The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

Luo Hanyi took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions, her expression remaining calm and composed.

After the emperor finished bestowing the honors, he sat down again and his gaze swept across the entire room.

"The competition has now come to an end. You have all worked hard. You may all leave."

"Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off—"

The nobles all bowed in greeting.

As the emperor spoke, he stood up, stepped onto the air, and walked step by step back to the central palace, his figure disappearing into the depths of the palace.

On the square, the nobles began to leave in an orderly manner.

The eunuchs' high-pitched voices rose and fell as carriages from various families entered the square one after another, picked up their respective masters, and marched in a grand procession toward the palace gates.

Luo Hanyi stood up, straightened her skirt, and turned to look at Wang Long.

"Let's go back to the manor."

Wang Long nodded, stood up by supporting himself on the armrest of the chair. He was still a little shaky, but much better than before.

The effects of the Grade Four Healing Pill are taking hold; the pain in the wound has lessened considerably, and the broken bones are beginning to heal.

Qin Minglan quickly reached out and supported his arm.

"Old man, slow down, don't push yourself."

Wang Long smiled and whispered in Qin Minglan's ear.

"Young lady, don't forget our promise~"

Qin Minglan's face instantly turned red. She gently pinched Wang Long's waist, making him wince in pain and gasp for breath.

Qin Minglan rolled her eyes at Wang Long and said coquettishly.

"You're injured like this, and you're still thinking about that kind of thing!"

"Hehe~ This old servant was just afraid that the young lady, being so important, might forget things~"

Wang Long quickly put on a smiling face.

"I intend to keep my word!"

Qin Minglan leaned close to Wang Long's ear and whispered.

"Once we arrive at the Marquis's residence, I...I am at your mercy!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Long's eyes lit up instantly. He swore that he was not lusting after Qin Minglan's body.

It's a reward from the craving system!

Only by acquiring these genuine items can Wang Long become stronger more quickly.

Protect Luo Hanyi and Qin Minglan.

Luo Hanyi didn't hear their conversation. Although she won and received many rewards, she was still preoccupied.

Now that the Marquis's mansion has been thrust into the spotlight, many forces have set their sights on it.

The good news is that no one dares to make a move openly anymore.

Luo Hanyi wanted to go back and continue cultivating with Wang Long so that she could break through to the seventh rank as soon as possible!

The three had only taken a few steps when a figure blocked their way.

It was Zhao Pojun!

He stood at the bottom of the steps, his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes were frighteningly cold.

"Hanyi, congratulations!"

His voice sounded nonchalant, yet carried an undeniable chill.

"With so many rewards received, the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion should be able to hold out for a few more years."

Luo Hanyi stopped and looked at him calmly.

"Thanks to the Marquis of Zhennan, I am still able to hold on."

Zhao Pojun smiled, shifted his gaze from Luo Hanyi to Wang Long, and looked him up and down.

"Wang Long, right?"

"What a fine lackey!"

His voice was soft, filled with disdain for Wang Long and undisguised killing intent.

Wang Long bowed slightly and smiled.

"This old servant is but a lowly stable boy; Marquis Zhennan is too kind. It is all thanks to the First Madam's guidance!"

Luo Hanyi's spiritual power permeated her entire body as she coldly stared at Zhao Pojun.

"Lord Zhennan, are you planning to attack the servants in my household?"

"Haha, Hanyi, you've misunderstood. I've come specifically to congratulate you!"

Zhao Pojun smiled, turned around, and strode away.

After taking a few steps, he sent a telepathic message to Luo Hanyi, making no attempt to conceal his ambition.

"Hanyi, this isn't over."

"The Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion is merely prolonging its existence for a while longer."

"You will be mine sooner or later!"

Luo Hanyi watched his retreating figure, her expression remaining calm, but her fingers tightened slightly.

As Wang Long watched Zhao Pojun's figure disappear, the smile on his face vanished instantly, and he silently made a mental note of the guy.

"So you're the Marquis of Zhennan? How dare you covet my woman! Sooner or later, I'll make you kneel before my wife and beg for forgiveness!"

