Chapter 10: Apology
After a fruitless morning in the West Market, Xu Buling arrived at the dismounting stone outside the Imperial Academy, the sun already high in the sky.
Old Xiao, who had been waiting there for a long time, greeted him with a cheerful smile:
“How did it go, Young Master? Did you capture the heart of that naive young lady?”
Xu Buling sighed:
“Zhu Manzhi is a bit too simple-minded. Can we find someone else?”
Old Xiao shook his head:
“The archives contain confidential documents about princes, nobles, and influential families. Trespassing is considered treason. A more cunning person wouldn’t take the risk.”
Xu Buling nodded, not saying anything further, and entered the Imperial Academy. According to the rules, skipping classes would result in a day of striking the bell as punishment. He didn’t want to spend time with the immature youths in Wenqu Courtyard, so he went to the Bell and Drum Tower voluntarily.
There was a room at the base of the tower specifically for students undergoing self-reflection. It was furnished only with a bed and a desk, spotlessly clean and tidy. Xu Buling sat down at the desk, picked up the brush and ink, and began copying the “Xue Ji.”
He had just finished writing a few lines when a graceful figure appeared outside the window, cautiously peering inside. Their footsteps were light, as if they were trying to avoid being noticed. Their hands were clasped in front of them, and they took a few steps forward, then hesitated, before continuing to approach.
Xu Buling frowned slightly, set down his brush, and pondered for a moment. He decided to ignore them.
Thump, thump, thump—
Footsteps ascended the stairs, then circled the upper level. A soft voice muttered, “I could have sworn I saw him here…” Then the footsteps descended the tower and stopped outside the window.
Xu Buling’s frown deepened. He stood up, grabbed a pole, and closed the window.
Song Yufu turned her head at the sound, her hair swirling around her. Her eyes lit up with surprise, but before she could speak, the window slammed shut with a loud bang.
She was stunned for a moment, then walked to the door and knocked gently.
Knock, knock—
“No one’s here.”
“Your Highness, may I… may I come in?”
“…”
“…I’m coming in then…”
The door creaked open.
Song Yufu entered the room, her demeanor graceful and polite. She walked towards the desk with a slightly embarrassed smile and curtsied:
“Prince Xu, about last time…”
“Close the door behind you.”
“Hmm?”
Song Yufu blinked, seeing that Xu Buling was focused on his copying and didn’t look up. She smiled softly, turned around, and closed the door.
But as she turned back, she suddenly found Xu Buling standing right behind her, his hand resting on the door, blocking her way.
He had trapped her against the door.
“Ah—”
Song Yufu was startled. She clutched her chest, her back pressed against the door as she looked up at Xu Buling, her voice trembling:
“Prince Xu, what are you doing?”
“I should be asking you that.”
Xu Buling looked down at her, his expression unreadable. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted from her. He leaned closer:
“A young lady, coming here alone to see a man. Do you want to be a princess?”
“I…”
Song Yufu pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with annoyance. She said softly:
“How can you say such things, Prince Xu… I… I’m here to apologize. I misunderstood you about the incident with Xiao Ting.”
Xu Buling’s eyebrows furrowed:
“Misunderstood what?”
Song Yufu’s expression was earnest:
“I thought you were quick-tempered and violent, but I realized you’re a true gentleman who doesn’t seek fame or recognition. You only punished Xiao Ting because of his disrespectful gaze. And the time you cracked the salt smuggling case…”
Xu Buling’s face darkened. If Aunt Lu heard this, she would surely lecture him again about his inability to “hide his abilities and feign incompetence.”
“That wasn’t the reason. I only hit Xiao Ting because I was drunk.”
Song Yufu refused to believe him:
“That’s not true. You’re clearly a gentleman. Why would you accept such false accusations? I’ll go and tell my father to clear your name. I’ll let the whole Imperial Academy know that you’re not ill-tempered, but simply mature beyond your years and unconcerned with explaining yourself…”
“…”
Xu Buling took a deep breath:
“Miss Song, you’re being delusional.”
Song Yufu’s expression was serious:
“I can’t stand by and watch as a good man is wrongly accused and a villain triumphs.”
Seeing that reasoning was futile, Xu Buling adopted a stern expression:
“If you’re here to apologize, show some sincerity. Copy three chapters of the ‘Xue Ji,’ and we’ll be even.”
Song Yufu’s eyebrows furrowed. She shook her head resolutely:
“I can’t copy for you anymore. I already did it last time. Besides, even if Xiao Ting was being disrespectful, you shouldn’t have resorted to violence. That would make you no better than a brute. So you were still wrong to hit him. But I still want to thank you…”
She continued rambling.
Xu Buling leaned closer, his hand still resting on the door, his expression arrogant:
“It’s no use talking. You’re not leaving this room until you copy it.”
Song Yufu leaned back slightly, intending to push him away, but she thought better of it and withdrew her hand. She said firmly:
“I won’t copy for you. I’d rather stay here.”
Xu Buling nodded, his gaze fixed on her coldly.
