Chapter 53: Struggle

Chapter 53: Struggle

The victory in the polo match between the Imperial Academy and Chongxuan Academy was utterly uneventful, proceeding smoothly to an almost unbelievable degree.

The Chongxuan Academy team was infuriated but powerless against Ji Yanbai. They hurled insults, only to be outmatched by Lu Huaijing's sharp tongue.

A comprehensive defeat in every sense.

Lu Huaijing, that young rascal, had previously been wary of them, having suffered at their hands.

This time, emboldened by Yu Jianli, he held nothing back, berating the Chongxuan Academy members until they clutched their chests in frustration.

Chongxuan Academy was enraged, resorting to crude tactics by having horses defecate on the field.

Lu Huaijing's face flushed with anger as he chased after them, hurling insults.

As Chongxuan Academy led their horses away after their loss, the sky finally opened up with a light drizzle, accompanied by a distant rumble of thunder.

But the thunder was far off, and they could only hear faint echoes of it.

Feng Guangqi seemed to have regained some ground, shouting, "I did say it would be a stormy day!"

"Scram!" Lu Huaijing retorted, "Your mouths stink, your horses reek, and your character is even fouler. Look at how you can't handle losing; truly despicable! Pah!"

"Huh, you little punk!" Feng Guangqi, leading his horse, was about to confront Lu Huaijing when he spotted Ji Yanbai not far away.

Due to Feng Guangqi's sudden attack on Yu Jianli, Ji Yanbai had taken a disliking to him today, targeting him relentlessly during the match.

Now, under Ji Yanbai's watchful gaze, Feng Guangqi's bravado evaporated. He circled his horse around and returned, muttering, "As if you could handle losing... You wouldn't have dared to argue with me before."

"But I won this time!" Lu Huaijing declared proudly.

"All your contribution to the Imperial Academy polo team was providing the horses. You nearly fell off several times; don't think I didn't notice."

"You secretly kicked my horse's rear."

"Warfare knows no deceit; do you understand?" In truth, Feng Guangqi, feeling Ji Yanbai's pressure, took out his frustrations on Lu Huaijing.

As they traded insults, Lu Huaijing effectively "escorted" the Chongxuan Academy members out of the Imperial Academy.

Horse riding was prohibited within the academy grounds, so once outside the gates, the Chongxuan Academy members mounted their horses and rode off into the drizzle.

Lu Huaijing watched them leave, laughing heartily. "Refreshing!"

He didn't forget to spit for good measure.

Returning to the Imperial Academy, he noticed something odd about Ji Yanbai's expression.

Upon closer inspection, he saw that quite a few students were trailing behind Ji Yanbai, those who had once feared him now following him in admiration, showering him with praise.

"Ji Yanbai, your second goal was spectacular!"

"That's right, the Chongxuan Academy players couldn't stop you at all."

Lu Huaijing, observing this peculiar scene, searched through the crowd and found Yu Jianli and Ming Zhiyan at the back of the group, seemingly heading back to their dormitories.

He approached them, asking, "What's going on?"

Yu Jianli shook his head. "I'm not sure, everyone just seems to think Ji Yanbai is impressive, I guess."

Lu Huaijing mentioned the Imperial Academy. "Strange, many people in the Imperial Academy have started talking to Ji Yanbai recently."

"That's not bad," Yu Jianli said, growing increasingly uneasy.

At this moment, Ji Yanbai grew annoyed and dismissed them impatiently. "Alright, alright, I get it. Go take care of your own business."

They replied, "We're not busy at all!"

"Yes, we also want to know if you have any strategies for the Confucian Library?"

"I'm tired of this." Ji Yanbai bluntly stated, then dodged them and headed toward the dormitories.

Tan Hui appeared at the opportune moment, blocking their path. "Take it from me, our master hates noise the most. You should all go back now."

Reluctantly, the group dispersed.

Watching this unfold, Yu Jianli couldn't help but suspect that the Imperial Academy was also "scattered with fallen petals," wondering how they could suddenly take interest in Ji Yanbai.

It was truly reckless...

Lost in thought, Yu Jianli returned to his dormitory. Not long after entering, he heard Ji Yanbai tapping on the small window.

He promptly opened the window and leaned out.

Ji Yanbai, holding clothes for washing, seemed to be heading to the bathhouse. He said, "Feng Guangqi knows some martial arts. I'm worried he might target you, so I'll have Huang Qi follow you for the time being. If you need privacy for anything, just let him know and send him away."

"Okay, thank you for your concern."

"It's no big deal."

Ji Yanbai, seemingly without further business, was about to close the window when Yu Jianli suddenly leaned over and whispered, "You played really well in the polo match today!"

