Chapter 18, Chapter 18, System BUG
Yan Wuxin looked at it and saw that it read: "Don't speak, or someone might hear you."
Yan Wuxin looked around. "There's no one here. Who could have heard us?"
Lu Jinlan hurriedly covered her mouth, afraid of accidentally triggering the system's reaction. She pulled Yan Wuxin to the desk and used a pen to communicate.
Lu Jinlan wrote: "Never mind, just don't say anything, write down whatever you want to say."
She then showed Yan Wuxin another piece of paper that she had written beforehand: "I'm asking you to do something for me. Try to keep it a secret as much as possible, don't tell anyone, and most importantly, don't tell me."
When Yan Wuxin read this sentence, his brows furrowed so deeply that he silently drew a question mark next to it.
Lu Jinlan wrote again: "If there are any unexpected situations or things that need to be discussed, write them down on paper and give them to me between Hai Shi (9-11 PM) and Chen Shi (7-9 AM)."
With customer service unavailable and the system unmonitored, Lu Jinlan felt he could exploit a system bug and take advantage of this loophole.
She stuffed the 30,000 taels of silver notes and the last piece of paper into Yan Wuxin's hand and pushed her out the door.
Yan Wuxin unfolded it and read: "Go to Fengchun Tower immediately to redeem Yu Mian from his servitude. Use the remaining money to settle him down and let him start a new life."
Lu Jinlan watched as Yan Wuxin nodded in agreement and got into the carriage, and her heart finally settled down.
She admitted that she wasn't attracted to Lou Yumin, only felt a little pity for him. But she couldn't bear to see him fall into prostitution and live a life of forced smiles.
Moreover, he liked her. Lu Jinlan achieved two accomplishments with Lou Yumin: "capturing his body" and "capturing his heart," gaining 6666 and 9999 health points respectively.
Lu Jinlan felt that she should take care of him for that reason alone.
The two people have slept in the same bed. What's that saying again? "One night as husband and wife, a hundred days of kindness."
It's an incredible value to change someone's fate for a small amount of money. So, even at the risk of being penalized by the system, she did it.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh to herself: I'm not a despicable man after all; I'm just too damn kind.
The deed is done, and she won't dwell on it anymore. She only hopes that everything goes well for Yan Wuxin, and that Lou Yumin will no longer have to suffer sleepless nights leaning against the high tower.
*
The next day was the day to register at the academy. Xiang Ruzhen always got up very early, getting up to practice her skills before dawn, and only waking Lu Jinlan up when it was time for breakfast.
Lu Jinlan asked groggily, "Where's Wuxin?"
"Ye You said her mother is back, but unfortunately she was called back to the mansion last night and couldn't get away. She'll be going to the academy to meet us in a bit."
Was she called away at night? She doesn't even know if the matter was settled. Lu Jinlan has a complicated opinion of Yan Wuxin as a friend; she feels she's reliable at times and unreliable at others.
Of course, Yan Shao Niang was only a sixteen-year-old child, so Lu Jinlan couldn't expect her to be too profound or composed. She herself wasn't a composed person; the truly composed one was someone else.
Xiang Ruzhen: "Let's eat quickly, Sui Zhi and the others will be leaving soon. Since Wu Xin isn't here, let's go see them off on her behalf and explain the situation to everyone so as not to be impolite."
Lu Jinlan gulped down half a bowl of porridge. "Okay."
The eight students who were not admitted will return to their hometowns, while the eleven who were admitted will head to the Royal Academy.
Everyone packed their bags and stood at the door saying goodbye to each other.
Lu Jinlan hugged Zuo Suizhi. "I really hope we can meet again."
"Yes, I have a feeling we will meet again. When you are in high positions, don't pretend you don't know me."
After exchanging a few jokes, Ye You came to inform them that the carriage was ready.
Just as everyone was about to set off, they suddenly saw several horse-drawn carriages speeding towards them.
Xiang Ruzhen, with her sharp eyes, said, "It's Jiu'an Hall's carriage. Manager Ping has come to say goodbye to everyone."
Since Lu Jinlan and her classmates arrived at the manor, Ping Xiyu has brought people over almost every day, delivering vegetables, fruits, and wild game. The classmates have all become familiar with Manager Ping and know that the Lu family's stewards are extremely attentive.
This time, Ping Xiyu brought several more truckloads of things with him.
