My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 128

Chapter 128 Extra (14) The Story of Da Taohe

When Huo Anding arrived at Zhao Pan's place, it was already the third lunar month after a bumpy and delayed journey on the road.

The academy reopened after the Dragon Head-raising Festival, with the new term officially commencing on the eighth day of the third lunar month. The journey from the prefectural city to Changshan Academy typically required two to three days.

[The Dragon Head Raising Festival (龍抬頭, Lóng Táitóu): a traditional Chinese festival on the second day of the second lunar month, marking the start of spring and agricultural activity, symbolized by the dragon raising its head.]

Spring had arrived, and the weather in Baojing Prefectural City was warm, presenting a scene of bustling prosperity.

Spring plowing and farm work were also in full swing. The countryside was busy, and the administrative affairs of the prefectural government office were also very complicated.

Zhao Pan had recently been promoted from a local post and became prefect last year. The Ministry of Personnel held high hopes for him, and he did not dare to be negligent, handling everything personally.

When Huo Anding arrived, Zhao Pan was so busy that he was nowhere to be seen all day. It was his sister-in-law and young nephew who prepared the welcome dinner and hosted him.

Since they were family, they didn't stand on ceremony about such formalities.

After staying at the Zhao residence for two days, Huo Anding wrote letters of safety to his family, his father, and his little father respectively. Then, he had a meal with Zhao Pan, obtained a letter of introduction, and set off for the academy.

Arriving a couple of days early would allow him to get settled properly, avoiding the last-minute rush if he arrived right at the start of term, when he would have to start classes before having time to organize anything.

So, on the fifth day, Huo Anding set off for Changshan Academy with some food, daily necessities, and personal belongings prepared by Zhao Pan and his wife.

Changshan Academy was located on a mountaintop south of the prefectural city. Carriages and horses could only go as far as the open ground at the mountain's base.

The path up the mountain was a long, steep, and winding bluestone staircase, wide enough for only two people walking side by side. Let alone carriages, even horses and livestock would have great difficulty ascending.

Because of this, the fine horses and ornate carriages of wealthy young gentlemen could proceed no further than the mountain's base. Those wishing to study at the academy had to ascend with minimal baggage

After all, just walking up the mountain on one's own two legs was exhausting enough. Bringing many items would only be asking for extra toil.

However, some from well-off families brought three to five servants. The young master would walk up the mountain fanning himself, while servants carried his books and personal belongings.

The academy didn't restrict how many people accompanied a scholar, but only one page boy could remain at the academy to accompany the student.

When Huo Anding reached the foot of Changshan Mountain, the large pear groves at the base were in full, flourishing bloom. Pear trees blossom before they leaf out, so the trees were covered in snowy white, with hints of green just appearing. When the wind blew, it felt like being in a snowy landscape.

Scholars who had arrived early for academy registration were captivated by the pear blossom-lined path, with some feeling so inspired that they spontaneously began composing poetry.

Although he had encountered few travelers during his journey, the base of the mountain was surprisingly bustling with activity.

The local farmers knew the academy was about to start, and for the past few days had been setting up stalls selling things: hot soup, tea, and even noodles and dumplings.

"Go back. Tell my brother everything went smoothly. I'll write to him once I'm at the academy."

Huo Anding took his book box from the servant who had accompanied him and handed over the horse he had ridden.

After sending the man off, he lifted his book box, glanced up at the barely visible roof corners at the mountain peak, and felt a surge of excitement.

Carrying his large bundle, he went to eat a bowl of noodles before preparing to ascend the mountain.

Although he could probably reach the summit in less than an hour on this mountain path, and wasn't in a desperate hurry to go up, getting there earlier would allow him to choose his dormitory room, organize his things a bit, and explore the academy on the mountaintop.

Getting familiar with the grounds sooner would help him settle in faster, as he was going to spend at least a year at Changshan Academy, with over a year left until the metropolitan exams.

Furthermore, his father and little father didn't know when they would return from the southwest, and they probably wouldn't allow him to return to Tongzhou early.

Since he first started reading and writing, he had heard of Changshan Academy.

He had long heard that the academy had a quiet and secluded environment and had produced many famous teachers and great Confucian scholars. Through several dynasty changes, each era had important ministers who once studied at Changshan Academy.

Among the pure lineage of civil officials, those known to have been taught at Changshan Academy were always regarded more highly.

The academy often had famous masters and great Confucians come to give lectures and teach, and even Hanlin Academy members from the court had visited Changshan Academy several times.

Actually, after he passed the imperial examinations at the county level, his family had contemplated sending him to study at Changshan Academy. However, he was still rather young at the time and, being the family's only son—effectively the sole heir—the elders were reluctant to let him travel so far from home.

