Chapter 6

Pei Ze never expected that Qi Yunmiao would come along with Shen Ruozhu to the Imperial Academy.

To be honest, Pei Ze did not particularly enjoy having Qi Yunmiao call him "older brother" in front of others. The reason was simple: he did not like Pei Xun, and by extension, he did not hold his father's new wife—or the daughter that the new wife had brought into the family—in high regard.

Yet, Qi Yunmiao seemed to call him "older brother" time and time again with genuine delight.

"Brother, where should I put this sewing kit?"
"Brother, here is another pillowcase..."
"Brother..."

She followed Shen Ruozhu around his room, helping to arrange the items they had brought from home. Once everything was in place, she stepped outside and began looking around with wide-eyed curiosity.

Pei Ze could tell that Qi Yunmiao was fascinated, but perhaps because Shen Ruozhu had warned her not to be too unrestrained in public, it took a long while before she finally asked, "Brother, how many people live in this courtyard?"

"Four," Pei Ze replied.

"Wow," Qi Yunmiao couldn't help but exclaim, "that sounds so lively!"

Pei Ze glanced at her. The excited smile that had just appeared on her face quickly faded. She offered him a small smile and continued to survey everything in the courtyard with her large, round, apricot-shaped eyes.

This was the Imperial Academy, a place she had never been to before. To Qi Yunmiao, everything she had never seen was a marvel. The classrooms were novel, the dormitories were novel, the students' uniform robes were novel, and even the sky she gazed up at felt novel.

Pei Ze was wearing the uniform issued by the Academy today—layers of white undergarments covered by a thick, green, round-necked robe, cinched at the waist with a simple coarse cloth belt. It was plain, but it gave him a scholarly air that he rarely displayed at home. Qi Yunmiao couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.

"Hey, Jingxuan, I heard your sister is here! Where is she?"

Just as she was observing her surroundings, a familiar, hearty voice cut through the air. Qi Yunmiao looked up to see Song Su, whom she hadn't seen in a few days.

"Brother Song!" she called out to him from across the yard.

Song Su was also wearing the same green Academy uniform. As he stepped into the courtyard, he heard her call. He leaned down with a pleasant surprise, smiling at her just as he had when they first met. "It really is the little sister! Sister Qi, it’s been a while!"

"Yes," Qi Yunmiao nodded. "It has been a while, Brother Song!"

Although she studied at the Song family estate, Song Su spent most of his time at the Imperial Academy. Aside from the first time she had accompanied Pei Ze to the Song residence, she hadn't seen him since.

After greeting her, Song Su straightened up and glanced toward Pei Ze’s partially open bedroom door, where Shen Ruozhu and several maids were still tidying up. He turned back to Qi Yunmiao. "Did you just arrive? Have you had a chance to walk around the Academy yet?"

"Mother and I have been here for a while. I imagine she should be finished packing soon," Qi Yunmiao replied.

Song Su nodded and turned to Pei Ze. "Zheng Zhuliu and the others said they wanted to head to the archery range for a competition. Do you want to come along?"

So, that was the real reason he had suddenly rushed over.

Pei Ze looked at Shen Ruozhu in the room and then at Qi Yunmiao before him. He told Song Su, "You go ahead. I’ll join you after I see them off."

"That works. Finish your family matters first. The weather has been getting colder, and your wife is just looking out for you," Song Su said, patting his shoulder.

He was talking too much. Pei Ze turned his head and gave him a cool, indifferent look. Song Su, however, had already leaned back down to bid farewell to Qi Yunmiao.

"Well then, little sister, I’ll be going now," he said with a beaming smile.

Qi Yunmiao asked, "Brother, are you all going to the archery range to practice?"

"That’s right," Song Su answered.

Qi Yunmiao pursed her lips, her glistening eyes fixed on Song Su, and she fell silent.

Curious, Song Su asked, "What’s wrong? Does the little sister want to try archery too?"

He had only asked it as a passing remark. To his surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, Qi Yunmiao couldn't help but ask, "Can I go?"

"Ah..." Song Su paused in astonishment. He looked at Pei Ze, then back at Qi Yunmiao, unsure of what to do. Once he realized she wasn't joking, he asked, "Does the little sister know how to shoot?"

"I’ve learned a little bit," Qi Yunmiao said. "I just want to watch. Since arriving in the capital, I haven't touched a bow in a long time."

Her sincerity was disarming. Song Su swallowed hard, finding it difficult to refuse, so he stared steadily at Pei Ze. His meaning was simple: she was his sister, so the decision to take her to the archery range was entirely up to him.

Pei Ze did not want to take her. The range would be crowded, and if she kept calling him "brother," the entire Imperial Academy would know who she was within minutes.

"You haven't finished your studies for the day, have you?" Pei Ze asked her.

"..."

That one sentence silenced her. She nodded guiltily.

"Go home and finish your lessons, and you can come back to play another time," Pei Ze said.

Fine. He really didn't want to take her. Qi Yunmiao lowered her gaze, feeling disappointed. Just then, another set of hurried footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

"Jingxuan, Zhaolin! What’s going on? Are you coming or not? Everyone is waiting for you two!"

It was another student calling them to the competition. Qi Yunmiao looked up at the newcomer. Like Pei Ze and Song Su, he wore the same green Academy robe. The man looked surprised to see her. "Zhaolin, is this your sister? I don't remember her looking like this before."

Song Su said, "He Yan, are you blind? This is Jingxuan’s sister!"

