Jiang Huailu coughed awkwardly a few times, not daring to provoke Xie Yu’an any further, and quickly explained his purpose: “Mr. Meng is lecturing at Yingtian Academy today. I came to pick you up.”
Qiao Yin listened nearby. The Mr. Meng mentioned by Jiang Huailu was also known to her.
He was a great scholar, well-versed in both astronomy and geography, whom Lu Jinzhi greatly admired. For a period of time, Qiao Yin had inquired everywhere about this great scholar, hoping to obtain a piece of his calligraphy to gift to Lu Jinzhi. However, this scholar lived a secluded life, and his whereabouts were extremely elusive. Qiao Yin had heard many rumors but never managed to meet him in person.
Hearing that they had matters to attend to and needed to leave, Qiao Yin felt slightly disappointed. Just as she was about to bid farewell, she suddenly met Xie Yu’an’s gaze.
“Would you like to come along?”
It sounded like heavenly music to her ears.
Qiao Yin, both flattered and pitiful, asked, “Can I? Yingtian Academy never used to let me in before.”
Xie Yu’an dismissed it with disdain, “Do you want to go?”
Qiao Yin nodded eagerly like pounding garlic. At this critical juncture of life and death, she was more than eager to spend more time with Xie Yu’an.
The Crown Prince had no objections, so the three of them headed to Yingtian Academy together. Qiao Yin rode in her own carriage, while Xie Yu’an and the Crown Prince shared a carriage.
On the way, Jiang Huailu couldn’t help but mutter, “What’s going on? Why is Qiao Yin suddenly sticking to you? Wasn’t she always following Lu Jinzhi around? I remember half a month ago, Qiao Yin was still publicly declaring that she couldn’t live without Lu Jinzhi. How could someone so shameless suddenly cling to you?”
Xie Yu’an found the words grating and replied with a serious expression, “It’s not her clinging to me; it’s me clinging to her.”
Jiang Huailu was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Who would believe that? With your background, the young ladies of the capital are all at your disposal. How could you lower yourself to be with Qiao Yin…?”
Xie Yu’an thought for a moment and said, “A few days ago, I received an urgent letter from the Xie Family’s merchant caravan sent from the southern border. It mentioned that the southern border army has fought three battles against the Yue Kingdom’s army and won all three. If nothing unexpected happens, the army led by Jing’an Marquis will soon return victorious.”
Qiao Yin’s father, Qiao Zhendong, was the commander leading the campaign against the Yue Kingdom. If he returned triumphantly, Qiao Zhendong would undoubtedly rise to become the top general of the Great Zhou, commanding an army of one hundred thousand stationed at the southern border. Naturally, Qiao Yin’s status would also rise accordingly.
Jiang Huailu caught on and looked at Xie Yu’an with disbelief. “Are you getting close to Qiao Yin to win over Jing’an Marquis?”
Xie Yu’an neither confirmed nor denied it.
Jiang Huailu’s expression darkened. “What virtue or ability do I possess to make you sacrifice so much?”
“You’re overthinking it. If I’m doing this for anyone, it’s for the Xie Family.”
Xie Yu’an looked out the window. Through the slightly swaying gap in the carriage curtain, Qiao Yin’s carriage happened to pass by ahead.
Inside her carriage, Qiao Yin was extremely excited. Bizhu couldn’t help but remark, “Miss, you truly are eager to learn. Just going to the academy can make you this happy.”
Qiao Yin beamed with joy. She wasn’t interested in the academy itself; what excited her was the chance to spend time with Xie Yu’an. Of course, she was also happy to be able to enter Yingtian Academy.
Yingtian Academy was the best academy in the capital, gathering talented individuals from across the land as teachers. It often invited various great scholars and masters to lecture there. The scions of noble families in the capital took pride in studying at Yingtian Academy.
The academy had an unwritten rule: anyone who wished to enter had to match the couplet posted at the entrance.The daughter of Yingtian Academy’s headmaster, Xue Wanran, was her sworn rival, always making a big deal out of nothing and using every opportunity to give her a hard time. Every time, Lu Jinzhi and the others would go in, while she was left standing outside the gate, utterly embarrassed.
Before long, the carriage came to a stop, surrounded by the clamor of horses and vehicles.
