Lu Jingxiu stood with an imposing chill about him, a long sword in hand, clearly here to demand answers. Yet when Qin Guan turned around, he froze abruptly, a flash of astonishment lighting his eyes. He had only glimpsed Qin Guan from afar before, noting her graceful bearing and elegant figure without seeing her face clearly. Now, standing so close, he stared at her features, momentarily holding his breath.
The Lu family was vast and influential. Though not the eldest son of the main branch, Lu Jingxiu was the firstborn of the third branch—noble by birth and favored by fortune. Having traveled far and wide over the years, he had encountered countless beauties and considered himself well-versed in such matters. But upon seeing Qin Guan, he finally understood what it meant to be struck by a celestial vision.
He had come to confront her, yet at the sudden sight of Qin Guan, he was stunned, his imposing aura deflating. Not until he noticed the surprise and faint anger in her eyes did he snap back to reality, though by then he already felt rather foolish. Straightening his spine, he forced an air of composure.
Qin Guan had met Lu Jingxiu before. Though Fuling and Baiying had accompanied her to Wutong Pavilion earlier, they hadn’t dared to sneak a look at him. Now, startled by the sudden appearance of a young man holding a sword behind them, Baiying stepped forward swiftly to shield Qin Guan, while Fuling demanded, "Who are you?! You knew people were here yet approached—what are you trying to do?"
Qin Guan had come out at night without posting guards. In such cold weather, unless someone had followed deliberately, what were the odds of a chance encounter?
Fuling didn’t recognize Lu Jingxiu, but Qin Guan identified him at a glance—not only recognizing him but also understanding why he had come.
Since they had met, Qin Guan knew evasion was futile. Raising a hand to stop Fuling, she stepped forward and said, "Since the Fifth Young Master is here, you must have been watching me for some time. Knowing there are guests present, aren’t you concerned about startling them?"
Lu Jingxiu, first stunned by Qin Guan’s beauty and then rebuked by Fuling, had yet to speak when Qin Guan seized the initiative.
His throat tight, Lu Jingxiu steadied himself and summoned the authority he had brought with him. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "You actually know who I am. You call yourself a guest, but I’ve never seen a guest as presumptuous as you. A death has occurred in my garden—instead of keeping your distance, you’ve repeatedly visited Pineshade Court. Even as a guest, you’re no ordinary one. I’d like to know who you are to earn such indulgence from my aunt!"
Fuling and Baiying exchanged glances. Now that they knew Lu Jingxiu’s identity, their fear subsided.
In that brief moment, Bai Feng emerged from behind the bamboo grove, dragging someone along.
Bai Feng, possessing great strength and exceptional martial arts skills, held Lu Jingyun by the scruff of his neck as if he were a chick. The moment Lu Jingyun saw Lu Jingxiu, his eyes pleaded for rescue and brimmed with self-reproach. Seeing this, Qin Guan said calmly, "Release the Sixth Young Master. Do not be rude."Lu Jingyun was seized by Bai Feng, utterly powerless to fight back—a truly humiliating situation. Now, having his identity suddenly exposed by Qin Guan left him even more astonished. When he steadied his gaze to take in Qin Guan’s appearance, he found himself staring unblinkingly. That day, Lu Jingcheng had returned from the lakeside and mentioned encountering a guest as beautiful as a celestial maiden. At the time, they hadn’t paid it much mind, but now it seemed Lu Jingcheng’s words were actually true. Being a man of letters, Lu Jingyun instinctively began reciting lines of poetry in his heart to praise her, matching the moment.
Qin Guan glanced at Lu Jingyun and saw that as soon as Bai Feng released him, he scurried over to Lu Jingxiu’s side, clearly relying on him for support. She then turned her gaze to Lu Jingxiu and said, “At such a late hour, not only have the Fifth and Sixth Young Masters followed me to Plum Garden, but you’ve also employed a diversionary tactic. May I ask what your intentions are? If you wish to know my identity, you could have simply asked Madam Lu directly.”
Lu Jingxiu lifted his chin and snorted, “Would our aunt ever tell us? I came here tonight to confront you precisely to see what kind of person you are. If you refuse to speak, I’ll have someone report you to the authorities immediately. With the Lu family facing trouble, you, an outsider, will be the first to be implicated—”
Hearing this, Qin Guan nearly laughed. Lu Jingxiu certainly had some nerve, but he was clearly inexperienced and his thinking was far from thorough.
“If the Fifth Young Master wishes to report me to the authorities, feel free to do so. This is a Lu family matter, and I have no authority to intervene.”
With that, Qin Guan made to leave. Seeing her turn away, Lu Jingxiu swiftly moved to block her path, raising the hand that held his sword as if to bar her way.
Lu Jingxiu had sent Lu Jingyun to distract Bai Feng precisely to force Qin Guan into a confrontation. He hadn’t expected Lu Jingyun to be so ineffectual. After observing discreetly for two days, he had finally caught Qin Guan leaving the Lotus Pavilion and was not about to let her go easily. Moreover, he had already considered that Lu Youxin would be furious if she found out, making it even harder for him to intervene later.
