Chapter 76: Ambushed

Chapter 76: Ambushed

After returning to the Imperial Academy, Yu Jianli continued to warm himself by Ji Yanbai's charcoal brazier.

He couldn't quite figure out if he was doing this to save money or for selfish reasons.

After dinner, he climbed through the small window into Ji Yanbai's dormitory and lit a candle, holding his tools but not moving for a long time.

Originally, he should have been drawing blueprints or working on new jewelry designs, but he couldn't calm his mind.

When he saw the jewelry he made for Lady Lu in the hands of Princess Qingci, he had spent some time reflecting on himself.

Was it because what he made wasn't good enough?

Did Lu Huaijing prefer something extravagant, while Lady Lu didn't like that style?

Before making it, should he have carefully asked about Lady Lu's preferences or looked at her previous jewelry styles? Was it too presumptuous of him to make custom gifts based on his own tastes?

Was it because he hadn't been thorough enough and hadn't put enough heart into it?

He always felt it was his own problem; he hadn't done well enough, which was why Lady Lu didn't like it.

But soon, he picked up his tools again and began researching new jewelry designs.

If Lady Lu didn't approve of what he made, it wouldn't have ended up in the hands of an expert like Princess Qingci.

Perhaps it just didn't match Lady Lu's personal style?

And besides, no one else knew about his connection with Princess Qingci.

Moreover, he made the jewelry to thank Lu Huaijing for being willing to cooperate with him on the lanterns, trusting him unconditionally after his proposal and investing a considerable amount of silver.

He made the jewelry according to Lu Huaijing's requirements, so as long as Lu Huaijing liked it, that was enough.

Lady Lu was someone he would never have any contact with in the future.

With this thought, he finally let go of the matter and continued studying the things at hand.

Soon after, Ji Yanbai returned from archery practice and entered the dormitory, asking, "I heard you ate very little for dinner."

Yu Jianli was taken aback by the news. "Even something like this can be found out by Tan Hui?"

"Yes, he also said you were depressed and told me to come back early to keep you company."

"…" Yu Jianli quickly noticed something amiss and asked, "Has Tan Hui discovered that we're living together?"

Ji Yanbai shook his head. "Probably not, he hasn't come to my dormitory since evening. The hot water and food boxes were left at our respective doors in the morning."

"It's precisely because he's never come that it's strange…"

"Is that so?" Ji Yanbai didn't seem to care.

Yu Jianli, however, was very nervous, as if he had been caught doing something wrong by an outsider. "Yes, he even said to let you come back to accompany me. Doesn't that mean he knows?"

"So what?"

"Will he tell the Duchess?"

"No, he knows what to say and what not to say. Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept him by my side."

Yu Jianli was still worried and was about to say something when Ji Yanbai brought up another matter. "Princess Qingci is setting up a private school and has invited your sister. Did you know?"

"Mm, I know a bit. It seems they've already started interviewing teachers, and several people have been listening to trial lectures recently."

The Emperor had tested Princess Qingci's studies, and while she excelled in mathematics, she was lacking in other subjects.

After being instructed by the Emperor, Princess Qingci planned to start attending classes at her own private school after the New Year.

It would be boring for her to attend classes alone, so she also invited Miss Shi and three other noble ladies.

What surprised Yu Jianli the most was that Princess Qingci had invited Yu Zhiyun.

The other noble ladies were at least daughters of third-rank officials, and Yu Jianli had once been concerned. But thinking that it was good for Yu Zhiyun to become friends with Princess Qingci, he only gave her a few words of advice.

"They've invited my second sister-in-law to teach them archery and equestrian skills." As Ji Yanbai spoke, he suddenly chuckled. "My second sister-in-law said that when she saw your sister, she thought she was seeing a fairy."

"Learning those things too? Will my sister be able to keep up…" Yu Jianli couldn't help but worry.

Ji Yanbai was surprised by Yu Jianli's concern. "You didn't know your sister could shoot arrows? And she's pretty good at riding?"

"Huh?" Clearly, he didn't know.

"She's much better than you."

Yu Jianli recalled his sister. In his memory, Yu Zhiyun had always been a gentle and sensible younger sister, and he always felt he had to protect her.

After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Everyone in my family isn't in great health. My father was worried that my sister's health would be as poor as mine, so when she was young, he had her learn some martial arts, but it was probably something like Tai Chi, which could only strengthen the body."

"Is that so?" Ji Yanbai found it strange. Why did the Yu Zhiyun described by Yu Jianli differ so much from the one described by his second sister-in-law?

