Chapter 18: It was time for him to return

After a while, Yuan Hui realized something. Coincidentally, Zhen Ting Yun’s head banged against his rib cage. Was it not the same as ‘having someone use a hammer to hit his chest’? No wonder his chest hurt, and no wonder his heart was beating so rapidly!

Yuan Hui took a deep breath and recited a few Buddhist scriptures in his heart before he finally calmed down.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and through gritted teeth, he forced out in a cold voice, “… I’ve previously said that we should’ve added another carriage!”

Zhen Ting Yun slowly returned to her senses. She was so embarrassed that she could hardly speak. Simultaneously, her hands and feet move to push herself up, “This, this is an accident. Sometimes, -”  

Before she managed to complete her sentence, the carriage jolted once again. Zhen Ting Yun, who had yet to right herself, found her limbs weakening. 

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And thus, she once again fell back into his arms.

This time, Zhen Ting Yun tumbled hard. Her cheeks slammed onto the other party’s firm and hard chest. Her tender cheeks reddened from the impact.

Zhen Ting Yun cupped her cheeks. Looking very pitiful as her voice held a nasal tone, “Pain! It feels like my face is going to be swollen!”

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Yuan Hui coldly snorted, “How can you expect to do anything well with your attention divided?”

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With a mouth lathered in honey, Zhen Ting Yun replied, “How can my attention be divided when my full focus is on Teacher?” 

Yuan Hui, “…”

When Zhen Ting Yun acted brazenly, Yuan Hui had no other choice but to admit defeat. He closed his eyes and refrained from saying more.

As a result, Zhen Ting Yun became more audacious when massaging his shoulders while studying. She could not hold it in as she opened her mouth to ask, “Teacher, regarding this question…” 

“Shoulders!” Yuan Hui faintly pointed out.

Zhen Ting Yun pouted and softly harrumphed.

Zhen Ting Yun used more strength as she doubled her efforts in kneading his shoulders. Unfortunately for her, although Yuan Hui looked slim, his build was strong and sturdy, and his muscles were solid. Even if she massaged with all her strength and deliberately pressed her fingernails into his skin, it did nothing to Yuan Hui as it neither hurt nor itched.

~~~~

Regardless of how uncomfortable and unaccustomed Yuan Hui was at the beginning of their journey, he also gradually got used to how unabashed Zhen Ting Yun could be.

It was because he experienced having his face painted in ink when Zhen Ting Yun practiced her calligraphy. He also had his eardrums tormented when Zhen Ting Yun practiced playing the flute. He also got used to having Zhen Ting Yun falling into his arms when she did not keep herself balanced when the carriage jolted about… 

In short, whether Yuan Hui wanted to or not, he was forced to unconsciously relax in her presence. Without the tension, his mood also gradually improved. Sometimes, he would impart some equestrian archery knowledge to Zhen Ting Yun as she caressed and fed some carrots to Ma Lan Tou. When he found her irritating, he would chase her out of the carriage and have her ride on Ma Lan Tou, allowing himself a moment of peace. 

When it came to horseback riding, having practice was key to mastering the art. Coupled with Yuan Hui’s guidance and her compatibility with Ma Lan Tou, she was quickly able to ride in a proper fashion. In fact, one would even say she looked valiant riding the horse. 

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With much difficulty, the group of people finally arrived near the borders of the Imperial City. Zhen Ting Yun’s calligraphy and flute playing had also improved drastically. Currently, she could play some simple tunes that sounded pleasant to the ears and occasionally, she would show off in front of Old Madame Zhen.

Even Yuan Hui had to admit, Zhen Ting Yun was slightly talented. 

Seeing how complacent Zhen Ting Yun was, like a little fox with its tail raised up high and showing off wherever she went, Yuan Hui felt both amused and gratified. Although Zhen Ting Yun would unfortunately not be experiencing a day like ‘the color blue that was made out of indigo but was more vivid than indigo’3, at least with her current progression, as her mentor, his reputation would not be sullied. 

Yuan Hui was also clear about another thing. Since they had already arrived at the outskirts of the capital and they would be entering the Imperial City tomorrow, it was time for him to part from Zhen Ting Yun and her group.

In actuality, although he maintained a natural front while they were on their journey, he would intermittently get flashbacks of his past. Thus, he could roughly figure out where he was supposed to return to.

