Chapter 77: Inquiry

Chapter 77: Inquiry

The annual examination concluded, and on the morning the results were announced, Yu Jianli had just arrived at the branch hall's entrance when he saw the people from the neighboring branch hall gathered at his own branch hall's door.

The branch hall he was currently in was named "Purity," and upon his arrival, he had assumed it was an encouragement to keep the place clean.

When he saw that the neighboring branch hall was called "Integrity" and the one before it was named "Righteousness," he realized that these three halls were meant to embody the virtues of righteousness, integrity, and purity.

Unfortunately, these last two halls housed the most troublesome students in the Imperial Academy.

Upon seeing Yu Jianli, the leader of the group suddenly approached him with a proposal. "Yu Jianli, could you alternate teaching in our two branch halls? Since you switch halls after each exam anyway, why not come to ours this time?"

This suggestion left Yu Jianli stunned, leaving him speechless for quite some time.

Before he could recover, Lu Huaijing emerged from the Purity Hall and shouted at them, "Can't you stop all the nonsense? You've been making a racket all morning; it's so annoying."

The Integrity Hall students were not pleased and retorted, "Lu Huaijing, you're being ungrateful after getting what you want."

"So what? When Yu Jianli returned to the Imperial Academy, none of you befriended him. Only I treated him as a friend. Now that you see the benefits, you're coming forward? Too late."

Yu Jianli reached Lu Huaijing's side and tugged on his sleeve, asking, "What's going on?"

"Hmph, previously, our two branch halls were always at the bottom of the Imperial Academy. We've never had anyone score any points since we started. However, when it comes to deductions...we were evenly matched."

Yu Jianli's shock lingered. "Neither of the two halls has a single person who scored even half a point?"

Lu Huaijing seemed embarrassed but still nodded. "Yeah."

Yu Jianli now understood. His presence in this hall would relegate the Integrity Hall to the very bottom, making it stand alone in its misfortune.

Upon hearing this news, the students from the Integrity Hall couldn't sit still. They wanted Yu Jianli to take the exam in their hall once.

"I've stopped attending my elective classes recently, so I might not be much help anymore." Yu Jianli politely declined.

"Two points isn't much help?" The man wouldn't give up and continued to pester Yu Jianli. "Even if it's only one point, it's crucial for us. I've heard that no branch hall in the Imperial Academy has ever ended up with no one accumulating even half a point. If this continues, our hall will be disgraced forever."

"But I don't want to go." Yu Jianli bluntly refused.

Lu Huaijing stepped in front of the man. "Didn't you hear him? He doesn't want to go."

With that, he pulled Yu Jianli back into the hall.

The other members of the polo team went out at this moment to berate the others, likely leading to an escalation into a dispute soon.

Fortunately, Ji Yanbai also arrived at the hall, causing the Integrity Hall students to quickly disperse.

Ji Yanbai entered the hall and sat down behind Yu Jianli, overhearing someone ask Yu Jianli, "Yu Jianli, now that your points have surpassed eight today, will you stay in the Imperial Academy for a while like Ming Zhiyan did?"

"It's not up to me. Let's see how things go." Yu Jianli answered conservatively.

In his heart, Ji Yanbai thought about discussing arranging an official position for Yu Jianli with the strategist and his father upon returning.

Lu Huaijing, however, wasn't focused on that. Instead, he asked, "Will you be at home during the holidays?"

After thinking for a moment, Yu Jianli replied, "I suppose so. I'll also help my father."

"If I need to find you, I'll send you a note in advance. I think I'll be very busy around the New Year, with many relatives visiting. My family is hosting banquets, which can be quite tiresome."

"Mm, okay."

At this moment, someone entered the hall and said, "They're talking about Lin Ting's article outside again. Huh, although I wasn't happy when I heard Ming Zhiyan being praised in the past, I respected it. But this Lin Ting...I just don't feel convinced by him."

Another person added, "He seems to rarely appear. Apart from being praised by the professors during exams, I haven't seen him much."

"He's also Lu Huaijing's cousin."

Upon hearing Lin Ting's name, Lu Huaijing paused to listen for a bit.

Suddenly hearing himself mentioned, he was visibly startled. Then, he waved his hand dismissively. "A distant cousin. We're not close."

Others didn't care. "I have a cousin in the Imperial University too, but our relationship is pretty average..."

