Chapter 11: Knowing the Truth

After about two incense sticks of time, Lu Yuner finally finished eating slowly. She looked around the dining hall and found that she was the only one left. She was about to pack up the food box and leave.

Suddenly, a sturdy and powerful arm rested on Lu Yuner’s left shoulder. However, her shoulder did not sink, obviously the person knew the right amount of force to use.

Before she could turn around to see who it was, she heard a familiar voice complaining with a hint of anger, “Sister Yuner, why haven’t you finished eating yet! I’ve been looking for you for quite a while.”

“Sister Lan, what are you looking for me for?” Lu Yuner looked at her puzzledly, while continuing her actions without stopping.

Liu Lan withdrew her hand. In the next second, her body turned as smoothly as flowing clouds and water, sitting opposite Lu Yuner. Staring at the calm and collected Lu Yuner, the worries in her heart faded a lot. Her tone became more serious, “Being bullied and not even telling your sister? Do you think your sister’s words are just empty talk?”

Lu Yuner’s hand that was on the food box paused. She put the tidied food box aside and responded, “Sister Lan, you misunderstood. The official circles have always been unpredictable. Before the dust settles, everything is subject to change. This is just a normal change in affairs for me. It’s best to let nature take its course.”

But Liu Lan didn’t think so. Thinking back to when there was nothing happening and the three of them would meet up, Sister Yuner and Ranzhi talked a lot about the official circles. Although she was never interested in these things, she still heard quite a bit.

Liu Lan sneered, “Although I have been on the battlefield for a long time and can’t understand the twists and turns of the official circles, I at least know the difference between ‘black and white’. That old thing is clearly settling personal scores. Wait a moment, this general will give that old thing…”

“Sister Lan, don’t act recklessly.” Lu Yuner immediately spoke up to stop her. Her originally calm face rippled with emotion, no longer as tranquil as before. Her urgent voice contained a hint of worry.

General Liu, although she had been on the battlefield for many years, experienced hundreds of battles, and governed the army with ease, could be said to be at ease.

But after all, the official circles are different from the battlefield. In the year since Lu Yuner’s soul crossed over, she knew well how dark and dangerous the official circles were, full of scheming, trickery, those who sell their bodies for glory, those who shame themselves for fame, those who □□ for titles, too many to count.

She also knew that since ancient times, many loyal ministers who protected the country and the people with their hearts and souls did not die on the battlefield but were framed by treacherous officials and died unjustly in prison, which could be said to be extremely heart-wrenching.

Although she had met this Grand Secretary a few times and he seemed to be humble and subservient, flattering superiors and domineering subordinates, he was actually honeyed words and a dagger in his heart, a smile concealing a knife. Moreover, the Imperial College was not as simple as it seemed.

When Lu Yuner thought of that “haunted” bamboo forest, her expression became complicated. It seemed that she needed to discuss this thoroughly with Sister Ranzhi.

Liu Lan’s bright black eyes looked at her. Seeing that she seemed a bit agitated, although she felt it was strange, she still responded, “Alright, I’ll listen to Sister Yuner.” She then frowned and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing.” Lu Yuner came back to her senses and concealed the worries in her heart. She changed the subject, “By the way, where is Sister Ranzhi? I haven’t seen her today.”

Liu Lan’s expression darkened slightly, “An urgent letter came from Langzhou last night. Her father-in-law passed away from illness. She went back to Langzhou with her young husband. She left in a hurry so she didn’t have time to tell you. She probably won’t be back until after the Qingming Festival.”

Lu Yuner nodded thoughtfully.

Liu Lan suddenly changed her tone. She leaned half her body towards Lu Yuner, staring at her like prey, her eyes filled with naked compulsion, “By the way, the Women’s Academy is holding a polo match in a few days. You must come!”

It seemed that she had kept the last polo match in mind. Yes, with her unyielding personality, she would definitely want to compete with her again.

However, she had just started teaching at the Men’s Academy and there were still many things she hadn’t gotten used to. But seeing Liu Lan’s devouring gaze, how could Lu Yuner dare to refuse? “Alright.”

Liu Lan’s words took a turn and the excitement in her eyes was hard to conceal, “But these past few days, I met quite a few polo experts at the martial arts hall. I think Sister Yuner should call a helper!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuner’s brows raised. She instantly understood thoroughly. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, both understanding each other’s intentions.

Lu Yuner suddenly thought of something and pretended to be serious, “I had the honor of meeting Yun Qinwang today.”

“What!” Liu Lan’s dark eyes widened slightly, joy surging in their depths. She then asked, “How did she come to the Imperial College?”

Lu Yuner told Liu Lan the whole story in detail. Liu Lan could only smile regretfully.

After talking, the two of them got up and left. They didn’t notice that not far away, Zhang Jing’s gaze had been closely following their every move from the beginning of their conversation until they left, never leaving for a moment.

Lu Yuner and Liu Lan left the dining hall and parted ways. Because she hadn’t moved into the east courtyard of the Imperial College yet, the only place she could take a noon break was in the Doctors’ Hall. Lu Yuner carried her food box and walked towards the Doctors’ Hall.

At this time, the road was quiet and there were few students coming and going. They must all be taking a noon break in their dormitories.

Lu Yuner intended to walk off her meal, so she carried her food box and walked towards the lotus pond from last time. Since coming here once last time and seeing the magnificent scene of the rippling green waves, she was obviously not satisfied.

Suddenly.

“Doctor Lu.” A lingering soft voice came from behind her.

Lu Yuner turned around and met a pair of scarlet eyes, responding in disbelief, “Young Master Su?”

