Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

In the afternoon, as the sun slanted westward, it made the maple leaves in the lush forest appear even more vibrant red.

Gu Guanqi and Yan Caiwei walked down the mountain side by side, chatting amiably along the way. Yan Caiwei would occasionally cover her mouth and chuckle, her eyes filled with joy.

As they reached a three-way intersection, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

Fang Cunxin emerged from behind a large tree by the roadside, a blade of grass dangling from her mouth. She crossed her arms, leaned against the tree trunk, and glanced back and forth between the two of them.

"Cunxin?" Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and smiled, "What are you doing here? Weren't you going to see the maple leaves?"

Fang Cunxin spat out the grass in her mouth and said, "Who said I was going to see..."

"Cousin!" Yan Caiwei suddenly interrupted Fang Cunxin, her voice a few decibels faster than usual, "What a coincidence, you just came from the maple forest, right?"

As she spoke, she quickly walked to Fang Cunxin's side, took her arm, turned to Gu Guanqi and smiled gently, saying, "Young Master Gu, there's a stone pavilion to the left. It's the perfect place to watch the sunset. You go there first, I'll talk to my cousin for a bit and then come find you."

"good!"

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them, then walked along the path in another direction.

Once Gu Guanqi's figure had disappeared into the distance, Yan Caiwei breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Fang Cunxin a few steps toward the roadside.

Fang Cunxin pulled her hands away, crossed her arms, glanced at her sideways, and said with a half-smile, "Speak."

"What are you saying?" Yan Caiwei lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Stop pretending with me." Fang Cunxin rolled her eyes. "You told me that when we met, you'd just say it wasn't a good match and then express my feelings for me. And what happened? You took him away. I saw you chatting happily just now, and there wasn't a single thing that seemed inappropriate. I lay on the roof for two whole hours, ate five blades of grass, and still waited for you!"

Yan Caiwei lowered her head, pursed her lips repeatedly, and stammered, "I...I haven't found a suitable opportunity to say it yet..."

"Didn't find an opportunity?" Fang Cunxin raised an eyebrow, her expression full of resentment. "Cousin, do I look like a fool?"

Yan Caiwei's cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice trailed off: "I...I wanted to say something, but..."

"But what?"

Yan Caiwei raised her head, glanced at Fang Cunxin, then quickly lowered her head again, her voice barely audible: "But... I think Young Master Gu is a very nice person..."

Fang Cunxin was slightly taken aback, and lowered her voice a few decibels: "Caiwei, you wouldn't happen to... have taken a liking to Brother Gu, would you?"

Yan Caiwei neither nodded nor shook her head, but simply lowered her head even further, her ears turning as red as if they were about to bleed.

Fang Cunxin's eyes widened, and she said helplessly, "Didn't you say you didn't like people from the martial arts world? Didn't you say you liked elegant, refined gentlemen? You've changed your mind in just half a day?"

Yan Caiwei raised her head, her face full of embarrassment, her voice tinged with grievance: "How was I supposed to know that what you said wasn't just a misconception born of liking someone, but that there really is someone who is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also handsome, elegant, and refined..."

Yan Caiwei became increasingly guilty as she spoke, her voice growing softer and softer, and she kept her head down, not daring to look at Fang Cunxin.

Fang Cunxin angrily stuck out a finger and poked Yan Caiwei's forehead hard, gritting her teeth as she said, "Fine, you brat, you dare to lie to me! I'm going to tell Brother Gu that you were peeping at those erotic books..."

"Cousin..." Yan Caiwei grabbed Fang Cunxin's hand, putting on a pitiful look, and pleaded, "Cousin, sister... I was wrong, please, just this once, just this once! I swear I'll never lie to you again, okay?"

Yan Caiwei shook Fang Cunxin's arm, blinking her big eyes.

Fang Cunxin pouted and said irritably, "Alright, alright, stop pretending. You've only ever known this trick since you were a kid."

Yan Caiwei chuckled and said, "Cousin, you're the best."

"Come on, don't be ridiculous." Fang Cunxin waved her hand and said, "However, this is your destiny, so I can't say anything. Let's see if you and Brother Gu are destined for each other. If you're not, then I won't be polite!"

