Chapter 45: Yang Ning’er Strikes Again
Master Wenzhi furrowed his brow and murmured, “So it’s him?”
Le Qianxue watched the master’s expression; it seemed this Zhan Lianjing was not a simple man.
But Master Wenzhi soon composed himself and said, “This is a set of cultivation verses called the Secrets of Heaven and Earth. You must learn them with care.”
Le Qianxue nodded. She had studied inner cultivation methods before and truly found them effective.
That night, Yu Zhiyang waited until the hour of the Boar before he saw Le Qianxue descend from the tenth floor.
He was somewhat anxious, but upon seeing her unharmed, he finally relaxed. “Are you alright?”
Le Qianxue smiled. “What could happen to me? Don’t worry, the master merely invited me for a drink.”
“Was it really just that?”
“That’s all,” Le Qianxue replied. “It’s so late already, you should hurry back to the palace. I need to return to the general’s manor as well.”
Though Yu Zhiyang was pressed for time, he still escorted Le Qianxue back, just in case anything happened.
Returning home so late naturally drew whispers, but she was unconcerned. Uncle Zeng had warned the servants against gossip, and now neither Concubine Xu nor Le Linglong dared to make trouble.
Huatao was already asleep, but Yin Susu was waiting for her, fiddling with a few copper coins as if divining the future.
When she saw Le Qianxue return, she quickly put the coins away. “So? Did you succeed?”
Le Qianxue coming home so late most likely meant success.
Le Qianxue did not disappoint and nodded. “Of course.”
She tossed the map to Yin Susu, who glanced at it and said, “This is detailed. If Zhan Lianjing has a secret scroll, where would he hide it?”
Le Qianxue sat down, her mind elsewhere.
Why did Master Wenzhi and Zhan Lianjing use the same martial arts?
It didn’t really matter, but the master’s expression had been grave. Something about it wasn’t simple.
Zhan Lianjing’s identity had always been a mystery. Master Wenzhi must know something.
Yin Susu noticed Le Qianxue’s distraction and nudged her. “What are you daydreaming about? We need to discuss our next move.”
Le Qianxue snapped back to attention. “Let’s wait. We shouldn’t act yet.”
“Why? Do you want to investigate further? That will take too much time,” Yin Susu said. “You and Yuan Tianci should seize this opportunity.”
“A few days’ delay won’t hurt us,” Le Qianxue replied. “There’s no need to rush.”
“Are you plotting something?” Yin Susu pressed, knowing Le Qianxue wouldn’t decide without reason.
Le Qianxue nodded, weary. “Yes, but I’m not certain yet. If what I suspect comes to pass, I’ll tell you then.”
Yin Susu shrugged. “Alright.”
Le Qianxue intended to bathe and sleep, but Yin Susu called out, “I almost forgot—His Highness the Crown Prince came today. Who knew you’d be out again?”
“What did he want?” Le Qianxue frowned.
Yu Guhan had once looked after her, but she’d never been interested in him.
“How would I know?” Yin Susu replied. “Something about horse racing, I think. Oh, right! He said a tribute of fine horses arrived, and he wants to give you one.”
Le Qianxue waved her hand. “How troublesome. These princes must have too much time on their hands.”
Why were they all coming to her mansion now? In the past, her Qingyu Courtyard never saw such guests.
Yin Susu chuckled. “What can you do? Except the Second Prince, it seems they all have some interest in you.”
Especially the Fourth Prince, who had already confessed his feelings, only to be flatly refused by Le Qianxue.
Le Qianxue grew serious. “Enough. I will never marry into the Yu royal family.”
Yin Susu was stunned—she’d never seen Le Qianxue so resolute, nor did she know what had prompted this sudden declaration.
But Le Qianxue had always disliked the royal clan, so Yin Susu didn’t suspect anything and let her rest.
The next day, Le Qianxue went to the palace for her lessons as usual.
She’d slept well, so her spirits were high.
Once again, Zhan Lianjing was to teach. With him present, she had no energy for her schemes; matching wits with Zhan Lianjing was exhausting.
He had not yet arrived, but already the room was abuzz—Yu Guhan had come.
Everyone hurried to bow, Le Qianxue included. After he bid them rise, he approached her.
Immediately, all eyes turned to her, some amazed, others full of envy.
Le Qianxue was used to this. Those close to the royal family always became a target.
