263: Chapter 43 Wanqing Falls into the Trap, Instant Familiarity

Mu Wanqing had never encountered someone as direct as Meng Li, and she had absolutely no idea how to respond.

She could tell that Meng Li's words came from the heart.

This sincerity, coupled with his outstanding appearance, meant that although Mu Wanqing found Meng Li a bit reckless and frivolous, she couldn't bring herself to feel resistance or disgust. Instead, she felt a sense of accomplishment and a little secret joy, as if her own charm had been indirectly affirmed.

Therefore, she could only repeat what she had just said, spitting out the word 'scoundrel' at Meng Li.

When Meng Li heard this, he felt the girl's vocabulary was quite limited, so he followed up on her words: "That's right, I simply have a weakness for beautiful women."

"How many men in this world don't appreciate beauty?"

"Getting back to the main point, I have conditions for allowing people to coach you in Martial Arts and for giving you a chance to spar with me."

"What conditions?" Mu Wanqing asked.

Meng Li said: "If you spar with me and win, there's nothing more to say; you can naturally take my life."

"But if you lose, you must agree to one request from me for every loss."

Without waiting for Mu Wanqing to object, he added: "Don't worry, I won't deliberately make things difficult for you or ask you to do something impossible."

"How about it, are you willing to give this a try?"

Mu Wanqing lowered her eyes, pondered for a moment, and replied: "I need to discuss this with my mother."

"Fine." Meng Li readily agreed, then added: "If it's truly too difficult, don't force yourself. It's just an ethereal oath; it doesn't matter if you break it."

Mu Wanqing snorted: "You don't need to provoke me. Since I make an oath, I will certainly abide by it."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Meng Li smiled and didn't pay it much mind.

He was indeed quite taken with this version of Mu Wanqing's looks and harbored thoughts of keeping her by his side, but it wasn't an absolute necessity.

Saying all that was mostly just to find some amusement.

...The next day, Mu Wanqing came to the door, carrying a simple bag.

"Miss Mu, are you planning to give it a try?" After a brief greeting, Meng Li asked knowingly.

Mu Wanqing nodded and asked: "Where will I be staying?"

Meng Li turned his head to A Zhu and said: "A Zhu, take Miss Mu to stay at Listening Fragrance Pavilion."

A Zhu acknowledged the order and made a gesture inviting Mu Wanqing: "Miss Mu, please follow me."

Saying that, she led the way.

Mu Wanqing followed closely behind.

Halfway there, Mu Wanqing looked at A Zhu and asked doubtfully: "Miss A Zhu, you look a little familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"

A Zhu paused for a moment, then let out a light laugh: "I also find you familiar, Miss Mu, but I believe this is our first meeting. I grew up in Canhe Village and rarely went out to meet outsiders. Moreover, if I had met someone as beautiful as you, I would certainly remember."

"Perhaps we find each other familiar because we feel like old friends upon meeting."

Mu Wanqing pondered briefly and felt it made sense.

A Zhu said she was beautiful, and Mu Wanqing equally felt the other woman was exceptionally lovely.

If they had met before, she would definitely have a memory of it.

But she only felt a strange familiarity with A Zhu, with no actual recollection of the person.

Maybe it really was like meeting an old friend!

Reaching this conclusion, Mu Wanqing stopped overthinking and asked again: "Miss A Zhu, are you Young Master Murong's concubine?"

Hearing this, A Zhu's steps halted, and a hint of annoyance arose in her heart.

This was because Mu Wanqing's question was too abrupt and crossed the line of familiarity.

Furthermore, the word 'concubine' reminded her of the absurd things that happened between her, Meng Li, and A Zi the previous night.

At the same time, this was a question she couldn't answer right now.

In reality, between her and Meng Li, they had done everything a married couple would do, and even more, except for breaking that final layer of the paper barrier. But nominally, because Wang Yuyan had not yet formally married in, Meng Li had not yet taken her as a concubine.

