That evening, Yin Furen hosted a grand banquet at Jiaxiang House and announced that the monthly allowances for all servants in Jiaxiang House and Shenhui Courtyard would be doubled for the month, so the masters and servants shared the joy of the moment.

Although studying at the Imperial Academy ensures future official positions without needing to take the imperial examinations, those who enter the officialdom through this route are always considered a rank lower than those who pass as jinshi. Not to mention, over the past two centuries, Canglan Academy has produced numerous high-ranking officials and renowned ministers. These predecessors from Canglan Academy generally extend some degree of favour to their juniors who also hail from the academy.

Thus, for scholars, being admitted to Canglan Academy is considered second only to achieving a high ranking on the examination results board.

When Guogong Yé returned from court, Xiangzhong reported to him, “Guogong Yé, Xi San Yé has been admitted to Canglan Academy.”

Guogong Yé’s first reaction was disbelief. He asked, “Is the news reliable?”

Xiangzhong nodded. “It is accurate. Laonu sent someone to check the list at the foot of Duliang Mountain.”

Guogong Yé was gratified. “I didn’t expect Huanxi to already have such achievements. Since Huanxi has been admitted, Huanxu must have been admitted as well, right?”

Xiangzhong hesitated. “…Guogong Yé, Xu Er Yé was not admitted.”

Guogong Yé was taken aback. “How could this be?”

Xiangzhong lowered his head. “One does not know.”

After dinner, Zhao Huanxi and Xu Nian’an returned to Shenhui Courtyard. As usual, Xu Nian’an went to wash her hands first, while Zhao Huanxi clung to her like a tail, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. He bent slightly, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Xu Nian’an asked him what was wrong, but he said nothing.

After washing her hands, she dragged him out from behind the screen. Unable to tolerate it anymore, she laughed, “Let go already! Are you going to let me walk or not?”

Zhao Huanxi obediently let go and stood up straight.

Xu Nian’an turned to look at him and saw his dejected expression. She asked, “Are you upset?”

Zhao Huanxi nodded.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to study at Canglan Academy.”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Didn’t you promise me before that you would go?”

Zhao Huanxi said, “That’s because I didn’t think I’d actually get in! I just said that to make you happy!”

Annoyed, Xu Nian’an gave him a light smack, then tugged on his sleeve and said, “If you’re upset because you won’t see me, there’s no need to. I already told you I’d visit you often.”

“What’s the point of visiting? You still couldn’t sleep with me,” Zhao Huanxi muttered, his eyes downcast.

Although she knew he was only talking about sleeping in the literal sense, Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but blush. Embarrassed and annoyed, she deliberately teased him, “Why couldn’t I sleep with you? Isn’t it because you can’t handle it? Is that my fault?”

This time, it was Zhao Huanxi’s turn to feel his face heat up. Unable to refute her, he stood there, half-ashamed and half-annoyed, glaring at Xu Nian’an for a moment before turning his head and saying, “I’m going to find Zufu to practise swordsmanship.”

Seeing his feigned indifference, Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Zhao Huanxi bolted away in a hurry.

In the guest courtyard, before returning to his room, Fu Yunjin glanced back and saw that Yin Luochen was still following him. He asked, “Aren’t you going back to rest?”

Yin Luochen replied, “Why rush me away? Let’s chat a bit longer.”

The two entered the room, and a maid brought tea. After the maid left, Yin Luochen closed the door, turned around, and looked at Fu Yunjin, who was pouring tea at the table. Without preamble, he asked, “Do you like San Biao Jie?”

Fu Yunjin’s hand trembled, spilling tea onto the table.

He set down the teapot, kept his head down, and only said, “No.”

“I know it’s not quite appropriate to ask this now, considering… But you must understand, you can’t remain single forever. Sooner or later, you’ll have to remarry. If you truly like San Biao Jie but can’t bring yourself to speak up, I can help you talk to Gumu. San Biao Jie is already twenty-two this year, and Gumu certainly won’t keep her at home much longer. I reckon her marriage will be arranged within the year. If you don’t say anything now, you might not get another chance,” Yin Luochen said.

“I—I don’t like her. It’s just that seeing her smile lifts my spirits, so I looked at her a bit more, that’s all,” Fu Yunjin replied, avoiding his gaze.

