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

On a large tree beside the official road.

Zhao Lingyun stood on the treetop with his hands behind his back, a smug smile on his lips.

Behind him stood four black-clad servants, all second-rank martial artists with cold expressions and exuding a sharp aura.

"I searched high and low without finding it, but then it came to me effortlessly."

Zhao Lingyun looked at the swiftly moving blue figure in the distance, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

"I was just wondering how to get close to this girl, and she's delivered herself right to my doorstep."

He raised his hand and waved.

"Follow me, but don't let her see you."

The four black-clad servants nodded in unison, then vanished into the woods in a flash.

Zhao Lingyun lightly touched the ground with her toes, and like a large bird, she leaped out, silently following behind Qin Minglan.

His gaze remained fixed on the figure in blue, and the smile on his lips grew wider and wider.

Qin Minglan, I've been thinking about you for so many years, and today I finally have the chance.

Once the deed is done, let's see where you can run then.

Luo Hanyi, you can't protect her.

……

Qin Minglan rode the Snow-Treading Horse southward for about fifteen minutes until she arrived at a secluded valley.

The valley is not large, with dense forests on both sides and a clear stream in the middle, its water gurgling and shimmering in the setting sun.

Qin Minglan reined in the reins, stopped walking in the snow, and lowered his head to drink a mouthful of stream water.

Qin Minglan dismounted, squatted by the stream, scooped up a handful of water with both hands, and washed her face.

The cool stream water splashed on my face, dispelling some of my worries.

She took a deep breath, stood up, and looked at the golden valley under the setting sun, feeling a little better.

"Ta Xue, do you think I'm being too stingy?"

She turned to look at Taxue, a hint of self-mockery in her almond-shaped eyes.

"That old man went to discuss business with my sister-in-law, why should I be angry? It's not like he was with another woman..."

She stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence.

With his sister-in-law?

Why is she angry?

Qin Minglan stood there, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, her mind blank.

she……

Could she be...?

"Impossible! Impossible!"

Qin Minglan quickly shook her head and patted her burning cheeks.

"How could I possibly be interested in that old man..."

She paused, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"...I'm moved."

Ta Xue raised her head, glanced at her, and snorted.

It's as if it's saying: You've fallen for them.

Qin Minglan's face turned even redder. She squatted by the stream, covered her face with her hands, and dared not look into Ta Xue's eyes.

"Ta Xue, don't look at me like that... I really didn't..."

Ta Xue flicked its tail, lowered its head, and continued drinking water.

Qin Minglan squatted by the stream, covering her face, and after a long while, she slowly stood up.

She took a deep breath and patted the dirt off her skirt.

"Forget it, let's not think about it anymore. We should go home."

She turned and walked toward Taxue, preparing to mount her horse.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from the woods.

Qin Minglan frowned and placed his hand on the hilt of the Qing Shuang sword at his waist.

"Who?!"

Before she could finish speaking, four dark figures emerged from the woods and surrounded her.

Four black-clad servants each held a short knife, the blades of which were pitch black and reflected no light whatsoever.

Qin Minglan's pupils contracted slightly as she gripped the sword hilt tightly.

"Who are you people? How dare you lay a hand on me in broad daylight?"

The four black-clad servants remained silent, merely staring coldly at her, their short knives slightly raised.

Alarm bells rang in Qin Minglan's mind, and she was about to draw her sword.

A lewd laugh came from the woods.

"Miss Qin, how have you been?"

Qin Minglan turned her head and saw Zhao Lingyun slowly walking out.

Qin Minglan's face instantly turned cold.

"Zhao Lingyun? Is that you?"

Zhao Lingyun walked up to her, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and smiled gently.

"Miss Qin, it's been a long time. I've missed you dearly."

Qin Minglan sneered.

"Miss you? You're just looking to cause me trouble, aren't you?"

Zhao Lingyun smiled and did not deny it.

"Miss Qin, you misunderstand. How could I possibly want to cause you trouble?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Qin Minglan, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.

"I simply wish to invite Miss Qin to my residence for a chat, a cup of tea, and to catch up."

Qin Minglan gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, her almond-shaped eyes filled with vigilance.

"No need, I'm too busy."

She mounted the horse, spurred it on, and prepared to leave.

The four black-clad servants moved simultaneously, their figures flashing as they blocked her path, short swords held horizontally in front of them.

Qin Minglan pulled on the reins, his face darkening.

"Zhao Lingyun, what do you mean by this?"

Zhao Lingyun smiled, walked slowly to her, and looked up at her.

"Miss Qin, as I said, I would like to invite you to my residence for a visit."

"If you don't go, I'll have to resort to force."

Qin Minglan sneered. Without the slightest hesitation, her spiritual power surged, and she drew her sword. The Azure Frost Sword gleamed coldly in the setting sun.

"Zhao Lingyun, how dare you, the Marquis of Zhennan's mansion!"

"Let me tell you, the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion has now formed an alliance with His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"If you dare lay a hand on me, you will be making an enemy of His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhao Lingyun's smile froze for a moment, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Prince?

When did the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion get in touch with the Crown Prince?

He was secretly surprised, but his face remained expressionless.

"Miss Qin, are you trying to scare me?"

"Whether it's a scare tactic or not, you can try it."

Qin Minglan gripped the Azure Frost Sword tightly, her almond-shaped eyes filled with coldness.

"If I were to lose even a single hair today, His Highness the Crown Prince would make sure your Zhennan Marquis's mansion suffers a terrible fate!"

Zhao Lingyun stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Miss Qin, do you think invoking His Highness the Crown Prince will make me afraid?"

He shook his head, his tone nonchalant.

"This is the middle of nowhere, with no one around. Even if I did something to you, who would know?"

"As for His Highness the Crown Prince..."

He paused, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Once the deed is done, you'll be my woman. Then, will you still complain?"

Qin Minglan's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She finally realized that Zhao Lingyun had come prepared today and was not afraid of her bringing up the Crown Prince at all.

"Zhao Lingyun, you are shameless!"

Qin Minglan roared and made a decisive move!

The Azure Frost Sword was drawn, and a sharp sword aura shot towards Zhao Lingyun's face!

Zhao Lingyun dodged easily by sidestepping.

"Miss Qin, why be angry? I truly love you."

He raised his hand and waved.

"Go, take her down! Remember, don't hurt her face."

The four black-clad servants responded in unison, and with a flash, they pounced on Qin Minglan!

Qin Minglan gripped the Qing Shuang sword tightly, a ruthless glint flashing in her almond-shaped eyes.

Since we can't avoid it, let's fight!

She pushed off the ground with both feet, and her whole body was lifted into the air from the horse's back. The Frost Sword drew a cold light in the air and slashed at the nearest black-clad servant!

"clang!"

Swords clashed, sparks flew.

The black-clad servant was so shocked that he took two steps back, his hand went numb, and he almost dropped the dagger.

Qin Minglan landed, giving her opponent no chance to catch her breath, and thrust out the Azure Frost Sword again, aiming straight for her opponent's throat!

The black-clad servant was shocked and quickly drew his sword to block.

"Clang clang clang!"

Three sword thrusts in quick succession, each as fast as lightning, forcing the black-clad servant to retreat repeatedly, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the other three black-clad servants attacked Qin Minglan from three directions at the same time!