Chapter 135: Bu Yunyan’s Misunderstanding
Chapter 135: Bu Yunyan’s Misunderstanding
Bu Tong looked deeply at Qin Li, who had arrogance and pride written all over his face. He said nothing and quickly told people to take Wei Qiang and leave together.
On one hand, he was truly scared of that reckless guy. He was like a rogue with no hint of nobility. If he lingered there longer, Bu Tong was almost sure that Qin Li would come after him soon.
He clearly saw the moves Qin Li used against Wei Qiang moments ago. He thought to himself that even he probably couldn’t dodge such a fierce attack!
If he clashed with Qin Li for real, he didn’t care much. All the officials knew that person was a reckless blockhead. But his own carefully built image over many years would collapse right away.
On the other hand, Wei Qiang’s injury couldn’t be delayed any longer. Anyway, he couldn’t just watch him die inside the academy. Otherwise, even the Crown Prince wouldn’t handle it well.
The rights and wrongs should be left to the Emperor to judge. After all, all the mess was caused by Qin Li! Bu Tong cursed inwardly. How could someone like that end up in the Advanced Academy?
Over there, Qin Li smiled at the group of talented students. Then he got into the carriage. The carriage drove out of the Empire Advanced Academy. The Little Princess Zhao Qianqian watched with curiosity as the young man rested with his eyes closed, looking tired.
She felt a bit strange in her heart. Clearly, he was only two years older than her, yet beside him, he didn’t feel like a teenager at all. It was like her father—steady, wise, and sharp in decisions!
This was purely a matter of personal feeling. To others, Qin Li seemed impulsive and dumb, but to the Little Princess, it was a whole different picture.
If Qin Li knew what Zhao Qianqian was thinking right then, he would reach out and say with teary eyes: What luck!
Zhao Qianqian’s Protectors trailed Qin Li’s carriage from a distance. Their job was just to keep the Princess Highness safe. Nothing else mattered, and they couldn’t interfere with whatever she wanted.
This alone showed how deeply His Majesty Emperor Zhao Yuanli adored his little princess.
The carriage moved for a while before Qin Li opened his eyes. He smiled apologetically at Zhao Qianqian. “Sorry, Princess Highness. I was thinking about something earlier. I got lost in my thoughts and was rude to you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to be so polite. You’re the teacher, I’m the student. Please just call me Qianqian.” Zhao Qianqian had a bright personality. She was shy but very open and kind.
Truth be told, Zhao Qianqian was indeed a stunning girl. She had a tall, well-balanced figure with legs that were straight, long, and perfectly smooth. Her skin was fine and shiny like jade. A hint of her delicate collarbone peeked from her dress. Her face was oval-shaped, with brows like hills, eyes like water under stars, and soft, red lips. It was no wonder the Emperor loved his daughter so much. Any parent would treasure such a daughter—fussing over her like she might melt in the mouth or get frightened if held too tightly.
“Hehe, I won’t hold back then, Princess Qianqian. You called me because you had something to say, right?” Since he was playing a wild character, he didn’t need to cower before a princess anyway. Honestly, Qin Li was naturally reckless at heart, but his past life had buried those traits.
In this world where strength ruled, Qin Li was already high up and worthy. So why not do as he pleased?
In truth, Zhao Qianqian didn’t have any big reason to find Qin Li. She just wanted to help him out. She hated how the academy teachers envied him. Sure, hate meant he wasn’t plain, but Wei Qiang and others had gone too far. She thought Wei Qiang deserved it if he got beaten to death!
If you dared to provoke someone, you better get ready to take what came next!
At least, that’s what the Royal Family education she grew up with always said!
“Hmm… Well, Teacher Qin, I just wanted to ask if it’s true you became the leader of the Great Green Gang?”
Qin Li was surprised. He thought she might ask him about martial arts, not this. He chuckled, “What? Are you interested in gangs or something, Princess?”
Zhao Qianqian gave a shy smile. “No way! I just heard my Crown Prince brother talk about it. Oh, and my eldest brother doesn’t like you, so be careful.”
“Why are you telling me this, Princess Qianqian? The Crown Prince is your own brother. What if he knows? It might hurt him.” Qin Li laughed, finding this lovely little princess very endearing.
“Hurt? His heart only cares about the throne! My sister status means less to him than his own loyal follower.” Zhao Qianqian pouted her lips, complaining briefly. Then she looked intently at Qin Li, “Teacher Qin, you haven’t answered me yet. Is the Great Green Gang really yours now?”