Yin Luochen sighed. He could understand. After all, it had been less than six months since his Biao Sao’s passing. For Fu Yunjin to admit his feelings for San Biao Jie at this time might indeed seem heartless.

“Do you dislike her because she’s been divorced?” Yin Luochen asked suddenly.

Fu Yunjin instinctively raised his face and denied it, “No.”

Yin Luochen looked at him intently.

Fu Yunjin paused, raised a hand to his forehead, and hesitated. “Give me a bit more time to think about it.”

Yin Luochen replied, “I can give you as much time as you need, but I’m afraid Gumu won’t have that much time to wait for you to slowly make up your mind.”

Zhao Huanxi hadn’t been gone long before he returned to Shenhui Courtyard.

“Why are you back so soon?” Xu Nian’an asked curiously as she removed her hairpins and combed her hair.

“Zhao Huanxu fell off his horse. Zufu has called for the imperial physician,” Zhao Huanxi replied.

“Was it serious?”

“En, I heard he broke a leg.”

Xu Nian’an turned back to her mirror and continued combing her hair. “What was originally a shameful embarrassment can now be spun into a pitiful excuse to garner sympathy.”

Zhao Huanxi was surprised. “You mean he fell on purpose?”

“Not necessarily on purpose. After all, breaking a leg isn’t something someone like him would have the nerve to do deliberately. In any case, when you see Zufu again, don’t bring up your admission to Canglan Academy. He’s probably not in the mood to feel happy for you right now,” Xu Nian’an said.

Zhao Huanxi leaned on the table, fiddling with a teacup. “I didn’t expect him to be happy for me. I’m not even happy myself.”

Xu Nian’an: “……”

The Fifth Branch’s courtyard bustled through the night, and Zhao Huanxu’s leg was finally set in place. However, he soon developed a fever and began muttering deliriously, “Impossible, this is impossible, I don’t believe it…”

Wu Taitai wiped her tears as she followed Guogong Yé out of the room. She said, “Gongdiē, do you think Xu Ge’er has lost his mind?”

Guogong Yé was silent for a moment before responding, “When he wakes up, comfort him properly. Tomorrow, I’ll personally visit Canglan Academy to inquire about the situation.”

The next morning, Zhao Huanxi Xu Nian’an, Yin Luochen, Fu Yunjin, Zhao Jiazhen, and Xuan Jie’er prepared to go horseback riding at the racetrack outside the city.

Zhao Jiazhen said to Xuan Jie’er, “We’ll take the carriage with your Xiao Jiumu first. Once we reach the racetrack, we can pick a horse to ride. How about that?”

Xuan Jie’er replied, “Yimu, can you take the carriage with Jiumu? I want to ride the horse with Xiao Jiu.”

Knowing the girl’s stubborn temperament and unable to change her mind, Zhao Jiazhen relented. “Fine, but you mustn’t race ahead like last time at Canglan Academy. Stay close to your Xiao Jiu.”

Xuan Jie’er nodded eagerly.

As the group finished preparing to leave, Xu Moxiu and Lu Feng arrived.

Zhao Huanxi invited them to join the outing. Xu Moxiu hesitated, he didn’t know how to ride, but Lu Feng said, “Learning a new skill never hurts. If you don’t know how, why not learn?”

Left without an excuse, Xu Moxiu agreed.

After leaving, Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an had just boarded the carriage when they saw Xuan Jie’er climb in after them.

Zhao Jiazhen was surprised and asked, “Weren’t you going to ride the horse?”

Looking slightly embarrassed, Xuan Jie’er said, “I thought about it and decided, since Yimu and Jiumu are taking the carriage, I might as well join.”

Xu Nian’an noticed the faint blush on the girl’s cheeks and smiled knowingly to herself.

After finishing breakfast at the residence, Guogong Yé set out with Xiangzhong on horseback and rode to Canglan Academy.

Although today was a rest day, only the students from the capital had left. Those from other regions and the teachers remained at the academy.

On his way down the mountain to enjoy a small drink in the city with another teacher, Old Master Yanmei encountered Guogong Yé on the mountain path.

During the last painting boat excursion organised by Zhao Huanxi, Guogong Yé and Old Master Yanmei had a brief interaction. Naturally, upon meeting again, they exchanged pleasantries.

