Qingshan Academy was situated on a remote mountain near the capital. Most of the students studying there were poor scholars who worked diligently and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their studies.
Ever since Murong Yun had passed the academy’s assessment, many students had begun eyeing Song Qi’s increasingly rounded belly with envy. They would occasionally greet Murong Yun, hoping they might somehow receive a share of whatever delicious food happened to appear.
In the dining hall, some curious individuals looked around.
“Where’s Murong?”
Xiao Heng sneered. “Murong stole pastries from Confucius Hall, got poisoned, vomited blood, and still hasn’t woken up.”
The news that Zheng Yuan had followed Master Wang to the upper dormitories early that morning to catch a thief had already spread throughout the academy. Since Xiao Heng had recently become close to Zheng Yuan, the moment he said those words, everyone assumed the thief was Murong Yun. One rumor fed another until Murong Yun’s reputation as a thief was all but confirmed.
That day in class, Zheng Yuan sat straighter than ever before. A classmate passing by asked curiously, “How will they deal with someone stealing pastries?”
“Among fellow students, I don’t wish to be too harsh on him,” Zheng Yuan sighed. “But the pastries have gone missing several times already. Since he refuses to correct his behavior, there’s only so much I can do, even if I wanted to protect him.”
The student nodded solemnly.
“He has money and still steals pastries. He doesn’t deserve Brother Zheng’s sympathy.”
Zheng Yuan’s hand paused briefly over his brush.
“Sigh. People’s fortunes rise and fall. Encountering hardships is normal.”
At those words, everyone began to entertain another possibility.
Could Murong Yun’s family really have fallen on hard times?
Yu Ziyang sat in the dining hall eating steamed buns while listening to the discussions around him.
“No wonder Murong has only been wearing those same two flashy outfits recently. He probably doesn’t have any money left.”
“If the pastries have been stolen multiple times, he must have gone broke shortly after entering the academy.”
“Then was everything he did, treating Song Qi to food and drinks, just an act?”
“Who knows?”
Yu Ziyang bit hard into his steamed bun, exposing the green vegetables inside.
He had no intention of explaining anything.
He disliked Murong Yun. Eventually, Murong Yun would surely expose him as well. When that happened, he would be the one forced to leave the academy.
It would be better if Zheng Yuan and the others worked faster and drove Murong Yun out before she regained consciousness.
Calculating the silver hidden in his sleeve, he found that he still had two taels, enough to repay Murong Yun for the medicinal herbs.
“Nanny, another two ladles of porridge please. I’m still hungry!”
Song Qi waved his large bowl enthusiastically toward the porridge bucket.
The serving woman squinted at him with a smile.
“It’s you again. I’ll give you extra. Eat more, eat more.”
Scholars despised the idea of “bending one’s back for five pecks of rice,” and the surrounding students looked at him with contempt.
“At this rate, he’ll fall straight into the porridge bucket. How embarrassing.”
Yu Ziyang walked directly over and stuffed the two taels of silver into Song Qi’s hand.
“Return this to Murong.”
Song Qi had been preparing to roll up his sleeves and argue with the others, but the cool touch of the silver startled him.
“This money… you should give it to him personally. I can’t accept it.”
He didn’t understand the full situation, but Murong Yun would never steal pastries. Someone had clearly framed her. As for Yu Ziyang, Song Qi couldn’t determine where he stood in all this, so he simply refused.
Yu Ziyang grew impatient.
“I can’t be bothered to see him. I don’t want to owe him anything.”
Scratching his head innocently, Song Qi asked, “If you owe him a favor, shouldn’t you go visit him?”
The sarcastic remarks resumed immediately.
“Oh my, even Yu Ziyang is giving Murong silver. He really must be dirt poor.”
Song Qi glanced expectantly at Yu Ziyang, curious about what had happened. Shangguan Xuan had been caring for Murong Yun and had grown much quieter, refusing to explain anything.
Yu Ziyang ignored them.
Naturally, the others became even more emboldened.
