When I Was Young (2)

No one stopped him, and no one could stop him. This was a challenge from one family to another. Once he accepted it, his mother and sister could only have opinions but not voice them.

What he casually lifted wasn't just the seal of the He family. 

Lanzhi College was a place where noble ladies learned etiquette, poetry, and some basic knowledge. Five years ago, under the strong advocacy of Prime Minister Qi, it was built on the same day as the Dianjiang Academy.

One of the most criticized aspects of Prime Minister Qi's political career was his constant emulation of the Jiangdong Lu family. The Dianjiang Academy was one example, and Lanzhi Girls College even more so.

Over a hundred years ago, the founding empress of the Eastern Xiang State, Empress Lu Shuilan, personally founded the Shuilan Girls' School. Over the next sixty years, she devoted herself day and night to it, until she passed away at the age of one hundred, leaving behind a stunning will: not to enter the imperial tomb, not to enter the Lu family ancestral hall, only wishing to be buried under the magnolia tree south of the girls' school, to see the end before leaving. 

Over the past century, the Shuilan Girls' School had flourished, nurturing several generations of outstanding women, making all the noble ladies west of the Mulan River envy. Even in their usual chatter, there was a hint of longing, although not wholeheartedly. When it came time to establish Lanzhi Girls College, there was a moment of excitement—almost all the famous ladies in Changxiang City were there. Whoever missed the limelight would become a laughingstock. But just half a year later, the girls who had been sent here by their fathers and brothers began to be picked up one by one, and those who remained mostly did so out of boredom at home and the camaraderie here. Over the five years, Lanzhi Court had been criticized time and time again, and someone once confronted Qi Xiang face to face—spending countless national funds to build such a disrespectful and inelegant place, what was the purpose? 

Qi Xiang sighed deeply, speechless.

With the coming and goings, the once-grand girls' school became increasingly quiet. Fortunately, the scenery was still beautiful, serene and tranquil. Many girls, like He Yingning, came here for three or five days every month, just to relax and cultivate themselves.

But today, Lanzhi School was in chaos.

It was said that the Wolf Fang Seventh Regiment couldn't be bothered to enter through the doors; they simply rode their horses over the slightly lower south wall of the Rose Court and charged in, trampling countless flowers and trees. Several female teachers who usually taught etiquette were whipped. The small building where He Yingning lived was completely destroyed, and the gatekeeper, maidservants, and He Yingning's two maids were all decapitated, leaving behind thirteen bloody corpses. Naturally, the young ladies from various families left one after another. For a while, the streets were crowded with carriages and servants, blocking the roads, and the elder brothers who came to pick up their sisters were naturally in a bad mood, commanding their servants to smash things at will. The He family controlled the southern gate and had been the strongest in military power in recent years. No one dared to provoke them. Moreover, by smashing things first, they indeed appealed to many people's sentiments—this damn place really needed to be smashed, and it should be shown to those who usually dare defy them. 

Although the He family's actions were rough, they didn't leave any handle. Their daughter was easily bullied, first because their own servants didn't guard her properly so they were beheaded; The He family's young lady had been entrusted to Lanzhi College but had encountered such a thing. Lanzhi College was negligent, so it was smashed. Finally, it was also an indication to the Qi family that the wolf bone seal was a demand for accountability—logically speaking, since Qi Qingzheng was still young and didn't understand things, Madam He had already gone to see Madam Qi and it should've been the Qi family's responsibility to present heads.

Madam Qi didn't fulfill this courtesy.

So the trivial matters between the children had alarmed General He to send a battalion to question Prime Minister Qi, so whether Qi Qingzheng was young or old, as the eldest son, he had to come out and explain.

Qi Qingzheng stood in front of the small building, sweat dripping from his hand holding the reins—he now knew that this trouble really wasn't small.

The wind blew from behind, wrapping his body tightly in his cloak. Qi Qingzheng didn't dismount, scanning the surroundings—there were quite a few "acquaintances" of his in Lanzhi. Sometimes they would sneak in over the wall and be caught red-handed, and those people would still joke with him and tease him, but now, those "acquaintances" were nowhere to be seen. Their faces had all become strange and distant. Occasionally, when their eyes met, there was neither blame nor resentment, neither sympathy nor intimacy, as if... everyone suddenly realized one morning: it had always been like this.

The flowers and trees in the garden were trampled, revealing black soil underneath. Many of the flowers and plants here were rare varieties, carefully cultivated for five years. Some hadn't even had a chance to bloom before they were destroyed.

The wind grew stronger, carrying with it more fallen flowers and branches, enveloped in dust, coming closer and closer. Perhaps it was because of the sand in his eyes, Qi Qingzheng felt a little dazed for a moment. He stood silently, watching—every gust of wind seemed to sweep away the bustling and lively scene, revealing the real world behind the stage.

The horse was a good horse, his favorite, "Ruxi," which Ah Fu had picked out for him and personally trained. He didn't like riding horses when he was young, always feeling that it wasn't as free as running with his legs. Ah Fu rarely forced him, but that time he half-forced him to learn. He still remembered the feeling when Ah Fu jumped off the horse and let him hold the reins himself—the faster the horse ran, the farther Ah Fu's voice became: "Azhen, faster! Don't stop, don't look back! Go your own way! You won't fall if you don't look back!"

He was a very skilled rider, never once falling off. He would just procrastinate getting on, but once he became familiar with the feeling of control, he didn't want to come down again.

