Chapter 188: Guan Yanqing vs. Wu Kuan

Proposing marriage?

Hearing this, everyone in the Lin family dropped their jaws in utter astonishment.

Currently, among the three Lin girls, Zhao Lanli was already betrothed to Lin Wenyen, and Xiao Yawen was merely lodging with them, leaving no room for the family to decide her marital affairs. So, who on earth were they here to propose to?

Lin Sangqian?

Realizing this, all eyes turned in unison toward Lin Sangqian.

Lin Sangqian gave a start, so frightened she nearly bolted right through the roof.

As for Guan Yanqing, who sat beside her, though his expression remained blank, the chill in the depths of his eyes looked as though it could tear Wu Kuan to shreds.

"A—a marriage proposal?" Liao Shuxia smiled dryly. "Ah, well..."

"I know this is terribly sudden, and it's rather presumptuous of us," Aunt Wu said apologetically. "However, our boy Wu Kuan truly fancies the little Sangqian lass. He says that even out there for four years, he was constantly thinking of her."

Lin Hongda glanced at Lin Sangqian's expression and smiled. "But our Sangqian is still young. Neither her mother nor I wish to marry her off so early; we'd still like to keep her home to accompany us for a few more years."

"There's no rush!" Wu Kuan hurriedly chimed in.

Aunt Wu cast him a reproachful glare and added, "Indeed, there's no rush. We can wait until she comes of age, or even a few more years until she's seventeen or eighteen, before discussing marriage."

"I'm sorry, Aunt Wu," Lin Sangqian spoke up directly. "I have no intention of marrying, not for the next few years. Therefore, I don't want to delay Brother Wu Kuan. It's best we forget about it."

Wu Kuan froze, a trace of hurt flashing through his eyes.

He wasn't a fool, so he naturally understood that Lin Sangqian saying this meant she didn't like him at all.

And rightly so—they hadn't been particularly close back then, and now, after four years apart, how could she possibly have feelings for him?

Although this was well within Aunt Wu's expectations, she still felt a bit anxious. "Sangqian lass, Wu Kuan doesn't mind the wait! He can wait no matter how long it takes! You have no idea, this boy is now a—what was that title again..."

"A Manifest-Awe Commandant," Uncle Wu supplied.

"Right, right! A Manifest-Awe Commandant! Even though it's just a minor official rank, he's still young and will build a career for himself in the future. He will definitely strive to get ahead!"

"Really, it's fine, Aunt Wu," Lin Sangqian said.

She only wanted to make money.

Once they moved to the capital very soon, she could make even more money.

Just thinking about it made her happy.

Furthermore, she didn't like Wu Kuan at all.

Having not seen each other for four years, Wu Kuan was no different from a complete stranger to her.

Aunt Wu was extremely disappointed and looked over at Liao Shuxia, who had no choice but to say, "We respect the children's wishes."

"Besides, we'll be moving to the capital in a little while," Lin Beitao said. "If we were to leave Little Sister behind here by herself, we wouldn't feel at ease either."

"Ah? You're moving to the capital?" Aunt Wu was startled. "When?"

"It hasn't been finalized yet, probably in a couple of months," Liao Shuxia replied.

Having gotten along for so many years, even if they couldn't become in-laws, knowing that the family was leaving filled Aunt Wu's heart with reluctance.

"Be sure to let me know before you leave; I must come and give you a proper send-off."

While Aunt Wu wasn't a cunning schemer, she wasn't foolish either. Since Lin Sangqian had rejected the idea so thoroughly, she certainly couldn't bring up the proposal again, and very naturally shifted the topic to their upcoming move to the capital.

This spared both parties any awkwardness.

However, Wu Kuan felt profoundly dejected.

He couldn't help lifting his eyes to look at Lin Sangqian, only to see her conversing with the man seated beside her.

He froze instantly.

He hadn't thought much of it before, but thinking about it now, could the person by Lin Sangqian's side possibly be her sweetheart?

An uncontrollable wave of jealousy surged within Wu Kuan's heart.

He had no desire to ruin Lin Sangqian's happiness, but he simply couldn't reconcile himself to it. He wanted to know what on earth this man had over him.

Just as Aunt Wu and Liao Shuxia were chatting animatedly, they suddenly heard Wu Kuan ask, "May I ask who this young gentleman is?"

Everyone turned to look and saw his eyes fixed intently on Lin Sangqian.

Zhao Lanli and Xiao Yawen both thought: *We're in trouble.*

Based on their years of experience reading popular romance novellas, Wu Kuan must have mistaken Guan Yanqing for a love rival and intended to measure himself against him.

"Ah, he is..."

Before Lin Sangqian could introduce him, she heard Guan Yanqing speak up himself, "My surname is Guan."

Wu Kuan gave a dry chuckle and said, "I can see you must be quite skilled in martial arts. During the few days I've been home, I've felt somewhat out of practice, and since we happen to have the time now, how about we spar?"

The members of the Lin family: "..."

Was Wu Kuan actively seeking his own demise?

Did he have any idea who was standing right in front of him? How dared he challenge Guan Yanqing?

Terrified that Guan Yanqing might accidentally dislocate Wu Kuan's arm, Lin Sangqian was just about to intervene when she heard Guan Yanqing say, "Very well."

Lin Sangqian sighed, feeling deeply troubled.

At this point, all she could do was pray to the heavens that Guan Yanqing would show some mercy.

Wu Kuan was a man of action; he immediately stood up and accompanied Guan Yanqing out into the courtyard.

Uncle Wu, Aunt Wu, and the rest of the Lin family followed them outside.

"Brother Wu Kuan, perhaps we should just drop it?" Lin Beitao tried earnestly to persuade him.

"It's fine," Wu Kuan smiled. "We're just sparring, stopping as soon as a point is made."

While they spoke, An Yu had already handed a sword to Guan Yanqing.

At a single glance, Wu Kuan could tell that the sword was no ordinary item.

*Hmph, these aristocratic young masters only know how to buy expensive swords. Whether he actually knows how to use it, let alone use it well, is anyone's guess!*

He was a man who had fought and killed on the battlefield for four years, and he was now a Manifest-Awe Commandant to boot.

He refused to believe he would lose!

Wu Kuan tightened his grip on his own sword, and then he heard Guan Yanqing say, "Please."

"Since you insist, I won't hold back!" Wu Kuan declared, drawing his blade as he charged toward Guan Yanqing.

Both Uncle Wu and Aunt Wu looked on with eager anticipation of their son's performance.

However, none of them expected that under Guan Yanqing's hands, Wu Kuan couldn't even withstand a single move; he was instantly beaten back, sent flying with a kick, and crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Son!" Aunt Wu cried out in alarm. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Wu Kuan gritted his teeth, convinced he had merely been careless just now. "Again!"

With that, he rose to his feet and lunged at Guan Yanqing once more.

Following that, everyone watched with unmitigated pity as Wu Kuan was thoroughly battered.

Although Guan Yanqing stopped short of truly injuring Wu Kuan each time, even someone completely ignorant of martial arts like Zhao Lanli could see just how brutally Wu Kuan was being tormented.

"This is too miserable," Lin Beitao muttered under his breath. "What is wrong with Brother Wu Kuan? Why on earth did he insist on challenging Eldest Young Master Guan..."

"You don't understand," Xiao Yawen said. "This is all because of love!"