Lu Jingxiu stood with an icy demeanor, sword in hand, looking as if he had come to demand an explanation. However, when Qin Wan turned around, he froze completely, his eyes revealing traces of amazement. He had only seen Qin Wan from afar before, noting her elegant bearing and graceful figure without knowing her actual appearance. Now, standing so close, Lu Jingxiu found himself holding his breath as he gazed at her.
Though not the eldest son of the main branch, Lu Jingxiu was the firstborn of the third branch in the wealthy and powerful Lu family. Born into nobility and blessed by fortune, he had traveled extensively over the years and seen countless beauties. He had considered himself quite worldly, but upon seeing Qin Wan, he finally understood what it meant to be stunned by divine beauty.
He had come to confront her, but upon seeing her, his imposing manner dissipated. Seeing the surprise and slight anger in her eyes, he finally regained his senses, though he already appeared somewhat foolish. Lu Jingxiu straightened his back, forcing himself to remain composed.
Qin Wan had seen Lu Jingxiu before, but Fu Ling and Bai Ying, though they had followed her to Wutong Court earlier, hadn’t dared to peek at him. Now, suddenly seeing a young man appear behind them with a sword, they were startled. Bai Ying stepped forward to shield Qin Wan while Fu Ling shouted, “Who are you?! You knew people were here yet approached anyway – what are you trying to do?!”
When Qin Wan had come out at night, she hadn’t posted guards here. In such cold weather, unless someone had deliberately followed them, how could such a coincidence occur?
Though Fu Ling didn’t recognize Lu Jingxiu, Qin Wan identified him immediately. Not only did she recognize him, but she also knew why he had come.
Since they had encountered each other, Qin Wan knew there was no point in trying to avoid the situation. She raised her hand to stop Fu Ling and stepped forward, saying, “Since Fifth Young Master has come, you must have been watching me for some time. Knowing there are guests here, aren’t you concerned about being discourteous?”
Lu Jingxiu was first struck by Qin Wan’s beauty, then reprimanded by Fu Ling, and before he could speak, Qin Wan had taken the initiative.
Lu Jingxiu’s throat tightened, and after composing himself, he mustered the attitude he had come with, narrowing his eyes to say, “So you know my identity. You call yourself a guest, but I’ve never seen such a presumptuous and unrestrained guest. There’s been a murder in our garden, yet instead of staying away, you’ve repeatedly gone to Green Pine Court. Even as a guest, you’re not an ordinary one. I want to know who you are, that my aunt would indulge you so!”
Fu Ling and Bai Ying exchanged glances – now knowing Lu Jingxiu’s identity, they were no longer afraid of him.
Just then, Bai Feng emerged from behind the bamboo grove, dragging someone with him.
With his great strength and martial prowess, Bai Feng held Lu Jingyun by the collar like a chicken. Upon seeing Lu Jingxiu, Lu Jingyun cast a pleading and remorseful look. Seeing Bai Feng’s handling, Qin Wan calmly said, “Release Sixth Young Master, don’t be discourteous.”
Captured by Bai Feng without any chance of resistance, Lu Jingyun felt utterly humiliated. Now, surprised by Qin Wan revealing his identity, he looked at her more carefully, unable to take his eyes off her. That day when Lu Jingcheng had returned from the lakeside, he had mentioned meeting a heavenly beautiful guest, but they hadn’t taken it seriously. Now it seemed Lu Jingcheng had spoken true. Being of a literary disposition, Lu Jingyun immediately composed verses in his mind praising her beauty.
Qin Wan glanced at Lu Jingyun, who ran to Lu Jingxiu’s side as soon as Bai Feng released him, clearly relying on his brother. She then looked at Lu Jingxiu and said, “So late at night, Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master not only followed us to the Plum Garden but also used such a diversion tactic. What are your intentions? If you want to know my identity, you could simply ask Madam Lu.”
Lu Jingxiu lifted his chin and snorted, “How would Aunt tell us? I came to confront you today to see who you are. If you won’t say, I’ll have someone report this to the authorities. With the recent incident in the Lu family, you, an outsider, won’t escape scrutiny—”
Hearing this, Qin Wan could only smile. This Lu Jingxiu had some courage, but having never weathered real storms, his thinking was always incomplete.
“If Fifth Young Master wishes to report to the authorities, by all means, do so. This is a Lu family matter, and I have no say in it.”
After speaking, Qin Wan turned to leave, but Lu Jingxiu quickly moved to block her path, raising his sword.
Lu Jingxiu had asked Lu Jingyun to lure away Bai Feng so he could confront Qin Wan, but he hadn’t expected Lu Jingyun to be so ineffective. Having observed for two days, he had finally seen Qin Wan leave Hantan Pavilion and couldn’t let her leave easily. Moreover, he knew that once Lu Youxin learned of this, she would be furious, making it even harder for him to interfere later.
