Chapter 11: Knowing the Truth

It took about two incense sticks’ time for Lu Yuner to slowly chew and swallow her meal. She looked around the dining hall and found that she was the only one left, so she was about to clean up the food box and leave.

Suddenly, a strong and powerful arm rested on Lu Yuner’s left shoulder. However, her shoulder didn’t sink, indicating that the person knew how to control their strength.

Before she could turn around to see who it was, she heard a familiar voice in her ear, with a hint of anger mixed in the complaint, “Sister Yuner, why haven’t you finished your meal yet? I’ve been looking for you for quite some time.”

“Sister Lan, what do you need me for?” Lu Yuner looked at her puzzled, while continuing her actions without stopping.

Liu Lan withdrew her hand, and in the next second, her body gracefully turned like flowing water, sitting opposite Lu Yuner. She stared at the calm Lu Yuner, her worries somewhat fading, and her tone became a bit more serious, “You were bullied, why didn’t you say a word to your sister? Do you think your sister’s words are just empty talk?”

Lu Yuner’s hand on the food box paused. She put the tidied food box aside and responded, “Sister Lan, you misunderstand. The officialdom has always been unpredictable. Before the dust settles, everything is variable. 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. She recalled that when there was nothing to do in the past, the three of them would meet up, and Sister Yuner and Ranzhi would often chat about these official matters. Although she had never been interested in these things, she had heard a bit.

Liu Lan sneered, “Although I’ve been through many battles, I don’t understand the twists and turns of the officialdom, but I at least know ‘black and white’. This old thing is clearly taking revenge for personal reasons. Wait, this general will give that old thing…”

“Sister Lan, don’t be reckless.” Lu Yuner immediately stopped her. Her originally calm face rippled with a watery color, no longer as peaceful as before, and her hurried voice contained a hint of worry.

Although General Liu had been on the battlefield for many years, experienced in battles, and skilled in military affairs, she was indeed at ease.

But after all, the officialdom is different from the battlefield. In the year since Lu Yuner’s soul transmigration, she deeply knew that the officialdom was dark and dangerous, full of scheming and intrigue. There were those who sold themselves for glory, those who disgraced themselves for fame, those who [censored] for titles, countless in number.

She also knew that since ancient times, many loyal ministers who had devoted themselves to protecting the country and benefiting the people, didn’t die on the battlefield but were framed by treacherous officials and died unjustly in prison, which was extremely painful.

Although she had met the Jijiu (Director of Studies) a few times, he seemed obsequious, flattering superiors and bullying subordinates, but actually had honey on his lips and a dagger in his heart, hiding a knife in his smile. Moreover, this Imperial Academy was not as simple as imagined.

As Lu Yuner thought of that “haunted” bamboo forest, her expression became complicated. It seemed she needed to have a good discussion with Sister Ranzhi.

Liu Lan’s dark bright eyes looked at her, seeing that she seemed a bit excited. Although she found it strange, she still responded, “Alright, I’ll listen to Sister Yuner.” She frowned and then asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong with you?”

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

Liu Lan’s expression slightly sank, “Last night, an urgent letter came from Langzhou. Her father-in-law passed away due to illness. She accompanied her young husband back to Langzhou. They left in a hurry, so she hasn’t told you yet, but she probably won’t be back until after the Qingming Festival.”

Lu Yuner nodded thoughtfully.

Liu Lan suddenly changed her tone, leaning half her body forward towards Lu Yuner, staring at her like a predator eyeing its prey, her gaze carrying a naked sense of coercion, “By the way, in a few days, the women’s academy will hold a polo match. You must come!”

It seemed that she had kept the last polo match in her heart. With her uncompromising personality, she would definitely seek another match.

However, she had just started teaching in the men’s academy, and there were still many things she hadn’t gotten the hang of. But seeing her predatory gaze, Lu Yuner didn’t dare to refuse, “Alright.”

Liu Lan then changed her tone, her eyes showing undisguised excitement, “However, I’ve met quite a few polo experts in the martial hall these past few days. I think Sister Yuner should bring a helper!”

Hearing this, Lu Yuner raised her eyebrows, immediately understanding thoroughly. The two looked at each other and smiled, understanding each other without words.

Lu Yuner suddenly thought of something and pretended to be profound, “I had the fortune of meeting Prince Yun today.”

“What!” Liu Lan’s dark pupils widened slightly, joy constantly surging in her eyes. Then she asked, “But why would she come to the Imperial Academy?”

Lu Yuner explained the cause and effect in detail to Liu Lan. Liu Lan could only smile regretfully.

After their conversation, they got up to leave. However, they didn’t notice Zhang Jing not far away on the other side. From the beginning of their conversation until they left, Zhang Jing’s gaze had been closely following their every move, never leaving for a moment.

Lu Yuner and Liu Lan left the dining hall and parted ways. Since she hadn’t moved into the East Garden of the Imperial Academy yet, the only place for an afternoon rest was the Boshi Hall. Lu Yuner carried the food box and walked towards the Boshi Hall.

At this time, the road was quiet, with very few students coming and going. They must all be resting in their dormitories.