“Did you forget? Murong once gambled with Zheng Yuan and transferred Yu Ziyang over to his side. Yu Ziyang belongs to Murong’s group now.”
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Song Qi snapped.
“Scholars who spend all day gossiping about others are unbearably boring. So what if he spends time with us? Yu Ziyang simply abandoned darkness for the light.”
As he spoke, he pretended he was about to throw his hot porridge at them.
The steam rising from the bowl immediately sent everyone scrambling backward.
“We were wrong. We were wrong.”
“We won’t speak carelessly in front of you again.”
Everyone knew Song Qi was impulsive. If his temper truly flared and he accidentally disfigured someone’s face with hot porridge, their hopes of becoming officials would be destroyed forever.
Holding the silver, Yu Ziyang stared at Song Qi in confusion.
Why was he defending him? They weren’t even close.
Song Qi raised an eyebrow.
“Come visit Murong with me. If he’s awake and sees you, he’ll definitely be happy.”
“No thanks.”
Yu Ziyang didn’t believe him. Gathering his belongings, he returned to class to continue memorizing texts.
Balancing the porridge carefully, Song Qi returned to Shangguan Xuan’s room.
“Murong, you’re awake! Finally! You’ve been unconscious all morning!”
Murong Yun rubbed her chest. The system’s final warning echoed repeatedly in her mind.
[If the host uses the system to alter another person’s fate again, her body may be unable to withstand the backlash, resulting in complete collapse.]
Her face remained pale, anger simmering beneath her gaze.
She hated this feeling of being restrained.
“What about Yu Ziyang? Is he alright?”
Song Qi replied, “He’s in the dining hall. What could happen to him? We just ran into each other. He wanted to return two taels of silver to you, but I refused to accept it. What if he actually owed you five taels and lied about the amount?”
He was quite pleased with his own cleverness.
Shangguan Xuan adjusted the blanket covering her.
“Lie back down. Do you still have the energy to worry about others? The physician said you’ve exhausted yourself and depleted both your qi and blood.”
Song Qi placed water on the table for Murong Yun to drink later.
After watching her finish over half a bowl of porridge, he finally voiced his concern.
“Everyone says you stole the pastries. They’re talking about expelling you from the academy. What’s going on?”
Murong Yun considered it.
“Perhaps that’s for the best. I’ll go speak with the teachers shortly.”
The teacup clattered loudly against the table.
Song Qi stared at her.
“You’re really leaving? Then what… What will Shangguan and I do?”
“I’ll accompany you,” Shangguan Xuan said immediately.
“Me too! I’m coming too!” Song Qi shouted.
Returning briefly to her room, Murong Yun rummaged through a hidden compartment while Shangguan Xuan followed behind.
Remembering how light she had felt in his arms, he spoke softly.
“You should eat more. You’re too thin. Being so light is dangerous if you become ill.”
“My frame is naturally small, so of course I’m lighter.”
Murong Yun finally found what she had been searching for and tucked it into her sleeve, smiling at him.
Girls were supposed to be light.
Fortunately, Shangguan Xuan remained utterly oblivious regarding such differences between men and women.
Pressing his lips together, Shangguan Xuan hesitated.
He wanted to ask why holding Murong Yun had stirred such unfamiliar emotions within him, but feared being laughed at.
Instead, he asked, “Why did you help Granny Wei?”
“Because I couldn’t stand by and watch.”
Murong Yun closed the door behind her.
“Besides, Granny Wei resembles my grandmother in some ways.”
During Master Wang’s afternoon class, the teacher had not yet arrived.
After reciting the assigned texts, Yu Ziyang opened his bamboo flask for a drink. Zhao Mingyuan entered with several other students.
“We just passed the teachers’ quarters. Murong is there.”
“Looks like we’ll have quite the show this afternoon.”
“Without his father backing him up, let’s see how arrogant he can remain.”
Yu Ziyang said nothing. He simply continued drinking water.
His anxiety gradually settled into calm acceptance.
The person leaving the academy today would be him.