Hearing that Old Master Yanmei was one of the examiners for Canglan Academy’s entrance examinations, Guogong Yé expressed his doubts: why did Zhao Huanxu, who was more accomplished in academics, repeatedly fail the entrance exams, while Zhao Huanxi was admitted on his first attempt?

Old Master Yanmei explained: “Canglan Academy does not assess only essays but the virtue and wisdom revealed within them. There are many academies in the world, each with its own admission standards. Our Canglan Academy’s standard is that students must not only have the foundation to succeed in future imperial examinations but also be capable of becoming officials who will advocate for the people. Between Guogong Yé‘s two grandsons, while Huanxi’s essays are indeed less refined than Huanxu’s, the ideals expressed in Huanxi’s essays align more closely with Canglan Academy’s admission criteria.”

Guogong Yé understood and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, “Thanking Xiansheng for clearing up my doubts.”

At Jing Guogong Residence’s horse stable, San Laoyé Zhao Mingjun, who was in charge of managing the stable, learned that Zhao Huanxi and his group had arrived and personally went out to greet them.

In recent months, from observing the situation at residence, it seemed likely that the title would eventually pass to the First Branch. Since the establishment of Jing Guogong Residence, other assets had been distributed, but the horse stable had always remained under the residence’s ownership. Zhao Mingjun, eager to maintain good relations, hoped that when the First Branch inherited the title, they would entrust the management of the horse stable to their Third Branch.

“San Shu, I brought a few friends today. Are there still horses?” Zhao Huanxi asked.

Zhao Mingjun smiled and replied, “Yesterday, Da Sao sent word, saying you would come today to visit, and asked me to prepare a few docile and good horses for you.”

As Zhao Huanxi, along with Yin Luochen, Lu Feng, and Xu Nian’an, was about to head over to choose horses, a figure on horseback galloped from a distance. While riding, the person shouted loudly, “Zhao Huanxi!”

Zhao Huanxi turned his head and was surprised to see it was Nie Guocheng.

Today, Nie Guocheng was dressed in a red riding outfit, with a red headband tied around his head. The young man was handsome and full of vigor, galloping his horse towards them with a swift, majestic energy. As he approached, he pulled the reins sharply, causing his horse to stop suddenly, and the hot breath from the horse’s nostrils blew directly onto Xuan Jie’er’s face.

Xuan Jie’er was furious and opened her mouth to scold him, “You…” However, upon realizing that Xu Moxiu was behind her, she quickly changed her tone, her voice stiff: “You actually came?”

Nie Guocheng lifted his chin proudly. “Of course.”

Xuan Jie’er clenched her fist in silence.

Zhao Huanxi turned to Nie Guocheng and said, “You can have fun here for now. We’re going to choose horses.”

The group headed to the stables, and Zhao Huanxi carefully selected a small, chrysanthemum-colored mare for Xu Nian’an.

Xuan Jie’er was quite familiar with horses and didn’t need anyone’s help. She quickly led a horse out of the stable by herself.

Xu Moxiu, who knew nothing about horses, had originally intended to ask Lu Feng to help choose one. However, when he turned around, he saw Lu Feng heading straight toward Zhao Jiazhen.

“Zhao Guniang, I don’t know much about horses. Would you mind helping me pick one?” Lu Feng asked, starting a conversation with Zhao Jiazhen.

Zhao Jiazhen looked up and saw the handsome scholar standing elegantly beside her, his deep, peacock-like eyes gazing at her intently without blinking. She paused for a moment, then turned her attention to the horses in the stable. She reached out a delicate hand to stroke the face of the nearest horse and asked, “May I ask what kind of horse Lu Gongzi is looking for?”

“One that catches my eye, with a bit of a fiery temperament if possible,” Lu Feng replied.

Zhao Jiazhen paused her hand on the horse’s face, then, with a subtle smile curving her lips, she said, “Lu Gongzi is a scholar. It would be better to choose a horse with a gentle temperament.” She then called out to the stable boy nearby, instructing, “Please select a well-behaved, obedient horse for Lu Gongzi.”

Afterward, she politely nodded to Lu Feng, saying “Excuse me,” and walked over to join Xu Nian’an.

Lu Feng stood tall, his hands behind his back, watching her retreating figure.

The stable boy asked, “Lu Gongzi, would you like me to help you choose a horse?”

Lu Feng withdrew his gaze and, with a polite smile, replied, “No need, thank you.”

