Fortune Across the World

Chapter 53: Beginning to Learn with a Divided Focus

Ding Qiyu leaned back in her chair, loosening her collar as she stared blankly into space, musing that she should really practice drinking. In this world, it seemed lacking a bit of the carefree, poetic spirit. Even Lian'er could drink her under the table... She wondered what that little crybaby Lian'er was up to now. It had been so long since she'd heard Weixi play the qin... Lost in these idle thoughts, Ding Qiyu drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, at the female students' residence, Lu Weixi gently touched the qin on her desk, hesitating before withdrawing her hand.

Qing'er noticed her action and asked, "Miss, why did you stop playing?"

Lu Weixi shook her head, "This place isn't like home. It wouldn't be good to disturb others."

"Our miss plays the qin so beautifully. People would love to hear it, not find it bothersome," Qing'er replied, her eyes lighting up with realization, "Oh~ I get it now. The one who should be listening isn't here, so you don't feel like playing!"

"You—you talk nonsense! I just don't want to disturb anyone resting. It has nothing to do with him!" Lu Weixi insisted, flustered and annoyed by Qing'er's teasing.

"Alright, alright, I won't say more. But I didn't mention who it was, and you already confessed, hehe~" Qing'er teased, before quickly changing the topic, "Miss, are you missing the general and madam?"

Lu Weixi didn't want to dwell on the previous topic, knowing it would only lead to more teasing, especially since any mention of Qiyu left her flustered. So she shifted the focus, "We haven't written to father and mother since arriving at the academy. Qing'er, bring the paper and ink."

...

The next morning, Ding Qiyu woke up early, having already inquired about Weixi's morning routine from Qing'er. She prepared breakfast and brought it over, also grabbing a portion for the sleepyhead Lu Er Shaoye (Second Young Master Lu) in her residence. Once ready, they headed to the Prudence Hall for their National Affairs class. Upon arrival, they found only a few Qingyi attendants reading books inside. Noticing their entrance, the attendants quickly put away their books and took their positions.

"Brother Yu, I told you we were too early. There’s no one else here!" Lu Weiming complained, yawning. He had trouble sleeping at night and was still adjusting to life here.

"It's almost time! Look at those attendants. 'Burning the midnight oil is the time for us to study!'" Ding Qiyu countered with a few words, leaving Lu Weiming speechless, forcing him to concede.

Prudence Hall had the same seating arrangement as Three Questions Hall, with a main seat for each student and a smaller one for companions. There were no assigned seats, so they picked a spot at random. Once seated, Lu Weixi and Qu Ruocheng arrived, with Lu Weiming gesturing for his sister to sit next to Ding Qiyu, and Qu Ruocheng taking the seat beside Lu Weixi. The students trickled in, and Ding Qiyu placed her prepared books on the desk. She noticed Yun Yi entering, who smiled faintly upon seeing her. Ding Qiyu returned the gesture, acknowledging her improvement in mood and the easing of her usual melancholy.

Yun Yi instinctively glanced at Lu Weixi, who was also looking at her. Their eyes met briefly before Yun Yi quickly looked away. She had heard that this young lady was the daughter of General Lu, reputed as Da Qian's most talented woman, both in beauty and intellect. Faced with such an outstanding person, Yun Yi feared the deep-seated inferiority within her would be stirred, so she avoided Lu Weixi's gaze. Instead, she glanced at the seats in the corner, hesitated, but eventually mustered the courage to sit behind Ding Qiyu.

"Ah-hem!" Lu Weiming coughed lightly to catch Ding Qiyu's attention, then whispered, "Brother Yu, watch your boundaries!"

"What? What boundaries?" Ding Qiyu asked, puzzled.