Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Just as they stepped out of the tent, they encountered the Seventh Princess, Jiang Muxue, and Xie Zhiyi strolling and chatting outside.

As for the Eighth Princess and the Ninth Princess, they went into the forest to join in the fun.

When the three saw her appear, they immediately went up to her to check on her health.

Lingyan smiled and replied to their concern, "It's nothing serious, just an old ailment."

The Seventh Princess frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, you've been drinking the imperial physician's medicine these past few days, haven't you? Why haven't you fully recovered yet?"

Ling Yan replied without batting an eye, "I did drink it, and I should be almost fully recovered by now, so don't worry."

Xie Zhiyi said with relief, "That's good. We've all been very worried about the Princess's health these past few days."

Jiang Muxue also expressed her concern: "If the imperial physicians cannot cure you, you can seek other famous doctors in the martial arts world. Your health is the most important thing."

Ling Yan replied with a smile, "I understand."

The four of them then walked around together, chatting and laughing, creating a very harmonious and warm atmosphere.

Unfortunately, this joyful atmosphere was suddenly interrupted.

Because a person suddenly appeared in front of them.

Lingyan had seen her at the banquet.

Princess Huayin.

She was also the most arrogant and domineering of the three people on the marriage alliance list she submitted.

Princess Huayin stood in front of them, looking down at Lingyan with a haughty tone and questioning, "Was I on His Majesty's list of those to be sent for a marriage alliance?"

Upon hearing this, Lingyan countered, "May I ask who told you this, Princess?"

Princess Huayin angrily said, "I'm asking you, not the other way around. Answer me, is it true or not?"

Ling Yan smiled faintly and said, "Since the princess has already received the news, why bother asking me?"

Princess Huayin was furious and glared at Lingyan, saying fiercely, "So it's true?"

Lingyan smiled faintly and said, "If the princess thinks it's true, then it's true; if she thinks it's false, then it's false."

Princess Huayin was even more furious at her calm and composed demeanor.

She threatened in a menacing tone, "I don't care! You must immediately present His Majesty with a new list. This list cannot be without me, nor can it include Sister Hua Rong, or I will tell everyone about your good deeds!"

Ling Yan raised an eyebrow.

Princess Huarong?

So, Princess Huarong received the news but hid behind the scenes, instead instigating Princess Huayin to threaten her?

She always felt that it wouldn't be that simple.

Princess Huayin saw that she was not speaking and thought she was afraid.

She laughed heartily and triumphantly, "At least you know how to be afraid. Since you know how to be afraid, then hurry up and do as I say."

Lingyan was filled with doubt.

What is she afraid of?

So she asked, puzzled, "May I ask what I should be afraid of, Princess?"

Princess Huayin laughed happily, "Of course it's about your affair with Prince Rui before your marriage. Although Prince Rui gave a strict order not to let anyone spread this, how could I not know? So if you don't do as I say, I will make this known throughout the entire Great Zhao Dynasty. Then let's see how you will have the face to live in this world!"

So that’s what happened!

Ling Yan didn't care at all.

Even if she had the opportunity to publicize it, so what if she did publicize it to the point that everyone knew about it?

Since she dared to do it, why would she feel like she couldn't go on living?

She doesn't care at all!

However, the Seventh Princess, Xie Zhiyi, and Jiang Muxue all looked extremely worried.

As women, no one knows better than them the importance of a woman's reputation.

If everyone finds out about this, then my sister-in-law/Princess Rui's life will be ruined.

To their surprise, Lingyan remained calm and unconcerned, saying, "If the princess wants to spread the word, then go ahead and spread it. Do as you please."

Princess Huayin's eyes widened upon hearing this, her face filled with disbelief.

She thought she had misheard, her voice trembling as she looked at her in disbelief and asked, "What did you just say? You really don't care about your reputation?"

Ling Yan smiled faintly, "It's just reputation, it's not important to me. Is this thing really that important?"

Princess Huayin and the other three were even more astonished upon hearing this.

Is a woman's reputation unimportant?

