Chapter 27: Making Things Difficult (2)

"From now on, if anyone in this estate bullies you, feel free to strike back."

"Cui'er knows her place, thank you for your concern, My Lady." Cui'er naturally retrieved the medicine kit. "Did the Emperor give you any trouble when you were at the palace today, My Lady?"

"No. Did you go to the backyard this morning?"

Cui'er shook her head. "You were away, My Lady; it would not have been proper for me to leave without cause."

"Has Gu Jinshi been here?"

"No. Why do you ask, My Lady?"

Yu Qingyan shook her head. "It is nothing."

After lunch, Yu Qingyan went to the backyard alone. As soon as she entered the bamboo grove, she saw that familiar white figure.

Gu Jinshi turned to face her, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine."

"That is good." Gu Jinshi breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Qingyan felt a stir in her heart. "Have you been waiting for me here the whole time?"

Gu Jinshi lowered his gaze. "After what happened yesterday, I was a bit worried."

"Rest assured, he will not do anything to me."

Gu Jinshi looked at her, then reached into his robes and produced a book, handing it to her. "You probably need this."

Yu Qingyan looked down; the cover was blank. She took it and flipped it open.

"I copied this out for you; you should practice it."

Yu Qingyan frowned. "A manual for martial arts?"

"Yes."

"Who exactly are you?"

"Gu Jinshi."

Yu Qingyan looked at the man before her, so pure and untainted by the world, and couldn't help but wonder why such a person would appear in the Prince Xian’s estate.

"Why did you come here?"

"I was sent by my master to assist the Prince."

"And who is your master?"

Gu Jinshi hesitated for a moment. "My master is Mo Xiao."

Yu Qingyan’s brow remained furrowed. "If you copied this for me, won't your master blame you?"

"My master is a kind person; she likely won't mind this. Just practice it, it is fine."

Yu Qingyan looked at the manuscript in her hand. The man before her was so sincere that she truly did not want to refuse him.

"If she blames you later, tell her to come find me."

Gu Jinshi smiled. "Very well."

"Between you and Chu Yuichuan, whose martial arts are superior?"

"The Prince is of noble birth—"

"Just tell me who is stronger: you or him?"

"...I am."

Yu Qingyan smiled. "Since you are here to help him, you shouldn't be under his direct command. If you need anything, come find me at the Xiuzhu Garden. If I am not there, look for Cui'er."

Gu Jinshi frowned. "But... you are the Princess Xian."

"Does being the Princess Xian mean I cannot have friends?" He did not wish to be her master, yet she owed him this favor. He was a likeable person, so being friends seemed like a good idea.

"But the Prince..."

"He is him, and I am I."

Gu Jinshi beamed. "I understand."

Yu Qingyan shook her head. A man like this was truly ill-suited for life in a prince's estate. "Are you busy this afternoon?"

"I am likely free."

"Then spar with me." No sooner had she spoken than she lunged at Gu Jinshi. He reacted instinctively, drifting far away.

They sparred for a while until Cui'er arrived. The girl was diligent, though she was starting from scratch. She would have to take it slow; her speed was too low, and her strength and endurance were lacking—teaching her complex moves would be useless. Before she had transmigrated, she had topped the assassin rankings primarily due to her ghostly speed. Now, with this internal cultivation method to assist her, her recovery would be faster. It was a pity she could not easily teach this method to Cui'er.

As night fell, Yu Qingyan and Cui'er left the bamboo grove. She had to appear for dinner; disappearing every few days was becoming hard to keep unnoticed. Meixiang and Luju were manageable, but as for that Xique, she had likely discovered the truth long ago. It was very possible that the Emperor’s investigation last time was due to her.