The matter of student exchange actually didn’t stir up much of a commotion in the academy. Aside from Gu Wuyou, the others had experienced it several times before. Even though they held some apprehension toward Zhao Chengyou…
But since the decision had already been made, the people from Langya were probably already on their way.
What was the use of worrying any further?
They would just let things take their course. If they didn’t come, that would be best. If they did, then it would be the perfect chance to see whether this so-called heir of Yong’an Marquis was truly formidable or merely had a hollow reputation.
—
This afternoon was the long-awaited riding and archery class.
Previously, every time this class was scheduled, it either rained or snowed. Today, they had finally caught a clear day, and everyone was in high spirits.
Luming Academy’s riding and archery class had always been held jointly among several study halls. According to the traditions set by their ancestors, even young ladies were not required to stay at home all day following rigid rules. Thus, in the Great Zhou, any woman who was interested and had the means could learn riding and archery just like the men.
The girls of Pingshuo Hall all came from the most prestigious families in the capital. Compared to ordinary households, they naturally would not lag behind in such matters.
For them, possessing skill in riding and archery was a talent worth displaying. Especially during royal hunting events—if they were fortunate enough to gain the favor of the nobles in the palace and receive a few words of praise, it would serve as an excellent bargaining chip when discussing marriage prospects in the future.
So as soon as the previous class ended, a group of them excitedly rushed off to change their clothes.
Gu Yu was not particularly adept in other subjects, but she had a deep fondness for riding and archery. Seeing that the others had already left, she grew anxious and quickly turned her head to call out to Gu Wuyou, “Hurry up! If we’re late, all the good horses will be taken.”
Hearing Gu Wuyou softly respond with an “Mm,” Gu Yu then turned to ask Xiao Yi, “Ah Yi, are you coming with us today?”
Xiao Yi was neither skilled in nor fond of riding and archery. It was said that when she was a child, she had been thrown off a horse, and ever since then, she had refused to ride again. So in previous riding and archery lessons, she had always stayed behind in the study hall.
But today—
She glanced behind her at Gu Wuyou, watching as the latter approached with a bright and serene smile. The hand hidden within her sleeve involuntarily clenched…
These past days, many instructors had praised Gu Wuyou’s talent. Even the highly esteemed Master Liu, who had once favored her the most, now often gave Gu Wuyou extra guidance.
She disliked this situation.
She couldn’t understand why the once short-tempered Gu Wuyou had now become so easygoing. She couldn’t understand why those who used to despise Gu Wuyou were now defending her. And most of all, she couldn’t understand how the once ignorant and unskilled Gu Wuyou could now be receiving so much praise.
By now, Gu Wuyou had finished gathering her things and walked over. She didn’t even glance at Xiao Yi. Instead, seeing Gu Yu still standing there, she asked, “Are you ready?”
“All set.” Gu Yu responded, then turned to look at Xiao Yi, who was still lost in thought. She waved a hand in front of her eyes and asked, “Ah Yi? Are you coming? If not—”
Before she could finish, a soft female voice interrupted, “I’m coming.”
As Xiao Yi spoke, she stood up. However, she didn’t look at Gu Yu but instead fixed her gaze on Gu Wuyou. A gentle smile graced her elegant face as she said, “Princess Leping, you don’t mind if I join you, do you?”
Gu Wuyou paid no heed to the hidden barbs in Xiao Yi’s words. Hearing this, she merely gave a cool, indifferent response, “Suit yourself.”
Then, she nodded at Gu Yu. “Let’s go.”
“…Oh, alright.” Gu Yu was still somewhat stunned. She hadn’t yet processed the fact that Xiao Yi had actually decided to join them for the riding and archery lesson. On the other hand, both Xiao Yi and Gu Wuyou acted as if nothing had happened, walking side by side toward the exit.
She stood there in a daze for a moment before hurriedly calling out, “Wait for me!”
Buzhi Hall had also already finished their class.
Boys changed clothes much faster than girls. They weren’t too particular about it—so long as it was convenient for riding and archery, that was enough. Because of this, even though class hadn’t started yet, many of them had already arrived at the riding ground.
Fu Xian loved riding and archery the most. As soon as he finished changing, he dragged Qi Xu toward the riding ground. While walking, he called out to Li Qinyuan and the others who were lagging behind, “Qilang, Dabai, hurry up!”
“We’re coming.”
Li Qinyuan responded casually, still maintaining his unhurried pace. He and Jing Yubai were probably the slowest ones. By now, most of the students from Buzhi Hall had already left, leaving them trailing at the very end.
But neither of them were the type to rush. Falling behind didn’t bother them in the slightest.
At this moment, most of the students from the various halls were likely headed toward the riding ground, leaving the small path particularly quiet. The two walked in silence until, in the end, Jing Yubai was the first to speak.
“Still thinking about what happened this morning?”
Li Qinyuan furrowed his brows, clearly reluctant to admit it. “…Is it that obvious?”
Jing Yubai’s expression remained unchanged, but the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile. “Not really. If it were, Ah Xian and the others would’ve asked about it by now.”
Li Qinyuan fell into silence again. After a long pause, he finally asked, “That heir of Yong’an Marquis…” His thin lips pressed together, clearly unwilling to say the name. His voice lowered slightly. “What kind of person is he, really?”
“Him—”
Jing Yubai pondered for a moment before replying slowly, “A gentleman, refined and noble, warm as jade.”
