Hua Yan was immensely impressed with Great Hero Lu’s ability to quickly learn and apply new terms. He had only just learned the meaning of the word a moment ago and was already using it!
However, that’s not how you use it!
It should be, it should be…
Seeing her hesitation, Lu Chengsha asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
His expression was calm, completely unaware of the shocking statement he had just made.
Ah! He really doesn’t know anything!
Why is he so calm? How can he be so calm!
Hua Yan felt as if her brain was in utter chaos.
She forced herself to calm down, deeply contemplating before seriously telling him, “You used it too casually! This word, this phrase, should only be said to someone in a very serious context. Because one can only say it to one person in a lifetime.” After a moment, she remembered there could be remarriage situations, and coughed, saying, “In short, Great Hero Lu, only use it when you fully understand its meaning.”
Lu Chengsha finally nodded and said, “Alright.”
Hua Yan’s wildly beating heart finally settled down.
She had really been scared just now!
Even now, she was still trembling with fear.
Next time she explains something to Great Hero Lu, she must be more careful.
Hua Yan thought while patting her chest, and reminded him again just to be sure, “Great Hero Lu, you mustn’t use words like ‘Can I marry you?’ lightly, and definitely don’t say them casually to others!”
Lu Chengsha’s clear, black-and-white eyes blinked, and he said, “Got it.”
She patted Lu Chengsha and hurriedly ran away, feeling that staying by his side was particularly dangerous at this moment.
***
When she reached Tingjian Manor, Hua Yan realized that Lu Zhusheng had not lied; Qin Muyan had indeed arrived.
The smoky yellow gauze dress stood out amidst the layers of black clothes in Tingjian Manor.
Hua Yan already knew that Lu Huaitian’s wife, the mother of Lu Chengzhao and Lu Chengyang, also had the surname Qin, and came from the Qiqin Tianxia, and was somewhat related to Qin Muyan. Her presence here was not surprising.
But Hua Yan just felt vaguely uncomfortable.
Qin Muyan had already been led into the main hall, and with the door closed, Hua Yan couldn’t hear the sounds from inside.
Could it be that they were really discussing Lu Chengsha’s future marriage?
However, it seemed that after just a few words, Qin Muyan was escorted to a guest room in Tingjian Manor.
Hua Yan saw the veil on Qin Muyan’s face and, after a moment of thought, sneaked down. Taking advantage of the moment when the disciple escorting her left, Hua Yan pushed the door open without hesitation and, before Qin Muyan could turn around, she swiftly injected a needle into Qin Muyan’s neck.
Qin Muyan immediately felt disoriented. Hua Yan caught her and, while she was in a daze, whispered seductively in her ear, “What are you here for?”
Fortunately, this young lady’s martial arts were indeed quite mediocre.
She dully replied, “To discuss marriage.”
Alright, it really was.
“Okay then,” Hua Yan whispered in her ear, then knocked her out, “My apologies!”
***
Half an hour later.
Qin Suoxue knocked on her niece’s door and asked, “Yan’er, have you rested well? It’s time to meet Old Manor Lord Lu.”
The door opened, and her niece, Qin Muyan, came out from the inner room, coughing.
“What’s wrong?” Qin Suoxue asked with concern, “Is your throat uncomfortable?”
Qin Muyan nodded and responded in a very soft, hoarse voice, “A little…”
Qin Suoxue said, “Well, when we meet them later… it’s all elders anyway, let your aunt do the talking, and you just don’t speak.”
Qin Muyan nodded obediently.
Qin Suoxue knew her niece was proud and had put a lot of thought into this matter. So she reassured her, “Don’t worry, with me here and your Aunt Suyu being Lu Huaitian’s wife, as long as Old Manor Lord Lu agrees, the marriage will be settled.”
Qin Muyan hesitated, still seeming a bit worried.
Qin Suoxue continued, “You don’t need to worry too much. Lu Chengsha is well-known, and it’s not surprising that some young girls are infatuated with him. We’ll make sure your Uncle Lu disciplines him. Or are you worried he won’t like you?” She couldn’t help but laugh, thinking her niece was still a little girl, “Our Yan’er is stunningly beautiful; no man would dislike you. No matter how cold and stern Lu Chengsha is, after marriage, even the hardest steel will bend to soft fingers. Let me tell you secretly, your Uncle Lu was the same before he got married, distant from women, but after marriage, he was completely obedient to your Aunt Suyu. Men are all like that.”
Hua Yan thought to herself, “Who knew Lu Huaitian had such gossip?”
She was now dressed in Qin Muyan’s clothes, wearing Qin Muyan’s hairstyle, with Qin Muyan’s hairpins, her face disguised to look like Qin Muyan’s, and a veil over her face. She even carried Qin Muyan’s scented sachet. Before leaving, she had repeatedly checked everything, but she still felt a bit nervous.