Compared to the other instructors, Master Wang was slightly plump. He moved at an unhurried pace and always treated others kindly.
However, he was also the strictest when punishing students.
As soon as he entered the classroom, anticipation swept through the room.
Zheng Yuan’s gaze followed him confidently.
Ever since Murong Yun had entered the academy, Zheng Yuan had disliked her.
Murong Yun had stolen the attention and admiration that should have belonged to him.
Yet Master Wang merely wore a neutral expression.
“Class begins.”
No one dared bring up the matter directly.
Zheng Yuan signaled subtly to Xiao Heng, who sat behind him and repeatedly turned around.
Master Wang frowned. “What is it? Are you feeling unwell?”
Zheng Yuan stood.
“Master, regarding the theft of the pastries, I have already reported my findings to Scholar Zhao.”
Master Wang set down his book.
“Then tell us. What were your conclusions?”
Zheng Yuan froze momentarily.
Since Master Wang clearly knew the situation already, he assumed the teacher wished everyone present to understand Murong Yun’s crimes before formally expelling her.
Straightening his posture, he began.
“The previous thefts appeared to have been committed by birds. Following the Master’s instructions, I secretly poisoned the pastries beforehand. This morning, I discovered the pastries had gone missing. Following the trail of crumbs, I arrived at Murong’s room.”
“I personally witnessed Murong Yun vomiting blood and collapsing from poisoning. Therefore, I conclude that the previous thefts were committed by a person rather than birds, and Murong is undoubtedly the culprit.”
“According to Qingshan Academy’s regulations, repeated theft without repentance warrants expulsion from the mountain and revocation of one’s status as a Qingshan student, so as not to tarnish the academy’s reputation.”
Zheng Yuan’s voice rang clear and resolute.
He radiated righteousness, basking in the admiration surrounding him.
He completely failed to notice Master Wang’s increasingly dark expression.
Tapping his ruler against the desk, Master Wang said, “Since we’ve reached this point, I should clarify my own position.”
Excitement swept through the classroom.
Everyone turned toward Murong Yun, their expressions varying between pity, ridicule, and satisfaction.
Song Qi stiffened.
“Murong…”
Murong Yun patted him reassuringly.
“Don’t worry.”
Shangguan Xuan found himself unable to understand his own feelings.
Although he had once disliked Murong Yun’s extravagant behavior and had repeatedly investigated her, the thought of hearing Murong Yun expelled filled him with unexpected resistance.
Master Wang continued, “The previous incidents truly were caused by birds. Murong Yun merely wished to understand why birds enjoyed peach cakes so much and took a single bite. Unexpectedly, he was poisoned. The pastry crumbs were scattered because he staggered about afterward.”
“Although he should have informed someone before tasting the pastry, this does not constitute theft. Earlier today, he personally apologized to me and donated one thousand taels of silver to the academy.”
One thousand taels.
Silence consumed the entire classroom. Even breathing seemed difficult.
Zhao Mingyuan timidly raised a hand.
“Master, I became distracted just now. How much did Murong donate?”
“One thousand taels.”
Master Wang smiled as he reopened his book.
“Did everyone hear clearly? If Murong truly intended to steal pastries, how many peach cakes could one thousand taels purchase? Why would he bother eating stale offerings from Confucius Hall?”
Zheng Yuan clenched his sleeves.
“But…”
“Master is absolutely right!”
Xiao Heng abruptly stood and patted Zheng Yuan’s shoulder.
“Master’s wisdom is unparalleled. His judgment is impeccable.”
The other students hurried to agree.
Their shock refused to fade.
One thousand taels.
Previously, everyone had assumed Murong Yun’s boasts during her wager with Zheng Yuan had merely been empty bravado.
Yet who could have imagined that one thousand taels meant so little to Murong Yun?
After poisoning herself over a single bite of pastry, she had still casually donated a fortune.
No wonder Master Wang had spoken on her behalf.
Out of the corner of his eye, Yu Ziyang noticed that the books he had packed neatly in preparation for leaving remained untouched.
