Hua Wuduo ignored him, first dusting off the dust on her clothes, then straightening the wrinkled corners of her garments, before turning around. Upon seeing Gongzi Yi, she was so surprised that she couldn't speak for a long time.
After a while, the young master Yi, who was still dizzy from the jolting, finally came to his senses. He glanced at Hua Wuduo, who was staring blankly at him, and said weakly, "What's with that expression? Did you see a ghost?!" As soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was wrong. Following Hua Wuduo's gaze, he touched his hair. The sensation in his hand clearly told him that his hair was now like an upside-down broom stuck in the back of his head, each strand standing straight up. The feeling made him feel powerless, and he couldn't help but weakly lie on the ground, crying out in despair, "How can I go see the beauty like this...?"
×××××××××××
Afterwards, Gongzi Yi frantically grabbed at his hair, trying to suppress it. Unfortunately, after a struggle, the hair became even more stubborn and turned into a bird's nest. Gongzi Yi had no choice but to give up in despair. Reluctantly, he followed Hua Wuduo's suggestion: "Let's go to the nearby town to buy a comb first."
After meeting up with Xiao Xi, the pageboy who had been waiting for them at the foot of the mountain, the three set off together. Xiao happy glanced at Gongzi Yi's hair, showing no particular expression, only his lips slightly parted.
With his messy hair, Gongzi Yi swaggered into the town. Along the way, every honest young man, woman, and auntie in the town would turn their heads to look at him. Some even stopped and pointed at the back of his head.
On the street, a woman pointed at the back of Gongzi Yi's head and said to the woman next to her, "He looks quite respectable, but it's a pity he has something wrong with his head."
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yi's face turned slightly pale, but he walked over with his head held high and chest puffed out, adopting an even more matter-of-fact attitude.
Hua Wuqiang forced himself to suppress his laughter, took a few deep breaths, and strode over just like Gongzi Yi.
Seeing that Young Master Yi was dressed like this and yet dared to walk openly and casually through the streets, wearing the student uniform of Nan Shu Academy, someone nearby couldn't help but wonder, "He doesn't seem to be sick. Could this be the latest popular hairstyle among students of Nan Shu Academy?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo staggered and deliberately exaggeratedly adjusted the square scarf on his head, indicating that although he was a student of Nanshu Academy, he would never associate with the person next to him!
The three of them finally found a stall selling combs in the town. Young Master Yi grabbed a comb at random, told Xiao Xi to pay for it, and then busied himself finding a water source to clean it.
After Gongzi Yi finished tidying up, the three of them set off again. Gongzi Yi had a sour face the whole way. Hua Wuduo knew that he was still unhappy about what had just happened, so he just smiled and remained silent. Xiao Xi also followed behind them with no expression.
When the three of them rushed to the woods on the long slope, they had already missed the time they had agreed upon with Qi Xin.
Looking into the distance, there is a small pavilion deep in the woods, and the figure of a young girl can be vaguely seen, as if she has been waiting there for a long time.
Hua Wudu saw that Qi Xin was still waiting for Gongzi Yi and couldn't help but think to herself: Qi Xin has a good temper. If it were her or her sister, they would probably have been angry and left long ago if the person they were supposed to meet was late.
When Gongzi Yi saw Qi Xin waiting in the pavilion, a deep look flashed in his eyes. He said to Hua Wuduo and Du Xiaoxi, "Wait here." Then he immediately changed his expression from displeasure to a dashing and debonair manner and strode towards Qi Xin.
Hua Wuduo was bored, so he leaped up to a big tree and looked around. He felt the birdsong all around him was melodious and thought to himself: This is indeed a good place for a date.
Du Xiaoxi also jumped up into the tree. The two didn't say much, but just kept an eye on their surroundings.
Inside the pavilion, Qi Xin and Gongzi Yi were talking about something, seemingly laughing and chatting. If Hua Wuduo had listened carefully, he could have overheard some of it, but Hua Wuduo disdained to do so.
Hua Wuduo happened to see Gongzi Yi's hand lightly brushing against Qi Xin's hair. Qi Xin neither dodged nor avoided it, but instead appeared shy and timid. She couldn't help but think to herself: These two seem to be mutually attracted. She just didn't know what Qi Xin liked about Gongzi Yi. She could believe that Qi Xin liked Gongzi Xiu, but liking Gongzi Yi... Hua Wuduo shook her head vigorously.
