A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 12 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
As the harvest break drew to a close, the upcoming imperial examination became the sole focus at the Imperial College. Scholar Feng announced a new curriculum, shifting classes to Classic Literature and Divination in the mornings and Critical Thinking and Writing in the afternoons, effectively canceling all martial arts and law classes until the exam. Sang Qi expressed her dismay aloud, realizing this change meant fewer opportunities to see Yan Yunzhi. Later that morning, Sang Qi encountered Yan Yunzhi.
Their eyes met, and as Sang Qi was bumped and nearly fell, Yan Yunzhi quickly steadied her and tidied her basket. Sang Qi tried to speak, but before she could finish her question, Qing Xuan called Yan Yunzhi away, saying he was waiting at the Imperial College entrance. Yan Yunzhi asked Sang Qi what she wished to say, but seeing Qing Xuan's urgency, Sang Qi told him to attend to his business first and that they could speak another day.
Yan Yunzhi and Qing Xuan then headed to Qingfeng Restaurant. Qing Xuan expressed how Yan Yunzhi had seemingly ruined a good thing before departing, leaving Yan Yunzhi to meet with Su Jieyu. Su Jieyu clarified she wasn't there to cause trouble. Instead, she presented a birthday gift from Song Jiayin, pointing out a suspicious white powder found on the white cotton paper wrapping. She revealed that the powder was an addictive hallucinogen extracted from an expensive plant originating from Xizhao.
She explained that this particular type of powder, when consumed as a powder, was highly addictive and hallucinogenic, and that the plant was difficult to cultivate in Bianjing without specific environmental conditions, making its source hard to trace despite cases found near the border. Yan Yunzhi acknowledged the severity of the information, confirming his ongoing investigation into the matter, and promised to assign Yan San Lang to continue the lead.
Su Jieyu advised him to be cautious and offered her help before leaving quietly to avoid drawing attention. Shortly after, Zhuo Wenyuan returned to Bianjing. Sang Qi, upon meeting him, promptly invited him to Qingfeng Restaurant to celebrate his return, offering to pay for the meal. Coincidentally, they spotted Su Jieyu and Yan Yunzhi inside. Sang Qi, realizing Yan Yunzhi had been called away urgently by Su Jieyu, felt unhappy.
Zhuo Wenyuan, sensing the subtle tension, held Sang Qi's hand and closed the private room door, then quipped about rumors of a rift between the Yan and Su families seeming untrue. He then suggested they go eat, noting his hunger. Back at the residence that night, what Sang Qi had witnessed left her restless and unable to sleep. She ventured outside with a sword, practicing her master's techniques under the moonlight to vent her frustration.
Lian Pian soon joined her, also unable to sleep. Lian Pian asked if things hadn't gone well with Yan Yunzhi, to which Sang Qi admitted they hadn't even spoken. Lian Pian revealed she was restless because she heard Yan Yan was busy preparing for a marriage proposal. She speculated about the noble and pretty girl, but ultimately concluded that Yan Yan, despite his flaws, was a simple and good-hearted person, unlike "some others."
The next day at the Imperial College, Lian Pian insisted on accompanying Sang Qi to school. As they arrived, news spread like wildfire: Yan Yan had been injured by Song Luotian’s horse. Lian Pian, visibly distraught, pushed past Sang Qi to question the messenger. Just then, Song Luotian himself appeared. Sang Qi immediately confronted him, accusing him of callousness. Song Luotian, showing no remorse, defiantly declared he had a long-standing dislike for Yan Yan and had intentionally hurt him.
Enraged, Sang Qi lunged at Song Luotian, but Zhuo Wenyuan quickly intervened, restraining her. Unfazed, Lian Pian suddenly produced rotten vegetables and splattered them all over Song Luotian. Infuriated, Song Luotian threatened to report them to the Imperial College, but Sang Qi retorted that she would do the same. They then decided to visit Yan Yan. The truth behind Yan Yan's injury was less malicious than it appeared.
