After that enchanting night with Bai Xuan, she faced Ye Chu with a touch of unnaturalness, though she tried hard to pretend nothing had happened. Yet Ye Chu still caught the fleeting panic in her.
He smiled at that. To see Bai Xuan in such charming, unprovoked shyness so often was a pleasure in itself.
The woman from the palace had struck him with a palm, but she had held back. After a few days of recuperation, Ye Chu was almost fully recovered.
In those days, apart from taking Yao Yao out, Ye Chu studied the solitary copy of the Red Evil he had obtained from the palace. When Bai Bao first saw the Red Evil solitary copy in Ye Chu’s hands, he was astonished and puzzled how something from the palace had ended up with Ye Chu.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Bai Bao asked how Ye Chu had acquired it, but Ye Chu’s answer made him laugh. Ye Chu actually claimed he had stolen it. Bai Bao naturally did not believe him. How would he dare steal from the palace?
After several days studying the Red Evil solitary copy, the more Ye Chu read, the less he understood.
“Evil qi enters the body, transforms into spiritual qi, and is used for oneself. Evil and spirit become one, and yin and yang can be formed.”
Ye Chu recalled a line from the Red Evil solitary copy. The first three parts he could comprehend, but “evil and spirit become one, and yin and yang can be formed” baffled him. Cultivators naturally had to harmonise yin and yang. If yin and yang were imbalanced, all sorts of problems arose. Harmony between yin and yang was essential. Why then speak of forming yin and yang?
Moreover, evil and spirit becoming one was almost unrealistic. Once evil qi was converted into spiritual qi, it fell within the domain of spiritual qi. How could it still be called evil and spirit as one?
Unable to unravel it, Ye Chu wondered whether he should return to Qing Mi Mountain and ask those mentally unstable figures.
…
Ye Chu leisurely studied the Red Evil solitary copy, yet outside, the city was in an uproar because of him. First came the palace. Two of the kingdom’s foremost state preceptors gravely injured, the imperial seal stolen. The palace was on high alert, and the king issued a gag order to everyone within.
Then there was Su Rong. Not long ago, rumours that Ye Chu secretly loved Su Rong had spread wildly. Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, vowing to drive Ye Chu from Yao City and prevent the city’s scum from harbouring designs on Su Rong.
Yet what left them incredulous was that Su Rong had actually sought out Liang Shan herself, asking where Ye Chu was and leaving an invitation for both Liang Shan and Ye Chu.
Liang Shan went mad with excitement. Yao City went mad with excitement. What did Su Rong mean by this? Actively seeking Ye Chu. Could she also have feelings for him?
The moment this thought arose, they felt it was the greatest news in Yao City in a hundred years. The younger generation debated the topic endlessly.
“Ye Chu… Ye Chu…” Ye Chu was in the residence studying the Red Evil solitary copy when Liang Shan’s voice carried from far away. Hearing him call so urgently, Ye Chu thought something had happened and hurried to open the door. He found Liang Shan panting before him, face flushed with excitement.
“Took an aphrodisiac? So excited. But you should not come to me for that. Go find a woman.” Seeing Liang Shan unharmed, Ye Chu prepared to close the door and resume his study.
“Wait… wait…” Liang Shan spoke in gasps, breathing heavily. He thrust the invitation into Ye Chu’s hand. “For you. Su Rong wants to see you.”
“Hm?” Ye Chu was surprised. What did that little woman want with him? Could she be seeking revenge for that incident? Thinking of the time she had thrown herself atop him, Ye Chu could not help recalling the soft sensation.
“When did you win her over?” Liang Shan was beside himself, eyes shining as he stared at Ye Chu and thumped his shoulder hard. “Impressive. Even the pearl of Yao City. We all underestimated you.”
“Hm?” Ye Chu was puzzled. What connection did he have with Su Rong?
“Still pretending.” Liang Shan glared at him. “Su Rong is such a figure. In all Yao City, she has never actively invited anyone. You are the first. Tut tut. If this is not favouring you, what is?”
Liang Shan gesticulated wildly, as though Su Rong liked him instead, his face red with excitement.
“That little woman would be good if she does not kill me.” Ye Chu smiled, opening the invitation. It read, “Appointment in the study. I will wait forever if you do not come.”
Seeing those words, Ye Chu paused. He and Su Rong had no appointment in any study. Yet she wrote this. The study she meant must be the imperial study. Could she have realised he was the one who stole from there?
“What little woman. She is the goddess of every man in Yao City.” Liang Shan was displeased with Ye Chu’s term for Su Rong. He pulled Ye Chu along. “Come. Take me to Su Rong’s gathering.”
Ye Chu, absorbed in studying the Red Evil solitary copy, had intended to refuse, but his gaze fell on the words “study” in the invitation. After a moment’s thought, he decided it was best to go.
“Back then I wore night clothes. She should only suspect me, not be certain.” Ye Chu muttered to himself. He thought it wise to test Su Rong’s intentions. If she was truly convinced and informed the palace, it would be trouble.
…
The Yao City Academy stood on a small island in Han Lake. Though not large, its position in the lake centre made the scenery beautiful. Many who fancied themselves refined loved to visit. When Ye Chu and Liang Shan rowed over in a small boat, many people were already there.
Yet upon seeing Ye Chu, every one glared at him.
The scene left Ye Chu stunned. Even if he were a street rat, they should not look at him as though he had killed their fathers.
“You did not use my name again to do something utterly wicked outside, did you?” Ye Chu asked Liang Shan beside him. He had been very low-key lately. There was no reason for such hatred.
“You committed a crime so heinous yourself and still blame me.” Liang Shan was indignant.
“Bullshit.” Ye Chu cursed. How pure he was. So pure he only played with mud. So innocent even infants would feel inferior.
“Heh heh. Su Rong taking a fancy to you is, for others, a crime so heinous.” Liang Shan laughed slyly. “My condolences. Many want trouble with you. But if Su Rong fancied me, I would die happy. What trouble would I fear?”
Ye Chu was taken aback. He had not expected the rumour to spread so widely. Seeing Liang Shan’s smug expression, how could he not understand? In fanning the flames, Liang Shan had certainly played a major part.
“Very grateful to you, are you not?” Liang Shan stared at Ye Chu. “If I had not spread the news you secretly loved Su Rong, would you have progressed so quickly? Would Su Rong actively invite you?”
“…” Ye Chu exhaled slowly, struggling to calm his urge to explode.
Yet seeing Liang Shan’s smug face, he could not resist kicking him. “Get lost.”
After kicking Liang Shan, Ye Chu strode into the academy.
The academy was indeed antique and elegant. The moment he entered, a rich fragrance of books assailed him, but before Ye Chu could inhale deeply, an angry roar sounded. “Ye Chu. You really dare come. Tell me. What is going on between you and Su Rong?”
Zhang Su’er glared wide-eyed at Ye Chu. In recent days, Su Rong had been far too unusual. Even more unexpected, Su Rong had lowered herself to actively invite Ye Chu. This was unthinkable, something that had never happened before.
Could that earlier fall and embrace have made Su Rong fall for this scoundrel?