Fortunately, her body shape was similar to Qin Muyan’s, although she found the chest area of Qin Muyan’s clothes a bit tight—but it seemed that even her own aunt didn’t notice anything wrong.
Seeing her relax a little, Qin Suoxue smiled and said, “Let’s go.”
Qin Suoxue must have been a frequent visitor, as she walked through the maze-like Tingjian Manor with graceful familiarity, heading towards another main reception hall called Jingxin Hall.
Following behind, Hua Yan tried to mimic Qin Suoxue’s walking style. Despite the seemingly pointless task, she found she was quite adept at it, which left her with mixed feelings.
Along the way, they occasionally encountered disciples of Tingjian Manor, who all nodded and greeted Qin Suoxue with a “Madam Suoxue.”
When they finally reached Jingxin Hall, Hua Yan couldn’t help but feel nervous again.
As the door opened, she saw Lu Huaitian and his wife, as well as Lu Chengzhao and Lu Chengyang, sitting inside. There were also some people Hua Yan didn’t recognize, but the most striking figure was the elderly man in the main seat.
His hair was completely white, but not from old age; it seemed almost as if it had been dyed. His deep black eyes were sharp and penetrating, much like Lu Huaitian and Lu Chengsha, making him look much younger than his seventy years, more like he was in his forties or fifties. Even his face had fewer wrinkles than Ling Tianxiao’s, with the marks of time leaving behind a formidable and awe-inspiring presence.
It was true that martial artists who reached the pinnacle of their training aged more slowly.
Before her mother’s illness, she had looked much younger than her father, and the previous sect leader had looked more like Xie Yingxian’s brother. Hua Yan couldn’t help but scrutinize him, feeling like she was seeing what Lu Chengsha might look like in his old age.
The atmosphere was tense, and even Qin Suoxue paid her respects respectfully.
Following her lead, Hua Yan also bowed.
What followed was the obligatory polite conversation, mostly handled by Qin Suoxue while Hua Yan smiled politely and nodded along—she really despised these formalities, something the Zhengyi Sect didn’t practice.
After her initial shock, Hua Yan couldn’t help but grumble internally. Even if Lu Zhenxing didn’t have a kind appearance, he at least looked righteous. Why was he so strict and harsh with Great Hero Lu? How annoying!
They looked somewhat alike, couldn’t he be a bit more lenient? At least show him some affection!
She grumbled internally for quite a while before Qin Suoxue’s small talk finally neared its end.
Qin Suoxue casually remarked, “Why don’t I see Chengsha?”
Lu Huaitian replied, “He is still in seclusion on the mountain.”
Qin Suoxue covered her mouth with a smile and said, “Chengsha is indeed a standout among the younger generation, truly diligent. As I mentioned to both of you earlier, I have come this time to discuss a happy event.”
Hua Yan’s alarm bells went off immediately.
Here it comes!
The beautiful woman beside Lu Huaitian also smiled warmly at this moment. “Muyan has become more and more lovely as she’s grown up. I’ve watched you since you were little, and it’s hard to let you go,” she said, giving the person next to her a gentle squeeze.
Lu Huaitian coughed and said, “It’s about the marriage between the Qin family’s young lady and Chengsha, right? I have no objections. Father, what do you think?”
No! I have objections!
Hua Yan immediately coughed as well.
Seeing this, Qin Suoxue smiled and said, “Why are you getting shy now?”
Hua Yan had no choice but to pinch her throat and imitate Qin Muyan’s voice, softly saying, “If Young Master Lu is unwilling, then let it be…”
The beautiful woman beside Lu Huaitian pinched him again.
Lu Huaitian said, “He won’t be unwilling.”
Who says so!
He just refused it on the mountain!
If you have the guts, go ask him now!
Hua Yan was furious and continued in a soft voice, “Why not call him down now…”
Lu Huaitian replied quickly this time, “No need.”
Just as Hua Yan was contemplating how to cause more trouble without arousing suspicion, Lu Zhenxing spoke up.
When he spoke, everyone instinctively fell silent.
Lu Zhenxing slowly said, “Chengsha is still young. If Miss Qin truly wants to marry into the Lu family, she can marry Chengzhao.”
Hua Yan: “…”
Qin Suoxue: “…”
Everyone else: “…”
At this statement, the room fell into absolute silence.
Sitting at the table, Lu Chengzhao, who was blissfully unaware of the turn of events, was utterly shocked: “…??? Grandpa, I…”
Lu Zhenxing responded, “Hmm?”
Lu Chengzhao, feeling humiliated, said, “…Grandpa, it’s up to you.”
Damn, he is older than Lu Chengsha, but what does this have to do with him!
He absolutely did not want to marry that woman! He would have to be out of his mind to bring a young mistress home to serve!
The painful memories of seeing his father being oppressed by his mother over the years surfaced in Lu Chengzhao’s mind—though he hadn’t been entirely unsympathetic—but he was determined not to end up like that. He avoided Qin family women like the plague!
