Chapter Thirteen: Can I Protect You for a Lifetime?

Little Bao was taken aback, stopping in his tracks, turning around somewhat at a loss. His mother hurried forward, grabbing his arm firmly. With a wary expression, she glared at Chu Nan and spoke sternly, “Little Bao, don’t come near here, do you hear me?”

Chu Nan frowned slightly but smiled as he explained, “Sister-in-law, Little Bao often comes to play here; there’s no problem.”

His mother cast him a cold glance, her eyes filled with a mixture of disgust and unease. She tightened her grip on Little Bao’s arm and said coldly, “Shopkeeper Chu, I mean no offense, but if you know what’s good for you, you’d close your shop early and retire.”

“Offend the Marquis of the Heavenly Sword, and you still expect to live in peace? Hmph, don’t drag the neighborhood into this!”

With that, she shot a sharp look at Little Bao, then dragged him deeper into the alley, muttering all the while, “Such bad luck. Stay away from people like him in the future, or you’ll only bring trouble on yourself, with nowhere to cry when it comes.”

Little Bao looked back three times as he walked, reluctant to leave. He whispered, “Uncle Chu... I’ll come find you again next time!”

Chu Nan’s heart warmed. He raised his hand in a small wave, offering a faint, bittersweet smile.

Watching the pair disappear into the distance, a tinge of melancholy welled up inside him. He lifted his gaze to the empty street and sighed inwardly, “The warmth of the people in this capital is truly intriguing.”

“All the old customers don’t dare come near anymore. If this shop stays this quiet much longer, I’m afraid it won’t be long before it really has to close.”

With that thought, he turned to tidy the counter and close the shutters.

Just as he reached the door, a sudden, urgent clatter of hooves echoed from afar—heavy and forceful, mingled with the faint rattle of iron armor.

Chu Nan’s heart stirred. He looked toward the end of the street and saw a squadron of cavalry galloping swiftly in his direction.

At the forefront rode a knight clad in silver armor, his face stern and cold.

A sword hung at his waist; his presence was imposing. Behind him followed a dozen or so horsemen, filling the street with their ranks.

Passersby hurriedly stepped aside, faces pale with fear, ducking into nearby shops without daring to look up.

Some timid merchants even hastily pulled down their shop shutters, fearing to be caught in the commotion.

Chu Nan stood at his shop’s entrance, furrowing his brow as he quietly speculated about the riders’ identity and purpose.

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The cavalry halted abruptly, immediately forming ranks on either side, standing guard with obvious respect for someone of high status.

From behind, a finely crafted sedan chair was slowly carried forward.

Made from exquisite sandalwood inlaid with gold and silver, the chair’s embroidered curtains shimmered luxuriously, the tassels at each corner swaying gently—a clear mark of the occupant’s extraordinary rank.

The curtain lifted slightly, revealing a man stepping out.

He wore elegant robes, his complexion pale and features handsome, yet his deliberately maintained pallor and cold, arrogant gaze betrayed his haughty nature.

After alighting, he casually brushed his sleeve as if disdainful of the dust on the ground.

The surrounding guards bowed their heads respectfully, their expressions deferential, clearly unwilling to show the slightest neglect.

Chu Nan appraised the man silently, guessing his distinguished status.

Yet no fear stirred within him; he stood quietly by the shop’s door, waiting for the man to speak.

The man’s eyes swept over Chu Nan with a disdainful sneer before he slowly said, “You must be Chu Nan?”

Hearing the cold tone, Chu Nan knew this visitor bore ill intent.

His mind shifted slightly, recalling rumors about a certain individual. A faint smile curved his lips as he calmly cupped his hands and replied, “That would be me. May I ask the honorable young master’s purpose in visiting?”

The man snorted coldly, a trace of contempt in his expression. “Chu Nan, you’re but a mere merchant, yet you dare oppose my Heavenly Sword Marquis’s estate?”

“Today, I personally come to teach you the meaning of who holds power!”

At the mention of the Marquis of the Heavenly Sword’s household, Chu Nan’s heart settled—this must be the Marquis’s younger son, Liu Dingkun.

The Marquis’s family wielded immense power in the capital. This young master, relying on his lineage, had been arrogant and domineering since childhood.

Chu Nan sneered inwardly but remained composed, replying coolly, “So the young master of the Marquis has arrived; forgive my lack of proper respect.”

“However, I am but a humble trader with no ties to the Marquis’s house. Pray tell, why has the young master honored me with this visit today?”

Liu Dingkun’s gaze darkened with scorn. “No ties? Hmph. Chu Nan, you are a lowly commoner, yet you dare entangle yourself with Ru Yan Yu and even dream of marrying into the Yang family. Do you think you deserve it?”

Chu Nan’s expression turned cold, understanding this was a deliberate attempt to humiliate him.

He smiled faintly, unfazed, and said, “Young master, your words are mistaken. The marriage between Ru Yan Yu and myself was arranged by our elders. There is no question of opportunism.”

“As for whether I am worthy, that is the concern of Miss Yang Ru Yan’s family, not yours.”

Liu Dingkun snorted and gestured for his guards to block Chu Nan’s way. He said harshly, “How can the Yang family tolerate a shameless scoundrel like you entering their doors?”

“Chu Nan, you would do well to back out of this engagement today, or don’t blame me for being unforgiving!”

Chu Nan only shook his head with a mocking smile. He hadn’t expected the Marquis’s estate to send someone personally to force him to break the engagement—this only revealed the Yang family’s insecurity.

He leisurely pulled out a finely crafted token from his pocket, its gold glinting brilliantly. It was unmistakably the exclusive badge of the Imperial Merchant of the Great Wilderness Kingdom.

He flipped the token lightly in his hand, eyes coolly meeting Liu Dingkun’s.

“An Imperial Merchant’s token!” The guards around changed color, whispering nervously, their eyes filled with newfound caution.

Liu Dingkun’s expression tightened.

Chu Nan smiled coldly, fixing Liu Dingkun with a steady gaze and spoke with calm dignity: “I am granted this title by the Emperor himself, appointed officially as an Imperial Merchant.”

“Should the young master wish to demand the breaking of this engagement, then do it honorably, not by coercion at my doorstep.”

Liu Dingkun’s face flushed unevenly with rage. Though arrogant and reckless thanks to his lineage, the Imperial Merchant status, protected by the Emperor, complicated matters.

He clenched his teeth and said coldly, “Chu Nan, you would do well to understand the power of the Marquis of the Heavenly Sword’s household.”

“Do you really think a mere merchant’s token will protect you forever?”

Chu Nan smiled lightly, a trace of sarcasm flashing in his eyes. “Young master need not threaten me. Since I am unworthy, then this marriage need not continue.”

“But it is not I who will break the engagement—it will be I who come to formally divorce her!”

“When the time comes, a divorce decree will be delivered, publicly freeing the young lady of the Marquis’s household from the shame of being tied to my humble family.”

His words fell like thunder, causing an uproar among those present.