Yu Chengyao · Conversa

In the private room of Zuixian Tavern, the stench of liquor filled the air. Chu Xuyan set his wine cup down on the table. His peach-blossom eyes scanned the group, a mischievous smirk touching the corners of his lips. "Yu Yiqian, I'm tired of looking at your cold face. When that girl rejected you, your face turned completely green." Yu Yiqian held his wine cup, not even lifting an eyelid. "Shut up." "Oho, touched a nerve?" Chu Xuyan laughed even more provocatively, turning to look at Yu Chengyao. "Chengyao, tell me, how aloof is our Third Prince usually? And what happened? That girl didn't even give him a second look." Yu Chengyao was using his chopsticks to pick up some food when he looked up upon hearing this. "Xuyan, didn't you get turned away at the door yourself?" he said in a lazy tone. "I recall you even wrote a poem, only for her not to give it a single glance." The smile on Chu Xuyan's face stiffened. "That's different. In my case, the girl just lacked taste." "So Yu Yiqian was also rejected because she lacked taste?" Jiang Qiming pushed up his glasses. "Then adding the two of you together, just how lacking in taste must this girl be?" A burst of laughter erupted in the room. Yu Yiqian set down his wine cup and shot Chu Xuyan a cold glare. "If you mention this again, believe me, I'll make sure you can't attend morning court tomorrow." "Alright, alright, I won't mention it." Chu Xuyan waved his hand, his eyes suddenly darting around. "Though Chengyao, tell me, what on earth is that girl's background? To look down on both me and Yu Yiqian, how high must her standards be?" Yu Chengyao's chopsticks paused mid-air. He had indeed heard about it. Rumors were flying all over Bianjing City about a woman who had consecutively rejected the heir of the Duke of Zhen's mansion and the Third Prince. At the time, he had merely found it amusing. She was just a girl who didn't know how to appreciate good fortune. But now, Chu Xuyan's peach-blossom eyes were fixed on him, flashing with an obvious provocation. "Chengyao, why don't you give it a try?" Chu Xuyan leaned in, lowering his voice. "I refuse to believe that among the few of us, there isn't a single person who can make that girl fall for them." Yu Chengyao raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to provoke me?" "What if I am?" Chu Xuyan smiled even more smugly. "Don't you always pride yourself on being smarter than us? Then go ahead. Let us see just how capable the Heir of Prince Rong's Manor really is." Pei Xuzhen frowned. "Xuyan, don't mess around. Making a joke out of a young lady, what kind of behavior is that?" "Who says it's a joke?" Chu Xuyan said dismissively. "I'm just curious. What kind of taste does that girl have to reject all of us? Chengyao, don't you agree?" Yu Chengyao put down his chopsticks and picked up his wine cup. The competitive streak deep in his bones was stirred. The defiance in Chu Xuyan's eyes, the coldness on Yu Yiqian's face—all of it made his heart itch. She was just a girl. How hard could it be? "Fine." Yu Chengyao smiled, a youth's arrogance flashing in his eyes. "Then I'll go give it a shot. But Xuyan, don't you regret it." Chu Xuyan slapped the table. "Great! That's the Yu Chengyao I know." He raised his wine cup. "Come, it's a deal. If you can win her heart, I, Chu Xuyan, will walk around you whenever I see you from now on." "Count me in too." Yu Yiqian spoke up, a rare occurrence, his voice carrying a competitive edge. "If you can really pull it off, I'll buy you wine for a month." Jiang Qiming sighed. "Chengyao, are you really going?" Yu Chengyao raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. "I am. But not as the Heir." He set down the cup, a trace of pride in his voice. "I'll go as a seventh-rank Compiler of the Hanlin Academy." Hearing this, Chu Xuyan was startled at first, then burst out laughing. "A seventh-rank Compiler in the Hanlin Academy? You?" He pointed at Yu Chengyao. "Chengyao, that's certainly a fresh idea. But with that face of yours, can you pull off looking the part?" "Why couldn't I?" Yu Chengyao replied with youthful confidence. "I already hold a sinecure post at the Hanlin Academy anyway. Change into a plain robe, tone down my aura—who could possibly recognize me?" Jiang Qiming pushed up his glasses. "How do you plan to approach her?" "Where's the fun in a normal approach?" Chu Xuyan's eyes darted with an idea. "We need something thrilling. How about playing the hero saving the beauty?" He leaned over and lowered his voice. "I'll get a few men to disguise themselves as bandits, and you just happen to pass by. One thing leads to another, and wouldn't she naturally develop feelings for you?" Pei Xuzhen frowned. "That's going too far." "Too far? Not at all," Chu Xuyan waved his hand. "It's just putting on a show. Besides, we're not actually going to hurt anyone." Yu Chengyao went silent for a moment. He didn't really have any hesitation in