The men took turns speaking, their words making Ning Wanwan’s face alternate between green and pale. After reaching an agreement, they approached her with lecherous grins.
Ning Wanwan’s mind calmed, a seductive smile curling on her lips. “Big brothers, having me tied up like this won’t be much fun.”
The men paused. “What do you suggest then?”
In a coquettish voice, Ning Wanwan purred, “Why not untie me? Then we can truly enjoy ourselves.”
Hearing this, they exchanged hesitant glances.
Ning Wanwan batted her luminous eyes, her gaze shifting with boundless charm. “Surely you’re not afraid of a mere woman like me?”
This struck a chord with them. They were burly, towering men—how could they possibly fail to handle one woman?
“Untie her!”
At the Barbarian leader’s command, his subordinate loosened Ning Wanwan’s bonds. She flexed her hands, relieving the pain.
“Strip her clothes!”
With another order from the leader, the subordinate moved to tear off Ning Wanwan’s garments.
But Ning Wanwan’s expression turned icy. In a flash, she closed the distance between them. Before the Barbarian could react, her palm clamped around his neck—a sharp crack echoed as she snapped it instantly.
The others paled, cursing loudly. “Damn it! Get her! Kill her!”
They charged at her en masse!
Ning Wanwan remained utterly composed. Knowing to capture the leader first, she swiftly drew the dagger from the dead Barbarian’s waist. A cold gust followed her movement as she lunged at the leader. Caught off guard, he felt a chill at his throat before excruciating pain erupted—blood gushed from his neck.
The remaining Barbarians turned ashen with terror. Her speed was blinding; their leader had fallen before they could even register her actions.
Her eyes cold, a faint sneer playing on her lips, she taunted, “Pathetic trash. Think you can kill me? You should’ve weighed your worth first.”
Enraged, the remaining thugs yelled, “Charge! Slay her!”
Killing intent flooded Ning Wanwan’s gaze. These insignificant fools dared challenge her? She had to eliminate them all before Wei Chenheng arrived.
…
When Wei Chenheng and his party arrived, they found dozens of black-clad bodies strewn near the cave entrance, the ground littered with corpses in gruesome states.
His face whitened, blood freezing in his veins. Panic seized him as he frantically scanned for that familiar figure.
Not far from the cave, he suddenly spotted Ning Wanwan collapsed on the ground.
Dread instantly engulfed his heart. He rushed forward, scooping her into his arms, his voice hoarse. “Wanwan! Wanwan!”
Ning Wanwan, who had been feigning unconsciousness, felt her head spin from his shaking. She pretended to stir, fluttering her eyelashes tremulously before slowly opening her eyes, feigning confusion and bewilderment.
“Husband?”
“Wanwan, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?” He urgently checked her over, fearing she might be injured.
“Wuwu, I’m fine. Husband, what about those villains?”
She pretended to glance around, noticing the corpses nearby, and gasped in feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Ah, how did they die?”
Though equally puzzled, Wei Chenheng’s primary concern remained Ning Wanwan’s safety.
“Are you truly unharmed?” He checked her once more for any wounds.
She immediately melted weakly into his embrace, sobbing with delicate whimpers. “Husband, you’ve finally come. I was so frightened, wuwuwu…”
His throat tightened, rendering him momentarily speechless.
For a moment, he had feared he might lose her.
Regret, remorse, and anguish flooded his heart. His nose stung and his eyes reddened. “I’m sorry. I failed to protect you.”
Seeing him nearly weeping with guilt, Ning Wanwan realized she had overacted. She quickly softened her voice to comfort him. “It’s not your fault, husband. Those villains were too cunning. You arrived as quickly as you could.”
Even she found her own words unconvincing.
Had she been an ordinary woman instead of a Jade Rabbit Spirit, her corpse would be lying cold on the ground.
Wei Chenheng clearly recognized this too. Holding her tight, his voice choked with tears, he repeated, “I’m sorry…”
Ning Wanwan sighed helplessly. It seemed she would have to coax him for quite some time before he would stop crying.
After the barbarian bandit incident, Wei Chenheng became nearly inseparable from her, even insisting she watch his morning martial practice.
By late summer, the court had deployed troops and established camps. Wei Chenheng led his army back to Jin City, the procession greeted by roaring cheers from the citizens welcoming their heroes home.
The Wei Manor household came out to receive Wei Chenheng.
Although Old Madam Wei had been displeased when he departed, Ning Wanwan had since borne two sons for the Wei family, making the old madam somewhat resigned to the situation.
The twin boys could now babble and toddle, their chubby cheeks utterly adorable.
Supported by Wei Chenheng, Ning Wanwan gracefully descended from the carriage. She immediately took the children’s hands to pay respects to Old Madam Wei. “Your daughter-in-law pays respects to the madam.”
Having not seen his mother for so long, Wei Chenheng also knelt promptly. “Your son pays respects to Mother.”
Seeing both children so filial, Old Madam Wei’s temper eased. “Rise, all of you. We’re family—no need for such formality.”
The two little ones, having just learned to speak, obediently hugged Old Madam Wei.
“Greetings, Grandmother!”
“Greetings, Grandmother!”
The initially reserved Old Madam Wei gradually melted under the stream of milky-voiced “Grandmothers,” beaming with unstoppable delight.
Wei Chenheng had a lingering concern. Taking Ning Wanwan’s hand, he approached Old Madam Wei with a solemn expression. “Mother, I wish to elevate Wanwan’s status to that of wife.”
Old Madam Wei first stared in surprise, then sighed. “You may decide Wei family matters. If you believe it right, I won’t stand in your way.”
Wei Chenheng hadn’t expected such ready agreement. He respectfully kowtowed to Old Madam Wei. “Thank you for your blessing, Mother.”
Only then did Ning Wanwan grasp his meaning—he wanted her as his wife, not a concubine? She hastily imitated Wei Chenheng, kowtowing to Old Madam Wei. “Thank you for your blessing, Madam.”
Old Madam Wei said sternly, “Still calling me Madam now?”
A sweet smile bloomed on Ning Wanwan’s face as she called out, “Thank you for your blessing, Mother!”
…
Great Jin, Year 40. Wei Manor. Heavy Snow.
Two handsome youths in elegant robes took advantage of their martial arts instructor’s absence to collaboratively build an adorable snowman.
Beside them stood a little girl of three or four, her hair tied into two perky pigtails. Her round eyes darted around as she looked at the snowman with disdain. “Big Brother, Little Brother, this snowman looks so ugly!”
Wei Hongning immediately shifted the blame. “It’s all your Little Brother’s fault for making the snowman ugly.”
Wei Shuning retorted indignantly, “Clearly, it’s your poor craftsmanship.”
The two youths began bickering childishly. The little girl watched them and sighed. Her two brothers were truly immature!
“When will Father and Mother return?”
“Hmph! Those two only care about touring scenic mountains and rivers all day, paying no mind to their three children at home. I’ve never seen parents like them!”
“It’s all your fault, Wei Hongning! Mother said you’re the most disobedient. She must have gone out with Father because she didn’t want to see you!”
“Nonsense! It’s clearly you, Wei Shuning! Your martial arts skills are terrible!”
“Wei Hongning! You can’t even memorize texts properly. Aren’t you ashamed?”
“Ah! Stop arguing, you two!”
…