Ji Yanbai paused mid-action, staring at him in surprise before replying, "Yeah, thanks."

Yu Jianli thought that many people had already congratulated Ji Yanbai today, leaving him somewhat numb to such compliments.

Thus, he tactfully retreated, and Ji Yanbai closed the window at that moment.

Back at his desk, Yu Jianli continued working on his design drawings, contemplating his plans for fetching water and washing up later.

The dormitory returned to silence, and he, engrossed in his work, didn't notice that Ji Yanbai remained unusually quiet.

*

On the next day off, Yu Jianli deliberately sent Huang Qi away and went to Liu Song's shop early again.

Liu Song was clearly waiting for him, greeting him cheerfully and presenting a money pouch. "We're still making profits. Here are forty-three taels."

"May I ask how much profit I make from selling one book?"

After a rough calculation, Liu Song answered, "Our books are thin, selling for one hundred fifty wén each. The cost of printing is relatively high, so the profit margin is slim. You get fifteen wén per book."

Woodblock printing was used at the time, but because of the use of simple silk scrolls, the costs remained high. This was why many scholars couldn't afford books and relied on handwritten copies.

Yu Jianli made a rough calculation. At current prices, one tael of silver could be exchanged for twelve hundred wén.

He had already received one hundred thirty taels, and in just ten days, he earned another forty-three taels.

His profit per book was only fifteen wén...

These sales figures were just within the capital, in an era where many couldn't afford books or were illiterate. It was truly staggering...

The more Yu Jianli calculated, the more astonished he became.

While lost in thought, he noticed Liu Song extending his hand, palm up.

Understanding, Yu Jianli handed over the manuscript of his new story. "I wrote it overnight."

Liu Song was visibly thrilled, unfolding the paper and reading aloud. "Your previous book is still hot, with many people discussing it. Releasing another one now will surely sell like wildfire."

"Confidentiality is a must..." Yu Jianli was genuinely afraid that news of his writing erotica would spread.

When he first took on this job, he never imagined it would escalate to this level, as if three out of ten literati had read his books.

"Absolutely, I'm terrified someone else might find out about you," Liu Song assured him solemnly. He was genuinely fearful of Yu Jianli being discovered and showed his utmost sincerity.

Now, Yu Jianli was his benefactor.

Liu Song was even considering moving to a larger shop, as the small one couldn't accommodate the steady stream of customers.

Having delivered the manuscript, Yu Jianli left his shop with a heavy heart.

Opening the courtyard gate, he saw Huang Qi waiting for him in the yard. Upon seeing him enter, Huang Qi asked, "Young Master Yu, what work do you have planned for today?"

Like a diligent, hardworking ox.

"Today, we'll continue working on the bed frame," Yu Jianli replied.

"Alright!"

Huang Qi was a straightforward man, lacking ulterior motives. He was rather simple-minded and threw himself wholeheartedly into helping Yu Jianli.

This led Yu Jianli to spend the morning pondering what meals he should prepare for Huang Qi later.

While they worked diligently, Ji Yanbai arrived at Yu Jianli's residence with Tan Hui.

Clearly, it was Ji Yanbai's first visit to Yu Jianli's newly purchased house. He looked around but refrained from making any superfluous comments.

If it had been Lu Huaijing, he would have criticized the house for being too small and insufficient for living.

However, Ji Yanbai wouldn't think that way. Instead, he considered things from Yu Jianli's perspective.

Given Yu Jianli's financial situation at the time, purchasing this house was the best choice he could make.

After a casual glance around, Ji Yanbai asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"

Yu Jianli hastily declined. "No need! I'm doing everything myself to save money. If you help, it feels like I'm wasting money..."

It would be akin to saving a thousand wén to buy materials but spending ten taels to treat someone to dinner as thanks. He wouldn't engage in such foolishness.

Ji Yanbai, however, didn't give him a chance to refuse. "You don't have to thank me; I'm just lending a hand casually."

"But, but that doesn't seem right..."

Buying a cheap house and purchasing materials to save money, only to have a national military talent assist him.

It simply didn't add up!

Ji Yanbai displayed impatience. "I said there's no need for politeness, so why are you still fussing?"

"Sorry." Yu Jianli immediately softened his stance, offering a sincere apology.

"What needs to be done?"

"Oh, I'll teach you." Yu Jianli had no choice but to instruct Ji Yanbai.

He feared that if he continued to refuse, Ji Yanbai might, in a drunken state, complain to him: Why won't you let me help you saw wood? Don't you consider me a friend? Why can Huang Qi do it, but I can't? I want to saw wood too!

With the courtyard gate closed, the group inside worked enthusiastically.

