After being sentenced to death, she came to her senses.

After the snow stopped, the courtyard looked as if it were covered in a layer of silver makeup, pure white and flawless.

Fang Xiaoran wore an elegant moon-white jacket and skirt, with a silver fox fur trimmed cloak over it. She looked as fresh and beautiful as snow on a branch. She stood under the veranda, gazing at the snow-covered plum tree in the courtyard, lost in thought.

"The snow is exceptionally heavy this year. The northern border is now a frozen wasteland, where water can be poured on and instantly freezes." Gu Yuming walked out of the courtyard and saw her admiring the snow alone, so he spoke subconsciously.

This was the first time he had met his sister-in-law, and she seemed different from the rumors.

Fang Xiaoran turned around at the sound and saw a young man in an indigo brocade robe walking through the snow. Unlike Gu Yuqing, he was strong and sturdy, with a high nose and a cold face that exuded a murderous aura. A black iron longsword hung at his waist, and the scabbard was engraved with the wolf head pattern unique to the Gu family.

Generals who have fought on all sides for many years naturally carry an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness.

Gu Yuming took each step with great steadiness, the snow crunching beneath his feet with a dull sound, as if even the wind and snow were making way for him.

Fang Xiaoran bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Young Master."

“No need for formalities. I’ve often heard my grandfather mention you, saying that although you are a woman, your martial arts skills are quite formidable. How about we have a friendly spar?” Gu Yuming clasped his hands in a salute, his voice as crisp and clear as the biting wind of the northern border.

"Young Master, you flatter me. I am but a woman. How could I compare myself to a general who has fought on the battlefield? It is only because of your high praise, Lord Marquis." Fang Xiaoran was neither humble nor arrogant. Her eyes held a faint and indifferent smile, like a plum blossom in the snow, leaving a lingering fragrance, yet cold and aloof.

"You're not being honest, girl." Unexpectedly, the old Marquis's voice came. Fang Xiaoran and Gu Yuming looked over and saw the old Marquis walking leisurely with his hands behind his back. He first glanced at Fang Xiaoran, then shook his head and said, "Do you think that if my grandson loses to you, he will lose face?"

Even Gu Yuming was speechless upon hearing this. He knew that the old Marquis had taken a liking to his sister-in-law who had recently married into the family, but he never expected that he would place her on such a high pedestal.

Could it be that her martial arts skills have reached their peak?

The more this was the case, the more curious Gu Yuming became.

Gu Yuming clasped his hands and smiled, "Miss Fang, there's no need to worry. The military has always valued making friends through martial arts. If you are truly as my grandfather said, hiding your true strength, I would like to ask you for a few pointers."

"Girl, why don't you show him a thing or two? Let this brute see what swordsmanship is all about." The old Marquis said with a smile, looking like he was enjoying the show.

Fang Xiaoran shook her head helplessly. At that time, she had a brief exchange with the old Marquis over a piece of candy. Who knew that the old man had such a sharp eye and could tell at a glance that Fang Xiaoran's martial arts skills were not shallow. Afterwards, he tested her many times. Although he had no hostility, he could still see that her swordsmanship was superb.

Now she's even asking him to spar with Gu Yuming. She thinks the sparring is just a pretense; she really hopes Gu Yuming can learn a move or two from her.

However, the swordsmanship passed down by her master was not something that others could easily learn.

Fang Xiaoran did not answer, but slowly walked towards the red plum blossoms in the courtyard, picked a red plum blossom, waved it casually, and said lightly, "Then I would like to ask the young master for some guidance. Also, since I am Gu Yuqing's wife, the young master can call me sister-in-law. Please do not mention the word 'young lady' again."

Whether Gu Yuming did it on purpose or not, she was already married, but he kept referring to her as "Miss Fang." Even if Fang Xiaoran didn't care, she didn't want him to do whatever he wanted.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuming looked embarrassed, then drew his long sword from his waist, his eyes turning slightly cold. "Please."

As expected of a reckless fool, further words are useless. Fang Xiaoran immediately used a broken branch as a sword and swiftly began to wield it. Her swordsmanship was unpredictable, and even a single swing contained a myriad of emotions.

The red plum blossoms stirred up wisps of snow mist, and the sword's movements flowed like clouds and water, carving uniform sword marks on the snow, forming a complete plum blossom picture.