“Do you think that’s possible, Princess Qianqian? You might have heard things. Your big brother won’t just let it go!” Qin Li sighed with a mix of truth and falsehood. “I’m just an outsider. Being able to set roots in Azure Dragon City and earn trust from the Emperor is a huge blessing already. As for other stuff, I never dream about it.”
Zhao Qianqian comforted him, “Who says that? You’ve got friends! My second brother really likes you.”
“Haha, so you little one are here to set up for your second brother?” Qin Li pretended to suddenly understand, teasing her.
“I’m not!” Zhao Qianqian puffed her cheeks and rolled her eyes playfully, “You’re teasing me!”
“Haha, I’m not. How could I dare tease a noble Princess Highness?”
“Yes, you are! And what’s something you wouldn’t dare do?”
“Really, I wouldn’t.”
“I say you would!”
“Fine, you win…”
In the end, someone had to give up. Zhao Qianqian turned from angry to happy, beaming as she said, “So, can I be friends with you from now on, Teacher Qin?”
“Sure.” Qin Li now saw the little witch in her. He answered weakly.
Unhappy with his lazy look, Zhao Qianqian said gloomily, “Don’t say that! I mean it.”
“Alright, I’m being serious too. Honestly, with a princess so beautiful and lovely, being friends with you is an honor… well, my honor!”
“That’s more like it!”
Zhao Qianqian looked pleased, then said, “Don’t worry. I’ll tell my father all about today’s events once I get back. Hmph, I saw what happened. Let’s see how those awful guys dare tell lies right in front of this princess!”
Then, the driver murmured outside, “Marquis, we’re home.”
Qin Li glanced at Zhao Qianqian and asked warmly, “Does Princess Highness want to come in?”
Zhao Qianqian suddenly looked awkward. She said, “Um, not now. I should head back to the Imperial Palace to tell my father about this. Otherwise, those bad guys might complain first! Just let your carriage take me.”
Qin Li nodded. “I’ll invite Princess Qianqian to my place another day then.”
“Okay!” Zhao Qianqian responded softly. Seeing Qin Li leave the carriage, she quickly opened the curtain and chirped, “Be sure to come to the academy on the first day next week.”
Qin Li waved over his shoulder to show he heard and went straight into the manor’s gate.
The driver whispered, “We’re leaving now. Take care, Princess Highness.”
Zhao Qianqian pulled her hand back and closed the curtain. Her bright, pretty face showed a hint of sadness. Then, as if recalling something, she brightened up, waved a small, dainty fist, and flashed a crafty look.
Qin Li went inside. Bu Yunyan and others weren’t back yet, and Ahu was away too. Qin Li strolled over to where Leng Yao refined alchemy. He pushed the door open and saw Leng Yao sitting there, focused on handling herbs and muttering calculations under her breath.
Leng Yao looked up. Her cool face broke into a gentle smile. She said softly, “You’re back?”
Qin Li nodded and walked to her side, watching as she fiddled with the herbs.
Gradually, Leng Yao’s cheeks flushed bright. She stopped what she was doing and lifted her head, “What are you staring at? It’s distracting me from working on the alchemical pills!” She paused, feeling she overreacted, then added, “Sorry…” in a low voice.
Qin Li looked at her helplessly but didn’t say more. Some things wouldn’t fix themselves just by a promise.
“I’m planning to improve your physique first. While we’re at it, do you have a list of alchemical pill formulas that can speed up power gain? So others can prepare the ingredients.”
“Oh… Yeah, I’ve got those mostly done. But what’s this about changing my physique?” Leng Yao looked up, puzzled as she eyed Qin Li.
“Come with me,” Qin Li said simply, walking toward his bedroom.
Leng Yao hesitated slightly but stood up and followed Qin Li.
That night, when Bu Yunyan returned with others, she asked where Qin Li and Leng Yao were. She got a shocking reply. House servants said Miss Leng and the Marquis had gone into the Marquis’s room and hadn’t come out since.
Hearing this, Bu Yunyan felt a pang of disappointment. Especially since Qin Li came out only at midnight, looking exhausted. He asked the servants to get bathwater ready. Bu Yunyan sighed, feeling a jumble of sorrow inside.
Right then, she saw Qin Li come forward. He noticed Bu Yunyan sitting there in a daze, her expression mournful. Tired from giving Leng Yao the Bone Marrow Cleansing with Innate Purple Qi, which drained his energy, he didn’t think too much. He said, “Sister Bu, I’m worn out tonight. I’ll need a few days to rest before I can help you.”
“I don’t need it,” Bu Yunyan snapped coldly, lips pressed tight. Tears welled in her eyes. She felt it was unfair for her friend Leng Yao. In her heart, she cried, “See? That’s how men are!”