A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 6 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
During a meal, Sang Qi excitedly recounted her adventures at the Lantern Festival, including meeting Lan Ji, Qing Xuan, and Deputy Chief Yan Yunzhi. She remarked on the fascinating people of Bianjing. Zhuo Wenyuan, with a hint of sarcasm, noted Sang Qi’s enthusiasm for Yan Yunzhi’s friends compared to his own. He then offered to introduce her to Qian Jiu, a woman he claimed was even more renowned for her beauty in Bianjing than Su Jieyu.
Sang Qi, curious, asked about Zhuo Wenyuan's relationship with Qian Jiu, to which he replied that he merely wanted to show her the interesting people in his own circle. The next day, Zhuo Wenyuan brought Sang Qi to Qian Jiu's residence, named "In This Mountain," located in a serene bamboo grove. Zhuo Wenyuan explained to Qian Jiu that Sang Qi had spent a long time in a frontier military camp and was unaccustomed to the beauties of Bianjing.
Upon entering, Sang Qi immediately noticed an indescribable delicate fragrance emanating from Qian Jiu. Inside, Qian Jiu shared her beauty secrets, demonstrating how to infuse clothes with lasting fragrance and apply rouge with a subtle, natural effect. During their discussion of beauty secrets, Sang Qi expressed her appreciation for all types of beauty, emphasizing that sincerity and purity were what truly impressed her.
It was at this time that Sang Qi inadvertently spotted a distinctive carved pattern on the back of Qian Jiu's neck, a sight that filled her with doubt as it seemed vaguely familiar. Qian Jiu, in turn, praised Sang Qi as the most extraordinary person in Bianjing. When Qian Jiu slyly hinted at Zhuo Wenyuan’s deep affection for Sang Qi, Sang Qi quickly clarified that she and Zhuo Wenyuan shared a bond of "brothers."
Qian Jiu then offered to fetch a new face powder for Sang Qi. As night fell, Sang Qi urged Zhuo Wenyuan to leave, but Qian Jiu suddenly invited Zhuo Wenyuan to stay for tea. A guard then informed Sang Qi that a carter would take her home, leaving Zhuo Wenyuan behind. On her journey through the bamboo grove, Sang Qi dozed off, only to be jolted awake by a sudden scream.
Outside the carriage, she found herself surrounded by several black-clad assailants. In the struggle, Sang Qi recognized the same carved pattern she had seen on Qian Jiu's neck etched on the attackers' shoulders. Just as danger loomed, an elder wielding a wine flask descended swiftly, expertly driving off the attackers with agile and powerful moves.
Sang Qi attempted to ask for his name, but the elder, merely identifying himself as a passer-by, cautioned her to be careful on her journey home before departing as quickly as he arrived. Sang Qi marveled, realizing she had witnessed a "divine descent" like those described in storytelling scripts. Back at the Grand Commandant's Residence, Master Sang paced anxiously, worried about Sang Qi’s late return, especially after recent unrest at the Lantern Festival.
Lian Pian explained that Zhuo Wenyuan had accompanied Sang Qi, which Master Sang found somewhat reassuring given Zhuo Wenyuan's usual discretion. Master Sang acknowledged Zhuo Wenyuan's feelings for Sang Qi but knew his daughter viewed him only as a brother. Just then, Sang Qi returned, disheveled and injured. Master Sang's worry turned to alarm; he immediately called for a physician and fetched his own wound medicine, fussing over his daughter.
Since Sang Yu's passing, Sang Qi was Master Sang’s only remaining child, intensifying his protective instincts. Sang Qi apologized for causing worry and explained that Zhuo Wenyuan couldn’t leave, so he sent her back, leading to the ambush. She revealed that she hadn't seen the attackers' faces but recognized the distinct pattern on their shoulders. Master Sang, furious, immediately reported the incident to the Prefecture Court and ordered his family’s soldiers to launch their own investigation.