On the other side of the stable, Fu Yunjin withdrew his gaze from Lu Feng. Yin Luochen, standing beside him, whispered, “Did you see that? If you wait, others won’t.”

Fu Yunjin silently led a horse out of the stable without saying a word.

Yin Luochen, feeling frustrated but also a bit melancholic, thought about how the once passionate and spirited person had become like this. With a sigh, he led the horse away.

Xu Moxiu, lost in the thought that his friend had finally blossomed, was suddenly interrupted by a bright, slightly immature voice: “Ah Xiu Gege, why aren’t you picking a horse? Do you want me to help?”

Xu Moxiu turned around and saw Xuan Jie’er, holding a horse and watching him from not far away.

He replied seriously, “Xuan Guniang, it’s fine if you don’t want to call me ‘Jiujiu’, but you also can’t call me ‘Gege’. You address my sister as ‘Jiumu’, yet you call me ‘Gege’. Isn’t that mixing up the generations?”

Xuan Jie’er‘s face flushed, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. “I call my Xiao Jiumu ‘Jiumu’ because she married my Xiao Jiu. You haven’t become part of my family, so according to age, why can’t I call you ‘Gege’?”

Xu Moxiu: “…….” Why does he felt like he way being questioned?

“But I’m of the same generation as your Xiao Jiumu…”

“There are plenty of people in the world who are of the same generation as my Xiao Jiumu. Should I call them all ‘Jiujiu’? That’s a bit too convenient, don’t you think?” Xuan Jie’er said.

Xu Moxiu: “……” This was truly the saying: Scholar meets soldier, reason becomes unclear.

秀才遇见兵，有理讲不清 is a proverb meaning that when dealing with unreasonable people, it is impossible to reason with them.

Fortunately, Zhao Jiazhen quickly noticed the situation here and came over to ask, “Xuan Jie’er, what were you talking about with your Ah Xiu Jiujiu?”

“Nothing,” the young girl replied, stubbornly leading her horse away.

At the horse ranch, Zhao Huanxi adjusted the height of the stirrups. He helped Xu Nian’an onto the horse’s back and led the horse at a slow pace.

Xu Nian’an gripped tightly onto the pommel at the front of the saddle with both hands, passively swaying with the horse’s steps.

Zhao Huanxi looked up at her and asked, “How do you feel?”

Xu Nian’an, her little face tense, replied, “A bit nervous.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I won’t let you fall,” Zhao Huanxi reassured her gently.

Before long, Lu Feng arrived, leading a horse with Xu Moxiu on its back.

Xu Nian’an turned her head and saw her younger brother also looking tense and nervous. She couldn’t help but laugh and asked, “You come so suddenly today. Is there something?”

Xu Moxiu replied, “I originally planned to talk to Jiefu about the enrolment to Canglan Academy. The latest one can enrol is on the 5th of the Third Month, so these next few days are perfect for preparing.”

Upon hearing this topic, Zhao Huanxi’s enthusiasm visibly dimmed. While he liked the academic atmosphere of Canglan Academy and held great respect for Master Yanmei who treated him kindly, the thought of being able to return home only once every ten days was daunting! Even if Dong Jiejie often visited him, how long could she really stay each time?

Xu Nian’an glanced at Zhao Huanxi, who was leading her horse, and asked Xu Moxiu, “Do you know how the academy arranges accommodations?”

Xu Moxiu replied, “The dormitories are not very large. Generally, students of the same cohort are paired together, two to a room.”

Xu Nian’an said, “Your Jiefu has never lived away from home before. If he’s paired with a stranger, he might not adapt well. Could you speak with the academy teachers and request to share a room with him?”

Xu Moxiu hesitated. “This… might not comply with the rules.”

Lu Feng interjected, “You just need to mention that Huanxi occasionally sleepwalks, and sharing a room with someone else might scare them. The teachers will naturally agree to adjust the room assignments for you two. The other students won’t mind either.”

Xu Moxiu looked at his friend in disbelief: “……..”

Xu Nian’an chuckled. “Lu Gongzi’s suggestion is excellent. Just to be safe, I’ll prepare a medical prescription for your Jiufu to bring with him.”

Zhao Huanxi: “….…”

On the other side, Xuan Jie’er galloped her horse at full speed, feeling exhilarated. Just as she slowed down a little, Nie Guocheng caught up from behind.