Yu Jianli continued to ponder how many dishes he should prepare.

To his surprise, after finishing his work and tidying up, Ji Yanbai suggested, "Let's go find Lu Huaijing."

"Huh? Is there something urgent?"

"We haven't celebrated our win over Chongxuan Academy yet; let's celebrate with him."

"You want Lu Huaijing to foot the bill?" Yu Jianli hadn't expected Ji Yanbai to be such a person. "If we're truly celebrating, it shouldn't just be the four of us."

"Lu Huaijing will invite the others, don't worry," Ji Yanbai said confidently. "I'm trying to save you money. I suspect Lu Huaijing has been itching to host a gathering and is bursting with excitement."

Yu Jianli watched as Ji Yanbai and Huang Qi tidied up his courtyard, while Tan Hui went to the Lu family to inform Lu Huaijing.

Before they could catch their breath, the Lu family's carriage had already arrived. According to the attendant, Lu Huaijing had booked a restaurant in record time, and they were ready to go.

In this regard, Lu Huaijing was impressively efficient.

*

Yu Jianli and Ji Yanbai shared a carriage.

The carriage swayed through bustling streets, the clamor filling their ears.

It seemed that within the confined space, only the two of them existed, causing an awkward silence.

After a long while, Yu Jianli took the initiative to speak: "Why did you suddenly come to me today?"

"I had nothing else to do, and you're my only friend."

"Oh, right."

They fell silent once more.

Yu Jianli fiddled with his sleeves, while Ji Yanbai quietly gazed out the window of the carriage.

Fortunately, they soon arrived at the restaurant, alleviating the awkwardness.

Yu Jianli stepped out of the carriage first, and while waiting for Ji Yanbai, he overheard the surrounding chatter.

"That man is Ji Yanbai, isn't he?"

"It's really him. With such a figure and appearance, it's hard to find another like him."

"Indeed, he stands out."

Ji Yanbai walked beside Yu Jianli into the restaurant, whispering, "It seems like many people recognize me lately."

"You... You've always been famous!" Yu Jianli, the culprit, could only give a vague response.

"A bit annoying."

Yu Jianli nearly apologized to Ji Yanbai out of guilt.

Thankfully, they quickly entered the private room, where Lu Huaijing's excited voice greeted them: "I ordered roasted beef to celebrate our victory over Ox Nose!"

"Woah!" Yu Jianli feigned surprise.

Ming Zhiyan's indifferent voice asked, "How did you two end up coming together?"

He always managed to pinpoint the crucial point.

Lu Huaijing also snapped back to reality, asking, "Yeah, how did you two end up together?"

"Today... Ji Yanbai helped me out!" Yu Jianli hastily explained, fearing any misunderstandings.

Lu Huaijing was momentarily displeased: "Why are you getting so chummy with him?"

"I only socialize with the few of you!" Yu Jianli emphasized.

As fate would have it, someone entered the restaurant at that moment.

Their private room door was still open when Liu Yingqiao spotted the group inside and greeted them: "Little Friend Yu, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Ah... Yes..." Yu Jianli replied, feeling guilty about the coincidence.

"I thought you were busy with polo matches recently, so I didn't visit the Imperial Academy to look for you. I'll come by after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and we can chat then." Liu Yingqiao spoke as if they were old acquaintances, his tone warm and friendly.

"What's the matter?" Yu Jianli was puzzled.

"We'll talk about it then. Farewell."

"Uh, okay." Yu Jianli could only respond like that.

Once Liu Yingqiao left and the private room door was closed, Lu Huaijing began to mock sarcastically: "Little Friend Yu!"

Imitating Liu Yingqiao's peculiar mannerisms while rolling his eyes, it was clear he disliked Liu Yingqiao.

Then, he started mocking Yu Jianli's words: "I only socialize with the few of you! One pops up out of nowhere, who knows how many more are lurking in the shadows. So many friends, Yu Jianli, impressive, Yu Jianli!"

"Don't be like that."

"Si Tiantai... isn't actually bad," Ming Zhiyan commented, seemingly hinting at something.

Ming Zhiyan considered Yu Jianli's future employment prospects: "A-Li, you should consider working here."

"Huh?" Yu Jianli struggled to keep up with Ming Zhiyan's train of thought.

Ji Yanbai remained silent, merely glancing around before sitting down directly.

After drinking with Ji Yanbai, Yu Jianli could interpret his actions as if he were hiding his emotions.

At this moment, Ji Yanbai seemed to say: "Yes, good, you're close with all of them. Strive to explain to them that you're not close with me. Good, very good, I'm getting angry."

At this moment, Yu Jianli had only one thought: Life is so hard...