Chapter 34: Ten Gold Coins Just to Glimpse Her Waist

A commotion arose on Changning Street, startling many. Under the very nose of Fan Ling, the Talent Keeper, neither Chen Mingguang, Wu Gang, nor even Ma Yuan, who had already left the academy, dared linger on Changning Street a moment longer.

The punk had to leave,
and naturally, Chen Mingguang and Wu Gang would cover the retreat.
Even if they had much to say to Gu Yi, it would have to be suppressed for now.
Ma Yuan even more so—perhaps Fan Ling had no authority over Gu Yi, but he certainly did over Ma Yuan. If he decided to accuse him of tarnishing the Academy’s reputation and gave him a beating, no one would dare object.

So they all had to go.
But Gu Yi stopped Ma Yuan for a moment and instructed him, “What happened here will soon reach Yuzhen Pavilion. As the tale goes from mouth to mouth, it will grow ever more fearsome. I want you to return and tell Miss Ye everything exactly as it happened. Tell her not to send anyone to find me—I’ll be back shortly.”

“Master, was this really necessary…? The Talent Keeper is a peak Divine Guardian!” Ma Yuan protested.

“Ma Yuan!” Though Fan Ling did not look their way, he seemed to perceive everything. “Are you hoping to stay here and stroll through Moon-Inviting Pavilion with him?”

Gu Yi patted Ma Yuan’s shoulder. “Go. Do as I told you.”

With the departure of these four esteemed figures from the Academy, those on Changning Street who had been holding their breath in silence suddenly found their tongues. The street erupted into a cacophony of chatter.

Especially among them, the madam of Moon-Inviting Pavilion and Xie Yiyi were the most animated.

Gu Yi approached the two ladies. “For certain reasons, I just used a false name—please forgive any offense.”

“That’s nothing at all, Young Master Gu. Please, do come in quickly—there are too many gossiping outside!” Xie Yiyi hastily led him inside, shielding him from the chattering girls, and brought him up to the fourth floor.

Only now did Gu Yi learn that the madam’s surname was Zhang, and that she was in her thirties. The people here usually called her Mama, or Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang made no other inquiries but instructed Xie Yiyi to remain with Gu Yi—if he asked for his money back, that would be a disaster. With only the two of them in the room, the atmosphere settled into a quiet calm.

Yet, just after the uproar on Changning Street with the Talent Keeper, no matter how peaceful the room was, Yiyi’s heart could not find rest.

Only now did she realize that this man was the very youth from the rumors—the one who recited, “Let the long night of the mortal world be lit by a single cup.”

“Young Master Gu, about today’s events…” she began hesitantly.

Gu Yi seemed unruffled; his only concern was that Miss Ye might be worried, so he planned to return as soon as his business here was done.

“Heh, did I startle you?” Outwardly, he remained as jovial as ever, whatever his inner thoughts.

Xie Yiyi bowed slightly. “You flatter me, sir.”

“Let me explain. I came looking for a friend, also named Xie Yiyi. This friend of mine is quite capable—can change appearances and loves to play pranks on me. I thought you might be him, but now I’m certain: Miss Yiyi is simply herself, not the one I seek.”

Xie Yiyi was no fool—else how could she have mastered all the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? She understood but still asked, “How can you be so sure now?”

Gu Yi smiled. “You see, my friend has a terrible temper, unlike me. He’s impulsive, nearly mad, and quite protective of me. I can put up with a Divine Guardian shouting at me, but if it were him… he’d have already beaten that man half to death.”

Xie Yiyi laughed. “But the Talent Keeper is a true master at the Divine Guardian realm! From what you say, Young Master Gu, you must be very extraordinary—certainly strong enough to defeat him!”

Gu Yi shook his head. “I have confidence, but I wouldn’t say it’s a certainty.”

“Ah?” Xie Yiyi’s face froze. “But just now…”

“Miss Yiyi, you are a woman and may not understand men. Sometimes, a man can choose to run away; at other times, even if he knows he’ll lose, he must fight.”

The young lady grew worried. “And if you lose?”

“Then I lose. In cultivation and martial arts, defeat is inevitable. If I lose in three days, perhaps I’ll suffer some flesh and blood, but that’s nothing. As for avoiding him… I never liked the man anyway. Even if I won, I’d still avoid him.”

“You truly are a straightforward man, Young Master Gu.”

Gu Yi offered a small smile.

“Well, since I haven’t found my friend, I’ll take my leave and not disturb your rest.”

“Wait,” Xie Yiyi hadn’t expected him to leave so abruptly. She rose to stop him. “Young Master Gu, you… spent ten gold. Will you just leave like that?”

Gu Yi: ???

What did she mean?

Xie Yiyi lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers as she murmured, “The money’s already spent. Even if you walk out that door… Mama Zhang never gives refunds.”

Oh dear! Oh dear! This was quite improper! At such a critical moment, cowardice set in again.

Gu Yi dared not stand too close. “No refund, then. I must go and assure them of my safety. By the way, about me seeking another Xie Yiyi—please keep that a secret if you can.”

