Chapter 135 Extra (21) The Story of Da Taohe
On the tenth day of the winter month (11th month of the lunar calendar), the academy began its examinations. The academy exams lasted for two days, and after the exams, the academy was noisy for another two days.
The results would be posted three days later. During the waiting period, the scholars packed their luggage, ready to leave the academy on their own as soon as the results were out.
They couldn't stay long at the academy. Except for those determined to stay at the academy and not return home, everyone had to leave as early as possible.
The weather in the mountains was severely cold, and it was uncertain which day heavy snow would fall and block the mountains. When that happened, the roads down the mountain would be difficult to travel. To ensure safety, the academy did its best to schedule the break as early as possible.
Three days later, Huo Anding received his report card.
It wasn't in vain that he had studied for so many days, his academy exam results were good. Even the instructor praised him and took him aside for a talk.
It was nothing more than praising him for being quick-witted, not a foolish person, and that he must not neglect his studies and become distracted by pleasures after returning home. He must continue to study diligently, for only at the metropolitan examinations would his true abilities be proven.
With such good results, he could return home this year and enjoy a secure and happy New Year.
Moreover, Huo Anding had received a letter from his father saying that the salt affairs had mostly stabilized, and they would also return to Tongzhou for the New Year this year.
Under normal circumstances, he would inevitably have rushed joyfully to Tongzhou on the very day he received his report card.
In previous years when the academy was on break, he was always happy because there was a long period where he could indulge his passions and didn't have to report to the academy. He could spend his days roaming and having fun everywhere, and his family wouldn't restrict him too much.
This year, having been away from home studying for so long, and with his maternal grandparents missing him dearly, logically he should be eager to return home.
Yet this year, with the break just around the corner, he found himself somewhat lacking in enthusiasm.
"Have you packed all your things?"
Shen Qingyue packed all his important and unimportant books into a book box and sealed it. Qin Guan would bring people up to fetch him tomorrow.
This time, once he left, he wouldn't return to the academy again. For this reason, all his belongings had to be packed up.
He raised his eyes and looked at the person who had come over, supposedly to help him pack, but who was instead standing motionless by the window.
"I only have that little bit of stuff, one bundle is enough to pack it. It's been properly sorted long ago."
Shen Qingyue said: "Then when are you leaving?"
"Afternoon."
Hearing this, Shen Qingyue couldn't help but frown slightly, and the movement of his hands stilled.
He had thought this person was silent in his room because he was sad about the parting. He didn't expect that the other had long been eager to leave.
After all, he himself would not be coming back to the academy. This parting meant it was uncertain when they would have a chance to meet again. Yet the other was so free and easy, leaving as soon as the break started, unwilling to wait even one more night.
Shen Qingyue laughed at himself mockingly. Huo Anding was originally a person who viewed flowers from horseback and attracted bees and butterflies. Having been cooped up in this academy for so long, now that he could finally leave, how could he not be in a hurry to go?
[走马观花 (zǒu mǎ guān huā): lit. viewing flowers from horseback; fig. a fleeting or cursory glance, not paying deep attention]
[招蜂引蝶 (zhāo fēng yǐn dié): lit. attract bees and butterflies; fig. to flirt, to attract amorous attention].
"You might as well leave now, so you don't have to spend the night on the road."
Huo Anding heard this and felt a bit wronged: "Aren't you going to ask me to stay?"
"Why would I ask you to stay? Anyway, we can't travel together for more than a few steps."
Shen Qingyue said mildly: "Sooner or later we go our separate ways."
Huo Anding snorted softly: "Who says we can't travel together for more than a few steps? I'm going to the capital."
Shen Qingyue looked at him: "What are you going to the capital for?"
"To see my sweetheart home."
Huo Anding lifted the packed book box and placed it to the side, then started helping pack things while saying: "After I see my sweetheart safely home, I'll return to Tongzhou."
Shen Qingyue paused: "The journey is long, why trouble yourself with this extra trip? You should go back early for the New Year."
"The young master is calm and determined, so how could you know the feelings of a common fellow like me, having to be separated from my sweetheart?"
"My sweetheart is beautiful and talented. Once we part this time, we won't be able to meet at the academy in the future. What if, while I'm gone, someone else sets their sights on him or steals him away? Who would I go to cry to? I'll guard him for as many days as I can."
Huo Anding also understood that Shen Qingyue couldn't come back to the academy. For his family to allow a young ger like him to be away from home for nearly a year was already quite rare.
Staying longer would be unreasonable, and his family wouldn't be at ease.
But understanding was one thing, the feeling of loss in his heart was another, leaving a large empty space.
He was eager to return to Tongzhou, but even more reluctant to part with Shen Qingyue. Seeing him home was currently the only thing he could do.
"Glib tongue."
Shen Qingyue said this, but his brows visibly relaxed.
He walked over to Huo Anding and continued packing things together with him.
Huo Anding looked at the ger who had come over, turned his head, and said to him: "So fierce, are you my sweetheart or not?"
Shen Qingyue didn't look at the head leaning close: "I could choose not to be."
"Don't be like that, how can you just discard me like that?"
____
The next day, when the sky was fully bright, the Shen family sent someone to pick up Shen Qingyue.
After descending the mountain path, a spacious carriage had been waiting for a long time.
Huo Anding watched Shen Qingyue get into the carriage, hesitating slightly. Should he drive the carriage for him from outside, or ride a horse separately?
But the carriage curtain was lifted a corner, and Shen Qingyue's cool face looked out at him: "Aren't you getting in yet?"
Huo Anding paused for a moment, then complied and entered the carriage.
Qin Guan saw this and exchanged a look with the old coachman. The old coachman smiled slightly without saying much, and Qin Guan wisely kept his mouth shut.
"This carriage is truly luxurious."
As soon as Huo Anding entered the carriage, he caught a whiff of a cold fragrance, the same scent that clung to Shen Qingyue.
He observed the interior of the carriage. Last time, he hadn't managed to get a ride even by being shameless. This time, the carriage's owner had warmly invited him. He leaned forward and whispered with a smile:
"Does this count as a pretty young man eating soft rice??"
[吃软饭 (chī ruǎn fàn): lit. to eat soft rice; fig. (of a man) to live off a woman]
Shen Qingyue brewed a cup of tea and handed it over: "My father is a proper and upright man. If you speak recklessly like this, be careful of getting a beating."
Thank you for the update!!
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