Chapter 5: Is That Enough, I Wonder?

Before long, the two arrived at an elegant side courtyard. Since Qin Guan had demolished the main courtyard the night before, Nan Yunqi and the others had moved here.

At that moment, the family of three was enjoying breakfast. When they saw Qin Guan walk in pulling Nan Rou along, they were momentarily stunned.

Yang Hongmei in particular pointed at Qin Guan, her mouth opening and closing, at a loss for words. She had spent the entire night searching for him, and this worthless wretch had the audacity to show up on his own?

"Good morning, Uncle and Aunt — how could you eat without calling us!" Qin Guan grinned and greeted them cheerfully.

Nan Rou quickly stepped in front of Qin Guan. "Rou'er greets Father and Mother!"

Yang Hongmei completely ignored Nan Rou and pointed straight at Qin Guan. "You worthless trash — guards, seize him!"

The moment her words fell, four guards rushed in.

"Stand down!" Nan Yunqi suddenly barked at the four guards.

The guards hesitated briefly, then withdrew.

"My lord, what are you doing? This worthless wretch killed Hu Liu — why aren't you having him arrested?" Yang Hongmei turned to Nan Yunqi, fuming.

Before Nan Yunqi could respond, Qin Guan let out a cold snort. "A dog that dares bite its master — shouldn't it be put down?"

"What do you mean by that?" Nan Yunqi frowned.

Qin Guan looked at Nan Yunqi. "In this bitter cold, that Hu Liu deliberately withheld firewood from Nan Rou, nearly freezing her to death, and on top of that he insulted her. Uncle, do you think he deserved to die or not?"

Nan Yunqi's expression darkened after hearing this. He glanced at Yang Hongmei. He had known about some of these things, but he never imagined Yang Hongmei had gone this far.

"Trash, what nonsense are you spouting? When did Hu Liu ever withhold anything from Rou'er? Everything she was supposed to receive — didn't she get the finest of it all?" Yang Hongmei said without so much as a blush.

At that moment, Nan Rou suddenly spoke. Her voice was soft, but carried a note of reproach:

"I don't mind how much or how little, but I ask that Mother please stop calling Brother Guan 'worthless trash' with every breath."

"Outrageous! My lord, look at this daughter you've raised — she dares speak to me like this now. She has absolutely no respect for her elders!"

Yang Hongmei was taken aback. Nan Rou, who normally cowered like a quail, had the nerve to be sarcastic with her today. A flash of cold malice crossed her eyes — this little wretch must be tired of living!

"Mother, please don't say any more. In a couple of days it will be Sister and Qin Guan's wedding day. We should be congratulating them and making proper arrangements for the ceremony — that's what matters."

Nan Qiao, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. As far as she was concerned, as long as Qin Guan agreed to stay with Nan Rou and stopped pestering her, that was all that mattered.

"Ao'er is right. From now on we're all family — family should live in harmony!" Nan Yunqi nodded.

The Nan Family still relied on Yang Hongmei's maternal family for support, and there was much he felt helpless about. He could only turn a blind eye to many things.

Hearing this, Yang Hongmei swallowed her anger, though she clearly wanted to say more. She understood Nan Qiao's meaning — Hu Liu was nothing compared to her daughter's reputation. As for this grudge, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle it after the two were married.

"Go bring two more sets of bowls and chopsticks!" Nan Yunqi called out to the maidservant at the door, then smiled at Nan Rou. "Rou'er, you look so much better today — there's color in your cheeks."

Nan Rou beamed with joy. "Father, I haven't told you yet — Brother Guan cured my Cold Poison! I'm completely well now!"

"What!"

Nan Yunqi shot to his feet at Nan Rou's words. He hurriedly pressed his fingers to her wrist to check her pulse, and after a short while his expression shifted from shock to elation. "Ha ha! It's truly gone — that dreadful Cold Poison is truly gone!"

"Young Hero Qin, please accept this bow from me!"

Nan Yunqi's eyes reddened, and he gave Qin Guan a deep, solemn bow.

Nan Rou had lost her mother at a young age, and he, as her father, had failed her terribly — he was filled with guilt toward her. Now, seeing his daughter cured, he was grateful to Qin Guan from the bottom of his heart.

Yang Hongmei and Nan Qiao, standing nearby, were equally astonished to learn that Nan Rou's Cold Poison had been cured by Qin Guan.

A Cold Poison that so many capable healers had been unable to treat — and this worthless wretch had actually cured it?

"Father-in-law bowing to his son-in-law — I really can't accept such a gesture!" Qin Guan helped Nan Yunqi up with a laugh.

Hearing Qin Guan's words, Nan Yunqi's face darkened, and he quickly straightened up with dignity.

