A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 7 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
After a sparring session with Yan Yunzhi, Sang Qi realized she was no match for him. Her father's combat moves were ill-suited for self-defense, leading her to sneak out in search of her mysterious benefactor. She failed to find him, but coincidentally encountered Yan Yunzhi. As the bamboo forest appeared ominous under the moonlight, a nervous Sang Qi asked Yan Yunzhi to escort her home.
Yan Yunzhi muttered to himself that he had always protected her in secret, yet she was only now openly seeking his protection. Sang Qi seemed to catch his words and looked at him quizzically, but Yan Yunzhi quickly denied it. Sang Qi then lightened the mood by comically imitating Scholar Feng, whose perpetually grim expression made her think of a bitter gourd. Yan Yunzhi was secretly amused by her antics, though he maintained his stern demeanor.
Upon reaching The Grand Commandant's Residence, Sang Qi hesitated to knock, knowing her father would be furious if he discovered she had snuck out. She requested Yan Yunzhi's help to scale the wall. Though reluctant to engage in such a "sneaky thing," Yan Yunzhi embraced her waist, effortlessly lifting them over the high wall.
As soon as they landed, Sang Qi began to criticize his martial arts, claiming he was not as impressive as the masters in her storytelling scripts who "flew up in an instant." Annoyed by her ingratitude, Yan Yunzhi promptly lifted her again and deposited her back outside the wall, leaving her to face the daunting task of re-entry alone.
Later, Bai Shi remarked to Yan Yunzhi that he had never seen his Young Master care so deeply for a woman, not even for Lan. Yan Yunzhi dismissed his observations, claiming Sang Qi was merely his old friend's sister. One day after school, Sang Qi found herself craving tasty dishes at a local eatery but worried about running into Yan Yunzhi.
Conveniently, she spotted Lan and used the opportunity to invite her to dinner, presenting it as a way to repay a previous favor. During their meal, Sang Qi expressed curiosity about Yan Yunzhi's cold and distant nature. Lan explained that Yan Yunzhi had been mature and aloof since she could remember. She added that despite his outwardly cold demeanor, he was a caring and considerate person who would secretly rectify others' mistakes without ever taking credit.
Sang Qi found this description perplexing, wondering if they were even talking about the same person, joking that perhaps Yan Yunzhi only dared to act like a tyrant at the Imperial College. Unbeknownst to them, Yan Yunzhi was seated in an adjacent room and nearly choked on his drink upon hearing Sang Qi's colorful remarks. As the conversation turned to matters of the heart, Lan asked Sang Qi about the gentlemen often seen by her side.
Sang Qi, amused, likened Yan Yan to a tough, chewy tendon, exhausting to eat and liable to cause a headache. She compared Zhuo Wenyuan to a crispy, smooth roast chicken, a fine dish, but one she had grown tired of after consuming it frequently since childhood in the frontier. When asked about Yan Yunzhi, Sang Qi described him as a sugar lotus root—sweet only on the outside, but cloying after a while.
Unaware that Yan Yunzhi was within earshot, she stated confidently that no one else would ever know her true opinions. However, as she left the restaurant, she immediately ran into Yan Yunzhi, confirming his presence in the next room. Mortified, she made a hasty retreat. After Sang Qi fled, Yan Yunzhi instructed Bai Shi to send a plate of sweet lotus roots to her residence, a subtle jab at her earlier comparison.
Yan Yunzhi then confronted Lan, clarifying that there was no engagement between them and urging her not to waste her time on him or involve others, specifically Sang Qi. Lan feigned innocence, claiming her meeting with Sang Qi was a coincidence, but Yan Yunzhi saw through her facade, aware of her deliberate actions. Lan then admitted her long-standing affection for him, recounting how she had retreated three years prior, hoping he would miss her.
She then directly confronted Yan Yunzhi about his feelings for Sang Qi, pointing out that his actions—making exceptions for Sang Qi, overcoming his aversion to public appearances to save her from embarrassment, and engaging in banter with her—far exceeded the boundaries of a simple teacher-student relationship or mere care for a friend's sister.
Yan Yunzhi, despite her insightful observations, continued to deny any romantic feelings, describing Sang Qi as a "strange, naughty, and mischievous" woman who was always causing trouble and defied discipline. Nevertheless, Bai Shi confidently asserted that Yan Yunzhi had indeed fallen for Sang Qi, a realization that Yan Yunzhi vehemently, if unconvincingly, refuted.
Determined to find her benefactor, Sang Qi sought out Yan Yan, who suggested that the top floor of Qingfeng Restaurant, known for its diverse patrons and abundant information, might hold clues. There, Sang Qi unexpectedly encountered Qian Jiu. Sang Qi discreetly checked Qian Jiu's neck for a "carving tattoo," hoping it would match a detail she remembered from her benefactor, but found no such mark.
Qian Jiu then led them to a private room where Zhuo Wenyuan and Yan Yunzhi were already seated. Sang Qi, assuming Qian Jiu was Zhuo Wenyuan's mistress, lightheartedly admonished Yan Yunzhi for being in such a place and "stealing" Zhuo Wenyuan's affections. Qian Jiu quickly clarified her professional relationship with Zhuo Wenyuan, asserting her independence.
Sang Qi then attempted to describe her elusive benefactor to the group as a "ghostly, highly skilled, white-robed old man" who always appeared in her moments of greatest need. Realizing her description was too vague, she requested writing materials and proceeded to create a detailed portrait of the mysterious figure. However, upon seeing her drawing, Yan Yunzhi, Zhuo Wenyuan, and especially Yan Yan, erupted in laughter. Yan Yunzhi, embarrassed by Sang Qi's artistic skills, attempted to make a hasty exit.
As they prepared to leave, Sang Qi asked Qian Jiu if she had ever seen anyone matching the drawing, specifically pointing to a small knife in the picture. Yan Yunzhi then advised Sang Qi that instead of visiting such places, she should consult Scholar Feng, whom he jokingly referred to as the most resourceful person at the Imperial College.
Yan Yunzhi then arranged for Yan Yan to escort his sister, Lian Pian, home, creating an opportunity for him to walk Sang Qi back. Later, Yan Yunzhi looked at Sang Qi's drawing of her benefactor and told Bai Shi that if his guess about the person depicted was correct, it would be difficult to deal with, but also a great blessing for Sang Qi.
Bai Shi, observing Yan Yunzhi's subtle affection, concluded that his Young Master's love for Sang Qi was one-sided, as she remained oblivious to his many efforts. Yan Yunzhi admitted he didn't seek anything in return but expressed concern about Qian Jiu, suggesting she was either a highly skilled and cunning individual or truly a commoner, necessitating further investigation due to the potential risk to Sang Qi.
He also noted that Zhuo Wenyuan, despite being deeply in love with Sang Qi, openly frequented brothels in her presence. Yan Yunzhi declared that their top priority was to ensure Sang Qi's safety by finding a suitable place to settle her, while secretly enhancing her martial arts skills so she could protect herself in the future.
