Chapter 37 – Morning Class: So This Is How It Begins, Huh?
Her husband, a living, breathing person, had vanished without a trace.
Looking at the pristine outer room and the half-tidy, half-rumpled bedding on her own bed, Mu Qing couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.
Outside, Qin Qin was still knocking on the door. Left with no choice, Mu Qing went to open it and braced herself for her cousin’s daily dose of concern.
Though it had only been an afternoon since they last saw each other, Qin Qin already looked like she was experiencing “a day apart feels like three autumns.”
The moment Mu Qing opened the door, Qin Qin grabbed her hand and started dragging her out while half-joking, half-complaining, “Qing Jie, you really are something—always waking up so late. Didn’t you just tell my father yesterday that you were keeping up with the wager? If that’s the case, then you should be working even harder…”
She rambled as she dragged Mu Qing along at a run, leaving Mu Qing gasping and nearly out of breath.
Fortunately, they soon arrived at the courtyard where the morning class was held, and only then did Qin Qin finally stop. Mu Qing could finally breathe.
Although her earlier scrambling to get up had been chaotic, it wasn’t actually all that late. By modern standards, it was only around six or seven in the morning. But to Qin Qin, who had loved studying since childhood, this already qualified as a criminal waste of time.
After all, the morning is the best time to study. Before coming to wake Mu Qing, she had already read for half an hour and practiced her calligraphy for another half hour.
In other words, this girl was getting up at four or five in the morning every day—practically “rising to the crow of the rooster”—and doing it consistently. Truly admirable.
Especially since, according to the dean’s instructions, today marked the end of their self-study period. From now on, they would be joining the upperclassmen for regular lessons. That was why Qin Qin had arrived even earlier than usual and, consequently, why Mu Qing had been dragged here so frantically without a moment to think about anything else.
Only once they reached the lecture courtyard did she realize—there were barely any other students present.
As she stood there catching her breath and thinking about how to explain her husband’s sudden disappearance, Qin Qin finally noticed someone was missing from their group.
“Huh? Where’s Brother-in-law?”
Seeing Qin Qin look behind her in confusion, Mu Qing had no choice but to press her back into place. She whispered, “He left early this morning—don’t know where he went… Shhh, don’t say a word. If any of the teachers ask later, just act like you don’t know anything. I’ll handle it.”
Qin Qin was surprised, but she had always been obedient—especially when it came to Mu Qing’s words, which she would follow no matter what.
So she simply nodded. Though still visibly puzzled, Mu Qing knew she wouldn’t say anything she shouldn’t.
Such a clever girl, yet oddly muddled in certain areas—truly too adorable.
And the most adorable thing was that Qin Qin, like performing a magic trick, pulled out a dainty little food box from her book satchel and offered it up to Mu Qing like a precious treasure.
Mu Qing thanked her and opened the box to find exquisite pastries from Xinghua Tower, along with a thermos of steaming longan and red date tea.
The sight of this nearly brought Mu Qing to tears. She was on the verge of hugging Qin Qin and confessing her undying love when the girl playfully dodged her and instead leaned against her shoulder, laughing.
The two of them joked and bantered, and that lingering sense of inexplicable melancholy in Mu Qing’s heart was chased away.
After finishing Qin Qin’s lovingly prepared breakfast, it was just about time for morning class.
Since Mu Qing had triumphed in her “war of words” with Elder Qin yesterday and earned the right to join the regular class with other students, this was a significant victory.
But it also meant she’d now be interacting with many unfamiliar faces.
While that made keeping her female identity hidden more difficult, it wasn’t without its benefits.
Thinking of her ongoing plan to find Qin Qin a suitable husband and finally get rid of Liu Feng, Mu Qing immediately perked up. It was time to survey the available candidates.
After tidying up her appearance, she followed Qin Qin toward the classroom.
