C7 A Hero Saving a Beauty(part II)

Three young women shared a carriage, but Su Yuleng looked down on Su Yuxi, and Su Yuxi, in turn, looked down on Su Yu'an. As a result, the journey was marked by silence.

The carriage soon arrived at the West Mountain Temple. Once they disembarked, Old Madam Su led the group toward the main hall. Su Yu'an joined her family to offer incense in the grand hall.

Afterward, Old Madam Su suggested the young women explore the back mountain on their own. Su Yu'an, having promised her mother to offer incense at the statue of Guan Gong, excused herself and left with Danzhu.

The Guan Gong Shrine was a small temple built separately on the west side of the West Mountain Temple, quite a distance from the main temple. By the time they arrived, a light sheen of sweat had formed on them.

“Miss, there’s someone over there, and it’s a man,” Danzhu suddenly pointed out.

The man, dressed in a pale blue silk robe, stood in front of a pale yellow wall, gazing up at a tree. Though he seemed simple, he exuded an otherworldly elegance, his presence commanding a natural nobility that made him seem unattainable.

Su Yu'an glanced briefly at him, then continued with Danzhu into the Guan Gong Shrine. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate a handsome face, but she simply wasn’t in the mood.

Upon entering the shrine, Su Yu'an was surprised to see Jiang Qixing. She hadn’t expected him to be there. Was he waiting for her?

"General Jiang!" Su Yu'an greeted Jiang Qixing with a respectful bow.

"There's no need for such formalities, Third Miss!" Jiang Qixing quickly gestured for her to rise, though he couldn't shake an inexplicable heaviness in his heart. He had always known the third daughter of the Su family was attractive, but he hadn't expected the young girl to blossom into such a stunning young woman in just a few years.

"Please, General Jiang, don't call me that. Just call me Third Miss Su," Su Yu'an replied, though she couldn't help but frown slightly. Third Miss Su? It sounded so awkward.

"Alright, Third Miss Su," Jiang Qixing said, stepping back and giving a small bow. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Could we speak privately?"

"What is it you wish to discuss, General?" Su Yu'an asked, looking at him intently. Before he could respond, she added, "I'm not one to linger, so please be brief."

"I'm here to apologize to you, Third Miss Su," Jiang Qixing said, bowing deeply. "The matter of breaking off the engagement was unavoidable. If you ever need my assistance in the future, I will be at your service."

Su Yu'an glanced at Jiang Qixing with a cool demeanor.

"You owe me more than just a favor; you owe me a life," she said, enunciating each word clearly.

Jiang Qixing looked up at her, surprised. A life?

"Do you know why my father refused to call off the engagement, but my uncle agreed?" Su Yu'an asked.

"I don't know!" Jiang Qixing had a feeling that this matter was more complicated than it seemed.

"You probably realize that my status isn't like the other girls in the family. Breaking off the engagement would make it even harder for me to marry again."

Su Yu'an glanced at Jiang Qixing and continued slowly, "So, my only options are either death or joining a convent."

"How could that be?" Jiang Qixing shook his head. "With your beauty and grace, even if..."

At this point, Jiang Qixing paused, unable to continue. With Su Yu'an's qualities, marrying into a small, insignificant family wouldn't protect her, and the family wouldn't approve.

"Even if I were willing to live a simple life, my family wouldn't agree. So, they've chosen a path for me." Su Yu'an stared intently at Jiang Qixing.

"And what... path is that?" Jiang Qixing avoided her gaze, struggling to speak.

"The palace!" Su Yu'an said softly.

"What?" Jiang Qixing looked up, shocked at Su Yu'an.

If the family hadn't already had someone in the palace, Jiang Qixing might have understood. But with a favored family member already there, it was clear why they wanted to send Su Yu'an too.

​