Xie Yiyi pursed her lips, secretly pleased. Now, if anyone asked, it would be said that Gu Yi came for her, and in time she’d be famous throughout Luyang.

Madam Zhang was deeply concerned. Seeing Gu Yi come out so quickly, she worried something had gone wrong. Unexpectedly, he didn’t even bid farewell—just dashed off.

This puzzled everyone, and all the other girls rushed up to the fourth floor.

“Yiyi! Yiyi!” Madam Zhang hurried into the room, flustered. “What happened? Why did Young Master Gu leave so soon?”

“Mama,” Xie Yiyi stood on the far side of the room, as far from the bed as possible, “why are you looking for me over there? I’m right here.”

“You’re here… Wait, why are you here? Did he… just leave so briskly? Did he ask for his money back?”

Xie Yiyi shook her head. “No refunds. He said, after what happened with the Talent Keeper, he needed to hurry home and assure his family.”

“Oh, thank goodness. No refund, that’s good.” Madam Zhang patted her chest in relief. “He’s a reckless lad—spending ten gold just to see a waist. In all my years, I’ve never seen such a thing. And after offending the Talent Keeper, what safety does he expect? I fear Miss Ye will be implicated—she’ll have to bring gifts and beg forgiveness at the Academy.”

The other girls were incredulous. “Just for a glimpse of Yiyi’s waist?”

“So, Miss Ye’s younger brother likes a girl’s waist? He’s so generous—I’d better slim mine down.”

“But my waist is slimmer than Yiyi’s!”

…

Thus, within two days of his arrival in Luyang, Gu Yi had already caused quite a stir.

Because of a single verse—“Let the long night of the mortal world be lit by a single cup”—he became the envy of many in Luyang, one of the few who could taste Miss Ye’s cooking every day.

But before this matter could settle, word spread that he had taken students from the Academy to revel on Changning Street, and even quarreled in public with the Talent Keeper, Fan Ling.

The townsfolk, while gloating, also grew resentful toward him for bringing trouble to Miss Ye.

Especially as the rumors now included the ludicrous detail—“ten gold just to glimpse a waist.”

When Ma Yuan finished telling the story, Miss Ye could not help but cough several times, anxiety rising in her heart. “Sir Ma, what are you saying? Even if the Talent Keeper wishes to punish someone, it should be Chen and Wu—why challenge my brother?”

Ma Yuan wailed, “Master is not one to back down. If he had just yielded a little, it would have blown over. But as they spoke, he said even sending them to Changning Street was justified. Of course, Fan Ling was furious!”

How could he have said such a thing!

Miss Ye’s fingers tightened around one another. At noon, she had thought this wouldn’t get out. Even if it did, the Academy would only discipline their own. And Gu Yi, as a member of Yuzhen Pavilion, would surely be shown some leniency.

But that all depended on Gu Yi admitting fault and letting the other vent a bit, knowing he was from Yuzhen Pavilion, and letting it go at that.

She struck her thigh in regret. “Ah! It’s my neglect—I forgot he’s new to Luyang. We’re used to the Academy’s arrogance, but his youthful pride wouldn’t stand it.”

Ma Tuzi was nervous as well. “Miss Ye, you must think of something. Maybe ask the Third Princess for help. Master may be a prodigy, but Fan Ling is a peak Divine Guardian!”

The situation was thorny—Miss Ye grew anxious. “I’ve already sent Yue’er. Sir Ma, tell me truthfully: did he seek out Xie Yiyi because he likes her? And people say he spent ten gold just to see her waist—is that true?”

Just then, Gu Yi entered, catching her last question.

“I sought Xie Yiyi for a reason—not because I fancy her. As for spending ten gold… Back where I came from, everything revolved around money. As someone with wealth, that was a curse.”

Money is nothing.

“In Luyang, people judge each other by cultivation, and money hardly matters. I like that it’s no longer important—so whether it’s one gold or ten, what difference does it make?”

Seeing the worry on her face, he said, “Take care of yourself. Don’t trouble the Third Princess on my behalf. I’m not so helpless as to need you to bear the consequences of my actions.”

Yet his warning came too late: Miss Ye had already sent Yue’er the moment trouble arose, and now Yue’er returned, her face somber.

“Miss Ye, the Third Princess—she’s left the capital.”

Miss Ye’s face changed. “The Third Princess rarely leaves—how could she be gone just now? When did she leave? Did you find out when she’ll return?”

“The servants at her residence said she left around noon. They don’t know when she’ll be back.”

Though Gu Yi still smiled, he found it all rather tedious.

“Don’t panic, Gu Yi. I’ll think of something.” Miss Ye coughed twice in her fluster, for the moment at a loss.

“Miss Ye, have a little faith in me—I won’t necessarily lose to him. And… Luyang is the capital; the Third Princess is of the royal family.”

There is no kinship in royalty.

He nudged Ma Yuan with his foot. “Come with me.”

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I’ve seen many suggestions; I’ll be more mindful going forward. These last few chapters were drafted ahead… Cough! It’s my first time writing xianxia T﹏T