Qin Ren grinned and said with exaggerated politeness, "I've made myself perfectly clear just now, Miss. Did you not hear me? Alright then, let me repeat myself. My elder brother wishes to propose to you. It seems we ought to know your name, at the very least, before such a proposal."
Lian Zhou Lu'er froze, as though hearing the most absurd joke in the world. Her lips pressed tightly together, her ivory teeth biting down on the delicate edge of her lower lip until it turned pale. After holding back her laughter, she finally said with a frosty tone, "Qin San Shao, you speak nonsense. 'Love at first sight' might fool naive girls, but to try it on me, Lian Zhou Lu'er, is futile."
"Lian Zhou Lu'er?" Qin Ren repeated the name, his mind running through the words as he hummed a familiar tune. "Red lotus scent fades, the jade mat turns cold, I gently loosen my robes and step aboard a boat, floating alone... Lian Zhou Lu'er, such a beautiful name..." He suddenly froze, his eyes widening. "You are Lian Zhou Lu'er? The very same 'White Lotus in Pure White Robes' ranked first on the Flower Compendium?"
It suddenly dawned on him. Lian Zhou Lu'er was one of the most talked-about female heroes in the Jianghu these past few years. She was the jewel of the Lian Zhou family!
The three major families of Jiangnan were well known: the carefree Qin family, the Song family of Lingnan, and the Lian Zhou family of Taowu. Of these, the Qin family held the most power, but the other two were certainly no slouches. The Lian Zhou family, though ranked second, was a force to be reckoned with. Their patriarch, Lian Zhou Fenghua, was known as the second best in the righteous path, with only Qin Xiaoyao and Tie Kongshan standing above him.
Lian Zhou Fenghua had three sons, all renowned for their martial skills. The eldest, Lian Zhou Tianxiong, was known as the second-best swordsman in the world, only behind the Starry Sky Sword Saint, Qin Feng. The second son, Lian Zhou Tianying, held the title of the second-best swordsman with a blade, second only to the Thunderstrike Blade God, Qin Lei. The youngest, Lian Zhou Tianzong, was the world's best at hidden weapons.
But it was his daughter, Lian Zhou Lu'er, standing before him now, who had recently gained fame throughout Jianghu.
Lian Zhou Lu'er had been trained under the renowned Heavenly Maiden, Tian Jue Shitai, at Tian Nv Mountain, beginning her training at the age of five and not leaving until she was sixteen. Eleven years later, she entered the world and became a household name in just one year, wielding the "Little Nine Heaven Divine Sword," a weapon feared throughout the martial world. She was hailed as the greatest female martial artist of Jianghu, and her beauty was unmatched.
Qin Ren soon realized that Lian Zhou Lu'er had come here today to make trouble for the eldest Qin, for in the sword arts, Qin Feng, the renowned Sword Saint, was now at the pinnacle. Defeating him would make anyone the undisputed best swordsman in Jianghu.
"Looks like this marriage proposal is doomed," Qin Ren thought to himself with a sigh. "Big Brother's not going to get involved with Lian Zhou Lu'er, and honestly, I don't mind. No matter who she is, once she's in my bed, she's mine. I don't care about her swordplay... I'll simply drug her when the chance comes, and she'll fall for me in no time. But, for now, it's best to try and make her fall for me with my charms."
But as Lian Zhou Lu'er heard Qin Ren recite a few lines of poetry, her eyes lit up. "This Qin San Shao... though his smile is disgusting, and his martial skills are lacking, there's some talent in him after all." Her icy demeanor softened slightly. "Since you know my name, don't speak such lewd words in front of me. I know you, but my sword doesn't recognize you."
Qin Ren, quick-witted as ever, noticed the subtle change in Lian Zhou Lu'er's gaze. He knew she appreciated a bit of culture, despite her cold exterior. Grinning, he spoke in a pretentious tone: "Who sends a letter from the clouds? When the wild geese return, the moon fills the western tower. Flowers fall on their own, while the water flows on its own. One kind of longing, two places of idle sorrow... This sorrow, where can it dissipate? Just as it leaves my brow, it returns to my heart."
Sighing dramatically, he added, "Miss Lian Zhou, your family, the Lian Zhou family, is a powerful clan in Jianghu. You must despise the Qin family. What a pity... What a pity." With a deep, sorrowful sigh, Qin Ren shook his head, turned away, and left with an air of melancholy. "Miss Lian Zhou, I must bid you farewell. May fate bring us together again."
As he turned, he walked back to Qin Feng and the two ladies, guiding them through the crowd and into the alley.
Lian Zhou Lu'er stood there, her heart pounding. She murmured, "How could there be such beautiful words in this world? This Qin San Shao, why would he have such sorrow? The carefree Qin family indeed has great talent, even their third son, who is usually unseen, has such a brilliant mind." Her heart raced again, but she quickly shook her head. "No, no, I have a mission to accomplish! I'm the daughter of Lian Zhou Fenghua, I can't be distracted by these thoughts!"
The Qin brothers, accompanied by the two ladies, disappeared around the corner. Lian Zhou Lu'er sighed, shaking her head, trying to put her thoughts back in order.