Qiao Yin lifted the curtain to look outside. The carriage had arrived at the academy, and many other carriages were parked at the entrance of Yingtian Academy, with a steady stream of people coming to attend the lecture.
Just as Qiao Yin was about to alight, Xie Yu’an appeared by the carriage shaft, holding up the curtain for her.
“Qiao Yin,” he called her name softly.
This seemed to be the first time Xie Yu’an had called her by her name. Qiao Yin had never thought her name sounded particularly pleasant until she heard him say it.
Her heart inexplicably skipped a beat as she looked up at him in a daze.
Xie Yu’an held the curtain with one hand while the other rested behind his back, the very picture of a refined gentleman. Just standing there, he was a delight to behold.
“Follow me, and Yingtian Academy naturally won’t dare to stop you. But I still want to ask you: do you want to walk in openly and honorably?”
Qiao Yin froze, her heart pounding as if struck by something. Of course, she wanted to enter on her own merit, but…
“I’m not very good at composing couplets,” Qiao Yin lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling a bit inadequate in front of Xie Yu’an.
Then, Xie Yu’an’s voice drifted into her ears like a gentle spring breeze.
“Everyone has their own expertise. It’s fine if you’re not good at couplets. Among the Six Arts—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—you only need to excel in one. Making pastries is also acceptable; Yingtian Academy has tea and pastry masters as well.”
Was that possible? So the entrance assessment wasn’t limited to composing couplets?
She had come here with Lu Jinzhi so many times, and he had never mentioned this alternative.
Qiao Yin widened her eyes and raised her hand like a student answering a question. “Mathematics, I choose mathematics. I’m decent at arithmetic.”
Xie Yu’an looked at her wide eyes and raised hand, her posture as if ready for a serious challenge, and couldn’t help but smile.
Standing below the carriage shaft, he extended his hand to her. “Then I’ll look forward to it.”
Qiao Yin placed her hand in his palm, letting him assist her as she stepped down from the carriage.
His palm was broad and warm, and Qiao Yin felt as if she were drowning in Xie Yu’an’s gentleness.
“Isn’t that Qiao Yin?”
As soon as Lu Jinzhi alighted from his carriage, he heard Chu Wenjing’s exclamation. Looking up, he saw Qiao Yin holding Xie Yu’an’s hand as she stepped down from the carriage. An inexplicable pang struck his heart, especially when he saw the smile lighting up Qiao Yin’s eyes.
Qiao Yin still hadn’t had enough fun and was even with Xie Yu’an.
“What is she doing here? Oh, she’s going to challenge the entrance? Is she up to it?”
Chu Wenjing watched as Qiao Yin parted from Xie Yu’an and walked alone toward the academy’s gatehouse, seemingly requesting the assessment questions, and couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Isn’t Xie Yu’an taking Qiao Yin directly inside?”
Lu Jinzhi’s face darkened as he blurted out, “Who would want to bring an uncultured ignoramus inside?”
He didn’t want to, and Xie Yu’an surely didn’t either. Qiao Yin showing up here was just asking for humiliation.
Lu Jinzhi’s gaze fixed on Qiao Yin, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Over there, Qiao Yin explained her intentions to the academy staff, but as soon as she finished speaking, Xue Wanran burst out with exaggerated gestures and loud exclamations.
“Isn’t this Qiao Yin? I didn’t hear clearly just now. What does Miss Qiao want to do? Challenge the entrance qualification?”Xue Wanran deliberately raised her voice, successfully drawing the attention of everyone at the door.
Qiao Yin looked at Xue Wanran’s exaggerated expression and calmly said, “Yes, I am here to challenge.”
“Hahahaha.” Xue Wanran covered her mouth and laughed until she bent over. “You? With just you? Qiao Yin, it’s not that I’m trying to make things difficult for you—I’m doing this for your own good. Today, the academy has invited Mr. Meng to give a lecture, and all those coming and going are learned individuals. You shouldn’t embarrass yourself here.”
Not far away, Jiang Huailu saw this and nudged Xie Yu’an, urging, “A-Yu, she’s being ridiculed like this. Why aren’t you stepping in?”
Xie Yu’an gazed at Qiao Yin’s back, completely composed. “She doesn’t need it.”