The corpse cart had arrived, pulled by short-legged camels. Those camels moved slowly and steadily, neither speeding up under the whip nor slowing down under the burden, forever stepping forward with the same pace. A small team of city guards held ledgers, counting the bodies, and whispered to a few of the women present.

Originally, Qi Qingzheng was most afraid of dealing with the city guards. He always got into trouble, bolting at the sound of their bells and whistles, fearing being caught and scolded, or being sent to his mother to be punished. But this time, he suddenly wasn't afraid anymore. He rode up and, without greeting, directly asked, "How are these bodies going to be dealt with?"

Strangely, the tone of those city guards had become respectful. "Back to the young master, these are to be buried in the southern suburbs."

"And this?" Qi Qingzheng gestured to the mess in the Lanzhi Academy.

"This... needs to be reported to the authorities for a decision."

"Which one was it from the He family?"

"It was He Peiyu, Young General He."

"He Yingning went with him?"

"Yes."

"What is He Yingning doing here? Shouldn't she be staying at home?"

"Master Qi, Miss He left some personal belongings in the courtyard." The guard glanced at one the women present, and the woman, lowering her head, stepped forward to explain: "Miss He has been studying here for two years and wanted to bid farewell to everyone before leaving. Perhaps the young general was upset about this. Someone heard the young general scolding Miss He, accusing her of not knowing shame and still daring to come over."

"Huh." Qi Qingzheng sneered, not speaking, and no one else dared to speak.

The guards waited for a long time before cautiously asking, "Young Master, any further instructions?"

Qi Qingzheng shook his head. "Where did He Peiyu go?"

"Back to the young master, at this time, Young General He should be at the Wolf Fang Training Ground."

"Alright, you can go."

The guard nodded and was about to leave.

Qi Qingzheng leaned halfway out, suddenly calling out, "Hey!"

The guard turned back. "Does the young master have any more orders?"

Qi Qingzheng smiled. "Do you know me?"

This question was too sudden, and the guard didn't know how to answer, feeling a bit at a loss. "How would a humble one... how could... this... in Changxiang City, who doesn't... this..."

"It seems I've caused you a lot of trouble." Qi Qingzheng continued on his own, "Every time you all come running over making a fuss, I always think you're going to arrest me. It turns out I was overthinking, wasn't I?"

The guard became even more flustered and knelt down with a "plop."

"Alright, alright, you can go." Qi Qingzheng sat up straight, watching the guard hurry away as if fleeing, then burst into laughter.

He laughed as if drunk, louder and louder, more and more unrestrained. Laughing, he gritted his teeth and kicked his horse's belly fiercely. Ruxi had never been urged so hard, it lifted its hooves and charged forward. As Qi Qingzheng galloped past the woman, he didn't turn his head, but loudly asked, "Teacher Qin, do you hate He Peiyu?"

The woman kept her head down. "I dare not."

Qi Qingzheng tossed his head fiercely and reined in his horse. "Then do you hate me?"

The woman still kept her head down, hesitating for a moment before replying, "No, I don't hate you."

Qi Qingzheng turned his head, staring blankly at her.

The woman kept her head down: "When the wind rises, the autumn tide of the Mulan River should stop. Young Master Qi, I teach the winds, and today I was supposed to teach 'Wind Changes.' This is my last class during my tenure. He Yingning likes to listen to it." She slowly approached, took out a booklet from her sleeve, and handed it over with solemnity. "Lanzhi Academy will no longer exist from now on. Young Master Qi, please give this notebook to Yingning and tell her for me—when you can't see the wind, you can still listen. The wind has its spectrum, starting slowly and then becoming fast, that's the strong wind; starting fast and then slowing down, that's the quick wind. When the wind changes, don't panic. Knowing where it comes from and why it comes, you will know what to do."

Qi Qingzheng took the book with both hands, giving an equally solemn reply. "Teacher Qin, He Yingning is probably going to get married soon. Your students will never panic about the wind changes in their lives."

"Minister Qi hired me to teach 'Wind Changes,' not 'Etiquette.'" The woman stood quietly. "Whether they marry or receive titles, whether in the imperial palace or in humble houses, etiquette and norms will always be exhausted during the day, and when it is quiet at night, the wind will still be there."

She nodded in acknowledgment and slowly walked away.

Qi Qingzheng called after her from behind, "Teacher Qin, do you know my father?"

"Yes, I know him. It was when we were very young. At that time, he went to Qingcheng, and we were classmates." The woman paused slightly. "If it's convenient, please tell my father that I've gone back and won't say goodbye to him."

"Hey, you!" Qi Qingzheng leaned forward, about to dismount. He had many questions to ask, but in the end, he didn't ask anything.

"Young Master? Young Master?" Jia Xi waved his hand in front of his eyes. "What's wrong with you? That woman is at least forty years old. Could it be that you've taken a fancy to her?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Qi Qingzheng scratched his head. "What the hell is going on? I've been around for fifteen years, and suddenly last night I almost didn't recognize Brother Afu. This morning, I almost didn't recognize myself. Just now, I found out I don't even recognize my father. Oh, I'm so confused."

"You won't figure it out standing here. Where are we going, back home or..."

"To the Wolf Fang Training Ground." Qi Qingzheng kicked his horse. "Whatever they're looking for, since I caused trouble, I have to solve it myself."

He spurred his horse and leaped out from the gap trampled in the southern wall of the Lanzhi Academy. Jia Xi also spurred his horse, maintaining a distance of a horse's length, following closely behind.

The long street was left behind, and the buildings rushing toward him from the front became rugged from refined. The horse stepped from the bluestone street onto the hard earth mud road.