Chapter 2 Ji Yanbai

Chapter 2 Ji Yanbai

The next day, Yu Jianli was up and ready early.

Pushing open the window, the sky was still dark, the gloom stretching into the forest, as the morning breeze brought with it the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Looking at his brand new scholar's attire, Yu Jianli couldn't help but sigh. He actually managed to persist this far in the book.

But for him, a boy who once had a terminal illness, these were extra days he never expected. His mindset was incredibly optimistic; every additional day was a gift.

Living in the moment and enjoying happiness was all that mattered.

So during this inevitably turbulent time at the Imperial Academy, he would strive to navigate it as smoothly as possible.

In theory, the original Yu Jianli wasn't new to the Imperial Academy and should have been familiar with the place.

Ming Zhiyan likely assumed he didn't need guidance to find his own hall.

Unfortunately, this cannon fodder character didn't have memories for Yu Jianli to inherit, leaving him to fend for himself.

Not wanting Ming Zhiyan to notice any signs that he hadn't been here before, he decided to explore on his own early in the morning.

According to the rules of the Zhou Jin dynasty, the Imperial Academy was divided into the Imperial College, the Great Learning, and the Four Gate School.

The Imperial College was reserved for the descendants of officials of the third rank and above, also known as the "privileged students," all of whom came from excellent family backgrounds.

This was the main hall he needed to locate first. It would be best if he stayed far away from there in the future to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The former Yu Jianli was in the Great Learning, where the descendants of officials of the fifth rank and above studied.

The Four Gate School was for the descendants of officials of the seventh rank and above, as well as some commoners. This time, Yu Jianli entered the Four Gate School.

In a way, he had dropped a level, which many scholars considered a great disgrace. Fortunately, Yu Jianli didn't care.

It was already quite an achievement for him to become a tribute student within two years of transmigration. He even felt exceptionally proud of himself several times.

Opening the door to his room, he saw two figures heading out of the courtyard.

He instinctively paused, leaving the door slightly ajar, waiting for them to leave before stepping out.

In that hurried glance, he only noticed that the leading figure was unusually tall, and the color of his headband suggested he was a privileged student.

It was only then that he began to wonder who his neighbor might be.

A tall, unruly young master with an impulsive nature prone to causing trouble, given a separate courtyard, and waking up earlier than him...

The more Yu Jianli thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

A name slowly surfaced in his mind: Ji Yanbai.

Ji Yanbai was the powerhouse of the Zhou Jin dynasty in the book, akin to Li Yuanba in "Tales of Tang."

He possessed extraordinary martial arts talent, what one might call a miraculous physique. In a xianxia novel, he would be born with divine bones and a legendary spirit root, capable of kicking high-level cultivators and stumbling upon artifacts while descending a mountain.

Unfortunately, despite his strength, Ji Yanbai died young.

As the legitimate son of the Duke's Mansion and the Empress's younger brother, everyone in the book referred to him as "Little Duke Uncle."

He had talent and a top-tier background, but unfortunately, his "intellect wasn't too sharp," and his personality was extremely eccentric.

Readers who disliked the character Ji Yanbai questioned whether he had Klinefelter syndrome.

However, after carefully examining some details in the book, Yu Jianli believed that Ji Yanbai suffered from bipolar disorder.

He was full of energy but slept little, easily angered, and because he struggled to concentrate, his academic performance was abysmal.

Later, he was manipulated by the antagonist, becoming increasingly violent. In a fit of madness, he stormed into the imperial city, becoming a key player in the "Seven Treasures Incident," leading a rebellion.

With the strength of one man against thousands, it took Ming Zhiyan and his family's attack force immense effort, sacrificing over a hundred elite soldiers they had trained for years, along with numerous palace guards and several generals, to subdue him.

Yu Jianli still remembered how Ji Yanbai met his end: death by chariot dismemberment.

Ji Yanbai didn't have much screen time either, but he did survive until the grand finale.

He wasn't a pure villain, more like a crucial pawn, yet he was the ultimate boss.

Yu Jianli recalled that Ji Yanbai indeed spent some time at the Imperial Academy.

During this period, Ji Yanbai's emotions had already begun to fluctuate.

His family believed that since he was always on the battlefield, he had absorbed too much killing intent and needed a change of environment to temper his disposition.

Thus, they forced Ji Yanbai to return to the capital and arranged for him to come to the Imperial Academy, not expecting him to learn much, just hoping he could absorb some culture and learn the calm demeanor of scholars.