Nan Rou covered her mouth and giggled quietly beside them.

"Hmph. Disgraceful!"

Yang Hongmei let out a cold snort, rose from her seat, and left. She would sooner die than sit at the same table and eat with these two.

"Father, I'm going to go cultivate." Nan Qiao also rose and excused herself.

After the mother and daughter departed, Nan Yunqi couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "Rou'er, your father has wronged you all these years."

"Father, please don't trouble yourself over it — your daughter understands." Nan Rou said softly. She understood in her heart that her stepmother had been suppressing her father all along, using the Nan Family's dependence on the Yang Family as leverage.

"Let's not speak of that anymore. Come, sit down and eat." Nan Yunqi smiled.

The three sat down, and Nan Yunqi looked at Qin Guan. "Did you really kill that Hu Liu?"

"Yes." Qin Guan nodded.

"You're a Martial Artist?" Nan Yunqi asked again. He had heard from his servants the night before that Qin Guan was a second-gate Martial Artist.

"Yes." Qin Guan nodded.

"To reach the second gate at such a young age is already quite remarkable." Nan Yunqi said with admiration.

Martial Artists were born without a Dantian and could not gather Spiritual Energy to cultivate — they could only advance through grueling physical training.

In Nan Yunqi's eyes, reaching the second gate was already a considerable achievement for Qin Guan.

"Being a Martial Artist is perfectly fine. At the very least, it speaks to a grounded, hardworking character. I don't ask that you achieve great things — I only ask that you treat Rou'er well in the future."

Nan Yunqi glanced at Nan Rou, then patted Qin Guan on the shoulder:

"Work hard within the Nan Family from now on. I'll do my best to secure some cultivation resources for you. In your lifetime, strive to break through to the third gate — it will be extremely difficult, but young people must keep pushing forward and never give up easily."

Qin Guan smiled but said nothing. As an eighth-gate Martial Artist, even a single small step forward was harder than ascending to the heavens. Everything the Nan Family currently owned, sold in its entirety, wouldn't be enough to cover even one small step of his.

At that moment, Nan Rou said with some worry, "Father, Brother Guan killed Hu Liu. When Yang Ao comes out of seclusion, he's sure to make trouble for Brother Guan. Could you perhaps…"

This had been weighing on Nan Rou's mind — it was the very reason she had steeled herself to come here.

"Don't worry. I'll handle this matter personally." Nan Yunqi waved his hand, though thinking of Yang Ao's temperament, he felt a genuine headache coming on.

Nan Rou immediately let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing Nan Rou thinking of him so wholeheartedly, Qin Guan felt a warm glow in his heart. He really had chosen well!

With that thought, Qin Guan turned to Nan Yunqi. "Right now, the house Nan Rou was living in has been torn down, and she can only sleep in the woodshed. Could you perhaps deal with that as well?"

"What!"

Nan Yunqi was startled, but he quickly understood — it must have been Yang Hongmei's doing. This woman had been growing more and more brazen with him over the past two years.

"Jiaquan!" Nan Yunqi called in a middle-aged guard.

"Have the side courtyard on the eastern side cleaned up and prepared for the First Young Miss. See to it yourself!"

"Yes, sir!" Jiaquan departed immediately.

After Jiaquan left, Nan Yunqi produced a Storage Pouch and quietly slipped it to Nan Rou, lowering his voice:

"There are one hundred thousand gold coins inside. Take him out shopping today — buy him a few decent sets of clothes, and pick up some gifts to use as betrothal presents. With your wedding in a couple of days, it wouldn't do to have no betrothal gifts at all."

"Alright." Nan Rou quickly tucked the Storage Pouch away.

Qin Guan smiled inwardly. "This convenient father-in-law has finally done something decent."

"Oh, right — you two should also be careful lately. Last night our Nan Family was attacked by a powerful cultivator. Every building in the main courtyard collapsed. This person's strength is no less than mine. Be sure to stay vigilant at night when you sleep."

After saying this, Nan Yunqi's expression became extremely grave. There was not a single clue to be found about the attacker from last night, and it was keeping him from eating or sleeping in peace.

Hearing Nan Yunqi's words, Nan Rou's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she stole a glance at Qin Guan.

Qin Guan quietly took a large sip of rice porridge along with a bite of pickled vegetables.

"I have matters to attend to — you two eat first." Nan Yunqi rose and left.

"Brother Guan, last night you said you saw people sparring, right? Could it be that they weren't sparring at all — but demolishing the buildings?" After Nan Yunqi left, Nan Rou looked at Qin Guan and asked.

Hearing this, Qin Guan nearly spat out his mouthful of food. This girl was just too innocent!

