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

The Marquis of Zhenbei's residence.

Main hall.

Luo Hanyi sat upright in the main seat, sipping tea.

She was in a very good mood after receiving so many gifts from the emperor today.

Chunlan suddenly ran in with small steps and bowed.

"Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince's carriage has arrived outside the mansion gate."

Upon hearing this, Luo Hanyi immediately stood up, straightened her skirt, and remained calm and composed.

"Open the middle gate to welcome them."

She stepped out of the main hall, passed through the screen wall, and walked towards the gate of the mansion.

Qin Minglan appeared out of nowhere, skipping and hopping behind her, her almond-shaped eyes full of curiosity.

"Sister-in-law, what brings His Highness the Crown Prince to our residence?"

"I don't know."

Luo Hanyi shook her head, her voice cold and clear.

"Since they are from the Crown Prince's palace, we cannot neglect them."

Qin Minglan nodded and obediently stood behind Luo Hanyi, asking no more questions.

Outside the palace gate, the emperor's carriage had already come to a stop.

Four pure white steeds snorted and pawed the ground gently with their hooves.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Crown Prince Murong Hao stepped out first.

He wore a bright yellow python robe, with a white jade belt around his waist. He had a handsome face and an extraordinary demeanor. A faint smile played on his lips, giving people a gentle feeling like a spring breeze.

"Mrs. Luo".

Murong Hao nodded slightly, displaying impeccable manners.

Luo Hanyi bowed respectfully, her voice clear and melodious.

"Your Highness, this humble woman pays her respects."

Qin Minglan also bowed, but her eyes secretly glanced at Murong Hao.

This Crown Prince is actually more gentle than the rumors suggest.

"Madam Luo, there's no need for such formalities when you're out."

Murong Hao offered a slight gesture of support, his gaze sweeping over the gate of the Marquis's residence, his tone gentle.

"I apologize for the intrusion of my visit today."

"Your Highness, please come in."

Luo Hanyi stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

As soon as Murong Hao took a step, the carriage curtain was lifted again, and a pale pink figure jumped out of the carriage.

Murong Qing wore a light pink palace dress, her black hair cascading down her back, loosely tied up with a white jade hairpin, her skin as white as snow, her features exquisite, and her eyes clear and bright.

She jumped to the ground, looked around, and smiled.

"This is the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence? It looks quite large."

Luo Hanyi was slightly taken aback, then bowed again.

"This humble woman greets Your Highness Princess Yongning."

Qin Minglan also bowed, but secretly muttered to herself.

What brings Your Highness here?

She had no connection with the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion.

Murong Qing waved her hand and smiled.

"Madam Luo, there's no need for such formalities. I'm just out for some fresh air with my brother, so please don't worry about me."

Luo Hanyi nodded, straightened up, and glanced at Murong Hao and Murong Qing, pondering to herself.

Why have the Crown Prince and Princess come together?

Main hall.

Luo Hanyi invited Murong Hao to take a seat, and although Murong Hao declined several times, he eventually sat down.

Murong Qing didn't sit down, but stood behind Murong Hao, her eyes darting around curiously at everything.

Qin Minglan stood behind Luo Hanyi, her hands behind her back, her back straight, trying her best to maintain the demeanor of a young lady from a noble family.

The maids brought in tea and respectfully stepped aside.

Murong Hao picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and praised it.

"Good tea."

Luo Hanyi remained calm, her brows slightly furrowed, and asked directly.

"Your Highness, what brings you here today?"

Murong Hao put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Luo Hanyi's face, a gentle smile on his lips.

"Mrs. Luo's personality is still as straightforward as ever."

He paused, his tone remaining gentle.

"In that case, I will speak frankly."

"I have come today for the sake of your household servant, Wang Long."

Luo Hanyi's fingers paused slightly, but her expression remained unchanged.

"Wang Long? Just a servant, what is there for Your Highness to notice?"

Murong Hao smiled, took out a secret report from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it over.

"Please take a look, Madam Luo."

Luo Hanyi picked up the secret report, unfolded it, and her pupils contracted slightly.

