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"Elder Sister Lu, what a coincidence!"
Lu Youqing had just stepped out of the lecture hall with her books in her arms when a young woman, also dressed in a scholar's blue robe, hurried over.
"Miss Cui," Lu Youqing smiled and gave a slight nod upon seeing her.
"Elder Sister Lu, why are you still being so formal? I told you—just call me Yuanyuan," Cui Yuanyuan said as she walked alongside Lu Youqing, naturally looping one arm through hers.
"Yuanyuan."
Lu Youqing followed her lead without hesitation.
The newcomer was one of the very few female students at Bailu Academy. Her father was Master Cui, a teacher at the academy. He had earned the xiucai degree in his youth, but after repeatedly failing the imperial examinations, he could only settle for teaching at the academy.
His wife had once supported his studies by sewing late into the night, ruining her eyesight in the process. By the time the family's circumstances improved, she had scarcely enjoyed any comfort before passing away.
Grateful for his wife's devotion and deeply affectionate toward her, Master Cui never remarried. Thus, Cui Yuanyuan was his only child.
From childhood, she had been raised as one would raise a son, studying and learning beside her father, who had placed all his unfulfilled ambitions upon her shoulders.
Before Lu Youqing arrived at the academy, Cui Yuanyuan had no real friends there. The male students subtly looked down on her, showing her courtesy only out of respect for her father.
When she heard that a new female student had arrived—and had even been accepted as a disciple by Master Yang, who rarely took students anymore—she immediately went to seek her out.
The moment she met Lu Youqing, she felt an instant affinity and took a liking to her.
Such rapport needed no reason.
After several conversations, Cui Yuanyuan found Lu Youqing increasingly to her liking. Not only was she knowledgeable and diligent, but although her demeanor was cool, her heart was warm.
"Elder Sister Lu, the prefectural exam is coming soon. Do you feel confident? I'm so nervous," Cui Yuanyuan said anxiously. She was also preparing for the upcoming exam, and her father had been watching her studies very closely.
Seeing her nervousness, Lu Youqing gently patted her hand and comforted her. "Just do your best and leave the rest to fate. I've read your essays—they're very well written. Even Master Yang praised your work."
"Really? Master Yang praised me?" Cui Yuanyuan looked at her in astonishment, placing a hand on her chest, clearly flattered.
"Yes," Lu Youqing replied sincerely. When Master Yang had commented on her work, he had indeed spoken highly of Cui Yuanyuan's scholarship.
As they chatted, they walked toward the academy gates. From afar, Cui Yuanyuan spotted a familiar carriage parked outside.
She immediately teased with a grin, "Your husband is here to pick you up again."
The news of Lu Youqing's marriage had long spread throughout the academy. No one needed to ask—after all, her husband came every day to escort her, always bringing delicious meals.
Cui Yuanyuan herself had joined Lu Youqing for meals several times. The food was exceptionally good, with many dishes and pastries she had never seen before. After tasting them once, she couldn't forget them and wished she could dine at Elder Sister Lu's place every day.
Lu Youqing merely smiled at the teasing and walked straight toward Qin Ke.
"Hello, Young Master Qin. We meet again," Cui Yuanyuan greeted him cheerfully.
"Greetings, Miss Cui," Qin Ke replied, cupping his hands politely.
Since he came daily to fetch Lu Youqing, he had already met this new friend of hers several times, and Lu Youqing had also told him about Cui Yuanyuan.
Qin Ke was delighted to see Lu Youqing making friends.
"Let's go, Yuanyuan. I'll have my husband take you home first," Lu Youqing invited her along.
Cui Yuanyuan lived not far from the academy and would sometimes take Qin Ke's carriage home when it was convenient.
Young and cheerful by nature, she didn't stand on ceremony. Lifting her skirt, she climbed into the carriage.
Once everyone was seated, Li Nanqiao flicked the reins to set the carriage in motion.
"I bought some Silver Frost charcoal," Qin Ke said thoughtfully, turning to Cui Yuanyuan. "When we go to the exam hall, we'll bring it along with a brazier. I bought extra and prepared a share for you as well. The weather is cold and the conditions at the exam hall are harsh—please don't refuse."
Cui Yuanyuan was secretly astonished. She knew what Silver Frost charcoal was—a top-grade charcoal that produced no smoke, burned steadily without going out, and gave off intense heat.
Her family's means were modest; they could never afford such fine charcoal.
She quietly studied Qin Ke, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
She had always believed her father to be a rare man of deep affection and loyalty, but now, upon meeting Qin Ke, even her father seemed surpassed.
Gentle, attentive, considerate in every detail, managing the household flawlessly, and wholeheartedly supporting his wife's studies and examinations—
Did such men truly exist in this world?
Seeing that Cui Yuanyuan hadn't responded, Lu Youqing thought she might be embarrassed. She took her hand and persuaded gently, "It's just some charcoal. Please accept it without worry. You once lent me your study notes—I didn't stand on ceremony with you, so you needn't with me either."
"All right, Elder Sister Lu. I'll accept it," Cui Yuanyuan said with a smile, shaking herself from her thoughts.
Not long after Cui Yuanyuan returned home, Lu Youqing sent someone to deliver the charcoal. Along with it came a fur-lined coat. When Cui Yuanyuan touched it, the fur was soft, dense, and extremely warm.
Naturally, the clothing had also been purchased by Qin Ke. He had put considerable thought into preparing for Lu Youqing's prefectural exam, and this was the way he could help ease her burdens.
"The prefectural exam is the day after tomorrow. Should we rest tomorrow?" Qin Ke asked, wrapping his arms around Lu Youqing from behind.
Lu Youqing closed her eyes and replied softly, "That's what Master suggested as well. He told me not to go to the academy tomorrow and to rest at home."
"Then tomorrow I'll take you to Jade Pool Immortal Baths to have a look—just to experience how it is."
A hot bath was the best way to relax both mind and body.
"Then let's send word to Yuanyuan and invite her to come as well."
Qin Ke could tell that Lu Youqing truly liked this refined and gentle girl, and he had no objections.
Early the next morning, Lu Youqing had Li Nanqiao drive to the Cui residence to pick her up. When Cui Yuanyuan heard they were going to bathe at the much-discussed Jade Pool Immortal Baths, she immediately agreed with great excitement.
The moment she saw Lu Youqing, she grabbed her hand eagerly and chattered away. "Elder Sister Lu, I had no idea Jade Pool Immortal Baths was designed by Young Master Qin. You're all far too low-key! I've heard that ordinary people can't even enter the VIP area."
"It isn't run by my husband," Lu Youqing shook her head and explained modestly. "He merely helped design it for the Gu family."
Jade Pool Immortal Baths had already completed construction and was merely awaiting an auspicious opening day. As such, Qin Ke and the others were the very first to experience it.
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Currently at chapter 228 for advance chapters
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