So Lu Jingxiu frowned and said, “Trying to leave? You’re a woman, so I won’t use force, but I won’t let you deceive us either. Is my Fourth Brother’s death connected to you? With such an incident in our mansion, yet you still don’t leave – what are your intentions?!”
Qin Wan looked calmly at Lu Jingxiu and his sword, “Fifth Young Master is quite bold, but the world’s difficulties cannot be solved by swords alone.”
Lu Jingxiu gave a cold laugh, “Someone died in the Lu family, yet we’re harboring someone of unknown identity. Your concealment suggests you have something to hide. Though I’m not the Lu family head, I won’t allow others to insult the Lu family to this extent! Who are you?! If you won’t say, I’ll take you to the authorities right now!”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows slightly, “On what grounds would Fifth Young Master take me to the authorities?”
Lu Jingxiu raised his chin again, but before he could speak, Qin Wan mockingly asked, “Based on just you and your sword?”
Lu Jingxiu detected her mockery and grew displeased. Qin Wan stepped back and said, “Madam Lu says Fifth Young Master is skilled in martial arts and likes to help others with his abilities. However, many things in the world are better solved with the mind than with a sword. You were discourteous at first and believed in your martial prowess. Since that’s the case, I won’t have my guards bully you. Why don’t you exchange a few moves with my maid? If you lose, you’ll have no right to threaten me with your sword, nor to question my presence in this garden. How about that?”
Lu Jingxiu’s eyes widened suddenly. Not only was Qin Wan mocking him, but she wanted him to fight her maid – an utter humiliation. Lu Jingxiu ignored Fu Ling and Bai Ying, turning his gaze toward Bai Feng. Just as he was about to challenge him, Qin Wan ordered, “Bai Ying—”
“Yes!” Bai Ying stepped forward at the command, approaching Lu Jingxiu empty-handed.
Seeing one of the two maids step forward, Lu Jingxiu hadn’t even objected before she attacked. He had initially been dismissive, but as her fist drew closer, he suddenly realized that even a maid could possess martial arts superior to his. This made him feel even more suppressed and dissatisfied!
“What is this?! When did I agree to fight your people?! You—”
“The more you hide your identity, the more it shows you have something to conceal…”
“You must be connected to my Fourth Brother’s death, I absolutely won’t—”
Lu Jingxiu wouldn’t draw his sword against a woman, and seeing Bai Ying empty-handed, he too didn’t unsheathe his weapon. While trying to fend off Bai Ying and speak at the same time, he took a punch before finishing two sentences. Though Bai Ying appeared delicate, her punch made his throat taste of blood. Lu Jingxiu stumbled back several steps, barely clearing the path!
Bai Ying didn’t give him time to catch his breath, immediately pressing forward again!
Qin Wan stepped forward, saying coldly, “The Lu family has long been plagued by internal strife, yet you’re all blind and foolish. No wonder Madam Lu exhausts herself for the Lu family’s sake.”
Speaking up for Lu Youxin, her tone grew even colder and more mocking. Lu Jingxiu was furious and tried to stop Qin Wan, but Bai Ying’s relentless attacks drove him further and further back, forcing him to watch helplessly as Qin Wan walked toward Hantan Pavilion…
Nearby, Lu Jingyun grew anxious, “Fifth Brother! Fifth Brother, she’s getting away! Fifth Brother, be careful! What should we do…”
Lu Jingyun wasn’t a fighter and couldn’t help Lu Jingxiu, nor did he dare chase Qin Wan. In just a few exchanges, Lu Jingxiu was knocked to the ground by Bai Ying. Anger surged in his eyes. Qin Wan had long since disappeared from view. Lu Jingxiu threw down his sword and attacked Bai Ying again with his bare hands. Bai Ying frowned and became even more merciless. Soon, Lu Jingxiu’s face was bruised. Not wanting to prolong the fight, Bai Ying turned to leave, but Lu Jingxiu got up again to block her path!
“Trying to leave? Since you’re so skilled in martial arts, I won’t treat you as a woman! I’ve practiced martial arts for eighteen years, yet now I’m defeated by you – I won’t accept this! Again! I must defeat you before settling accounts with your master. If you have the ability—”
Before Lu Jingxiu could finish his fierce words, a line of lanterns approached from the northeast direction of the Plum Garden. Lu Jingxiu’s expression changed, and nearby, Lu Jingyun called out weakly, “Fifth Brother! Aunt is coming! What should we do—”
Lu Jingxiu didn’t know what to do.
He touched the bruises on his face, suddenly feeling his entire face burning with pain.