Chapter 283: Selling His Highness' Portrait
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
The night fell upon Murong Residence.
"Changfeng, do you understand that your main goal is to protect Lady Yun's identity when you go back to the academy this time around?" The person speaking, was none other than Empress Murong.
Murong Changfeng's gaze shifted slightly, "Rest assured, Aunt. I'm clear about everything."
"Alright then." Empress Murong smiled, but in her eyes, you could see that she was plotting something. "My royal son is still too young, but that bastard's influence is getting stronger day by day. With Lady Yun as a restriction, it should be able to eliminate his right-hand man."
Certainly, Murong Changfeng knew who this bastard was, but he did not really mind about all these, instead, he asked, "Aunty, so from what you said, this Lady Yun is enrolled into the academy already?"
"Of course she has been accepted." Empress Murong lifted the teacup beside her, blew aside the tea leaves, and said, "This woman is not as simple as you think she is. She has reached the Gold League at a very young age, and above all, she forged a really good martial practice. Well, she ought to be outstanding since she was brought up alongside the bastard, and on top of that, the bastard was extraordinarily good to her. It was said that she is just a servant, but in actual she has led a much better life than most ladies in the Capital. To her, the White Academy's tests should be as easy as pie."
Murong Changfeng muttered, "She even knows how to form martial arts..."
"All the things that Helian Wei Wei is capable of doing, she is too." Empress Murong smirked maliciously. "She is good at what Helian Wei Wei is incapable of too. So, it's more than perfect to place her at the White Academy. The people in Helian's family have been so arrogant, they will soon lose everything that they've got. You don't have to worry, Changfeng. Aunt knows that the brat from Helian's family has embarrassed you many times before. I will definitely let them pay for everything!"
Murong Changfeng did not say a word; he was a little distracted.
But Empress Murong did not notice it at all. She was so into her thoughts that she could not help grinning, imagining that there would be good news for her very soon.
The night wind grew stronger, but it was calm and peaceful at the hilltop.
There were curfews in the academy, so as soon as it turned dark, the exit leading downhill would be closed.
The White Academy had its reasons for being the most renowned academy for so many years; it was all because of its strict regulations.
There were even rules during seasons for lantern festivals. After the students returned to the academy, the grandmaster along with a few masters would be there to maintain order.
During the last semester, Helian Wei Wei had to do everything by herself. Now that she had help from Qing Zhan, her progress was way faster.
The bathroom was still the same, but Helian Wei Wei already knew the way around the place so she would not get lost so easily anymore. Thinking back, there was where she ran into His Highness when he was showering, because she could not differentiate the male bathrooms from the female's.
Remembering it now, His Highness' body was actually very fit. The charm that was so captivating, making it hard to find the second one in the world.
Later in the future, she could draw a portrait of His Highness while he was sleeping, and then sell the drawing. It would cost a fortune.
Huge profits with small capital.
They had already married anyway.
Whatever she did could be like what he said, as a means to adapt herself.
Helian Wei Wei was in a good mood after she made up her mind. She took her nightgown and went into the bathroom. The way she undressed had an aura that spoke of her handsome look, it was probably because she was so used to being a secret agent. With a slight tug on the laces, her robe fell as she strolled, and finally rested in a pool on the ground.
As the bamboo trees swayed in the wind, Helian Wei Wei soaked herself in the hot spring pool and recalled the scenes in her dream the other day. Her gaze deepened.
Her eyes narrowed as she went through the possible candidates that belonged to that woman in her mind.
All of a sudden her eyes widened, and it was as clear as crystal.
It was because of nothing else, but Yuan Ming who was warning her using telepathy, "Someone is here!"
Helian Wei Wei reached out her hand, and soon covered herself with a towel. With her slim, white legs, she stepped out of the hot spring pool, barefooted on the greenish stone floor. Holding onto an umbrella, she appeared as graceful as the queen.
"Ah!" The girl who was about to enter shrieked as if she was totally unaware that someone was inside. The girl coughed, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you're using the bathroom."
