Chapter 17: Miss Qin

Inside the room, aside from Wen Rongxin, there was also a middle-aged woman and a young lady.

Li Guanzhuan recognized the woman—she was a well-known matchmaker in the area, famous for her silver tongue and her specialization in arranging marriages for cultivators, always declaring that if the match failed, she wouldn’t take a single spirit stone.

As for the other young lady...

He knew her too.

For on a certain moonless, windy night, she had ridden her sword to his rescue, helping him dispatch three marauding cultivators.

However, the heroine’s appearance today was a far cry from before—

She was dressed in a long, flowing white gown of gauzy silk; her skin was snowy pale, with a high nose, red lips, and enchanting, foxlike eyes filled with playful charm. She possessed an alluring, sensual beauty, her black hair coiled high in an elegant chignon, every smile and frown radiating a delicate grace, like a peony bud yet to bloom.

If he hadn’t witnessed her ruthless swordplay, Li Guanzhuan might truly have been deceived by her demure, elder-sisterly air.

Suddenly, Li Guanzhuan recalled something she had once said to him.

“There may come a time when I need your help. Since I once saved your life, would you lend me a hand? Don’t worry, it’s nothing difficult.”

...

The memory jolted him.

Was she here now to collect on that favor?

No... If she wanted a favor, why hire a matchmaker and spend money? Wasn’t that wasting spirit stones for nothing?

What exactly was this woman after?

...

When the young lady, now using the alias Qin Wujie, saw Li Guanzhuan, she offered a gentle smile and sat primly upon her chair. The decisive, lethal heroine from before had entirely vanished, replaced by a docile demeanor.

Li Guanzhuan was all too aware that this woman likely harbored many secrets—dangerous ones, at that—and under no circumstances could he allow her to remain in his household!

Even if he were to take a concubine for dual cultivation, it would have to be someone proper and honest.

Scheming, fighting, intrigue, and deception—such things were not for him.

He sat beside Wen Rongxin, ever wary, his protective talisman already hidden up his sleeve.

“My husband...”

Wen Rongxin’s eyes held both tension and fear; after all, she had acted on her own in this matter and now worried he would be displeased.

Li Guanzhuan gently patted her hand in reassurance.

“Master Li, your wife is truly attentive and devoted to you,” the matchmaker began. “When I heard of this, I dared not delay for a moment and quickly found Miss Qin, just eighteen and beautiful as a flower...”

Clearly, the matchmaker knew this had been arranged behind Li Guanzhuan’s back.

But Wen Rongxin was not adept at words, so the matchmaker pressed on with a smile:

“With your cultivation, Master Li, you must realize Miss Qin is no ordinary girl. At the second stage of Qi Refinement, she’s graceful and refined. Marry her into your family, and your line will flourish and your wealth multiply!”

Wen Rongxin handed over a cup of spirit tea and whispered, “Husband, I’ve looked into it—Miss Qin is clever, capable, and of good character. She’s a fine person...”

Miss Qin quickly added, “Indeed, I have no ill intentions. If you don’t believe me, spend a few days getting to know me.”

The more clever and capable a woman, the more dangerous she is, my foolish wife... And how do you know she’s of good character? Don’t take the matchmaker’s words at face value...

Li Guanzhuan sighed inwardly, accepted the spirit tea, took a sip, then looked at the matchmaker with a genial smile.

“And if this marriage goes through, Madam Shen, how much would you ask for your red envelope?”

Madam Shen was overjoyed—was Master Li agreeing?

She quickly held up two fingers, her smile radiant. “Congratulations, Master Li! May joy come in pairs, as the saying goes. My fee is modest—just twenty low-grade spirit stones.”

Li Guanzhuan nodded, set down his tea, and with a flash of white light, twenty low-grade spirit stones appeared on the table.

He said, “Here are twenty spirit stones as a token of gratitude. But I have no plans to take a concubine at present. My apologies for troubling you, Madam Shen.”

“What?”

Matchmaker Shen and Miss Qin were both stunned.

Even Wen Rongxin was caught off guard.

All had expected Li Guanzhuan to agree outright. Who would have thought the twenty spirit stones were a dismissal fee?

Madam Shen looked at Wen Rongxin, torn between temptation and hesitation. In the end, the lure of spirit stones was her reason for being in this line of work.

Wen Rongxin lowered her head, not daring to speak. She could see her husband was not fond of Miss Qin.

Seeing the matchmaker hesitate, Li Guanzhuan smiled. “Madam Shen, I do have the final say in my household. Please, take the spirit stones.”

“Very well, then. I won’t stand on ceremony. If you ever have need in the future, you know where to find me.”

With a nod, she took the twenty spirit stones, then turned to Miss Qin with an apologetic smile.

“Miss Qin, I’ll seek out another family for you.”

Miss Qin’s gaze locked onto Li Guanzhuan, as if to say: You owe me a favor; repay it by marrying me!

Li Guanzhuan understood the message in her eyes.

What a joke!

There was no way he would keep such a ticking time bomb by his side. Should disaster befall him and Wen Rongxin one day, regret would come too late!

Yet, Miss Qin’s cultivation was at the sixth stage of Qi Refinement. At his current level, he would need to use several talismans just to barely hold his own in a fight against her...

Thus, it was best not to make enemies if it could be helped, nor to stir up conflict. Peaceful resolution was the way.

With a wry smile, Li Guanzhuan said, “Miss, I have no grand ambitions. I only wish for a life of peace and tranquility. My wife and I have struggled hard for this, and all we want is a stable, uneventful existence.”

If force won’t work, then softness must suffice.

Besides, from his observations, this Miss Qin might well have a penchant for chivalry. Perhaps a touch of pathos would move her softer... heart.

Miss Qin gazed into his eyes and saw he was not lying.

“I promise you, I will never bring trouble to your door. If I do, you needn’t drive me away—I’ll leave of my own accord. How about that?” she said earnestly, her eyes even carrying a hint of entreaty.

Li Guanzhuan’s face was full of helplessness.

He could not repay this favor, and she was already pressing against his bottom line—perhaps even threatening his safety. There was absolutely no way he would let her into his home.

As the two reached an impasse, Madam Shen’s eyes darted about, and she stood up.

“My, it’s getting late. Lady Wen, if you’re free, would you walk me out?”

Wen Rongxin froze for a moment, then quickly understood.

Madam Shen was creating an opportunity for her husband and Miss Qin to be alone, so they could speak openly and honestly.

Whether or not the match succeeded would depend on whether Miss Qin could change Li Guanzhuan’s mind.

“Husband, I’ll go see Madam Shen out,” Wen Rongxin whispered.

Li Guanzhuan nodded slightly. He too wished to settle this troublesome matter, and now was the perfect chance to talk things through.