Yu Guhan wore a bright yellow robe, the attire of the crown prince. Though his looks were plain, the garment lent him a touch of nobility.
He said, “Qianxue, I came to see you yesterday, but you were not at home. Wait for me after class, I have something for you.”
“I’m not lacking anything, Your Highness,” Le Qianxue replied.
She wanted to protest, but he was the crown prince—could she afford to?
Yu Nanfeng had been persistent enough; now here came the crown prince.
“A fine steed is not something you lack?” Yu Guhan would not let her refuse. “You must wait for me.”
Le Qianxue tried to decline, but he turned and left.
The others looked at her with open hostility. Yang Ning’er even snorted, “What a shameless vixen.”
Le Qianxue almost laughed. For Yang Ning’er to say such things—how amusing.
She sat down, uninterested in quarreling, her mind still occupied with the cultivation verses. She had no time for petty intrigues.
Zhan Lianjing arrived soon after, but today’s lesson was on the zither.
For all his prowess on the battlefield, Zhan Lianjing was equally skilled with the instrument, rivaling the court music masters.
After his performance, many young ladies gazed at him in a daze.
Handsome and talented—how could anyone not be enchanted? Pity that he was lame; otherwise, countless women would wish to marry him.
Yet, even with his disability, many harbored secret feelings.
Everyone had a zither before them. After listening to Zhan Lianjing play, they all began to practice.
The piece was difficult, requiring years of training to master. Still, everyone here had a foundation; with practice, it would pose no problem.
The only one with an issue was Le Qianxue.
She pressed her lips together, staring at the zither for a long while before sighing. “Forget it.”
She pulled out a medical text, abandoning the age-old challenge of mastering the zither.
While the others played diligently, Le Qianxue read her book.
Zhan Lianjing noticed her idleness and wheeled himself over, snatching her book away.
His expression darkened. “What are you doing? You sleep when I ask you to read, and read when I ask you to play?”
Le Qianxue replied, “Since I’m here already, Your Highness, why not let me do as I please?”
He showed no emotion, only a cold rebuke. “Did you forget there’s an assessment in a month? If you fail, it’ll be your reputation that suffers.”
Le Qianxue shrugged. “I’m used to embarrassment. What’s one more time?”
Zhan Lianjing’s face grew even darker. Le Qianxue seemed not to care about anything—what, then, did she care for?
She reached for her book, and Zhan Lianjing tossed it back to her. “A hopeless case.”
Le Qianxue pursed her lips. She’d rather spend time on what she loved than force herself to learn what she disliked.
There was a break during class. Le Qianxue slipped away to the privy, returning after a while to resume lessons.
But as soon as Zhan Lianjing came in, Yang Ning’er suddenly stood up. “Oh no, my precious hairpin is missing!”
Everyone was startled. Yang Ning’er’s new agate hairpin was valuable, a gift from Empress Yang herself.
Zhan Lianjing said nothing, but Hao Yue asked, “Miss Yang, could you have dropped it somewhere?”
Yang Ning’er hesitated. “I remember going to the privy earlier. Le Qianxue was there too. Did you pick up my hairpin?”
Without looking up, Le Qianxue replied, “No.”
But then another girl, one who often followed Yang Ning’er, spoke up. “You’re lying, Le Qianxue. I saw you crouching, picking something up.”
Le Qianxue glanced at her and recognized her as one of Yang Ning’er’s usual companions.
What a performance.
“Is that so? Perhaps your eyes deceived you. I walked the whole way—when did I crouch down?” Le Qianxue retorted.
“That’s not for you to say. There’s a witness now. If you want to prove your innocence, let them search you!” Yang Ning’er demanded.
Le Qianxue replied, “How odd. Instead of searching for your lost item, your first thought is to search me? Are you in your right mind?”
Some in the group snickered. Yang Ning’er flushed with anger.
Le Qianxue was certain she didn’t have the hairpin, but when she checked her basket she found something else—clearly, someone had set her up.
Hao Yue, aware of Yang Ning’er’s intentions, grew anxious. Yet with Zhan Lianjing silent, she could do nothing.
“I want you searched, Le Qianxue! Once you’re cleared, I’ll have them look elsewhere! Isn’t that right, everyone? It’s a small matter. If you refuse, it means you’re guilty!” Yang Ning’er insisted.
Le Qianxue laughed. “I am a maiden of the general’s household. You think you can search me just because you want to? Who do you think you are?”