Chapter 140
Ruili was in a good mood. Ever since going to the Qianyan Mountain temple fair with Ji Zhexi, even though the latter still didn’t pay him much attention when he visited, it was visibly better than before, no more sharp words or veiled hostility.
Encouraged, Ruili started visiting even more frequently.
“The exams are coming up. Just take it, what if it helps?”
Before, Ji Zhexi used to have plenty of time to review his books after handling matters at the bookstore during his breaks. Now, most of that time was monopolized by Zhang Ruili.
Holding a poetry book, Ji Zhexi kept his eyes on the page as he responded to Ruili’s gift: “Does your brother know you’re giving his things to another man?”
“Before he left, my brother said to give them to someone ‘fated.’” Ruili raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Aren’t you that ‘fated one’?”
Ji Zhexi had long grown immune to his smooth talk. “Fine, I’ll take a look today. After I finish, you can take it back, no need to waste your effort. Then you can give it to another ‘fated one.’”
Ruili nodded cheerfully. “Deal.”
Watching Ji Zhexi read and write seriously, Ruili found it rather pleasing. Propping his chin on his hand, he asked, “Since I’ve been keeping you company during your breaks, you must be happy, right?”
“I might be happier if you didn’t come.”
Ruili grinned shamelessly. “Your eyes don’t lie, you’re clearly happy.”
Ji Zhexi: “……”
“So, do you feel like you can’t live without me now?”
“……”
“Playing hard to get only works once. Can’t you just admit it openly?”
Ji Zhexi said, “Stop talking and let me read.”
Ruili pouted but felt inexplicably content.
Leaving the bookstore, he patted his chest and boasted to Ban Yan, “I think things are going according to plan. As expected, when this young master takes action, nothing fails.”
Ban Yan whispered, “When does the young master plan to wrap things up?”
Ruili froze. He’d been so focused on sticking to Ji Zhexi that he’d forgotten to consider an exit strategy.
“Hmm… I have a plan. You’ll know when the time comes.”
For some reason, the thought unsettled him. Unable to pinpoint why, he chalked it up to the earlier frustration of being outmaneuvered by Ji Zhexi.
Soon, summer faded into autumn, though the heat lingered. Every year, Zizhu Academy granted a farming break, allowing students from rural families to return home and help with planting or harvesting. Agriculture was the backbone of the kingdom, and the academy, following the imperial mandate, upheld the tradition.
Hearing that Ji Zhexi would also return to his village, Ruili decided to see him one last time before the break. Half a month apart would dull their rapport, which wouldn’t do for his plans.
In the afternoon, he packed some pastries, snacks, mosquito repellent, sunblock, and other little jars, ready to wait for Ji Zhexi at the academy gate. Even if Ji Zhexi went back to the countryside, using his things would surely make him think of Ruili.
Ruili hugged the box, giggling foolishly. He arrived early, no one had left the academy yet. He rolled up the carriage curtain to peer outside.
“Young master, don’t lean out so far. You might fall—”
Ban Yan tried to pull him back, but Ruili suddenly turned and said, “Look, there’s a young lady waiting up ahead.”
Ban Yan glanced over. A young woman stood quietly outside the gate, gazing eagerly into the academy. On break days, many people gathered outside.
Ruili rested his chin on his hand. “Kind of makes me envious. My brother always studied at Teacher Luo’s house, so I never got to wait outside an academy.”
Ban Yan chuckled. “Now you’ve fulfilled that wish.”
Before they could chat further, a commotion broke out as students began streaming out. Ruili quickly stuck his head out again, hoping to spot Ji Zhexi immediately.
But the crowd dispersed, and Ji Zhexi was nowhere to be seen. Worried he’d missed him, Ruili jumped out of the carriage - just in time to see Ji Zhexi emerge, chatting with a classmate.
Ruili sighed in relief. Of course he wouldn’t miss Ji Zhexi - even in a crowd, the man stood out.
Smiling, he motioned for Ban Yan to bring the box and raised his hand to call out—
Then he watched as Ji Zhexi exchanged a few words with his classmate before turning toward the young woman he’d noticed earlier. The two walked off together, their steps relaxed and cheerful.
Ruili stood frozen. Ban Yan, having seen it too, cautiously called, “Young master?”
“Is that his wife?!”
Ban Yan shrank back. “Probably not…”
Ruili’s eyes locked onto Ji Zhexi’s classmate. He rushed over and asked, “Excuse me, who was that young lady with Ji Zhexi just now?”
The scholar eyed Ruili warily, and Ruili glared. “Answer me!”
“Oh, that was Elder Brother Ji's cousin.”
“Cousin? What cousin?!”
The scholar, irritated by Ruili’s rudeness, snapped, “The kind you marry, obviously. That gentle, virtuous cousin of his has waited for him many times. They’re close, he even rejected the daughter of a high-ranking official for her.”
Ruili clenched his jaw, fury boiling in his heart. The scholar, sensing danger, fled.
“He has a sweetheart and still led me on?!” Ruili hurled the box to the ground. “Dad is right, penniless scholars are all scoundrels! And I thought he was different!”
Ban Yan, scrambling to pick up the scattered items, soothed, “Better to find out now than regret it later.”
“He dared deceive me? Thinks the Zhang family is easy to bully?!” Ruili stormed back to the carriage. “I’ll show him what it means to force a surrender and beat a pair of mandarin ducks with a stick! No one gets to be happy!”
[棒打鸳鸯 (bàng dǎ yuān yāng): lit. To beat a pair of mandarin ducks with a stick; fig. To cruelly separate a loving couple]
Ruili is ruthless!!! Lol. But yes, do it 🤭🤭🤭🤭
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates!!!