However, in this damn house, who dared to contradict his grandfather!
Among the group, only Qin Suoxue still tried to struggle. She turned to look at her niece.
Huh?
Why did she look so happy?
She seemed to be overjoyed.
Could it be that she actually liked Lu Chengzhao?
Qin Suoxue was also stunned.
***
After returning home, Lu Chengzhao immediately began to throw a tantrum: “Mother, I really don’t want to marry that Qin…” Seeing his mother’s displeased expression, he hesitated, swallowing his curse words, “In short, I just don’t want to marry her!”
Lu Suyu responded coldly, “Muyan is outstanding in both appearance and talent. If you can marry her, it would be your great fortune. Besides, don’t you like pretty girls? Isn’t she pretty enough for you?”
Lu Chengzhao continued to cry and make a scene, “I don’t want to, Mother!” No matter how pretty, she was still a shrew, “Mother, you love me the most! Please talk to Grandfather! I don’t want to get married, I don’t want to have children! Look, Second Uncle isn’t married either, and Grandfather doesn’t care about him.”
“You and he are not the same. Besides, you don’t need to bear children.”
Lu Chengzhao wailed even louder.
Lu Chengyang tried to persuade his brother, but Lu Chengzhao grabbed him, “Mother, let Chengyang marry her instead! He’s old enough to get married too!”
Lu Chengyang was bewildered, “…??? Brother?”
Not long after, Qin Muyan woke up in bed and, upon learning about the situation, was also stunned.
Qin Suoxue tried to comfort her, “Other than being good at martial arts, Lu Chengsha has nothing special. Lu Chengzhao is Lu Huaitian’s son and Lu Zhenxing’s grandson. He will most likely inherit Tingjian Manor in the future. Besides, if you really like him…”
Qin Muyan grabbed the hairpin from her head and pressed it against her pale neck, saying, “Aunt, I don’t know what happened just now, but I would rather die than marry Lu Chengzhao!”
Qin Suoxue: “…???”
In the end, the marriage negotiation failed miserably, and Qin Muyan stormed back to the Seven Qins World that same night.
***
Hua Yan returned to the mountain, happily carrying the food and snacks she had sneaked from the dining hall.
Lu Chengsha was still sitting there, waiting for her.
Hua Yan sat down next to him, placing the food box on the ground, and began sharing it with him, unable to wipe the smile off her face.
Lu Chengsha looked up at her.
Hua Yan beamed at him and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lu Chengsha asked, “Are you very happy?”
Realizing her expression, Hua Yan pressed her cheeks and said, “Uh, is it that obvious? But yes, I am very happy. I went down to check, and you don’t have to marry Qin Muyan anymore.” She smiled again, “Come, eat while it’s hot!”
As night fell, Lu Chengsha wanted to take her down the mountain, but Hua Yan tugged on his sleeve and said, “Forget it, let’s just stay on the mountain tonight. Going up and down is quite troublesome.”
Lu Chengsha replied, “It’s cold on the mountain.”
Hua Yan smiled mischievously and said, “We can stay close together to keep warm.”
Hua Yan said, “We stayed on the mountain last night too, and it was fine.” Besides, with the internal energy Lu Chengsha had given her, she wasn’t as afraid of the cold.
But as soon as she finished speaking, she noticed that Lu Chengsha’s face turned slightly red.
Ah…
Hua Yan also remembered how they had spent the previous night.
Interrupted by Lu Zhusheng, she had almost forgotten, but now the memory of being held in Lu Chengsha’s arms came flooding back. It was very warm and tight, and Hua Yan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Later in the night, it started snowing, the snow falling silently, swirling softly.
Hua Yan was wrapped in a quilt, sleeping on the stone bed, while Lu Chengsha slept leaning against the edge of the stone cave. Half-asleep, she felt the cold; the stone bed was inherently cold and hard to warm up with body heat, and the charcoal stove had burned out. She debated whether to get up and add more charcoal, but she was too lazy to move, not even wanting to open her eyes.
In her drowsiness, she felt someone relight the charcoal stove.
Great Hero Lu is so nice.
Hua Yan thought in her foggy mind, then felt someone approaching her. The black figure moved carefully and gently towards her, seemed to watch her face for a while, then placed another quilt over her.
…It’s heavy.
Hua Yan thought but didn’t move.
After covering her with the quilt, the figure didn’t leave; instead, it moved even closer, so close that it seemed to be right in front of her, with breath almost audible, restrained and patient.
Hua Yan didn’t know what he wanted to do, so she kept her eyes closed and waited quietly.
After waiting for a long time without any further movement, Hua Yan was about to open her eyes when the figure suddenly pulled away.
As he was about to leave, Hua Yan grabbed his hand, causing Lu Chengsha to freeze immediately, not moving.
Due to drowsiness, her voice was still thick with sleepiness, soft and gentle: “Great Hero Lu, you’ve been waiting for so long, what do you want to do?”