"Who doesn't have a few relatives in the Imperial Academy?"

"That Lin Ting is just good at writing articles. He doesn't have as many points as our Yu Jianli."

"That's right! Now our Purity Hall has two points, and the Integrity Hall students must be green with envy."

Indeed, in the capital, families valued compatibility, and there were many children in each household. It was inevitable for the students in the Imperial Academy to have some familial connections.

Everyone paid little attention and continued discussing holiday plans.

Lu Huaijing had been distracted for a moment, and Yu Jianli wanted to ask something but didn't know how.

However, Lu Huaijing quickly stopped thinking about Lin Ting and brought up another topic. "Yu Jianli, do you know magic?"

"Ah?!" Yu Jianli was truly taken aback by the question.

Earlier, seeing Lu Huaijing lost in thought, Yu Jianli had assumed he was pondering over Lin Ting. Now, it seemed he had overthought it.

Lu Huaijing suddenly became mysterious, leaning close to Yu Jianli and whispering, "My mother gave me several houses, and one of them has had some bad rumors lately. I want to bring you along to dispel them."

"Haunted?" Yu Jianli asked.

"Oh no, oh no!" Lu Huaijing was terrified at the mere mention of the word. "It's just some bad rumors. I can't rent it out anymore, and without that income, I'm quite strapped for cash."

"What kind of rumors?" Yu Jianli inquired.

"They say that the couple who rented the house last had terrible character. The husband wanted to make a maid his concubine, but she refused and jumped into a well, dying in my house...After that, the couple moved away, leaving me to suffer the consequences."

Yu Jianli listened with a frown, deeply disgusted by such matters. "Didn't they pay for her life?"

"It seems it wasn't made a big deal. After all, the maid jumped into the well herself. They just made up an excuse, blaming her for stealing and committing suicide out of guilt. The authorities wouldn't pursue it further."

This was something beyond their control, so he could only ask, "Did they compensate you financially?"

"Of course. Do you think the Lu family is easy to bully? But it's still troublesome that I can't rent it out afterward. I don't want to make a fuss, so I'll handle it myself first. That's why I need your help."

After some thought, Yu Jianli suggested, "Let's invite Feng Guangqi. He has some skills."

"Invite him? I'm sick of him, and he may not be willing to come."

"I think he'll be willing to come." After some consideration, Yu Jianli added, "I'll also call my two friends from the Si Tiantai. Let's see if we can solve the problem."

"Alright...I'll discreetly ask Feng Guangqi." Lu Huaijing said, giving Yu Jianli a meaningful look. "You should also invite the one behind you. He can suppress evil spirits."

Yu Jianli thought of Ji Yanbai's terrifying appearance to ghosts and nodded. "Okay."

After the annual examination ended, the Imperial Academy went on holiday.

During this period, there were the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Classes would resume only after the festivals.

They all gathered in the branch hall to listen to the assistant teacher's arrangements, and then the Imperial Academy officially closed for the break.

After announcing the holiday, the Purity Hall erupted in cheers. These young masters who disliked studying were ecstatic and quickly ran out of the hall.

Yu Jianli picked up his belongings and stood up. Immediately, Ji Yanbai took his things and held them in his own hands, saying, "Let's go back together."

"Okay."

The two walked side by side toward the dormitory. Yu Jianli finally had the chance to ask Ji Yanbai, "Will you be busy during the holiday?"

"There aren't many affairs at the Duke's Mansion. My parents don't enjoy crowds, and too many banquets at the Ministry of War would raise suspicions. So apart from grand birthday celebrations, there's nothing else."

"Not bad." For Yu Jianli, who suffered from social anxiety, a peaceful environment was the most comfortable for him.

"If you need help during the holiday, let me know. I'll have Huang Qi visit your residence frequently."

"It's better if he comes less often. My sister is there, and it's inappropriate for him to hide in trees all the time."

"Oh...that's true. Then I'll have the governor of Jingzhao Prefecture look after you more."

"Okay."

Yu Jianli returned to his dormitory to pack his brushes, ink, paper, and other tools and remaining materials.

After organizing everything neatly, he placed them in boxes.

Then he packed his clothes and bedding.

Ji Yanbai, with Tan Hui's assistance, followed him to his dormitory and watched as he took his bedding away. He immediately asked, "Taking everything? Not coming back after the New Year?"

"I...don't have bedding at home..."