Frowning, Lu Jingxiu demanded, “Trying to leave? You’re a woman, so I won’t lay hands on you, but I’m not someone to be deceived so easily. Was my fourth brother’s death because of you? With such a tragedy in our household, why haven’t you left? What are your true intentions?!”
Qin Guan looked calmly at Lu Jingxiu, then at the sword in his hand. “The Fifth Young Master is bold and heroic, but many difficulties in this world cannot be resolved by the sword alone.”
Lu Jingxiu sneered, “A life has been lost in the Lu household, and yet an individual of unclear origins resides here. If you conceal your identity, it suggests you have ulterior motives. Though I may not be the head of the Lu family, I will not stand by and allow outsiders to disrespect us to this extent! Who are you, really? If you don’t speak now, I’ll have you taken to the authorities immediately!”
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow slightly. “On what grounds would the Fifth Young Master send me to the authorities?”
Lu Jingxiu lifted his chin again, but before he could speak, Qin Guan remarked with faint sarcasm, “Just you and your sword?”
Recognizing her mockery, Lu Jingxiu grew irritated. Qin Guan, however, took a step back. “Madam Lu mentioned that the Fifth Young Master is highly skilled in martial arts and enjoys using his prowess to assist others. But in many situations, using one’s mind is more effective than using a sword. You were discourteous first and now rely on your martial superiority. Very well, I won’t have my guard bully you. How about you spar a few moves with my maid? If you lose, you will forfeit any right to brandish your sword at me or question my presence in this garden. What do you say?”Lu Jingxiu's eyes widened abruptly. Not only was Qin Guan mocking him, but she was also making him compete with her maidservant—this was an utter humiliation in his eyes. Ignoring Fuling and Baiying, Lu Jingxiu shifted his gaze to Bai Feng, intending to provoke him. But before he could, Qin Guan had already issued a command, "Baiying—"
"Yes!" Baiying stepped forward upon hearing the order, advancing toward Lu Jingxiu barehanded.
Seeing one of the two maids suddenly step forward and attack without giving him a chance to object, Lu Jingxiu initially held a dismissive attitude. However, as the force of her fist drew nearer, he suddenly realized that even a maidservant might possess martial skills superior to his own. This only deepened his frustration and resentment!
"What is this?! When did I agree to compete with your subordinate?! You—"
"The more you refuse to reveal your identity, the more it proves you have something to hide..."
"You are definitely involved in my fourth brother's death—I will never—"
Lu Jingxiu would not draw his sword against a woman. Seeing Baiying unarmed, he refrained from unsheathing his own. As he parried Baiying's strikes and tried to speak, he was struck by a punch before he could finish his sentence. Despite Baiying's delicate and slender appearance, the blow sent a metallic taste to his throat. Lu Jingxiu staggered back several steps, barely managing to clear the path!
Baiying gave him no chance to catch his breath, immediately pressing her attack again.
Qin Guan stepped forward, her tone cool and mocking, "The Lu family's internal strife has festered for far too long, yet all of you remain blind and foolish. No wonder Madam Lu has exhausted herself striving for the Lu clan."
Her defense of Lu You Xin only made her voice colder and more scornful. Furious, Lu Jingxiu tried to block Qin Guan, but Baiying's relentless and fierce strikes, each blow landing solidly, forced him further and further back, distancing him from Qin Guan. He could only watch helplessly as Qin Guan walked toward the Hantan Pavilion...
Nearby, Lu Jingyun grew increasingly anxious, "Fifth Brother! Fifth Brother, she's leaving! Fifth Brother, be careful! What should we do..."
Lu Jingyun was no fighter—unable to assist Lu Jingxiu and too afraid to pursue Qin Guan. Within moments, Lu Jingxiu was knocked to the ground by Baiying. Rage surged in his eyes as Qin Guan disappeared from sight. Throwing his sword aside, Lu Jingxiu launched another attack at Baiying with his bare hands. Frowning, Baiying showed no mercy, and soon, Lu Jingxiu's face was bruised and bleeding. Not wanting to prolong the fight, Baiying turned to leave, but Lu Jingxiu scrambled up and blocked her path!
"Trying to leave? Since your martial skills are so superior, I won't treat you as a woman! I've trained in martial arts for eighteen years, and now I've been defeated by you—I refuse to accept it! Again! I will defeat you and then settle the score with your mistress. If you have the skill—"
Before Lu Jingxiu could finish his threat, a line of bright lamps approached from the northeast direction of Plum Garden. His expression changed abruptly, and Lu Jingyun whimpered beside him, "Fifth Brother! Aunt is here! What should we do—"
Lu Jingxiu had no idea what to do either.
He touched the bruises on his face, suddenly feeling a burning pain across his entire face.
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