Back at the foot of the mountain.
The two individuals' paths remained on a straight line, never intersecting, each continuing with their own affairs.
Among the ten names on the list, Gu Qianying had already persuaded two: Bai Hong and Bai Yong.
There were still eight people remaining. Gu Qianying had ranked Bai Yangping third.
This person was refined and elegant, a scholar with a fair complexion, highly respected within the Shengyu family.
Furthermore, his exceptional looks were admired by the women of his household, making him exceptionally likable.
He was also a tutor at the Shuyu Pavilion.
The Shuyu Pavilion was where the women of the Saintess family learned needlework, tea ceremony, and the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Bai Yangping was devoted to poetry and books, rarely interacting with others and mostly keeping to himself.
To establish contact with him,
one could only go to the Shuyu Pavilion; only then could his trust be gained.
After careful consideration, Gu Qianying decided to enroll in the Shuyu Pavilion.
Bai Yufeng had previously requested that every minute detail regarding the clan leader selection be reported to him.
Gu Qianying informed him of her intention to attend the Shuyu Pavilion.
Upon hearing Bai Yangping's name, Bai Yufeng was momentarily taken aback.
He had not seen Bai Yangping in a long time and took a while to recall him.
He suddenly realized that this person was exceptionally handsome, resembling a captivating male fox spirit from storybooks. He had always disliked him. Hearing that Gu Qianying intended to pose as a female student,
the thought of the two of them, one male and one female, having frequent contact made his heart clench with discomfort.
Therefore, he immediately refused.
"Absolutely not! This person is cunning and treacherous, not a good person at all, and his disposition is dull; he is not an ordinary individual. You have this time, you might as well find someone else. We can discuss this later."
Fearing that Gu Qianying might refuse, he quickly added,
"Even if you don't find this person, I will honor my promise to you and will not deliberately deceive you."
Gu Qianying had been full of ambition. She had already dealt with the first two, and now it was time for the third, fourth, and finally the eighth.
Once the task was completed,
she would receive Bai Yufeng's spiritual blood and be able to save her child.
At that point, the heavy stone pressing on her heart could finally be lifted.
However, upon hearing Bai Yufeng's words, she felt a sudden panic and inexplicable irritation.
"What do you mean? I could handle Bai Hong, and now you're telling me not to go? You told me to deal with eight people, you told me to help you ascend to the position of clan leader, and now you're telling me to give up. Are you trying to play me?"
Bai Yufeng did not mean it that way.
He simply did not want Gu Qianying to interact with Bai Yangping; nothing more.
His usually quick tongue became strangely dull, "I didn't mean that. Why do you misunderstand me?"
Gu Qianying, in her anger, could not hear anything else.
She knew that Bai Yufeng was a cunning and treacherous person. His words sounded good now, but if, in the end, Bai Yufeng argued that she had not managed to deal with Bai Yangping and refused to hand over the spiritual blood, what would she say?
Gu Qianying stubbornly gritted her teeth.
"What am I misunderstanding? Isn't this exactly what you meant? You are so calculating. Why do you always try to scheme against me? Do you know how important this is to me?"
Facing Gu Qianying's every word of accusation, he was filled with rage.
"Stupid woman."
He was truly angry. He had already informed her that he would not hold this against her and would still provide the spiritual blood.
Why couldn't this person understand?
Gu Qianying said no more, not wanting to argue further. She simply continued, "Regardless, I will definitely go to the Shuyu Pavilion. Young Master, please do not go back on your word about what we agreed upon."
With that said! She immediately turned and left.
Seeing that Gu Qianying still did not understand his meaning, Bai Yufeng's eyes blazed with anger, and he slammed his fist onto the table.
He cursed fiercely, "Damn it."
Gu Qianying was unaware of Bai Yufeng's feelings for her.
Therefore, when Bai Yufeng uttered that sentence, regardless of whether the matter was successful or not, he would help her, she only harbored suspicion and nothing else.
But she did not know that Bai Yufeng was truly willing to offer it willingly, for no other reason than that she was Gu Qianying.
The next day.
Gu Qianying bribed someone in the Shuyu Pavilion and secured an enrollment spot.
She specifically altered her appearance, transforming into an ordinary woman, and gave herself the name Bai Qing.
Bai Yangping saw Gu Qianying and casually asked a few questions.
"Where is your home?"
Gu Qianying smiled and said, "My home is here, and we haven't moved for hundreds of years. However, my status is humble; my parents are ordinary people in the Shengyu family. I wish to come and learn the arts. I wonder if my aptitude is sufficient, Master?"
Seeing that Gu Qianying was proficient in poetry and the six arts, Bai Yangping considered her a promising candidate.
Without suspicion, he invited Gu Qianying to attend classes at the Shuyu Pavilion.
The tuition fees at the Shuyu Pavilion were not low, requiring a full one and a half spirit pearls.
The steward who collected the money saw Gu Qianying in plain clothes. They were accustomed to favoring the high and stepping on the low, so they did not rush to record Gu Qianying's name, but instead teased her.
"Little girl! The tuition at the Shuyu Pavilion is not cheap. All the young ladies from our Shengyu family study here. You, an ordinary girl, perhaps you should reconsider!"
Gu Qianying was too lazy to pay attention to the man's wicked demeanor.
She simply asked calmly, "How much is it?"
The steward snorted and held up a finger, shouting loudly, "One spirit pearl, plus half a spirit pearl. This money would probably be enough for your living expenses for two years. Why do you put yourself through this? Aren't you just causing trouble for your parents?"
Before he could receive Gu Qianying's reply, he quickly beckoned to the person behind her.
"You in the back, if you have the money, come quickly and pay it so we can finish. Don't delay here." While calling for people to pay, he did not forget to tease Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying sneered, thinking it was not much money.
She had spent ten spirit pearls to purchase the enrollment spot at the Shuyu Pavilion.
She reached into her pouch, took out two spirit pearls, and placed them on the counter, asking coldly, "Is this enough? Or, for someone as poor as me, do you require more?"
The steward's eyes widened. Two spirit pearls, he couldn't imagine how much that could buy.
He looked from side to side at Gu Qianying's attire. Her clothes were only worth a few copper coins, so cheap, yet she could casually produce two spirit pearls.
This was unheard of anywhere.
He nervously clutched the money in his hand, "This remaining half spirit pearl, is it for me, young lady?"
Gu Qianying looked at his shamelessness and offered a fake smile.
"It's a tip for you. Just half a spirit pearl; even my dog wouldn't like it!"
The steward's expression stiffened, but he was unwilling to part with the spirit pearls in his hand. He smiled more awkwardly than if he were crying.
"So that's how it is."
Gu Qianying glared at him askance, "Now that the money is paid, can I leave?"
The steward smiled again and quickly bowed.
"Yes, yes."