Helian Wei Wei looked at her, and puckered her lips, "It's alright."
Then, the girl lifted her head. Her face was as small as a palm, and she had an alluring scent. She also had bright eyes, and there was a ravishing look to them, making it hard to not stare at her.
She had very fair skin, and long, knee-length black hair. She looked surreal and fragile, like a magnolia flower bud, so clean and innocent. Just by looking at her, one would have the desire to embrace her and give her all the love.
"I'll be waiting outside. I'll come in once you're dressed." The girl beamed and politely turned around to leave.
Helian Wei Wei held the nightgown in her hands, and with a spin, the piece of cloth draped around her.
Yuan Ming teased, "This girl isn't so bad, her martial Qi value is pretty high, and she looked really innocent. Moreover, look at you, woman, don't you think that you need to be more gentle to me in the future?"
"The way I'm treating you now have raised your concern, thinking if I'm in love with you. If I am ever gentle to you, haha, you'd better be worried that I might want to marry you." Helian Wei Wei responded nonchalantly as she retracted her gaze.
Yuan Ming scoffed, "You're just jealous of her. I can understand your feelings though, seeing someone who is more feminine than you, for certain you envy her."
"So now you can even understand how a girl feels." With her slender fingers, Helian Wei Wei tightened her robe, and let out a wicked laugh, "Yuan Xiaoming, are you going to say 'we girls' next? I've known you for so long, but I didn't realize that you're a woman." action
After being made fun of by Helian Wei Wei, Yuan Ming's face turned somewhat red, yet he chuckled, "Actually if you just clean that black stain on your face, you will look prettier than her."
"Thanks a lot, you judgemental freak." Helian Wei Wei gave the door a push and strode out. The girl was still out there, looking delicate even in the moonlight.
The girl saw Helian Wei Wei coming out, and held out her hand, "Is this yours?"
Helian Wei Wei peered at the sandalwood bead in the palm of the girl's hand, she had brought it along with her from the bedroom. She wanted to tie it around her neck as an insect repellent. That was why Baili Jiajue had tonnes of it in his bedroom.
It probably fell off when she was taking off her clothes.
Helian Wei Wei gave a faint smile. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," the girl spoke softly. With her head up, she fixed her gaze at Helian Wei Wei. "There are some things that you ought to be careful not to lose them because once they're lost, it would be hard to get them back."
Chapter 284: The New Transfer Student
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
"That girl is quite interesting," Yuan Ming's voice rang in her ears.
Helian Wei Wei did not react when she heard the remark. She just smirked as she said, "There are still others even if it's gone."
"That may be true, but there are certain things that cannot be replaced," The young lady said as her eyes dimmed.
Helian Wei Wei did not continue the conversation. Instead, she placed the sandalwood beads back to their original position. After bidding farewell to the young lady, she disappeared into the night.
"Elder sister, are you just going to let her go?" asked Hei Zhu who had just emerged from the dense bamboo forest. "You might not be aware, but she did something to His Highness, she made him..."
As the young lady arranged the clothes neatly, she continued, "I know, things have just begun, and it's only fair that I take the time to understand her. Hei Zhu, you're too impatient, a woman that can pique his interest is not a simple woman. She is definitely a tricky one to deal with, but the more direct a person is, the easier it is for that person to be taken advantage of. Before I came back, I have already heard about her from others. Her actions were bold, but that also means she would easily offend others. Also, I have never met someone who reveals their disdain at the first meeting..." As she went on, her tone became softer. "That is why I can constantly take them down!"
After listening to what she said, Hei Zhu smiled. "I see that Elder Sister has her own ideas. However, you've seen the woman's appearance. She's tan as coal, how can a piece of coal be compared to Elder Sister?"
The young lady smiled lightly and said, "Come on, let's go to the Superior Compound."
"Okay!" Hei Zhu tagged along behind her. She could not help but imagine His Highness' reaction and that ugly woman's fate after he laid eyes on her Elder Sister. The thought of it made her heart well up with smugness and satisfaction.