Later, while recovering, Sang Qi pondered the incident and the mysterious pattern, realizing with a jolt that the same design was on Qian Jiu's neck. The next morning, Yan Yan arrived at the residence to visit Sang Qi, but Lian Pian barred him from entering Sang Qi’s room, assuring him that Sang Qi only had a minor skin injury and was resting.
Yan Yan, despite being the Grand Preceptor's son, was dismissed by Lian Pian as a "fool" but his gifts were accepted. Shortly after, Yan Yunzhi arrived. Sang Qi, instantly flustered and suspecting his visit would bring trouble, rushed to get ready. Yan Yunzhi presented her with study exercises, noting her leg injury shouldn't prevent her from studying. He also informed her that the Prefecture Court was investigating and Yan San Lang (himself) would question her once she recovered.
Sang Qi dismissed her injury as minor, eager to discuss the expert who saved her. She launched into a dramatic re-enactment of the ambush, describing the expert’s swift and powerful moves. Yan Yunzhi, while initially skeptical of her theatrical account, grew serious, warning her that the assailant's weapon might have been poisoned and emphasizing that the attack was indeed a brutal attempt on her life.
He then added that despite her mischievous nature and academic shortcomings, which had disappointed her late brother Sang Yu, she had been fortunate to escape quickly. Sang Qi explained that she had visited Qian Jiu with Zhuo Wenyuan before the ambush. Yan Yunzhi questioned her choice of visiting an "entertainer" late at night.
Sang Qi defended her visit as a quest for understanding beauty, explaining her observations on the diverse forms of beauty among women like Su Jieyu, Qian Jiu's elegance, and even Song Jiayin's spirited arrogance. Yan Yunzhi, in a rare moment, praised Sang Qi for her unique, lively, and free-spirited nature, though he also playfully called her "the most troublesome student."
Then, Sang Qi hesitantly revealed the crucial detail: she had seen the same pattern on the assailant’s shoulder and on Qian Jiu’s neck. Yan Yunzhi immediately grasped the significance of this. He informed her that this carved pattern was the unique symbol of the Xizhao organization, identifying its members as traitors, black market traders, or assassins—all dangerous, stateless individuals.
He explained that while the court had pursued Xizhao members years ago, their leader remained elusive, and the organization seemed to be re-emerging. Yan Yunzhi assured Sang Qi that he would investigate this matter, including Zhuo Wenyuan, who was also his student. He then warned her not to discuss the incident with anyone else. Concerned for Sang Qi's safety, Yan Yunzhi instructed Bai Shi to act as her bodyguard, ensuring her protection to and from school.
Even at the Imperial College, Yan Yunzhi kept a vigilant eye on Sang Qi from outside her classroom window. Sang Qi, however, felt suffocated by this constant supervision, complaining to her friends that Yan Yunzhi's restrictions prevented her from enjoying storytelling scripts or dining out. Back home, Master Sang, still deeply worried about the Xizhao threat and his daughter's second injury, imposed a strict curfew, forbidding Sang Qi from leaving the residence.
He warned all servants, especially Lian Pian, against helping Sang Qi sneak out, threatening to send Lian Pian back to her hometown. Sang Qi, feeling like a caged bird, chafed under the restrictions. Lian Pian explained Master Sang's deep love and worry. Sang Qi, unwilling to be a constant source of anxiety for her father, resolved to find the elder who had saved her and learn martial arts.
That night, she stealthily slipped out to the bamboo grove, hoping to find her mysterious savior. To her astonishment, she found Yan Yunzhi there instead, dressed in white. She mistakenly bowed to him, calling him "Expert" and asking to be his disciple.
Yan Yunzhi, amused, reminded her that he was her Deputy Chief and urged her to return home, informing her that there was no one else living on the mountain and the expert she sought was likely just a passerby. Despite his words, Sang Qi persisted in her desire to learn martial arts from him.
