The hot spring resort is very large, and the reception room for the banquet is especially spacious, enough to accommodate thousands of people.

Leng Qingning and her husbands took their seats at the places Xue Tong had arranged for them. Lin Xianzhi felt a little uncomfortable; the seats were too far forward and were about a chair higher than the other seats in the hall. It was clearly the secondary seating area.

Leng Qingning noticed Lin Xianzhe's discomfort and had Cang Yuan, who was sitting further inside, switch places with him. Chi Yan also didn't want to be seen by too many people, so he took out a mask and put it on.

Little did he know that it would have been better if he hadn't worn a mask; the fact that he did was actually discovered by those with ulterior motives.

At the start of the banquet, Xue Tong first took the seat of honor and exchanged pleasantries with everyone. Then, he explained the purpose of the banquet, one of which was to recruit partners to expand the painting business.

Secondly, we invite everyone to appreciate any of the books that Hua Danqing has previously exclusively published. Summarize them in the form of poetry. Finally, the best poems that fit the characters and story of the book will be selected and awarded three major prizes.

Although the selection committee didn't say it explicitly, the young masters from prominent families who came all knew perfectly well that every family that hosts a banquet does so with some personal agenda. They all came hoping to be chosen.

After Xue Tong finished speaking, Xue's mother said a few words. Finally, Fu Wen supplemented the partnership rules and announced that Hua Danqing was officially renamed Sanshengluo, and the owners were Leng Qingning and Fu Wen.

The banquet officially began, and the waitresses brought out the day's lucky charms.

These are Mr. Xun's painting "Begonia".

A pendant carved from black gemstones and silver into the shape of wings.

A pot of tricolor roses, pink with white and blue tips. It looks extremely gorgeous and beautiful.

Leng Qingning looked at the prizes, but none of them interested her. She asked her husbands, and they weren't interested either. The couple quietly ate and drank their food.

More than an hour later, the three best poems selected for the literary appreciation event were chosen from an old man, a young man, and a young lady.

To Leng Qingning's surprise, the second song was actually by the young master who had led the way in speaking ill of her...

Leng Qingning grinned mischievously. "Tongzi, you're in luck!"

After the banquet, only the people who came to discuss cooperation and the Fu family remained in the reception room. Some of the others returned to their guest rooms at the villa, wanting to stay for a few more days, while others rushed back to Chang Le City overnight.

Leng Qingning and her husband naturally planned to stay a few more days, as they had come out to relax. Therefore, she arranged for her husbands to return to their bedroom first, while she stayed to discuss the details. Chi Yan and Lu Shiyi volunteered to stay and wait for her.

Leng Qingning and Fu Wen talked for more than an hour with representatives from various bookstores, settling the franchise rules, agreeing on profit sharing, and signing the contracts. The rest was left to Fu Wen to handle. She trusted Fu Wen to do business.

The three walked out of the banquet hall and onto the pebbled path leading to the hot spring bedroom, unaware that archers had already been ambushed in the trees on both sides of the road.

"Whoosh."

A sharp sword slashed through the night sky and shot towards the three of them. At the critical moment, Leng Qingning felt a surge of heat in her chest and her eyes widened as she sensed the changes in her body.

As if she had suddenly awakened her spiritual senses, she could clearly hear the sound of the arrow leaving the bowstring. She looked up at lightning speed, and the arrow seemed to be slowed down, its trajectory clearly visible in the dark night sky.

The arrowhead was aimed directly at Chi Yan's heart.

In an instant, a surge of power erupted from Leng Qingning's body. She forcefully pushed Chi Yan away, sending him flying more than ten meters away. The arrow grazed Chi Yan's sleeve and embedded itself deeply in the soil.

Just then, two arrows flew in from behind, one aimed at Chi Yan and the other at Leng Qingning. After Chi Yan knocked down the arrows that were within reach, it was too late to save Leng Qingning.

"Ning'er!"

The arrow was about to strike Leng Qingning when Chi Yan's pupils dilated in shock!

Just as the arrow was a foot away from Leng Qingning, Lu Shiyi, who was standing beside her, suddenly lunged at her, taking the arrow for her. Lu Shiyi groaned in pain, then slid down, his body giving way.

"Shi Yi!" Leng Qingning was shocked and caught Lu Shi Yi just as he was about to fall to the ground.

Chi Yan quickly arrived beside the two, deflecting the continuous stream of arrows and firing a signal flare. Upon seeing this, the assassins in the tree abandoned their assassination attempt and fled in panic.

"Ning'er, are you alright?" Chi Yan asked in alarm, his first concern being for Leng Qingning, fearing she might be hurt somewhere.

"Ayan, don't worry, I'm not hurt, but Shi Yi..."

Lu Shiyi lay in Leng Qingning's arms, already delirious.

“The arrow is poisoned,” Chi Yan said definitively.

"Ayan, go and call the doctor. I'll stay here and watch over Shi Yi." Leng Qingning was very anxious.

“Ordinary doctors can’t cure this poison. Don’t worry, Ning’er, my men will be here soon. They have the antidote,” Chi Yan reassured her.

Leng Qingning breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Chi Yan pulled out the arrow, tore off a piece of clothing and wrapped it simply around Lu Shiyi's back to stop the bleeding.

"The wound is deep, but fortunately it's not fatal. It's two inches off the heart. As long as the poison is neutralized and he gets proper rest, he'll be fine."

"Um."

After a cup of tea, Chi Yan's subordinates fed Lu Shiyi an antidote, which could cure a hundred kinds of strange poisons.

The two men in black who attempted the assassination were captured and then committed suicide by biting off their tongues.

Chi Yan's face was gloomy as he ordered the kneeling man, "Investigate for me, and kill all those involved without exception."

Anyone who dares to harm Ning'er is asking for death!

"Your subordinate obeys."

…

The next day, Lu Shiyi slowly woke up.

"Shi Yi, you're awake?"

Lu Shiyi looked around and saw Leng Qingning sitting anxiously by the bedside, watching over him. He asked in a low, hoarse voice, "My lady, are you alright?"

Leng Qingning was touched to see that the first thing he cared about when he woke up was her.

"Shi Yi, I'm fine. It's you who got injured while saving me."

Lu Shiyi forced a smile, "My wife, I'm fine. It's good that you're alright."

Leng Qingning brought water and fed it to Lu Shiyi, then tenderly wiped his mouth, her eyes full of concern.

"Shi Yi, your poison has been neutralized, and your wounds are fine. You'll be able to get out of bed after a few days of rest. I'll stay by your side."

"My lady, thank you."

"You saved me, I should be thanking you. Don't worry, I will make it up to you. You should focus on recovering." Leng Qingning was deeply moved.

Looking at Leng Qingning's concern for him at this moment, Lu Shiyi couldn't help but reveal a hint of happiness and satisfaction in his eyes.

If only the wife could always treat him like this…

"My lady, who were those people last night? Why did they try to assassinate us?"

"We haven't found anything yet, but don't be afraid. I've already sent word back to Yue Palace. The Empress has dispatched the Imperial Guards to protect this place, so it's safe here now. I believe we'll find out soon."

Lu Shiyi gave a soft "hmm" and didn't ask any more questions. He wasn't afraid of those assassins at all, but Leng Qingning thought he was afraid and treated him even more considerately and gently. He was quite happy; his efforts were worthwhile.