Go to Lingyin Temple again and tell him to come see me tomorrow. If he doesn't arrive before 9:00 AM, then take people to seal off the entire Lingyin Temple."

Old Liu grinned and joked, "Sir, you really are willing to risk everything for a woman!"

Without waiting for Wang Xuan's response, he turned and quickly left.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, her eyes filled with shyness, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Wang Xuan coughed lightly, as if by instinct: "As the saying goes, it's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage. It wouldn't be a shame to tear down Lingyin Temple."

Looking at Wang Xuan's slightly embarrassed appearance, Rouge felt a glimmer of hope rising in her heart, but then she thought of their different identities, and the joy that had arisen vanished in an instant, leaving only loneliness and melancholy.

"Rouge understands."

After speaking, she bowed and slowly turned to leave the study.

Wang Xuan watched her slender figure disappear into the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The following morning.

Old Liu came to report: "Sir, Li Xiuyuan has arrived and is outside the mansion."

Upon hearing this, Rouge stood up, her slender hands clenched into fists.

She now harbors nothing but resentment towards Li Xiuyuan.

If she wanted to become a nun, why didn't she do it sooner? Why did she have to choose her wedding night, making her bear all the infamy?

"Rouge, don't worry." Wang Xuan comforted the woman beside him, then turned to Lao Liu and instructed, "Go tell him that I'm handling official business and ask him to wait outside."

Old Liu walked to the outside of the county government office and looked at Daoji, who was dressed in tattered clothes and looked rather disheveled: "My master is handling official business. You will have to wait here."

Daoji shook his head and asked nonchalantly, "Then how long am I supposed to wait, monk? Do you know how many people in this world are waiting for me to enlighten them?"

Old Liu didn't have a good impression of this monk either, and casually left with the comment, "Anyway, I'll definitely see you today."

Daoji thought to himself: "They specifically called me over by name, but then they didn't see me. What a display of official power!"

Thinking of this, he simply left his body and quietly slipped into the county government office.

His spirit floated to the window of the study and immediately saw a man and a woman sitting opposite each other inside.

Between the two was a chessboard.

"Rouge, if I hadn't been there that day, you would have jumped off the cliff and committed suicide long ago. He abandoned you back then, and today we'll let him taste the bitterness of waiting."

Upon hearing this, Rouge felt a little relieved and smiled sweetly: "Okay."

Daoji, who was looking out the window, then realized that the woman was actually his betrothed, Rouge.

When he heard that Rouge had almost jumped off a cliff to commit suicide, a wave of guilt washed over him, and his original intention to tease her vanished completely.

He felt ashamed to watch any longer, so his spirit returned to his body and he waited quietly outside the county government office.