She must have looked a bit too eager, because Qin Qin turned around and glanced at her several times before finally sighing, “Qing Jie truly lives up to her name. Even facing a scene like this, she can remain so composed. I really admire you.”
Mu Qing paused, then quickly toned down her expression and gave a graceful bow. “You flatter me, Ah Qin.”
Qin Qin returned the bow with a smile. “Qing Jie is too modest.”
Mu Qing laughed. “Not at all.”
The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked, brushing aside the last traces of nervousness and drawing quite a few curious looks.
They were observing Mu Qing and Qin Qin—Mu Qing was observing them right back.
As expected of students selected by Baihe Academy, these young men could all be considered talented youths. Maybe not quite as breathtakingly handsome as her husband, but still full of youthful energy and scholarly spirit.
Surrounded by so many fresh-faced boys, Mu Qing was greatly encouraged and nodded at everyone she passed. A few of the young gentlemen blushed and quickly looked away.
Pfft.
These shy little scholars were truly entertaining.
Why were they even more bashful than she was?
Seeing their embarrassed reactions only made Mu Qing more mischievous. Rather than toning it down, she became even bolder in her observations.
Most of the students were too flustered to meet her gaze, but a few bolder ones returned her nods with polite smiles.
Little by little, she became familiar with the faces of those seated near her.
Mu Qing felt that, with classmates like this, she’d be able to navigate these general courses just fine—maybe even enjoy them.
As she was happily scoping out the room, she suddenly found herself blocked by what felt like a brick wall. She looked up to find none other than Elder Qin standing before her.
Seeing his stormy expression, Mu Qing instinctively shrank back, quickly straightened up, and joined the other students in standing to greet him.
There were about thirty students in this class.
They were likely all first-years.
But Mu Qing remembered there were at least fifty new students total. Where were the other twenty?
For example, her younger brother wasn’t here.
Had the cohort been split into two classes?
That seemed like a good idea.
But Liu Feng wasn’t here either.
After he had chased after Miss Yan Ran that day, Mu Qing hadn’t seen him since. Could it be that he never returned?
As she pondered all this, she began to zone out. Then she heard Elder Qin’s cold voice: “Mu Qing?”
She jolted and immediately answered, “Present!”
“Recite the essay ‘The Great Learning’ from the other day.”
With a dark face, Elder Qin issued the command, and Mu Qing felt like she’d been struck by lightning.
So it begins, huh?
This was clearly targeted!
Mu Qing clenched her teeth and, under Qin Qin’s worried gaze, cleared her throat and began slowly: “The Way of great learning lies in manifesting one’s bright virtue…”
She recited all the way to “only when the state is well governed can there be peace under Heaven,” nodding rhythmically and giving her voice some flair. She looked impressive—but her progress was quite slow.
The students around her began to look at her with admiration, while Elder Qin’s face grew darker and darker.
Mu Qing continued on as if nothing was wrong, but she was starting to panic inside.
Sure, this was a foundational Confucian text, and every academy student had to copy and memorize it, but she really wasn’t good at this kind of thing.
If Elder Qin didn’t stop her soon, she’d definitely hit a wall—and then what?
Frustrating.
As she scrambled internally for the next lines, she maintained a calm and confident exterior to fool Elder Qin. Her acting skills were improving by the day—maybe she should start training for an Oscar.
Luckily, Elder Qin didn’t have time to waste. Just as she was about to reach her limit, he finally stopped her.
“That’s enough. Swaying back and forth, dragging things out—what kind of performance is this? After class, copy the essay ten times.”
Fine, copy it is. As long as it’s not public humiliation.
Mu Qing lowered her head and accepted her fate, then sat down. Qin Qin subtly gave her a thumbs-up, and several nearby classmates looked at her with admiration.
Mu Qing returned a polite nod, only for Elder Qin to angrily pound on the desk a few times before she finally straightened up and behaved.
Elder Qin was furious, but there wasn’t much he could do.