Little by little, rain started to fall on the mountain.
The excitement that came with the commencement of a new semester had started to fade. The returning academy students had settled down and were all lying on their beds, drifting into a deep sleep.
But at this time, Helian Wei Wei sat up abruptly. She glanced at Qing Zhan, who was sleeping in the outer house, before stepping lightly out of the Inferior Compound.
At this time, while everyone was sleeping, White Academy was shrouded in darkness, even more so after it started raining. The guards on patrol duty were also influenced by the peaceful atmosphere, causing them to slack off a little.
This situation made Helian Wei Wei's covert operation even easier. She squinted her almond-shaped eyes as she slid gracefully onto an obscure footpath, sneaking boldly past the guards while their backs were turned. However, nobody noticed her.
When she arrived at the designated meeting point at a corner of the Trading Compound, Helian Wei Wei finally held up her umbrella. With a soft smile, she said, "Old Man Huan, ambushing someone from behind is usually regarded as immoral behavior."
"You cheeky little brat!" The old man tried his best to change direction in mid-air, his toes touching down on the floor gently. He coughed lightly, "It's really hard to catch you off guard these days."
Helian Wei Wei tossed a strawberry up in the air before stuffing it into her mouth. "I did not join the Battle Spirit Forces just to be caught off guard by you."
"You!" Before Huan Ming Xiang could explode, Helian Wei Wei nudged him into a discreet grove of bamboo trees. "I got this from the palace. Since I've heard that you liked these in your younger years, I made sure to swipe some from the royal kitchens when they were not looking."
Huan Ming Xiang's eyes shone when his eyes fell on the wine urn. Despite that, his tone was still serious as he chided, "Look at you, you're about to become a Princess Consort, but you're still going around stealing people's wine. My girl, are the rumors true? Is that icy brat not treating you well?" action
"Him?" Helian Wei Wei was at a loss for words to describe His Highness, so she just simply nodded. "He's fine."
Huan Ming Xiang glared at her. "Don't you ever lie to this old man! If you are ever bullied, let me know. No matter how inconvenient it would be, I can still help you say a word or two at the palace."
This was the second person who had cared so much for her ever since she traveled back in time to this ancient dynasty.
Helian Wei Wei grinned and she replied, "I know."
Her heart could feel a sense of warmth for some reason.
Her grandfather and mother had passed on when she was younger, so in a way, when it came to memories of familial bonds, everything had stopped when she turned seven. After that, she had stepped into the Tang Sect.
Later on, she rarely got bullied, but she did bleed a lot.
Every time she went out on missions, it was never certain if she could make it back alive.
Tang Sect's training was very cruel and inhumane.
But at that time, that was the only place that was willing to take her in.
Like a flower blooming in the dark, that place welcomed the ruthless and bloodthirsty into their arms.
That was why Helian Wei Wei, at a certain standpoint, could accept the Third Prince's actions. The reason was simple, no matter how different they were on the surface, deep down, they were the same type of human beings.
"Old Man Huan, I have made up my mind. I want to join your Battle Spirit Forces." Helian Wei Wei lifted her eyes, determination sparkling in their depths.
Huan Ming Xiang was overjoyed as he said, "I will let them know of your acceptance tomorrow. Girl, what made you decide to join?"
"Legends have it that the Battle Spirit Forces fight in the dark for the War Dragon Empire," Helian Wei Wei said wistfully. "It was all to ensure that people can live in peace and not influenced by any family or bloodline. I find it very meaningful to join such a force."
Huan Ming Xiang laughed as he lifted his hands to comb through his beard. "Then, you should prepare yourself. In three days, I will lead you to the preliminary test to enlist in the Battle Spirits Forces. You need not worry, it should not be too hard for you. There are a lot of fresh faces joining this time, and two of them are new students from the Superior Compound. They are also candidates to join the Battle Spirit Forces."
Two new students? Helian Wei Wei raised her eyebrows. As she thought about it, she recalled the unfamiliar girl she saw in the bathroom. Maybe she was one of the new students?
