Nian Jiaojiao was unaware of the thoughts of the two people before her, nor did she realize that Cui Tong was referring to her.
After all, she had not interacted with Cui Tong face-to-face.
She said with a smile:
"It's the accent, the accent is hard to change."
Cui Tong seemed to have gained an interest in chatting at this moment.
He continued addressing the two:
"Speaking of Qingzhou, it is truly a place blessed with talented people and outstanding resources."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded in full agreement.
Indeed, indeed.
She also came from Qingzhou.
Therefore, she praised subtly:
"Yes, have you heard of Qinglian Jushi? I heard she also came from Qingzhou. Qingzhou is truly a wonderful place, rich in talent and resources."
The young attendant beside Nian Jiaojiao coughed twice.
Nian Jiaojiao turned her head and saw the other person half-covering his face with his sleeve, trying hard to conceal his smile.
She gently patted the other person's back and asked, "Ziyao, did you catch a chill?"
As she said this, she gave Tong Ziyao a look:
*Little one, you dare to laugh at your wife master?*
Tong Ziyao returned an innocent gaze.
"Wife master, it's nothing. My throat was just a bit uncomfortable a moment ago, but it's fine now."
The Cui brothers were unaware of the interaction between the two.
At this moment, Cui Qingluo also showed some interest.
"Qinglian Jushi is from Qingzhou? I didn't know that before. Where did you get this news?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied calmly:
"Many people from Qingzhou know. After all, her first book appeared in a small town in Qingzhou. I am unfortunate enough to be from that very town."
Cui Tong showed a look of surprise.
Such a young lady, with such an extraordinary demeanor, who could come to Prince Duan's mansion; he had assumed she was from some noble family, but unexpectedly, she was a noble lady from humble beginnings.
Cui Qingluo did not pay attention to these details.
He no longer held any expectations of anything happening with scholars from humble backgrounds.
He was merely curious:
"When I first started reading Qinglian Jushi's books, she had already published several. I wonder which one was her first?"
Nian Jiaojiao naturally replied:
"It was 'Liang Zhu'."
As the four were chatting animatedly, an uninvited guest arrived at the pavilion.
"Jiaojiao Yuan Sheng, you made me search for you."
Looking at Qin Binbin approaching, Nian Jiaojiao felt her entire being turn sour.
This person was more troublesome than the Holy Son from the Black Lotus Cult.
She retracted her smile and politely addressed the newcomer:
"So it's Qin Yuan Sheng."
"Jiaojiao Yuan Sheng, I haven't congratulated you yet on achieving second place in the Imperial Examination."
Qin Binbin had also become smarter by this time, no longer dwelling on the issue of address. Otherwise, their conversation would forever remain superficial.
Nian Jiaojiao politely thanked him:
"Thank you."
Qin Binbin naturally sat on the vacant stone stool to Nian Jiaojiao's left. He looked at Tong Ziyao and asked:
"This must be Jiaojiao Yuan Sheng's husband, right? Truly as beautiful as a flower."
Tong Ziyao, unaware that the person before him was cross-dressing, merely thought he was an ordinary classmate of Nian Jiaojiao. He politely replied:
"Miss, you are too kind."
"However, who are these two..."
Qin Binbin squinted at the two men opposite him.
For some reason, Cui Qingluo disliked this woman the moment he first saw her.
Even though she was not looking at him with the gaze he detested.
Regarding Qin Binbin's question, Nian Jiaojiao naturally would not answer.
She had appeared before the Cui brothers in her true form. The two opposite them had not introduced themselves from the beginning, so how could a stranger know?
Cui Tong seemed to realize this problem. Before Nian Jiaojiao could speak, he took the initiative to introduce himself to Qin Binbin:
"I am Cui Tong, from the Cui family of the Royal City. This is my younger brother, Cui Qingluo."
Cui Qingluo had no desire to acknowledge the other person, but since his elder brother had spoken, he could only reluctantly nod at Qin Binbin.
Qin Binbin said with sudden understanding:
"So you are young masters from distinguished families, no wonder, no wonder. Oh, I wonder what kind of young ladies you two gentlemen prefer?"
His earlier words were normal, but the last sentence seemed very abrupt.
Especially since he was asking this in a woman's guise, it carried a hint of flirtation.
Even Tong Ziyao beside Nian Jiaojiao frowned slightly.
*How could your wife master's classmate be so rash?*
At this moment, the faces of the Cui brothers turned quite unpleasant.
Cui Qingluo, who had disliked Qin Binbin from the start, immediately pointed at Qin Binbin and said:
"You effeminate fellow, what business is it of yours what kind of women we like? We wouldn't fancy someone like you anyway."
Qin Binbin had not expected the man opposite to be such a temperamental, easily provoked person. He was momentarily stunned, watching the other man point at his nose and curse.
Nian Jiaojiao, however, wore an expression of someone watching a good show.
*Cui Qingluo, well done!*
*Scold him!*
*Scold him fiercely!*
*This is how you should be!*
Since Nian Jiaojiao was the only one present who knew Qin Binbin was a man and there was no actual flirtation involved, she was not angry at all. She even offered the sunflower seeds in her hand to Tong Ziyao beside her.
"Ziyao, do you want some?"
Tong Ziyao shook his head disapprovingly.
"Wife master, you should still manage your... classmate. She is a woman after all, why is she arguing with a man?"
Qin Binbin had also recovered by this time and immediately retorted to Cui Qingluo.
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't tell Tong Ziyao the truth, so she could only say:
"Ziyao, although she studies at the same academy as me, I'm actually not familiar with her. I saw earlier that she came with the County Prince from our Qingzhou. I'm afraid I can't persuade such a person.
However, don't worry, if they start fighting later... I will definitely stop them."
Tong Ziyao had no recourse after hearing this and could only watch the two exchange barbs, neither giving way to the other.
Cui Tong became a little anxious and tugged at his brother's sleeve.
"Qingluo, let's just let it go. This is Prince Duan's mansion. If things escalate, it won't be good for Mother."
At this moment, Qin Binbin also calmed down.
*What's going on?*
*Why did he feel such strong anger towards this man named Cui Qingluo?*
And when he noticed Nian Jiaojiao, who was spectating from the side, he no longer intended to argue.
He seized the opportunity to grab Nian Jiaojiao's sleeve and said:
"Jiaojiao Yuan Sheng, this shrew is bullying me~"
It was just that Qin Binbin had forgotten he was cross-dressing at the moment. With his effeminate voice, everyone present except Nian Jiaojiao couldn't help but shiver.
Cui Qingluo touched the goosebumps on his arms and said with great effort to suppress his nausea:
"What bad luck. Turns out he's got..."
After speaking, he left the pavilion with a strangely-faced Cui Tong.
At this moment, Tong Ziyao's alarm bells were ringing loudly.
He knew his wife master was outstanding, but he hadn't expected that besides guarding against men, he also had to guard against women.
Therefore, he pulled Nian Jiaojiao aside and whispered:
"Wife master, I'm tired and want to go back to the mansion."
Nian Jiaojiao immediately replied:
"Alright. I see the banquet is almost over. Then let's return to our seats first."