Why could she so casually say that it didn't matter to her?

And judging from her expression, she really didn't care.

Are there still women like this in the world?

Princess Huayin was both astonished and furious.

The other three were shocked but filled with admiration and respect.

Such free-spirited women, unburdened by vanity, are truly admirable!

Princess Huayin's anger was almost at its peak. She roared angrily, "I don't believe you don't care! You must be faking it. I'm going to spread the word right now and see if you'll still be so indifferent then."

Just as she finished speaking and was about to leave, Lingyan called out to her, "Princess, wait a moment."

Princess Huayin turned around with a cold smile, her eyes flashing with provocation: "What? Now you know fear? Too bad, it's too late!"

Lingyan shook her head gently, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "I have no regrets. The reason I stopped the princess is because there is something I want to say to her."

Princess Huayin's face instantly darkened, like the calm before a storm. She gritted her teeth and asked, "What did you say?"

Lingyan's eyes became deep and sharp. She slowly said, "The reason why the princess came to see me today was because someone instructed her, right? You were being used as a pawn without even realizing it. I really don't know what to say to you."

Upon hearing this, Princess Huayin's face immediately turned bright red with anger. She glared at Lingyan through gritted teeth and said furiously, "So you're saying I'm stupid, that I was used?"

Ling Yan nodded and smiled, "The group leader guessed right, I knew you were stupid!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Huayin was so enraged that she immediately lost her temper, acting like a wild beast that had been provoked.

Unable to contain her anger any longer, she drew her long whip from her waist and lashed it viciously at Lingyan.

She was completely disregarding everything else; all she wanted was to teach this woman who had called her stupid a lesson.

Lingyan, however, was not afraid of this, for she had secret guards.

However, the Seventh Princess and Xie Zhiyi didn't think that much about it at the moment.

So, in their shock, the two instinctively and without hesitation stepped in front of Lingyan, like two solid shields.

Just then, the hunting party returned.

Emperor Jingzhao, along with his officials and scions of noble families, had just reached the outer perimeter of the camp.

From afar, they could see Princess Huayin whipping Lingyan.

Everyone looked horrified and inwardly gasped.

Xiao Muyao, He Jingchuan, and Lu Yanqing were even more panicked and anxious, and immediately used their lightness skills to rush to her rescue.

But it was too late; the whip was already upon them.

At that moment, someone unexpected made a move.

She swiftly and precisely grasped the other end of the whip, and with astonishing force, lashed it out in the opposite direction.

With a sharp "crack," a shocking whip mark was left on Princess Huayin's body.

This scene left everyone present speechless, astonished, and incredulous.

In fact, the guards were about to make their move.

But when they saw someone making a move, they stopped.

At this moment, Lingyan looked at the Seventh Princess and Xie Zhiyi who were blocking her way.

Then he looked at the person who had just grabbed the whip—Jiang Muxue.

how to say.

It was both unexpected and not unexpected.

At this moment, Xiao Muyao, He Jingchuan, and Lu Yanqing also arrived.

Fearing that He Jingchuan and Lu Yanqing might reveal their weaknesses in front of everyone, Ling Yan quickly said, "Thank you, General He and Commander Lu, for coming to our rescue. I didn't expect you two to be so kind. Thank you both."

He Jingchuan and Lu Yanqing immediately realized what was going on.

The two immediately composed themselves.

Besides the two of them, Chu Xiyao, who had just heard the commotion and left the tent, also reacted immediately.

He was so anxious just now that he almost acted completely recklessly like them.

Seeing this, he immediately moved to the main group, which would put him closer to her.

In response to Lingyan's gratitude, He Jingchuan replied first, "It is only my duty to come to the rescue of Your Highness, who is of noble birth."

Lu Yanqing replied, "General He is absolutely right. Given the Princess's status, I believe that not only General He and I, but other officials would also risk their lives to save her, right?"

He then looked at the crowd that had approached and said this.

Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.

Compared to the other three who were secretive, Xiao Muyao could openly and honestly show his concern for her.