Lu Yuner intended to aid digestion, so she carried the food box and walked towards the lotus pond from last time. Since she had been there once before and seen the magnificent view of the rippling water, she was obviously still yearning for it.

Suddenly.

“Dr. Lu.” A soft and gentle voice came from behind her.

Lu Yuner turned around and looked back, meeting a pair of crimson eyes. She responded in disbelief, “Young Master Su?”

Had she heard wrong? This arrogant and willful Young Master Su suddenly changed his attitude and used an honorific for her. But looking at his state, something seemed off. Was her punishment this morning too harsh? But that wasn’t right either! She had even asked Dr. Sheng, and there was nothing inappropriate. Could it be that this young master’s rebellious period had a weak psychological tolerance?

After a brief stillness, Young Master Su rushed towards her like an arrow leaving the string. Lu Yuner instinctively stepped back vigilantly, immediately raising her hand to stop him, “Stop, Young Master Su, don’t come over yet!”

Children in their rebellious period are more impulsive, most have a bad temper and can’t control their emotions. In case… For the sake of both their safety, it’s better to keep a distance for now.

Su Qingwan obediently stopped a few steps away from her, his eyes lifeless, head lowered silently, showing no expression.

Lu Yuner looked at the abnormally behaving Young Master Su and said kindly, “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 held responsible both morally and reasonably.

Su Qingwan suddenly raised his head and stared at her with reddened eyes, his eye sockets filled with tears, which finally spilled over. Bright, shining teardrops fell one by one from his swollen eye sockets, like pear blossoms in the rain. The tear mole below the corner of his left eye became even more delicate and charming, adding a touch of pitiful beauty.

Lu Yuner looked bewildered, as if she had fallen into a cloud of mist. Crying was fine, but staring at her while crying was unbearable. Her heart was softened to mush by his crying. Moreover, this was the Imperial Academy. If someone saw this, they might think she had done something to him.

Lu Yuner didn’t approach him, but patiently coaxed, “Young Master Su, don’t cry anymore. If you don’t want to write that 800-word reflection…”

“It was you, wasn’t it? The person who saved me that day at Liusu River was you, right?” Su Qingwan stopped crying, his whole body trembling as he walked towards Lu Yuner step by step with tears in his eyes, his hand tightly grasping the folding fan from his sleeve.

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 been by his side all along.

Lu Yuner’s gaze fell on the familiar folding fan, instantly understanding what this was about. She withdrew her gaze imperceptibly and replied, “Yes, that day I happened to come across someone falling into the river, so I lent a hand. Later, when we met at the Imperial Academy, I realized it was Young Master Su.”

“But why didn’t you tell me about this? I… I’ve been looking for you all this time, and today… I was just disrespectful to you.” Young Master Su’s choked voice contained resentment, his wet eye sockets unconsciously reddening again, as if he was about to cry again.

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

“So, Young Master Su is crying because of this?” Lu Yuner was stunned, looking at this somewhat childish and cute Young Master Su, then smiled and continued, “No matter who fell into the Liusu River, I would have reached out to save them. They say saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I’m not seeking fame or fortune, and as a teacher, I should be tolerant and magnanimous. How could I quibble with my own student?”

A sudden inspiration flashed through Lu Yuner’s mind, “If Young Master Su is looking for me to repay the kindness, or if you really can’t let it go, then just study hard. That would be enough to satisfy your teacher.”

Su Qingwan obediently nodded, staring blankly at Lu Yuner, not speaking for a long time. Now that his long-awaited wish had finally come true, he didn’t know why his heart felt empty.

Lu Yuner curiously asked, “How did Young Master Su know this folding fan was mine?”

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 me.”

“I see.” When the three of them met, she often carried this folding fan with her, so General Liu naturally recognized it.

Lu Yuner’s brow furrowed slightly, and she stared at him with a half-smile, “Young Master Su, you didn’t carry this folding fan with you all the time just to find me, did you?”

“Mm.” Su Qingwan answered truthfully, but his heart suddenly started beating very fast, “thump thump thump” ringing out. He awkwardly shifted his gaze.

Lu Yuner was obviously unaware of Su Qingwan’s surging emotions and said happily, “I didn’t expect Young Master Su to be so persistent, knowing how to be grateful. Not bad, not bad! Your teacher is very pleased.” Her tone changed, and she looked at the folding fan in his hand, “However, this fan…”

Su Qingwan’s expression became nervous following the second half of her sentence, looking at the folding fan in his hand.

“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 someone, so he must have developed some emotional attachment to it. How could she ask him to return it? Besides, it was just a folding fan.

And because of this sentence, Young Master Su’s fair and plump fingertips unconsciously caressed the fan ribs, and he lowered his head with a faint smile.

“Now that everything is clear, study hard then. I’ll take my leave.” Seeing that his emotions had calmed down, Lu Yuner stepped away.

Seeing that she was about to leave, Su Qingwan unconsciously followed silently behind her, his gaze constantly falling on the blue figure in front. Lu Yuner noticed the person following behind her, turned around and looked, “Young Master Su, what are you doing?”

Su Qingwan’s foot, which had just stepped forward, immediately retreated back to where he was standing. With his eyes lowered, he mumbled, “Last time, Dr. Lu, you also followed me like this.”

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