Han Ranzhi explained, "When you arrived late earlier, she had just decided on the spur of the moment. I don't know if the Director of Studies will..."
Liu Lan suddenly smiled, brief and without warning, her tone carrying a sense of unrestrained arrogance, "With the reputation of General Liu, how could the Director of Studies not give me face!"
Then she curled her lips into a mischievous smile, "Besides, doesn't the Imperial Academy have a men's college? I should at least go and have a look, right? Otherwise, with spring coming and flowers in full bloom, but no one to appreciate them, wouldn't those beautiful flowers be heartbroken!"
Lu Yuner and Han Ranzhi exchanged smiles without speaking.
This was probably her true purpose.
At this time, the Cloud Prince's mansion was brightly lit, with everyone from top to bottom on tenterhooks and bustling about.
In the Qinghua Garden.
Su Qingwan had now regained consciousness and was obediently lying on a soft couch. However, his phoenix eyes were dim and unfocused, the depths filled with calmness.
Xiao Yuan, looking at the young master who was unnaturally quiet, felt guilty and remorseful once again.
Recalling when they found the young master, he was soaked through, pitifully sitting on the cold ground, covered with a woman's outer garment, staring intently at a nameless folding fan clutched tightly in his hand.
He had remained silent until now.
Outside the purple sandalwood screen carved with peony patterns stood a woman in her forties, in her prime, wearing a black dragon robe with gold patterns. Without speaking, she exuded an oppressive aura of unspoken authority.
At present, her eyes were filled with an inky darkness that seemed about to burst forth, and her whole body emanated an undiminished fierce aura that inspired fear.
A female medical official knelt cautiously on the ground, swallowing hard: "Reporting to Cloud Prince, the young master's body is not in serious condition. He's just a bit shocked and caught a chill. With a few doses of calming medicine and cold medicine, and a few days of rest, he'll be fine."
The Cloud Prince's tightly knitted brows gradually relaxed, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly. "You may go!"
Then a guard came to report, "Reporting to Cloud Prince, those who harmed the young master have all been captured and are now imprisoned in the dungeon. The person who rescued the young master has not yet been found."
However, all the words from outside the screen fell into Su Qingwan's ears. His unfocused gaze seemed to ripple with a watery glint.
The Cloud Prince waved her hand with a deep expression, and the guard withdrew. She walked around the screen, her cold gaze sweeping over Xiao Yuan like a sharp blade. Xiao Yuan immediately left in trepidation.
Because he knew that if it weren't for the young master shielding him, his head, which was still attached to his neck, would have already been cut off by the Cloud Prince's sword.
The Cloud Prince looked at her pale-faced son. Her originally stern face softened slightly in the yellow candlelight, her slightly moist eyes showing both tenderness and a trace of pain.
After a long while, she finally spoke slowly, her tone softening a bit, "Why didn't you listen to your mother's words? Why do you keep sneaking out? If this time..."
"Just right, I miss father too," Su Qingwan said expressionlessly, like a lifeless pond, full of deathly stillness.
This lightly spoken sentence instantly pierced a certain part of the Cloud Prince's heart. Her face instantly paled a few shades, her fists clenched as if suppressing something. After a moment, she let go and said with finality, "After you've rested well, you'll go to the men's college at the Imperial Academy."
Then she turned and left.
Su Qingwan's nose tingled, his eyes growing increasingly red, a layer of moisture gradually welling up in his dark eyes.
He immediately turned inward, curling up into a ball, looking like an abandoned puppy, so pitiful that one couldn't help but want to hold him in their arms and cherish him in every way.
Afterwards, he called Xiao Yuan into the room and gave a few instructions. Xiao Yuan then extinguished the lights and quietly closed the door as he left.
The room gradually quieted down, becoming one with the darkness.
Su Qingwan slept alone in the room, gradually becoming more and more restless. But he couldn't wake up, as if imprisoned in endless darkness. No matter how he walked, there was only boundless emptiness and darkness.
Just as he was in despair and helplessness, suddenly his father's familiar voice sounded in his ears.
"Wan Wan, Wan Wan."
That voice was one he knew all too well, the voice he missed day and night. This was the pet name his father had given him. Yes! This was his father calling him.
Su Qingwan's breathing quickened, the corners of his phoenix eyes turning slightly red with excitement. His whole heart felt like it was burning with fire, suppressing the boiling emotions within.