Qin Yurong's face broke into a relieved yet delighted smile, bright as a flower at spring dawn.
But Yang Ning immediately continued:
"However, I have one request to make."
"Please, young master!"
"My elder brother, sister-in-law, and niece are all ordinary people. They can't withstand any turmoil.
Today's events happened because of me, and they were frightened too.
Since Miss Qin has kindly offered them shelter, could I trouble you to ensure their safety and well-being at your residence?
As for their daily expenses, I will..."
"Young Master Yang, you're mistaken!"
Qin Yurong hurriedly cut him off before he could finish. A deeper blush spread across her cheeks, but her tone was utterly earnest.
"Your family are honored guests of the Qin Family. How could this be an imposition?
I already promised to shelter them, so of course I'll make all the proper arrangements. I absolutely won't let your family suffer the slightest indignity!
The household will take care of all their daily needs. Please don't worry, and there's no need to mention money."
She paused, her voice softening with a hint of tenderness.
"Please rest assured. I'll personally oversee everything concerning your elder brother, sister-in-law, and niece, and make sure they're settled comfortably.
Young Master... is there anything else you need me to take care of?"
Yang Ning looked at the Qin Family's eldest young miss before him, who had lowered herself so humbly and offered such heartfelt sincerity. His heart stirred.
Whether she was acting out of gratitude or because she valued his potential, at least her promise and manner at this moment were beyond reproach.
He shook his head and cupped his hands.
"Miss Qin has made such thorough arrangements. I'm deeply grateful. I have nothing else to ask for at present."
Seeing that he had accepted, Qin Yurong was pleased. Her smile grew even brighter as she said gently, "You're too kind, young master.
"From now on, we can consider ourselves... one of the same family.
"If you need anything, just tell me."
The carriage continued onward, carrying the two of them toward an unknown future, one that had already become entwined.
The carriage wheels rumbled from a narrow lane onto a main road, then continued along increasingly orderly, spacious streets before finally coming to a stop.
Yang Ning stepped down with Qin Yurong. He looked up and saw the outline of a residence standing prominently in the night on South First Street.
It couldn't rival the sprawling mansions of the great families in the Inner City, but here in the Outer City, it was already an imposing sight.
Stone lions stood watch in silence on either side. Above the doorway, the two characters "Qin Mansion" were written in powerful, elegant strokes.
As soon as the carriage halted, the heavy black-lacquered gates creaked open from within.
In an instant, the place blazed with light!
Dozens of household servants and guards filed out, their torches crackling as they lit up the entrance as bright as day.
They moved swiftly and in orderly ranks, their watchful gazes sweeping the surroundings.
Yang Ning's eyes narrowed slightly, and he was secretly astonished.
Most of the Qin Family's ordinary servants had cultivation. Their vital energy wasn't especially vigorous, but there were many of them.
Several guards at the head of the formation appeared to be leaders. Their vital energy was restrained but ready to burst forth; every one of them was clearly a Body Tempering martial artist!
The Qin Mansion truly belonged to an Inner City family. Its foundations were extraordinary, far beyond those of an ordinary wealthy household in the Outer City.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps and the faint clinking of ornaments came from within the gates.
Surrounded by a group of maids and elderly matrons, a girl of about fourteen or fifteen hurried out.
She wore a pale yellow blouse and had delicate, picture-perfect features. She resembled Qin Yurong by seven or eight parts, though her cheeks still held a youthful softness. Her large eyes were brimming with anxiety.
"Elder Sister!"
The moment the girl spotted Qin Yurong, she rushed over and grabbed her arm, looking her up and down.
"Are you all right? Were you hurt?
"When the servants' letter came back, it said you'd been in danger at Chunhua Restaurant, surrounded by those Blood Ape Gang thugs. I was terrified!
"I'd made plans to meet Patrol Commander Gong's brother today, but he rushed back from the restaurant on East Street in a panic!"
Qin Yurong took her younger sister's hand and comforted her gently.
"Yuhui, I'm fine.
"Look, I've come back in one piece, haven't I?"
The Qin Family's second young miss, Qin Yuhui, examined her sister closely for a long while. Seeing that she was unharmed, she let out a long breath of relief.
But she still couldn't keep her mouth from running. Pouting, she complained, "How many times have I told you, Elder Sister? The Outer City is nothing like the Inner City.
"The people there are crude and barbaric!
"I've told you that you're a precious young lady. How can you go out without bringing more guards?
"Even if you want to keep a low profile, that doesn't mean you won't attract the attention of those despicable ruffians!
"That Wang Teng from the Blood Ape Gang...
"Hmph. The first time our family went to East Street, he was already so dazzled by you that he couldn't take his eyes off you.
