Chapter 23: Delicate Songstress vs. Strong and Mighty General

The men surrounded Ning Wanguan, each throwing a crude remark her way, making her face alternate between pale and flushed. Then, after a brief discussion, they exchanged lewd grins and advanced toward her.

Ning Wanguan calmed herself, a seductive smile curling on her lips. “Big brothers, tying me up like this isn’t fun at all.”

The men hesitated. “Oh? Then what do you suggest?”

She cooed softly, her voice dripping with charm. “Why don’t you untie me? That way, we can have real fun.”

They exchanged uncertain glances.

Ning Wanguan batted her long, shimmering lashes, her gaze flowing with infinite allure. “Surely, you aren’t afraid of a little woman like me, are you?”

Hearing this, the men felt she made a fair point. They were tall, burly men—surely, they could handle a single woman?

“Untie her!”

At their leader’s command, one of the subordinates stepped forward and loosened the ropes binding Ning Wanguan. She stretched her arms slightly, easing the pain in her limbs.

“Strip her!”

The leader gave another order, and one of the men reached out to grab her clothing.

Before his hand could touch her, Ning Wanguan’s expression turned icy. In a flash, she moved, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Before he could react, her slender fingers clamped around his throat. With a sharp twist—crack—his neck snapped.

The other men’s faces darkened.

“Damn it! Get her! Kill her!”

They lunged at her.

But Ning Wanguan remained calm. Take down the leader first. She swiftly drew a dagger from the dead man’s waist. A gust of cold wind sliced through the air as she closed in on the leader. Caught off guard, he barely had time to register the chill at his throat before searing pain erupted, blood gushing from his neck.

The remaining bandits turned ashen. She was too fast—so fast they couldn’t even track her movements before their leader was dead.

She smiled coldly, eyes sharp as blades. “Pathetic trash. You think you can kill me? Do you even have the right to try?”

Enraged, the men roared, “Kill her!”

Ning Wanguan’s eyes gleamed with killing intent. These worthless scum dare challenge me? She had to finish them all before Wei Chenheng arrived.

---

Wei Chenheng and his men arrived to a gruesome sight. The area outside the cave was littered with corpses—dozens of them, their bodies twisted in violent death.

His face turned pale, his blood freezing in his veins. Panic gripped his heart as he frantically searched for a familiar figure.

Then, near the cave entrance, he saw Ning Wanguan lying motionless on the ground.

Terror engulfed him. He rushed over, scooping her into his arms, his voice hoarse. “Wanwan! Wanwan!”

Ning Wanguan, who had been pretending to be unconscious, was shaken so hard her head started to ache. Finally, she pretended to stir, fluttering her lashes weakly before opening her dazed eyes.

“Husband?”

“Wanwan, are you hurt? Do you feel unwell?” He anxiously checked her body for injuries.

She sniffled, voice trembling. “I’m fine… But, husband, those bad men—”

Feigning confusion, she glanced around. Then, as if just noticing the corpses, she gasped, covering her mouth in shock. “Ah! They’re all dead?”

Wei Chenheng was equally puzzled, but his priority was her safety.

“You’re sure you’re not hurt?” He double-checked, hands hovering protectively around her.

She threw herself into his embrace, sobbing pitifully. “Husband, you’re finally here! I was so scared—wuu wuu wuu…”

His throat tightened, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

He had almost lost her.

Guilt, regret, and anguish crashed over him. His eyes stung, voice choked with emotion. “I’m sorry… I failed to protect you.”

Seeing how remorseful he was, Ning Wanguan realized she might have overdone her act. Softening her tone, she reassured him gently, “It’s not your fault, husband. Those men were cunning, but you arrived just in time.”

Even she couldn’t convince herself with those words.

Had she not been a jade rabbit spirit, she would be among the dead bodies on the ground.

Wei Chenheng seemed to realize this too. His grip on her tightened, his voice trembling. “I’m so sorry…”

Ning Wanguan sighed inwardly. Looks like I’ll have to coax him for a long time before he stops crying.

After this ordeal, Wei Chenheng rarely left her side. He even insisted on dragging her to watch his morning training sessions.

---

By late summer, the imperial court had deployed troops and secured the borders. Wei Chenheng led his army back to Jin City, their triumphant return greeted by the cheers of the people.

At the Wei Manor, the family had gathered to welcome him home.

Although the Wei Matriarch had been cold toward Ning Wanguan before, things had changed—after all, she had given the family two sons. Now, she was willing to tolerate her presence.

By this time, the twin boys had already begun to toddle around and babble words, their chubby little faces irresistibly adorable.

With Wei Chenheng’s support, Ning Wanguan gracefully stepped out of the carriage, immediately leading the two children forward to pay their respects. “Greetings, Old Madam.”

Wei Chenheng also knelt. “Your son greets you, Mother.”

Seeing how filial they were, the Wei Matriarch finally relented, her tone softening. “Rise, all of you. We are family—no need for such formalities.”

The two little ones toddled over, their sweet, childish voices chiming.

“Grandmother, hello!”

“Grandmother, hello!”

The Wei Matriarch, initially trying to maintain a dignified demeanor, soon melted under their affectionate calls of “Grandmother,” her smile widening with joy.

Wei Chenheng, however, had something on his mind. Holding Ning Wanguan’s hand, he solemnly declared, “Mother, I wish to elevate Wanwan’s status to my wife.”

The Wei Matriarch was momentarily stunned before sighing. “You are the master of the Wei family. If you believe this is right, I will not oppose it.”

Wei Chenheng hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. He immediately bowed deeply. “Thank you, Mother, for granting this.”

Ning Wanguan only then fully understood—he wanted to make her his official wife, not just a concubine.

Overcome with emotion, she followed his lead, kowtowing as well. “Thank you, Mother, for granting this.”

The Wei Matriarch’s expression remained stern. “Still calling me ‘Old Madam’?”

Ning Wanguan’s lips curled into a sweet smile. “Thank you, Mother, for granting this.”

---

Great Jin, Year 40 | The Wei Manor | A Snowy Day

Two handsome young men, clad in fine robes, took advantage of their instructor’s absence to build a snowman together.

Nearby, a little girl, around three or four years old, stood with her hair tied in two high buns. Her round, lively eyes gleamed as she frowned at the snowman. “Big brother, little brother, this snowman is so ugly.”

Wei Hongning immediately shifted the blame. “It’s all little brother’s fault—he made it ugly.”

Wei Shuning retorted indignantly, “It’s clearly your shoddy craftsmanship!”

The two brothers bickered like children, while their little sister sighed, shaking her head. So immature.

“When are Father and Mother coming back?”

“Hmph! They’re always off traveling and never take care of us. What kind of parents are they?!”

“It’s your fault, Wei Hongning! Mother said you’re the most mischievous! She probably left just to avoid seeing you!”

“Nonsense! It’s you, Wei Shuning! Your martial arts are terrible!”

“Well, you can’t even memorize your books properly. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

“Ugh! Stop arguing already!”

…