Cause and Effect

Shi Lan nodded in surprise upon hearing Xu Yuanbai's name, "We've had some dealings. Do you know him?"

"Did you have a conflict with him at Yun Sheng Tower a few days ago? You even had someone beat him into severe injuries. Can you tell me about it?"

When did Xu Yuanbai gain such influence? To make Lu Yueqing so concerned about him, Shi Lan wondered. Just as she was puzzled, she suddenly realized Lu Yueqing was less than three feet away. She faintly caught a very light, pleasant scent.

The close proximity made Shi Lan uneasy. For some reason, Shi Lan felt that Lu Yueqing had changed, no longer appearing as approachable as she seemed.

"Xu Yuanbai spoke disrespectfully and was rude to Eldest Young Master, so my subordinate taught him a lesson. If Miss Lu is interested in this matter, you can ask me." A clear voice came from behind Lu Yueqing.

The smile on Lu Yueqing's face vanished instantly. She turned around and looked at the black-clothed youth who had spoken, a hint of undisguised shock in her eyes.

This person had entered within ten feet of her without a sound. If he hadn't spoken, she still wouldn't have noticed him at all.

A distance of ten feet was no different from being within reach for someone in the Foundation Realm. If this person had attacked stealthily, he could have easily severely injured or even killed her.

Such strength, combined with his youthful appearance, which was not much older than her own, clearly indicated how extraordinary his talent was.

"And who might you be?" A hint of caution flashed in Lu Yueqing's eyes.

"I am Shi Feng, currently Eldest Young Master's guard," Shi Feng said, cupping his hands. He walked to Shi Lan's side and stood firm.

"A guard?" Lu Yueqing found it absurd. Had the Shi Manor already accumulated so many talented individuals? Someone like this was merely a guard? And he was protecting Shi Lan, a person with a naturally crippled body?

With Shi Feng standing beside her, Shi Lan's unease lessened. After a moment of thought, she slowly spoke, "Miss Lu, a celestial maiden like yourself is not a match for a commoner like me. Perhaps we should call off this engagement. What do you say?"

This was Shi Lan's only option. As the legitimate eldest son of the Shi Family, he was essentially a fake. How could he possibly marry and have children? Especially when the intended bride was someone like Lu Yueqing, who was top-tier in both family background and talent.

It was better to cut ties decisively now than to get entangled later.

Lu Yueqing shifted her gaze back to Shi Lan. "May I ask one last question?"

"Of course, go ahead."

"Rumor has it that you have a preference for men. Is that true?" Lu Yueqing looked at Shi Feng, implying something.

"???"

Shi Lan was stunned. After realizing what was said, she shook her head like a rattle drum. "Rumors! Absolutely rumors!"

Even though she was now a woman, her sexual orientation wouldn't change unless her entire worldview was shattered and rebuilt.

"Then there are no issues." The smile returned to Lu Yueqing's face. "I don't want to cancel this engagement for now."

"Why?" Shi Lan found it difficult to understand. From any angle, she couldn't find any reason why Lu Yueqing would be satisfied with this engagement.

"The engagement between us, though without the words of a matchmaker, has the consent of our parents. Parental commands cannot be lightly disregarded. It's not something I can simply cancel. Furthermore, I don't know you well enough yet. Making such a hasty decision about fulfilling the engagement would be unfair to both of us."

"But..."

Before Shi Lan could finish, Lu Yueqing spoke again:

"This is only our first meeting. If the engagement is canceled, the world will surely think I am seeking profit and look down upon your naturally crippled body, Shi Lan. It would seem my Lu Family unilaterally broke off the engagement, which would harm my reputation."

Shi Lan said helplessly, "Then what are your intentions, Miss Lu?"

"We can discuss the engagement later. I hope to understand you better before making a decision. This request should not be unreasonable, right?"

"Of course, it's not unreasonable. But for someone like you, Miss Lu, to be matched with me, a naturally crippled person, don't you feel wronged?"

In the Lingyang Realm, strength was valued most. With Lu Yueqing's talent, why would she be willing to marry someone with a crippled body?

"I don't need my husband to be powerful or exceptionally talented. More than these things, I value character," Lu Yueqing's tone was no longer gentle, but concise and powerful.

This statement was from the bottom of Lu Yueqing's heart. She didn't care about talent or strength because her own talent was already outstanding, and she would become powerful in the future.

She didn't want to be like ordinary women, seeking protection from a strong man and living like a caged bird. She hoped to advance on the path of martial arts hand in hand with her husband.

Shi Lan's naturally crippled body was something Lu Yueqing had never worried about. The Lingyang Realm was vast, with rare elixirs capable of reviving the dead or reversing yin and yang. Medicines that could change one's aptitude surely existed.

Even if she couldn't find one now, there would always be opportunities in the future.

Besides rare medicines, she had also heard of extraordinary methods like blood replacement and marrow cleansing that could alter one's destiny.

Excluding these external factors, character became Lu Yueqing's sole criterion for evaluating her future husband.

Since yesterday, Lu Yueqing had been inquiring about Shi Lan's past deeds. The information she received was overwhelmingly negative.

According to the common folk in the city, Shi Lan was like a wicked prodigal son who committed all sorts of atrocities, utterly depraved and outrageous.

However, when asked to elaborate on Shi Lan's specific evil deeds, they all fell silent, only saying, "I heard it from so-and-so."

Therefore, Lu Yueqing specifically went to find Xu Yuanbai, as that was probably the only 'evil deed' with concrete evidence and witnessed by many.

However, when she arrived at the Xu residence, the family had already vacated their home and left Tenglong City.

These unusual signs made Lu Yueqing curious about Shi Lan's true character.

Upon their first meeting today, Lu Yueqing was completely convinced that Shi Lan was definitely not a bad person, or at least not as detestable as the rumors claimed.

The Lu Family was large and complex, and it was inevitable that there would be a few prodigal sons. Lu Yueqing had encountered such individuals before.

Although these prodigal sons always lowered their heads and acted subserviently when meeting her, Lu Yueqing could always discern a hint of fierceness and restlessness in their eyes.

But Shi Lan did not give her that impression. Shi Lan felt gentle, even harmless, with no trace of an uncomfortable aura.

Based on first impressions, Shi Lan had already passed.

During the subsequent series of questions, she had been applying invisible pressure on Shi Lan, trying to elicit her truest reactions.

The results were, naturally, quite satisfactory to Lu Yueqing.

Thank you, fellow book friends, for your recommendation tickets, ε-(｀;). I apologize for not being able to reply in the comment section. The author has been busy lately, but I will definitely maintain two updates a day. Hehe, I'm rolling on the ground again, begging for recommendation tickets~