Chapter 9: Nan Heyu and Lu Jing's Rare Manuscript

The young woman in blue and the old woman left the Lu residence and made their way to the front of Lake Zhutai, boarding a small boat.

The long sword at the young woman in blue's waist glowed faintly blue under the sunset.

The old woman stood behind the young woman, her head bowed the entire time.

The young woman's face was covered with a light veil, making it impossible to see her features, but the worry in her eyes was quite evident.

"Miss, although the third young master of the Lu family is a concubine-born son and has a low status in the Lu residence due to the incident eight years ago, his demeanor is far more impressive than the playful Lu Qiong."

The old woman continued, "If Lord and Lady know that Lu Jing is not a worthless, neglected concubine-born son, they might agree to this marriage."

The young woman in blue was none other than Nan Heyu, who was already betrothed to Lu Jing from the Nan National Duke's residence.

She stood tall, her unique aura blending with the tranquil lake as she sailed on it.

Seeing that her young mistress, a prodigy in swordsmanship, did not respond, the old woman hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Lord and Lady are thinking of you, not wanting you to become a sacrifice of the Nan residence.

"He has always hoped that you could escape the shackles of the clan, pursue your own path in swordsmanship, and find Lord Luo..."

Nan Heyu, who had remained silent, coughed lightly, interrupting the old woman.

"Father and Mother are indeed thinking of me," Nan Heyu said, gazing at the setting sun. "However, since Grandfather has already made the marriage agreement, allowing Lu Jing to become a son-in-law in our Nan residence, and even recorded his life contract in the external register of the household registry office, Lu Jing has already become a lowly person.

"Father and Mother blame Grandfather for making such a decision without consulting them and insist on breaking the engagement.

"But if I write a letter to break the engagement, it will not affect me.

"However, the third young master of the Lu family will have his future completely ruined..."

Nan Heyu took a deep breath.

The old woman nodded, "It's not just about ruining his future; he will have to live in the ridicule of others.

"First, he becomes a lowly son-in-law, and then he is rejected by you. If he has a weak character, he might die of resentment."

The old woman's eyes showed a hint of pity, not just for Nan Heyu, who had no choice, but also for Lu Jing's future.

"The old Duke probably had no other choice," the old woman thought to herself. "If the current generation of the Duke's residence had more capable heirs, or if Lord Fengmian were still alive, the old Duke would not have gone to such lengths to keep you in Tai Xuan City to manage the Nan residence."

On the small boat, there was no one rowing, yet the boat seemed to be driven by some mysterious force, moving silently on the lake.

Nan Heyu closed her eyes and remained silent.

After a long while, Nan Heyu suddenly opened her eyes.

She placed her right hand on the hilt of her sword.

The sword qi followed the flowing water, merging into the scenery of Lake Zhutai.

Instantly, three hundred sword lights rose, cutting through the lake's scenery and the water.

The cracks on the lake's surface disappeared quickly, and the sun set.

Nan Heyu's voice revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Today, I knew I was being impolite, but I still went to the Lu residence to see the third young master of the Lu family."

"I had hoped that the third young master of the Lu family would be unlearned and, even if he were not a lowly person, his future would be limited.

"In that case, after I broke the engagement, I could secretly give him some compensation, such as money and property, so he could live a comfortable life as a wealthy man, even if he faced some ridicule, it would be better than being a despised concubine-born son in a deep and ruthless residence."

Nan Heyu seemed to be talking to herself or confiding in the old woman, "But I didn't expect that the third young master of the Lu family is well-versed in classics and has ambition in his eyes.

"If I break the engagement, what will happen to the third young master of the Lu family? For a scholar with aspirations to become a lowly son-in-law is already a great disgrace, and now... it might ruin a young man's life."

The old woman's wrinkled face showed a hint of agreement, "The insights of the Lu family's young master on Confucianism are extraordinary, though that is secondary, and I don't quite understand it.

"But from his exposition of his learning, he indeed has a certain demeanor. If he continues to improve, he has a promising future."

Nan Heyu's eyes lowered, "Since Grandfather has made the agreement, as a member of the Nan family, I must follow it, not break my word, and not ruin a young man's future... or even his life.

"Even if he becomes a son-in-law in our Nan residence, he will not be ridiculed, and he will still have many opportunities to serve in office or practice cultivation..."

The old woman was surprised, "Miss, have you made a decision? What about Lord and Lady?"

"I will tell them that I went to the Lu residence and immediately took a liking to the third young master of the Lu family, and I do not wish to leave the capital." Nan Heyu's expression was indifferent.

"...Understood." The old woman sighed inwardly.

Lord and Lady know Miss very well, and they know that Miss's heart is no longer in the Duke's residence or in Tai Xuan City.

It is on that sea, that island, and on that young man in white, whose fingertips are entwined with the sword qi of wind and rain.

How easy is it to deceive them?

---

Another day, at the Lu residence.

Lu Yi was chasing after Sheng Zi, her two braids with intricate hair flowers swinging back and forth.

"Sheng Sister, where are you going?"

"You're walking so fast, won't the box of peach pastries break?"

Sheng Zi, dressed in red, had a fair complexion, but her expression was exceptionally spirited.

"Lu Yi, don't think about the box of peach pastries anymore. I need them to give as a gift."

"Give as a gift? Who is Sheng Sister giving the gift to? The West Courtyard of the Lu residence is mostly occupied by servants... um... are you looking for Lu Jing?"

Lu Yi was not stupid. From Sheng Zi's previous words and her insistence on seeing Lu Jing at the Liuguang Waterside Pavilion, Lu Yi could tell that Sheng Zi was quite interested in Lu Jing.

Now, holding the box of peach pastries that Lu Yi had obtained from the old lady under Sheng Zi's name, heading towards the West Courtyard, Lu Yi guessed where Sheng Zi was going.

"Sheng Sister, what Lu Jing said yesterday was just nonsense. Even Brother Lu Qiong said that what Lu Jing said was very different from what Master Zhu taught. Don't be fooled by him."

Sheng Zi smiled slightly, walking faster, her skirt fluttering.

Lu Yi did not know that after leaving the Liuguang Waterside Pavilion yesterday, Sheng Zi returned to the Sheng residence and happened to see the great Confucian scholar, Zhong Yubai.

She suddenly remembered Lu Jing's insights on Confucianism and, out of curiosity, recounted Lu Jing's understanding of Confucianism to Zhong Yubai word for word.

Sheng Zi still remembered Zhong Yubai's astonished expression clearly, even asking repeatedly where such insights came from, which great scholar, or which rare manuscript.

Sheng Zi then realized that almost everyone in the Liuguang Waterside Pavilion yesterday was captivated by Lu Jing's brilliant demeanor and extraordinary aura, even being convinced by it.

However, no one present was an expert in Confucianism, so they did not notice the extraordinary nature of Lu Jing's theory of Confucianism and the unity of heaven and man.

"Such insights that can surprise a renowned Confucian scholar must not come from a sixteen-year-old Lu Jing. Perhaps Lu Jing found some rare classics among the miscellaneous books in the Lu residence."

"If I can borrow this classic, perhaps Master Zhong can teach me a few horseback riding techniques to help me tame Suzu."

Sheng Zi thought happily, her eyes filled with anticipation.