"Nonsense, since when does Jingxuan have a sister..." He Yan began to retort, but then he seemed to remember something. His expression shifted to one of sudden realization as he laughed it off. "Oh! So it’s Jingxuan’s sister! Jingxuan, why is she here?"

"She came to bring me some things." Pei Ze glanced at He Yan, who was born with a boisterous and careless nature, and decided not to engage further.

"Oh," He Yan nodded. After a moment of awkwardness, he couldn't help but sneak a few more looks at Qi Yunmiao. The rumors about the Prime Minister's residence had been spreading like wildfire, and as Pei Ze’s classmate and dorm-mate, He Yan had naturally heard them.

He looked her up and down before asking, "We’re heading to the archery range right now. Would you like to come and watch?"

Compared to Song Su, He Yan was even more hopelessly outgoing. Seeing Qi Yunmiao’s round cheeks and bright eyes, he thought she was quite adorable.

Qi Yunmiao was startled; she was naturally tempted by the invitation. But remembering what Pei Ze had just said, she shook her head. "I have to go home with my mother to finish my studies."

"How long could a competition take? It won't even take the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Can't your studies wait a little longer?" He Yan urged. "Besides, little sister, today’s competition determines your brother’s rotation schedule at the academy—it’s very important!"

Qi Yunmiao was truly tempted. She had wanted to go even before he added those details; now, she wanted to go even more. She glanced up at Pei Ze, her eyes filled with an endless longing for this new world.

Pei Ze remained unmoved. "Your studies..."

But before he could finish, He Yan grabbed Qi Yunmiao with one hand and Pei Ze with the other, pulling them toward the yard. "Oh, stop hesitating! If we wait any longer, Zheng Zhuliu and the others will lose their patience!" he said as they ran. "Zhaolin, hurry up and keep up!"

—

Qi Yunmiao finally arrived at the Imperial Academy’s archery range. As dusk approached, the field was bustling with people—some chasing the sunset while practicing horse riding, others sparring with weapons. She stopped when they reached the archery targets.

Pei Ze’s expression had been grim the entire way. Even after arriving, he still wanted to send her back. But since they were already there and surrounded by people, the others quickly crowded around them the moment they saw Pei Ze.

"Young Master Pei, are you going to perform today or not? Why are you dragging your feet so much!" The first to speak was Zheng Zhuliu.

He held a bow, having clearly waited for Pei Ze for a long time. However, when he noticed the young girl trailing behind Pei Ze, he paused.

"Pei Ze, is this your new sister?"

Pei Ze knew this would happen. He felt a headache coming on, but kept his expression neutral. "Yes."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Pei Ze was well-accustomed to this; he knew they would start gossiping about his family affairs again. From childhood, he and his father had been the talk of the capital.

Pei Ze glanced at Qi Yunmiao, his eyes devoid of any extra emotion. He didn't bother introducing her. Amidst the whispering, he walked over to the archery stand, picked up a bow, and asked, "How many rounds?"

"Three!" Zheng Zhuliu replied.

Pei Ze drew his bow. Three arrows flew in rapid succession, all hitting the dead center of the target.

The crowd erupted in noise, this time filled with astonishment at his marksmanship. Zheng Zhuliu’s palms grew slightly damp. He knew Pei Ze was a skilled archer, but the last time they had met, he hadn't been able to hit the bullseye every single time. How was he hitting all three now?

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he had no choice but to draw his own bow. Two arrows hit the target, but one veered slightly, scoring only nine points.

Pei Ze had won with ease.

Song Su said cheerfully, "It’s settled then! We get to pick our rotation dates first, and we’ll let you know when we’ve decided!"

"Fine, fine! I get it!" Zheng Zhuliu said impatiently. He dropped his bow, feeling frustrated, and turned to leave the range.

Just as he turned, he noticed that in a quiet corner, Qi Yunmiao had picked up a light bow and was examining it. Because everyone had different levels of strength, the range provided bows in various categories. The lightest ones could be drawn even by women.

He watched her for a moment, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He walked over and shouted, "Little sister, do you know how to shoot?"

"Hmm?" Qi Yunmiao looked at Zheng Zhuliu. "I know a little, but I’m not very good."

Zheng Zhuliu’s smirk widened. He looked like a cooked shrimp with his whiskers curled up in an exaggerated fashion, Qi Yunmiao thought silently.

"Then let me teach you, how about that?" Zheng Zhuliu asked with feigned concern.

Qi Yunmiao pursed her lips and glanced at Pei Ze standing behind him. Zheng Zhuliu’s loud greeting had drawn the attention of many, and Pei Ze was no exception. She saw a tiny furrow between his brows—a small, subtle mountain peak—but it didn't escape her sharp eyes. Clearly, he did not want her to agree to Zheng Zhuliu.

Qi Yunmiao’s eyes darted around, and then she nodded.

Zheng Zhuliu was overjoyed. "Then I’ll teach you how to hold the bow first!"

But Qi Yunmiao said, "Brother, I know how to hold it. I’d like to try shooting one arrow on my own first. Is that alright?"

Zheng Zhuliu raised his eyebrows. Surprised by her request, he feigned generosity. "Of course!"

Qi Yunmiao raised the bow, facing the target. She hadn't touched a bow in nearly a year. She aimed loosely at the center, practicing her stance twice. Then, she picked up an arrow from the quiver, nocked it onto the string with practiced ease, and let it fly.

She stood perfectly still as the arrow soared through the air. Only when she saw it strike the very center of the bullseye, anchoring firmly into the red, did she jump for joy.

As she turned around, Zheng Zhuliu’s face had turned a sickly shade of pale.