novelraw Chapter 14 : Qin Wan’er Arrives
Chapter 14 : Qin Wan’er Arrives
Chapter 14: Qin Wan’er Arrives
At the hour of Si, just as it began.
More than thirty guards surrounded a luxurious carriage, which stopped in front of Mingyu Martial Hall.
“Swish!”
The carriage curtain was lifted by a fair, delicate hand.
In the next moment, a young woman dressed in a brilliant red gown leaped down like a blazing flame.
“Wait here!”
She gave a sharp command and walked straight toward the entrance of the martial hall.
The two burly guards at the gate, upon seeing her, hardly dared to look directly at her and immediately lowered their heads.
“The Qin Family’s direct daughter—why is she here?”
“Wait… she’s not here to cause trouble for Miss Li, is she?”
The two guards exchanged glances, both seeing gossip flicker in each other’s eyes.
Yet neither dared to stop her in the slightest.
The Qin Family controlled Qingzhou City—they were practically its heaven.
This young lady’s temper was not good. Anyone who dared block her would likely be beaten.
“Where is Li Yunqing?”
Stepping into the courtyard, Qin Wan’er called out sharply, her gaze sweeping across the crowd with an overbearing presence.
The people who had been startled paused upon recognizing her, then respectfully replied, “Miss Li is not practicing martial arts with us. She has been cultivating at the medical hall.”
“I want to see for myself what kind of person Brother Jiang Yu likes!”
Qin Wan’er muttered, turning immediately and striding toward the medical hall.
Her fiery manner caused the entire courtyard to erupt.
“Hiss… are they going to fight?”
“That young lady’s temper isn’t good!”
“Two women fighting over a man—this will be quite a show!”
“Should we go watch?”
“You dare watch the Qin Family’s eldest lady’s drama?”
“What’s there to fear? Let’s go take a look!”
The chatter rose one after another, filling the courtyard with excitement. Even Jiang Yu, who happened to pass by, changed expression.
“Not good!”
Jiang Yu quickly turned around and hurried toward the medical hall as well.
Qin Wan’er was the same age as him, and her martial cultivation had already entered rank. How could Li Yunqing, who had only just begun practicing martial arts five days ago, possibly be her opponent?
Moreover, she was the Qin Family’s direct daughter—who in the martial hall would dare provoke her?
Even Hall Master Liu would have to give her some face.
How could he not be worried, especially when this matter had arisen because of him?
Qin Wan’er moved quickly and, in just a moment, arrived at the small courtyard of the medical hall.
Without hesitation, she stepped inside, her eyes scanning around before finally spotting a figure in a light purple dress, quietly seated under the shade of a tree.
She instinctively stepped forward, taking in the figure completely.
Under the shade, the young girl sat quietly, holding a book, serene like an orchid growing alone in a secluded valley.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering gently across the surroundings.
It was like an exquisitely beautiful painting.
Her delicate face and fair skin glowed faintly under the dappled sunlight.
Even as a woman, Qin Wan’er felt a stunning beauty that pierced straight into her heart.
“There is actually such a woman in Qingzhou City?”
“Why have I never heard of her?”
Looking at the girl in purple, Qin Wan’er was puzzled.
A woman like this should not be so unknown.
But seeing the tranquil aura around her, Qin Wan’er seemed to understand something. “So Brother Jiang Yu likes this kind of woman?”
Too quiet—like a clear spring, flowing silently.
It was a temperament neither she nor Zhou Ru possessed.
Looking at that figure, Qin Wan’er’s heart actually calmed slightly.
It was as if the girl carried an invisible charm that naturally soothed one’s mind.
She took a deep breath, walked to a short distance before the girl in purple, and spoke, “You are Li Yunqing?”
Li Yunqing slightly raised her head upon hearing this, her gentle gaze falling upon the woman before her.
Dressed in red, her temperament was like fire—like a vibrant rose, direct and unrestrained.
Her emotions were clearly displayed on her face, as if she had no scheming mind at all.
“I am.” Li Yunqing nodded slightly, her voice soft and pleasant. “And you are?”
“I am Qin Wan’er of the Qin Family!” Qin Wan’er raised her chin slightly, then suddenly paused. “You don’t recognize me?”