Song Yufu stood tall, her chin raised, unafraid. She seemed to be thinking, “You’re a gentleman, so you won’t hit me.”
The standoff continued.
Time passed, and soon afternoon turned into dusk.
Song Yufu, physically delicate, was starting to feel the strain of standing for hours. She shifted her weight subtly, but her gaze remained defiant.
Xu Buling wasn’t in a hurry.
Grumble—
A soft, almost inaudible sound came from her stomach.
Song Yufu’s face flushed crimson, tears welling up in her eyes. She turned and tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
Xu Buling snorted softly:
“Did you think I was joking?”
Song Yufu stamped her foot, her voice laced with anxiety:
“Prince Xu, I can’t copy for you.”
“Then you’re not leaving.”
“Fine. I won’t leave. I won’t die from missing one meal.”
Xu Buling snorted again, grabbed her by the back of her collar, opened the door, and led her towards the stairs of the Bell and Drum Tower.
It seemed he was going to play “bungee jumping” again.
Song Yufu’s face paled. She swayed precariously in the air, struggling briefly before realizing it was making her more uncomfortable. She said anxiously:
“Prince Xu, how can you do this? Put me down!”
“Will you copy it or not?”
Song Yufu pursed her lips and hesitated for a long moment:
“…One last time.”
“No way. From now on, you’ll be responsible for all my copying.”
Song Yufu’s eyes widened in protest:
“Why?”
Xu Buling brought her back inside and said calmly:
“Because you’ll be copying for me, and I’ll keep it a secret.”
Song Yufu bit her lip, then muttered after a long pause:
“You’re unreasonable.”
“Good to know. I’m not a gentleman.”
Xu Buling sat down on the bed, his posture upright, his gaze fixed on her.
Song Yufu sighed resignedly, walked to the desk, picked up the brush, and reluctantly continued copying the “Xue Ji”…
…
At the Investigation Bureau headquarters outside the Imperial Palace, Wolf Guards armed with sabers came and went in groups of three, dispatched to all corners of the Great Dynasty to investigate various cases.
As dusk approached, Zhu Manzhi returned to the headquarters, her spirits low.
The Investigation Bureau, as the Emperor’s eyes and ears, held immense power. Ten years ago, the court had swept across the land, striking fear into the hearts of martial artists. The era was known as the “Iron Eagle Hunts the Deer,” and the Investigation Bureau had risen to prominence during that time. Its authority reached the heavens and shook the earth. There was nothing it couldn’t handle. Even high-ranking officials gave it a wide berth. However, this privilege was limited to the Wolf Guards of the Heavenly Stem units.
The Earth Dog units were only slightly higher in rank than ordinary constables. And the “Earth Dog Battalion,” at the bottom of the seventy-two Earthly Branches, held little status within the Investigation Bureau. It was either filled with newcomers or those nearing retirement.
Inside the courtyard of the patrol office, mostly old men and greenhorns, Wang Dazhuang and Liu Hou’er had already returned. They were squatting in the courtyard, chatting with a few colleagues. Seeing Zhu Manzhi enter, Liu Hou’er greeted her with a smile:
“Manzhi, why the long face?”
“Patrolling the streets is boring. There’s nothing to do.”
Zhu Manzhi untied the black scarf covering her head, arranged her hair, and took a thorn hairpin from her clothes, using the rainwater-filled water tank as a mirror. She asked softly:
“Are there any major cases recently?”
Liu Hou’er thought for a moment:
“There are plenty of major cases, but they’re handled by the Arrest Division, not our Patrol Division… Hmm… Something happened in the East City a few days ago. Someone infiltrated Commander Zhang’s private residence. They were discovered by the guards and a fight broke out. Twelve Wolf Guards from the Heavenly Might Battalion were sent, but only eight returned. The intruder escaped. The commander ordered us to be on the lookout and fire signal flares if we have any leads.”
Zhu Manzhi was surprised. The Heavenly Might Battalion was ranked eighth among the Heavenly Stem units. Any one of its thirty Wolf Guards could dominate the martial world. Four teams of twelve could wipe out an entire martial arts sect. Yet only eight returned, and they failed to capture the intruder. How powerful was this person?
Zhu Manzhi blinked:
“If I capture them, can I join the Heavenly Stem units?”
Wang Dazhuang cracked a sunflower seed:
“You could, but the Heavenly Stem units are on high alert right now. You might lose your life trying. Just focus on finding a stable job and don’t get any wild ideas.”
Zhu Manzhi nodded slightly, then asked:
“Do you know who owns the White Horse Manor outside the city?”
Liu Hou’er thought for a moment:
“The White Horse Manor is a place for wealthy young men to gather and have fun. Ordinary people aren’t allowed inside. It’s probably connected to some high-ranking official. Why are you asking?”
Zhu Manzhi recalled Xu Buling’s threat, “I’ll sell you to a brothel…” Her frown deepened, and she sighed:
“Just curious…” She retied her scarf and left the courtyard, her spirits low…
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