My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Inside Qingyuan Xiaozhu, the flowers and trees are quiet, but the heart is in turmoil.

In Pei Qingyuan's eyes, a warrior with a bloodthirsty nature was not worthy of her at all.

Only the gentle and refined third young master of the Marquis's mansion, skilled in both literature and martial arts, is the right person for her in this life, the perfect match she deserves.

The situation is critical and there is no time to lose.

Pei Qingyuan suppressed the panic in her eyes, turned around, lowered her voice, and urgently instructed her personal maid, Wan Cui.

"Wan Cui, immediately change into ordinary clothes, do not disturb anyone, do not use the main gate, leave the mansion through the back alley."

"Immediately proceed to the Marquis of Anzhou's residence and request an audience with the Marquis's third son."

Wan Cui's heart tightened upon hearing this: "Miss! This...this is sending a letter in secret. If the elders in the household find out, the consequences will be unimaginable."

The Pei family has strict rules, and even a maid knows the serious consequences of doing so.

"I can't worry about that anymore."

Pei Qingyuan's eyes held an unprecedented determination and anxiety. "Once the engagement is finalized, there will be no turning back for me in this life."

"Now the entire clan is being deceived by Li Xuancang and is determined to marry me off to a martial artist. Only Young Master Lin can save me."

"Go immediately! Make sure you see Lin Jingyan and convey my words verbatim."

Seeing that her mistress was determined, Wan Cui dared not hesitate.

Disguised as an ordinary neighborhood maid, she quietly left the Pei residence, avoiding attention all the way, and headed straight for the Marquis of Anzhou's residence.

The Marquis of Anzhou's mansion is a top-tier noble family in Anzhou, with a prestigious lineage and profound heritage.

The Marquis's family has a hereditary title and a tradition of passing down merits, making them far superior to ordinary noble families.

The third young master of the Marquis's mansion, Lin Jingyan, is a peerless genius known to everyone in Anzhou.

He gained fame at a young age, having read through thousands of scriptures by the age of ten, comprehending the essence of literature by the age of twelve, and entering the Wenxin Academy of the Great Yan Dynasty at the age of fourteen with his unparalleled talent.

Wenxin Academy sits atop the literary tradition of the Great Yan Dynasty, overseeing all literary cultivation and practice across the land.

The disciples in the academy not only cultivate their knowledge of poetry, classics, and governance, but also use the spirit of literature to temper their physical bodies, nourish their souls, and cultivate the Great Way.

Those who can enter Wenxin Academy are all exceptional individuals, chosen from among thousands.

Lin Jingyan is the most outstanding among them, young and gentle, with a graceful and elegant demeanor.

In Pei Qingyuan's mind, fighting among warriors was nothing more than reckless courage and worldly warfare.

The true path to enlightenment lies in literature and understanding the Way, a path that will endure through the ages.

She had known Lin Jingyan since childhood and admired his unparalleled elegance and talent.

She believed that only a literary prodigy like him was worthy of her status as the legitimate daughter of the Pei family.

Before long, Wan Cui hurried along the road and arrived at the gate of the majestic and solemn Anzhou Marquis's Mansion.

The Marquis's residence was heavily guarded, with armored soldiers standing at attention, and the imposing aura of nobility was palpable.

Wan Cui introduced herself and, after several rounds of announcements, was finally allowed to enter.

The young man in white sat quietly in the pavilion, holding a book. His features were refined and elegant, and his temperament was gentle and otherworldly. He was surrounded by a faint aura of scholarly refinement, far surpassing that of ordinary scions of noble families.

When Pei Qingyuan's personal maid arrived, Lin Jingyan took it very seriously and hurriedly sent her into the mansion.

"Someone from the Pei residence has arrived? Is there something you need, Miss Qingyuan?"

While pondering, Wan Cui hurriedly entered the Marquis's residence. Disregarding proper etiquette, she stepped forward hastily, gave a quick bow, and spoke frankly.

"Third Young Master! Something terrible has happened!"

"The Pei family clan is holding a banquet today, and the entire clan, including the patriarch, unanimously acknowledges Li Xuancang, the centurion of the army!"

"The family has already agreed that the engagement with the Li family will be finalized soon, and the wedding date will be set."

"My young lady swears she will never agree; her heart belongs only to you, young master."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingyan's gentle brows furrowed slightly, and the calm, scholarly air in his eyes faded, replaced by a hint of surprise and somberness.

Wan Cui knelt on the ground, pleading urgently.

"Young master, my young lady's heart is set on you, and she will marry no one else!"

"The situation is critical. The young lady has ordered me to risk my life to deliver this message, begging the young master to make a swift decision."

"Prepare the betrothal gifts immediately and go to the Pei residence to propose marriage. Take the lead and be the first to act. Only if you speak first can we thwart this marriage and ensure your happy union with Miss."

A breeze stirs in the pavilion, causing the scrolls to flutter gently.

Lin Jingyan remained silent for a moment, a hint of determination rising beneath his gentle and refined eyes.

He knew Pei Qingyuan's feelings, but he had been cultivating at Wenxin Academy for many years, so he had not made a move.

Now that he sees his beloved about to be betrothed to someone else, he can no longer sit idly by.

Lin Jingyan slowly closed the book, his eyes resolute, and spoke softly.

"I understand. You may go back now and tell the young lady to wait patiently."

"This marriage is mine, and no one can take it away from me. I will immediately prepare gifts and personally go to the Pei residence to propose marriage."

After receiving Lin Jingyan's assurance, Wan Cui felt reassured and quietly left.

The gentle, scholarly atmosphere inside the elegant pavilion of the Marquis's residence had completely dissipated.

"Pei Qingyuan is mine, and no one can lay a finger on her."

A sinister glint appeared in Lin Jingyan's eyes. He had long considered Pei Qingyuan his own possession, and he would kill anyone who dared to touch her.

Lin Jingyan knew the situation was urgent; the marriage agreement with the Pei family would be finalized in no time, and there was no time to lose.

Without the slightest hesitation, he straightened his robes and went straight to the main hall of the Marquis's residence to pay his respects to his father, the Marquis of Anzhou.