Following everyone else’s example, he turned to look at Murong Yun.
She sat calmly writing calligraphy.
It was as though the events unfolding around her had nothing to do with her at all.
Murong Yun’s brightly colored clothing had always made her stand out at the academy.
Recently, however, she had begun reflecting on herself and switched to more understated attire.
At breakfast, Murong Yun cheerfully broke a meat bun in half and placed one portion into Shangguan Xuan’s bowl.
“Shangguan, lend me a couple of your outfits so I won’t have to shop elsewhere.”
“I want one too! I want one too! Meat buns!” Song Qi protested.
Murong Yun stuffed an entire bun into his mouth.
“I never said I wouldn’t give you any.”
Song Qi grinned happily.
Following Murong Yun around really was a good life.
“Very well. I’ll give them to you in a few days.”
Shangguan Xuan picked up his chopsticks with elegant fingers and ate his pickled vegetables and meat bun with refined composure.
“So elegant. Truly elegant.”
Murong Yun openly admired his table manners.
Shangguan Xuan turned his face away slightly.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“There’s something on your face.”
“What is it?”
“Handsome.”
Song Qi nearly choked from laughing.
“You two are equally attractive. Do you really have to compliment each other in front of me? Do I even deserve to live?”
Later, as Murong Yun paid for the meal, Song Qi frowned anxiously.
“What? Still hungry?”
Murong Yun leaned over to inspect the remaining food.
Ever since Song Qi had boldly defended her against Zheng Yuan’s group, she had sincerely accepted him as a true friend.
Before transmigrating, she too had regarded fictional worlds as merely stories.
Yet after meeting Granny Wei, Song Qi, Shangguan Xuan, and the others, she had come to realize that fictional characters possessed genuine emotions.
They were sincere.
Pure! Brave! Fearless!
Song Qi tugged gently on her sleeve.
“We’ve been eating far too extravagantly lately. Your money pouch is almost empty. How are we supposed to survive the next two months?”
Murong Yun froze. Shaking the nearly depleted pouch in her hand, she realized he was right.
During recent outings, she had spent lavishly entertaining her two close friends.
Even her emergency reserve of one thousand taels had been used.
Internally, she sighed. She truly was a spendthrift.
“It’s not your fault. Even without you two, I’d spend money just as quickly.”
She comforted them with a smile.
“At worst, we’ll survive on steamed buns and salted vegetable porridge for the next two months. I won’t starve.”
Over the following days, Song Qi lost much of his former vitality.
Murong Yun finally understood what people meant when they said someone’s eyes had lost their sparkle.
As Murong Yun’s clothes became increasingly worn, Song Qi sometimes struggled even to meet her gaze while speaking.
“During the upcoming holiday break, I’ll take you both home.”
After learning the schedule from Master Xu, Song Qi rushed back excitedly.
“How far is it?” Murong Yun asked sleepily, rolling over.
Lately, the system had been relentlessly forcing knowledge into her mind, leaving her drowsy and disoriented.
Sometimes she couldn’t tell dreams from reality.
“Only a few hours,” Song Qi calculated on his fingers. “If we walk quickly, we’ll arrive within half a day.”
“That’s not too far,” Shangguan Xuan mused. “It’s been a long time since I’ve gone anywhere. This sounds like a good idea.”
Murong Yun’s eyelids drooped.
Using his folding fan, Shangguan Xuan poked her cheek.
“I’ll… I’ll go.”
Since both of her sworn brothers agreed, she wouldn’t spoil the mood.
After waking from another nap, the first person she saw was Scholar Zhao.
“Murong Yun, come with me.”
Scholar Zhao no longer held an official court position. Instead, he remained outside the palace compiling historical records.
With increasing pressure from the palace, Scholar Zhao’s classes had become less frequent, while Master Wang appeared more often.
Rumor had it that Master Wang had once been the top scholar of the imperial examinations.
However, his uncompromising personality had prevented success in officialdom.
