Chapter 36 (Revised)

After returning from Victoria, Wei Lu rested for a few days before returning to Bailu Academy. Unfortunately, before he'd even had two days of classes, he had a quiz. Having not reviewed his lessons for so long, Wei Lu was having a headache writing.

Wei Lu was rubbing her forehead when Jiang Yingyue, who had collected the papers, sat down in front of her: "A Lu."

"Hmm?" Wei Yan responded lazily.

"My second brother asked me to ask if you have time tomorrow. I want to invite you to my house."

Wei Yan paused and looked at Jiang Yingyue in confusion, "Why your second brother? Does he want to talk to me about something?"

Jiang Yingyue nodded: "It seems that there is something wrong, but he refused to tell me and only asked me to ask you to go home."

"I'll be fine tomorrow."

"Okay. Let's go home together after school." Jiang Yingyue said happily, "Do you want to stay at my house for one night? I want to hear what you have to say about Victoria."

Wei Yan nodded, agreeing.

When school was over, Wei Yan and Jiang Yingyue walked out of the academy gate side by side. As they were searching for their own carriage among the carriages in front of the academy gate, Jiang Yingyue suddenly stopped and tugged at Wei Yan's sleeve, "Hey, Cheng Zi is here to see you."

When Wei Lu looked up, she saw Cheng Zi running towards them from a roadside shop, and soon stopped in front of Lu.

Jiang Yingyue smiled and waved to Cheng Zi. "Long time no see, Cheng Zi. Why don't you come to school with Ah Lu? The teacher sometimes talks about your dropping out and seems quite sorry."

Cheng Zi studied at Bailu Academy for nearly a year, then left the capital to travel around with his master Lin Han, focusing on martial arts, and only returned to the capital for a short stay during the New Year holidays.

"Well, I don't plan on taking the imperial examination. Learning to read and write is enough for me." Cheng Zi scratched his head sheepishly, then looked at Wei Yan, "I'm hosting a dinner at Guangyun Tower today. Princess, could you please do me the honor?"

Wei Xi frowned. Why was this person speaking so slickly? "Can you please speak properly?"

"Let's go to Guangyunlou for dinner." Cheng Zi followed suit and changed his tone quickly.

"Xiao Jiang, let's go together."

Wei Yan looked at Jiang Yingyue. Just then, the maid from the Jiang residence came over. Jiang Yingyue shook her head and said, "No, my mother is waiting for me to go back and check the account books."

After that, the three of them separated. Jiang Yingyue returned home, while Wei Yan and Cheng Zi got on a carriage and went to Guangyun Tower.

Cheng Zi booked a private room before going to Bailu Academy. When he and Wei Xian arrived, the private room was already full of people - people from Prince Yu's Mansion and Lin Mansion had gathered together. Everyone was listening to Wei Zhi reciting poems with his chest puffed out and quite confident.

"Green cypress trees on the mausoleum, rocks in the stream. Life in the world is like a traveler on a long journey..."

Wei Xi and Cheng Zi smiled at each other, neither of them said a word, and sat down quietly.

Cheng Zi looked at Wei Zhi who was reciting a poem for a while, then turned his head slightly to look at Wei Xuan beside him.

At this time, Wei Xuan was no longer as cold as usual, but had a smile on his lips, and his eyes were warm as he looked at Wei Zhi.

For some reason, Cheng Zi vaguely remembered Wei Yan as a child. Back when they were studying together, he had always been curious about whether this cold little girl had any other expressions besides a blank face.

Thinking about it, Cheng Zi couldn't help laughing.

It happened that Wei Zhi recited the entire poem at the top of his voice, which made his grandfather Lin Yi so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He hugged Wei Zhi and kept calling him "my sweetheart", which made Princess Yu shudder with disgust.

"Sister!" As soon as Wei Zhi saw Wei Yan, he jumped into her arms.

Lin Yi hurriedly handed him to Wei Yan, who held him firmly and poked Wei Zhi's little round face.

Wei Zhi looked at his sister with his bright eyes and said, "I want to study at Bailu Academy like you in the future!"

Apart from the Imperial College, Bailu Academy and Qingya Academy are arguably the two best academies in the capital. These two academies also have very high requirements for students, and those who want to enroll must first pass a rigorous examination.

When Wei Xun, Cheng Zi and Jiang Yingyue were young, they spent a month memorizing books before they were able to get into Bailu Academy.

"Okay, our Ah Zhi is the best, he will definitely pass the exam!"

Princess Yu curled her lips. These people really spoiled the child without limit. He dared to have such a dream just because he could recite a poem?

"By the way, why are you treating us today?" Wei Yan turned to ask Cheng Zi.

Everyone looked at Cheng Zi. Only Prince Yu and his wife and Cheng Zi's master Lin Han knew the reason.

Lin Han looked at Cheng Zi with satisfaction.

When she saved Cheng Zi, he was filled with hatred and only wanted to quickly master martial arts to seek revenge. At that time, Cheng Zi could neither cry nor laugh, like a puppet. He would only burst into tears when he dreamed of his family, murmuring "father" and "mother".

Fortunately, the people in Luosha Valley sympathized with the child and always tried to tease him until he was so angry that he jumped up and down. Gradually, he became a relatively normal child, lively, cheerful, and fond of laughter and playfulness.

But Lin Han knew that everything was just an appearance, a mask that the child wore to avoid worrying others. Cheng Zi's heart was still desolate, filled with only hatred.

Fortunately, the murderer who destroyed his family has been brought to justice, his father's injustice has been vindicated, and the child finally survived these twelve years full of pain.

At this time, the waiters of the restaurant were coming in and out, and the table was soon filled with wine and food. After asking the waiter to close the door of the private room, Cheng Zi filled his glass and stood up to toast everyone.