Looks like the White Academy is getting more and more interesting...
The rain dispersed as the night came to an end. The next day, the air was cool and breezy, and the temperature was comfortable.
The abundant sunlight poured into the Inferior Compound.
The teacher had not arrived yet, so everybody was rushing to complete their homework.
Only Baili Jia Jue was sitting at his table lazily, with one of his hands supporting his cheek. His hair drifted freely in the air, while his posture was that of lazy regality. He was so good-looking that nobody could pull their eyes away from him, yet no one dared look straight at him.
Helian Wei Wei yawned as she walked into the compound. The black and white scholar's hat that she was wearing truly complemented her elegant eyes. Plunking herself down next to him, she greeted cheerily, "Morning."
Before Baili Jia Jue could even come up with a reply, she rested her head on the desk in preparation to sleep.
Baili Jia Jue looked at her, his mesmerizing eyes squinted ever so slightly.
At this time, all of the students had already settled into their places.
Even the chronically late Nangong Lie had made it to his place. However, when he saw the nerdy-looking youth sitting next to Helian Wei Wei, the cheerfulness in his eyes started to fade.
Qing Zhan knew that he did not want to see her, but she never would have thought that Young Master Lie and His Highness, the Third Prince would have been assigned to the Inferior Compound.
If she had known in the first place, she would have listened to Princess Consort and choose to enroll for one of the other compounds. It could have prevented her from having to be in this situation.
"You seem to be doing quite well these days."
A familiar voice resonated in her ears...
Chapter 285: The Transfer Student 1
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Qing Zhan thought that those words were not directed toward her. She raised her head and looked intensely at Nangong Lie before she realized that it was indeed directed at her. After thinking about it, she said, "The Princess Consort is kind to me."
"Really?" Nangong Lie sneered fiercely, "So, you don't plan to ever come back?"
Go back? Qing Zhan's eyebrows frowned. Was she not the person he did not want to see the most?
Helian Wei Wei laughed lazily, "Of course not, classmate, don't forget that Qing Zhan is one of my people now. Please sit down and don't disturb our class."
"Disturb your class?" Nangong Lie's eyes were cold, but his face remained evil. "This is the first time I'm hearing that Miss 'High and Mighty' Helian will take the class seriously."
Helian Wei Wei did not speak, but put her hand on Qing Zhan's shoulder, and raised the corner of her lips toward Nangong Lie in a fierce yet graceful way.
Nangong Lie did not look at her but fixed his gaze on the student. Seeing that Qing Zhan did not help defend him at all, his hands tightened under the long sleeves, and the smile at the corners of his mouth grew wider. "As you wish, go wherever you like. If you ever get bullied, you'd better not come crawling back!"
Rustle.
Nangong Lie's turned the pages of the book in hand loudly, which made the major-domo lady who had followed him bit her lips fearfully. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Nangong Lie grinned and reassured with a soothing voice, "Did I scare you?"
The major-domo lady looked at the student and said, "A little."
"Sorry, read your book." Nangong Lie was still Nangong Lie.
Major-domo lady did not understand where on earth did his chilliness come from.
Qing Zhan did not speak from the beginning throughout the end. She took out the brushes that Helian Wei Wei needed and arranged them in a tidy position with calm and diligence.
Helian Wei Wei looked at them both and whispered, "If you don't want to stay here and watch these things, go out for a stroll. It's not a problem. I tend to sleep in class, so you don't have to suffer here with me."
Qing Zhan raised her head and said, "I will be by your side, Princess Consort."
"Then, don't look like you're about to cry." Helian Wei Wei stretched out her hand and rubbed her head, then smiled faintly, "It's just a man. In this world, there may be only a few other things but there is no doubt that there is a lot of men, especially in the White Academy. Tell me when you have found one that you like."
"Why should I let you know, Princess Consort?" Qing Zhan questioned.
"Investigate him, then make him yours quickly." Helian Wei Wei's voice was very light and it carried a sense of laziness, "I have many younger brothers, I will introduce to you when the time is right, not to mention that a few of them are not bad."