"I don't know — it was pitch dark and I couldn't see clearly." Qin Guan shook his head and quickly changed the subject. "Hurry up and eat. The food's getting cold."

* * *

That afternoon, Qin Guan and Nan Rou moved into the small courtyard on the eastern side. It was not large and a bit out of the way, but it was quiet and peaceful.

Qin Guan stood in the courtyard kicking pebbles, glancing every now and then toward one of the rooms. He was waiting for Nan Rou — she had said she wanted to dress up properly, because going out shopping meant she couldn't embarrass him.

Before long, Nan Rou stepped out of her room.

She was tall and slender, standing like a stalk of jade bamboo. Dressed in a pale yellow skirt and jacket, her skin appeared as white as snow. Her eyes curved gently as she walked toward him with graceful steps, her skirt hem swaying lightly in the breeze. An air of gentle, soft beauty washed over him — she was like a peerless beauty stepping out of an ancient painting, breathtaking enough to bewitch the soul.

Qin Guan stared, slightly entranced, feeling as though time itself had come to a standstill.

Seeing Qin Guan in a daze, Nan Rou felt a small flicker of pride, though she still asked earnestly, "Brother Guan, do I look nice like this?"

"You look beautiful." Qin Guan nodded.

Receiving Qin Guan's affirmation, Nan Rou smiled sweetly. "Then let's go!"

Before long, the two arrived at the bustling district of Luyun City.

Along the way, the beautiful and captivating Nan Rou drew the sidelong glances of passersby. When those same people noticed the shabbily dressed Qin Guan walking beside her, they shook their heads with expressions mixing envy and disdain.

Nan Rou pulled Qin Guan into a fabric shop. She wanted to buy a few bolts of cloth and personally sew him some clothes.

Qin Guan selected several fabrics in plain, understated colors. Nan Rou quietly took note, learning that Qin Guan did not care for bright or flashy colors.

After leaving the fabric shop, the two bought a few small items before making their way to Tianbao Pavilion.

Tianbao Pavilion — situated in the upscale district of Luyun City, where items routinely cost thousands or even tens of thousands of gold coins.

After entering Tianbao Pavilion and browsing for only a short while, the two had already spent fifty thousand gold. Finally, Qin Guan brought Nan Rou to the spiritual materials section, intending to put together a tonic prescription for her.

Seeing Qin Guan arrive with a strikingly beautiful young woman, the shopkeeper from the day before smiled and asked, "If I may ask, who is this young lady?"

"My fiancée." Qin Guan replied.

Nan Rou gave the shopkeeper a slight bow.

"You, my boy — not only are you lucky, you've got quite the fortune in love as well!"

The shopkeeper gave Qin Guan a thumbs-up. This young man didn't look like much at first glance, but one had to admit he had real substance to him.

"Indeed — my luck has always been rather good!"

Qin Guan grinned and quickly selected several spiritual materials.

"Sixteen thousand eight hundred in total — I'll round off the eight hundred for you. Call it sixteen thousand even." The shopkeeper said with a warm smile.

Knowing these were tonics being bought for her, Nan Rou was reluctant to reach for the Storage Pouch. Sixteen thousand gold for a single prescription felt utterly extravagant.

"This young lady's bill is on the house!" Just as Nan Rou was about to pay, a voice rang out from not far away.

A young man in white robes walked over at an unhurried pace. He had sharp, sword-like brows and bright eyes, a face as fine as jade, and beneath his high-bridged nose, the corners of his thin lips curved in a faint smile. Behind him followed two guards dressed in brocade attire.

"Yes, Young Master!" The shopkeeper immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the young man.

The Young Master — Chen Shaojie, son of the Tianbao Pavilion Master, a wealthy young man who could strut sideways through Luyun City. An absolute figure of the upper echelons.

"I am Chen Shaojie. I have been deeply captivated by your beauty, Miss. Would you honor me by becoming acquainted?"

"That won't be necessary."

Seeing the ill-intentioned look in Chen Shaojie's eyes, Nan Rou quickly retreated to Qin Guan's side, a hint of fear on her face.

Chen Shaojie glanced at Qin Guan and asked with a smile, "Miss, who is this man to you?"

Nan Rou said with some irritation, "He is my fiancé. Please conduct yourself with propriety!"

Upon hearing Nan Rou's words, Chen Shaojie suddenly produced a Storage Pouch and tossed it in front of Qin Guan:

"There's enough money in there to last you the rest of your life. Hand your fiancée over to me."

Qin Guan smiled faintly and looked at Chen Shaojie:

"Are the women in your family for sale? Name a price — sell me your mother, sisters, and the like. I've got a few dozen gold coins here. Is that enough, I wonder?"