……

The next day, early in the morning.

As dawn broke and the morning mist had not yet dissipated, smoke began to rise from the kitchen of the Nanshan Sect.

After Gu Guanqi finished washing up, a disciple came to invite him, saying that the sect leader wanted to invite him to have breakfast.

He followed the disciple through several courtyards to an elegant hall. The hall was not large, but it was simply and tastefully decorated. A round mahogany table was placed in the center, and it was already filled with various breakfast dishes, steaming hot.

Yan Sihai, sitting in the main seat, greeted him with a smile and waved as he entered, "Nephew Gu, come, come, have a seat."

Fang Ying sat down next to Yan Sihai and nodded with a smile.

Yan Caiwei sat next to Fang Ying, wearing a light blue dress and her hair in a simple bun with a jade hairpin, looking gentle and dignified. When she saw Gu Guanqi enter, she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Fang Cunxin sat opposite Yan Caiwei, dressed in a black outfit, her spear leaning against the back of her chair, slurping down a bowl of porridge. Seeing Gu Guanqi enter, she looked up and grinned, "Good morning, Brother Gu!"

Gu Guanqi bowed to each of them in greeting and then sat down in the empty seat next to Fang Cunxin.

During the meal, Yan Sihai was very talkative, chatting about everything from anecdotes of the martial arts world to new policies of the imperial court, from martial arts techniques to health preservation. He would also tell jokes from time to time, making everyone laugh.

Fang Ying didn't talk much, but she always served tea and water to everyone at the right time, with a smile on her face.

Yan Caiwei ate her food quietly, occasionally glancing up at Gu Guanqi before quickly looking down again.

Fang Cunxin ate heartily, occasionally interjecting with a few words, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

It was a pleasant meal.

After the bowls and plates were cleared away and the tea was served, Yan Sihai picked up the teacup, took a sip, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

He put down his teacup, glanced at everyone's faces, and finally fixed his gaze on Gu Guanqi. He slowly said, "Nephew Gu, there is something I have been thinking about all night, and I must make it clear to you today."

Gu Guanqi put down his teacup, cupped his hands, and said, "Sect Leader Yan, please speak."

Yan Sihai pondered for a moment, then said, "I think it's best to end things between you and my daughter here."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Fang Ying paused, her smile freezing on her face.

Yan Caiwei suddenly raised her head, her face full of doubt, and was about to speak.

But when Yan Sihai's gaze swept over, Yan Caiwei swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Fang Cunxin was startled at first, then a surge of joy welled up in her heart.

Gu Guanqi was also taken aback, then cupped his hands and asked, "Sect Leader Yan, is there anything I did wrong?"

Yan Sihai waved his hand, forcing a smile, but his tone was very polite: "It's not your fault, Nephew Gu. You have done nothing wrong. On the contrary, you are too outstanding. You are highly skilled in martial arts, upright in character, and speak and act with great propriety. Your future is limitless. That is why I feel that my daughter is not good enough for you."

He paused, then continued, "Caiwei doesn't know martial arts, is unfamiliar with the ways of the martial world, and has limited knowledge and experience. She can't possibly keep up with you, Nephew Gu, let alone be your capable wife. Therefore, after much thought, I feel that if this marriage were to actually happen, it would not be a good thing. It would inevitably lead to discord in the future, which would be bad for everyone."

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader Yan, you are overthinking it. Miss Yan and I have only just met and don't know each other well enough. As for whether we are suitable for each other, it is too early to say!"

"Nephew Gu, there's no need for further words," Yan Sihai waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up. Let's not bring this up again. However, the Nanshan Sect would still very much welcome Nephew Gu as a guest. Just don't mention this matter again!"

Gu Guanqi stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "In that case, this junior will take his leave!"

Yan Sihai said, "Nephew Gu, the scenery of Nanshan is quite beautiful. Even if we don't talk about romance, we can still enjoy the scenery. I will personally accompany you and show you around Nanshan!"

"No, I came with business to attend to, and now that it's over, I have no desire to linger any longer. Farewell!"

With that, Gu Guanqi bowed to Fang Ying and Yan Caiwei, saying, "Madam Yan, Miss Yan, until we meet again!"

