CHAPTER 011
After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Lu Yun'er finally finished her meal, eating slowly and carefully. She looked around the dining hall and realized she was the only one left, so she began to pack up her meal box and prepare to leave.
Suddenly, a strong and firm hand rested on her left shoulder, yet her shoulder didn't sink—clearly, the person knew their strength.
Before she could turn around to see who it was, a familiar voice, tinged with a bit of anger and complaint, reached her ear. "Yun'er, how come you haven't finished eating yet? I've been looking for you for quite some time."
"Sister Lan, what brings you here?" Lu Yun'er looked at her in confusion, her hands continuing to move as she spoke.
Liu Lan withdrew her hand, and in the next moment, her body moved fluidly as she sat across from Lu Yun'er. Staring at Lu Yun'er’s calm demeanor, Liu Lan’s worries eased a bit, and her tone became more serious. "You've been bullied, and you didn't even tell me? Or do you think my words are meaningless?"
Lu Yun'er paused her hand on the meal box, then placed it aside and replied, "Sister Lan, you've misunderstood. The officialdom is always unpredictable. Until the dust settles, everything is subject to change. This is just a normal shift in duties; it's best to go with the flow."
But Liu Lan didn't see it that way. She recalled how, when nothing was happening, the three of them would often gather together. Yun'er and Ran Zhi would talk endlessly about the affairs of the court. Although Liu Lan wasn't usually interested in such matters, she had picked up a few things here and there.
Liu Lan let out a cold laugh. "Although I've spent most of my life on the battlefield and can't understand all the twists and turns of the court, I do know right from wrong. That old man is clearly using public office for private revenge. Just wait, I'll teach him a lesson—"
"Sister Lan, please don't act recklessly." Lu Yun'er immediately interrupted, her previously calm expression now tinged with concern, her voice quick and filled with worry.
Although General Liu had been on the battlefield for many years, experienced countless battles, and was skilled in military command, the court was different from the battlefield. Over the past year since Lu Yun'er’s soul had crossed into this world, she had come to understand the dark and treacherous nature of the court, filled with schemes and deceit, where people would sell their dignity for glory or disgrace themselves for fame. The number of those who sacrificed their integrity for rank was countless.
She also knew that throughout history, many loyal generals and ministers, who had devoted their lives to protecting the nation and its people, had not died on the battlefield but were instead falsely accused and unjustly executed in prison by treacherous officials—a truly heartbreaking reality.
Although she had only met the Director of the National Academy a few times, he seemed to be someone who was obsequious to superiors and arrogant to inferiors. In reality, he was a snake in the grass, hiding a dagger behind a smile. Moreover, the National Academy wasn't as simple as it appeared.
As Lu Yun'er thought of the "haunted" bamboo grove, her expression became complicated. It seemed she needed to discuss this with Sister Ran Zhi.
Liu Lan’s bright, dark eyes looked at her and, noticing her agitation, she felt a bit puzzled but still responded, "Alright, I'll listen to you, Yun'er." She furrowed her brow and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Lu Yun'er snapped back to reality, concealing her worry. She changed the subject, "By the way, where is Sister Ran Zhi? I haven't seen her today."
Liu Lan's expression darkened slightly. "A letter arrived from Langzhou last night. Her father-in-law passed away due to illness, so she went back to Langzhou with her husband. She left in a hurry and didn’t have time to inform you, but she probably won't return until after the Qingming Festival."
Lu Yun'er nodded thoughtfully.
Suddenly, Liu Lan's tone changed. Leaning forward towards Lu Yun'er, she stared at her like a predator eyeing its prey, her gaze filled with an unmistakable determination. "By the way, there's going to be a polo match at the Women's Academy in a few days. You must come!"
It seemed the last polo match had left a deep impression on her. With her competitive nature, she was bound to seek a rematch.
However, Lu Yun'er had just started teaching at the Men's Academy, and there was still much work she hadn't yet mastered. But seeing Liu Lan's intense gaze, Lu Yun'er dared not refuse. "Alright."
Liu Lan then changed her tone again, with an unmistakable excitement in her eyes. "But I’ve met some skilled polo players at the Martial Hall these past few days. I think you'd better bring some help!"
Lu Yun'er raised an eyebrow at that, instantly understanding. The two exchanged a knowing smile, each understanding the other perfectly.
Suddenly, Lu Yun'er seemed to think of something and pretended to be serious. "Today, I had the fortune of meeting Prince Yun."
"What!" Liu Lan's dark eyes widened in surprise, her eyes filled with barely contained excitement. She quickly asked, "But why would she come to the National Academy?"
Lu Yun'er explained the situation to Liu Lan in detail, and Liu Lan could only smile with regret.
After their conversation, the two got up to leave. Neither of them noticed Zhang Jing not far away. From the moment they started talking until they left, Zhang Jing's gaze never left them, closely following their every move.
After exiting the dining hall, Lu Yun'er and Liu Lan went their separate ways. Since she hadn’t yet moved into the Eastern Courtyard of the National Academy, Lu Yun'er had to rest at the Scholar Hall for now. Carrying her meal box, she headed toward the Scholar Hall.
At this time, the road was quiet, with few students passing by, likely all resting in their dormitories.
Lu Yun'er, wanting to digest her food, decided to take a walk by the lotus pond. Ever since she had visited it last time, the sight of the rippling waters had left a lasting impression on her.
Suddenly.
"Scholar Lu," a soft, lingering voice called from behind her.
