After finishing her banter with the men, Nian Jiaojiao got down to business.
"We might be living here for quite some time," she stated.
Yu Chuan asked, "Wife, what exactly happened? Can you tell us?"
Nian Jiaojiao was silent for a moment before revealing everything. She had never hidden anything from them regarding these matters. If they were to encounter such situations, it was better to be prepared.
Nan Qing said, "Indeed, we are the visible ones and the enemy is hidden. If we cannot achieve a swift kill, avoidance is the best strategy."
The others nodded in agreement.
Nian Jiaojiao made a decision, "Then it's settled. I won't be attending classes at the academy anymore. Senior Sister Lei will bring me the books I need, and I'll just participate in the imperial examination directly. However, before that, I have one more thing to accomplish..."
...
The Qiu Family.
"Alright, I'm done. Let's head to the Royal City," Nian Jiaojiao, her face disguised again, said to Cui Qingluo.
Cui Qingluo's eyes held a hint of grievance, "So you do remember I exist."
Before Nian Jiaojiao could speak, Old Qiu spoke first, "Are you the young master Cui?"
"And you are?" Cui Qingluo asked.
The crow's feet at the corners of Old Qiu's eyes deepened. "This old woman is Qiu Chengan. Is your family's Cui Xin doing well?"
Cui Qingluo was taken aback. Cui Xin was his grandmother, and the fact that this person addressed her by name suggested they were of the same generation. Thus, his attitude became respectful. "My grandmother is doing well. May I ask how you know her..."
Old Qiu smiled, "I never thought you would be a descendant of Cui Xin. Young man, you don't need to worry. This old woman studied in the Royal City with Cui Xin. We were good friends, so you can call me Grandma Qiu."
Cui Qingluo quickly bowed, "Grandma Qiu."
Old Qiu nodded kindly, "Rest assured, for calling me Grandma, I will ensure you are safely delivered home as quickly as possible."
Cui Qingluo respectfully nodded, "Yes."
However, after Old Qiu turned her back, he kept making eye contact with Nian Jiaojiao.
Cui Qingluo: What's going on? Didn't you say you'd take me back?
Nian Jiaojiao: With Grandma Qiu escorting you, you should be overjoyed. Is there anyone more reliable than Grandma Qiu?
Cui Qingluo: I don't care, you have to take me back.
Nian Jiaojiao smiled.
At this moment, Old Qiu turned around and saw their interaction, adopting a knowing expression. "Youth is wonderful. This old woman is already old." She said, looking nostalgic.
Nian Jiaojiao quickly clarified, "Grandma Qiu, please don't misunderstand."
Cui Qingluo chimed in, not to be outdone, "I'm not close to her."
Old Qiu shook her head slightly and said to Cui Qingluo, "Young Cui family member, you mustn't resent... Xiao Yu. She asked me to come out of seclusion for your reputation. After all, if a young girl escorted you home after your disappearance, it would damage your reputation."
Indeed, Cui Qingluo's expression improved considerably, though he couldn't help but mutter, "Hmph, she doesn't keep her word..."
Old Qiu shook her head.
The three of them walked out of the Qiu mansion and approached a carriage. After getting into the carriage, Cui Qingluo lifted the bamboo curtain and said, "I still owe you money. Remember to ask me for it when you come to the Royal City."
Nian Jiaojiao smiled and waved goodbye. Soon, the carriage soared into the sky...
...
Back at the school of miscellaneous studies, Nian Jiaojiao sought Qiu Hezi's help again. After removing the disguise from her face, she asked, "Has Qiu Yu herself returned?"
Qiu Hezi's expression looked somewhat strange. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Qiu Hezi took a deep breath and said, "Originally, I planned to find a junior sister to take Qiu Yu as her student after this matter was resolved. That way, she could stay at the school of miscellaneous studies for a longer period and return after the storm passed. But I never expected that when I approached Qiu Yu yesterday, she had already taken a master."
Nian Jiaojiao was puzzled, "Taken a master? That's a good thing."
Qiu Hezi: "You could say that, but also not."
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
Here we go again...
However, before Nian Jiaojiao could ask, Qiu Hezi proactively explained, "Qiu Yu has become a disciple of Senior Sister Bai."
"Senior Sister Bai?"
"Yes, Senior Sister Bai is a renunciate, so anyone who becomes her disciple must also renounce worldly life. Qiu Yu will be going with Senior Sister Bai to her secular temple in a couple of days."
"Why is that? Was she forced?"
Qiu Hezi shook her head, "No one forced her. During these times, Qiu Yu often listened to Senior Sister Bai's lectures. According to Qiu Yu, after listening to these lectures, her heart felt naturally peaceful. In short, she willingly became a disciple of Senior Sister Bai and renounced worldly life."
Nian Jiaojiao was stunned. Then she recalled her first day impersonating the other person. The person truly had no support. Although she had a friend at the academy, living in an oppressive environment for a long time would likely lead to depression. She sighed, "Perhaps this is a good thing."
Qiu Hezi said, "Yes, at least Qiu Yu can embark on the path of cultivation."
...
A month later.
The Royal City.
The Qiu Family.
The head of the Qiu family sat in the main seat, asking in confusion, "Patriarch Cui, you've personally visited. May I ask the reason for your esteemed presence?"
The head of the Cui family was silent for a moment before saying, "Qiu Yu from your Qingzhou branch refused my fifth child, correct?"
The head of the Qiu family felt a pang of suspicion. This matter had passed quite some time ago, and without any betrothal gifts exchanged, it was merely a verbal mention. What was the head of the Cui family thinking, coming in person to discuss this now?
As if guessing the Qiu family head's thoughts, the Cui family head said, "Patriarch Qiu, please don't misunderstand. I am not here to discuss my fifth child."
The Qiu family head was startled. She heard the Cui family head continue, "Let's discuss my sixth child."
"Sixth child? You mean your Cui Qingluo?"
Even she, the head of the family, had heard of Cui Qingluo's name. Not for any other reason, but because the younger generation in her family all wished for her to propose marriage to the Cui family, to marry this young man named Cui Qingluo. She had even visited the Cui family twice for this purpose, but both times were in vain. Later, when any junior approached her again, she put them off. It was said that Cui Qingluo was extremely proud, not only rejecting her family's juniors but also showing no interest in any of the other families. Now, the head of the Cui family actually bringing up this junior named Cui Qingluo, could it be...
At this moment, she heard the person opposite say, "Since Qiu Yu doesn't fancy my fifth child, how about my sixth child marrying her?"
The head of the Qiu family could hardly believe her ears. She admitted that in terms of academics, Qiu Yu was indeed outstanding. However, in terms of appearance and demeanor, she didn't seem like the type to inspire love at first sight. But...
The head of the Qiu family let out a wry smile and said, "Patriarch Cui, it's truly not that I'm deliberately delaying, it's just that our Qiu family's junior, she, she has renounced worldly life..."