Chapter Twenty-Four: A Friendship Beyond Age

Because her body was so sore and aching, Ye Qianling did not want to think too much, but she still accurately noticed that Fu Hui’s expression had darkened, clearly displeased. A person beneath the eaves cannot help but bow their head. Ye Qianling’s greatest strength was her ability to read the situation, adept at adjusting her tactics according to others’ reactions. This was the most important reason she had been able to enter the battlefield in her teens and, by fifteen, lead generals many years her senior into war. Skilled at grasping the circumstances, she never rushed headlong into things. This characteristic allowed Ye Qianling to regain her composure instantly.

“I apologize,” she said calmly. “My discomfort may have led me to speak out of turn. If I have offended the two esteemed lords, I hope you will not take it to heart. Here, I offer my sincere apologies.”

Her attitude shifted so suddenly that both men were taken aback. Fu Hui’s shocked expression lingered, and even Qi Shanghe, who usually treated everyone as invisible, raised his head to look at Ye Qianling.

She knew they had discovered her true identity, yet she could set aside her pride, put away her princess’s airs, and bend when necessary. Qi Shanghe, who had originally held this brainless princess in contempt, suddenly realized she was far from simple—perhaps he had underestimated her.

Ye Qianling observed their reactions, knowing she had achieved her goal. With a smile, she pressed on, “Sirs, may I take part in the examination? You said my clothes have already been changed, but why am I not allowed to participate in this round? If I miss the first test, how will anyone be convinced of my abilities?”

She understood that reasoning with these two would be far more effective than confronting them, and their gradually relaxed expressions confirmed her approach.

“It’s fine,” Fu Hui replied. “The rules just changed. Anyone confident enough to go straight to the third round can skip the first two. Our leader has already signed you up.” Ye Qianling’s earlier maneuver had impressed them both, and Fu Hui’s tone softened, explaining patiently, “The leader favors you, giving you special treatment. To be honest, as a princess, if not for these particular circumstances, we wouldn’t dare speak to you this way.”

Ye Qianling relaxed, realizing there was still a chance. She managed a wry smile. “As you said, entering here, my past memories are only a burden.” Her expression was unchanged, but she felt closer to the two men. “It’s my good fortune to meet you both. To be honest, I felt nothing when I first met you, but this lord’s martial skills truly astonished me,” she said, gesturing to the still silent Qi Shanghe.

“You’ve just undergone surgery and your energy is depleted. Take care of your health. The third round is in three days, but I must warn you: if you skip the first two and fail the third, you’ll be sent to the Hidden Courtyard, never to rise again. Unlike others, you won’t be allowed to return home if you fail the third,” Fu Hui said, glancing at Qi Shanghe’s impassive face and Ye Qianling’s pallor, unable to resist offering her this reminder after her admirable display.

“Thank you for the warning,” Ye Qianling replied, raising the corners of her mouth. She glanced inside, noticing seven empty beds, then turned back. “Sir, when will the others arrive? I can’t just sit here alone forever. Surely I should interact with the others.”

“They’ll come after the examination in three days. For now, they’re sleeping in the big dormitory by the bamboo grove. With so many people, there aren’t enough rooms,” Qi Shanghe said, inwardly admiring Fu Hui’s verbosity. How could anyone talk so much to a stranger? Clearly, it was because Qi Shanghe himself was so reticent that Fu Hui, deprived of conversation, finally found someone to unleash his pent-up words on.

“Let’s go,” Qi Shanghe finally said, unable to endure any longer. He grabbed Fu Hui by the collar and marched out without a backward glance.

“Hey, don’t pull my collar! Can’t you walk properly?” Fu Hui protested, feeling the urge to curse, but unable to confront Qi Shanghe, he simply ruffled his hair in frustration. Even as he was dragged away, he managed to call back to Ye Qianling, “The door’s locked. We’re outside. Don’t even think about running. As long as you don’t try to escape, we won’t do anything to you.”

Watching this scene, Ye Qianling burst into genuine laughter for the first time in ages. She envied these two men, living so carefree in middle age, untroubled by livelihood or worldly concerns. Their youthful mindset was something she deeply yearned for.

The door closed with a click. Outside, Fu Hui’s banter with Qi Shanghe could still be heard, but soon Qi Shanghe’s warning rang out, “Fu Hui, do you want to spar with me?” Instantly, all noise ceased.