Qing Zhan, "...Why do you sound as though a woman is fighting for a husband, as though she is a bandit?"
Even if the voice from this side was low enough, but as a Genius Worshipper, he could still hear their conversation. His grip tightened.
"The best way to forget your previous relationship is to meet a new man." Helian Wei Wei smiled. "Qing Zhan, in the end, you still have to start over."
Start over?
Qing Zhan paused and said, "Fine, I'll go."
When Nangong Lie heard those words, he was shocked for a moment, and then he laughed unconsciously.
He looked like he wanted to say more, but then he saw the teacher sauntering in with a big smile. The white robe that he was wearing made the slightly fat man look like a happy Maitreya Buddha.
"Settle down, settle down a bit!" The teacher raised his arm and said, "There is a new student joining us today, everyone please welcome him."
As soon as he finished, a slender and tall-looking man came in.
Almost at the moment when the man stepped foot into the room, it was as though all of the air in the room was sucked. Everyone fell silent. It was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Helian Wei Wei looked up and immediately understood why everyone became so quiet.
Not only did the man stand out a lot in a crowd, but he was also superior to Baili Jia Jue.
He had bright white teeth and dark-blue hair like satin draped over his shoulders. His shirt collar was not stained at all, his jade-like face was getting all the admiration from the crowd. His star-like eyebrows were like the first snowfall, forcefully suppressing the light of this room.
He had a cultured and refined smile on his lips as if he had stepped out of an ancient painting, bringing a faint aroma of medicine with him, which made people feel that the slightest glance at him would stain him. However, they could not help themselves from wanting to approach him either.
However, his face was familiar to Helian Wei Wei.
Although they did not often meet, she had escaped a robbery by hiding in his carriage before.
Even her martial practice had something to do with him.
Sigh.
The magnificent and incomparable Master Wushuang had come to be a new student, and he was also arranged to join the Inferior Compound...
Helian Wei Wei smirked. This is going to be fun.
"God, who is this?"
Sure enough, exclamations followed.
The teacher looked around at the stunned students and adjusted his glasses with his hand, then said, "Because of his health issue, this student was late in admission. Alright, let the new student introduce himself now."
When the teacher finished, he took a look at the man beside him. The man nodded slightly and stepped forward slowly.
"I'm Jing Boshuang." The man's lips curved into a faint smile, as he murmured the words smoothly in a deep voice.
Jing Boshuang?
He only said those few words, but it was like throwing a stone into still water, causing it to ripple instantly.
The quiet hall suddenly turned chaotic.
Everyone was whispering to each other about everything that they knew of him.
Haven't you heard of the surname 'Jing' around the Capital?
Did he come from somewhere else?
Don't tell me he's the same as the other two who are in the Inferior Compound...
The crowd of students was deep in thought, they could not help but set their gazes on Baili Jia Jue and Nangong Lie.
Comparing the two, one was lazier with his chin resting on his hand and his face indifferent. His long fingers contrasted sharply with the old scrolls in his hands, and when the light shone on him, he looked so stunning. action
On the other hand, the other one would put his hand on the back of the chair, raised his eyebrows and cast his eyes on the man who called himself 'Jing Boshuang'.
Then, he raised his leg to block the man's way.
The man seemed to have a very good temper, and his eyes were gleaming. He glanced at the Nangong Lie fiercely and said, "It has been a long while since we last met." He hesitated, but in the end, he still chose to play safe and addressed him with the title, "Seventh Master."
Nangong Lie ranked seventh in the family, which only a few people knew of this.
People listened to what he was addressed as and looked at him with surprise, "Do they know each other?"
"Long time no see, Master Shuang." Nangong Lie retrieved his legs as he pondered and said, "I didn't expect that you will come to the academy to learn too."
Master Wushuang curled his lower lip and cleared his throat gently. Although the condition of his body looked very bad, this did not make his grandeur to be weakened at all. Instead, he was gentle and indifferent with irresistible indifference, "Even Seventh Master is here, so why can't I be here as well?"