“Not bad! I didn’t expect you to be such a good rider at such a young age” he shouted.

Xuan Jie’er glanced at him and replied proudly, “Of course! My father is General Huaiyuan!”

Nie Guocheng was even prouder than her: “My father is General Zhenbei.”

Xuan Jie’er: “My grandfather is General Dingyuan.”

Nie Guocheng: “My grandfather is also General Zhenbei.”

Xuan Jie’er: “I have five younger siblings.”

Nie Guocheng: “I have four older siblings.”

Satisfied, Xuan Jie’er lifted her chin and said, “Your father isn’t as good at having kids as my dad!” With that, she tugged her reins and rode off.

Nie Guocheng scratched his head in confusion. How did this conversation suddenly turn into a competition about whose father was better at having children?

Zhao Jiazhen was trotting on her horse when Yin Luochen, accompanied by Fu Yunjin, caught up to her.

Yin Luochen asked, “Biaojie, does your jewellery shop have any silver hairpins for men?”

Zhao Jiazhen glanced at Fu Yunjin, who had been wearing a silver hairpin due to observing the mourning ritual of Qisui.

齐衰 (zi cui or qi cui) is the second level of mourning attire in traditional Chinese customs, made from coarse hemp fabric with neatly sewn edges, worn to honour close relatives during a mourning period.

“Of course, we have. When you go, just say you’re my cousin, and they’ll give you a discount,” Zhao Jiazhen replied.

“Biaojie, when will you visit the jewellery shop? You’ve got a good eye. Help my Biao Xiong pick out a few,” Yin Luochen said.

“That’ll take a few days.”

“A few days is fine, one can wait however many days it takes.”

As Yin Luochen said this, the three of them happened to ride past Xu Nian’an, Xu Moxiu, and their group.

Lu Feng glanced up briefly, his expression as calm as ever.

Yin Furen had instructed them to return before dinner time, so Zhao Jiazhen, Xuan Jie’er, and the others played for a while before heading to the stables to return the horses.

Lu Feng and Xu Moxiu, naturally, did not join them for dinner at the Jing Guogong Residence. Once they left the riding ground, the two groups went their separate ways.

In the carriage heading back to the Lu Residence, Xu Moxiu glanced at Lu Feng and raised an eyebrow. “No wonder you insisted on tagging along to see my Jiefu today. Turns out the old drunkard’s intent is not on the wine.”

醉翁之意不在酒 (zuìwēng zhī yì bù zài jiǔ) is an idiom. It referred to the author expressing that his true intention in the pavilion was not drinking wine but appreciating the mountain scenery. Gradually the meaning becomes: the main intention lies elsewhere / there is an ulterior motive.

Lu Feng smiled faintly, remaining composed. “At my age, isn’t it natural to feel a bit of the stirring of love?”

“You just broke off your engagement with the Guogong Residence’s Fifth Branch last year, and now your heart is set on someone from their First Branch? Will your family agree to this?” Xu Moxiu asked.

“The fault in breaking off the engagement wasn’t mine, and it was Guogong Yé himself who approached my father about it. Why shouldn’t I seek to marry someone from the First Branch? It won’t be easy to convince my family, of course, but my grandmother dotes on me, and my father is exceedingly filial. Persuading my grandmother won’t be too difficult,” Lu Feng replied.

“If you’re that confident, just convince your family to have your father approach the Guogong Family for a marriage proposal. Why go through all this trouble?” Xu Moxiu asked.

Lu Feng shook his head. “She was already wronged in her first marriage, and now that she’s separated, her mother will surely prioritise her wishes. If I want to marry her, it’s not enough for the elders to agree, she must consent as well.”

Xu Moxiu said, “From what I saw, that Biao Di of hers who is staying at the Guogong Residence seems to have feelings for her too. He has the advantage of being close by, while you, on the other hand, have to rely on me just to meet her. How do you compete with that?”

Lu Feng smiled. “I still need your help. Ask your sister where they plan to go for spring outings during the Shangsi Festival.”

Xu Moxiu held his forehead. “Will meeting her a few more times really make a difference?”

Lu Feng said, “Not seeing her would leave me with no chance at all. Let me try first. If it doesn’t work, I’ll win over your Jiefu and have him help me win over his third sister.”

