by N/A
"Eh, who cares what others say. Besides, I don't rely on them to live either." Du Xiao Li nonchalantly said.
"I heard about you and Ding Wang's matter. I never thought that his Majesty would bestow a marriage for you two." Niu Jing recalled, in the past, Han Ming Yi indeed did treat Du Xiao Li quite specially, but never thought that they would be tied together like this.
"Sigh." Speaking of this, Du Xiao Li let out a sigh. This was the so called 'the affairs of the world, difficult to predict'.
Niu Jing saw Du Xiao Li's look and said, "If you don't want to marry Ding Wang, you can go find shifu."
"Go find Shifu?"
T/N: Our dearest sponsor Madam Daim has blessed us with 12 sponsored chapters, including the 3 regular chapters, I'll be doing 15 total chapters this week. I'll try doing 2 chapters a day. My goals for April is to better manage my time properly.
Ch. 065.4 – His Confession, His Promise (4)
His Confession, His Promise (4)
T/N: Chapter (1/12) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
"Yes." Niu Jing said, "You know, our Medicine King Valley is actually considered a sect of the pugilistic world. But do you know why I would come to the imperial palace to be an imperial physician?"
"I saw on the introduction booklet you gave me say, the founder of Medicine King Valley in the beginning was saved by a Feng Ming Emperor, so that's why he would send people to the imperial palace to serve." Du Xiao Li replied.
"It's more or less like that, but it doesn't say on there that every valley master can propose a condition towards the emperor, and as long as it doesn't threaten the Feng Ming country's safety, the imperial family have to comply. Although in the beginning, there was this agreement, but no valley master has ever mentioned it before. If you go find shifu, and let him propose to his Majesty to dissolve the engagement, it should be doable." Niu Jing said.
"Right now, it's still early, I'll just wait and see." Du Xiao Li said. So what if she can dissolve the bestowed marriage. It was nothing more than just crawling up from one pit, and falling into another pit again at any time.
"Sigh, in another two years, I'll also have to return to Medicine King Valley." Niu Jing said.
"Senior brother, you have to go back?" Du Xiao Li looked to Niu Jing in surprise.
"En, Medicine King Valley's rule is that every person at most can only stay in the Imperial Physicians Court for twenty years. In the past, everyone all usually returned after thirteen fifteen years. But I've already stayed here for eighteen years, so at most I can only stay for two more years before I have to go back. And if the valley sends someone to replace me, I might even leave earlier. Sigh, looking at it now, I've also not gone back in a long time. Next time when I go back, why don't you go back together with me?" Niu Jing said.
"If when the time comes, I don't have anything else to do, I will go together with you." Du Xiao Li said.
"Why don't you use the afternoon meal here today?"
"Okay."
By the time she came out from Niu Jing's home, it was already evening. After eating lunch, Niu Jing then dragged her to the medicine room, and discussed with her about some hard cases, all the way until the sky was about to grow dark did he finally let her leave.
The time swiftly swept by. Du Xiao Li's one month deadline with Du Yun Han arrived very soon.
The night before school.
"Xiao Li, tomorrow head to school together with Ke Xin. I've already talked with the teacher there. He will arrange the classes for you." Du Yun Han said.
Normally when the school went on break, the people of the Du Manor will all gather together to eat a meal. Today was Du Ke Xin and the other's day off, so everyone was currently eating dinner together.
"Oh." Du Xiao Li obediently replied.
"Father, you letting her go to the academy, isn't that just throwing the Du Manor's face on the ground for people to step on?" Du Ke Hui directly expressed his discontent.
"What nonsense are you saying?!" Du Yun Han's face instantly darkened.
"But it's true, she doesn't know anything, letting her go, if not embarrassing our family, then what?" Du Ke Hui protested.
"In the academy, you're also without learning or skill. Has my face been embarrassed by you any less?" Du Yun Han had the chopsticks slapped on the table and berated him.
"Father, don't be angry at younger brother, careful not to harm your body from anger. Tomorrow, I will take third sister together to the academy." Du Ke Xin saw Du Yun Han get angry and quickly added.
"Hmph!" Du Yun Han glanced at Du Ke Xin, before finally letting the servant change the chopsticks, and continued eating.