Eventually, when Scholar Zhao founded Qingshan Academy, he had invited Master Wang to teach there.
At least three of Master Wang’s students ranked among the highest examination scorers, and the champions of the previous two imperial examinations had both been his disciples.
Why had Scholar Zhao summoned her?
“Murong, I’ve reviewed your recent examination papers.”
Scholar Zhao looked genuinely puzzled.
“You consistently stop answering halfway through, deliberately limiting your scores. The first half of your papers display extraordinary brilliance, while the latter half is disastrous.”
Murong Yun stood awkwardly.
Despite everything, she respected her teachers.
Previously, she had only behaved as she did because of the system’s tasks.
“Teacher, I…”
Master Xu quietly sipped tea nearby while shamelessly eavesdropping.
“I get tired halfway through writing,” Murong Yun improvised.
In truth, the system forcing her to cough blood had angered her.
She refused to surrender complete control over herself, so she deliberately left half the examinations unfinished.
Still, allowing the system to go entirely unused felt wasteful.
Scholar Zhao sighed.
“If you’re only capable of writing half a paper, then perhaps you should begin with the latter half instead. The provincial examination is approaching. Those sections are more difficult. If you never practice them, you’ll struggle during the actual examination.”
Murong Yun remained silent.
Even after her stubborn behavior, her teachers still cared deeply about her future.
“I know your family circumstances are favorable, but the fact that you voluntarily came to the academy demonstrates ambition.”
Scholar Zhao returned several examination papers to her.
“Spend more time reflecting on the latter questions.”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Warmth spread across Murong Yun’s face.
Despite all the trouble she had caused during Scholar Zhao’s classes, he had never once judged her unfairly.
Watching Scholar Zhao’s departing figure, Master Xu shook his head.
“Has the fox grown proud after revealing its tail?”
“I don’t know.”
Wrapping another cloak around himself, Scholar Zhao hurried toward the door.
“The provincial examination is approaching. I won’t have much time to visit the academy. I’ll leave matters here in your hands.”
Master Xu stroked his graying beard.
“Don’t worry. Nothing unexpected will happen. Besides, Hongyi is here, and the students all listen to him.”
…
Murong Yun seriously suspected that Master Xu had developed a personal grudge against her.
He called on her during nearly every lesson.
“Murong Yun! Sit properly!”
“Learn from Zheng Yuan and Shangguan Xuan. They rank among the top students, while you lack both posture and discipline.”
Murong Yun had always possessed a carefree nature.
Remaining perfectly upright for an entire hour was unbearable.
Consequently, Master Xu called on her more frequently than ever.
“The Analects commentary assigned previously remains unsubmitted by one person.”
“Murong, stand.”
Master Xu’s weathered voice echoed through the classroom.
“Explain the deeper meaning behind the phrase ‘A gentleman is not a vessel.’ If you fail to answer, you will copy The Analects five times.”
Murong Yun rose slowly.
Numerous passages flashed through her mind.
Yet commentary required deeper understanding rather than mere memorization.
Her gaze drifted toward the cracks between the floor tiles.
A yellow leaf had become lodged there.
Golden autumn had arrived. Winter was not far away.
“Murong…” Master Xu exclaimed in frustration. “Even now, you’re still distracted. The provincial examination is approaching!”
“People possess many facets and shouldn’t be confined to a single purpose like tools or vessels.”
“For example, scholars shouldn’t allow the title of ‘scholar’ to restrict them. We should live freely and openly.”
Murong Yun lightly nudged the floor with her foot.
Laughter erupted throughout the room.
Xiao Heng immediately seized the opportunity.
“Live freely? Murong is probably trying to encourage us all to eat, drink, and play around like him.”
Whispers spread rapidly. “Song Qi’s examination scores have dropped considerably lately.”
“Following Murong Yun around all day could only lead to this outcome.”
Song Qi had merely been taking advantage of the distraction to grind ink.
Now, somehow, the criticism had shifted toward him.
Startled, he accidentally splattered ink onto himself.
