IDWBE -Chapter 67 An Old Acquaintance

The next day.

Lin Yi received a report from Hong Ying that Wen Zhaoyi had returned. At first, he was surprised, then he sighed—he wasn’t sure whether to be happy or worried.

“Did she say she was injured?”

“It’s an internal injury, shouldn’t be serious. With a period of rest, there shouldn’t be any problem,” Hong Ying said with a smile. “Your Highness needn’t worry.”

“She’s formidable. Anyone capable of injuring her is no ordinary person. Must be a Grandmaster,” Lin Yi frowned. “An old bones like her, yet she doesn’t know her own strength—always causing trouble. If she drags someone into this, I might end up suffering too.”

Hong Ying nodded. “Your Highness is right.”

“What? Now you’re already displeased with me?”

Wen Zhaoyi’s figure suddenly appeared at the doorway. “Or I could just leave now, save you the trouble.”

Lin Yi quickly stood and smiled. “Sister, you came back late last night. I didn’t want to disturb your rest. You must be hungry—have something to eat.”

If he took her words literally, he’d truly be a fool.

“Hmph,” Wen Zhaoyi leisurely sat on the table, pinching a bean cake between her fingers as she ate. “If I were to leave, I’d have to take your mansion’s cook with me. Otherwise, after getting used to this food, I really couldn’t eat anything outside—it’d be like chewing wax.”

“You’re joking, Sister,”

Lin Yi personally served her porridge and placed it before her. “I’m concerned about you. You’re injured—shall I find a doctor to examine you?”

Wen Zhaoyi said, “Won’t die.”

“Good, good,”

Lin Yi took the tea Hong Ying brought and placed it in front of Wen Zhaoyi. “Rest well, and take care of your body. You’re already a Grandmaster—who could possibly harm you?”

Wen Zhaoyi spoke solemnly, “There are only a handful of people in the world who could hurt me. Decades in the imperial palace, I never faltered a day, yet unexpectedly, they still progressed faster.”

Lin Yi asked, “Who are they?”

Wen Zhaoyi said, “Even if you knew, could you take revenge for me?”

Lin Yi sipped his tea. “A gentleman’s revenge is never too late. I’ll remember this, and one day, I’ll make sure you get your due.”

“This person, even your father would show some respect—what can you do?”

Wen Zhaoyi said leisurely, “My own troubles, I’ll handle myself.”

Seeing she wouldn’t elaborate, Lin Yi could only resign himself and went on chatting aimlessly with her.

He Jixiang and Bian Jing entered the room.

He Jixiang’s gaze kept falling on Wen Zhaoyi’s face. He shook his head repeatedly, disbelief written all over him.

Finally, unable to contain himself, he cupped his hands. “I am He Jixiang, formerly…”

“Lord He, it’s been so long, didn’t expect to meet here today,”

Wen Zhaoyi interrupted, smiling. “I still remember when the general held the golden waist seal and sat beneath the jade canopy—how proud and vigorous you were. Who would’ve thought your temples are now streaked with silver?”

“Are you really Wen Zhaoyi?”

He Jixiang still couldn’t believe it—the young maiden before him was his old acquaintance!

“I remember, before entering the palace, I even knocked out two of Lord He’s teeth,” Wen Zhaoyi laughed heartily. “Have you forgotten that easily?”

He Jixiang’s face flushed. “I didn’t expect Wen Zhaoyi to still be so radiant.”

“The late emperor is gone—no need to address me that way anymore,”

Wen Zhaoyi smiled. “Just call me your little sister.”

He Jixiang hesitated. “This…”

“Not to hide from you, Lord He,”

Wen Zhaoyi said with a smile, “I left the palace with Lin Xun’s approval, so I’m not afraid of him knowing where I went. But this prince? He’s timid—he’s scared.”

“What? Lord He, you wouldn’t—”

“I dare not,” He Jixiang said, a little conflicted. He didn’t know how to address her at first. Under Wen Zhaoyi’s gaze, he finally said after a long pause, “Miss Wen, you might not know, but it’s been over twenty years since I was exiled.”

Among intelligent people, not everything needs to be said directly.