Thus, her status as Meng Li's concubine was currently a matter of fact without the official title.

This internal situation was difficult to explain to an outsider like Mu Wanqing.

Even if they felt like old friends.

Therefore, A Zhu could only evade the topic and change the subject: "Miss Mu, Listening Fragrance Pavilion is just ahead. It's not far from where I live at Listening Fragrance Pavilion, so if you encounter any problems in the future, you can come find me."

Mu Wanqing saw that A Zhu avoided answering her question, and she immediately became cautious. She didn't press further, instead following A Zhu's lead to inquire about the situation of the two small courtyards.

After settling in, Mu Wanqing said to A Zhu: "Your Young Master said he would arrange for someone to coach my Martial Arts. I wonder who that instructor will be?"

Upon hearing this, A Zhu was slightly surprised, then understood in her heart. This lady had likely caught her Young Master's eye.

For a moment, the way she looked at Mu Wanqing carried a different kind of meaning. She smiled and replied: "That depends on the Young Master's arrangements."

"However, barring any surprises, it should be Cousin Miss."

"Cousin Miss?" Mu Wanqing let out a soft sound of surprise, then quickly reacted, asking with suspicion: "The Miss Wang who is engaged to your Young Master?"

A Zhu nodded: "Precisely."

Mu Wanqing immediately felt conflicted.

She knew Wang Yuyan possessed formidable Martial Arts.

Previously, when she and Qin Hongmian joined forces to assassinate Li Qingluo, Wang Yuyan intervened and captured them both within a few exchanges.

Given that difference in skill, Wang Yuyan instructing her in Martial Arts was certainly not an issue regarding standard.

But in a sense, she and Wang Yuyan were love rivals.

Having Wang Yuyan coach her Martial Arts made Mu Wanqing feel awkward just thinking about it.

So, she asked: "Besides that Miss Wang here, is there anyone else who can coach others in Martial Arts?"

"Also, how does that Miss Wang's Martial Arts compare to your Young Master's?"

A Zhu replied: "Besides Cousin Miss, the only one here who teaches Martial Arts is Young Master. However, he is busy, and since our Martial Arts skills have all reached a certain level, we don't often teach. We only occasionally use the opportunity of testing our skills to offer one or two pointers when we have free time."

"As for Cousin Miss's Martial Arts compared to the Young Master's..."

"Cousin Miss's Martial Arts were taught by the Young Master. Who do you think is stronger?"

Mu Wanqing was stunned upon hearing this, then grasped two key pieces of information.

Our Martial Arts skills have all reached a certain level.

Wang Yuyan's Martial Arts were taught by Meng Li.

"You know Martial Arts too?"

Mu Wanqing showed surprise; she hadn't noticed that at all.

A Zhu smiled and said: "I know a little."

Mu Wanqing's eyes flickered slightly, and she challenged her: "How about we spar?"

She planned to probe A Zhu's true strength.

A Zhu shook her head without thinking: "You are the Young Master's guest. It would be improper hospitality for me to fight you."

Mu Wanqing said: "This is my request. I guarantee I won't blame you whether I lose or get injured."

A Zhu still shook her head.

Whether Mu Wanqing blamed her or not was not A Zhu's main concern.

She was afraid that if Meng Li found out, he wouldn't be happy, and he might use this as an excuse to punish her in some demeaning way.

Although these were playful acts, sometimes they were truly embarrassing.

Thinking of certain scenes, A Zhu's face flushed slightly.

Just then, a gust of strong wind suddenly swept over, rushing straight toward her face.

Out of instinct honed by years of practicing Martial Arts, A Zhu immediately activated Swift Steps to evade without thinking.

After dodging a distance and steadying herself, she frowned and looked at Mu Wanqing: "Miss Mu, what is the meaning of this?"

Seeing her palm strike air, Mu Wanqing was somewhat surprised, then snorted: "Since you refuse to fight me, I can only take the initiative to ask for your guidance."

After saying that, she attacked A Zhu again...