After Su Huaiyuan blurted out his words, he slapped his head in annoyance.
He was really stupid. On the day of the competition at the Fragrant Wine Manor, the scene was crowded and chaotic. Given Qin Wanrong's delicate constitution, how could she have been there?
Qin Wanrong didn't expect that he still remembered what she had said. She lifted the corners of her lips slightly and said, "I wasn't there. I just learned about it from the idle chats of the servants in the mansion. Although I didn't witness it in person, it sounds extremely exciting. It's a pity I couldn't go to the scene. Otherwise, I would surely have cheered for Young Master Su."
Su Huaiyuan's eyes lit up. "Why? Do you dislike Yan Wenqi?"
Which noble young lady in Shengjing City didn't know the bad reputation of the little bully from the Yan family? Qin Wanrong didn't go out often, but once when she did, she was blocked by Yan Wenqi and ridiculed.
Although she never said it out loud, she loathed Yan Wenqi in her heart. When she heard that someone had severely punished Yan Wenqi, she remembered the name Su Huaiyuan from the Duke Yong's Mansion. She even hoped that one day she could see this "hero" who had defeated the little bully from the Yan family with her own eyes.
Therefore, when she heard that the Prince Xuan was hosting a banquet for appreciating the zither in his mansion, Qin Wanrong was tempted.
Given Qin Wanrong's health, she shouldn't have attended the banquet. So, Lady Qin had always planned to send Qin Wanshan instead.
But Qin Wanrong thought that if someone from the Duke Yong's Mansion was also invited to the banquet, this might be the only chance for her to catch a glimpse of the "hero". She specially went to plead with her father, Lord Qin Hao. As a result, the opportunity to attend the banquet went to Qin Wanrong.
Seeing him in person was even better than hearing about him. This second young master of the Su family from Mobei was indeed as heroic and extraordinary as she had imagined. He was also very straightforward and cheerful, but... a bit too simple - minded.
Seeing that Qin Wanrong just smiled and said nothing, Su Huaiyuan said, "Since the young lady wants to see, it's not too late to see now. Better now than later. I'll perform a set of saber techniques for the young lady right now and show you my skills!"
After saying that, he turned around, picked up his saber, jumped into the middle of the yard, and started to wave it.
Qin Wanrong was stunned for a moment and stopped her steps towards the room. She turned around and stared at Su Huaiyuan in the middle of the yard with wide - open eyes. Xia Lu and Qiu Shuang kindly helped her to one side and moved a chair for her so that she could sit in the sheltered area under the eaves and watch Su Huaiyuan perform the saber techniques.
Su Huaiyuan's saber techniques had no fancy moves. Every action, such as waving, slashing, chopping, and sweeping, was very simple. But it was these simple moves that made him look extremely powerful. Although his arms were not very thick, they seemed to contain immense strength. Every wave of the saber could stir up a small gust of wind and make a surprising whooshing sound.
After finishing the set of saber techniques, Su Huaiyuan was sweating profusely, and his clothes were soaked with sweat. He put away his posture, gasped for breath, looked at Qin Wanrong, and asked,
"This set of saber techniques was created by myself. I got the inspiration from the fight between a bear and a wolf. What do you think, Miss Qin?"
Qin Wanrong sincerely praised him. "This set of saber techniques contains infinite power. I'm sure there are very few people in the world who can withstand it. However, I noticed that there are some parts that seem a bit awkward to perform. There are a few of your moves that look a bit stagnant."
"How do you know, Miss Qin? There are indeed a few moves that are not very smooth. It's because I haven't been able to find a better way to exert force."
At this moment, not only was Su Huaiyuan surprised, but even Su Yuanyuan, who was hiding behind a tree and secretly observing the two of them, was also surprised.
Qin Wanrong clearly didn't know any martial arts, but she could tell that there was something wrong with her second brother's moves. Her insight was truly amazing! No wonder she was the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. She really had a discerning eye!
Su Yuanyuan rolled her eyes, emerged from behind the tree, walked forward, and said with a smile, "Second brother, Sister Wanrong, what are you chatting about so happily?"
Su Huaiyuan had been too focused on performing the saber techniques, and Qin Wanrong had been too focused on watching. Neither of them had noticed Su Yuanyuan's presence.
Su Yuanyuan's sudden voice woke them up.
Qin Wanrong quickly stood up and said, "Sister Yuanbao, you're here."
Su Huaiyuan also turned around and said with a dry laugh, "Yuanbao, when did you come? You were so quiet that you scared your second brother."
Wasn't it because you two were chatting too intently?
Su Yuanyuan held back this thought. She bounced forward, walked around Su Huaiyuan, and said, "Second brother, why are you sweating all over? Did you just show your saber techniques to Sister Wanrong?"
She sighed. "I got up late and missed seeing the saber techniques you created. What a pity!"
Then she ran to Qin Wanrong's side, hooked her arm, and said with a smile, "Sister Wanrong, don't you find it boring watching my second brother perform the saber techniques?"
Qin Wanrong smiled and said, "How could I? Young Master Su is very skilled in martial arts. His set of saber techniques was extremely wonderful. I even thought it wasn't enough to watch."
Yes, it's good that you want to watch more. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Su Yuanyuan's smile widened as she praised her second brother. "Sister Wanrong, my second brother knows a lot. He is proficient in all eighteen kinds of weapons. Not only the saber, but he can also use the sword and the spear very impressively. He is also a master in boxing. Have you ever heard of the battle on Yandang Mountain? The Yan family led an army to rebel and tried to kill us all in the mountain villa. My second brother remained calm in the face of danger, killed all the enemies under his horse, and helped my father capture the rebel leader, Yan Huan, on the spot. Even the emperor praised my second brother for his bravery!"
Qin Wanrong was stunned by her words. Her gaze towards Su Huaiyuan was even more admiring than before.
Yan Huan was once the commander of the capital guards. The fact that he could be a commander showed that his martial arts were not weak. But he was captured alive by Su Huaiyuan, which meant that Su Huaiyuan's martial arts were even higher. He was really amazing!
Actually, it was his adopted brother and father who captured Yan Huan alive. Su Huaiyuan moved his lips, wanting to correct her, but suddenly met Su Yuanyuan's eyes and saw his sister winking at him vigorously.
In that instant, he had an epiphany. Su Huaiyuan cleared his throat and said, "In order to protect the emperor and my family, it's only right for me to do these things. It's nothing, and I don't dare to take credit for it."
Su Huaiyuan still remembered that Qin Wanrong had pointed out the problems in his saber techniques earlier and wanted to discuss it with her further. But Su Yuanyuan urged him, "Second brother, you came today to teach me martial arts. If you don't teach me, I'll go to my third brother."
Su Huaiyuan had no choice but to concentrate on teaching Su Yuanyuan.
By the end of the morning practice, it was almost the end of Chenshi. The entire Prince Qingjun's Mansion was bustling. Su Huaiyuan was eager to talk to Qin Wanrong more, but was driven out by Su Yuanyuan:
"Okay, okay. You've been busy all morning. Aren't you hungry, second brother? Even if you're not hungry, Yuanbao and Sister Wanrong are. We still have a lot of things to do today."
Just like that, Su Huaiyuan was driven out of Mingzhu Garden. He watched as Su Yuanyuan led Qin Wanrong into the house. Scratching his head, he had no choice but to turn around and leave.
After walking two steps, his steps became limping.
His big toe really hurt!