Insufficient balance

  The mother and son stared at each other, then both froze simultaneously.

  "How long have you known each other?" the old lady asked.

  "One day! Uh, no, we don't even know each other, just met yesterday, I only know her name is Ping Gongzi!"

  The old lady was stunned, muttering to herself: "Just look at this young lady's demeanor and facial features, it's not simple! The girl from the other family saw you only once and took the initiative to dress up as a man and come visit us. This...". After all, the old lady is experienced in human affairs and quick-witted. She thought for a moment, stretched out her hand and pushed Xiao Ting, "You quickly go and have a good conversation with her, I'm telling you, this young lady's mother likes you very much, you must have a good conversation with her, don't scare her away!"

  Xiao Ting was shocked, what's going on here? How did they fall in love? Besides, just look at that smiling face, can't be easily intimidated.

  He came out with a scowl on his face, only to see that Ping Gongzi... or perhaps he should call her Miss Ping, was sitting cross-legged on the mat with a smile.

  "Are you a girl disguised as a boy? What are you doing coming to my house?" he asked in a low voice.

  "Hey, your mom has figured out that I'm a girl, hasn't she? Does she especially like me? Is she particularly eager for me to be your daughter-in-law?" She asked with a smile and in a hushed tone.

  Xiao Ting was speechless, and he reached out to touch his own eyebrows. "How did you know where I live? What did you tell my mother?"

  "I didn't say anything, just chatted with the old lady! I know that your respected mother has been bedridden for many years, so I took the trouble to come and chat with her. She smiled slyly, "Actually, I didn't say much, just listened to the old lady constantly praising how good her son is, oh my, it made me blush to death!"

  As she spoke, she deliberately made a shy gesture and looked at Xiao Ting's helpless expression, and couldn't help but chuckle again.

  Once I knew she was actually a girl, looking back immediately felt different. The red and shiny earlobe had obvious signs of earrings, and her eyebrows were like ink, her lips were cherry red, and the flow of her eyes was elegant. The most obvious thing was that there was no Adam's apple! She was indeed a girl!

  I was just foolishly admiring someone's good fortune yesterday, but now I couldn't help but scold myself for being an idiot!

  To be honest, she looks really good when she smiles, and it seems that every move she makes has a natural noble air to it. If she were to wear women's clothes, who knows what kind of stunning beauty she would be!

  "Hey, what are you looking at?" Seeing Xiao Teng staring at her with a silly expression, her face actually showed a rare hint of shyness, but then she immediately put on an air of disdain. "You wouldn't be interested in me too, would you? Don't dream about it! Hurry up and boil some water for me!"

  Xiao Ting reluctantly got up and walked two steps before turning back around, bending down to whisper: "Was it Yang Liu who told you?"

  "Do you think it's hard to find where you live? I thought so, no need to ask others?"

  Xiao Tingyu's words were cut off, and as he walked to the door, he coincidentally saw that iceberg-like guy standing there again, and couldn't help but let out a sigh. At this time, Ping Xiaojie had already followed him out and into the courtyard, her voice slightly louder, "Hey, tell me, how did you become Yang Liu's teacher?"

  "Shh!" Xiao Zimei held up her index finger, then pointed to the inner room. Ping'niang glanced inside and turned back with a smile, deliberately coughing loudly. Xiao Zimei was really at a loss for what to do with this naughty girl, and was also afraid that she would actually speak out loud and anger his mother. He could only lower his voice and say: "Two years ago, at this time, I went to Qujiangchi Lake to paint portraits for people and earn money when she saw me, then asked me to be her teacher!"

  She paused and said in a bad temper: "I'm telling you, Miss Pingda, we don't know each other, what are you doing coming to my house?"

  Na Ping nodded, with a look of sudden understanding, "So it's the legendary love at first sight! No wonder, no wonder!" But she evaded Xiao Zimei's question.

  Xiao Ting sighed, suddenly lowered his head, and after a while, he slowly and calmly said: "We met at Yang Liu's place, I suppose you must be here for her. If you were a man, it would be understandable, but since you're a lady, I really can't figure out what you're doing here. Since you won't say anything, I'll have to see you off. You may leave!"

