A life of leisure is worse than a life of flowers and splendour

Since returning, Du Shuangshuang had been staying quite quiet in her own courtyard, only occasionally going to the hills behind the General's Mansion to test her skills. After all, spells and spiritually infused swordsmanship were incredibly powerful, and her own courtyard couldn't withstand the damage. Damage would have to be repaired, and most importantly, she didn't know how to explain it. If outsiders found out, it would bring trouble to the General's Mansion. The hills behind her felt much more reassuring, with only trees and no one usually coming. Furthermore, she had divine sense to survey the surroundings, ensuring no one was hiding.

As for the damaged trees, who would bother to investigate? Who would care about the number of fallen trees? As long as no one set the mountain on fire, it wouldn't attract others.

A sword imbued with spiritual energy could already cut through iron like mud, and coupled with the power of the sword moves, ordinary warriors were simply unable to block it. With a full-strength attack, even a tree as thick as an arm at a distance could not withstand it.

On this particular day, the sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and Du Shuangshuang, like a cheerful little bird, arrived at the back of the mountain. She held a longsword, her gaze focused and determined, as if the entire world consisted only of her and the lush forest before her. Her movements were nimble and swift, the sword flashing in her hand, her movements blending with her swordsmanship, complemented by her spiritual power. As she completed her sword technique, a series of crackling sounds echoed, and a large number of thick trees fell to the ground.

"Haha, it's you, girl!" Suddenly, a hearty laugh broke the silence. Du Shuangshuang looked in the direction of the sound and saw her grandfather and second uncle standing not far away, looking at her with smiles on their faces.

"Hey, Grandpa, Second Uncle, why are you here?" Du Shuangshuang asked in surprise.

"Oh, you little girl, if we don't come soon, I'm afraid you will flatten the mountain behind the general's mansion into the ground, right?" Grandpa said in a serious tone, but his eyes were full of kindness.

"Hehe, there's nothing I can do. I really can't find any other suitable place for me to practice my sword." Du Shuangshuang stuck out her tongue mischievously and smiled embarrassedly.

"Hmph, girl, you still have some sense. You know to find a place where there is no one to practice sword. But even so, you can't always keep an eye on the mountain behind our house." Second uncle smiled and shook his head.

"Where did you learn this powerful sword technique?" Grandpa asked curiously.

"Well, this is what my mother left me." Du Shuangshuang gently stroked the hilt of the sword, a complex look in her eyes. From the things her mother left her, she could see her care for her, but she had no memory of her. Not even her grandfather knew who she was, only her missing father knew.

"Oh? I see. That's really good. Practice well, and maybe it will become your life-saving skill in the future." Grandpa nodded and said with satisfaction.

"Don't worry, grandpa, I will practice hard." Du Shuangshuang blinked her big eyes.

"Remember, unless absolutely necessary, never use this sword technique outside!" Grandpa said firmly with a serious face, "This sword technique is extremely powerful. Once discovered by someone with ulterior motives, it will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble. You'd better stay home and practice secretly. Remember, never show it to outsiders."

Hearing her grandfather's stern words, Du Shuangshuang nodded obediently: "I understand, Grandpa, don't worry." After that, she put away her sword and left the back mountain with her grandfather and second uncle.

As the three of them arrived at the back garden, a servant hurried forward, his face filled with sorrow. "Master, Second Master, Miss, that Second Young Master Su is here again!" The servant's face was as bitter as if he had eaten coptis root. He continued, "He's standing at the gate right now. He won't leave no matter what. He insists on seeing you, Miss."

And again? Could this person have been here many times before? Why wouldn't they let him in? After all, he'd saved me and escorted me home before. While those were just casual things, it was a real favor to me. From what the servants said, could it be that the General's Mansion had refused to admit him? Or was he specifically looking for me?

Du Shuangshuang looked at the old man beside her with suspicion, and the old man coughed lightly and said in a deep voice: "You two, come with me to the study."

Then he turned to the servant and ordered, "You return first. Without my order, do not let him set foot in the General's Mansion again."

The servant quickly agreed: "Yes, sir." After that, he turned around and left in a hurry.

The three of them came to the old man's study in Tongrenyuan. The old man sat down, and Uncle Du and Du Shuangshuang found a chair and sat down casually.