Lu Yun'er turned around and found herself staring into a pair of red eyes. She responded in disbelief, "Young Lord Su?"
She hadn’t misheard, had she? The proud and headstrong Young Lord Su had suddenly changed and was addressing her with respect. But looking at his state, something seemed off. Could it be that her punishment in the morning was too harsh? But that didn’t make sense; she had even consulted Scholar Sheng, and everything had seemed fine. Could it be that the young lord was emotionally fragile due to his rebellious phase?
After a brief pause, the young lord suddenly rushed toward her like an arrow released from a bow. Instinctively alert, Lu Yun'er took a few steps back and immediately raised her hand to stop him. "Stay where you are, Young Lord Su! Don't come any closer!"
Children in their rebellious phase can be impulsive, often quick-tempered and unable to control their emotions. For the safety of both of them, it was best to keep some distance for now.
Su Qingwan stopped obediently a few steps away from her, his eyes lifeless as he hung his head, showing no expression.
Lu Yun'er looked at the unusually subdued Su Xiaoshizi and spoke gently, "Su Xiaoshizi, if you have something to say, just say it from there. I can hear you."
After all, he was a noble young lord. If something really had happened, she would be responsible both morally and legally.
Su Qingwan suddenly raised his gaze, staring at her with reddened eyes filled with tears, which finally overflowed. One by one, the bright tears fell from his swollen eyes, like pear blossoms bathed in rain. The tear mole beneath his left eye only added to his delicate, pitiful appearance, making him even more heart-wrenching.
Lu Yun'er was bewildered, as if lost in a fog. His crying was already challenging enough, but crying while staring at her was unbearable. Her heart softened completely at the sight. After all, they were at Guozijian, and if someone saw them, they might think she had done something to him.
Lu Yun'er didn't approach him but instead tried to soothe him patiently, "Su Xiaoshizi, don't cry. If you don't want to write the 800-word reflection..."
"Is it you? The person who saved me at the Liusu River that day, was it you?" Su Qingwan suddenly stopped crying, his body trembling as he walked toward Lu Yun'er step by step, tightly gripping the folding fan in his hand.
When General Liu told him that the fan belonged to Lu Yun'er, he realized that the person he had been searching for had been by his side all along.
Lu Yun'er glanced at the familiar fan and immediately understood the situation. She calmly withdrew her gaze and replied, "Yes, I happened to see someone fall into the river that day, so I offered my help. Later, when I met you at Guozijian, I realized it was you, Su Xiaoshizi."
"Why didn't you tell me? I... I've been looking for you all this time, and I was just disrespectful to you." Su Xiaoshizi's voice choked with grievance, and his eyes, still wet with tears, turned red again, as if he might start crying once more.
They had met several times, but she had never mentioned this incident to him, even though he had been searching for her!
"So, Su Xiaoshizi is crying because of this?" Lu Yun'er was taken aback, looking at the slightly childish yet endearing Su Xiaoshizi. Then she smiled and continued, "No matter who fell into the Liusu River, I would have saved them. After all, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. I'm not looking for fame or fortune. Besides, as a teacher, I should be tolerant and generous, not one to hold grudges against my students."
A flash of inspiration struck Lu Yun'er, and she added, "If Su Xiaoshizi is determined to repay me or feels guilty, then just study well. That would make me very satisfied."
Su Qingwan nodded obediently, staring blankly at Lu Yun'er, speechless for a long time. Now that what he had longed for had finally come true, he felt an inexplicable emptiness inside.
Curious, Lu Yun'er asked, "How did Su Xiaoshizi know that this fan belonged to me?"
Su Qingwan looked at the fan in his hand and replied thoughtfully, "It was General Liu. I ran into her at the Jixian Gate just now, and she told me."
"I see." Lu Yun'er understood, as she often carried the fan with her when the three of them met, so General Liu naturally recognized it.
Lu Yun'er raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile, "Su Xiaoshizi, have you been carrying this fan with you all this time just to find me?"
"Yes," Su Qingwan answered honestly, his heart suddenly racing, pounding loudly in his chest, and he quickly averted his gaze in embarrassment.
Unaware of the turmoil in Su Qingwan's heart, Lu Yun'er smiled brightly, "I didn't expect Su Xiaoshizi to be so persistent and grateful. Very good, very good! As your teacher, I'm very pleased." She then shifted her gaze to the fan in his hand, "However, this fan..."
Seeing her gaze on the fan, Su Qingwan's expression immediately became tense.
"If Su Xiaoshizi likes it, consider it a gift," Lu Yun'er said, noticing how he seemed attached to the fan after searching for its owner for so long. After all, it was just a fan, nothing too significant.
Su Xiaoshizi's fingers subconsciously stroked the fan's ribs, a small smile forming on his face at her words.
"Since everything is clear now, focus on your studies. I’ll be going," Lu Yun'er said as she turned to leave, seeing that he had calmed down.
Noticing her departure, Su Qingwan instinctively followed her, his gaze fixed on the blue figure ahead. Sensing his presence, Lu Yun'er turned to face him, "Su Xiaoshizi, what are you doing?"
Su Qingwan, having just taken a step forward, quickly retracted it, standing still with downcast eyes as he muttered, "Last time, Scholar Lu, you followed me like this too."
Seeing his innocent, somewhat naive demeanor, Lu Yun'er couldn't help but chuckle, realizing that this young lord truly remembered everything.
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