[Marriage first, love later] She is happy after marrying a widower

Xiaoling felt Xu Nian's hand reaching out like a poisonous snake, and panic instantly gripped her heart. She dodged to the side like a frightened rabbit, and her back hit the wall of the carriage with a "bang", making her groan in pain.

Xu Nian's eyes suddenly dimmed, and she couldn't help but curse in her heart, but the expression on her face changed instantly. A gentle smile appeared on her face like a spring breeze, and her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, and she spoke softly and coaxingly.

"Xiaoling, what's going on? Look at how flustered you are. Are you scared? Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Come over to me quickly."

On the other side, Xiaoling was filled with fear and anger, her voice trembling: "Girl...Girl, I...I'm fine standing here, really!"

However, Xu Nian was not willing to obey her. She used a little strength in her hands and pulled Xiaoling to her side, saying with a hint of anger.

"Oh, what nonsense are you talking about, kid! There are only two of us in this carriage. It would be safer for you to stay closer to me. Don't be so childish!"

Xiaoling was full of resistance and just wanted to avoid Xu Nian, but the space in the carriage was already narrow and cramped, and she had nowhere to hide, so she could only let Xu Nian pull her hand away.

The moment Xu Nian grabbed her, Xiaoling couldn't help trembling. She had been with Xu Nian for quite some time and had long realized that this master was not as gentle and kind as he appeared.

On weekdays, if Xu Nian is not happy, his temper will be as irritable as a lit firecracker.

Her thoughts drifted back to the past, when the Duke's Mansion was besieged. The lady assigned a maid to Xu Nian, who loyally stayed by her side, but was tragically killed on the spot, while Xu Nian escaped on her own.

When she thought of this, Xiaoling trembled even more violently, her heart filled with fear and chill.

"Xiaoling, don't be afraid. Those bandits have been stopped by the guards. No one will come to kill you anymore." Xu Nian coaxed her, but he unconsciously increased the strength of his hands, pinching Xiaoling so hard that it hurt.

Xiaoling nodded blankly, but felt sad in her heart.

I have taken good care of Xu Nian for so long, but I didn't expect that at the critical moment, she would want to murder me. How could she be so cruel?

But now, what could she say? The grievance and fear in her heart were stuck in her throat, making her unable to utter a word.

She secretly made up her mind that after the bandits were driven away, she would immediately find the housekeeper who was serving the lady and expose Xu Nian's ugly true face. She would never let it go.

"Xiaoling, why are you shaking so hard? Are you still scared?" Just as she was thinking, Xu Nian's gentle voice sounded in her ears again.

When Xiaoling heard this voice, it sounded like the whisper of a devil. She shuddered all over and came back to her senses in an instant.

"No, I don't." Xiaoling responded hurriedly, with a hint of panic still in her voice.

Xu Nian was extremely unhappy. This was the first time she had the intention to kill someone but failed. She felt a mixture of frustration and annoyance.

She still had a smile on her face, but that smile was like oil floating on the water, never seeping into her eyes: "Xiaoling, don't lie to me, you don't look like you're not afraid."

Xiaoling suppressed the fear surging in her heart and took great effort to squeeze out a smile that was uglier than crying: "Miss Xu, I am really not afraid anymore."

Xu Nian snorted softly, and the strength in his hands increased a little, squeezing Xiaoling until tears welled up in her eyes: "Xiaoling, you didn't see anything just now, did you?" Although this was a question, there was an unquestionable threat in his tone.

Xiaoling was in so much pain that tears were about to fall, but she could only grit her teeth and nod repeatedly: "I don't know what Miss Xu is talking about."

"That's good, Xiaoling. You have to know that even if you tell others, no one will believe you. So, you'd better listen to me and stay by my side honestly, otherwise..."

Xu Nian smiled coldly at this point and didn't continue. However, the sinister threat hidden in the unfinished words made Xiaoling shudder.

Xiaoling's body trembled violently, tears welling up in her eyes. She said hurriedly, "Miss Xu, I understand. I will be obedient."

Xu Nian finally let go of his hand with satisfaction, and his face instantly changed into that harmless and gentle expression: "That's right, as long as you behave, I will naturally not treat you unfairly."

At this moment, the guards outside suddenly cheered excitedly: "The bandits have been repelled!"

Xiaoling was delighted when she heard this, thinking that she could finally escape from Xu Nian, the "evil star". But Xu Nian seemed to see through her thoughts and reached out to hold her tightly, not intending to let go at all.

"Let's go get off the car and take a look." Xu Nian said, his tone implying that he could not refuse.

Xiaoling had no choice but to follow her out of the car. At this time, the guards were busy cleaning up the battlefield.

Outside the carriage, a shambles of rubble lay scattered, broken limbs and blades strewn everywhere. Blood seeped into the ground, staining it a mottled red. The smoke of gunpowder had not yet dissipated, wisps of it lingering in the air, acrid and choking. The guards were busy cleaning up, some carrying bodies, others cleaning their weapons.

Xu Nian glanced at the carriage and immediately pretended to be frightened and weak. She leaned against the carriage delicately and said softly, "Oh, I was really scared to death. Thanks to the brave guards, we are safe."

The captain of the guards was a strong man with a steady gait. He strode towards them with long, swift steps. When he came close, he stopped, clasped his hands together, and bowed to Xu Nian. He said respectfully, "Miss Xu, I am sorry for your fright. Please forgive me for my poor protection. We cannot stay here for long. Please return to the carriage and rest. We must hurry and continue on our journey!"

Xu Nian nodded slightly when she heard this, indicating her agreement. Her big watery eyes first looked at the captain of the guards.

He responded softly, then looked at Xiaoling beside him meaningfully.

His eyes seemed calm, but contained a subtle warning, as if warning Xiaoling not to act rashly or face the consequences.

After Xu Nian finished doing all this, he turned around, took light steps, and slowly walked towards the carriage parked not far away.

Xiaoling, who had been following closely behind, seemed a little nervous.

Her heart was pounding like a drum, filled with anxiety and trepidation. Her original intention of taking this opportunity to complain to the young lady was completely abandoned. At this moment, Xiaoling's only wish was to survive this difficult journey safely.