The sudden quiet snapped Ye Qianling out of her reverie. She thought about the upcoming examination, but was not particularly nervous, mainly because she trusted her strength and, having been brought to the dark guards’ quarters, was almost certainly preselected. There was no reason for anxiety. Still, this wasn’t exactly something to celebrate; perhaps she was just here to stay, not necessarily to be accepted. In this world, strength was what mattered. And by strength alone, Ye Qianling had no reason to be anxious.

For the next two days, aside from daily wound care, meals, and sleep, she exercised in her room, stretching and rebuilding her stamina. Sometimes Fu Hui would bring her food and chat for a bit, but mostly it was Qi Shanghe, as he couldn’t stand how Fu Hui’s chatter would be unleashed every time he left Ye Qianling’s room. As for medicine, they simply delivered it and let her apply it herself.

The pain was intense. If not for the looming third examination, Ye Qianling would never have forced herself to endure the bitter medicinal soups and the agonizing topical treatments.

Hu Guangshen and Ye Qiange weren’t worried about her neglecting her medicine. To avoid gossip, they hadn’t gone to the South Garden in the western suburbs; instead, Ke Li sent Fu Hui daily to fetch prepared medicine and soup from Hu Guangshen.

After three days in ‘solitary confinement,’ Ye Qianling was awakened during sleep yet again—third time in three days: first by the guards, then by the youth named Chi Yan, and now by Fu Hui.

Chi Yan—Ye Qianling had almost forgotten the only young man she’d spoken to during registration at the South Garden in the western suburbs. His strikingly handsome face left a deep impression. Truly, those who look good are always quickly remembered.

“This morning, the third examination begins at dawn. You have half an hour to prepare. Here’s your breakfast,” Fu Hui said, seeing Ye Qianling lost in thought.

After two days together, they could occasionally joke. This ‘incorrigible elder’ had used his talkativeness to successfully make it onto Ye Qianling’s list of friends. Hearing she had only an hour, Ye Qianling sprang up, grabbed her chopsticks, and stuffed her breakfast down, cheeks puffed out as she grumbled, “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday? Making me get up so early—was this on purpose?”

Fu Hui laughed loudly, not bothering to hide his amusement. “You’ve had plenty of leisure these past days. I just wanted you ready at any moment, always prepared for a challenge.”

Ye Qianling wanted to curse even more, finally understanding why the stoic Qi Shanghe could be driven to violence by Fu Hui’s antics. She ignored him, quickly tidied up, and headed for the door.

“You’re going out in that outfit?” Fu Hui, unfazed by her silence, reminded her kindly. Ye Qianling realized, “Right, how could I wear the dark guards’ uniform to a dark guard examination?” Fu Hui handed her a plain emerald-green outfit from a bed nearby, and she hurried out.

“We’re about to begin the third round of examinations. Of the two hundred who registered, eighty have already been eliminated and sent home. From now on, anyone eliminated will be sent to the Hidden Courtyard, condemned to a lifetime as a slave. Anyone wishing to withdraw still has a chance,” Ye Qianling heard the familiar voice of the girl who read the names as she approached the bamboo grove.

Ye Qianling quickened her pace, and soon the familiar bamboo grove appeared.

Among the hundred or so who had passed, one figure stepped forward, kneeling on one knee in the standard salute of a dark guard. “Reporting, sir. I wish to withdraw from the third round. I am forfeiting.”

The words echoed like thunder among the crowd, and after one person took the lead, others found the courage to follow, kneeling and declaring, “I withdraw.”

“I forfeit.”

“I know my abilities are lacking. It’s better to live a quiet life.”

And so on.

More than ten people left, the numbers dwindling. The drawback of this selection was that it wasn’t based on quotas; only the strongest and most suitable youths were chosen, so the number remaining had no bearing on the chances for those left.

Ye Qianling’s gaze wandered among the crowd, finally spotting Chi Yan on the periphery. As soon as she saw his face, their eyes met directly. Why was he looking at her? Among more than a hundred people—though there weren’t many girls, combining the candidates and dark guards there were at least fifteen—why did he lock eyes with her? Ye Qianling silently berated Si Yan in her mind, her expression unfriendly.

Si Yan had noticed Ye Qianling the moment she arrived. He knew she would come—the sudden change in rules was surely for her sake. After arriving at the bamboo grove, his gaze never left her.

End of section.