"Today I received an imperial decree to restore my father's identity and reputation."

Cheng Zi spoke calmly, his eyes sincere and earnest.

"Today, we are holding a banquet here to celebrate the redress of my father's injustice and the revenge of my Cheng family. We are also here to thank you all for your care for me over the years."

Cheng Zi first turned to his mentor Lin Han: "If it weren't for Master who saved my life and taught me martial arts, I wouldn't be who I am today. Cheng Zi, thank you, Master."

Lin Han smiled, raised his glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

After the second glass of wine, Cheng Zi turned to the Prince of Yu and his wife, "I have always been cared for by the Prince and Princess in the capital. The Princess treats me like her own child. I have always had everything that Ah Lu has. Master gave me a home, and the Princess gave me the feeling of home. Here, Cheng Zi thanks the Prince and Princess!"

"Don't be so polite. Since you are my aunt's apprentice, you are also my brother. It is my duty to take care of you."

Prince Yu also interjected: "Yes, you can be considered the princess's younger brother." Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Prince Yu emphasized the word "brother".

Cheng Zi seemed not to notice Prince Yu's emphasis, and poured another glass of wine towards Lin Yi and his wife.

"The two elders are my master's relatives and my elders. They troubled me a lot when I was studying. Cheng Zi would like to thank them for their careful teaching."

Lin Yi also looked at Cheng Zi with satisfaction: "You are quite talented in studying. If you can continue to study in the future, you will pass the imperial examination and become a local official like your father."

Cheng Zi smiled: "Thank you, Lord Lin, for your advice. But I'm already used to the free and unfettered life in the martial arts world, and the government may not be suitable for me."

Lin Yi also nodded, agreeing with Cheng Zi's words: "In life, one must naturally find a path that suits him."

After thanking all the elders present, Wei Yu thought it was time to start eating. When she picked up her chopsticks and prepared to listen to the elders' instructions to eat, she saw Cheng Zi holding a glass of wine towards her.

"Thank you for this cup, Ah-Lun."

Wei Yan looked at Cheng Zi quietly, as if waiting for his next words. Cheng Zi just said this and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Wei Zhen frowned: "Just that one sentence?"

Cheng Zi had already sat down. When he heard Wei Yan ask this, he was a little surprised: "Yes, what's wrong?"

Wei Xi pursed his lips. Okay, just one sentence. After all, the people in front of him were elders, so it was only natural to say a little more.

After Cheng Zi finished his round of toasts, everyone started eating. The family sat together, no need to be polite, and the private room was full of joy.

Wei Yu, who had just finished an exam after spending the day at the academy, was really hungry. He picked up a beef meatball, split it in half, fed one half to Wei Zhi, who was standing next to him, and stuffed the other half into his mouth. While chewing the meatball, Cheng Zi beside him suddenly said, "Actually, I shouldn't have toasted you."

Wei Yan turned around and looked at him in confusion.

"Look, my master is your great-aunt. The princess and I are of the same generation, and you and Ah Zhi are of the same generation." Cheng Zi's smile was a bit provocative. "Logically, you should call me uncle-master."

Wei Yan chuckled and raised his glass to Cheng Zi: "Uncle Master, your nephew toasts to you."

Cheng Zi's smile froze when he saw Wei Yan doing this.

"Don't talk in bed, don't talk in bed, Uncle Master, please have your meal."

Wei Xun ignored him and added a piece of roasted lamb to Wei Zhi's and his own bowls.

Cheng Zi was so choked by the blunt "Master" that he was speechless. He stretched out his chopsticks to pick up a shrimp ball, but they collided with another pair of chopsticks. He looked up and saw that the owner of the chopsticks opposite him was the smiling Prince Yu.

Cheng Zi smiled back, but couldn't help swallowing.

Actually, he didn't like Prince Yu's smile very much. Although Prince Yu was still handsome even in his old age, that smile always looked sinister, and it made him feel terrified.

Cheng Zi quickly put away his chopsticks and signaled the elders to go first.

On the other side of the table, Lin Han saw the secret rivalry between Prince Yu and Cheng Zi, and smiled knowingly as he saw Cheng Zi whispering in Wei Yan's ear.

That night, both the host and the guests at Guangyun Tower were having a great time. After dinner, everyone returned to their respective residences. Cheng Zi had been staying at the Prince of Yu's residence for the past few days, helping Wei Zhi practice his basic skills, so he also boarded the Prince of Yu's carriage.

He was used to sitting next to Wei Xun, but as soon as he sat down, Prince Yu forced Wei Zhi between them.

Wei Yan happily hugged Wei Zhi in his arms. Cheng Zi secretly glanced at Prince Yu and saw that sinister smile again, and subconsciously hid behind Wei Yan.

Wei Xi looked at him.

Cheng Zi leaned over to Wei Yan's ear and whispered, "I really think the prince has something against me."

Wei Yan also looked up at Prince Yu, feeling that Cheng Zi was a little baffling: "Doesn't he always have a gloomy smile? Don't be so sensitive."

Cheng Zi was suspicious. Was he really too sensitive?

*

The next day after school, Wei Yan and Jiang Yingyue returned to the Jiang residence together. After greeting Madam Jiang, the three of them were sitting together, chatting about the customs and people of Weizhou, when Jiang Weiqiu arrived.

Jiang Weiqiu did not come alone, there were two people behind him, one of whom was Wei Zhen, whom he had met in Dali prison a few days ago.

"I see." Wei Yan put down the tea bowl and looked directly at Jiang Weiqiu, "What do you need me to do?"

Jiang Weiqiu was not polite either: "I would like to ask the princess to ask Young Master Cheng to borrow some people."