"After rushing for a while, we finally made it. On behalf of my master, I would like to thank everyone for taking care of my young master. I have prepared a small gift for you all."
As she spoke, she asked Lu Jinlan to distribute the gifts to everyone. For the students who were leaving the capital, she prepared several packets of commonly used medicinal herbs, tonics, local specialties from the capital, and some snacks and dry food, all of which were useful to everyone.
Zuo Suizhi laughed and said, "Oh, there's even medicine. We're young and wouldn't have thought of such a comprehensive approach. We're so grateful to Manager Ping."
Shopkeeper Ping smiled and said, "None of the items are heavy, so they will be convenient for you to carry on your journey. These larger items are for their school use. There are newly made quilts, writing implements, fabrics, and some daily necessities, all of which I personally selected. I'm sure you will all find them useful."
Everyone thanked them, boarded the carriages in batches, and waved goodbye.
Life is full of divergent paths, some leading north, some south; you head towards Hunan, I head towards Qin.
As Lu Jinlan was waving sadly, Ping Xiyu quietly pulled her aside and stuffed a stack of silver notes into her hand.
Lu Jinlan was taken aback. "So many?"
"I withdrew it from the counter. I'll go to Yunzhou in a few days and explain the money to the old master. You've entered the academy and won't be out for a while, so I can't help you with things inside. You need to take good care of yourself. Avoid conflicts with others, and use money to solve problems that can be solved with money. The Lu family isn't short of money, but you absolutely cannot afford to have any mishaps, young master."
Lu Jinlan happily accepted it, as she was short of money anyway.
Ping Xiyu added, “There are many rules in the Royal Academy, and many people there have connections and influence. You must not be assertive in any situation, and you should be more tolerant. If you have any difficult issues, tell me when you come out during your break, and I will definitely help you. With me here, you don’t need to worry about anything.”
Lu Jinlan gave her an exaggerated bow, "I know, even my parents aren't as nervous as you. I'm going to school, not to the execution ground, what could possibly happen? You can go back now, I'm leaving."
Lu Jinlan and Xiang Ruzhen boarded the carriage, and Ping Xiyu couldn't help but give them a few more words of advice.
"Young Master, please do not act impulsively."
"Young Madam Xiang, please give my young master some guidance."
The two responded in unison. It was only in the carriage that Xiang Ruzhen realized that there was an extra bundle in her belongings.
"What's this?"
"Oh, didn't you change your clothes at Jiu'an Hall the other day? Qing'er washed and mended them for you. Manager Ping knows we're close, so he had someone tailor new clothes for me this time, and also made a few sets for you based on your size."
Xiang Ruzhen lowered her eyes and said, "You've gone to a lot of trouble."
"Oh, it's just something I did on the side."
Xiang Ruzhen smiled but didn't say anything.
When the two arrived at school, they discovered that all the extra clothes they had prepared were simply not allowed to be worn.
The notice board was covered with several pages of "New Student Guidelines," the first of which stated that new students needed to purchase two sets of qingjin (a type of traditional Chinese academic robe). Except for holidays, students were required to wear qingjin on campus.
"Qingjin" refers to the school uniform. The candidates who arrived one after another crowded near the notice wall, some complaining and others calculating their losses.
"Tuition is eight taels per semester, two sets of academic robes cost three taels, textbooks cost one tael, meals cost two taels per month, and accommodation cost two taels per month. The total is..."
“It’s sixteen taels in total,” Lu Jinlan blurted out. She turned to Xiang Ruzhen and said, “If you didn’t bring enough, I have some here.”
Xiang Ruzhen took out her money pouch and counted the money, secretly relieved. "It's exactly sixteen taels. Luckily, I sold all the game, so I just made up the amount."
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard Yan Wuxin anxiously calling from the queue: "Jinlan, Ruzhen, come here quickly!"
There are three seats left in room number six. If the three of us pay together, we can all share a room. The room is for eight people. Although we don't know who our roommates are, the three of us are very happy to be living together.
The three of them, carrying their luggage, walked happily toward room 106. Lu Jinlan couldn't help but ask Yan Wuxin tactfully, "You went home last night, right? Did you take care of everything before you came?"
Yan Wuxin chuckled, "It's all settled. You can rest assured that I'll handle things."
Lu Jinlan finally felt relieved. Lou Yumin must have started a new chapter in her life this morning, and it was time for her to begin her university life as well.