At this moment, Du Xiaoxi, who was sitting at the other end of the tree trunk, suddenly spoke up: "Why is the young lady shaking her head?"
Hua Wuduo said, "It's just strange that Qi Xin would take a fancy to your young master."
Xiao happy asked, "How is my young master?"
Hua Wuduo laughed and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but your young master is uneducated, pleasure-seeking, and a womanizer who squanders money. He really has no redeeming qualities."
Xiao happy chuckled and said, "Miss is straightforward and frank. No wonder the young master would keep someone of unknown origin like you by his side."
Her origins are unknown? Upon reflection, yes, her origins are indeed unknown. They must have already suspected the identity she fabricated for herself back then. Hua Wuduo smiled and asked, "Then why are you still willing to believe me and let me stay?"
Xiao happy said, "It's not that we believe in you, but that the young master believes in you."
"Him? Why?"
"Young master said you are very interesting."
"That simple?"
"It's that simple."
"Your young master is very trusting."
"No, except for you."
Why?
"You'll have to ask the young master."
Why are you telling me all this?
Xiao happy smiled and said, "Because I believe in you too."
"Hmm?" Hua Wuduo asked, increasingly puzzled, "Why?"
"Because you are very simple."
She's simple? Is that a compliment or an insult? Hua Wuduo was speechless.
Xiao Xi laughed and said, "You are indeed very interesting."
What kind of master and servant are these?! Hua Wuduo frowned.
Hua Wuduo asked, "How many years have you been following Yi?"
Xiao happy said, "I grew up with you since I was a child."
Hua Wuduo asked again, "Do you know who wants to kill Yi? I find it strange that they don't seem to want to kill him directly, but rather they seem to only want to make the poison in his body take effect silently."
Xiao happy was silent for a moment before replying, "Young Master has suffered many hardships since childhood. We servants only ask to protect him with our lives. Other things are not our concern." The implication was clear: you, my servant, shouldn't ask any more questions.
Hua Wuduo was speechless again, sighing inwardly: Bodyguards actually have very low status...
As the sun set, perhaps heaven was on their side, for Gongzi Yi and Qi Xin's date went very smoothly. This time, there was no need for their light-footed skills to cross the river or any assassination attempts. When Gongzi Yi and Qi Xin parted, their affection was palpable, their reluctance to separate evident as they turned back again and again, dragging out the time until Hua Wuduo, perched in the tree, nearly fell asleep and tumbled down. Just as Hua Wuduo excitedly jumped down from the tree after their final, tearful farewell, Gongzi Yi announced, "We'll descend the mountain again in three days!"
Hua Wuduo's legs went weak upon hearing this. No way? ...Three days later, it was Teacher Deng's class again. Could that old man handle it?
Young Master Yi was overjoyed today. He was beaming with happiness when he returned, and as soon as he entered the small town at the foot of the mountain, he attracted several beggars.
The beggars surrounded the three men with their broken bowls.
Young Master Yi dodged left and right, covering his nose, and said, "Reward!"
Upon hearing this, Hua Wudu glanced sideways. Who was this person offering a gift to? She and Du Xiaoxi exchanged a look, realizing that neither of them wanted to pay. Seeing their evasive manner, Gongzi Yi said, "I don't have any loose silver on me."
Upon hearing this, an old beggar said, "Silver notes will do too."
Huh? Even beggars accept banknotes? The three looked at each other in bewilderment.
The old beggar glanced at the three of them with disdain and said, "If you're not going to give, just say so! You're even lying to beggars, ptooey!" The old beggar spat to the side, and the other beggars followed suit, spitting on the ground one after another before leaving one after another.
Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Yi exchanged a glance, both exclaiming in surprise, "How come beggars are so arrogant these days..."
Xiao happy advised from the side, "Young master, please calm down. It's getting late. Let's hurry back to the academy."
Hua Wuduo hurriedly said, "Let's go quickly, the sun has already set."
The three hurriedly set off again.
Inescapable
The three agreed that Xiao happy would use her light-footed skills to go up the mountain first, return to the academy to find out the truth, and then go down the mountain to meet up with them.
Xiao happy went ahead, while Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Yi climbed the mountain behind. This time, Gongzi Yi insisted that Hua Wuduo carry him, so the two of them climbed the mountain slowly like ordinary people.
