Chapter 5, Noble Person

The middle-aged man nodded and said, "This is an unavoidable situation. However, if she is truly intelligent, and later aligns herself with some high-ranking official or noble, giving birth to a distinguished child, there may still be opportunities for advancement."

His voice is not loud

Perhaps it was her gaze that was too focused, or perhaps it was her expression that was too serious. The young knight cast a glance and then turned back to scrutinize her earnestly.

The lean man quickly turned around and forced a smile, responding, "That's how it is."

Slowly, he curled his lips into a smile, his right hand moving downwards as he held her neck, bringing Zhang Qi's face close to his. With their skin touching and breaths mingling, Zhang Qi heard him softly laugh and say: "Little aunt, your beauty is rare; when you grow up, you will surely be a stunning beauty. Soon, I will come to Jiankang as a guest, and at that time, I will have you serve me in bed, how about that?"

The young man arrogantly nodded and then asked, "What is the name of this beauty?" He was naturally referring to Zhang Qi.

The band of thieves was merely a rabble gathered in this vicinity, where there was no real formation. At such a fright, the remaining eight men simultaneously broke into a cold sweat. They exchanged glances, and suddenly let out a howl, disregarding their companions, turned their horses, and fled!

Uncontrollably, the three warm and respectful women replied: "We are the servants of the Zhang family from Jiankang."

He glanced at the still-dazed Wen Ao and the others, and in a tone that was lofty and full of aristocratic flair, he asked with clarity: "Who is your master?"

All along the way, Lao Zhong seemed somewhat distracted; when he spoke, Lao Zhong was looking around aimlessly.

Just a moment of surprise, and the group of thieves withdrew their gazes. One of them sneered and cursed, "What does it matter, my lord, to a pampered pretty boy?"

The young man raised his right hand, and his five fingers flicked in the air! Zhang Qi barely had time to see his movement before she heard several screams. She quickly turned her head, but almost screamed out loud!

Unexpectedly, this young man was so striking that he stunned himself with just a glance, leaving the group of thieves feeling both embarrassed and ashamed. Another one sneered and cursed, "Where did this woman come from..."

One of them pointed the worn spearhead at the carriage and shouted, "Lift the curtain!"

The four individuals were startled and turned around in unison. Before they could utter a sound of surprise, two horses suddenly charged out from either side ahead. Then, a hoarse voice shouted: "Stop the carriage, quickly stop the carriage!"

A simple statement, yet the young person is indeed formidable

At the sound of this drink, the old woman let out a sharp scream and hoarsely exclaimed, "It is the mountain bandits!" It was already a scene of utter despair.

He said up to this point and asked the lean man, "Old Zhong, what do you think?"

At this moment, Zhang Qi was filled with grievance. She had just seen this person and, after searching her memory, finally recalled his identity. The person in her memory was virtuous, tolerant, and clear-minded, highly respected by the world. Even in a heavily fortified enemy city like Jiankang, one could often hear praises sung about him. In a few months, he would come to Jiankang, and her earlier remarks were made intentionally to get to know him and attract his attention. If she could earn his esteem or protection, her life would be much smoother. Who would have thought that she would actually provoke his anger?

The two thieves were in extreme pain, screaming as they fell from their horses and rolled on the ground! At this moment, Zhang Qi finally saw clearly that the blood was flowing from the eye sockets of both men, as the young man had inexplicably shot something that simultaneously blinded both of them!

At that moment, as Zhang Qi widened her bright, watery eyes and stared unblinkingly at the newcomer, a young man rushed in, suddenly pulling the reins of the horse just an arm's length away from her

The thin lips, whether intentionally or unintentionally, gently brushed against Zhang Qi's face, and the young man pushed her away, retreating on horseback.

On the second day, several people got up early. If all goes well, they would be able to enter Jiankang today

Five words barely uttered

He stared at Zhang Qi for a while, and suddenly, he kicked the horse's belly, driving the horse to gallop wildly towards Zhang Qi!

The sound of the hooves is singular, yet strong and powerful, crisp and resonant, instantly revealing that a fine steed is approaching

He slightly tilted his head, only to meet a pair of stunning eyes

He suddenly pulled the reins to stop his mount

As soon as the two carriages came to a halt, ten mounted bandits surrounded the group from all directions. In unison, they cast their gazes towards the carriage where Zhang Qi was situated

As soon as he uttered these words, a sudden and chaotic sound of hooves approached from the right rear. Immediately following, a harsh voice shouted, "Stop! Everyone, stop right now!"