Du Xiao Li saw how Du Yun Han changed another pair of chopsticks and discovered that once he got angry, he liked throwing his chopsticks! Thinking how tomorrow she will have to face a huge wave of noble young ladies again, her head felt somewhat faint.
However, this process for entering school was much easier than she'd imagined.
On the morning of the next day, after Du Xiao Li properly gotten her things ready, she headed to Du Ke Xin's courtyard. Du Ke Xin had already finished her preparations, just waiting for her to head to school together. Seeing Du Xiao Li's simple outfit, a trace of a arrogance flashed across her eyes, "Since third sister is here, then let's go."
Du Ke Xin wore a rather vibrant flower dress today. Du Xiao Li suddenly recalled last time when Ji Liu Xia said she was like a flowery butterfly showing off everywhere, and instantly laughed out.
"What's wrong third sister?" Du Ke Xin heard the laugh and turned around to look at Du Xiao Li
"Nothing, just thinking about going to school today, I'm rather excited." Du Xiao Li randomly said whatever was on her mind.
"En, life at the academy is quite good." Du Ke Xin said with a deeper meaning behind her words.
"Then, let's go." Du Xiao Li said.
When they went out, Du Xiu Heng and Du Ke Hui had already left. The boys' class time was earlier than the girls'. Because the academy didn't allow them to bring servant girls, they only rode one horse carriage to the school's entrance.
"Sister Ke Xin." As soon as Du Ke Xin got down from the horse carriage, someone called out towards her.
Du Xiao Li jumped down from the horse carriage and saw Chen Yue, who she had met at the gathering last time, walking towards them. Judging from appearance, she'd also arrived at about the same time.
"Chen Yue." Du Ke Xin nodded towards Chen Yue. Towards her own 'follower', she didn't need to act too enthusiastic.
"Ke Xin, this is?" Another young lady walked over. Seeing Du Xiao Li jumped down from Du Ke Xin's horse carriage, she asked in confusion.
"Replying to Min Junzhu*, this is my third younger sister, Du Xiao Li. Today is her first time coming to the academy." Du Ke Xin introduced, "Third sister, this is eldest elder princess's daughter, Min Junzhu."
(*T/N: Junzhu - Normally title for daughters of Wangs; similar to princesses usually someone from the imperial household, however sometimes the Emperor can bestow this title to anyone. Generally, daughters of a princess are titled as Wenzhu.)
"So she's that countryside younger sister of yours?" Fan Min looked to Du Xiao Li and sneered. "Do you recognize characters? Don't later when the teacher is lecturing, you instead can't even understand what he's saying."
"Replying to Min Junzhu, I've once learned some from my older brother and recognize a few words." Du Xiao Li listened to this blatant mockery and lightly replied.
"Hmph, really don't understand, how can Elder Fu agree to letting you enter the academy! Encountering a countryside girl this early in the morning, really unlucky! Sigh, let's go, if a certain someone were to not recognize any words, we can just ask the elder to have her kicked out." Fan Ming lead the crowd of people behind her away, while everyone started gossiping about Du Xiao Li.
(T/N: I'm still waiting for the golden thigh imperial tutor to show up again.)
"That's right, can't let a piece of rat poop ruin the whole
pot of porridge. When the times come, we'll definitely go look for Elder Fu for a talk!"
"Hmph, definitely! How can a village girl attend class together with us!"
"Don't know how someone as outstanding as Du Ku Xin can endure such a younger sister!"
"........"
Hearing those words, the corner of Du Xiao Li's mouth lightly hooked into a smile. This was precisely student life!
"Younger sister, their words, don't take to heart too much. It's almost time for class, I'll take you to look for teacher first." Du Ke Xin said and then lead Du Xiao Li through the entrance gate.
Du Xiao Li observed this so called Imperial Academy, the grandly renowned Four Way Academy. She couldn't help but sigh. As expected of central power, looking at this setup, that tiny little school in Zhou County practically can't compare!
Du Xiao Li followed Du Ke Xin and continued to walk forward. Arriving at a lakeside, Du Ke Xin turned around and said to Du Xiao Li, "Third sister, I suddenly have to go relieve myself, can you wait here for me for a moment?"
"Okay." Du Xiao Li nodded in response.