Master Xu struck his ruler against the desk.
“Silence. This is a classroom, not a marketplace.”
Several yellow leaves drifted through the open window.
After a pause, Master Xu said, “Murong, sit down.”
Shock spread throughout the room.
Master Xu wasn’t punishing her?
After class, Shangguan Xuan placed two sets of clothing on Murong Yun’s desk.
“These are for you.”
Recently, Murong Yun had been borrowing Song Qi’s clothing.
Although they lacked the softness of fine silk, they at least allowed her to resemble a proper scholar.
“What took you so long? Even washing them shouldn’t take more than two days. The weather’s been perfect lately…”
Running her fingers over the fabric, Murong Yun froze.
“They’re different.”
“Your build is slimmer than mine. I altered them using Song Qi’s measurements as a reference.”
Shangguan Xuan rubbed his tired eyes.
The calluses from sword practice had thickened further from sewing by candlelight.
More than once, while stitching, he had imagined Murong Yun looking strikingly heroic in clothes he had personally tailored.
“So that’s why.”
Murong Yun pressed both hands against the rough fabric.
It felt warm somehow.
“By the way, I bought new outfits for you too. One for you and one for Song Qi. We can wear them whenever the three of us decide to go act like hooligans.”
From the bottom of her basket, she retrieved a pale blue robe.
“Your wardrobe lacks color. Song Qi and I chose this especially for you.”
“You still have money?”
“I pawned some of my prettier fabrics.”
Murong Yun held the robe against him to compare sizes.
“Perfect.”
At that moment, Yu Ziyang entered the classroom to retrieve something.
The instant he saw them, he lowered his head and left.
On the academy holiday, Murong Yun rose early and changed into her new clothes.
Standing before the bronze mirror, she admired herself.
The pale blue robe complemented her fair complexion beautifully.
The longer she looked, however, the more she resembled a delicate pretty boy living off someone else’s support.
Although…
Being able to live comfortably off someone else didn’t sound so terrible.
Lost in pleasant fantasies, she noticed a shadow shifting outside her room.
Sunlight cast a long silhouette across the ground.
Murong Yun hurried outside and flung open the door.
Ten taels of silver rested there.
Did good fortune really fall from the heavens?
The retreating figure moved quickly, but Murong Yun recognized him immediately.
“Yu Ziyang!”
Yu Ziyang’s heart thundered. He stopped walking.
If Murong Yun called out any louder, everyone in the upper dormitories would open their doors to watch.
Footsteps approached from behind.
“Did you leave these ten taels here?”
Without turning around, Yu Ziyang answered, “Yes.”
“Why?”
“You gave me medicine. This is repayment.”
“One tael would have been enough.”
Murong Yun walked around to face him and returned the remaining nine taels to his palm.
Her warmth lingered faintly upon the silver.
“You know I still owe you a favor,” Yu Ziyang admitted through gritted teeth, confessing something that deeply embarrassed him.
“Then ten taels still aren’t enough.”
Yu Ziyang’s frustration mounted.
“I never asked you to save me. Who told you to interfere?”
“Exactly,” Murong Yun replied calmly. “Which is why I never intended to ask for repayment. You’re the one who insisted.”
“You…”
Unable to argue with her, Yu Ziyang grew increasingly exasperated.
“I never pitied you. Saving you was simply a small act of kindness. If it had been Ah Zao or Ah Wu, I would’ve done exactly the same. You may never stop criticizing me, but you’ve never actually harmed me.”
Glancing at the silver, Murong Yun smiled.
“The real issue is that you want to repay my kindness, but you’re conflicted about it.”
“Don’t act as though you understand me so well.”
“If you dislike me, then don’t interact with me. I don’t mind.”
Yu Ziyang stood frozen in place.
Watching Murong Yun walk away, he saw someone carefree and vibrant, filled with youthful energy as she moved toward the morning sunlight.
Deep down, he had long since stopped disliking Murong Yun.
Only the final remnants of his pride had prevented him from admitting it.