This was the common praise people used when speaking of Zhao Chengyou. Li Qinyuan had heard it many times before, but to him, such words were too perfunctory. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Jing Yubai and ask, “And what do you think of him?”
Jing Yubai looked at him and said, “The same thing I said this morning… He’s a terrifying opponent.”
“Two years ago, when I went to Kongshan, he probably held back. Even so, we still ended in a draw… If he had gone all out, I might not have won.”
Li Qinyuan’s brows knitted even tighter.
Jing Yubai didn’t stop there. He continued, “Although I respect him as a worthy opponent, it’s hard for me to consider him a true friend.”
“Why?” Li Qinyuan was surprised.
It was the first time he had heard Jing Yubai evaluate someone like this—it wasn’t exactly friendly.
“Qilang, have you ever met someone like that?” Jing Yubai spoke as he walked. “Someone so flawless that you can’t even find a single fault in them.”
“During my time in Langya, I rarely heard anyone say a bad word about him.”
“To many people, Zhao Chengyou is practically a deity, the ideal they strive to follow.”
“And he truly is excellent. When I spent time with him, I felt as if I were basking in the warmth of spring. He never makes people uncomfortable. He is measured in his actions, modest in his conduct—someone who seems perfect to be around.”
“But a person like that…”
Jing Yubai suddenly fell silent. After a moment, he continued, “He makes me uneasy. It’s as if he wears layers upon layers of masks. Even when he smiles, you can’t tell what he’s really thinking. You can’t even tell if he’s genuinely happy or merely pretending to be.”
As they neared the riding ground, the lively laughter in the distance made his voice seem especially light.
“If a person has no discernible emotional fluctuations, it’s truly terrifying.”
That was why he called Zhao Chengyou a terrifying opponent—but not one he respected.
The kind of opponent he sought should be someone like Qilang—unrestrained in spirit, broad-minded in heart. Someone like that inspired growth and ambition. No matter the outcome of a match, winning or losing would still bring joy. Only such a person was worth his full effort.
“And she…”
Li Qinyuan remained silent for a long moment before finally asking, “Do you know about the two of them?”
Though he didn’t specify who he was referring to, Jing Yubai knew exactly what he meant. But this time, he didn’t answer. He understood what Qilang wanted to hear—news about what had happened in Langya.
In truth, those things weren’t difficult to investigate.
Even when he was in Langya, he had caught glimpses of Gu Wuyou.
However, the Gu Wuyou of that time was completely different from the lively, smiling girl he saw now. The girl in his memory, despite possessing the same strikingly beautiful face, had eyes that were too obsessive, too crazed—like someone who feared losing something, clutching tightly onto whatever she had in her grasp.
She was suffocating.
A pitiable girl, but not one he would spare a second glance at.
The riding ground was just ahead. Jing Yubai heard a burst of laughter and instinctively looked in that direction, spotting a striking figure in red, seated atop a tall horse.
Under the boundless sky, she moved with effortless grace.
Bathed in the scorching sunlight, she seemed to glow with a golden radiance, dazzling and impossible to ignore. For a brief moment, even he was dazed by the sight. But soon, he turned back and patted Li Qinyuan’s shoulder, smiling as he said, “If you want to know about the past, there are many ways to find out.”
“But Qilang, some things, once they’ve passed, are gone. What matters most is the present and the future.”
“Ask yourself—do you like her?”
Boom.
It was as if something had exploded in his mind.
Li Qinyuan’s steps suddenly halted. He stood frozen in place, the cold wind ruffling his hair. In the distance, the sound of laughter rang out, yet he felt as though he were trapped in a silent, isolated space.
All he could hear was Jing Yubai’s voice—”Do you like her?”
Did he… like her?
What was “liking”? Li Qinyuan didn’t know. He only knew that lately, he couldn’t stop himself from getting closer to that little girl.
When he saw her smile, he felt happy.
When he saw her cry, he felt terrible.
When she was near, his heart would beat faster.
When she was away, he would constantly think about her.
He, a man who had always loathed trouble, had changed his ways again and again for her.
He would wake up early just to wait for her in the alley so they could have breakfast together.
He would sneak over to Pingshuo Hall, worried that she might be bullied, only leaving once he confirmed she was safe.
He worried that she would be left alone. Worried that she had no one to accompany her.
He worried about everything, constantly preoccupied with her, to the point where he no longer felt like himself.
Was this… liking?
Li Qinyuan stood in a daze, his surroundings still eerily silent.
Then suddenly—
Like a crack splitting through the quiet, he heard a clear, bright voice rising amidst the lively chatter, crisp and melodious like a yellow warbler perched atop a high branch.
It was her.
As if snapping out of an endless trance, Li Qinyuan turned toward the sound.
The girl in red sat tall upon her horse. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail with a red silk ribbon, fluttering wildly in the biting wind. But she didn’t seem to notice at all. She was tilting her head, chatting with someone beside her, completely at ease.
Amidst the bitter, bone-chilling winter, the world was awash in pale, muted colors—except for her.
Her bright, radiant smile stood out, as vivid as a blooming flower.
“Thump, thump—”
Li Qinyuan instinctively pressed his palm against his chest.
The fierce wind stung his face, the cold sharp and unrelenting. Yet, he didn’t feel cold at all.
Amidst the howling winter wind, he could hear his own heartbeat pounding like a drum.
Slowly, he parted his lips.
“I like her.”
He liked her.