My joyful mood didn't last a moment before I was blocked at the entrance of the dormitory area.
A table was placed across the round archway, and the area around it was crowded with people.
Yan Wuxin couldn't help but complain, "What's going on? It's not moving at all, my hands are getting sore."
Xiang Ruzhen snatched the large bag from her hand, "I'll carry it for you."
Seeing a familiar classmate from out of town at the front, Lu Jinlan called out, "Sun Lewen, what's going on up ahead?"
Sun Lewen hesitated for a moment before squeezing out and whispered, "There are a few senior students from the previous year who claim to be from the student council and want to charge each freshman two taels of silver for dormitory management fees. Some students are arguing with them."
Lu Jinlan frowned. "I'll go take a look."
"Excuse me, could you please move aside?" She patted the person in front of her on the shoulder. The person turned around, saw it was her, and suddenly shouted, "Everyone, please make way! Lu Jinlan is here!"
The crowd parted instantly, making way like waves.
Lu Jinlan was immediately embarrassed. She hadn't decided what to do yet; she just wanted to understand the situation first. She hadn't expected the celebrity effect to be so strong that she was forced to step forward and take charge.
Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin quickly followed. Xiang Ruzhen whispered a reminder: "Talk things out calmly, don't be impulsive, let's reason with each other."
Lu Jinlan nodded and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Excuse me, senior students, why won't you let us in?"
The second-year students were all wearing school uniforms and name tags. The student council president, who was leading the group, was named Jin Yihuai. He looked like a pufferfish with chubby cheeks. He looked her up and down and said disdainfully, "So you're Lu Jinlan? I know you like to meddle, but it's the rule that freshmen pay dormitory management fees to the student council. It's the same every year."
Lu Jinlan: "This happens every year? Is it permitted by the academy?"
Jin Yihuai: "Of course."
Lu Jinlan asked in surprise, "That's strange. Since it's allowed by the academy, why isn't this mentioned in the 'New Student Guide'? Why isn't it collected together with other fees?"
Jin Yihuai was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond. Vice President Han Li quickly smoothed things over, saying, "The dormitory management work is handled by the Student Union, and the fees are collected separately by the Student Union. Fellow students, please don't be upset. It's normal for us to charge for our work. Besides, everyone here at the Royal Academy isn't short of a few taels of silver, so why make things unpleasant?"
Upon hearing this, some people began to waver. Chu Yishu said, "I already said we should just pay up and go in. I'll pay anyone who's short two taels of silver. Stop arguing here, it's such a hassle."
Lu Jinlan and Xiang Ruzhen looked at her abruptly and said in unison, "What do you know?"
Lu Jinlan: "This young lady doesn't care about the two taels of silver, I just want to argue this point."
Xiang Ruzhen: "I know what you are thinking. I am indeed short of two taels of silver, but this matter has nothing to do with money. I will definitely give you the money that is due, and I will not give you a single penny that is not due. We are a group of people who are known as the elite of Huaguo. You will all become officials in the future. If even we do not distinguish right from wrong and act in a muddled manner, how can the people expect us to uphold justice for them?"
Chu Yishu kept her head down and didn't speak. Lu Jinlan quickly said, "You're right! What dormitory management fee? I think it's just a pretext. What are you managing? What do we need to manage?"
Jin Yihuai: "Well... we strictly monitor people coming and going every day to prevent thieves from breaking in, causing harm or theft, and to protect everyone's safety."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "Then there's no need! Everyone here is skilled in martial arts, what thief would dare to break in? We don't need your protection, so you don't need to do anything futile. This fee is waived. Come on! Everyone, move the table aside and check in on your own."
The scene instantly descended into chaos. Just as everyone was about to swarm forward, Jin Yihuai jumped onto the table and grabbed Lu Jinlan's collar, demanding, "You dare to force your way in?"
Lu Jinlan sneered, "You dare to make a move?"
Xiang Ruzhen turned around and saw the two of them struggling. She grabbed Jin Yihuai's arm and, together with Lu Jinlan, threw him away.
Outside the crowd, several faculty members were hurrying over.
A scream rang out as Jin Yihuai crashed heavily onto the newcomer.
Everyone took a deep breath. "Oh no!"
A note from the author:
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Yan Wuxin: Who understands? I can't get a word in edgewise...
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