His Confession, His Promise (4)
T/N: Chapter (1/12) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
"Yes." Niu Jing said, "You know, our Medicine King Valley is actually considered a sect of the pugilistic world. But do you know why I would come to the imperial palace to be an imperial physician?"
"I saw on the introduction booklet you gave me say, the founder of Medicine King Valley in the beginning was saved by a Feng Ming Emperor, so that's why he would send people to the imperial palace to serve." Du Xiao Li replied.
"It's more or less like that, but it doesn't say on there that every valley master can propose a condition towards the emperor, and as long as it doesn't threaten the Feng Ming country's safety, the imperial family have to comply. Although in the beginning, there was this agreement, but no valley master has ever mentioned it before. If you go find shifu, and let him propose to his Majesty to dissolve the engagement, it should be doable." Niu Jing said.
"Right now, it's still early, I'll just wait and see." Du Xiao Li said. So what if she can dissolve the bestowed marriage. It was nothing more than just crawling up from one pit, and falling into another pit again at any time.
"Sigh, in another two years, I'll also have to return to Medicine King Valley." Niu Jing said.
"Senior brother, you have to go back?" Du Xiao Li looked to Niu Jing in surprise.
"En, Medicine King Valley's rule is that every person at most can only stay in the Imperial Physicians Court for twenty years. In the past, everyone all usually returned after thirteen fifteen years. But I've already stayed here for eighteen years, so at most I can only stay for two more years before I have to go back. And if the valley sends someone to replace me, I might even leave earlier. Sigh, looking at it now, I've also not gone back in a long time. Next time when I go back, why don't you go back together with me?" Niu Jing said.
"If when the time comes, I don't have anything else to do, I will go together with you." Du Xiao Li said.
"Why don't you use the afternoon meal here today?"
"Okay."
By the time she came out from Niu Jing's home, it was already evening. After eating lunch, Niu Jing then dragged her to the medicine room, and discussed with her about some hard cases, all the way until the sky was about to grow dark did he finally let her leave.
The time swiftly swept by. Du Xiao Li's one month deadline with Du Yun Han arrived very soon.
The night before school.
"Xiao Li, tomorrow head to school together with Ke Xin. I've already talked with the teacher there. He will arrange the classes for you." Du Yun Han said.
Normally when the school went on break, the people of the Du Manor will all gather together to eat a meal. Today was Du Ke Xin and the other's day off, so everyone was currently eating dinner together.
"Oh." Du Xiao Li obediently replied.
"Father, you letting her go to the academy, isn't that just throwing the Du Manor's face on the ground for people to step on?" Du Ke Hui directly expressed his discontent.
"What nonsense are you saying?!" Du Yun Han's face instantly darkened.
"But it's true, she doesn't know anything, letting her go, if not embarrassing our family, then what?" Du Ke Hui protested.
"In the academy, you're also without learning or skill. Has my face been embarrassed by you any less?" Du Yun Han had the chopsticks slapped on the table and berated him.
"Father, don't be angry at younger brother, careful not to harm your body from anger. Tomorrow, I will take third sister together to the academy." Du Ke Xin saw Du Yun Han get angry and quickly added.
"Hmph!" Du Yun Han glanced at Du Ke Xin, before finally letting the servant change the chopsticks, and continued eating.
Du Xiao Li saw how Du Yun Han changed another pair of chopsticks and discovered that once he got angry, he liked throwing his chopsticks! Thinking how tomorrow she will have to face a huge wave of noble young ladies again, her head felt somewhat faint.
However, this process for entering school was much easier than she'd imagined.
On the morning of the next day, after Du Xiao Li properly gotten her things ready, she headed to Du Ke Xin's courtyard. Du Ke Xin had already finished her preparations, just waiting for her to head to school together. Seeing Du Xiao Li's simple outfit, a trace of a arrogance flashed across her eyes, "Since third sister is here, then let's go."
Du Ke Xin wore a rather vibrant flower dress today. Du Xiao Li suddenly recalled last time when Ji Liu Xia said she was like a flowery butterfly showing off everywhere, and instantly laughed out.
"What's wrong third sister?" Du Ke Xin heard the laugh and turned around to look at Du Xiao Li
"Nothing, just thinking about going to school today, I'm rather excited." Du Xiao Li randomly said whatever was on her mind.
"En, life at the academy is quite good." Du Ke Xin said with a deeper meaning behind her words.
"Then, let's go." Du Xiao Li said.
When they went out, Du Xiu Heng and Du Ke Hui had already left. The boys' class time was earlier than the girls'. Because the academy didn't allow them to bring servant girls, they only rode one horse carriage to the school's entrance.
"Sister Ke Xin." As soon as Du Ke Xin got down from the horse carriage, someone called out towards her.
Du Xiao Li jumped down from the horse carriage and saw Chen Yue, who she had met at the gathering last time, walking towards them. Judging from appearance, she'd also arrived at about the same time.
"Chen Yue." Du Ke Xin nodded towards Chen Yue. Towards her own 'follower', she didn't need to act too enthusiastic.
"Ke Xin, this is?" Another young lady walked over. Seeing Du Xiao Li jumped down from Du Ke Xin's horse carriage, she asked in confusion.
"Replying to Min Junzhu*, this is my third younger sister, Du Xiao Li. Today is her first time coming to the academy." Du Ke Xin introduced, "Third sister, this is eldest elder princess's daughter, Min Junzhu."
(*T/N: Junzhu - Normally title for daughters of Wangs; similar to princesses usually someone from the imperial household, however sometimes the Emperor can bestow this title to anyone. Generally, daughters of a princess are titled as Wenzhu.)
"So she's that countryside younger sister of yours?" Fan Min looked to Du Xiao Li and sneered. "Do you recognize characters? Don't later when the teacher is lecturing, you instead can't even understand what he's saying."
"Replying to Min Junzhu, I've once learned some from my older brother and recognize a few words." Du Xiao Li listened to this blatant mockery and lightly replied.
"Hmph, really don't understand, how can Elder Fu agree to letting you enter the academy! Encountering a countryside girl this early in the morning, really unlucky! Sigh, let's go, if a certain someone were to not recognize any words, we can just ask the elder to have her kicked out." Fan Ming lead the crowd of people behind her away, while everyone started gossiping about Du Xiao Li.
(T/N: I'm still waiting for the golden thigh imperial tutor to show up again.)
"That's right, can't let a piece of rat poop ruin the whole pot of porridge. When the times come, we'll definitely go look for Elder Fu for a talk!"
"Hmph, definitely! How can a village girl attend class together with us!"
"Don't know how someone as outstanding as Du Ku Xin can endure such a younger sister!"
"........"
Hearing those words, the corner of Du Xiao Li's mouth lightly hooked into a smile. This was precisely student life!
"Younger sister, their words, don't take to heart too much. It's almost time for class, I'll take you to look for teacher first." Du Ke Xin said and then lead Du Xiao Li through the entrance gate.
Du Xiao Li observed this so called Imperial Academy, the grandly renowned Four Way Academy. She couldn't help but sigh. As expected of central power, looking at this setup, that tiny little school in Zhou County practically can't compare!
Du Xiao Li followed Du Ke Xin and continued to walk forward. Arriving at a lakeside, Du Ke Xin turned around and said to Du Xiao Li, "Third sister, I suddenly have to go relieve myself, can you wait here for me for a moment?"
"Okay." Du Xiao Li nodded in response.
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