"Auntie, is she crazy? She insists on feeding me to the wolf cubs from the north?"
The entire cafeteria was filled with Yu Zhi's voice.
"Shh!" Qiu Ruoruo made a silent gesture.
The cafeteria in the early morning is mostly occupied by students who are due to attend morning classes. And Yu Zhi's voice was enough to attract everyone's attention.
Yu Zhike didn't care about this and was furious.
"Over the years, I have always doubted whether my aunt is my real aunt. I failed the college entrance examination several times. Huh! Now I have more reason to doubt that this woman and my father are not biological siblings."
"Qiuqiu, those guys in the north are scary just by looking at them. Don't listen to my aunt. If something bad happens, who will take care of those unmarried girls in Kyoto?"
Qiu Ruoruo had a smile on her lips and let Yu Zhi perform to his heart's content. The Prison Court is the Prison Court, and just one sentence can make this guy who has no money to live in or live alone become furious.
"If I don't go, I won't go. I won't go at all." Yu Zhi crossed his arms and turned his head to one side, still looking angry.
Yu Zhi watched Qiu Ruoruo get up and thought she had given up.
And Qiu Ruoruo came back after a while, holding a bowl with two meat-filled buns.
"Now." Qiu Ruoruo took one herself, and then placed the bowl in front of Yu Zhi. And of course, there’s another meat-filled bun.
Yu Zhi glanced at it and didn't move, as if to show his determination.
"The prison hospital said that if Brother Xiaoyu doesn't go, he will send you to the north in a few days. The Northern Army is also recruiting."
Qiu Ruoruo smiled slyly, having already guessed that Yu Zhi would have such a move.
Yu Zhi felt bitter and felt that the oily meat buns in his mouth had lost their taste.
"Okay, okay, I'm just afraid that my shameful questioning will embarrass our great Chu. Since you are not afraid, then what do I have to be afraid of?" Yu Zhi was helpless. He had already planned how to spend this cold winter, but his plan couldn't keep up with the changes.
Wenwen Academy is far outside Kyoto and built on the mountains. This mountain is not big, only a hundred feet high. If you look at it from the top of the city of Kyoto, it is just a small hill.
It just so happens that this 100-foot-tall hill has an incredible name called Tiandao Mountain.
The way of heaven is so elusive. Throughout the ages, countless people have asked for it but failed to get it. But here it is named "Tiandao".
Rumor has it that there was once a great emperor who defeated the way of heaven and became an emperor on this 100-foot-high hill.
This rumor has been passed down for thousands of years. Perhaps because no one can argue with it, it becomes true the more you say it.
Since the founding of Dachu, Dawen Academy has been established on Tiandao Mountain. A hundred years ago, Tao Dao Academy was its own school, preaching, teaching, and solving doubts. Whether they are people from the Prairie Wolf Court in the north or students from the island countries in the East China Sea who come to practice, Wendao Academy will give them guidance one by one.
But now, like other academies, Wenwen Academy has only become a royal academy that cultivates talents for the Chu Dynasty.
It was winter at this time, and Tiandao Mountain was already covered with a thick layer of snow, and it was extremely cold even after it cleared up.
The students of Wendao Academy were wrapped in thick velvet robes, and it could be seen from their young faces that these were students who had just entered school.
A young man was pulled by a girl and walked down the mountain on the soft snow. These two people were Yu Zhi and Qiu Ruoruo.
Qiu Ruoruo wrapped herself tightly in her velvet robe as she walked out of the academy. It's extremely cold at high altitudes, and it's especially cold after a snowstorm.
On the other hand, Yu Zhi was still wearing thin plain white linen clothes, and walked slowly and leisurely with his hands in each other's sleeves. For some special reasons, Yu Zhi's perception of cold is somewhat different.
"I have been practicing in the academy for three years, and I never knew it was so cold on the mountain." As she said that, Qiu Ruoruo put on the hat of her velvet robe.