“Miss Wen?”

Wen Zhaoyi smiled. “It’s been many years since anyone called me that. Feels rather novel.”

He Jixiang said, “I assume you’ve mastered your martial arts, hence your youthful appearance.”

“What do you mean by mastery?”

Wen Zhaoyi sighed slowly. “Life has limits, knowledge is boundless; trying to chase the boundless with the limited is perilous.”

Lin Yi found the conversation boring and turned to head toward the school.

Halfway there, he suddenly turned back. “You’ve become a Grandmaster?”

“Yes, Your Highness! I am already a Grandmaster!”

Hong Ying could hardly contain his excitement!

Since yesterday, he had been imagining the scene of the prince learning he had been promoted to Grandmaster—how highly he would regard him, praise him, and what rewards he would give.

That morning, after the prince finished washing, Hong Ying had wanted to speak directly but couldn’t find the right opportunity.

Would it be too ostentatious? Better to be subtle, wait for the right moment.

Thankfully, Wen Zhaoyi arrived.

She didn’t disappoint—she casually mentioned his promotion to Grandmaster.

The only downside? Wen Zhaoyi teased the prince and him, calling them both a pair of fools!

The prince, in anger, missed the point and argued with Wen Zhaoyi over whether he was really a fool!

God knows how desperate Hong Ying felt then.

Fortunately, the prince finally remembered.

Truly, the prince is wise!

But Lin Yi’s next words left him cold from head to toe.

“Grandmaster?” Lin Yi asked suspiciously. “Is this cowardly version of yours a Grandmaster?”

“Your Highness, that’s what Wen Zhaoyi said,” Hong Ying nearly fell into self-doubt. “I don’t even know how I became a Grandmaster.”

Lin Yi said earnestly, “In life, always stay grounded—don’t chase the impossible! I believe you’re a Grandmaster, but if you can’t even block a slap, and get beaten to the point of coughing blood, how are you a Grandmaster? Never fully trust beautiful women—they often deceive. Maybe she was just teasing you. Never take it seriously.”

“Your Highness is right. I understand.”

Hong Ying bowed his head in shame.

Mingyue and Zixia listened dumbfounded. They exchanged glances—if even Chief Steward Hong isn’t considered a Grandmaster, who is?

But in front of the prince, they dared not speak or ask.

Satisfied, Lin Yi nodded and continued toward the school. Halfway, he saw the second fool, Yu Xiaoshi, playing by the river.

“Yu Xiaoshi, what are you doing?”

After calling out, he stepped behind Hong Ying, afraid Yu Xiaoshi would jump on him.

Yu Xiaoshi’s parents had both died in a windstorm at Songyang Terrace, so Lin Yi had brought him along.

Yu Xiaoshi relied on him and often expressed affection by hugging or clinging.

But he had poor control of his strength, often squeezing Lin Yi so hard he couldn’t breathe.

Now he had learned—after greeting, he hid behind someone else, giving Yu Xiaoshi no chance to jump on him.

“Your Highness!”

Hearing Lin Yi’s voice, Yu Xiaoshi shouted excitedly and jumped forward. But seeing Hong Ying, he immediately hung his head. “Your Highness, I still want to hear your story.”

“Why aren’t you going to class?” Lin Yi asked curiously.

“He won’t let me in!” Yu Xiaoshi pointed toward the grass by the river.

Lin Yi leaned closer and saw Shan Yin, now the mansion’s guard instructor, slumped there, leaning back, holding his bleeding nose, looking utterly defeated.

“Your Highness!”

Tian Shiyou jumped out from under a pear tree, tucked the pear in his arms, and jeered, “He can’t even beat a child! And he dares call himself seventh rank!”

He laughed heartily.

“You hit him?” Lin Yi looked at Yu Xiaoshi.

“Your Highness! He hit me first!” Yu Xiaoshi shouted, pointing at Shan Yin.

“Your Highness, this chubby one has natural strength,”

Tian Shiyou pulled out the pear from his arms and handed it to Yu Xiaoshi, patting his shoulder. “I acknowledge you as my brother. From now on, follow me. Anything happens, just call my name! There’s nothing we can’t handle.”