surround

"Oh, just now the wind blew and extinguished the lamp. I was about to light it," Lin Wanrong said with a smile. Luo Ning, however, buried herself in the satin, too shy to speak.

Qiao Qiao placed the lotus seed porridge she had just brewed on the table, smiling, "The wind is really unfortunate. I just came back, and the light went out. Big brother, what were you and Sister Ning talking about?"

With a "pa" sound, Lin Wanrong lit the oil lamp with his fire sickle. Luo Ning had already returned to a normal posture, but her hands tightly gripped the edge of her clothes. Her face was as red as maple leaves, not looking at Qiao Qiao and even more afraid to look at Lin Wanrong. Naturally charming, she became even more pitiful under the combination of shyness and resentment. Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a few beats. This girl, she seems to be trying to captivate me.

"Sister Luo and I were discussing some interesting matters. Qiao Qiao, this porridge smells really good. Sister Luo should eat more," Lin Wanrong glanced at Luo Ning and said.

Qiao Qiao brought a bowl of lotus seed porridge to Luo Ning, helped her sit up, and saw her blushing with tender eyebrows and gentle eyes. She seemed to have recovered seven or eight percent from her illness. Qiao Qiao exclaimed, "Sister Ning, are you feeling better?"

Luo Ning's face blushed suddenly, softly agreeing, "After talking with Big Brother Lin for a while, I feel much better."

Luo Ning's illness was purely psychological. Once her worries were resolved, she naturally recovered quickly. With some strength restored, she finished a bowl of lotus seed porridge in one breath. Seeing Lin Wanrong smiling at her, she couldn't help but feel shy and said, "Big brother, Qiao Qiao's lotus seed porridge is delicious. You should try it."

Qiao Qiao chuckled and said, "Big brother, watch for a while longer. Sister Ning can definitely eat two more bowls."

"You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking?" Luo Ning felt guilty and couldn't help patting Qiao Qiao on her arm upon hearing her words. Glancing at the rolled-up painting on the table, she exclaimed, "Oh, where is this painting from? I haven't seen it before."

Qiao Qiao suddenly realized that when she went out earlier, Big Brother had placed the painting on the table for her to see. She hurriedly ran over, blushing, and hid the painting behind her, saying, "I doodled it casually; it has nothing to do with Big Brother."

I sweat, there's no free lunch here. Lin Wanrong blushed. Being with these two girls, I'll have to act foolish to keep up. The bedroom was exceptionally quiet at the moment. These two beautiful women, one was his arranged fiancée, and the other had hidden feelings for him. It's true that he was the master of this bedroom. Lin Wanrong remembered the playful encounter with Qiao Qiao in the outer room and couldn't help but find it amusing. If he had known, he would have made it more straightforward. Why bother sneaking around?

Luo Ning couldn't be unaware of what the painting was. Sneaking a glance at Lin Wanrong, she shyly lowered her head.

Lin Wanrong looked at Qiao Qiao and then at Luo Ning, feeling an urge to burst into laughter. In Zhang's room, painting Li, in Li's room, painting Wang. This is truly wonderful.

Both girls had something on their minds and dared not speak for a while. Lin Wanrong, seeing their expressions, felt amused but also somewhat moved. These women of this era are so pure and lovely.

After waiting for a long time, Qiao Qiao finally raised her head, and the blush on her face gradually faded. She happily said to Lin Wanrong, "Big brother, you should visit Sister Ning more often. It will help her recover faster."

"Don't—" Luo Ning exclaimed anxiously. When she saw both of them staring at her, sweet and worried feelings surged up. She whispered, "Big brother has many affairs, how can he focus all his attention on me, a weak woman? Seeing him today is enough for me. I don't dare to trouble big brother anymore."

Women's thoughts are hard to guess. This girl is bold one moment and shy the next. Lin Wanrong couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

Luo Ning's condition had improved a lot. The two girls whispered to each other, leaving Lin Wanrong on the side. He didn't know whether to leave or stay.

Luo Ning tightly held Qiao Qiao's hand and said, "Good sister, I feel a bit scared alone in this room. Can you stay tonight, and we can have a heart-to-heart chat?"

Qiao Qiao softly agreed and said with a smile, "Then I'll stay and accompany sister."

Lin Wanrong chuckled. If Qiao Qiao stays with Luo Ning, should I stay and accompany Qiao Qiao? Seeing the two beautiful girls smiling, Lin Wanrong's heart stirred. Should I also try my luck with this Luo Ning? Damn, do I have to play the role of a stallion? It seems too troublesome.

Seeing that it was already late, Lin Wanrong had to bid farewell and went downstairs. As Luo Ning gazed at him, she didn't know what to say. When Qiao Qiao accompanied him downstairs, she suddenly covered her mouth and smiled, "Big brother, I can see that Sister Ning treats you well. Remember to visit her often."

Lin Wanrong, finding no one around, hugged the girl and gave her a kiss, smiling, "Don't you want big brother to visit you often?"

"I do!" Qiao Qiao nestled in his arms and said softly, "Big brother, I think about you every day. If you go to the capital, Qiao Qiao doesn't know how to live anymore."

Lin Wanrong sighed deeply. As the ancients said, the hometown of lovers is the hero's tomb. This is absolutely true. Although I don't have great ambitions, I can't bear to go anywhere as long as I have this little girl Qiao Qiao. He patted Qiao Qiao's shoulder and said, "Little darling, after I find your sister Qingxuan in the capital, we'll come back together, and then I'll marry both of you." Qiao Qiao softly agreed, burying her head deeper in his embrace.

