The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Ann...

Lu Mingzhao felt his blood rushing to his head, and without caring about anything else, he rushed straight out of the bushes and stood in front of the three people.

"...Where is my daughter?"

The three of them were stunned for a moment.

"Why did they arrive so quickly?"

"She's your daughter? Perfect timing! She ruined our family heirloom; you should apologize for her!"

The three men sneered and drew their weapons, completely disregarding the woman before them.

A pampered, even somewhat frail woman was less threatening than the sword in her hand.

However, before they could react, they saw the woman rushing towards them at an unusual speed.

Under the torrential rain, their movements were so fast that they were almost invisible.

The group only felt a flash of sword shadows before their eyes, and then a cool sensation on their necks, as if something was flowing out.

By the time they realized what was happening, the two of them were already clutching their necks and had collapsed to the ground.

The last man had his back firmly pinned down by the woman. He tried to fight back, but as soon as he raised his arm with the dagger, he was crushed to the ground.

The exquisite and expensive jade-soled embroidered shoe stepped on his wrist, grinding it repeatedly until a "crack" sound of bones breaking rang out.

A flash of lightning illuminated the woods.

Lu Mingzhao, expressionless, rested the tip of her sword against the back of the man's neck, looking down at him: "I'll ask one last time."

Where is my daughter?

"I...I don't know! She ran this way just now, and we only saw a piece of cloth!"

Lu Mingzhao paused, then asked, "Do you have any accomplices?"

"It's gone!"

"Did someone instigate you?"

"..."

The man gritted his teeth and closed his eyes: "Kill me."

Lu Mingzhao paused for a moment, then finished off his opponent with a single sword strike.

Someone instructed them to harm An'an.

But these hired bandits wouldn't easily give up their skills, especially since he had already realized that keeping him around would only bring him trouble.

Lu Mingzhao looked around, searching for her daughter, when she heard soldiers behind her shouting with joy, "Found her!"

"Miss Zhou has been found!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Shili and Zhou Shixu pushed aside the branches and appeared not far away.

They stared in disbelief as their mother stood there, holding a blood-dripping sword, with three corpses beside her.

Lu Mingzhao took a deep breath and handed the sword to Zhou Shixu.

"You've all grown up now, and there are some things I shouldn't keep from you anymore."

"But now is not the time to speak."

"I will tell you everything when we get home."

The two brothers exchanged a glance, then looked at the three corpses on the ground.

"And these..."

Lu Mingzhao didn't hesitate: "Just say it was Xu'er who killed him."

She paused, looked at her eldest son, and softened her tone: "Li'er, you already have an official position, and a civil one at that. While killing bandits will benefit you, it will have a smaller impact than promoting your younger brother."

"Don't think your mother is biased."

Zhou Shili smiled helplessly: "Mother, you underestimate me too much."

Lu Mingzhao smiled briefly, then instructed, "Also, there are likely their accomplices in the woods; send people to look for them."

When the bandit answered "no accomplices," he couldn't help but glance to the side twice.

Although the movement was subtle, Lu Mingzhao noticed it.

Zhou Shixu was still in shock, holding the blood-stained sword, his right hand trembling uncontrollably.

His older brother kept reminding him: "Don't shake, hold it firmly, don't let anyone notice anything."

"We are a family, and there must be a reason why Mother did this."

Zhou Shixu had no choice but to grit his teeth and pretend nothing was wrong until the soldiers arrived.

When Lu Mingzhao walked out of the woods, Zhou Ming'an had already been put into the carriage.

Some of Zhou Ming'an's close girlfriends were inside with her at that moment.

Beside the carriage stood Liu Muyuan and Liu Muqiu.

"Greetings, Madam Lu."

The two had met through Liu Muqiu's introduction.

Lu Mingzhao then realized that An'an had encountered Liu Muyuan in the woods.

Liu Muyuan carefully protected An'an as she left the forest.

Thank you.