Mu Qing always seemed to tiptoe right on the line of breaking the rules—flirting with danger but never quite overstepping. And with that noble from the palace having personally sent someone to vouch for her, Elder Qin, despite his anger, couldn’t truly blow up.
So he had no choice but to stew for a bit before finally calming down enough to begin the lecture.
This was Mu Qing’s first time hearing Elder Qin teach.
Today’s lesson was on the Book of Songs.
This classic had circulated widely even in her past life. Mu Qing had heard many of its famous lines before.
But this was her first time formally studying it under a master teacher.
She listened with rapt attention, occasionally whispering her agreement when moved—drawing Elder Qin’s notice and prompting him to call on her repeatedly for her thoughts.
After a few rounds of exchanges, they came to understand each other’s level. Mu Qing’s interpretations were fresh, but she lacked depth. Elder Qin, already familiar with her background, mentally placed her in the “decent enough” category and decided to maintain a respectful distance going forward.
Mu Qing and Elder Qin, as former debate opponents, clearly understood each other. But the observing classmates—even Qin Qin—were thoroughly impressed. They thought it was amazing that Mu Qing could spar with the legendary Elder Qin. She must be a genius.
Just like that, Mu Qing was branded a top student.
So during the class break, she was warmly welcomed by her classmates.
Aside from the most bashful boys, several students gathered around, chatting with her enthusiastically.
It was the usual: “Which class did you transfer from?”, “Where do you live?”, “How old are you?”, and so on.
But through their scattered words and her own subtle probing, Mu Qing finally pieced together how the academy’s classes were structured.
Sure enough—they had been split.
No wonder she hadn’t seen her little brother. He must have been placed in a special class.
As for Liu Feng… She didn’t see him again until after class that afternoon.
His face was swollen on one side. Who knew what had happened, but Mu Qing suspected it had something to do with Miss Yan Ran.
He looked utterly miserable, drained of energy. Mu Qing had no intention of talking to him, but he kept following her from a distance.
Qin Qin was walking with her, but Mu Qing, worried Liu Feng might cause trouble again, found an excuse to send her away first.
Even so, Liu Feng didn’t speak until they were alone. Then he finally stepped forward and sneered, “Don’t get too smug. Watch your man… That Yan Ran is a whorehouse girl, and you’re just letting your man spend time with her? Something’s bound to happen sooner or later.”
Mu Qing replied coldly, “That’s none of your concern. As long as you treat our Hong’er well and do nothing to betray her, then we’re all family. Just don’t neglect your own wife while you’re busy sticking your nose into someone else’s marriage.”
With nothing more to say, the two parted ways.
As she walked, Mu Qing recalled Liu Feng’s twisted, bitter expression. Something told her this wasn’t the end.
No matter how many mental preparations she made, every time she saw him, she just couldn’t stay in a good mood.
With that in mind, she returned to her own courtyard. The room was quiet and empty, and once again, she felt a pang of loneliness.
Then she spotted a fresh green chrysanthemum on her bedside, with a folded note beneath it.
Her spirits lifted immediately.
Opening the letter, she recognized her husband’s handwriting at once:
“To my wife Miao-niang, may this letter find you well. I must return home for urgent matters. I shall be back soon. Do not worry.”
The calligraphy was elegant and handsome, just like him. Mu Qing read the short lines over and over, turning them in her hands, until her heart slowly settled.
She suddenly felt like she had a lot she wanted to tell him.
But he wasn’t here.
And that made her feel awful.
After rolling around in frustration on her bed a couple of times, a spark of inspiration hit her.
Since he left her a letter, that meant there must be some invisible “messenger” carrying these notes back and forth.
So… could she write him a reply?
Excited by the thought, she leapt up, sat at her desk, and carefully began her letter.
“To my husband Feng Qing…”
She had just written the first line when a loud crash echoed from outside.
Startled, she turned toward the door, only to hear a familiar voice crying as it burst in:
“This is injustice! Sister, you must help me!”