Yu Zhi was still reluctant to go down the mountain. The melon that is forced is not sweet, so Yu Zhi did not give Qiu Ruoruo a good look.
"Hmph, every winter you stay in your room warming yourself by the fire and don't even go to class. How can you feel cold?"
Qiu Ruoruo smiled. In Wenwen Academy, although there are course arrangements, including civil and military courses, it is entirely up to you to decide whether to go or not. A smart person like Qiu Ruoruo doesn't mind going a few times.
But Yu Zhi was different. There was an aunt from the prison who always felt that she was being stared at in the Taoist Academy. In addition to the regular daily classes, Yu Zhi also provides additional tutoring.
The stupid bird flew first, but the stupid bird flew for six years and still failed to fly out of the Wenwen Academy.
"Hehe, Brother Xiaoyu, I heard that the Prairie Wolf Court's mission paid tribute to His Majesty with many treasures. I have seen the gift list, and there are many supplements such as mountain ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, snow lotus, etc. There may be what you want in it."
"You mean?"
"If you can handle this errand well, it won't be difficult to ask Grandpa for a reward from His Majesty."
When Yu Zhi heard the words, he raised his head and said majestically: "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country. As a citizen of Chu, you should be loyal to the country! Qiuqiu, I will call that boy Qing Huan out. At this time This is my opportunity to serve Da Chu, if he misses it, he will definitely regret it for the rest of his life."
Yu Zhi turned around and ran towards the back mountain.
Qiu Ruoruo was stunned for a moment, then shouted at Yu Zhi's back: "Didn't you say that Brother Ye is breaking through?"
"What kind of situation is broken? Is it important to practice?"
…
Not everyone can go up Tiandao Mountain.
There is a boundary monument at the foot of Tiandao Mountain, which is guarded by disciples from the academy every day.
"Is this Senior Sister Qiu Ruoruo who was praised by His Majesty in this year's Qingyun Examination?"
"Senior Sister Ruoruo stole the show in this Qingyun Examination, and she is the only student this year who can compete with the other three houses. Hey, I heard from my father that His Majesty intends for His Highness the Crown Prince to marry Senior Sister Ruoruo."
"Wow, the Qiu family will really be the first family in the Chu Dynasty by then."
If curiosity is human nature, then gossiping is human nature.
"Senior Sister Ruoruo!" Several people bowed to Qiu Ruoruo in unison.
Qiu Ruoruo nodded.
When the people of the Qiu family saw Qiu Ruoruo coming down the mountain, they quickly brought the carriage over. This is Qiu An, the housekeeper of the Qiu family. He has followed Qiu Jinfeng since he was a child. Even though he is old and has pale temples, he is still the only housekeeper of the Qiu family.
"Grandpa An, wait a moment. There are two more people who need to be brought back to Kyoto."
"Yes, miss."
After saying that, Qiu An stepped aside. He squinted his eyes and looked at the snow-covered mountain road. There was only a gap in his eyes, and the upper and lower eyelids that protruded due to old age were like countless folds on his face, filled with stories.
The wind began to blow, and the long-standing white snow on the pine forests in Tiandao Mountain fell. One slice, then another, and then another.
The wind carried the snow and swooped down from the mountain. A biting chill also hit everyone.
Qiu An's body is thin, slender, and upright like a pine tree, allowing the wind and snow to invade her.
"Miss."
"Um?"
"It's cold down the mountain, so you might as well get in the carriage and wait."
"No need, it should be here soon."
In fact, Qiu Ruoruo felt that Yu Zhiyu had deceived her. After all, things like this have happened many times.
About half an hour later, two figures appeared on the long mountain road and walked slowly down the mountain.
One of them is Yu Zhi. He is the only one in Wenwen Academy who can wear such thin clothes in such weather.