Ji Yanbai wanted to say more, but was interrupted.

A knock came from the door of the neighboring dormitory. "Yu Jianli! Come out and play!"

Both of them stood up in surprise at the sound of Lu Huaijing's voice, feeling guilty as if they had been caught in the act.

Yu Jianli hurriedly opened the small window, almost falling out of the window in his haste, but fortunately, he was supported by Ji Yanbai.

In the end, he quickly went over to open the door and asked, "Why are you here?"

"We're playing in the backyard, seeing who can hit the most falling leaves. You should come take a look." As Lu Huaijing spoke, he glanced into Yu Jianli's room. "Why haven't you lit the candle? Were you already asleep?"

"Oh, I was tired during the day and came back to rest for a while."

"Alright, don't sleep. Come out and play. Don't call Ji Yanbai; it's no fun when he's around. Hitting leaves mid-fall is challenging for us, but it's like child's play for him. Just watching him is annoying."

"Okay."

Yu Jianli was called away by Lu Huaijing, causing Ji Yanbai to feel unhappy.

While he was upset, Tan Hui suddenly knocked and entered his dormitory. He didn't seem surprised to see Yu Jianli's tools on Ji Yanbai's desk. After bringing in some new silver charcoal, he retreated back out.

Ji Yanbai looked at Tan Hui, confirming that Tan Hui indeed knew about their arrangement long ago.

*

On the mountain road outside the capital.

Yu Zhiyun sat in Princess Qingci's carriage, helping to wrap the princess's cloak tighter around her. Then, she leaned down and lit the soothing incense in the carriage.

Today, she accompanied Princess Qingci to the temple on the mountain to pray for blessings. The princess chatted with the abbot for a long time before descending the mountain in her carriage at dusk.

Only the two of them were inside the carriage, with the maids outside.

Princess Qingci seemed somewhat tired, rubbing her temples with one hand and frowning slightly.

Yu Zhiyun didn't disturb her and sat quietly on the side.

Princess Qingci liked exquisite items, and the interior of the carriage was decorated accordingly. Not only was the layout of the carriage exquisite, but there was also a small table and storage boxes.

Even the incense burner was specially customized; after rotating it, it would fix itself to the carriage, not moving even when the carriage jolted.

Thin wisps of white smoke rose from the incense burner, emitting a light fragrance that relaxed the mind.

Princess Qingci remembered something and took out two books from one of the storage boxes, saying, "If you find it boring, you can read these two storybooks. They're very interesting; both Xinran and I enjoy them."

Yu Zhiyun accepted them with both hands. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"What are you thanking me for?"

Yu Zhiyun lit the candle in the carriage and, using the light, began reading the storybook. As she read, she suddenly realized something was off.

She held the book in thought for a moment but still couldn't be sure. So, she flipped back to the first page and read it again from the beginning.

This style… how could it be like my brother's writing?

It shouldn't be…

But the things her brother had told them, along with the silver he later gave them and the silver needed for furniture, indeed didn't quite add up.

She began recalling Liu Song, whom her brother had mentioned was the owner of a bookstore.

Could it be… that her brother was writing this kind of book?

She read on, and the more she read, the more she felt that the two characters in the book resembled her brother, who was from a prominent family, and Ji Yanbai.

She quickly glanced through the first book and then picked up the second, reading only the beginning.

Rarely did her beautiful eyebrows furrow. This was clearly her brother and Ji Yanbai under different identities!

This caused her heart to panic for a moment, repeatedly telling herself to believe in her brother's character. Her brother wasn't someone who would sacrifice himself for some profit!

Then she suddenly paused. What if it wasn't a self-sacrifice on her brother's part, but rather that he had taken a fancy to Ji Yanbai?

She began to recall Ji Yanbai.

She had only met Ji Yanbai once before and hadn't paid much attention to him, only thinking that he was tall and handsome, but his face was somewhat fierce, making him seem hard to approach.

Her brother liked this type?

She'd rather her brother liked someone like Brother Zhiyan…

How come after her brother returned to the capital, he distanced himself from Brother Zhiyan and instead became closer to Ji Yanbai?

Forget it, she'd trust her brother's judgment. If it was someone her brother fancied, they should be a decent person.

It was just a pity that he didn't choose Brother Zhiyan.

She could guess the content that followed and stopped reading before it appeared. She didn't want to read the parts that would embarrass Yu Jianli.

Let's save some face for my brother…

She pretended she didn't know about this.

