A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 11 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
The harvest break soon concluded, and Sang Qi and the others prepared to descend the mountain. Yan Yan remarked that after this trip to Lingwu Peak, things would surely be different once school resumed. Although usually a bit slow-witted, Yan Yan's observation was astute: after spending several days together, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi's feelings for each other had subtly deepened, though neither had yet openly acknowledged it.
While Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi were practicing swordplay on the mountain, a masked figure in black suddenly appeared, lunging at them with a sword. Yan Yunzhi quickly shielded Sang Qi, engaging the attacker. To his surprise, the masked assailant was his Second Uncle, Yan He Xing. Yan He Xing seized an opportunity to strike Yan Yunzhi, knocking him back. Seeing this, Sang Qi quickly helped Yan Yunzhi retreat, carrying him on her back into a narrow stone crevice.
Yan He Xing clearly saw where they hid but, for the sake of his nephew's happiness, feigned ignorance and walked away. Inside the cramped space, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi stood face-to-face, their breaths distinct, and they could even faintly feel each other's body heat. The moment grew awkward, so Sang Qi carefully moved out of the crevice first, explaining that her actions were out of necessity and not meant to be disrespectful.
Yan Yunzhi dismissed her concerns, adding it wasn't the first time she had been in such a situation, referencing an incident where he was poisoned. Meanwhile, Yan He Xing returned to the hut and began fighting Yan Yan. Lian Pian attempted to intervene but tripped. Yan Yan quickly moved to shield Lian Pian, enduring Yan He Xing's punches and kicks to protect her. Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi arrived just in time.
As Sang Qi drew her sword, Yan He Xing removed his mask, announcing that he was merely testing their progress before the harvest break concluded. Sang Qi immediately realized that Yan Yunzhi had known the masked man was his master all along. Yan Yunzhi tried to evade the question, but Yan He Xing bluntly exposed him, stating that Yan Yunzhi recognized him during their first exchange and deliberately took a hit to feign injury, allowing Sang Qi to carry him.
Yan Yunzhi retorted that he merely wanted to avoid ruining his uncle's test, unaware Sang Qi would simply carry him away. Sang Qi playfully threatened to leave him behind if danger struck again, to which Yan Yunzhi readily agreed. Yan He Xing concluded by wishing them a peaceful life, hoping they would never need to use the martial arts he taught them. Upon returning home, Sang Qi’s father, Grand Commandant Sang, had prepared a feast for her.
He playfully tested her improved martial arts by having her snatch a meatball from his hand. While pleased with her progress, he expressed concern about her spending a month on the mountain with several unmarried young men, fearing it would harm her reputation. He grounded her until the Imperial College reopened, forbidding her from leaving the house without his permission.
He even threatened Lian Pian with a meat ban if Sang Qi snuck out, causing Lian Pian to plead with her young lady to stay put. Su Jieyu invited everyone to her birthday celebration. Yan Yunzhi initially declined, wishing to avoid misunderstandings. However, upon learning that Sang Qi, who had been grounded since returning, would also be attending, he eagerly accepted. Sang Qi was overjoyed to finally leave the house to prepare a gift for Su Jieyu.
While out, she ran into Yan Yan, who, upon seeing Lian Pian, excitedly pulled Sang Qi aside to talk to Lian Pian, much to Sang Qi's annoyance. She forcefully separated them. Witnessing Yan Yan and Lian Pian's evident closeness, Sang Qi felt a touch of helplessness. She decided to enter a fabric store alone. There, she unexpectedly encountered Song Jiayin, and the two immediately engaged in a sharp verbal exchange.
Song Jiayin proudly presented a "Long Xiang Ink" cake, confidently declaring it Su Jieyu's favorite birthday gift. She explained its dual meaning: besides being a suitable gift for a scholar, it also subtly implied that when Su Jieyu married into the Yan family, Song Jiayin would be the primary wife, and Su Jieyu should "abide by the rules" and not "seduce" her husband with her talents.
Hearing Song Jiayin's condescending remarks, Sang Qi decided she needed to speak with Su Jieyu directly. Despite their recent acquaintance, Sang Qi knew Su Jieyu was sincere and wouldn't hide her feelings. Reciprocating that honesty, Sang Qi decided she shouldn't conceal her own developing thoughts from Su Jieyu either. She confessed that after spending time with Yan Yunzhi on the mountain, her feelings for him had changed.
She described him vividly, comparing him to the cool, comforting afternoon breeze at the frontier, the warm and fragrant scent of fire-roasted lamb, and the intoxicating sensation of horse milk wine. Su Jieyu expressed happiness that Sang Qi confided in her. She acknowledged that Sang Qi needed more time to sort through her emotions and suggested that she might find her answers at the upcoming birthday banquet.
At Su Jieyu’s birthday banquet, many young ladies and gentlemen from prestigious families were present. Everyone was curious about Yan Yunzhi’s gift. He presented a seemingly ordinary guqin, but it was revealed to be a rare treasure, hundreds of years old, crafted by a renowned master, and acquired by the Yan family at great expense. Gossiping guests noted that the Chinese character for "guqin" sounds like "love" and speculated if the Yan family intended to propose marriage.
Su Jieyu, pleased with the gift, invited Yan Yunzhi to perform a duet of "Phoenix Seeks Phoenix" with her. This deeply upset Sang Qi, who quietly left the banquet. Yan Yunzhi, seeing Sang Qi's distress, politely declined Su Jieyu's invitation, suggesting her brother, Mr. Qing Xuan, play instead. He then excused himself to follow Sang Qi. Later, Sang Qi learned the truth behind Yan Yunzhi's actions and was overjoyed.
Meanwhile, Yan Yan approached Lian Pian, revealing that his mother had arranged a marriage for him and that a proposal would soon be made. Lian Pian reacted with visible sadness and annoyance, sarcastically stating she didn't care about his affairs. Yan Yan tried to explain that it was his family’s unilateral decision and that he disagreed with it, planning to “drag it on.” Lian Pian, frustrated by his indecision, accused him of trying to appease everyone and avoid commitment.
Distressed, Yan Yan promised to speak with his mother again, but Lian Pian, still upset, walked away. Reflecting on everything, Sang Qi finally realized her true feelings for Yan Yunzhi, admitting to Lian Pian that she loved him. She pondered his often confusing behavior – how he seemed to play pranks and oppose her, yet also consistently helped and looked out for her, even understanding her desires.
Sang Qi also noted his frequent insistence that he only treated her well "because of her brother." Sang Qi acknowledged this, but ultimately decided that she needed to get to the bottom of his true feelings. Resolved to clarify things, she decided she would confront him the next day at the Imperial College.