Did she hear wrong? This proud and willful Young Master Su suddenly changed his attitude and addressed her respectfully. But looking at his state, it seemed a bit off. Could it be that her punishment this morning was too harsh? But that wasn’t right either! She had even asked Doctor Sheng and there was nothing inappropriate. Could it be that this young master had a weak psychological endurance during his rebellious phase?

After a brief pause, Young Master Su ran towards her like an arrow leaving the bowstring. Lu Yuner instinctively took a few steps back in alert and immediately raised her hand to stop him, “Stop, Young Master Su, don’t come over first!”

Rebellious children tend to be impulsive, irritable, and unable to control their emotions. In case… For the sake of both of their safety, it was best to maintain a distance for now.

Su Qingwan obediently stopped a few steps away from her, his eyes lifeless, his head silently lowered, his expression unreadable.

Lu Yuner looked at the abnormal Young Master Su and said in a kind voice, “Young Master Su, if you have something to say, just stand there and say it. I can hear you.”

After all, he was a young master of noble status. If something really happened, she would be hard-pressed to avoid responsibility both in terms of feelings and principles.

Su Qingwan suddenly raised his eyes and stared at her with reddened eyes. Tears filled his eye sockets and finally spilled out. One after another, bright teardrops fell from his swollen eye sockets, like pear blossoms in the rain. The tear mole under the corner of his left eye became even more charming and moving, adding a pitiful allure.

Lu Yuner had a blank expression, as if lost in clouds and fog. The crying was fine, but who could stand being stared at while crying? Her heart was melted into a mess by his tears. Besides, this was the Imperial College. If someone saw, they would think she had done something to him.

Lu Yuner did not approach and hurriedly coaxed patiently, “Young Master Su, don’t cry. If you don’t want to write the 800-word review…”

“It’s you, isn’t it? The one who saved me that day in the Liusu River, it’s you, right?” Su Qingwan stopped crying, his whole body trembling, tears in his eyes, walking step by step towards Lu Yuner, stretching out his hand from his sleeve, tightly gripping that folding fan.

When General Liu told him that this folding fan belonged to Lu Yuner, he realized that the person he had been painstakingly searching for had always been by his side.

Lu Yuner’s gaze fell on that familiar folding fan and she instantly understood what was going on. She withdrew her gaze without a change in expression and replied, “Yes, that day I happened to see someone fall into the river, so I lent a helping hand. Later, when I met you at the Imperial College, I learned that it was actually Young Master Su.”

“But why didn’t you tell me about this? I… I was looking for you the whole time. Today… just now I was still disrespectful to you.” Young Master Su’s choked voice contained resentment, his wet eye sockets turning red again unconsciously, as if he was about to cry again.

They had met several times, but she never mentioned this to him. He had been looking for her!

“So, Young Master Su is crying because of this?” Lu Yuner was stunned. Looking at this slightly childish yet cute Young Master Su, she laughed and continued, “Regardless of who falls into this Liusu River, I would reach out to save them. It is said that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I do not seek fame or fortune. Besides, as a teacher, one should be tolerant and magnanimous. How could I hold grudges against my own student?”

A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Lu Yuner’s mind, “If Young Master Su is looking for me to repay the favor, or if you really can’t let it go, then study hard. I will be satisfied as your teacher.”

Su Qingwan obediently nodded, staring blankly at Lu Yuner for a long time without speaking. Now that the long-awaited wish had finally come true, he didn’t know why his heart felt so empty.

Lu Yuner curiously asked, “How did Young Master Su know that this folding fan belongs to me?”

Su Qingwan looked at the folding fan in his hand, pondering, “It was General Liu. I just met her at the Jixian Gate and she told this young master.”

“So that’s how it is.” When the three of them gathered, she often carried this folding fan with her. General Liu naturally recognized it.

Lu Yuner’s brows twitched slightly, staring at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “Young Master Su couldn’t have been carrying this folding fan with him all the time in order to find me, right?”

“Mm.” Su Qingwan answered truthfully, but his heart suddenly started beating very fast, thumping loudly. He was at a loss for a moment and shifted his gaze.

Lu Yuner obviously didn’t know about the surging emotions in Su Qingwan’s heart and was quite pleased, “I didn’t expect Young Master Su to be so persistent and know how to repay kindness. Not bad, not bad! As your teacher, I am quite gratified.” Her tone changed as she looked at the folding fan in his hand, “However, this fan…”

Su Qingwan followed her words and looked at the folding fan in his hand, his expression becoming nervous.

“If Young Master Su likes it, then I’ll give it to Young Master Su!”

Lu Yuner saw that he had been carrying this folding fan to search for her, so he must have developed some emotional attachment to it. How could she ask for it to be returned? Besides, it was just a folding fan.

And because of these words, Young Master Su’s fair and round fingertips unconsciously rubbed the fan’s ribs, smiling faintly with lowered brows.

“Since everything is clear now, then focus on your studies. I shall take my leave.” Seeing that his emotions had calmed down, Lu Yuner started to leave.

Su Qingwan saw her leaving and subconsciously followed silently behind, his gaze always on that blue figure in front. Lu Yuner sensed the person following behind and turned to look, “Young Master Su, what are you doing?”

Su Qingwan’s toes that had just stepped forward immediately retreated back to where he was standing. He lowered his brows and eyes, mumbling, “Last time, Doctor Lu, you also followed me like this.”

Seeing his innocent and naive appearance, Lu Yuner smiled helplessly. Alright, this young master really liked to keep everything in his heart.