Cherishing You As Always - Chapter 7

The old man guarding the gate came forward and greeted us with a clasped-fist salute. “And who might you two be?”

I returned the gesture immediately. “Elder, I’ve come to study.”

Stroking his graying beard, the old man smiled gently. “Another fine young one, come, come!”

He took the reins of my horse and led me into the academy. I shot a look at Zihui, signaling her to follow.

As we walked, the old man glanced at me from time to time. I found it a bit odd, but didn’t want to make a fuss, so I just frowned slightly. Suddenly, he chuckled and said, “Young lady, judging from your noble appearance, you must come from a prestigious family?”

I was momentarily stunned before replying, “No, you’re mistaken, Elder. My family is in business…”

The old man nodded, then said mysteriously, “The students here all come from wealthy, prominent families. It’s not easy to deal with them. So let me give you a word of advice — don’t make enemies out of them…”

I turned to look at him. “You and I have never met before. Why are you telling me all this?”

The old man burst out laughing. “I’ve never been wrong in judging people. I can tell you’re a good one. I just didn’t want you getting bullied. It’ll help you get by more smoothly…”

Though I found his words a bit strange, I nodded in agreement. I’ve always lived by the rule: If others don’t trouble me, I won’t trouble them. But the reason I came here was precisely to stir things up. Everyone fears me anyway. So what if they come from noble families? I can deal with them all the same.

I wasn’t too concerned. I kept a faint smile on my face.

Along the way, I saw many students, all dressed in white. The sunlight fell on their clothing, giving it a slight shimmer.

The old man seemed to be taking me to see the head scholar. Once we entered the academy, he took my horse to the stables. I left Zihui there too — she was exhausted. This academy was massive. If she passed out halfway from fatigue, who would be able to carry her? Might as well let her rest in the stable.

Despite it being called a “stable,” there were actually multiple rooms. The innermost courtyard housed the horses, while the rest were residences — presumably for staff. What a grand academy! Even the servants had such nice quarters.

The old man continued making small talk, but I didn’t really pay attention — just nodded along absentmindedly.

We walked down a long corridor. In the distance, I could vaguely see people gathered ahead. The old man said, “See over there where all those people are? That’s where you’ll be studying — the classroom. In front is a courtyard where the students sometimes gather to play.”

I glanced over but wasn’t very interested. “Oh,” I replied casually.

As we got closer, I saw there was quite a crowd — both men and women. Some were laughing, others wore looks of disdain, and a few were simply staring coldly at something.

As I stepped up the stairs, I finally saw what was happening —

A girl dressed in the white uniform of the academy was crouched on the ground, hugging her head. Students surrounded her, each with a different expression.

The male students stood off to the side, either coldly observing or smirking. A few rough-looking female students were throwing books at the girl, shouting, “Demon girl… ugly wretch…”

Another girl walked up — pretending to cry pitifully — then suddenly kicked the crouched girl hard.

“You slut! This is all your fault! How dare you seduce my man? Now he’s hurt, and you’re satisfied?” she yelled.

The girl who had been crouching fell flat to the ground from the kick. That’s when I finally saw her face.

Trembling, pitiful — wasn’t she the one I saw at the market yesterday?

A wave of righteous fury surged through me. Why is it that the weak are always the ones getting bullied? I’ve always despised those who pick on others from a place of power.

This is supposed to be an academy. What are the scholars doing? Are they blind?

I should have known the teachers here were no good. For something like this to happen under their noses — and none of them show up?

As I saw more people about to join in the attack, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I charged forward, roaring, “What are you all doing?!”

Perhaps I came on too strong — the crowd froze in shock.

I stepped in front of the frail girl and stood protectively with my hands on my hips.

“You call yourselves students? Is this what your teachers taught you — to gang up on someone weak? Bullying a helpless girl — what makes you any different from street thugs?”

The crowd started whispering among themselves. The boys quickly dispersed when they saw trouble brewing, but a few girls stayed behind.

One girl sneered. “She’s a helpless girl? Are you blind? She’s a fox spirit. Don’t defend the wrong person — we’re doing this for the good of the men she seduced!”

I rolled my eyes at them and snapped, “Those useless good-for-nothing men — you want them, take them! What does her being a fox spirit have to do with you? If she doesn’t even like women, why are you so worked up? A fox spirit is still better than you vipers!”

The girl behind me seemed to be getting up. I quickly turned around to help her but hesitated — I remembered how she had screamed yesterday when I tried to pull her up.

So I pulled my hand back. “Miss, are you alright?”

Before she could answer, the other women started shouting again. “I’ve never been humiliated like this in my life! Who do you think you are? Tell us your name! We’ll make sure the two of you disappear without a trace!”

So annoying — these women shouting nonsense.

I may not be some heroic outlaw, but I do have guts. I stepped forward and said loudly,

“If you’re going to hold someone responsible, it’s me. I’m the one who insulted you. My name is Song Lanlou — and I’m not afraid of anything you throw at me! You’re all petty bullies. What, you plan to crush me with your family’s power? Let me tell you — if anything happens to this girl…”

I raised one finger and waved it in front of them, then drew it across my throat with a glare. “…I’ll trade my life for yours — all of yours!”

I’ve never claimed to be a good person. Back in other academies, I used to threaten people like this too. My reckless nature has always been a headache for my parents.

But when I see things like this — injustice and cruelty — how can I stay silent? If people don’t speak up for what’s right, what’s left of justice in this world?

The girls were clearly intimidated by my fierce expression. Several of them fled in panic.

Finally, I could calm down a little and check if the girl was hurt.

But when I turned around, all I saw was her back as she walked away — again, slipping out of reach.

I didn’t chase after her. But I did notice the style of her clothing.

So… she’s studying here too?

How can someone be so fragile — and still endure all that bullying?

The old man who had been standing at the bottom of the stairs finally walked up beside me, looking at me with admiration.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a fiery young woman! You’ve got spirit, child!”

He was right. The students at this academy are arrogant and unruly. Most people wouldn’t dare stand up to them.

Unfortunately for them — I’m not most people. I fear nothing.

If they have the guts, let them come at me. If it comes down to it — a life for a life. That’s only fair.

Staring in the direction the girl had gone, I asked the old man, “Who is she?”

The old man turned to glance that way, then said, “That child… her name is Yin Yunchi.”