Ch. 065.5 – His Confession, His Promise (5)
His Confession, His Promise (5)
T/N: Chapter (2/12) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
Soon after, Du Ke Xin turned and walked out of the courtyard entrance. Just as she was leaving, she looked back the person by the lakeside and coldly snorted, before turning to leave.
Du Xiao Li stood by the lakeside, staring at the lotus leaves in the lake. She didn't expect that there was actually this thing in the school. Right now was currently the time when lotus flowers bloomed vibrantly. The entire lake surface was filled with lotus flowers, appearing extremely beautiful.
"Li'er?"
Just when Du Xiao Li was getting somewhat impatient from waiting, Han Ming Yi's voice came from behind.
Du Xiao Li turned around and just so happened to see Han Ming Yi. Han Ming Yi at the moment was wearing purple long gown, an ink colored belt at his waist with a jade pendant hanging from it. His hair was tied into a bun on the top of his head, only using a white jade hairpin as decoration. Behind him followed a crowd of teenage boys, all successively pointing to her when they saw her.
"Big brother Yi." Du Xiao Li nodded at Han Ming Yi.
"Li'er, how come you're here?" Han Ming Yi waved his hand at the people behind him, and then walked over to Du Xiao Li.
"Second sister let me wait here for her." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Here?"
Du Xiao Li nodded and narrated what had happened.
"This is already the boys' learning halls vicinity, girls aren't allowed to casually enter here. I'll take you to go find Elder Fu." By the time Han Ming Yi finished listening to her explanation, he'd already understood the scheme within.
"Big brother Yi, what are you doing here?" Du Xiao Li just knew Du Ke Xin would sooner or later act against herself. Didn't expect that she would choose to declare war towards her at school!
"Right now, I'm currently the academy's military affairs teacher. I received Elder Fu's invitation to come teach them some knowledge on military affairs. At the moment, I just happened to finish the lecture and was currently planning on taking them to the training grounds to put the theories into practice. Come, I'll take you over there first." Han Ming Yi said, and then turned around towards those students, "You all wait here."
Du Xiao Li followed Han Ming Yi out of the courtyard, "Is it okay to just abandon them like that?"
"No matter." Han Ming Yi said, "This month, it's been rather busy at the barracks, so I didn't go look for you. Have you gotten used to staying in the capital?"
"It's alright." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Then that's good." Han Ming Yi said, then stopped talking, and lead Du Xiao Li to a courtyard.
"Ding Wang, Du third miss." A person dressed as a scholar was currently walking in the courtyard. Seeing them enter, he greeted them.
"Gentleman Mo." Du Xiao Li recognized him and called out towards him. He was precisely the Mo Yang that looked for her last time to gather various area's culture.
"Is Elder Fu present?" Han Ming Yi asked.
"Replying to Ding Wang, teacher is currently waiting for Miss Du. I'll take you all over right away." Mo Yang said.
"So your teacher is actually Elder Fu!"
"Yes. Miss Du please follow me." Mo Yang smiled towards Du Xiao Li.
Du Xiao Li waved her hand at Han Ming Yi and then turned to follow Mo Yang inside. Han Ming Yi watched as Du Xiao Li and Mo Yang left chatting happily, his two eyes slightly narrowed. All the way until Du Xiao Li turned the corner and couldn't be seen anymore did he finally leave.
(T/N: A moment of silence for poor Mo Yang who is now surely targeted by ML.)
Mo Yang brought Du Xiao Li into a little courtyard in the back and then went to knock on the door. Afterwards, he lead Du Xiao Li inside and said to the person inside that practically had their head buried in a book, "Teacher, Du third miss has come."
Fu Tai lifted his head and looked to Du Xiao Li, "Du third miss, how come you've come this late?"
Fu Tai was someone with a slender figure, and because of staying inside doing scholarly research for long periods of time, his skin was rather white, letting him appear a little younger, hardly anything like an already fifty some year old man.
'Elder' was an official position in charge of the entire country's education, and at the same time, also the Imperial Academy Four Way Academy's headmaster.
(T/N: Elder is a simplified translation, more directly it's 'cabinet elder' or cabinet minister; historically the position is in a way like an elderly board of advisors to the Emperor as their job is mostly to assist the Emperor.)
