Dingguo General’s Mansion—
In the glow of the setting sun, Xie Yu’an was practicing martial arts in the backyard. Holding a sword in one hand, his movements were as fluid as a dragon, his momentum overwhelming as he flawlessly executed a sword technique, drenched in sweat.
Xie Yu’an had just loosened his upper garment and was about to continue his practice when suddenly, a figure emerged from atop the wall.
Immediately alert, he raised his sword and flew toward the source of the sound. There, perched on the wall, was a young woman in a pale yellow dress, with a small head, large eyes, and cheeks flushed as if painted with the reddest sunset glow.
Qiao Yin couldn’t help but let her gaze linger on Xie Yu’an’s faintly visible abdominal muscles.
Xie Yu’an’s garment was half-open, revealing part of his chest and his lean, toned waist. The faintly visible contours of his waist were even adorned with a thin layer of sweat.
Along the way, she had worried that Xie Yu’an might be a coarse, unrefined, and greasy brute. If that were the case, she might as well lie down and wait for death.
Who would have thought? The System had treated her well, sending her such a male bodhisattva.
Just look at this physique—more pleasing to the eye than any provocative male model she had ever scrolled past on her phone in her previous life. And this face—
With sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, his temples sharp as if carved by a blade, he was the epitome of handsome and heroic. Truly a masterpiece showcasing the craftsmanship of the goddess Nüwa, perfect in every way.
“Who are you?” Xie Yu’an sheathed his sword and asked.
Not only was he good-looking, but his voice was also so pleasant.
Xiao Yu’an frowned and raised his long sword again, directly urging her to leave. “Get down.”
“Wait, wait.”
Qiao Yin finally snapped out of her admiration for his beauty. She waved her hand toward Xie Yu’an. “General Xie, I have long heard of your great reputation. I, a humble woman, have come specifically to visit. General Xie, are you free tonight?”
Xie Yu’an looked at the woman on the wall with confusion. “Isn’t Miss Qiao supposed to be celebrating Lu Shizi’s birthday tonight? How do you have time to perch on a wall here?”
“You know me?”
Qiao Yin was startled, but then it occurred to her that she had spent the past four years following Lu Jinzhi around, making countless fools of herself. It was no surprise that Xie Yu’an recognized her.
“Ah, rumors, all rumors! General Xie, you must not believe the rumors outside. Tonight’s banquet isn’t prepared for Lu Jinzhi; it’s specially arranged for you, General Xie.” Qiao Yin said without changing her expression.
“For me?” Xie Yu’an’s face was filled with question marks.
“Yes, for you. The general’s heroic feat of defeating the Rong Army single-handedly against a hundred is nothing short of a war god reborn. I, a humble woman, am filled with admiration and have specially organized tonight’s banquet to celebrate your victory.”
Xie Yu’an looked at her as if she were a fool. “A military achievement from four years ago. How thoughtful of Second Miss Qiao to remember.”
Qiao Yin was taken aback but didn’t feel embarrassed. Her mind raced quickly.
“Is today the general’s birthday?”
“No.”
“Is it the birthday of someone in the general’s family?”
“No.”
“Did anything special happen around the general today?”
Xie Yu’an thought for a moment. “I picked up a dog on the roadside today.”
Qiao Yin smiled slightly. “Alright, then this banquet is for your dog, General Xie. To celebrate it… to celebrate it no longer being a stray and gaining a new life.”
Xie Yu’an couldn’t help but chuckle. He looked up at her. “Is Second Miss Qiao no longer chasing after Lu Shizi?”
Qiao Yin was captivated by his smile. “Yes, I’m not chasing him anymore. I’m chasing you.”
Xie Yu’an froze, his smile stiffening on his face.
“Do you dare let me chase you?”
Qiao Yin leaned on the wall, her gaze burning as she looked at him.Xie Yu’an felt that the evening glow today was particularly dazzling, so much so that he couldn’t even clearly see the face on top of the wall, leaving only the four words “Do you dare?” echoing in his ears.
Xie Yu’an walked over, stopping at the foot of the wall, and reached out his hand toward her.
“Would you like to come down?”
