As the night fell, I felt the cold wind getting even colder. The servants hung red lanterns in the yard, and the faint moonlight from the sky intertwined with a little halo, falling on people, making them look particularly gentle.
Bai Shan sent Man Bao back to the yard where she lived. The two of them stepped on the shadows under their feet and couldn't help but look up at the moon in the sky. After admiring it, Man Bao said: "The moon is also quite beautiful when it's missing."
Bai Shan nodded.
Bai Shan sent her to the entrance of the hospital, "Go to rest early. Let's go play on the street together tomorrow."
Man Bao nodded.
Seeing her go in, Bai Shan turned around and went back to his yard. Aunt Liu turned on the light for him with a smile. Only then did Bai Shan notice her, with a look of surprise on his face, "When did you get here?"
Aunt Liu: "...the old lady is worried and asked the old slave to light the lamp for the young master." Did you realize this after following me all the way?
Bai Shan was a little embarrassed, "Thank you for your hard work, mama. I can just go back by myself."
After saying that, he reached out and took the lamp from her hand.
Aunt Liu did not force herself and gave the lamp to him, and waited until he had gone far before returning to the main courtyard.
Daji was standing aside with his hands folded to report the matter, reporting what the young master and the others had done during this period, as well as the news he had heard about Yizhou City.
Mrs. Liu nodded slightly and let him go down.
Aunt Liu smiled and poured her a cup of tea and said, "I see that the young master has grown up and become more sensible. This time we met, he was much less naughty."
Mrs. Liu smiled and nodded, "So boys should go out for a while. The more they experience, the more calm their personalities will be."
Mrs. Liu paused and then said: "Mr. Zhuang taught me well..."
She sighed and said: "Some things still need to be taught by a father. He doesn't have a father. Fortunately, he has a good teacher."
If Mr. Zhuang didn't talk about some of the things that happened in the past few months, Bai Shan and the others would probably have to look back many years later to see some of the secrets.
And by then, they had taken many detours.
And even she doesn't see certain things as clearly as Mr. Zhuang.
Students are easy to find, but good teachers are hard to find, especially those who are willing to give everything they have to teach you.
Mrs. Liu said: "Go to the street tomorrow to see if there are any gifts suitable for Mr. Zhuang. We have to buy some to celebrate the winter solstice for him."
Aunt Liu bowed and said "Yes."
Although the congratulatory gifts for the Bai Yu family have been prepared, Mrs. Liu still wanted to visit Yizhou City since it was a rare occasion.
Check out new fabrics, clothing styles, jewelry, etc.
Ms. Zheng also likes to visit this kind of store. As soon as she started shopping, she grabbed Man Bao's hand and liked to touch her clothes and jewelry.
She wanted to buy a lot of things, but Manbao was only willing to accept one set. If she gave more, she would buy gifts and return them.
Mrs. Zheng also knew that she was not well-off, at least she couldn't buy clothes and jewelry so unscrupulously, so she could only enjoy herself by gesticulating on her.
She said regretfully: "It would be great if I also had a daughter."
Mrs. Liu also said nothing with regret. If her son had lived a few more years, he would have had more sons, not to mention daughters.
Bai Shan and Bai Erlang stood far away and said, "Mom, if you like it, go dress up Manbao. Isn't it just fun?"
Mrs. Zheng was very excited, but Man Bao was unwilling, "Bai Shan is fair and handsome. He has a hairpin and no one can tell he is a boy. Aunt Zheng can give him a try..."
Bai Shan knew that she had no good intentions.
Mrs. Liu watched them bickering with a smile. When she lowered her head and saw a set of pearl jewelry, she immediately pointed to the shopkeeper and said, "Take it out and let me take a look."
"yes."
This set of pearl jewelry is very small and cute, just suitable for a lively and playful little girl. Mrs. Liu waved to Manbao and put a pearl flower on the small tuck on her head. It was really beautiful.
Mrs. Liu smiled and said: "This is good. Bring her the bronze mirror and show it to her. The little girl should dress up more lively. You just used a red rope on your head before, which was too simple."
Man Bao looked down and saw that it was very beautiful.
Mrs. Liu then took off the pearl flowers and handed them to the shopkeeper. She smiled and said, "Wrap up the whole set. Let's go and look at other things."
Madam Liu bought another set of ruby jewelry for Zheng, and some gold jewelry for herself. Bai Shan and Bai Erlang also got some jade jewelry, and then everyone went home.
Not long after they arrived home, Mr. Bai arrived. He came from another place, so he did not go with Mrs. Liu and the others.
But the banquet will be held tomorrow, and he has to arrive today anyway, and he is not coming alone. He has brought his eldest son with him.
He said with a smile: "Dalang has been recommended by their husband, and he will go to Beijing to take the exam in the next year. It would be good if he can be admitted to the Imperial College, but if he fails, I am thinking of finding him an academy in the capital to study temporarily.
It’s okay to take the exam again next year.”
Mrs. Liu was pleasantly surprised, "Is Zhi'er so powerful?"
Bai Zhi stood aside calmly, and bowed slightly shyly: "My uncle and aunt have praised me too much. My good cousin is better than me. He was admitted to a private school at a young age. I heard from his father that now my good cousin has entered the A-level.
It’s time to go to work.”
Bai Shan naturally returned humbly.
Bai Erlang felt his tooth hurt when he heard this, and whispered to Man Bao: "We are all a family, why do we need to be so polite? It made me want to sleep."
Man Bao nodded with deep understanding, but he still listened with interest. It would be good to learn it, maybe he could use it tomorrow.
Sure enough, they were using these polite words early the next morning.
Mr. Zhuang wanted to take three of his disciples to join in the excitement of Qixia Guan Touxiang. Of course, Mr. Bai also took his eldest son with him. Like them, there were quite a few literati who brought their own students, sons or grandsons to join in the fun.
.
The road up the mountain from Qixia Temple was crowded with people, among whom the most were scholars wearing wide robes and long sleeves.
Everyone meets each other on the road, and everyone who knows them or doesn't know them bows their hands in greeting, but when they meet someone they know well, it's a big deal.
Mr. Zhuang knew a lot of people, and many people caught Bai Shan and Man Bao Ke enthusiastically praising them.
Mr. Zhuang wanted to return the compliment. Naturally, the students who were praised would be humble, so Man Bao and Bai Shan bowed together and humbly returned the compliment.
Although none of them have seen the brother across from them today, or even heard of him, they can never go wrong by praising his appearance, demeanor and knowledge.
Mr. Zhuang, who was infallible, accepted these compliments and picked up Bai Zhi. After all, Bai Zhi was his first knowledge after arriving in Qili Village. Mr. Bai invited Mr. Zhuang to study with Bai Zhi in the first place.
Going to Qili Village.
Later, Bai Zhi went to Mianzhou to take the imperial examination and followed Mr. Zhuang's path. He also kept answering some of his questions in the form of letters.
Although he did not become a disciple, Manbao and the others still called him senior brother in Mr. Zhuang's place.
When they learned that Bai Zhi had been recommended to take the Imperial Examination at this age, acquaintances they met on the road, whether sincerely or not, all praised Bai Zhi.
Then Mr. Zhuang took the young disciples out and walked around. After each disciple was praised, Mr. Zhuang was satisfied and took them to Qixia Temple.