~~~~

After much consideration, Yuan Hui chose not to leave without saying farewell. 

Just before they entered the Imperial City, Yuan Hui found an opportune time to bid his little student goodbye. “I’ve managed to recall some things, so I believe it’s time I go back.”

At that moment, Zhen Ting Yun was also concerned about how to arrange Yuan Hui’s stay. After all, Yuan Hui’s identity was unknown and on top of that, he was an outsider. Thus, it was inappropriate to have him return to Zhen’s household with her. Yet, if she did not bring him back to Zhen’s household, where could she settle him at?

Therefore, before Zhen Ting Yun managed to come up with a feasible arrangement for her dilemma, Yuan Hui informed her of this groundbreaking news. She was taken aback and fell into a daze as she looked up at Yuan Hui and stammered, “Go- go back? To where?” 

Yuan Hui smiled as he observed her stunned and silly appearance. Unbeknownst to himself, he kind of liked it as he softly informed her, “Of course, it is to go back to my own home. I recalled that I have a manor in the suburbs of the Imperial City. There should be an old servant looking after the place so I should be able to head over there right now.” 

Zhen Ting Yun stared at him with wide eyes, not knowing how to respond for a while.

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Seeing her with such an appearance, Yuan Hui’s hands once again felt itchy.

Thinking of their imminent parting, he chose not to hold back any longer and reached out to gently caress the top of her hair.

Afraid that he would mess up her hairdo, he use the bare minimum amount of pressure to lightly brush the top of her head before he let go. It was rare for his movement to be so gentle. 

Having managed to caress her head, Yuan Hui’s smile became more genuine and he teased, “Why are you staring at me like this? We’re not parting forever. Since you have addressed me as your teacher, I’ll definitely look out for you.”

As a responsible mentor, he contemplated for a bit before carefully breaking it down for Zhen Ting Yun, “It’s already the first month and the female academy entrance examinations will be held in the sixth month. This means you don’t have much time left. You still need more practice for your calligraphy and flute playing… Whenever I’m free, I’ll be testing you to check on your progression.”

Zhen Ting Yun slowly digested this information and gradually wrapped her head around it. That was the case, Yuan Hui only suffered from memory loss. Since he was able to recall then it only made sense for him to return to his own home. 

Moreover, both of them were already in the Imperial City. There would be opportunities to meet again.

Having thought up to this point, Zhen Ting Yun breathed a sigh of relief. In a sincere voice, she said “Actually, I’m afraid my days in Zhen Family won’t be ideal since I just returned. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to settle you down properly… Thankfully, you recalled your past so you can return home directly.”

Yuan Hui furrowed his brows as he added, “If anything happened, you can come to the manor to look for me. As your Teacher, I wouldn’t stand by as you get bullied. I might be able to offer you some assistance as well.”

Zhen Ting Yun gave him a smile but did not take his words to heart. With how pitiful Yuan Hui looked as he was being chased down previously. She doubted that he would be able to help her.

Suddenly thinking about something else, she asked in curiosity, “By the way, other than myself, does Teacher have other students?” 

The subtext of those words was roughly something like this, ‘Speak! Am I your one and only precious?!’ 

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Yuan Hui wanted to sigh, but he chuckled as he raised his hand and tapped her forehead. He said, “My hands are already full with just one of you.” 

Although the number of things he currently recalled was not many, he was sure that few had Zhen Ting Yun’s ability to make him worry like this. Based on superiority, sooner or later, she might even be able to put on a front of being the little Emperor’s senior sister in the future.  

Zhen Ting Yun was over the moon after hearing those words. With a pair of starry eyes, she ingratiated, “I just knew that Teacher had high standards and ordinary folks will not be able to enter your sight. Hence you’ve only accepted me as your student.” 

As the two of them conversed, laughter also resonated between them. With the cold winter breeze brushing past their cheeks that night, the melancholy from their imminent parting gradually dissipated.

After thinking about it, Yuan Hui decided to bring Zhen Ting Yun along to his manor. This way, it could be considered as having her recognize her way to his place.    

The author has something to say: 

The most frightening bit was Ting Yun’s unconscious flirtation. One had to pity Yuan Hui, this old unmarried bachelor. For his honor, he would still have to bear with it for now. 23334

…

Yuan Hui: In the future, you’ll become the Emperor’s senior sister. Or would you prefer to be his mentor’s wife? Or maybe his little aunt?