As she was distracted, the carriage suddenly began to jolt. The guards cried out in alarm, and the maids screamed in fright.

The guard shouted angrily, "How dare you! We are the convoy of Princess Qingci!"

The other side laughed loudly. "We're here for Princess Qingci! Who doesn't know that this woman has plenty of gold and silver?!"

Hearing the voices outside, Yu Zhiyun quickly put down the storybook in her hand and shielded Princess Qingci behind her.

Princess Qingci woke up at this moment, seemingly startled. When she regained her senses, she found herself protected by Yu Zhiyun, causing her to be surprised.

How could her movements be so agile?

Outside the carriage, a fight broke out quickly, with the carriage naturally becoming the target of the bandits.

Princess Qingci's mother, who had passed away, was the daughter of a large southern clan and had a rich dowry. Her wedding procession had been grand, stretching for miles.

Now, Princess Qingci had inherited all of this and, with a sharp mind, her business had grown larger and larger.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Princess Qingci is the wealthiest person in the capital, her fortune surpassing that of many merchants.

Even if she is favored by the emperor, to these bandits, she's just a woman; with this one heist, they could retire rich.

Afterward, they would vanish with the money, and no one could touch them.

Inside the carriage, Yu Zhiyun extinguished the candle, then held the candlestick in her hand, finding it somewhat awkward.

She quickly searched and confirmed there was nothing more handy than the candlestick in the carriage, so she had to make do.

Just as someone was lifting the curtain to barge in, Zhiyun struck him hard on the head with the candlestick, the force surprising everyone.

Following that, Zhiyun, with both hands on the carriage, gathered her strength and kicked out, sending the assailant flying with a scream, landing heavily.

Zhiyun didn't stop. She discarded the candlestick, reached for the fallen man's large sword, and weighed it in her hand.

When another was about to lift the curtain, she didn't hesitate to slash down with the blade.

Princess Qingci has seen her fair share of dramatic scenes, and she wasn't panicked by this; she watched everything unfold with a serious expression.

She was merely surprised that Yu Zhiyun, who seemed so delicate, possessed such formidable martial skills.

Especially how she could cut off the assailant's arm without hesitation, as easily as chopping a branch.

Blood splattered, covering Zhiyun's beautiful face with its pungent smell, but she didn't flinch, continuing to protect Princess Qingci.

Qingci chuckled at Zhiyun's back, finding the siblings intriguing, always leaving her pleasantly surprised.

After being vigilant for a while, Zhiyun heard the fighting outside cease.

She used the sword to lift the curtain slightly, peeking through the narrow gap and discovering another group had arrived.

These people were clearly more skilled, effortlessly dispatching the bandits.

Qingci remained smiling, coming over to wipe the blood from Zhiyun's face with a handkerchief. "I have money, and I value my life, so I hired some loyal guards.

"I treat them well, but they only need to act once or twice a year, so let them handle this scene. You can rest."

Relieved, Zhiyun dropped the sword, looking down at her clothes. "Princess, may I stay with you tonight? I'll return after washing and drying my blood-stained clothes."

"Of course, I'll send word to your family."

The men outside apologized: "Princess, we arrived too late to protect you."

"Tsk, did you drink too much wine lately? Your movements are clumsy, spilling blood into my carriage."

"We know our fault, we will punish ourselves financially. Please forgive us, Princess."

"Pah, they frightened me. I don't want them left intact. Dissect them, bury each piece separately, and leave some parts to feed the fish in the river."

"Yes."

Zhiyun listened to Princess Qingci's orders, watching as the men swiftly cleaned the carriage.

After it quieted down, it was as if nothing had happened.

She soon settled back into her seat, whispering, "Princess, please don't tell my brother about today's events. I'm afraid he'll worry."

"Such matters, I usually don't mention either. It's best if no one knows, to avoid gossip."

"Mm."

Suddenly, Qingci leaned in for a closer look. "You're quite good at pretending in front of your brother."

"My brother is timid and not in good health. I don't want him to worry."

"Mm, alright, I understand."

On their way back, Qingci suddenly said, "Zhiyun, study arithmetic diligently at the private school. Your brother is so smart, I bet you won't be far behind. Later, I plan to open a clothing shop and entrust it to you as the manager behind the scenes."

Zhiyun knew this was Princess Qingci's token of gratitude, yet she hesitated. "I'm afraid I..."

"Fear not, I'm here. My businesses have never suffered losses."

Considering her family's situation, Zhiyun finally replied, "Alright, I will try my best."

Qingci smiled slightly, saying nothing more.