Here, Leng Ruo Li, upon hearing that the murderer was found in the abandoned courtyard of the Xia mansion, rushed over.
At this moment, several people were locked in an intense battle. The black-robed man, in order to defeat Jun Mo Han and the others, even employed his unique skill, the Yin Gathering Dragon Shadow.
Today, having just completed the ritual of absorbing a maiden's virgin blood, his Yin Gathering Dragon Shadow was at its peak. He believed he had a good chance of defeating Jun Mo Han and Leng Jin Yu.
The black-robed man closed his eyes in contemplation for a few seconds, channeling all his inner energy into his palms. A ball of black mist then materialized in his palms. Following this, he shaped his large palms into orchid fingers, slowly rotating them together. Instantly, a large black halo appeared around him.
Subsequently, the black-robed man brought his orchid-fingered palms together. They immediately transformed into a ferocious black dragon head with glaring eyes. The large halo simultaneously morphed into a dragon's tail, soaring into the air and swooping down towards Jun Mo Han and Leng Jin Yu.
“Dodge quickly!”
Jun Mo Han shouted.
No one had anticipated that the black-robed man had mastered such a sinister technique as the Yin Gathering Dragon Shadow. This was a forbidden skill in the martial world.
Unexpectedly, Xia Ling Xuan, whose lightness skill was less proficient, failed to evade the black dragon's attack in time. He was immediately flung several meters away by the dragon's tail, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Leng Ruo Li hurried over, helped Xia Ling Xuan up, and felt his pulse. Discovering that his vital points were not injured, she breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, the Marquis of Jing Yuan, whose martial arts were not weak, also joined the fray.
This black-robed man had nearly killed his daughter and had attempted to sow discord between him, the Grand Tutor Xia's mansion, and General Leng's mansion. The Marquis of Jing Yuan was determined to kill him with his own hands.
After half an incense stick's time, the black-robed man was finally at a disadvantage. He was struck in the chest by a palm from Jun Mo Han, sending him flying several meters away. He felt a sudden sweetness in his throat, and a gush of blood erupted from his windpipe, spilling from the corner of his mouth. The black dragon in the air instantly vanished.
His eyes, like those of a viper, narrowed slightly. He then wiped the blood from his lips with his hand, a sinister smile briefly gracing his mouth. He glared fiercely at Jun Mo Han, his eyes glinting with malevolent intent, appearing eerie and terrifying, sending shivers down one's spine.
“Heh heh, Jun Mo Han, you’ve injured me today. This enmity is now forged between us,” the black-robed man said fiercely.
With that, the black-robed man threw two white smoke balls. A cloud of white mist immediately rose into the air, and he vanished from everyone's sight.
“Alas, he actually managed to escape.”
The Marquis of Jing Yuan said regretfully.
Leng Jin Yu patted the Marquis of Jing Yuan’s shoulder and replied, “It’s alright. Next time, we won’t let him return.”
The Marquis of Jing Yuan nodded, then glanced at Leng Ruo Li, who stood not far from him. He sighed, “General Leng, Miss Leng, I was truly wrong to you earlier.”
“Yes, Miss Leng, you saved my daughter’s life, and we insulted you so. We are truly ashamed…”
At this, the Marchioness of Jing Yuan, holding Bai Yu Xuan’s hand, also approached Leng Ruo Li and said.
As they spoke, the mother and daughter suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to Leng Ruo Li.
Leng Ruo Li quickly helped them up, but the Marchioness of Jing Yuan refused to rise until her kowtow was complete.
In truth, Leng Ruo Li had been busy saving people and hadn't paid close attention to what the Marquis and Marchioness of Jing Yuan had said. Furthermore, they had both lowered their heads to apologize to her. To recognize one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Leng Ruo Li saw no need to hold a grudge against them.
“Marchioness of Jing Yuan, there is no need for this. I never blamed you in the first place,” Leng Ruo Li said with a sense of helplessness.
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Yu Xuan, who had just stood up from the ground, had a sparkle in her eyes. With a smile, she said, “Sister Ruo Li, can I befriend you?”
“Of course.”
Leng Ruo Li said with a smile. She also liked this pure, straightforward, lovely, and intelligent young girl. Unlike other noble ladies who acted affected, which made her feel disgusted.
“Alright, Li’er, the banquet is about to begin. Let’s quickly take our guests to dine,” Xia Shan Yi reminded her.
Following that, led by Xia Shan Yi, everyone majestically entered the grand living room to find their seats.
A stage had also been erected at the front of the living room, with the most famous opera troupe from the capital invited to perform. The entire evening was filled with lively entertainment.
As for Yi Cui, who was killed by the black-robed man, her family was privately summoned by the Xia mansion. They were given more silver, and arrangements were made for her to be buried with dignity.
After all, the young maidservant Yi Cui was truly pitiful. Not only was she violated, but she also lost her life.
—
After the birthday banquet, the guests who had come to celebrate her maternal grandfather's birthday gradually departed from the Xia mansion.
However, Princess Qing Ling, urged several times by the Marquis and Marchioness of Jing Yuan, refused to return. She even pulled Leng Ruo Li aside to talk privately.
“Sister Ruo Li, since this is our first meeting today, I want to give you a gift.”
As she said this, Bai Yu Xuan took out a box of rouge from her sleeve and handed it to Leng Ruo Li.
“Sister Ruo Li, I managed to snatch this box of rouge after visiting the "Charming Beauties" rouge shop a few times. I’m giving it to you,” Bai Yu Xuan said with a smile.
Leng Ruo Li had heard a little about the fame of the "Charming Beauties" rouge shop. However, her system space contained high-end modern cosmetics, so she didn't need these ancient rouge and powders. Nevertheless, she decided to accept it, as it was Bai Yu Xuan's gesture of goodwill.
“Thank you, Princess! Actually, you didn’t need to give me such a valuable gift.”
“Sister Ruo Li, why do you still call me Princess? You are a year older than me. You can just call me Xuan’er,” Bai Yu Xuan said with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Leng Ruo Li’s lips deepened.
Thus, Leng Ruo Li also took out a bottle of women’s perfume from her sleeve and presented it to Bai Yu Xuan.
“Xuan’er, this is a gift from Sister Ruo Li for you.”
Seeing the exquisitely beautiful bottle that Leng Ruo Li handed her, Bai Yu Xuan curiously asked, “Sister Ruo Li, what is this?”
“This is called perfume. Spray a little on yourself, and you’ll smell wonderful,” Leng Ruo Li said, then demonstrated for Bai Yu Xuan.
Bai Yu Xuan exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, it smells really good! Then Xuan’er will accept your gift.”
The two chatted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
The Marchioness of Jing Yuan began to hurry Bai Yu Xuan again. Only then did Bai Yu Xuan reluctantly board the carriage.
After Bai Yu Xuan had gone some distance, Leng Ruo Li hid in a corner and took out a pile of gifts from her system space. These were gifts she had prepared for her relatives in the Xia mansion. Because her gifts were too astonishing for this era, she could only bring them out after all the guests had left.
“Grandfather, Grandmother, guess what gifts Li’er has prepared for you.”
Leng Ruo Li called out loudly before she even entered the main hall of the Grand Tutor Xia’s mansion.