Liu Muyuan looked to be about the same age as Zhou Shixu, but he was more composed and refined.

Upon hearing the thanks, Liu Muyuan replied gently and respectfully, "Thank you for taking care of my elder sister, Madam Lu. This is nothing."

"Furthermore... Miss Zhou is a kind person, and anyone who encounters her would do their best to protect her."

"Young Master Liu, are you outside?" Zhou Ming'an's timid voice came from inside the carriage.

Liu Muyuan immediately responded, "I'm here, Miss Zhou, there's no need to be afraid. Madam Lu is here too."

Zhou Ming'an whispered, "How can I return your purse to you?"

"Miss Zhou, please keep it for now. You can return it to me whenever you feel at ease."

Liu Muqiu explained to her mother-in-law, "On the way out, Muyuan gave the purse to An'an."

"It contains calming and soothing herbs, which will be beneficial to An'an right now."

"An'an is only fourteen years old. She must be terrified after going through something like this."

As she spoke, Liu Muqiu looked at her mother-in-law again.

Not only was An'an terrified, but Liu Muqiu was also terrified.

But my mother-in-law seemed completely unfazed. She fought her way back and forth through the woods, her expression only slightly more serious and somber, and...

Liu Muqiu's gaze fell upon her mother-in-law's skirt, her eyes widened, and her voice trembled:

"You...you're injured?"

Lu Mingzhao looked down.

That's not her blood.

"I got scratched by a tree branch, it's nothing." Lu Mingzhao made up an excuse casually.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a gasp of surprise came from behind him.

"Master Zhou killed three bandits all by himself?!"

"Is this the sword you're using? Let me see it!"

"Master Zhou, when did you become so amazing?"

Zhou Shixu walked out of the woods carrying his blood-stained sword, followed by soldiers carrying three corpses.

The young men at the banquet immediately surrounded Zhou Shixu, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Zhou Shixu's smile was somewhat stiff: "Yes, yes."

Fortunately, Zhou Shili came to the rescue in time: "This is Xu'er's first time taking action, she needs to calm down. Please disperse, everyone."

Lu Mingzhao withdrew his gaze: "Let's go back to the manor first."

.

It was pitch black when Zhou Ming'an changed his clothes and ate before finally resting.

Her family was worried about her health, so they didn't let her go to the main hospital tonight.

Her mother also told her to rest well and not to be afraid of anything.

But Zhou Ming'an lay on the couch, unable to fall asleep no matter what.

What happened today was no accident.

But she had suddenly experienced too much, and her mind was in a mess, making it difficult for her to think clearly for a while.

First, someone wanted to harm her; second, her second brother had actually learned martial arts and even killed those three villains.

And then there's... Young Master Liu, who covered her escape all the way.

She was holding Liu Muyuan's purse in her hand.

The sachet emitted a faint herbal scent, not as pleasant as a specially made sachet, but it was exceptionally reassuring.

Lu Mingzhao suddenly opened his eyes.

Oh, and sachets!

The sachet she wore today was originally lightly scented.

The sachet in the woods was a gift from a young lady at the banquet; it smelled wonderful, but was very strong.

The other party was very enthusiastic and insisted that she wear it on the spot.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Zhou Ming'an had no choice but to wear it on his waist.

But when she came out of the woods, she couldn't find the young lady anywhere.

When the girls traveling with me discussed it, they realized that none of them knew that person.

Zhou Ming'an couldn't help but frown.

She couldn't understand who wanted to harm her. She had always been kind to others, so how could she have offended someone?

"Why aren't you asleep yet, young lady?" Cuilan entered carrying a teapot, gently placing it beside the bed. She then asked, "You were frightened today, and even after drinking the calming soup, you still can't sleep. Why don't I keep you company and talk to you for a while?"

Zhou Ming'an gave a soft "hmm".

Cuilan got up and opened the wardrobe, rummaging through it while asking with a light laugh, "What color clothes are you planning to wear tomorrow, Miss?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ming'an's pupils contracted, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.