  Miss Na Ping was taken aback, "Hey, you... how dare you as a student of the county school! Humph, I'll go in and talk to the old lady!"

  She turned to go back into the house, Xiao Ting thought she was going to go in and talk nonsense, seeing this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency in his heart, stretched out his hand and grabbed her hand, the skin where their hands touched was so tender that it slipped right out of his grasp, but he still managed to pull her back, just as he did, the person who had been standing at the door like a cold Bodhisattva with sword in hand suddenly drew their sword, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Ting hadn't even seen what was happening, and the sword tip that had originally been five steps away was already pressed against his throat.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Let go!"

  They both said at the same time.

  The icy and sharp sword tip pressed against his throat, causing Xiao Ting's hair to stand on end in an instant. If he wasn't careful, he would have been freed by Ping Miss. However, at this time, Ping Miss was also startled by the sudden sword flash and hastily said: "Dugu, put away your sword!"

  Dugu retrieved his sword and stood up. In the blink of an eye, he had returned to his original stance at the door, as if nothing had happened earlier.

  Xiao Ting was stunned for a moment, then Miss Ping cautiously approached him with a hint of a flattering smile, "Uh... you're not scared, are you? Who told you to suddenly reach out and grab me? Dugu is responsible for protecting my safety, whoever dares to touch me will be met with her sword, so... this..."

  Xiao Ting helplessly patted his forehead, "What do you want? Where did I offend you? Can't even ask you to leave?"

  Looking at his expression, it seemed like he was really annoyed. Ping Miss quickly said: "Don't be angry, actually I came to ask you to teach me how to paint!"

  "Let me teach you painting?" Xiao Ting was taken aback.

  "Yes," Ping Miss hastily said: "Originally, I heard that Yang Liu's painting skills were known as the first in Chang'an City except for Yan Liben, so I wanted to go find her to learn from her. But yesterday, after I knew you were her teacher, I thought it was better to find the master than the apprentice, so I came to find you!"

  Xiao Zimei was originally a clever person, and at this time, after hearing the words carefully, she suddenly realized that something was wrong.

  Miss Ping was born with a noble air, not to mention that she had a top-notch bodyguard by her side. Moreover, she seemed to have no respect for Yan Liben, the second-grade Minister of Works of the current dynasty, and even called him by his name directly. Thinking back to the helpless look on Ming's face after talking to Yang Liu yesterday, combined with Miss Ping's name, Xiao Ting felt that he had suddenly understood something in a daze, but was still missing a little bit, and couldn't quite recall it.

  He furrowed his brow, "I've never seen anyone come to learn painting with a sword before. A student like you, I don't dare accept!"

  "Student? Who said I want you as a teacher? You're just teaching me to paint, don't think of being my teacher, you're not qualified!"

  Xiao Ting heard this and felt stifled, "Since that's the case, then there's even less need to look for me. Please forgive me for being unable to comply with your request. You may leave now!"

  Miss Ping's eyes widened, "Do you know how many bookworms like you wish they could come to my door? This is a rare opportunity for you to teach me painting. Who knows, if you can satisfy me, I might even recommend you to take the imperial examination directly!"

  Xiao Ting furrowed his brow again, just about to speak, but suddenly froze, a thought flashing through his mind... Ping... too peaceful... Princess?

  He couldn't help but take a cold breath, if it was really her, this person wouldn't be easy to mess with!

  He looked at her with a probing gaze, and Xiao Ting's heart became even more certain of his guess. He hesitated for a moment before saying: "I'm really not proficient enough to teach others, please forgive me, Miss Ping!"

  "Hey, haven't you already guessed who I am? Why aren't you responding?"

  This princess is indeed a bit too clever for her own good! Xiao Ting thought to himself, steeled his heart and decided to keep a safe distance from this dangerous person.

  He slightly bowed and clasped his fists, saying: "It's precisely because I know Your Highness's identity that I dare not agree; please return, Your Highness!"