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

Zhao Pojun nodded.

"If Your Majesty wishes to focus all your efforts on achieving the Grandmaster level, then the affairs of state must be handed over to the Crown Prince."

"The Second Prince and the Third Prince are always causing trouble; that will be our opportunity!"

Everyone's eyes lit up instantly.

"Brother Zhao's insight is brilliant."

They've already taken sides, but haven't invested much. Now it's time to increase their bets!

Let the princes fight even more fiercely; it would be even better if they all died!

Some people have concerns.

"But what if the Crown Prince wins..."

"The Crown Prince cannot win."

Zhao Pojun interrupted him, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Although the Crown Prince has His Majesty's support, his foundation is too shallow, and he doesn't have many supporters in the court."

"The Second Prince has the support of the Duke of Zhenguo, and the Third Prince has the support of the Wenyuan Pavilion. What can the Crown Prince use to fight them?"

"not to mention……"

His voice was lowered.

"What if the crown prince dies?"

Everyone present was astonished.

The teacup in Zhang Shigui's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," shattering into pieces.

"Lord Zhao, what...what did you say?"

Zhao Pojun smiled, picked up his teacup, and gently blew away the foam.

"I didn't say anything."

"I was just using an analogy. After all, there aren't many crown princes in history who can successfully ascend the throne."

He put down his teacup and glanced at everyone.

"You are all intelligent people, and there are some things that I don't need to explain too clearly."

Li Chongwen remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Brother Zhao, assassinating the Crown Prince is no small matter."

"If this is exposed, it's a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family."

Zhao Pojun looked at him calmly.

"Brother Li, do you think that what we're doing now, if exposed, won't result in the extermination of our entire family?"

Li Chongwen paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

"Brother Zhao is right, we had no choice!"

Zhao Pojun stood up and stood with his hands behind his back.

"Besides, we're just adding fuel to the fire; don't get involved yourself unless absolutely necessary!"

"Just watch the two princes fight the crown prince to the death!"

The Marquis of Zhenbei's residence.

Luo Hanyi's courtyard.

Wang Long walked to the door and gently knocked.

"Madam, this old servant has arrived."

"Come in."

Luo Hanyi's voice came from inside the room, as cool as ever, but with a hint of expectation.

Wang Long pushed open the door and entered.

Luo Hanyi leaned against the soft couch, wearing a moon-white nightgown, her black hair loose, but unusually, it wasn't tied up.

She leaned lazily against the cushion, holding a book in her hands, but not reading it. Her gaze was fixed on the void, as if she were lost in thought.

Wang Long stood at the door, looking at her like this, and was stunned for a moment.

Luo Hanyi's usual image is always dignified, noble, aloof and self-possessed.

Now she looks somewhat... frail.

Wang Long's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he quickly lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully.

"This old servant greets the First Madam."

Luo Hanyi snapped out of her daze, casually put the book in her hand aside, and glanced at him.

"Sit down. You are no longer a slave of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion. You no longer need to call yourself an old slave."

Wang Long nodded.

"I understand."

Luo Hanyi nodded slightly.

"You are now at the peak of the third rank."

Her voice was cool and clear, yet carried a hint of satisfaction.

"Your progress is so fast that it has exceeded my comprehension."

Wang Long grinned.

"You flatter me, Madam."

Luo Hanyi didn't reply. She sat up from the soft couch, walked to the window, and stood with her hands behind her back.

The moonlight shone on her, and her moon-white nightgown gleamed faintly in the night, outlining her slender and exquisite curves.

"The entire capital is now rife with undercurrents, and powerful noble families are full of ambition."

Luo Hanyi murmured.

"If we want to gain a firm foothold in the capital, our strength is not enough."

"We must become strong enough before the storm comes."

She walked up to Wang Long, looked down at him, and smiled but her eyes didn't reach them.

"We all need to break through to a higher realm as soon as possible!"

Wang Long nodded, his expression solemn.

"The First Madam is right."

Luo Hanyi stared at him for two seconds and said in a deep voice.

"so……"

She reached out and gently untied the tie at the collar of her dress.

"From today onwards, you will come to my place morning, noon, and night..."

Wang Long was stunned for a moment.

Morning, noon, and evening?

Three times a day?

My old back!

"Madam, this..."

"What's wrong?"

Luo Hanyi raised an eyebrow, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"That's an order!"

Wang Long took a deep breath and nodded.

"Very well, I will listen to the First Madam."

A slight smile curved Luo Hanyi's lips.

"You're smart to know what's good for you."

She turned and walked back to the soft couch, leaned against it, propped her forehead with one hand, and beckoned to Wang Long with the other.

"What are you still standing there for?"

"come over."

Wang Long swallowed hard and walked over.

He had just walked to the edge of the soft couch when Luo Hanyi reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling him to her side.

......

One hour later.

Wang Long, supporting his back, walked out of Luo Hanyi's courtyard.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone path.

He walked very slowly, step by step.

"This woman is really going to be the death of me."

Wang Long muttered something, then continued walking forward, supporting his back.

Just as he turned the corner of the moon gate, a pale yellow figure leaped out of the shadows, hands on hips, almond-shaped eyes wide open, staring intently at him.

"Old man!"

Qin Minglan's voice was both urgent and angry.

"You went to your sister-in-law's again?"

Wang Long was startled and instinctively took a half step back.

"Miss... what are you doing here?"

"Why can't I be here?"

Qin Minglan grabbed his collar and pulled him in front of her.

"I'm asking you, what did you and your sister-in-law do inside for so long?"

Her voice carried a distinct sourness, and her almond-shaped eyes were full of inquiry.

Wang Long opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know what to say.

When Qin Minglan saw him like this, her eyes reddened and her nose tingled.

"Old man, did you...did you...did you...do that with your sister-in-law too?"

Her voice was choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Wang Long quickly reached out and wiped the corner of her eye.

"Young lady, please don't cry, I..."

"Who's crying?!"

Qin Minglan slapped his hand away, turned her head away, and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"I didn't cry!"

"The sand got into my eyes!"

Wang Long found her stubborn expression somewhat endearing.

This girl is clearly jealous, but she's just being stubborn.

He reached out, gently put his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.

Qin Minglan struggled a couple of times but couldn't break free, so she simply gave up, buried her face in his chest, and said in a muffled voice.

"You old bastard, tell me honestly, what exactly is your relationship with your sister-in-law?"

Wang Long remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"The First Madam... needs me."

"Do you need me?"

Qin Minglan raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with confusion.

"What does your sister-in-law need from you?"

Wang Long carefully chose his words, no longer hiding anything, since Qin Minglan had already guessed most of it.

He told Qin Minglan in detail how he could help her cultivate.

Upon hearing this, Qin Minglan's face flushed red and then turned pale, it was hard to tell whether she was embarrassed or angry.

"So... every time your sister-in-law asks you to go, it's because..."

She bit her lip, not finishing her sentence.

Wang Long nodded.

Qin Minglan remained silent for a long time.

She recalled the torment Luo Hanyi had suffered from the backlash of her cultivation technique over the years, and the way her face turned pale and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth during each attack.

I remember how she single-handedly supported the Marquis's mansion for ten whole years.

Qin Minglan's eyes reddened again, not with jealousy, but with heartache.

"My sister-in-law...she's been through so much."

She leaned into Wang Long's arms and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Old man, you...you mustn't let your sister-in-law down."

"You are not allowed to let me down!"