His father and little father were relatively okay with the idea, but the elders above them doted on him immensely. When they heard the family intended to send him so far away to study, they even lost their appetite.

So the plan was shelved for the time being. Now that he was older, his brother Zhao Pan was serving as prefect here, so there was someone to look out for him. Moreover, having passed the provincial exams, the next step was the metropolitan exams, the most critical moment. For the sake of his future, even if the family was reluctant, they agreed to let him come.

Military officials could inherit titles. His father was currently highly favored by the emperor, so even if Huo Anding didn't continue his studies, he could inherit an official position from his father later.

However, a few years earlier, his father was injured while suppressing a rebellion, so the family didn't want future generations to all follow the military path. If there were other roads to take, they should try to take them.

After all, he was the only son in the family. If something happened to him, it would mean the end of the line.

Huo Anding felt his family worried a bit too much. His second uncle and little second uncle were capable of having children – they already had four kids. How could the family line end?

However, he didn't dare voice such rebellious thoughts aloud. His father's whippings really hurt.

Huo Anding carried his luggage and strode vigorously up the mountain.

On the winding stone steps, he encountered many scholars, their faces red, sweating profusely, panting like oxen.

It was hard to tell how long they had been climbing, but by the looks of it, reaching the summit would be tough. After exchanging polite nods, Huo Anding continued upward.

Along the entire mountain path, he attracted many glances, as scholars with his level of physical stamina were not common.

"What's so interesting to look at? Climbing this mountain path longer than your lifespan without even panting, clearly one of those lowly peasant kids."

"Working since childhood with your face to the earth and back to the sky, of course you have endless brute strength."

Hearing this, Huo Anding frowned slightly and couldn't help but pause his steps.

Huo Anding made no attempt to conceal his farming family background, but saw no shame in it. After all, nearly every family could trace peasant ancestors within a few generations. Why should such origins be spoken of with such contempt?

Without peasants, even the emperor would have nothing to eat. How could they look down on peasants like that?

Turning his head, he saw a plump figure sitting on a stone ledge beside the stone steps. Dressed in fine, ornate silk, his face resembled a bighead carp, with small, round fish-like eyes, glaring at him arrogantly.

Two young attendants stood beside him, one offering a water flask, the other feeding him a meat pie, clearly the pampered darling of his family.

"What are you looking at? Keep climbing."

Huo Anding didn't respond. He pressed his lips together slightly and walked directly towards the person.

The chubby young man, seeing Huo Anding approach expressionlessly, felt a twinge of fear. Although this person had a fair, delicate face that didn't seem intimidating at all, he was tall and straight, nearly a head taller than him.

Walking over so silently like that was still somewhat frightening.

As the person drew nearer, his heart rose to his throat. Just as he was about to cry out, the person suddenly and smoothly twisted, bringing his nose close to the meat pie instead, grinning to reveal a row of white teeth:

"Where did you buy that meat pie? It smells so good."

"......"

Seeing Huo Anding's seemingly unsophisticated appearance, the little fatty immediately felt steady again and couldn't help snorting, "Country bumpkin. Call you rustic and you really act like it. You probably haven't even seen a meat pie with this much filling before."

He said smugly, "This young master is kind-hearted. Carry my book box to the academy for me, and I'll reward you with one to try."

Huo Anding rubbed his chin. He bent down slightly, blinked at the little fatty in front of him, and said, "How about I carry you up the mountain on my back instead?"

The little fatty's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this. He had been climbing the mountain for most of the day and was already exhausted. Huo Anding's suggestion suddenly made him somewhat tempted.

"Really? You're not joking, are you?"

Huo Anding straightened up and shrugged, "Weren't you the one joking first?"

With that, he turned and left.

"Damn it, you bastard!"

No matter how foolish, the little fatty now knew he had been teased. Watching Huo Anding's retreating back, he couldn't help but curse loudly.

However, after only a few curses, an itch started on his waist. He hissed and quickly went to scratch it.

But after scratching a couple of times, his arm started itching too. "Quick, quick, scratch for me."

Within moments, little fatty was hopping about uncontrollably, his entire body consumed by an unbearable, feverish itch.

He itched everywhere, scratching himself without regard for the broad daylight, even scratching into his crotch.

"In broad daylight, this is..."

"Shameful, shameful. Disgraces the face of scholars."

A group of scholars climbing the mountain together glanced at the little fatty's behavior by the roadside, shook their heads, covered their faces, and left.

"Hey, hey! It's not what you think!"

Huo Anding, standing further up, watched from a distance as the ashamed and angry little fatty nearly had tears in his eyes. He clicked his tongue, "How boring."

If only Shen Qingyue were here.