There is also a young man beside Yu Zhi, who is slightly taller than Yu Zhi. He has starry eyes and sharp eyebrows, a handsome face, and is dressed in a white corset, looking extremely capable. The young man held a sword in his left hand, with a silver-white fine iron scabbard and layers of scales engraved on the hilt.
This person was Ye Qinghuan, who was at the top of the Qingyun Trial Ranking List three years ago.
"Senior Brother Ye!" The student on duty at the foot of the mountain saluted respectfully. Their admiration for Ye Qinghuan began during the Qingyun Examination three years ago.
This is the only student from Dadu Academy who has been able to reach the top of the Qingyun Examination in a hundred years.
Ye Qinghuan looked straight ahead, and then walked forward after just a pause.
He has always been like this, cold and aloof, much colder than the snow on Tiandao Mountain.
Except for a few people he knew well, Ye Qinghuan didn't have many friends in Kyoto. Therefore, he always had a cold face.
"Thank you for your hard work, fellow juniors."
Yu Zhi was afraid of dampening the enthusiasm of these people, so he said hello to Ye Qinghuan. They were all from the same academy and couldn't have a bad relationship.
"I heard what you guys said about Senior Brother Ye before. I only knew that his long sword was exquisite, but I didn't know that Senior Brother Ye was so indifferent. But the other Senior Brother next to Senior Brother Ye was more approachable." The one who spoke was a student who had just entered school.
As soon as he finished speaking, the older students looked at him with the same eyes. The meaning in his eyes was undoubtedly sad.
"What's wrong with these senior brothers?" He felt furious at the sight.
"Do you know who that person is?"
"I've never seen him before. Could it be that he is also a very famous senior brother in the academy?"
"By the way, his name is Yu Zhi, and he has been practicing in Tao Dao Academy for six years."
After saying that, only the newly admitted student was left messy in the wind, muttering the word "Yuzhi" in his mouth.
"The shame of asking! He...is he the shame of asking?" He suddenly woke up and knew that this familiar name also had a more resounding nickname.
Not far away, Yu Zhi had already hidden in the carriage. Although it didn't feel too cold, a little warmth made Yu Zhi more comfortable.
"Brother Ye." Qiu Ruoruo called sweetly.
Ye Qinghuan still didn't speak, but the slightly raised corners of his mouth and softened eyes let people know that the little girl in front of him was someone he knew well.
Ye Qinghuan nodded and followed Yu Zhi into the carriage.
"Brother Ye has become a bit prettier after not seeing her for a year. When I enter Kyoto this time, I'm afraid I will attract a lot of peach blossoms again." Qiu Ruoruo put her hand on her little head and looked at Ye Qinghuan with a smile.
Ye Qinghuan just smiled lightly, maybe because he had met him too many times, he didn't care anymore.
"Hey, hey, Qiuqiu, you were not so enthusiastic when you saw me. Why am I not as good as Qing Huan?"
Yu Zhi stroked the hair from his forehead with his right hand and looked at Qiu Ruoruo.
Seeing Qiu Ruoruo nuzzling her lips, looking fair and at ease, Yu Zhi said helplessly: "Forget it, forget it, I know I'm a little worse than Qing Huan, but with my appearance, how can those young ladies in Kyoto do the same? Come and have some fun with me. Hehehe."
Qiu Ruoruo looked at Yu Zhi and couldn't help but blush and nodded. Yu Zhi's appearance was actually no worse than Ye Qinghuan's.
"Brother Xiaoyu, your reputation in Kyoto is no worse than Brother Ye. But the shame of asking is enough to make those women avoid you." Qiu Ruoruo also responded helplessly.
Yu Zhi was stunned, gritted his teeth and argued: "Huh, what's the shame of asking? If I hadn't been reluctant to leave my aunt, how could I not have passed the college entrance examination?"
Qiu Ruoruo stopped arguing, covered her mouth with her sleeves, and smiled softly.
Then louder laughter came from the carriage.
Outside the carriage, Qiu An held the reins and walked slowly towards the city behind the snow.