Unfortunately, Ji Yanbai soon left the Imperial Academy again after causing a major incident.

Thinking about this, Yu Jianli's breathing grew tense.

He not only had to stay away from the Imperial College but also from his neighbor's room. A single punch from Ji Yanbai could end his life prematurely.

His current caution was all to ensure that he wouldn't make enemies with Ming Zhiyan later on.

Ji Yanbai was not someone to provoke, and the Duke's Mansion was full of loyal martyrs.

*

When Yu Jianli found the entrance to the Four Gate School courtyard, the blue sky was gradually invaded by a dark red hue, turning the horizon into a sea of crimson in an instant.

During this time, he had already taken a rough tour around the Imperial Academy, familiarizing himself with the surroundings.

Before transmigrating, he had an interest in architecture and a natural talent for it. After walking through certain areas once, a three-dimensional map of the place would appear in his mind. He could even draw it from memory without making any mistakes.

At the entrance to the Four Gate School courtyard stood many students, some of whom were from the Great Learning based on the color of their headbands.

Confused, Yu Jianli assumed something must be happening that required gathering here, so he cautiously stood at the back of the crowd.

Their conversation continued: "Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Ming Zhiyan has been waiting here for a long time."

"I heard that this person, who has entered the Imperial Academy three times, is an old acquaintance of Ming Zhiyan. They were inseparable when they were in the Great Learning together, but unfortunately... his character was unsound. Even though he returned to the Imperial Academy with Ming Zhiyan, he caused trouble and was expelled again."

"His character was unsound and went against propriety?"

"That's right, otherwise, why would he have been ridiculed for so long? The vice headmaster couldn't protect him and forbade others from mentioning it again."

"What kind of person could be close friends with Ming Zhiyan?"

"Tsk tsk, how could the Imperial Academy allow such a person to re-enter? Don't they fear being laughed at if word gets out?"

"Perhaps he used some underhanded methods again."

Very unfortunately, Yu Jianli overheard their discussion about him, his expression somewhat awkward.

It wasn't that he was particularly famous, attracting such a large crowd to watch him. Most of these people were here for Ming Zhiyan.

Ming Zhiyan had always shown some talent, once gaining the Crown Prince's favor, but he politely declined and kept his distance, clearly not wanting to easily join the Crown Prince's faction.

This action attracted students from the Wenchao Hall to challenge the Great Learning at the Imperial Academy, and they truly enjoyed engaging with Ming Zhiyan.

When praised, Ming Zhiyan rarely showed a gentle expression, saying, "My learning is not a fraction of my dear friend's."

Naturally, the person asked, "I wonder who your dear friend is?"

Ming Zhiyan replied, "The Yu family, Yu Jianli."

Thus, Yu Jianli's name spread.

Although Ming Zhiyan gained the Crown Prince's favor, even though he didn't follow the Crown Prince, it was as if he had been stamped with approval.

The Imperial Academy was a place where factions initially gathered. Some people resented Ming Zhiyan's aloofness, thinking he didn't know how to appreciate favors. Others belonged to other factions and saw Ming Zhiyan as unprotected since he didn't enter the Wenchao Hall.

More importantly, the Crown Prince tacitly approved, wanting to corner Ming Zhiyan and force him to seek refuge by his side.

Being targeted repeatedly, coupled with Ming Zhiyan's less-than-stellar personality, led him to make many enemies, dragging Yu Jianli into the fray as well.

Yu Jianli originally wanted to quietly slip past them, but unexpectedly, he gradually drew their attention.

Even standing quietly in one place, he was a magnet for attention, with three thousand splendid lights swirling around him, impossible to ignore.

Some people hastily retracted their mesmerized gazes and approached to ask, "You look unfamiliar, may I ask..."

Just then, Ming Zhiyan spotted him and called out, "Jianli."

Yu Jianli quickly regained his composure, smiling politely at the person questioning his identity before moving past him to find Ming Zhiyan.

For a moment, the man's body stiffened, his gaze involuntarily following Yu Jianli, as if his eyes were nailed to his figure, unable to detach themselves.

In his eyes, Yu Jianli's figure resembled a graceful and agile bluebird. The Imperial Academy's robes seemed light and thin on him, fluttering in the wind like elongated tail feathers.

Yu Jianli appeared slender but not weak. His skin was fair, his smile warm like the morning sun, dazzling yet comforting.

His soft features were like warm jade, like a bright moon.

His features were exquisite beyond reproach, his smile like blossoming flowers, bringing fragrance for miles.