"He's been coveting you for ages, and he's no decent fellow. How could you..."
Qin Yurong's gaze dimmed, and she sighed.
"Almost no one knew I was going to Chunhua Restaurant today.
"The restaurant owner was an old acquaintance of our family, so I thought there would be no trouble. Who knew someone would leak the news, and Wang Teng would come looking for me?
"I had Guard Chen with me. He'd already reached Body Tempering, but who could have guessed...
"Wang Teng would ambush him from behind and kill him."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Yang Ning. Sincere gratitude welled up in her eyes.
"Fortunately, Heaven leaves no one without a way out!
"When danger struck, this young hero Yang Ning stepped forward and killed Wang Teng, saving me."
Hearing her sister say this, Qin Yuhui finally noticed Yang Ning standing nearby.
The girl's gaze was openly scrutinizing as she looked the poorly dressed young man up and down.
He had saved her sister?
He didn't look more than twenty, and he came from an ordinary family. Could he really have been that capable?
She had grown up sheltered behind inner chambers, and the people she knew were either young masters from prominent families or experts in the household. Deep down, she felt a certain distance from—and contempt for—martial artists like Yang Ning, who had risen from humble beginnings.
"Oh? You're the one who killed Wang Teng?"
Qin Yuhui spoke in a clear voice, but there was a hint of haughtiness and suspicion in it.
"Your name is Yang Ning? What do you do for a living?
"Why have I never heard of someone like you on East Street before?"
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp.
"My sister's trip today was highly secretive. Yet she happened to run into that villain Wang Teng, who happened to surround her.
"And you happened to be there too?
"Then you 'just happened' to be strong enough to defeat him?
"Could there really be such a coincidence in this world?"
Before Yang Ning could answer, Qin Yurong's expression changed, and she sharply scolded her.
"Yuhui, be quiet! That was terribly rude!"
But Yang Ning remained calm. He even raised a hand to stop Qin Yurong's anger and explanation.
Qin Yurong's cheeks reddened slightly. Because Yang Ning had stopped her, she actually fell silent.
Meeting Qin Yuhui's scrutinizing gaze, he answered without the slightest hint of deference or resentment.
"I am indeed from East Street. I used to work for the Porter Guild, but I recently quit to focus on martial arts.
"As for what happened tonight, I can't argue whether it was a coincidence.
"At the time, Wang Teng intended to kill everyone in the restaurant to silence them. My family was among them.
"I acted not because of Miss Qin, but first to save myself, and second to protect my family. That's all.
"As for why I came to the Qin Mansion, it was simply because Eldest Miss Qin thought well of me, so I came along in her carriage.
"Whether you believe me is for Second Miss Qin to decide."
His answer was frank and direct. He hadn't grown angry at being doubted, nor had he felt ashamed of his humble background.
He made it clear that his primary motive had been to protect his family. Qin Yurong's safety had only been an incidental benefit.
Qin Yuhui was momentarily stumped by his firm but measured reply. She was about to question him further when Qin Yurong frowned slightly and stopped her in a quiet voice.
"Yuhui! Don't say anything more!"
Her elder sister's sharp interruption derailed Qin Yuhui's train of thought, and she froze.
She had never seen her gentle, jade-like elder sister defend someone like this before.
"Yang Ning is my savior, and a true hero who stood up for justice. How can you make such wild accusations against him?
"That's enough, all of you!"
She turned to Yang Ning, her face apologetic, and gave him a graceful bow.
"Young Master Yang, my younger sister is young and thoughtless. She was rude to you. I hope you'll forgive her and not take offense."
Yang Ning waved his hand, his expression still calm.
"It's all right. The second young miss is concerned for her sister's safety. Her doubts are only natural."
He truly hadn't taken the girl's spoiled manner or suspicions to heart.
In these troubled times, caution and suspicion weren't necessarily bad things, especially from a pampered young lady.
Seeing her sister defend Yang Ning and even apologize on her behalf, Qin Yuhui still felt a little unconvinced, but she knew she had gone too far.
She huffed and turned away, saying no more.
"Young Master Yang, the night air is cold. Please come inside with me at once. I'll make arrangements right away..."
Before Qin Yurong could finish, another rush of hoofbeats came from nearby.
Several riders galloped up. At the front was a handsome young man in brocade robes, his face as fair as jade.
Before his horse had come to a full stop, he hurriedly swung down and rushed several steps to Qin Yurong.
"Yurong! Are you all right?
"Did Wang Teng threaten you? Were you hurt?"
The brocade-clad young man looked deeply concerned. He came closer, and as he spoke, he reached out as if to take Qin Yurong by the shoulder.
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