Volume One, Chapter Eight: Grand Tutor Yun Yi

Lou Hongling slightly turned her head. By now, the day had nearly ended, and darkness enveloped everything around her. She hadn’t brought a lantern, leaving her almost blind in the dimness.

Smack—

Spinning around, she was met with a sharp slap from Lin Lang.

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Lou Hongling’s head spun, dizziness overwhelming her as she fell to the ground. She looked up fiercely, eyes blazing with anger:

“What are you doing?”

“What am I doing?” Lin Lang shook her hand, wincing slightly from the sting.

“Teaching you a lesson.”

Before Lou Hongling could respond, Peiyu and Damao emerged from behind Lin Lang. One blocked her way while the other swiftly snatched the purse containing the money she had just placed down for Yue Lu.

Peiyu tossed the purse up and down, feeling its solid weight.

“Give it back!”

Lou Hongling knew she had to use this money to bribe her way back to Yong Lane, to ensure Zhang Zhiqiu could live a better life.

“No. What can you do about it?”

Lin Lang raised an eyebrow and smiled mockingly.

“You—”

“What are you three doing?”

A warm yet penetrating voice sounded from behind.

The three froze and turned to see Yue Luo’s solemn expression. Clearly recognizing her, they hastily knelt down in panic and pleaded for forgiveness.

“Grand Tutor, this servant meant no offense!”

Lin Lang stammered hurriedly.

“Then leave quickly.”

Yue Luo’s tone was calm but carried an undeniable authority.

“Yes!”

Exchanging a glance, the three fled in haste.

“Does it hurt?”

Unexpectedly, Yue Luo stepped forward and crouched down, asking with concern. In the darkness, his face was partly shadowed, making it impossible to discern his true intentions or emotions.

Lou Hongling was stunned for a moment before slowly lowering her gaze and gritting her teeth to stand firmly, her mind filled with doubts.

“Thank you, Grand Tutor.”

No matter what, she was grateful for this rare kindness in the palace.

“No need to thank me.”

Yue Luo reached out, presenting several hefty silver ingots.

“Grand Tutor, you must not.”

Lou Hongling panicked and instinctively tried to refuse, but Yue Luo pushed his hand forward, forcing them into her palm, nearly causing her to lose balance.

“General Lou Xiao once showed me kindness. Besides... there will be many occasions requiring money for things you are unwilling to do. Remember, never be arrogant. Be cautious in all matters.”

His words struck a chord with Lou Hongling’s current predicament after her rebirth.

She couldn’t help but look at him, a flicker of alarm crossing her eyes, as if he had seen through her.

How could he seem to know something...?

It must be a coincidence, she reassured herself.

Yue Luo said no more and drifted past her, his footsteps accompanied by faint coughs he stifled deep in his chest, slowly fading away.

Lou Hongling stood still, lost in thought. Neither in her previous life nor this one did she recall having any connection with him.

But ever since her first clash with Empress Dowager Deng, when she nearly got silenced for going off-script, events had slowly diverged from what she had expected.

She had thought she could navigate familiar scenes with ease using memories from her past life, but now it seemed that making different choices based on the past would inevitably lead to entirely new outcomes...

She straightened her clothes and walked back slowly.

Rounding a corner, a sudden hand grabbed her. Looking up, she saw it was Aunt Qingdai.

Fortunately, she felt no great force nor threat in the grip. Otherwise, after the earlier ambush, she might have thrown her over her shoulder in retaliation.

“Aunt Qingdai.”

“Shh!”

Qingdai glanced around cautiously to ensure no one was near, then spoke briefly:

“In Xuanshi Palace, you must keep a close watch on Xu Qing’s actions. Should anything unusual occur, report immediately to the Empress Dowager.”

She handed Lou Hongling a uniquely shaped bird whistle.

“When this whistle is blown, ordinary people cannot hear it. Only trained carrier pigeons can catch the sound. You must use it to send notes. Remember, the Empress Dowager’s orders must be delivered within a month, or else...”

Her words carried a veiled threat.

Lou Hongling committed this to heart; it was the same method as in her previous life. She nodded cautiously.

Clutching the whistle, she hid it carefully, determined that this time, Empress Dowager Deng would not glean any intelligence from her.

Since that incident, she and Lin Lang had become openly hostile.

For instance, after diligently sweeping the fallen leaves before the palace, when she twisted her aching hand to rest a moment, Lin Lang and the others would casually kick over her bamboo basket and leave with smug expressions.

Or when she was about to return to her quarters, having just climbed onto her bed and reached out, she would find it soaked cold—Lin Lang and company having thrown cold water on it.

It didn’t matter; she could endure all this. She needed to stay low for Zhang Zhiqiu, for Xu Qing, and for herself...

After growing familiar with her, the eunuchs from the Imperial Medical Department no longer closely monitored Xu Qing’s medication intake. Instead, they handed the medicine to Lou Hongling and left, trusting she would “supervise” Xu Qing’s doses.

Of course, Lou Hongling would turn away and pour the medicine into the flowerbeds. What she didn’t know was that Xu Qing silently observed all this from the shadows.

Xu Qing thought Lou Hongling was doing an excellent job in Xuanshi Palace—no, she was utterly loyal and diligent.

Even Wei Xuan, who initially harbored prejudice against her, softened after repeatedly encountering Lou Hongling. He noticed the little maid was either meticulously cleaning the palace grounds or attentively tending to the flowers and plants, never idle. The contrast with the other lazy palace servants was stark. His attitude toward her softened, and he occasionally chatted with her.

To be honest, Xu Qing couldn’t fathom her true motives. Since he could remember, everything surrounding him revolved around power struggles.

Gradually, curiosity grew within him without his realization. Observing Lou Hongling’s actions through the lattice windows of Xuanshi Palace’s bedchamber became a habit.

Inside the palace stood a half-withered red plum tree. Lou Hongling delighted in planting flowers and tending the garden. In her spare time, she cared for the old tree in Xu Qing’s rear garden until it revived, the bark peeling off to reveal vibrant new growth.

Today, heavy rain fell. Lou Hongling worried the support stakes she’d erected for the plum tree might not be sturdy enough. Holding an umbrella, she went to inspect them. Seeing the wooden stakes partially collapsed, she abandoned her umbrella despite the pouring rain and focused on repairs. Otherwise, all her previous efforts would have been in vain.

Winter was approaching, and the raindrops pierced her skin like silver needles, chilling her to the bone. She shivered, her trembling hands clumsy, desperate to finish the repairs quickly.

Suddenly, the chill vanished from her body, though the rain continued unabated. She looked up in confusion to see a paper umbrella—and beneath it, Xu Qing.

“The rain is heavy. Don’t get soaked anymore.”