Qiao Yin looked at the hand Xie Yu’an extended to her, like an open embrace—less a test and more a beckoning.
The corners of her lips lifted, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and without a second thought, she leaped directly from the wall.
She was a bit nervous, but when Xie Yu’an caught her steadily and held her in his arms, she saw not only his impossibly handsome face but also boundless hope.
She liked this new prospect!
…
At the entrance of the Duke’s residence, a carriage came to a halt. Lu Jinzhi, the heir of the Duke’s household, stepped down, only to hear the voice of his friend Chu Wenjing from behind.
“Jinzhi, just returning from the palace?”
Lu Jinzhi nodded. “Today is my birthday. My aunt summoned me to the palace and bestowed some gifts.”
Lu Jinzhi’s aunt was a favored imperial consort in the palace, currently enjoying the emperor’s favor.
“All done for the day? If so, come with me.”
Chu Wenjing pulled him toward his own carriage. Lu Jinzhi asked, “Where to?”
“Don’t play dumb!” Chu Wenjing laughed, his smile tinged with mockery. “Where else? To Jifang Garden, of course. That infatuated Qiao Yin has made such a grand spectacle this time—I don’t believe you haven’t heard.”
A trace of disdain appeared on Lu Jinzhi’s face. “What did that woman bribe you with this time?”
Chu Wenjing chuckled. “Qiao Yin gave me a fine inkstone and begged me to bring you to Jifang Garden today. Come on, come on. You’re bored at home anyway. Might as well see what new antics she’ll pull off today.”
Chu Wenjing dragged Lu Jinzhi into the carriage, a scene Lu Jinzhi had grown accustomed to.
Over the years, in her efforts to win his favor, Qiao Yin had been especially attentive to those around him. Not only Chu Wenjing but even the gatekeepers of the Duke’s residence had received lavish gifts from her.
Truly uncultured and shameless.
As the carriage moved forward at a leisurely pace, Chu Wenjing couldn’t help but remark, “Jinzhi, after your birthday, it’s time to discuss marriage, isn’t it? If you ask me, although Qiao Yin’s behavior is a bit outlandish, her feelings for you are genuine. For four years, she’s pursued you relentlessly, and even though you’ve never given her a kind look, she hasn’t given up. Why not take her as a concubine after your wedding?”
“To become your concubine and serve by your side—Qiao Yin would surely be grateful and even more devoted to you.”
Lu Jinzhi sneered. “I don’t keep vulgar things around me.”
Chu Wenjing laughed heartily. “That’s too harsh! Qiao Yin grew up in the countryside—it’s only natural she’s not well-versed in poetry and literature. Besides, a concubine only needs to be pleasing to the eye. What use is elegance or literary refinement? Be honest with yourself—all these years you’ve let Qiao Yin cling to you, isn’t it partly because you find her face stunningly beautiful?”
With a peerless beauty chasing after him day in and day out, even if he didn’t like her, what man could resist such vanity?
Men understand men best. Chu Wenjing saw through it but didn’t say it outright.
Lu Jinzhi didn’t refute him either.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Jifang Garden. The street was bustling with carriages and horses, all invited by Qiao Yin to celebrate Lu Jinzhi’s birthday.
Chu Wenjing couldn’t help but flatter, “Only you have such prestige, Jinzhi.”
Lu Jinzhi felt pleased inwardly, though he deliberately maintained a cold expression on his face.Chu Wenjing stepped down from the carriage and turned to see Lu Jinzhi still sitting calmly inside. “Jinzhi?”
Lu Jinzhi’s expression darkened further.
Normally, whenever he appeared, Qiao Yin would eagerly rush to greet him, but today there was no sign of her.
With a tense face, Lu Jinzhi walked toward the gate of Jifang Garden. Suddenly, a servant at the entrance reached out to block his path.
“Sir, please show your invitation.”
Lu Jinzhi stiffened, and Chu Wenjing stepped forward to reprimand, “Do you know who he is? He is the guest of honor at today’s banquet.”
The servant looked at them impassively and replied matter-of-factly, “My second young lady has instructed that entry is by invitation only. Those without an invitation are not permitted to enter.”