While Song Luotian was bickering with Yan Yan on the street, his horse was startled and accidentally injured Yan Yan. Despite knowing it was an accident, Song Luotian, wanting to save face in front of Sang Qi and the others, defiantly claimed responsibility. When Grand Tutor Song learned of his son’s actions, he was not upset. Instead, he praised Song Luotian, viewing the incident as an opportune moment to assert dominance over the Yan family.
Discovering that Yan Yan was seeking a marriage alliance, Grand Tutor Song instructed Song Luotian to propose to the same young lady. Though Song Luotian expressed disinterest, his father emphasized the girl's noble family and extensive wealth, explaining it as a strategic move to secure Song Luotian's future, regardless of his career path in officialdom. Meanwhile, back at the Imperial College, Scholar Feng announced a surprise pop quiz.
Sang Qi, who had dedicated her recent mountain retreat to martial arts training rather than studying, was overwhelmed. She approached Yan Yunzhi, hoping for some guidance. Yan Yunzhi offered to tutor her privately, but before he could elaborate, Zhuo Wenyuan interjected, suggesting that Yan Yunzhi was too busy and offering to help Sang Qi himself, advising they study in the classroom due to the noise. Sang Qi agreed and left with Zhuo Wenyuan.
Later, Yan Yunzhi waited outside after classes, only to see Sang Qi once again leave with Zhuo Wenyuan, who was carrying her books and engaging in lighthearted conversation. Frustrated, Yan Yunzhi tripped over a carriage wheel, barely catching himself. The following day, as Sang Qi attempted to study in her courtyard, firecrackers suddenly exploded, startling her. Lian Pian rushed in, breathlessly reporting that Yan Yan had gone to the Song Residence, accompanied by several people.
Remembering Yan Yan's earlier threat to give Song Luotian an "unforgettable gift," Sang Qi immediately feared he was going to cause trouble at the wedding. She and Lian Pian quickly made their way to the Song Residence. Upon arrival, Sang Qi confronted Yan Yan, scolding him for potentially ruining the festive occasion and reminding him that it was bad luck. Yan Yan, however, insisted he was there with sincere intentions to present his wedding gifts.
He opened the first box, revealing jade knee pads and bamboo floor mats, which he sarcastically presented as practical items for Song Luotian's future. Then, he opened another box, filled with old childhood toys, explaining they were items he had "stolen" from Song Luotian during their youth and had promised to return on his wedding day.
Touched by the sentimental gesture, Song Luotian was visibly moved and warmly invited Yan Yan to join the feast, which Yan Yan happily accepted, offering his congratulations. Yan Yunzhi arrived late at the wedding, taking a seat next to Sang Qi at the table designated for women, the sick and disabled, and students.
He explained that this table was more "down-to-earth" than the officials' table, then proceeded to rinse Sang Qi's chopsticks, a gesture that prompted Lian Pian to ask for hers to be cleaned too. Yan Yunzhi also peeled peanuts for Sang Qi. Zhuo Wenyuan then appeared at their table, offering Sang Qi some candied fruit. However, Yan Yunzhi swiftly intervened, warning Sang Qi against eating them, pointing out their overly sharp color and faint rotten odor, indicating they were spoiled.
He quickly checked Sang Qi's pulse, finding no immediate issues but advising her to report any discomfort. Soon after, Yan Yunzhi quietly excused himself from the table, claiming he needed some fresh air. Sang Qi, curious, noticed him heading into a specific room.
Meanwhile, at the banquet, Song Luotian was called to share the traditional cross-arms-and-drink wine with his bride, but he delayed the ceremony to challenge Yan Yan to a drinking contest, with Yan Yan boastfully claiming the festive atmosphere had miraculously healed his leg. Seizing the opportunity, Sang Qi quietly followed Yan Yunzhi. However, she accidentally tripped and fell, making a noise.
As a servant rushed over upon hearing the commotion, Sang Qi saw Yan Yunzhi enter a room marked "Song Tea Plantation." She quickly followed him inside and asked what he was doing there, just as someone else spotted them. Yan Yunzhi quickly pulled Sang Qi down, hiding them both in the shadows.