Li Yunqing understood. Only the Qin Family’s direct daughter could wear such brilliant brocade garments without being overshadowed.
“My apologies. I seldom go out. Though I have heard of the title ‘number one talented lady of Qingzhou,’ I have never had the chance to meet you.”
Hearing her calm voice and seeing her serene expression, Qin Wan’er frowned slightly and asked, “Do you like Brother Jiang Yu?”
At these words, Jiang Yu—who had just reached the courtyard entrance—instantly stopped in his tracks.
His entire body seemed to tense as he leaned in, listening carefully to the movements inside.
Around him, several figures also peeked toward the courtyard, stretching their necks like giraffes.
‘So she’s just another admirer of Jiang Yu?’
‘Why didn’t you try harder to win him over instead of dragging me into this?’
Li Yunqing’s thoughts stirred, but she simply shook her head gently at Qin Wan’er.
“You don’t like Brother Jiang Yu?” Qin Wan’er was astonished—even shocked.
Jiang Yu’s talent resounded throughout Qingzhou. He was the dream lover of countless young ladies—how could there be a woman who did not like him?
Even men could not help but admire him.
Li Yunqing nodded lightly. “We have only known each other for a few days—how can there be talk of liking?”
“Then why did you agree to his proposal?” Qin Wan’er asked, confused.
Li Yunqing fell silent for a moment, then spoke calmly, “For the father and brother who love me.”
“For the family that raised me.”
“As a woman, is this not a fate already decided?”
Hearing her response, Qin Wan’er was stunned.
Outside the courtyard, Jiang Yu was equally stunned. In that instant, his eyes seemed to dim.
Even the onlookers outside subconsciously looked toward Jiang Yu in disbelief.
Was there really a woman in Qingzhou who would not be moved by Jiang Yu—who had both looks and status?
“A fate already decided?”
Qin Wan’er suddenly recalled her parents’ words since childhood—telling her to build a good relationship with the Jiang Family, to marry Jiang Yu when she grew up.
Later, because of Jiang Yu, she had competed with Zhou Ru.
It was as if she had existed for Jiang Yu.
“The fate of women…”
At this moment, looking at Li Yunqing’s calm expression, Qin Wan’er inexplicably felt a trace of agreement.
She thought of the emperor of the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty, seated high upon the throne—who would reward ministers with beautiful women when pleased.
When foreign states offered tribute, they would also present many beauties.
She thought of common families, where girls of twelve or thirteen would be married off or even sold in exchange for money.
Li Yunqing—or even herself—had long had their fates decided.
If Jiang Yu did not have such a background, would she still like him?
Would her parents still repeatedly instruct her to marry him?
“I understand now!”
After a long while, Qin Wan’er suddenly spoke, “I didn’t come here to blame you.”
“Although Zhou Ru always incites me to trouble you, and although I feel unwilling and angry, I’m not that foolish.”
“Compared to her, I actually think you’re a better person.”
“I just wanted to see what kind of person Brother Jiang Yu likes.”
As she spoke, Qin Wan’er looked once more at Li Yunqing’s delicate, tranquil face.
Feeling that orchid-like temperament emanating from her very bones, she added, “Be careful of Zhou Ru—she definitely has bad intentions.”
“I’m leaving!”
With that, Qin Wan’er turned and walked out of the courtyard, just as fiery as when she arrived.
When she saw Jiang Yu standing at the entrance, she paused slightly, opening her mouth as if to speak, yet no words came out.
In the end, she only gave a slight nod before quickly leaving.
Jiang Yu remained silent, his gaze seeming to pass through the wall, seeing the quiet girl inside.
“We have only known each other for a few days—how can there be talk of liking?”
Those words still echoed in his ears.
It was the first time he had heard a woman say such a thing—so direct, so calm, without the slightest ripple.
In his mind appeared Li Yunqing’s blooming smile during the betrothal ceremony.
“Does she… really not feel even the slightest thing for me?”
Jiang Yu turned stiffly, walking away slowly.
As if sensing something, Li Yunqing slightly raised her eyes, looking toward that departing figure.
“He… heard everything?”