A sharp light flashed in Gu Yuming's eyes, and the heavy sword was drawn with a clang like a dragon's roar.

With a light tap of the plum branch in her hand, Fang Xiaoran struck the Xuan Tie sword seven times—each strike precisely hitting the weakest point on the spine of the sword.

"Ding--"

After the seventh crisp sound, Gu Yuming realized with a start that his sword momentum had been completely deflected.

He retreated three steps, his heavy sword held horizontally to his chest, only to find Fang Xiaoran still standing in the same spot, the plum branch in her hand completely unharmed. Even more terrifying, there wasn't a single footprint left in the snow beneath her feet.

"Treading on snow without leaving a trace..." Gu Yuming frowned and raised his sword to meet the attack again, but every move he made was quickly dismantled, and he couldn't even get close to Fang Xiaoran. Fang Xiaoran stood in the snow, her head covered in snow, with a faint smile on her face.

She was so relaxed that it didn't seem like a friendly sparring match at all, but rather like she was teasing him. Yet he couldn't sense her nonchalance or disdain. He could only conclude that her martial arts skills far surpassed his, which was why she was so composed.

No wonder her grandfather praised her so highly. He didn't believe it before they fought, but after exchanging blows, he truly admired the woman more and more. Especially with her long, snow-white hair and the red plum blossom in her hand, she was both fierce and charming, making it hard to look away.

There was no point in continuing the competition, so Gu Yuming sheathed his sword and immediately changed his attitude, cupping his fists at Fang Xiaoran and saying, "Sister-in-law is indeed amazing."

It was precisely because of her remarkable abilities that he felt it was a waste and a pity that this woman married Gu Yuqing.

"The eldest son also possesses the demeanor of a military general." Fang Xiaoran smiled lightly, holding a plum blossom, remaining calm and indifferent.

At this moment, three claps rang out from the corridor. The group looked over and saw Gu Yuqing wearing a dark brocade robe, leaning against a vermilion pillar. The silver-embroidered cloud patterns were faintly visible in the snow.

He clapped slowly, a half-smile playing on his lips: "It seems that elder brother's swordsmanship is inferior to my wife's."

The moment Fang Xiaoran saw him, she couldn't help but recall what had happened the night before, and a blush crept up her ears. At the same time, she felt a strange sensation towards him.

Especially when their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned her head away, looking at the plum blossom in her hand as if nothing had happened.

Unexpectedly, the moment Gu Yuming saw Gu Yuqing, his longsword, which he had sheathed, suddenly flew out of its sheath. Without any defense, he leaped into the air and thrust his sword at Gu Yuqing.

He moved with incredible speed, and the wind and snow falling on his face made his already cold and stern features even more sharp and ruthless.

The sword blade pierced the air with a piercing shriek, heading straight for Gu Yuqing's throat.

However, seeing the longsword approaching, Gu Yuqing showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he looked at the other party with a smile, as if the sword tip was not pointed at him.

In that split second, Fang Xiaoran moved swiftly, stepping through the snow and soaring into the air. With a flick of her wrist, she used the red plum blossom in her hand to defy the strong with the soft, precisely deflecting Gu Yuming's longsword and then protecting Gu Yuqing in front of her.

Although something happened between them last night, they are still husband and wife in name only, and she cannot allow others to bully him.

"What does the young master mean by this?" As the longsword was knocked back, Fang Xiaoran suddenly straightened the plum branch in her hand and pointed it forward. Her fingertips released internal energy, and the snow remaining on the plum branch instantly condensed into an ice blade.

It grazed Gu Yuming's neck, leaving a noticeable bloodstain.

Although she had already withdrawn her strength, Gu Yuming was still forced to stagger backward, looking somewhat disheveled. Seeing this, the old Marquis stepped forward to protect Gu Yuming, stroking his beard with a kind expression, "A contest should end when the point is reached. If you continue fighting, it will damage the harmony."

As he said this, he glared at Gu Yuqing, as if blaming him for being the culprit. Gu Yuqing shrugged nonchalantly and pointed at Gu Yuming, saying, "He started it."

The old marquis rolled his eyes and dragged Gu Yuming away.

After they left, Fang Xiaoran glanced back at Gu Yuqing and said leisurely, "You brothers are really harmonious."

To everyone's surprise, Gu Yuqing's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled faintly, "Likewise."

Fang Xiaoran: "..."