Traveling day and night, Song Qingshu finally reached Shanyin on the morning of the third day. After asking a passerby for directions, he learned that the Lu clan was a prominent family in Shanyin, so finding their residence was easy.
He had a servant announce his presence and waited at the gate. His greatest worry had been that Lu Guanying might not be home, which would have been troublesome. Fortunately, from the servant’s reaction, Lu Guanying had indeed returned.
As Song Qingshu surveyed the terrain near the gate, he couldn’t help but admire the Lu family’s prosperity. Whether in terms of location or the size of the estate, they were truly first-rate.
Behind him came the creak of the gate opening. Assuming it was Lu Guanying, he turned around reflexively. “I didn’t expect you to come out… so quickly.”
When he saw the person before him, he froze. A young woman in white stood gracefully before him. Her complexion was slightly sallow, but her oval face was exceptionally beautiful and charming.
The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell upon her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her two thin red lips slightly upturned. Even Song Qingshu, accustomed to great beauties, silently praised her. *What a bright-eyed, white-toothed beauty.*
But then he noticed her leg. From the way she walked, she seemed to have a slight limp. He inwardly sighed with regret.
The young woman had come out excitedly and had not expected to find a man standing at the gate. Caught off guard, she was also startled. When she noticed him examining her from head to toe, his aggressive gaze making her feel as if she were wearing nothing at all, displeasure rose in her heart. Then she saw his gaze fall upon her lame leg, and her fury exploded.
Her leg had been injured when she was a child, having insisted on climbing a tree to pick flowers. She had fallen and broken it. Then, enemies had come calling before it had healed properly, leaving lasting damage. She had always been extremely sensitive about this, hating the pity and sympathy in people’s eyes. She had gotten into countless conflicts with people in Shanyin over this very matter.
“Where did this scoundrel come from, staring at your grandmother like that?” The young woman planted her hands on her hips and cursed with spirited ferocity.
Song Qingshu frowned slightly. *This girl has quite a temper.* He was now at a level where he would not deign to argue with her. He smiled faintly and turned away, continuing to wait for Lu Guanying.
“Are you deaf or mute?” The young woman grew even angrier when he did not respond.
“You’re young. You should watch your tongue. If you provoke someone you shouldn’t, you’ll be the one who suffers,” Song Qingshu said flatly, turning back.
The condescension in his eyes only fueled her rage. “Who do you think you are? Since when do I need a lecture from you? Laifu, how can we let stray dogs and cats block our gate? Drive them off!”
Soon, several guards were alarmed and rushed out, surrounding Song Qingshu.
“Seventh Miss, this man is here to see the Third Young Master,” the one called Laifu said quietly after glancing at Song Qingshu.
“Here to see Third Brother?” The young woman’s delicate brows furrowed. Then she waved her hand. “Probably some *wulin* riffraff looking to sponge off him. Drive him away.”
The guards exchanged uncertain glances. This man’s bearing was far too distinguished for the usual down-and-out *wulin* idlers. What if he really was a friend of the Third Young Master? They couldn’t very well beat him up. On one side was the Third Young Master, on the other the Seventh Miss. They dared not offend either—truly a case of gods fighting while mortals suffered.
Song Qingshu said coldly, “The reason I looked at you the way I did is because I can cure your leg. But now, even if you kneel and beg me, I won’t treat you.”
Hearing him mention her lame leg again, the young woman was furious. “Countless famous doctors have tried and failed. For a young man like you to boast so shamelessly… Laifu, what are you standing there for? Give him a beating for me!”
“Yes, Seventh Miss!” Though the Third Young Master might hold it against them later, the guards were more intimidated by the immediate threat. They rolled up their sleeves and raised their clubs, moving to surround him.
Song Qingshu stood calmly, his eyes half-closed, as if he did not see them closing in.
“Stop!” Just then, a sharp voice rang out from within the residence. Everyone turned to see Lu Guanying hurrying out.
With the main man here, the guards wisely stepped aside. Whatever happened next, their master and young mistress would sort it out themselves.
“Young Master, are you alright?” Without sparing anyone else a glance, Lu Guanying rushed to Song Qingshu’s side and asked anxiously.
The young woman’s expression flickered. Though her third brother was not favored by the family patriarch, he had always been proud and aloof. Back in the day, he had roamed Lake Tai. She had never seen him look so… so humble.
Song Qingshu smiled calmly. “Do you think they could hurt me?”
Lu Guanying glanced at the scene. Though he had not witnessed it directly, he could guess what had happened. He had certainly had his share of headaches over this seventh sister over the years. “Wushuang, come here and apologize to Young Master Song!”
“Wushuang?” Song Qingshu’s eyes flickered. *So it’s her.* He had suspected earlier but had not been certain. In *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, the Lu family that Lu Wushuang belonged to had no blood relation to Lu Guanying’s branch. He hadn’t expected that in this world, they both belonged to the Shanyin Lu clan.