Zhang Qi was indeed stunned

However, Zhang Qi, who was inherently stunningly beautiful, was merely breathtaking; her gaze remained clear and bright, devoid of obsession

The young man wore a thick hood that completely concealed his face. Only from the long, jade-like hand gripping the reins could one discern that he was not an ordinary person

With just a glance, she could only manage to be stunning

At this moment, Wen and the others huddled together, trembling, while in the carriage, Zhang Qi's face was as pale as paper

He exhaled a warm breath towards her ear and said softly, "Sister-in-law, trouble comes from the mouth; haven't you heard of it?"

Zhang Qi had dinner, recognized a few characters, and then went to bed. That night passed peacefully without incident

Only two thieves who had just spoken were seen, simultaneously covering their faces, with streams of fresh blood flowing from the seams of their hands. In that brief moment, the blood had already covered their heads and faces.

Although he arrived on horseback, the young man's posture was particularly casual yet exceptionally graceful. It seemed as if he had grown up on horseback since childhood, and it also appeared that he was naturally handsome, effortlessly captivating anyone with his every movement. Despite the dust swirling in the air and the sun shining brightly, he remained untainted, exuding an ethereal freshness.

The horse is also divine and majestic, performing such high-difficulty maneuvers, it can stop on command, executing a perfect front leg kick, standing upright.

As soon as the words were spoken, the knight immediately raised his head to look. Despite the thick veil separating them, everyone felt a chill, as if his gaze were like lightning!

The young man was taken aback; he rarely encountered such a gaze

The carriage returned to the official road, and under the supervision of Old Lady Wen, Zhang Qi recognized two more characters and read aloud the characters she had learned yesterday several times. Listening to her clear and bright reading, Old Lady Wen could not help but say to the middle-aged man, "Old Fang, this child, A Qi, is quite intelligent. It is a pity that her background is not good enough." If she were a legitimate niece of the Zhang family, not to mention being a legitimate child, even if she were a concubine's child, with her current intelligence, she could have a promising future; it is truly a pity.

However, within a distance of merely ten paces, he urged his horse forward with such urgency that it appeared he intended to overturn the carriage. Considering his skills, the three servants simultaneously screamed, thinking: This time, the young lady's life is in grave danger

Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached from behind

This is a face of exquisite beauty, with eyes that are slightly upturned at the corners, containing a hint of affection and mockery, along with an indescribable sense of distance and coldness in the gaze

Just now, he rushed too hastily, and the wind lifted his hood, allowing her to see his face and his eyes

Zhang Qi lifted the car curtain wide open

In the sound of hoofbeats, the young man was getting closer to them.

Riding in from the official road behind was a tall, red steed, entirely free of any blemish, truly magnificent in its appearance

With their eyes locked in a gaze, Zhang Qi exclaimed in a crisp voice, "I know who you are!"

She clenched her hands tightly and thought anxiously: The northern knight who saved me in my past life clearly appeared at this time, he wouldn't not come, would he?

At this moment, with pursuers behind and strong enemies ahead, what use is there in relying on four people? Not daring to provoke these individuals, the drivers, Old Fang and Old Zhong, simultaneously reined in the horses and brought the carriage to a halt

The young man said little, casting a glance at a few people before riding away

The warm matron quickly replied, "In response to your esteemed self, she is the daughter of the Zhang family, named Qi."

At a distance of about thirty steps, with a light and effortless wave of the hand, two people were shot blind in their four eyes! What incredible strength this is

Watching him disappear into the distance, the warm matron turned to Zhang Qi and reproached, "Little aunt, you, sigh!" She was so angry that she could not speak. She thought resentfully: Who knows what kind of person this is? Well, it doesn't matter; after all, this incident occurred on our way to pick her up. I must discuss this with the two of them later, and it is best not to say anything in front of the master.

The person before her has saved her in two lifetimes, and she wishes to see him clearly

The group of thieves turned around in unison, and at that moment, Zhang Qi in the carriage could no longer care about anything else; she lifted the curtain of the carriage in the opposite direction to look back.

Meanwhile, the young man extended his right hand swiftly, like lightning, and grasped Zhang Qi's chin. Then, he leaned forward and brought his lips close to Zhang Qi's ear

The two people on the ground were still rolling and screaming, while the bandits had already fled without a trace. At this moment, the young knight leisurely approached.

On horseback, there sat a tall young man, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist. Adorning the jade belt was a long sword encrusted with jewels.

At this moment, the sound of hooves approached from outside, and a soft voice said, "Let me see who is in this carriage!" As this was said, a hand with prominent veins reached in.

The galloping horse came rushing in, and the wind and sand it stirred up surged into Zhang Qi's eyes.