Chapter 134 Extra (20) The Story of Da Taohe
Thus, the two of them lived a period of peaceful days.
Huo Anding returned to normal, sticking close to Shen Qingyue all day long, entering and leaving together.
It was extremely cold in the mountains. Frost could be seen in the hollows on mornings even before the eleventh lunar month had begun.
The wind at night was strong, blowing on the face like knife blades scraping the skin.
Before it was even fully dark, the scholars tried their best not to go outside, staying holed up in their rooms.
The academy would start its holiday around the middle of the eleventh lunar month, giving students from various places enough time to return home before the New Year.
However, before the holiday, there would be an academy examination, serving as a summary and assessment of the year's studies.
The scholars took this matter very seriously. With the academy exam date approaching, everyone was preparing for it during this time.
As the room darkened, Shen Qingyue simply closed the window and lit a lamp.
Just as he put the lampshade on, a knock sounded at the door. Without even asking, he knew who it was.
The page boy opened the door, and a figure slipped in immediately.
"The weather is really getting colder and colder."
Shen Qingyue glanced at the person: "I thought you weren't bothered by the cold."
"It's not that I'm afraid of the cold, I'm just afraid the food will get cold."
Huo Anding smiled, placing the food container in his hand on the table, then set the charcoal brazier he was carrying in his other hand under the table.
Shen Qingyue looked at the things he brought, his brow twitching slightly.
"Mmm, it's still hot."
Huo Anding opened the food container, tapped the rim of the bowl with the back of his hand, and took out what was inside: "Come, try it while it's hot, see if it suits your taste."
The room was small, and as the food container opened, the aroma of roasted meat wafted out.
Shen Qingyue saw the plate contained a chicken, cut into pieces, the skin roasted golden brown, glistening slightly with oil.
It was inconvenient to purchase vegetables and meat at the academy, and the meals at the dining hall were simple.
After winter set in, ingredients were naturally scarcer than in other seasons, and the academy was even more so.
Although Shen Qingyue wasn't an overly pampered person, he was, after all, a young master from a noble family who hadn't suffered much hardship.
He never voiced any complaints about the austere conditions, though it was true he had eaten very little at dinner.
He sat down at the table: "Where did this come from?"
Huo Anding wiped the chopsticks clean and handed them to Shen Qingyue, saying:
"Caught it on the back mountain. I caught two in total. Gave one to the kitchen cook as a token of respect. He let me use the kitchen since no one goes there at this hour."
"I lit a fire and roasted it. There was still charcoal left, so I tidied it up and brought it over."
Shen Qingyue said: "The academy exam is soon, and you still go to the trouble of doing this."
"I set a trap a couple of days ago, didn't even bother with it. Went to check today, saw there was something, and brought it back. It was no trouble."
Huo Anding smiled: "Eat quickly, before it gets cold. After eating, you'll have strength to review your lessons."
Shen Qingyue offered no further comment. He tasted the roasted chicken and found it still quite warm.
The academy kitchen wasn't far from the dormitory building. During summer and autumn, scholars often brought their meals back here to eat. But after winter started, the wind was strong, and by the time one reached the dormitory, the food was almost cold.
This was most likely roasted, immediately packed into the food container, and Huo Anding ran back holding it all the way.
The pheasant from the mountains had tender meat and wasn't fatty.
It was roasted with skill, sprinkled with seasoning, making it more flavorful than stewed chicken.
Compared to the academy kitchen's plain food, this was genuine wild delicacy.
Shen Qingyue hadn't eaten such food for quite a while, and he ate a fair amount without concealing it.
Huo Anding rested his chin in his hands, smiling as he watched Shen Qingyue—who normally maintained perfect posture even while eating and drinking—now relaxed and slightly bowing his head. He couldn't resist asking, "Is it good?"
Shen Qingyue nodded: "Mmm."
Huo Anding's smile widened. Just as he was about to say 'if you like it, I'll make it for you again,' a chicken wing was stuffed into his mouth first.
He watched Shen Qingyue withdraw his chopsticks, then took the chicken wing from his own mouth and bit into it. "Don't you like chicken wings? They're the most flavorful part."
Shen Qingyue replied, "They're messy to eat properly."
Huo Anding chuckled softly, "Still so particular even when we're alone? The door's closed, it's not like anyone can see."
"Fine, I'll eat them all then. I don't mind looking undignified."
A faint, almost imperceptible warmth flickered in Shen Qingyue's eyes as he glanced sideways at him.
"Take the brazier over with you later."
Huo Anding looked at the warm charcoal brazier at his feet and said: "I brought it specially for you. I'm not afraid of the cold anyway."
"Taking it over means you can review your lessons a while longer."
Huo Anding blinked his eyes upon hearing this. He moved his stool, edging closer to Shen Qingyue's side:
"Why not review together then? We study together during the day anyway, and we can both warm ourselves by the fire."
He thought Shen Qingyue would tell him to get lost, but instead, the person beside him glanced at him, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his hands:
"Fine, I'll keep an eye on you while you review."
Huo Anding laughed, "Do I really seem that undisciplined? Is the young master personally supervising my studies necessary?"
Shen Qingyue put down the handkerchief and cleared the table: "Time passes in a flash. I don't need to take the imperial exams, but surely you aren't planning to skip them as well?"
Thank you for the update!!!!
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