his heart. She was just a girl—what did it matter if he used a few tricks? Besides, this bet wasn't honorable to begin with. Since he had already agreed, why care about the means? "Let's do it," Yu Chengyao said, a hint of all-in resolve in his voice. "But Xuyan, the people you find must be reliable." "Rest assured." Chu Xuyan patted his chest, but suddenly a flash of mischievous light gleamed in his eyes. "Though Chengyao, just acting out a play isn't exciting enough, is it?" He lowered his voice. "How about having someone actually slash you with a blade? That way it'll be realistic. Don't you think?" Yu Chengyao was stunned for a second. "Actually cut me?" "Just a shallow cut," Chu Xuyan smiled slyly. "Won't hurt bone or sinew, just break a bit of skin. Only then will she believe it, and only then will you have the chance to stay by her side to recover. Don't you agree?" Yu Yiqian set down his wine cup. "Interesting." He spoke up, a rare playful tone in his voice. "Chengyao, do you dare?" Yu Chengyao looked at them and suddenly laughed. The competitive streak in his bones was completely ignited. It was just a cut. Just breaking some skin. "Why wouldn't I dare?" He raised his wine cup. "Let's do it." Chu Xuyan clapped and cheered. "Great! That's the Yu Chengyao I know." He raised his cup. "Come, here's wishing you immediate success." The men clinked their cups, spilling wine across the table. Laughter filled the private room continuously, as the wind blew in through the window, carrying the chill of March. Yu Chengyao set down his wine cup, a youth's high-spirited eagerness flashing in his eyes. He did not yet know where this bet would take him. Three days later. On Qingfeng Street in the south of Bianjing City, afternoon sunlight spilled over the cobblestones. Yu Chengyao had changed into a plain robe, even removing the jade pendant from his waist. He stood beside a tea stall at the corner of the street, holding a bowl of tea, pretending to be casually strolling. An informant sent by Chu Xuyan rushed over and lowered his voice. "Young Lord, the young lady has stepped out. She's heading this way." Yu Chengyao put down his tea bowl and reached up to touch his sleeve. Hidden inside was a jade pendant that Chu Xuyan had stuffed onto him, saying he could use it later after getting injured to gain the girl's trust. He wasn't feeling nervous. It was just playing a role in a stage act after all. In the alley, several guards had already changed into tattered clothes, their faces dirtied up. The leader was named Wang Meng, the head guard of Chu Xuyan's household. Yu Chengyao walked over, and Wang Meng looked up at him. "Young Lord, do you really intend to take this slash?" "Cut the nonsense." Yu Chengyao's tone carried a hint of impatience. "Remember, just a light cut, don't injure muscle or bone." Wang Meng nodded. "Rest assured, my Lord." Yu Chengyao turned around and walked toward the mouth of the street. In the distance, he saw a figure. The woman was wearing a moon-white ruqun skirt, with a pale green ribbon tied around her waist. It was her—你 He pretended to walk forward casually, passing right by just as the woman was about to pass the entrance of the alley. Wang Meng rushed out with several guards. "Halt! Hand over all your valuables!" Wang Meng roared fiercely, the blade in his hand gleaming cold in the sunlight. Before 你 could even react— Yu Chengyao charged forward. "Stop!" He raised his arm to block the blade. According to plan, Wang Meng would hold back his strength, leaving only a shallow cut on his arm. But Wang Meng's blade did not stop. The sharp edge struck Yu Chengyao's arm full force, and blood instantly gushed out. Yu Chengyao's mind buzzed into a blur. Hiss... damn, that hurts. He yanked 你 behind him. The blood on his arm dripped down his sleeve, falling onto the cobblestones and blossoming into a dark red smear. "Run, Miss!" Yu Chengyao's voice trembled from the pain. Although he had practiced martial arts for years, he rarely got injured by real blades and weapons. Wang Meng froze for a moment, then turned and ran off with the guards. People on the street gathered around, chatter bursting out from all sides. Yu Chengyao looked down at his arm; the wound was deeper than expected. The blood was flowing rapidly, soaking most of his plain sleeve red. He was suddenly a bit bewildered. This wasn't right. Wang Meng had clearly agreed to just a shallow cut. Why was it this deep? But now was not the time to think about that. Yu Chengyao raised his head and looked at 你 behind him. 你's face was somewhat pale, but she didn't scream or faint. She just stood there, watching him. Yu Chengyao forced a smile. "Don't be afraid, Miss. It's safe now." Please choose your response: A: Are you in cahoots with them? Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? B: (Tear off a portion of your skirt hem to bind his wound) C: I don't have any money to pay your medical bills... D: Custom response