Lu Wushuang looked incredulous. “Third Brother, you’re not even asking what happened, and you’re already making me apologize to him?”
Lu Guanying’s face was stern. “I don’t need to ask. You must be in the wrong.”
“You!” Lu Wushuang felt utterly wronged. “Third Brother, how can you side with an outsider against me?” She had always been close to Lu Guanying. When she had been wandering the *wulin*, hunted by Li Mochou, he had led men to rescue her. He had always looked after her over the years. She never expected that today, her third brother would behave as if he were a different person.
“Apologize!” Lu Guanying’s voice grew even harsher.
Tears welled in Lu Wushuang’s eyes. Helpless, she walked to Song Qingshu, bit her lip, and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
As if he hadn’t heard, Song Qingshu deliberately leaned his ear closer. “Louder. I can’t hear you.”
Seeing him lean in like that, the picture of a rogue, Lu Wushuang nearly fainted with rage. She stamped her foot, her voice choked with tears. “Third Brother is bullying me! I’m going to find Cousin to teach you a lesson!”
Ignoring Lu Guanying’s calls from behind, she ran off, crying as she disappeared into the distance.
“Young Master has come to our home for the first time, only to encounter such a scene. I hope you can forgive us,” Lu Guanying said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, thoroughly embarrassed.
“Think nothing of it.” As Song Qingshu walked inside, he asked casually, “Is this cousin your sister mentioned surnamed Cheng?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Guanying’s face. “Yes. Her surname is Cheng, given name Ying. She is the last disciple of Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic. She happens to be visiting family, and Wushuang went out early this morning to fetch her.”
Song Qingshu seemed to recall something amusing. “Huang Yaoshi’s last disciple? Then doesn’t that make her your martial aunt?” Lu Guanying’s father, Lu Chengfeng, was also a disciple of Huang Yaoshi. That meant Lu Guanying was a generation below Cheng Ying.
Lu Guanying smiled wryly. “There’s no helping it. Though she’s much younger than me, she is my elder. Fortunately, she’s a good person and never pulls rank on me. We have an informal agreement: unless someone from our sect is present, we don’t stand on ceremony. Come to think of it, she’s not only my martial aunt but also my little sister-in-law.”
Song Qingshu’s expression turned strange. After a long pause, he uttered four words: “Your circle is truly chaotic.”
Lu Guanying, not understanding, assumed he was asking for an explanation. “She is Yaojia’s cousin. Privately, she calls me brother-in-law.”
Only then did Song Qingshu realize that both women shared the surname Cheng—that was the connection.
They soon arrived at Lu Guanying’s courtyard. A graceful, soft-featured young matron leaned against the doorframe—none other than Cheng Yaojia.
She seemed to be waiting for someone. The moment Song Qingshu came into view, a sweet smile spread across her face.
She hurried over, her pretty face flushed and lovely, her eyes full of excitement. In a delicate voice, she called out, “Young Master~”
Song Qingshu felt half his body go weak. *Cheng Yaojia’s shy, alluring manner is truly captivating.* He wanted to wrap his arm around her soft waist, but they were at the Lu residence. If any servants saw, it would be awkward.
Lu Guanying, clearly thinking the same thing, coughed. “Let’s talk inside.”
Seeing his wife’s longing gaze at another man stung, but he quickly shook off the negative thoughts, reminding himself that this was his choice.
“When I heard that the Young Master had been harmed in Yangzhou, my heart nearly shattered. Thank goodness you’re safe,” Cheng Yaojia said, barely containing her emotion, tears threatening to fall.
Song Qingshu felt a warmth in his heart. “I haven’t even thanked Brother Lu for helping me in Yangzhou.”
Lu Guanying quickly said, “You’re too kind, Young Master. Given our positions, that was all we could do. I hope you won’t hold it against us.”
Song Qingshu smiled. “I’m more grateful than anything. How could I hold it against you?”
“Young Master has done so much for us as a couple. What we did in return is nothing.” Lu Guanying smiled wryly. “By the way, Young Master, what brings you to Shanyin at such a time?”
Song Qingshu explained his purpose. Lu Guanying’s eyes lit up. “I see. You can rest assured, Young Master. Lord Han is bent on leading a northern expedition against the Jin to recover our lost territory. If there’s any official in the court who most wishes to avoid war with the Golden Serpent Camp, it’s Lord Han. However, this matter requires the clan head’s involvement… Yaojia, keep the Young Master company for a while. I’ll go speak with the clan head.” With that, he hurried off excitedly.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Cheng Yaojia suddenly felt her heart beat faster. Though she wasn’t looking, she knew Song Qingshu was studying her. His gaze was almost tangible, lightly brushing against her skin and making it tingle. For some reason, just being stared at by him like this made her feel weak.
Just then, a knock came at the door.