The three walked to the sedan chair, and Luo Hanyi lifted the curtain and climbed in first.

Qin Minglan helped Wang Long up and was about to walk to the back of the sedan chair, intending to ride back with Wang Long on the snow-covered horse.

Luo Hanyi's voice came from inside the sedan chair.

"Wang Long, get in the sedan chair!"

Wang Long was taken aback; the First Madam was treating him better and better.

Qin Minglan was also stunned, knowing that Wang Long's injuries had not fully healed.

Riding a horse is too bumpy; getting into a sedan chair is the best option.

She kindly helped Wang Long to the sedan chair, lifted the curtain, and helped him inside, giving him thoughtful instructions.

"Old man, slow down."

"Thank you, Miss!"

Wang Long felt a warmth in his heart and grew to like Qin Minglan even more.

Qin Minglan lowered the sedan curtain, turned around, and mounted Ta Xue.

The sedan chair slowly started moving, heading towards the palace gate along the bluestone path.

Inside the sedan chair.

Luo Hanyi leaned against the soft cushion on the left, wearing a long crimson dress, her hair tied up in a high bun, her face cold and aloof.

Wang Long sat on the cushion on the right, bowing slightly in a humble manner.

There was a small table between the two of them.

The sedan chair swayed and wobbled, its wheels making a dull thud as they rolled over the stone pavement.

silence.

Luo Hanyi remained silent, and Wang Long dared not speak either.

After a while, Luo Hanyi suddenly reached out and gently stroked Wang Long's face.

It feels slightly cool to the touch and has a delicate texture.

Wang Long froze, his cloudy old eyes filled with disbelief.

Luo Hanyi's fingers slid from his cheekbone to his chin, and then from his chin back to his cheekbone, the movements very light and slow, as if she were caressing a precious piece of porcelain.

Her gaze fell on the whip mark on his face that ran diagonally from his left forehead to his jaw, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

This welt was inflicted by her.

That lash tore open the skin and tore the flesh.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Luo Hanyi spoke, her voice clear and cold, yet carrying a tenderness she had never shown before.

Wang Long was completely dumbfounded, thinking he was hallucinating.

He stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the aloof and ethereal face before him, at those eyes that were usually as cold as knives but now softened.

This woman...

This woman, who changes her temper faster than turning the pages of a book and whips him at the drop of a hat...

She's actually concerned about him?

Why are you speaking to him in such a gentle tone?

Wang Long opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat tight and he couldn't utter a single word.

Luo Hanyi's fingers stopped on his face, and she met his gaze.

"You've done a great job. I'm very satisfied."

Her voice remained cool and aloof, but hidden in her beautiful eyes was a trace of heartache that even she herself was unaware of.

Looking at her, Wang Long felt a surge of inexplicable warmth in his heart.

"Madam..."

"Don't speak."

Luo Hanyi interrupted him, withdrew her fingers from his face, leaned back on the cushion, and closed her eyes.

"Rest for a while, there are still things to take care of when we get back home."

Wang Long nodded and closed his eyes as well.

The sedan chair swayed gently, its wheels making rhythmic sounds as they rolled over the stone pavement.

Neither of them spoke, and the sedan chair fell silent, with only the sound of their breathing audible.

After an unknown amount of time, the sedan chair suddenly lurched violently.

The wheels ran over a protruding rock, causing the entire sedan chair to lurch violently.

Luo Hanyi was resting with her eyes closed when she lost her balance and fell to the side.

Wang Long reacted quickly, reaching out and catching her steadily.

Luo Hanyi threw herself into his arms, her hands braced against his chest, her long black hair falling down and covering half of her face.

Eyes facing each other.

Close at hand.

Wang Long could smell her faint fragrance and see her eyelashes tremble slightly.

Luo Hanyi was stunned for a moment, then tried to prop herself up.

"Let go."

Her voice returned to its cool tone, but her ears had quietly turned red.

Wang Long did not let go.

Instead, he tightened his arms around her waist, his palms pressed against her side, and through the thin fabric, he could feel the softness and warmth of her waist.

"Madam."

His voice was very low, so low that only two people could hear it.

"May I?"