In this world, there was someone so breathtakingly beautiful.

Amidst the shock of the crowd, Yu Jianli reached Ming Zhiyan and asked, "Why are you here?"

Yu Jianli was at the Four Gate School, while Ming Zhiyan was at the Great Learning.

"Fearing you wouldn't be accustomed to it." Ming Zhiyan said, looking at the group of people, his disgust unhidden.

Clearly, Ming Zhiyan had anticipated such a scene, worried that his beloved would be bullied, coming here to take charge.

Swept by Ming Zhiyan's hateful gaze, someone finally regained their senses, blaming their earlier loss of composure on him, "No wonder he did such despicable things before, indeed a bewitching appearance, lacking any masculinity."

"How could such a person re-enter the Imperial Academy, I wonder..."

Before the mocking words could finish, they were interrupted by Ming Zhiyan, "He is a tribute student. If anyone has doubts about this aspect, feel free to ask the governor if there was any favoritism or even inquire at the Ministry of Rites to see if his results were tampered with."

Ming Zhiyan elevated the issue of personal conduct to one of favoritism and cheating.

If such accusations spread, they would certainly offend people they couldn't afford to offend, especially since the Ministry of Rites was related to their future careers. Who dared to continue questioning?

No one dared to say anything further, so Ming Zhiyan led Yu Jianli into the courtyard, whispering, "Don't be afraid."

"Mm." Yu Jianli softly responded.

Ming Zhiyan was indeed considerate in this regard. Sometimes, Yu Jianli couldn't help but marvel that if the original character in the book hadn't died in despair after being expelled from the Imperial Academy, he and Ming Zhiyan would have been quite suitable together.

Unfortunately, in strong-strong novels, Ming Zhiyan ended up as the uke...

He could even comprehend the ache in his heart, as if the painstakingly cultivated cabbage had been trampled by a gilded pig.

That group of provocateurs seemed to want to continue their harassment. As Ming Zhiyan clenched his fist, ready to retaliate, a person suddenly leaped down from the wall, landing in front of the crowd, startling them apart.

Before transmigration, Yu Jianli had heart problems, which made him usually calm, almost devoid of emotional fluctuations. But now, he was startled by the sudden appearance of this person, taking two steps back and instinctively clutching his chest.

Ji Yanbai's gaze swept over Yu Jianli, seemingly equally surprised. "Scared that easily?"

"No..." Yu Jianli caught his breath, suddenly at a loss.

Just by the visitor's towering figure and the color of the ribbon in his hair, he had already guessed that it was Ji Yanbai.

In ancient times, where nutrition was scarce, who else could grow so tall, especially in an environment like the Imperial Academy, without a hint of scholarly air?

And because of Ji Yanbai's sudden arrival, the others dared not approach any closer, dispersing instantly.

It seemed everyone wanted to keep their distance from him, no one willing to provoke this master.

At that moment, Tan Hui chased over with a sobbing voice: "My young master, even if you can't find your way, don't climb walls! I was just fetching some pastries for you, why couldn't you wait for me at the Imperial Academy?"

"Could this short wall stop your little master?" After saying that, he sidestepped both Yu Jianli and Ming Zhiyan, walking in the opposite direction of the main hall of the Imperial Academy.

"Rebel." The quiet reminder slipped out of Yu Jianli's mouth.

Ji Yanbai didn't understand him at first, raising his chin slightly in displeasure and retorting, "Who did you say rebelled?!"

Yu Jianli was startled by his attitude, fearing that this tall man with an unpredictable temperament might charge at him like a wild bull in the next moment, easily scattering his small frame, so he answered cautiously, "You... you're walking in the wrong direction."

Ji Yanbai came to his senses, accustomed to his father's phrase "you've gone against me," he had misunderstood the meaning for a moment, thus responding, "Oh, thanks."

After saying that, he turned around and walked away.

Yu Jianli slowly exhaled a sigh of relief.

Ji Yanbai had left earlier than him, and he had already circled the Imperial Academy once. If Ji Yanbai hadn't arrived at the Imperial Academy yet, could it be that he had been lost until now, and after becoming enraged, simply started climbing walls?

On the other side, Tan Hui hopped over to look at the wall, seeing Ji Yanbai walking toward the Imperial Academy, he quickly followed on the other side of the wall, jogging toward the Imperial Academy.

When Ji Yanbai was far enough away, Ming Zhiyan asked, "You knew it was Ji Yanbai?"

Yu Jianli's heart tightened: It's bad.