Yan Caiwei opened her mouth, but the words she was about to say remained unspoken, especially when Yan Sihai's stern gaze swept over her, she lowered her head.

at this time,

A system notification sounded in Gu Guanqi's mind:

The matchmaking event has ended.

[Reward: Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, already issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

……

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands in greeting to the group, then turned and walked out.

"Wait a moment!"

Fang Cunxin suddenly stood up, her chair sliding back half a foot with a jarring sound, and shouted, "Brother Gu, I'll go with you!"

After saying that, she picked up the spear leaning against the back of the chair, cupped her hands to Yan Sihai and the others, and said, "Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, I'm leaving now. My escort team is still waiting for me in Zhenwu County. Goodbye!"

After all,

She quickly chased after Gu Guanqi.

Only Yan Sihai, Fang Ying, and Yan Caiwei remained in the hall.

Very quiet.

All three remained silent.

After a while, when Gu Guanqi and Fang Cunxin had both walked away, Yan Caiwei finally couldn't hold back any longer. She stood up, her voice trembling, "Father, why did you do this? Weren't you very satisfied with Young Master Gu? How come you changed your mind after just one night?"

Yan Sihai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a calm tone, "I told you, he's too outstanding, you're not good enough for him."

Yan Caiwei shook her head and said, "Father, you're lying. You're a member of the martial arts world, you understand Young Master Gu better than I do. You know his martial arts skills and his future prospects better than I do. If that were really the case, you wouldn't have let me meet Young Master Gu yesterday. You..."

"Enough!" Yan Sihai slammed his teacup on the table, spilling tea. His face darkened. "I said, this matter is over. There's no room for negotiation. I'm doing this for your own good. You'll understand later."

Yan Caiwei wanted to say more, but Fang Ying suddenly spoke up: "Caiwei, you go out first."

Yan Caiwei turned to look at Fang Ying, whose face was terribly gloomy.

"mother……"

Yan Caiwei called out, hesitated for a moment, and then turned and walked out quickly without saying anything more.

After Yan Caiwei's figure disappeared outside the door, Fang Ying slowly spoke, her voice icy: "Yan Sihai, wasn't it that vixen Mu Shuyao who whispered in your ear?"

Yan Sihai frowned: "Why are you dragging her along?"

"Why would I bring her up?" Fang Ying sneered. "Yesterday you were full of praise for Gu Guanqi, practically ready to finalize his marriage with Caiwei today. And what happened? You slept with that vixen last night, and today you've changed your mind. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Yan Sihai's face darkened: "Don't be unreasonable. This has nothing to do with Shuyao; it was my own decision."

"It doesn't matter?" Fang Ying stood up, her voice growing louder and louder, "Yan Sihai, you weren't like this before! Ever since that vixen came into the house, you've completely changed! You listen to everything that vixen says!"

"You're ruining your daughter's best chance at marriage! Don't you know how rare a young man like Gu Guanqi is? If you miss this opportunity, Caiwei will never find anyone better in her life. What did that vixen tell you...?"

Yan Sihai slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and angrily said, "I told you, it has nothing to do with Shuyao! Don't try to make trouble!"

"I'm being unreasonable?" Fang Ying trembled with rage. "Yan Sihai, I've been married to you for over twenty years, bearing your children and managing the household. Is this how you treat me? Without me, Fang Ying, you wouldn't be where you are today. Without my brother's support, could you have become the head of the Nanshan Sect? I sheathed my sword for you, content to be a stay-at-home wife, and yet you want to take a concubine. I tolerated that, but now you're going too far!"

Yan Sihai's face turned ashen. He flicked his sleeves and strode out, shouting, "Incomprehensible!"

"Stop right there!" Fang Ying took two steps after him, her voice already trembling with tears. "Yan Sihai, you'd better explain yourself today!"

Yan Sihai didn't look back, pushed open the door and strode out, disappearing into the morning light.

Fang Ying stood at the door, watching his figure disappear.

The anger on his face disappeared.

Instead, there was solemnity.

She stared at the empty doorway and muttered, "Yan Sihai, I hope it's just my imagination, I hope you're really just blinded by beauty, please don't... think what I'm thinking!"