"Xiao Li greets Elder Fu." Du Xiao Li bowed to Fu Tai and said, "Because just now I got lost in the courtyard, thus I came late."
"How come no one lead you here?" Fu Tai frowned.
(T/N: I would've thrown Du Ke Xin under the bus so fast.)
"Afterwards, I encountered Ding Wang, and he had me brought over." Du Xiao Li replied.
"En, this is your student registration, and also your textbooks, as well as the key to your room for noon break." Fu Tai had a pile of books and a key handed to Du Xiao Li, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, go attend class then. Mo Yang, you take her to the classroom."
With that said, he lowered his head again and began flipping through the book in front. His brows were tightly furrowed, seemingly having encountered some difficult problem.
"Yes, teacher."
"Yes, Elder Fu."
Mo Yang helped Du Xiao Li pick up the books on the table and lead her out. Afterwards, he had her brought to the classroom in the front and said, "We've arrived. This is your classroom. Mo Yang will be going back now."
"Thank you Gentleman Mo." Du Xiao Li took the books from Mo Yang's hands and thanked him with a smile.
Mo Yang nodded at her, then turned and left. Du Xiao Li carried the books in hand and went to knock on the door. A tall thin teacher was currently inside lecturing. Seeing Du Xiao Li, he said, "You're the new student that came today? Don't you know that the first rule for students is to not be late? Since you've come this late, just stand outside and listen then!"
WTF! Du Xiao Li inwardly cursed.
"Teacher, this is Du third miss's first time coming to the school, perhaps she didn't recognize the way and thus got held up." At this time, a gentle voice sounded from inside the classroom.
Du Xiao Li looked inside and saw that it was Fu Ya Lan speaking out for her.
That Gao Zi Fu looked to Fu Ya Lan and said, "Miss Fu's words are reasonable, then this time, I'll forgive you. Come in and sit down at the desk in the very back."
(T/N: Fu Ya Lan is related to Elder Fu, it hasn't been specified yet but possibly his granddaughter.)
Thankfully she could enter now. Du Xiao Li didn't want to stand outside and be watched like a monkey. She gratefully smiled at Fu Ya Lan, then carried her books to the l
ast row and sat down. Just as she put down her books, she saw a familiar figure next to her currently sleeping. But before she could wake her, she already heard from the front Gao Zi Fu's lion roar---
"Ji Liu Xia, you're sleeping in my class again!"
"Here!" Ji Liu Xia, who'd been sound asleep on the desk, upon hearing her own name, immediately sat up and loudly replied.
"Hahaha!" The entire class burst into laughter.
"Sleeping during lecture, how is that proper!? Go stand outside as punishment!" Gao Zi Fu angrily roared.
"Oh." Ji Liu Xia faintly responded, then tidied her clothes and stood up, preparing to go out. Seeing her progress so familiarly, it seems this was a frequent occurrence.
Sure enough---
"Who let your lectures be like lullabies, making me fall asleep every time. However, every time it's just standing outside as punishment, not the least bit creative....."
"Pfft---" Du Xiao Li couldn't help but laugh from seeing her appearance.
Ch. 066.1 – What Did This Prince's Wangfei Do Wrong? (1)
What Did This Prince's Wangfei Do Wrong? (1)
T/N: Chapter (3/12) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
Ji Liu Xia woke from her hazy conscious and saw Du Xiao Li, "Eh? Xiao Li, you've also come to the academy?!"
Du Xiao Li nodded at her with an unconcealable smile in her eyes.
"Ji Liu Xia, you're still not going out!?" Gao Zi Fu bellowed.
Ji Liu Xia stuck her tongue out towards Du Xiao Li and then stepped out of the classroom.
"Alright, now let's continued talking about that poem just now, the verse cards altogether divide into these few forms........" Gao Zi Fu glared at Ji Liu Xia as she walked out, and then turned back to continue lecturing.
Towards those semi-incomprehensible things, Du Xiao Li wasn't that interested in either. Compared to these, she like reading medical books more, thus she also experienced what Ji Liu Xia was feeling. Fortunately, when she came, this class had already progressed halfway, so not long after, it ended. Otherwise, she certainly would've also been like Ji Liu Xia and fell asleep.