Chapter 18: The Third Trial

“My beloved consort is still under house arrest. Since the Xiuzhu Garden is picturesque, I imagine you won’t be bored. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”

Yu Qingyan, putting her jacket back on, glanced toward Chu Yuchuan’s retreating figure. “Beware of the magpies.”

Chu Yuchuan paused at her words. Naturally, he had been keeping an eye on the people in Xiuzhu Garden. But the identity of his consort remained uncertain. If she truly was Yu Qingyan, she was merely a pitiable soul; keeping her in his residence wouldn’t be a problem. However, if she was sent by the emperor, it meant the emperor still did not trust him, and then he would have to put his affairs on hold.

Raising an eyebrow, Chu Yuchuan replied, “Thank you for the warning, Consort.”

Yu Qingyan poured herself a glass of water after stepping down from the bed. Chu Yuchuan had already left. She had been placed under house arrest in Xiuzhu Garden because of suspicion surrounding her identity. If he had nothing to fear, why would he worry about the emperor’s investigation? Since she was opposing the emperor, she didn’t mind lending him a hand.

Yet, this idle lord’s heart was too kind. If it were her, she would go all in—better to mistakenly kill a hundred than to let one slip away!

“Cui’er, to the backyard.”

Under the night’s veil, Yu Qingyan and Cui’er arrived at the Xiuzhu Garden’s rear courtyard to train diligently.

Given a month’s time, she was certain she could restore her strength to the level before her transmigration.

Just as Yu Qingyan was about to fling a pebble at the bamboo stalk, its trajectory suddenly shifted. The stone shot through the air toward her right side, and at the same time, a white figure appeared before her amidst the darkness.

“It’s you.” Yu Qingyan looked at the newcomer.

“Your skills are impressive, Miss.”

“If these are good, then you must be a master from the mountains.” Yu Qingyan leapt forward gracefully, standing before him. Up close, the man was even more pleasing to the eye.

“Have you seen enough, Miss?”

Yu Qingyan blinked. “Not at all.”

“You are as beautiful as—” Gu Jinshi abruptly halted and took a sharp step back. Yu Qingyan’s lips curled slightly; like a leopard, her agile figure weaved through the bamboo grove, entangling with the man in white.

As the moon dipped westward, Yu Qingyan and Gu Jinshi sat by a fire in the woods.

“Miss, it’s here!”

Yu Qingyan took it. “You should head back now.”

“All right.”

She handed him the bottle of wine. “What’s your name?”

“Gu Jinshi.” He hesitated before accepting the wine. “And you?”

Yu Qingyan smiled, lightly tapping his bottle with hers. “Xiao.”

Gu Jinshi frowned. What kind of name was that?

“Drink.”

Gu Jinshi frowned again but took a sip. “Do you really live here in Xiuzhu Garden?”

“Yes.” Yu Qingyan raised her bottle toward him. “Your martial skills are formidable.”

Gu Jinshi shook his head. “If we only count fists and feet without internal energy, I can’t beat you.”

“Internal energy?” Yu Qingyan frowned. That was something unheard of in the modern world.

“Mm.”

Suddenly, Yu Qingyan leaned closer. “Can you teach me? How about I become your disciple?”

“If you want to learn, I’ll teach you. No need to formally become a disciple.”

Yu Qingyan beamed. “Good! Then consider me indebted to you.”

“No need for such formality. I’m Gu Jinshi. I hope you can help me with something.”

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow—just perfect. “Speak.”

“Since you are in Xiuzhu Garden, keep an eye on the new consort.”

Yu Qingyan looked at him. “The new consort?”

Gu Jinshi hurriedly added, “If it’s inconvenient, forget it.”

“Inconvenient? Not at all!”

Gu Jinshi smiled and mimicked her gesture, raising his wine bottle. “Then it’s settled.”

“Good!”