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

I don't know how much time passed.

Wang Long felt a tickle on his face, as if a soft, white hand was gently stroking his cheek.

He groggily opened his eyes a crack and saw a delicate little face.

Ye Niannu sat on the edge of the bed, her long, black hair cascading down her shoulders.

She wore a long, moon-white dress that shimmered faintly in the dim candlelight.

She looked down at Wang Long but didn't notice that he was awake.

Her eyes were filled with heartache.

Her slender fingers gently stroked Wang Long's cheek, the movement very light and slow.

"Honey……"

Ye Niannu's voice was very soft and gentle.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

Her fingertips lingered on Wang Long's face, gently caressing it.

"You've suffered alone for over sixty years..."

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice was choked with emotion.

"I knew you would come, I knew where you were, but I still couldn't find you."

Ye Niannu's tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto Wang Long's face, warm and wet.

Wang Long's eyelashes trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

His cloudy old eyes reflected Ye Niannu's tearful face.

He reached his hand out from under the covers and gently took her hand that was resting on his face.

His rough palm pressed against her delicate hand, warm and strong.

"Niannu."

Wang Long's voice was a little hoarse, still groggy from just waking up.

Why are you crying?

Ye Niannu was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly wiped her tears with her sleeve.

"I didn't cry, I didn't cry."

Wang Long smiled, sat up from the bed, and gently pulled her into his arms.

Ye Niannu did not struggle. She leaned against his chest, buried her face in his shoulder, and her body trembled slightly.

"Niannu, it's not your fault."

Wang Long held her close, resting his chin on her head, his voice deep and gentle.

"This is all my fate. Since you say I am your destined one..."

"The fact that we haven't encountered it before simply means the time wasn't right."

He paused, a smile playing on his lips.

"Now that we've met, haven't we?"

Ye Niannu nodded slightly, her hands tightly wrapped around Wang Long's waist.

She finally found it, and she didn't want to lose it again.

Wang Long held her close, and the two of them remained embracing without saying a word.

Outside the window, a gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.

After a long while, Ye Niannu finally lifted her head from his embrace.

"Honey, are you hungry?"

Wang Long rubbed his stomach; he was indeed a little hungry.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door.

Ye Niannu got up and looked over.

Qin Minglan strode in, plopped down on the edge of the bed, and looked at Wang Long with a big smile.

"Old man, you're awake?"

Ye Niannu sat to the side, watching the two interact with a smile.

"Just woke up, Miss, you've had a good night's sleep too?"

Wang Long nodded at Qin Minglan.

"Yes, I came to find you as soon as possible!"

Qin Minglan threw herself into Wang Long's arms, burying her face in his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist.

When they were alone together, she was always proud and unwilling to take the initiative.

But that won't work now; there are too many competitors.

If she doesn't take the initiative soon, she'll be outshone by Ye Niannu and Murong Qing.

Wang Long was a little embarrassed by Qin Minglan's sudden enthusiasm.

"Young Miss, what's wrong with you...?"

"Old man, are you looking down on me?"

Qin Minglan looked at Wang Long with his hands outstretched, somewhat at a loss, and very angry.

"no."

Wang Long smiled wryly.

"Then hurry up and hug me!"

Although Ye Niannu was watching from the side, Qin Minglan no longer cared about saving face.

She understood her own feelings; since she liked Wang Long, she was going to fight for him!

Upon hearing this, Wang Long immediately put his arm around Luo Hanyi.

Ye Niannu smiled and echoed her sentiments.

"You two have such a great relationship!"

"Of course!"

Qin Minglan looked a little smug.

"We slept together!"

Wang Long was speechless; this joke was going to stick.

Ye Niannu smiled and patted Qin Minglan's head affectionately.

"This girl is so cute, but what's there to brag about?"

"I'll be sleeping with my darling sooner or later anyway."

Wang Long blushed. Are all beautiful women these days so outspoken?

Their combat power is just too formidable; it's not good to keep talking about it all the time, is it?

Qin Minglan no longer bares her teeth at Ye Niannu; she understands the meaning behind it all.

It would be more practical to stick close to Wang Long.

Without thinking, she kissed Wang Long.

Seeing this, Ye Niannu's competitive spirit also arose, and the two of them hugged Wang Long tightly on either side.

Each person took a bite, and they started a turn-based PvP battle.

Wang Long's face was soon marked with a lip print that said "I can't accept defeat."

He just felt that he was a bit too angry and needed to vent.

The three were laughing and joking when Chunlan's voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Master Wang, the First Madam requests your presence in the main hall, saying she has important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Wang Long quickly got up from the bed and straightened his clothes.

He smiled at Ye Niannu and Qin Minglan.

"I'll go take a look."

Qin Minglan was taken aback and muttered to herself.

"What could your sister-in-law possibly want with that old man?"

Could it be that...?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and she had a guess.

"Is my sister-in-law also starting to compete for favor?"

She turned her head to look at Ye Niannu and asked curiously.

"My lord, what do you think my sister-in-law wants by finding that old man?"

Ye Niannu tilted her head, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"Madam Luo is looking for him, so it must be something important."

Qin Minglan pursed her lips, feeling that these words were as good as nothing.

Ye Niannu smiled and walked to the window, standing with her hands behind her back.

"Your sister-in-law has single-handedly supported the Marquis's mansion for so many years; it's time someone took care of her."

Qin Minglan instantly became excited

Luo Hanyi has suffered so much these past years; she has witnessed it firsthand.

She also hoped that Luo Hanyi would find a good home.

Qin Minglan sighed silently and forced a smile.

"My lord, let's go."

Ye Niannu turned around and looked at Qin Minglan with some confusion.

"Walk?"

Is this little girl going to eavesdrop?

You have this hobby too?

"It's definitely not appropriate for us to go and talk to that old man!"

Qin Minglan was furious when she saw Ye Niannu's expression. Was she that kind of person?

"Could you please give me some guidance on my cultivation?"

Ye Niannu smiled and reached out to rub her head.

"You've grown up."

Qin Minglan pushed her hand away and glared at her irritably.

"I've always been big!"

"Yes, yes, you're the boss."

Ye Niannu smiled, took Qin Minglan's hand, and walked out of the courtyard.

"Come on, I'll teach you a sword technique."

"What sword technique?"

"The beginner sword technique of the Primordial Holy Palace, although it is only the beginner level, is much better than the messy stuff you learned from Wang Long."

Qin Minglan's face darkened.

"What do you mean by 'a mess'? That old man's sword technique is very powerful!"

"He's impressive, but that's his, not yours."

Ye Niannu stopped, turned around, looked at Qin Minglan, and said seriously.

"In the path of swordsmanship, everyone's path is different."

"Your master's swordsmanship is a sword of slaughter, a sword of destruction, a sword that brings life from the brink of death."

"But you cannot follow in his footsteps."

"You have an impatient nature and can't keep things to yourself. Your sword can't hide its sharpness either. If you try to learn his sword techniques, you'll only hurt yourself."

Qin Minglan thought Ye Niannu was right.

After all, Ye Niannu is the strongest person in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, without exception!