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

"Ouch!"

Qin Jiaojiao covered her forehead with both hands, looking at Wang Long with a resentful expression.

"Dad, I'm only doing this for your own good. Sigh, what have I done wrong?"

"Is it because you lack self-confidence?"

As Qin Jiaojiao spoke, she moved closer to Wang Long, nudged him with her elbow, and teased him.

"Father, although my master is difficult to win over, from what I've observed, she's already captivated by your literary talent. As long as you have the will..."

Wang Long sighed and rubbed his forehead, wondering why his daughter was so fond of playing matchmaker.

He carried Qin Jiaojiao and put her in front of the door, urging her on.

"Dad knows, go to sleep now, I'll think about it!"

"Hehe, that's good!"

Qin Jiaojiao nodded with satisfaction. She was still young and didn't have many complicated thoughts.

All she wants is for her most important family members to be able to live happily together!

Wang Long was the only one left in the courtyard.

He will try to win over Xu Wanyun, but he won't harass her.

Everything is fine.

The next morning.

As usual, Wang Long got up early to start a fire and cook.

Qin Jiaojiao was still asleep, and Xu Wanyun's door was closed.

He was squatting in front of the stove adding firewood when the door suddenly creaked open.

Xu Wanyun came out of the house.

She had faint dark circles under her eyes, clearly indicating she hadn't slept well last night.

Good morning, Uncle Long.

Her voice was a little hoarse, with the grogginess of just waking up, and a hint of shyness that was hard to describe.

Good morning, Wanyun.

Wang Long smiled and nodded, without saying anything more.

Xu Wanyun walked to the stove, squatted down, and added firewood with him.

She had gotten used to this life of cooking together as a couple.

It has a very down-to-earth feel.

The ordinariness captivated her.

Seeing that Wang Long was busy and didn't seem inclined to speak first.

Xu Wanyun looked at him and asked softly.

"Uncle Long, what are the plans for today?"

Wang Long already had a plan; he couldn't stay at Wenxin Academy forever waiting for the Warring States Period to begin.

"I would like to visit Tianque City and learn about the various news regarding this Warring States Period."

"Staying at the academy all the time has kept us out of touch with the world."

For example, what kind of opponents do they have, and what forces are behind them?

As the saying goes, if you know yourself and your enemy, you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles.

Xu Wanyun nodded slightly; she had also been preparing for this battle for supremacy among the myriad dynasties.

The preparations were already almost complete, and then Wang Long gave them the Sage's Jade Slip.

She was absolutely confident that she would advance to the Grandmaster level in this competition.

"We're off today, let's go together."

Xu Wanyun doesn't usually like going out shopping; she prefers staying home to read and cultivate herself.

Hearing that Wang Long had gone out, she instinctively wanted to go with him.

Wang Long nodded.

"Okay, let's go together after breakfast."

As the two were talking, Qin Jiaojiao's room window was suddenly pushed open with a "bang".

She leaned against the windowsill with her hair disheveled, shouting excitedly.

"Dad! Count me in!"

"No problem, let's go together!"

Wang Long immediately agreed, since it would be more fun with more people.

"Go wash up and change your clothes."

"Okay!"

Qin Jiaojiao shrank back, and a crackling sound came from inside the room.

A moment later, it skipped and hopped out of the house.

"Dad! I'm all better!"

Wang Long looked her up and down and reached out to straighten her collar.

The three of them had breakfast.

They walked out of the academy side by side.

As instructors at the academy, Xu Wanyun and Wang Long each had their own private car.

The three of them rode together in a carriage.

Qin Jiaojiao sat in the middle, with Wang Long and Xu Wanyun sitting on either side of her.

She held one arm on each side of their arms tightly, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she smiled.

"Father, Master, don't we look like a family of three?"

Xu Wanyun's delicate body stiffened slightly, but she did not reply.

Wang Long reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling indulgently.

"picture."

Qin Jiaojiao rested her head on Wang Long's shoulder, her legs swinging happily back and forth.

The carriage swayed and wobbled down the mountain, heading towards Tianque City along the official road.

Tianque City.

Wang Long hadn't had a chance to look around properly during his last visit.

Today, he's going to explore Tianque City thoroughly.

After a brief inquiry, the three of them were able to enter the massive city gate without any problems.

The main street of Tianque City was bustling with activity.

The restaurants and teahouses on both sides were lined up one after another, with banners waving and the shouts of waiters rising and falling.

The streets were bustling with people: swordsmen, scholars with scrolls in their hands, merchants in fine clothes, and travelers in a hurry.

People of all kinds thronged together.

"Dad! Over here! There are candied hawthorns for sale over here!"

Qin Jiaojiao grabbed his hand and pulled him forcefully in one direction.

Wang Long nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, okay, buy them all!"

The three walked side by side on the long street of Tianque City.

Qin Jiaojiao held a string of candied hawthorns in her left hand and a string of cotton candy in her right, her mouth full of them.

Pedestrians on the street turned their heads in disbelief, some with envy, others with curiosity.

"What a heartwarming scene."

"Yes, a family of three, so happy."

"That little girl is so cute, like a porcelain doll."

"Dad! There's an inn up ahead that looks really grand. Let's go in and get something to eat!"

Qin Jiaojiao loves food the most.

Wang Long looked in the direction she pointed and saw a three-story pavilion standing on the street corner.

Flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters.

A plaque hangs above the doorway, bearing the three large characters "Zui Xian Ju" (醉仙居).

Two waiters stood at the entrance, dressed in short blue cloth shirts with white towels draped over their shoulders, warmly greeting the guests coming and going.

"Okay, this is the place."

Wang Long nodded and took Qin Jiaojiao's hand as they went inside.

The easiest places to get information are brothels and restaurants.

Xu Wanyun followed beside him, and as soon as she entered the door, she attracted the attention of many diners.

Some people whispered among themselves, while others glanced at them frequently.

A hint of greed flashed in some people's eyes, but they quickly suppressed it.

She was dressed in the attire of Wenxin Academy, which made her quite influential in Tianque City.

The three of them sat down by the window on the second floor, where they could see the street scene outside.

The waiter came over eagerly, handed over the menu, and smiled broadly.

"Gentlemen, what would you like to eat? Our signature dishes include steamed shad, braised lion's head meatballs, and Longjing shrimp..."

Wang Long took the menu, flipped through two pages, ordered seven or eight dishes, and also asked for a pot of Longjing tea.

The waiter responded and scurried off to the kitchen.

Qin Jiaojiao leaned on the windowsill, looking down, chewing on a cotton candy.

Wang Long picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and glanced around the second-floor hall.

There were seven or eight tables of guests in the hall, and several young men who looked like scholars were sitting together, talking loudly.

Wang Long's ears twitched slightly, and the sound of those people talking clearly reached his ears.

"Have you heard? In this World War II Tournament, the Great Yan Dynasty alone has sent thirty ninth-rank martial artists to participate!"

"Thirty? That many?"

"What's so special about that? The Great Zhou Dynasty is even more outrageous. It's said they sent fifty of them, and each one of them is at the peak of the ninth rank, just one step away from becoming a Grandmaster."

"Tsk tsk, these great powers really have a profound history."

"That's right. Small countries like ours are lucky if we can gather three or five ninth-rank officials. We can't compare to them at all."

"Sigh, comparing people is a recipe for disaster, comparing goods is a recipe for disaster."