They had agreed to meet Xiao Xi halfway up the mountain. Given Xiao Xi's pace, she should have arrived before them, but after waiting for a long time, she still hadn't come down. Hua Wuduo's heart sank; it seemed their secret trip down the mountain had been discovered. Hua Wuduo said helplessly, "Let's not wait anymore. Let's go up and turn ourselves in. You said you'd hire someone to clean my outhouse!" He turned to leave, but was stopped by Gongzi Yi, who said gravely, "I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Seeing that Gongzi Yi's expression was solemn, Hua Wuduo also asked seriously, "What do you mean?"
Gongzi Yi said, "We'll sneak up from the back of the mountain."
Hua Wuduo said, "I did not sense any killing intent."
Gongzi Yi said, "It's best to be careful."
Gongzi Yi is right, Hua Wuduo nodded and said, "Okay."
The two took a shortcut to the back of the mountain, and from there quietly climbed to the top, arriving at the back wall of the academy.
It was already completely dark when Hua Wuduo leaped lightly onto the top of the wall. Seeing that no one was around, he jumped down again, grabbed Gongzi Yi by the back of his collar, and together they leaped into the academy.
The two were somewhat guilty, so they walked quietly and stealthily. The road was silent and there were no lanterns around, which was extremely eerie. Hua Wuduo was on high alert and protected Gongzi Yi behind him.
The two hid in a corner, and Hua Wuduo listened intently, vaguely hearing sounds coming from the front yard. He then gave Gongzi Yi a wink. Gongzi Yi immediately understood and gestured for them to go check the front yard.
Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Yi had been living in the academy for over a month and knew the way well. The backyard to the frontyard was not close, and there were several small paths leading to it. The two turned left and right and circled around to the frontyard. When they looked inside, they were shocked on the spot.
Hua Wuduo whispered to Gongzi Yi, "Do you know what they're doing?"
Gongzi Yi shook his head, then whispered uncertainly to Hua Wuduo, "Could they be waiting for us?"
Hua Wuduo then whispered to Gongzi Yi, "Really?"
Gongzi Yi whispered in his ear, "Didn't you see how wide Master Ji's eyes were?"
Hua Wuduo said, "Look at the angry look on Young Master Zheng's face. He doesn't already know that it was the two of us who gave Master Deng the laxative today, does he?"
Gongzi Yi asked, "Then what about the two of us?"
Hua Wuduo said, "I don't want to do this anymore, I want to leave."
Gongzi Yi grabbed her sleeve and said, "Don't go! Have you forgotten? If I die within two months, you will die too, so you must die before me!"
Oh my god... how could this happen! Hua Wuduo wanted to cry but had no tears, but then she thought of something and suddenly a plan came to mind.
×××××××
Hua Wuduo said with great frustration, "Alright, I'll go out first."
Gongzi Yi, without any suspicion, said, "Alright. Don't go out from here, it will expose me. Go around to the front door and come in."
Hua Wuduo nodded, turned around, and went in the opposite direction.
Hiding in a dark corner, Gongzi Yi thought to himself, "It feels so good to have someone as a scapegoat." He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
A short while later, Hua Wuduo appeared at the front gate of the yard, walking slowly and humming a little tune.
As soon as Hua Wuduo entered the courtyard, he looked up and was suddenly struck by the sight of so many people staring at him. Although he was somewhat prepared, he still couldn't help but feel weak. He gave a twitching smile, and just as Master Ji's ruler was about to point at him, he rushed to Master Ji's feet, knelt on one knee, grabbed Master Ji's clothes, and pleaded with his eyes, "Master, I was wrong. I shouldn't have followed Yi down the mountain without permission. Please have mercy and forgive me this time."
Master Ji ignored Hua Wuduo and coldly rebuked, "Why is it that only you have returned? Where is Wu Yi?"
Hua Wuduo's eyes flashed, and she said in a small, extremely aggrieved voice, "He's still in the Apricot Blossom Spring Rain..." She glanced at Master Ji and continued, "Turning the tides..."
"What!" Master Ji roared.
The flower barely trembled.
Young Master Yi, who was in the corner, was so frightened by the sound that his ears rang and his body swayed. Xinghua Chunyu was a brothel... He was doomed this time.
Upon hearing Hua Wuduo's words, the students in the courtyard couldn't help but curse. Some said, "That kid Yi is really inconsiderate. He didn't even invite me to Xinghua Chunyu." Others said, "That's right. I wonder how many times he's sneaked out." Still others said, "He's enjoying himself while we're left here waiting for him in the wind." Someone said, "Let's deal with him when we get back."