Xu Chang’an asked himself whether his performance today could still be considered ticulous. He hadn’t made any mistakes, and though he was worried, he didn’t let it show so as not to affect the mood of the won enjoying the banquet.
Yet unexpectedly...
Was he discovered by his teacher?
Could it be that the fleeting look he gave Yun Qian was noticed by Li Zhibai?
But—
Did his teacher care about him that much?
From what he knew of Li Zhibai, if he didn’t ask for help, Li Zhibai wouldn’t usually inquire proactively.
So he instinctively felt that sothing was off.
Xu Chang’an wasn’t wrong; she did know Li Zhibai well. But the one who noticed his bad mood was Zhu Pingniang, whose observation skills were even sharper. He montarily forgot Ms. Zhu’s presence.
Xu Chang’an didn’t understand, but he was only looking at the night view over the lake with Li Zhibai, stubbornly saying, "Teacher, why do you say that? What would cause to be uneasy?"
Li Zhibai raised her hand, her long sleeve slipping down to reveal a fair wrist.
"Lying to ?"
Her tone was calm.
Yet Xu Chang’an was sure the persistent result of arguing would be seeing that pale jade ruler in her hand.
He sighed.
Xu Chang’an said helplessly, "Teacher, I just don’t want to trouble you. It’s not necessarily lying."
"Ah, so you know not to trouble ?" Li Zhibai looked at him.
Xu Chang’an didn’t know what simplicity ant.
In his words, what he owed was not a personal debt, so he could squeeze her for all she was worth, like lice that don’t fear itching once there are too many. He felt he could comfortably call on his teacher.
This was why Li Zhibai didn’t understand; normally he’d rather shoulder all difficulties himself, as if only with her could he feel at ease. But now Xu Chang’an was saying... he didn’t need to rely on her?
For a mont, Li Zhibai felt an indescribable feeling.
It was as if a child had grown up and no longer needed her, an unsure mixture of joy and loss. If she had to describe it... it was like reaching out to grasp lake water, holding a full hand yet feeling so empty.
"So, you’re really not trying to trouble ?" Li Zhibai asked.
"For sure, I did cause you much trouble before, I’m sorry." Xu Chang’an shifted his gaze guiltily but continued truthfully, "Senior Zhu is in a good mood."
"So, you don’t want your issues to disrupt Tong Jun’s interest." Li Zhibai understood.
Xu Chang’an understood Zhu Pingniang’s intentions, so he did not overshadow the host, nor disrupt the atmosphere of the banquet. Despite his unease, he had hidden it well in his heart.
"Chang’an, you really like Tong Jun." Li Zhibai was a bit surprised.
Xu Chang’an surprisingly went to such lengths for Zhu Pingniang’s interests.
"It’s only right."
"Also, after all, Tong Jun has helped you a lot." Li Zhibai nodded, thinking that Tong Jun’s frivolous self-reference as ’sister’ seed to have worked.
From Xu Chang’an’s attitude, it was evident that though he referred to her as ’Senior Zhu’, his treatnt of Zhu Pingniang wasn’t as cautious as with Li Zhibai.
Truly a difference between a sister and a teacher.
"About Senior Zhu, teacher, the student has sothing to report to you." Xu Chang’an cleared his throat.
"Tong Jun? What could she have going on?" Li Zhibai asked.
"A spy." Xu Chang’an, without hesitation, sold Zhu Pingniang out, clearly explaining to Li Zhibai how Zhu Pingniang wanted him to act as a spy, regularly reporting on Li Zhibai’s situation.
There was no other way.
How could he "monitor" Li Zhibai without her consent?
Li Zhibai: "..."
After a mont of silence, she lifted her hand as if to touch Xu Chang’an’s head, suddenly recalling the earlier incident of pushing Xu Chang’an and being critiqued by the courtesans, so she only slightly moved her fingers.
It seed a man’s head couldn’t be touched casually.
"It’s hard on you then, dealing with that troubleso girl of hers." Li Zhibai looked at Xu Chang’an with a gentle expression.
Having Xu Chang’an act as a spy – Zhu Pingniang indeed had the nerve to think it.
"I agreed," Xu Chang’an blinked, explaining, "Senior Zhu said that if I promised... she’d give a good sword."
"So, you’re selling out your teacher for a good sword?" Li Zhibai looked at Xu Chang’an with a half-smile.
"Isn’t this asking you?" Xu Chang’an’s gaze wandered, "Teacher, can you allow Senior Zhu’s request?"
"Let her do as she pleases." Li Zhibai instructed.
"Alrighty."
Xu Chang’an smiled.
With Li Zhibai’s words, he could unabashedly be the spy. Honestly, he still hoped that Li Zhibai and Zhu Pingniang’s relationship could beco closer.
"Chang’an." Li Zhibai suddenly tapped the railing before her.
"The student is here."
Li Zhibai looked at him: "This matter about Tong Jun, are you genuinely reporting, or... tattling on her?"
Xu Chang’an: "..."
He didn’t know how to respond.
Reporting?
There’s no need.
Tattling that Zhu Pingniang made things difficult for him was even more impossible; he still quite liked Zhu Pingniang, this sister.
Thus Xu Chang’an remained silent.
There was a real reason, but he dared not voice it.
But who was Li Zhibai?
If he didn’t say it, she wouldn’t know?
Xu Chang’an’s words weren’t seeking her consent, nor were they tattling; rather, they were... ant to inform her of how much Zhu Pingniang cared about her, so much so that she even wanted a spy.
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