"It's a long story. When we first met, I specifically talked to him about his behavior and asked him to go back and ask around with his acquaintances before making a decision. I originally wanted him to back off, and he hadn't come to my house for many days, but he eventually came. I asked him if his family elders would agree. After all, marriage is a union of two families, and it's not something he can decide on his own. He said his family wouldn't interfere in his marriage, so I advised him to be cautious. A few days later, I received a letter from the Su family, which subtly explained that the two of you were not suitable and that the Second Young Master Su would never marry a woman from an official family. So from then on, he was no longer allowed in. But he's a bit disobedient. He comes to my house from time to time and sometimes blocks people on the road. Your second uncle and I have both been blocked by him. It's not a big deal if this continues. I wonder what Shuang'er thinks?"

Thoughts? What's there to think about? Just tell them you have no thoughts. "Then I'll meet him. We have to make things clear. Favors are favors, and our General's Mansion has not lacked a thank-you gift. He deserves nothing. Even if I'm not good enough, I was still raised by my grandfather and pampered. I'm even disliked by other parents. For the sake of my own face, I have to reject them completely." As he said this, he put on the arrogant and domineering look of Du Wushuang in the past.

The old man was now completely relieved. He had not let his granddaughter come out because her performance at the dinner table was too indifferent and he was not sure what she was thinking. This time he was finally relieved to let her come out.

The Second Young Master Su was quickly invited in. The meeting was arranged in the flower hall. The old general did not show up. Second Uncle Du accompanied his niece. It was not a good idea for an unmarried man and woman to be in the same room in the Great Xia Dynasty. If it got out, it would be somewhat detrimental to his reputation, although Du Wushuang did not have much of a reputation to speak of.

As soon as Mr. Su entered the room, he searched for the beautiful figure he had been thinking about day and night. The moment he saw Du Shuangshuang, his eyes lit up with surprise. "Shuang'er, are you okay?"

"Of course it's good." Du Wushuang replied with a faint smile, "I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Second Young Master Su's expression changed, but he still managed a smile and said, "Sister Shuang'er, if you have anything to say, just tell me."

Looking at the man in front of him who had obviously lost weight, Du Wushuang took a deep breath and said loudly, "You and I are of different status and are not a good match. Thank you for your help so many times before, but love cannot be forced. I hope that Mr. Su will meet his true love soon and stop being entangled."

A short pain is worse than a long one. This time, Du Shuangshuang's refusal was straightforward and direct. She had repeatedly expressed her temperament as unsuitable for a large family, and even if she did marry, she would marry into a simple, ordinary family. But the other party seemed to be deaf to her words and continued to do as she pleased. Du Shuangshuang could have pretended not to see it, but if she continued to pester him, she was afraid it would cause more trouble. With that, without even giving him a chance to speak, Du Wushuang turned and left, leaving the Second Young Master Su stunned and distraught.

"We can stay out of the family and live outside, if you're willing..." Second Young Master Su muttered softly, his lips trembling slightly. His once resolute fists were now clenched tightly, the knuckles turning white, and his body swayed uncontrollably. Then, as if all his strength had been drained away, his legs gave way, and he sat down unceremoniously on the cold, hard ground.

Tears finally burst forth like a flood, streaming down his flushed cheeks. He could not comprehend why, in order to be with the one he loved, he had argued endlessly with his parents, argued with his entire family, even threatened to leave the family to be with her. He had racked his brains, poured out all his thoughts, only to have her be so resolute. He had so much to say to her, yet he had no chance to speak. Instead, all he received was her cold, "You can't force love."

Young Master Su felt a sharp pain surge through his heart, as if countless steel needles were mercilessly piercing his already shattered heart. The grievances, pain, and uncertainty about the future that had long been pent up within him weighed down like a heavy mountain, suffocating him. At that moment, all his emotions erupted like a volcano, leaving him unable to hold on any longer. His vision went black, and he fainted.

Uncle Du quickly called his own and Mr. Su's servants and asked them to take Mr. Su to the guest room. He also called for someone to find a doctor to see Mr. Su. Mr. Su's identity was not ordinary, and he couldn't let anything happen to him in the general's mansion.