“You’re blindly confident. No matter how close you are with my Jiefu, can your relationship surpass that of a Biao brothers? Why would he help you and not his Biao Ge?”

“No matter how close cousins are, can their bond surpass that of siblings? Those two cousins are both from Jinling. If his San Jie were to marry one of them, she’d have to marry far away like his mother did. He’s seen what happens when someone marries far away. If things go poorly, the maternal family can’t intervene. Even if she isn’t mistreated, not seeing each other for years would still weigh on their minds. Wouldn’t it be better for her to marry me? We’d live in the same city, visit frequently, and she wouldn’t have to worry about being mistreated by a mother-in-law. As for me, am I worse than those two cousins? To sum it up, as long as Zhao San Guniang doesn’t dislike me, your Jiefu and Yin Furen will know what choice to make.”

Xu Moxiu laughed and sighed. “Your plans are so meticulous that it seems like you’ve already arranged your strategy like a military formation. At this rate, it won’t be long before you become my Jiefu’s Jiefu.”

Night fell in Shenhui Courtyard.

Zhao Huanxi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thinking about how he would be leaving home for Canglan Academy in a few days.

What frustrated him most was that everyone around him seemed joyful about his departure. Not a single person expressed reluctance for him to leave, including Dong Jiejie!

He turned his head to look at Xu Nian’an, who was sleeping beside him, and recalled how she had mentioned earlier in the day that she would give him a medicine prescription for sleepwalking to take to the academy. The thought made his anger bubble up.

Xu Nian’an, with her eyes closed, was just beginning to drift into sleep when the blanket was suddenly lifted, and someone crawled in.

Startled, she opened her eyes and saw it was Zhao Huanxi. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Sleepwalking!” Zhao Huanxi huffed, pulling the blanket up over both of them as he spoke.

“Hahahahaha, stop it!”

“Hmph! I’m sleepwalking. Whatever you say, I can’t hear it!”

“Stop messing around! Hahahaha!”

The blanket wriggled back and forth for a while before finally settling. After a moment of stillness, a soft voice broke the silence.

“I can’t breathe,” Xu Nian’an murmured.

Zhao Huanxi immediately lifted the blanket. Both their faces were flushed red from the lack of air. Xu Nian’an’s lips were moist and glistening under the dim light, reflecting an alluring sheen.

The sight made Zhao Huanxi even more heartbroken. Even if he wanted to do the writing-line punishment, it would take ten days to see her once.

“You really don’t care about me at all! You’re a cold-hearted cunning person!” He collapsed onto the bed, resting his forehead against her pillow, unmoving.

Xu Nian’an said, “I think seeing you once every ten days is acceptable. If it were only once a month, we might find it hard to get used to it. Why don’t you try coming home just once a month and see if I’d miss you?”

Zhao Huanxi shot up, both angry and exasperated. “You—”

“Alright, alright!” Xu Nian’an cupped his face in her hands, her smile blooming like a flower. “Of course, I’ll miss you. But for the sake of your future, even though I don’t want you to leave, I have to pretend I’m fine with it. Attending Canglan Academy will benefit your entire life. We’ll have a lifetime to be together, and how many years will you even spend at Canglan? Once you pass the imperial exams, you won’t need to go anymore. I’m already feeling sad, but if you keep acting like this, I’ll feel even worse.”

Zhao Huanxi’s dark eyes glistened. “Really?”

Xu Nian’an thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t you just not go? Studying at the Imperial Academy can also lead to becoming an official.”

Zhao Huanxi immediately retorted, “No way. If Zhao Huanxu can take the exam on his own, then I will too!”

He climbed off her, mulled it over for a while, and finally sighed. “Fine, I’ll go.”

Xu Nian’an said with a smile, “You don’t really have a choice. If you dare not go, your mother would probably fall ill on the spot just to make you regret it!”

✦

On the first day of the Third Month, Zhao Huanxi invited his friends from the Imperial Academy out for a meal to bid them farewell.

On the second day of the Third Month, Canglan Academy sent his acceptance letter along with the academy uniform. Yin Furen quickly summoned the seamstresses to adjust the uniform to Zhao Huanxi’s measurements.

On the third day of the Third Month, it was the Shangsi Festival day. The court and the academy both had a break day. With everything smooth and peaceful at home, Yin Furen, in a good mood, took the whole family out for a spring outing by Jinming Lake.