The document details Wang Long's performance at the Marquis's residence over the past few days, from the selection process within the residence to today's grand competition, recording every battle and every breakthrough clearly.

Her fingers tightened slightly, but her expression remained calm as she placed the secret report back on the table.

"Your Highness has impressive skills; you even managed to investigate matters within my Marquis's residence so thoroughly."

Murong Hao did not deny it, and his tone was frank.

"I have always cherished talent."

He paused, then looked directly at Luo Hanyi.

"I wonder about Madam Luo..."

Luo Hanyi remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"What does Your Highness wish to say?"

"I wish to see him."

Murong Hao's tone remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

Luo Hanyi shook her head.

"Wang Long was seriously injured in today's competition and is recuperating in the backyard. He is not available to receive guests."

"If Your Highness wishes to see him, please come another day."

Murong Hao was not angry when Luo Hanyi refused. He picked up his teacup and took another sip.

After all, Wang Long is now a very important person in the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, and it would be unfair to try to poach him directly.

"Madam Luo, I know what you're worried about."

He put down his teacup, his gaze sincere.

"I will not force anyone, much less undermine your family's reputation."

"I just want to see him, say a few words to him, and get to know him."

Luo Hanyi looked at him without saying a word.

Murong Hao continued.

"I am kind and generous to others and never use my power to oppress them. Madam Luo should know this."

"I have been in the Eastern Palace for many years and have never forced anyone to do anything."

He paused, his voice lowering slightly.

"Madam Luo, you should be aware of the current situation in the court."

"The major families have all chosen sides and pledged allegiance to other princes, but your Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion has remained neutral."

Luo Hanyi's fingers tightened slightly.

Murong Hao is right.

In recent years, the power structure in the court has become severely divided, with various families choosing sides.

Some pledged allegiance to the Second Prince Murong Ye, while others pledged allegiance to the Third Prince Murong Yu.

Only the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion remained neutral.

It's not that I don't want to stand, but—

I'm no longer qualified.

The declining Zhenbei Marquis's mansion didn't even qualify to be courted.

Luo Hanyi took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, her voice still cold and clear.

"Your Highness has come today to try and win over the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion?"

Murong Hao shook his head.

"I am not here to win you over."

He paused, his tone sincere.

"I am here to cooperate with you."

"cooperate?"

Luo Hanyi frowned slightly.

"right."

Murong Hao nodded.

"I need a prodigy like Wang Long, and you need a powerful backer like me."

"We cooperate, and each gets what they need."

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

"Madam Luo, you should know that Zhao Pojun will not let this go and will definitely retaliate."

"Does your Zhenbei Marquis's mansion think you can stop them?"

Luo Hanyi remained silent.

She couldn't stop it.

Zhao Pojun is at the peak of the seventh rank, while she is at the mid-sixth rank.

The gap is too big.

Moreover, Zhao Pojun commands a large army and has many cronies in the court. If he really makes a move, the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion won't even have a chance to fight back.

Fortunately, this was in the imperial city, so Zhao Pojun dared not exert direct pressure. If he used other methods, Luo Hanyi would be difficult to deal with.

Murong Hao turned around and looked at Luo Hanyi.

"I promise you that I will not send Wang Long on dangerous missions."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a convincing firmness.

"I only want to provide an extra layer of insurance for my sister's safety."

Luo Hanyi stared at him for a long time before slowly speaking.

"What are the conditions?"

"The conditions are very simple."

Murong Hao sat back down in his chair and picked up his teacup.

"I want Wang Long."

Luo Hanyi's fingers tightened suddenly, and her voice turned cold.

"His Highness just said that he would not undermine my Marquis's mansion."

"I have no intention of digging him up."

Murong Hao smiled.

"I only want him to become Qing'er's guard and protect her."

"He is still a servant of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion, still lives in the mansion, and still obeys your orders."

"What does Mrs. Luo think?"

Wang Long was practicing his sword in his own courtyard, unaware that two important figures were arguing heatedly over him, a mere stable boy!