Coming out of Luo Ning's room, Lin Wanrong was still thinking about these matters. Suddenly, someone rushed over from a distance, nearly colliding with him. Looking closely, it turned out to be Luo Yuan.

"Big brother, why are you here?" Luo Yuan was also surprised to see Lin Wanrong and hurriedly asked.

Lin Wanrong patted him on the shoulder. Brother, I won't say anything. I let down your hope for me to be with your sister. But it's not entirely my fault. This matter can't be blamed on me. Lin Wanrong grinned strangely and said, "I heard that Miss Luo is ill

and came to see her. Seeing you in such a hurry, is something urgent?"

Luo Yuan anxiously said, "Big brother, do you know where my father is? Ah, I'm so anxious."

Lin Wanrong, making a mysterious face, said, "Little brother, calm down. What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Luo Yuan said, "Big brother, you don't know. General Cheng suddenly came in full armor, saying he has urgent military affairs to report to my father. Moreover, he brought infantry and cavalry, and they have surrounded our mansion."

"What?" Lin Wanrong was greatly surprised. Surrounding the Governor's mansion with troops? Could it be that Cheng De is really planning a rebellion? Damn, I just casually said that. Cheng, my buddy, don't rebel so soon.

He forced himself to calm down. Jiangsu is located between Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui. It's not so easy to rebel here, especially since Cheng De's forces are not numerous. Could it be that Cheng De has sniffed something and knows that Luo Min is not in the mansion, intentionally coming to test the waters?

He calmed his emotions and patted Luo Yuan's shoulder, saying, "Little Luo, don't panic. Cheng De doesn't have many soldiers, and he won't dare to act recklessly. Today, the Lord is not in the mansion, and you are the head of the family. Boldly go out to meet him, say whatever needs to be said, and even if you can't defeat him, you can at least intimidate him."

Luo Yuan nodded, "Big brother, what you said makes sense. I'll go out to meet him. Big brother, please stay in the side hall and support me."

The two walked outside, and when they arrived at the main gate, they saw hundreds of soldiers standing there, torches burning, armor shining, and flags fluttering. In front of them was Cheng De. He was sitting on a large chair carried by soldiers and hadn't moved since dismounting his horse.

Lin Wanrong secretly guessed that Cheng De was bold because he didn't have his master backing him up. Cheng De dared to come for Luo Min because he probably smelled something fishy and thought Luo Min was not in the mansion tonight. If Luo Min doesn't return, it might make them more vigilant.

Seeing Luo Yuan approaching, Cheng De said, "Nephew Luo, greetings. I have urgent military matters to report to Lord Luo. Is he in the mansion?"

Luo Yuan replied, "Uncle Cheng, you came at an inopportune time. Father has gone out to visit friends. I don't know when he'll return. If you have military affairs, please report to the yamen tomorrow."

Cheng De waved his hand, "Military affairs cannot be delayed. I'll wait for Lord Luo to return. You can invite me into the mansion to wait."

Luo Yuan hesitated but agreed. Cheng De entered the mansion with his troops and took a seat. Lin Wanrong watched from the side hall, holding a fire gun and aiming at Cheng De. He pondered for a moment, wanting to shoot Cheng De right there, but eventually, he restrained himself. If he did that, the Luo mansion would turn into a bloodbath tonight.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from a distance, "How dare you! Who dares to make a commotion in front of the Governor's mansion—"

A group of people approached, and leading them was Gao Shou, who was holding a gleaming steel knife. Among them, walking in the middle, was a man with a big belly. If it weren't for the fact that Luo Min was not here, who else could it be but Luo Min's friend, Cheng Yuan.

Cheng De got up and said, "Governor Luo, you're finally back. I have urgent military matters to report."

Cheng Yuan said with a cold smile, "If there are urgent military matters, report them to the yamen. Surrounding the Governor's mansion with troops, are you trying to rebel?"

Cheng De frowned, "Governor Luo, how can you say such words? I am here on orders, and the matter is of great importance. I had to take precautions."

Luo Min's eyes narrowed, "What kind of important matter requires you to bring troops and surround the mansion? Speak, I'm listening."

Cheng De hesitated but finally spoke, "Governor Luo, the intelligence we received indicates that there might be a rebellion in Jiangsu. The rebels are planning to attack the government. I am here to report this matter and request reinforcements to defend the city."

Lin Wanrong, listening from the side hall, couldn't help but sneer. Rebellion? This Cheng De is indeed smart. He can use the rebellion as an excuse to surround the mansion, and then, if Luo Min is not here, they might just seize the opportunity.

Luo Min's face changed slightly, and he said, "Rebellion in Jiangsu? What intelligence is this? Who is the source?"

Cheng De said, "This intelligence comes from a reliable source. I cannot disclose the details, but it is credible. We must take precautions to ensure the safety of Jiangsu."

Luo Min pondered for a moment and said, "Cheng De, you are the military commander, and I am the Governor. If you have credible intelligence

, you should have reported it to the yamen first. Why did you bring troops to surround the mansion? This is inappropriate."

Cheng De's face turned slightly red, "Governor Luo, the matter is urgent, and I couldn't wait. I hope you can understand."

Luo Min coldly said, "I will report this matter to the emperor. Cheng De, you overstepped your authority by bringing troops to my mansion without permission. This is a serious offense."

Cheng De's expression changed, "Governor Luo, please consider the urgency of the situation. I believe the emperor will understand my actions."

Luo Min waved his hand, "You can leave now. I will report your actions to the emperor, and he will decide whether your actions were justified."

Cheng De had no choice but to lead his troops and leave the mansion. Lin Wanrong put down the fire gun, feeling somewhat relieved. Cheng De was cunning, but Luo Min handled the situation well.