“Kill her!”

The leader of the men commanded, his tone so cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

With black hair, black clothes, and black eyes, he appeared deeper than the endless midnight and colder than the long winter.

Zhu Yanyu couldn’t help but tremble, feeling as if all the blood in her body had frozen in that moment.

But she couldn’t die; she had to live, for herself and for her young brother.

She watched as the man gracefully mounted his steed, watched as the two iron-clad guards by his side approached her, one of them swiftly drawing the long knife from his waist…

“Sir, save me!” she suddenly cried out loudly, desperately crawling and kneeling forward, reaching out to hug the front leg of his black steed.

Everyone was stunned. No one expected her to dare to hug the most beloved steed of the commander, and even more unbelievably, the usually ill-tempered black horse, which normally allowed no one but the commander to approach, did not kick her away. Instead, it only let out a low whinny, seeming both proud and annoyed, snorting a few times from its nostrils.

Even the man seemed somewhat surprised by his horse’s reaction, raising an eyebrow.

“Sir, please spare my life!” Zhu Yanyu clung tightly to the horse’s leg, pleading desperately.

The man looked at her indifferently, narrowing his eyes. “This commander does not do pointless things. Who are you? Why should I spare your life?”

If he knew she was the daughter of a convicted official, her life would be even more at risk. Zhu Yanyu bit her lip bitterly, ignoring his question about her identity. “As long as sir agrees not to kill me, this humble girl will do anything you ask.”

“What audacity!” He laughed instead of getting angry, his gaze cold. “What do you think you have to offer me?”

“I…”

Zhu Yanyu had barely spoken when she felt a hint of mockery flash in the man’s dark eyes. She paused, suddenly feeling ridiculous. With her current appearance, what man would want her? Even if she were as beautiful as before, this powerful commander would likely disdain her.

But besides her body, what else could she offer this man?

In her past life, she had lived on a ranch, practically growing up on horseback. And judging by the magnificent appearance of this man’s steed, he must be someone who loves horses…

She smiled sadly, deciding to take a gamble.

“I… can raise horses.”