"Oh." Ji Yanbi hadn't considered this situation. He had assumed that Yu Jianli simply wasn't continuing his studies...

At this moment, Ji Yanbi stood up and called out. Soon, Huang Qi arrived at Yu Jianli's dormitory, carried away the things Yu Jianli had packed, and followed him out of the Imperial Academy.

Outside, a carriage was already arranged. After finding the carriage, Huang Qi climbed aboard and beckoned to Yu Jianli. "Young Master Yu, hurry up and get in the carriage. I'll drive you back."

"Okay." Yu Jianli hurriedly got into the carriage and, as he lowered the curtain, specially waved goodbye to Ji Yanbi.

Ji Yanbi stood at the entrance of the Imperial Academy, watching him leave. Then, he mounted his horse and returned to the Duke's Mansion.

The carriage moved slowly, and Huang Qi complained, "There are really too many people in the capital. This carriage is moving almost as fast as a jog. Driving like this is frustrating."

"Don't be impatient. You're a learned man now. You should have the elegance of a scholar."

"Oh...that's true. I am a learned man who knows quite a few characters." Huang Qi said, adjusting his driving posture.

Arriving at the Yu family's residence, Huang Qi helped carry the items inside.

Yu Jianli also carried his belongings and returned them to his room.

As Huang Qi was about to leave, he was stopped by Yu Zhiyun. "Brother Huang."

Yu Zhiyun was usually aloof and rarely spoke to him, so he was somewhat surprised but quickly responded, "Yes, yes. What is it? Do you need help with something?"

"No, just sit down and rest for a while. I'll pour you a cup of tea."

"Ah...okay." Huang Qi didn't think much of it, sat down on a chair, took the teacup, drank it in one gulp, and handed it back. "One more cup."

He wasn't being polite.

Yu Zhiyun was taken aback but didn't say anything and poured him another cup.

After drinking the tea, Huang Qi hesitated about how to leave.

But at this moment, Yu Zhiyun initiated a conversation with him. "Brother Huang, how is my brother's relationship with the young general usually?"

"It's very good! They're inseparable."

Yu Zhiyun lowered her eyes in contemplation for a moment before asking, "It seems that the young general takes good care of my brother. Brother Huang has done the most to help. My father has mentioned you several times."

"Haha, it's alright, alright." Huang Qi was a bit embarrassed by the praise.

"How do you usually help take care of him?"

"Well, I mainly protect Young Master Yu. Our young general is afraid that Young Master Yu might suddenly faint, so even during the period when Young Master Yu left the Imperial Academy to make lanterns, I followed him every day."

Yu Zhiyun pressed on, "Is there anything else that needs to be done?"

"There's the matter of reporting to Young Master Yu for the Little General. Our Little General has quite a temper, and he asks very detailed questions about Young Master Yu, getting upset easily."

Zhiyun feigned surprise, "He gets angry? Why would he be angry?"

"Once it was because of Young Master Lu. When the Little General heard that Young Master Yu had an argument with Young Master Lu and was left feeling desolate, he suddenly became furious for no apparent reason. Other times, it's when he hears that Young Master Yu is with Prince Ming, which also angers him."

Upon hearing this, Zhiyun had a general understanding.

It seemed her brother's affection wasn't one-sided; Ji Yanbai appeared to hold her brother in high regard as well.

This was evident from how Yanbai looked after their family.

At first glance, Ji Yanbai didn't seem easy to get along with, having a less than amiable personality, and he seemed rather prone to jealousy—something unexpected.

She wondered if her brother and Ji Yanbai got along well, but judging by what Huang Qi said, things seemed to be going smoothly.

It made sense...her brother was such a good person, so it wasn't surprising that someone would like him.

Zhiyun didn't need to think much to coax more information out of Huang Qi, who was completely unaware of any ulterior motives.

She asked again, "Does the Little General look after others as well?"

"No, he only treats Young Master Yu well."

"And what does the Marchioness think of my brother?"

"Very highly! After all, Young Master Yu taught our Little General to read, didn't she reward you last time?"

Zhiyun was about to ask more when she noticed her brother coming out, so she stopped and poured him another cup of tea instead.

After Yu Jianli came out and sat down, his concerns were mundane matters like firewood, rice, oil, and salt, not noticing anything amiss. Huang Qi also found an opportunity to leave, driving away.