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

Central Palace, East Palace.

Crown Prince Murong Hao stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze passing over the layers of palace walls and looking into the distance.

His personal attendant, Gao Sheng, stood behind him with his hands at his sides, not daring to utter a sound.

After a long silence, Murong Hao slowly spoke.

"Gao Sheng, what do you think of that Wang Longman slave?"

Gao Sheng paused for a moment, then answered cautiously.

"Your Highness, I think... an old servant who's about to die, though he may have some skills, isn't really worthy of Your Highness's attention?"

Murong Hao turned around, a faint smile on his lips.

"not worth?"

He slowly walked back to his desk, picked up a confidential report from the desk, and handed it to Gao Sheng.

"Take a look at this."

Gao Sheng took the secret report, looked down, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The secret report detailed Wang Long's behavior at the Zhenbei Marquis's residence these past few days.

From defeating Zhang Heng, a mid-stage second-rank cultivator, in a single move within the Marquis's residence, to slaying Tie Xiong, a half-step fourth-rank cultivator who had taken the Blood Burning Pill, with a single sword strike in the final battle.

It only took a few days to go from the first rank to the third rank.

Every stroke, every line, is written clearly.

Gao Sheng's hands trembled slightly as he looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Your Highness, this... how is this possible? Breaking through from the late stage of the second rank to the early stage of the third rank overnight? Even with the aid of rare and precious materials, it's impossible to do it this fast!"

"That's why I said he was interesting."

Murong Hao sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

"An old man who had been raising horses in the stable for sixty years suddenly became a third-rank martial artist and also knew an extremely powerful sword technique."

He put down his teacup, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"Gao Sheng, do you think this is normal?"

Gao Sheng shook his head, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"This is abnormal, it's extremely abnormal."

"so……"

Murong Hao stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his hands behind his back.

"I want to see him."

Gao Sheng was taken aback.

"Your Highness wishes to see that old... Wang Long?"

"right."

Murong Hao turned around and looked at Gao Sheng.

"Go and make preparations, I am going to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence."

Gao Sheng immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will arrange it immediately."

He turned to leave, but was stopped by Murong Hao.

"etc."

Gao Sheng stopped and turned around.

Murong Hao pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Prepare some gifts, not too expensive, but not too meager either. Luo Hanyi is a very thoughtful woman, and I can't let her think that I'm here to give alms."

"This servant understands."

Gao Sheng responded and quickly retreated.

Murong Hao walked back to the window, his gaze falling on the direction of the Zhenbei Marquis's residence in the distance.

"Wang Long..."

He muttered to himself, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"I'd like to see just where you come from."

"If they truly have the ability, then I have finally found someone who can protect Qing'er..."

Nowadays, the princes are fighting more and more frequently, and they are all trying their best to recruit advisors and win over powerful figures.

Because the emperor was focused on his spiritual practice, he chose to ignore the infighting among his princes. As long as the Great Qian Dynasty remained stable, he could sit back and relax.

The struggle for succession among the princes was also a way to maintain balance in the court.

Even if the worst happens, with the Imperial Preceptor still around, the Great Qian Dynasty will continue to prosper!

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Murong Hao frowned, but before he could speak, the door was suddenly pushed open.

A pale pink figure rushed in and threw herself into his arms.

"Brother! Help!"

Murong Qing's voice was choked with sobs. She wrapped her arms tightly around Murong Hao's waist, buried her face in his chest, and began to sob.

Murong Hao was taken aback for a moment, then reached out and gently patted her back.

"What's wrong? Who bullied you?"

Murong Qing lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes and nose red, and her face still streaked with tears.

"Who else could it be? Those headmistresses!"

Her voice was urgent and angry, with obvious grievances.

"Brother, you have no idea! Today I was given a whole day of etiquette lessons, from morning till night, and they didn't even give me a sip of water!"

"This princess is being driven crazy!"

Murong Hao couldn't help but laugh when he saw her like this.

The two are siblings from the same mother, and Murong Hao dotes on his younger sister the most!

"This is for your own good. You'll be getting married someday, how can you manage without knowing etiquette?"

"I don't want to get married!"

Murong Qing stamped her foot, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"Brother, please help me! I really don't want to learn those things anymore, they're so annoying!"

Murong Hao sighed and reached out to wipe away her tears.

"Alright, alright, stop crying. Your brother will put in a good word for you and give you a few days off, okay?"

Murong Qing's eyes lit up instantly.

"real?"

"When has my brother ever lied to you?"

Murong Hao smiled and nodded.

Murong Qing burst into laughter through her tears, grabbed Murong Hao's arm, and said coquettishly.

"Your Majesty is the best! Then...then will you go and tell him now?"

"Now?"

Murong Hao shook his head helplessly.

"Not now, Your Majesty has other matters to attend to."

"What is it? More important than me, the princess?"

Murong Qing pouted, looking dissatisfied.

Murong Hao looked at her, and suddenly a thought struck him.

"My imperial brother is going to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence."

"The Marquis of Zhenbei's residence?"

Murong Qing was stunned for a moment, then her eyes brightened even more.

"Is that... the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, the one that won the grand competition today?"

"Yes, you knew too?"

Murong Hao nodded, his gaze falling on her face, and tentatively asked.

"What, you want to go?"

Murong Qing nodded quickly, her eyes full of anticipation.

"I'd love to! I've never been to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence before. I'd love to go with my brother!"

She paused, then added a sentence, her voice a few decibels lower.

"And...and I've heard that the chefs at the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence are very skilled, and their dishes are especially delicious..."

Murong Hao couldn't help but laugh when he saw her greedy expression.

"Okay, let's go together then."

Murong Qing was so happy she almost jumped up, hugged Murong Hao's neck, and shouted joyfully.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Murong Hao was choked so badly he could hardly breathe, so he quickly patted her hand.

"Alright, alright, let go! You're almost strangling your brother! And don't shout 'Long live the Emperor' so casually anymore. Father is still healthy!"

Murong Qing let go of his hand and stood aside with a smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Brother, when are we leaving?"

"Now."

Murong Hao straightened his collar, which she had disheveled, and walked towards the door.

Murong Qing quickly followed, her steps light and quick.

The two walked one after the other through the long corridor toward the palace gate.

Gao Sheng had already prepared the carriage. A magnificent golden carriage was parked at the palace gate, pulled by four pure white steeds, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Murong Hao boarded the carriage, and Murong Qing followed closely behind, getting inside.

The carriage slowly started moving, heading towards the Zhenbei Marquis's residence along the bluestone road.

Inside the car, Murong Qing leaned against the cushions, hugging her knees with both hands, resting her chin on her knees, her eyes gazing at the street scenes rushing past the window, a smile on her lips.

Looking at her like this, Murong Hao felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

His younger sister was forced to learn this and that from a young age, and she was almost never happy.

Bringing her out for some fresh air today is a small token of his appreciation as her elder brother.

Murong Qing was in a great mood, humming a little tune and shouting excitedly in her heart.

"Hehe, old man, this princess has come to see you!"