Chapter 1312: Chapter 1290 Diligence
Manbao felt that the reason she was shorter than Bai Shan and Bai Erlang was because she had to remember more things than the two of them.
Of course, Bai Shan didn’t agree with her on this point, because he also had a lot to remember.
Especially after entering the Imperial Academy, their courses had increased significantly. Some lessons were beyond Mr. Zhuang’s ability to teach, and they had to learn directly from the scholars at the Imperial Academy.
With exams approaching, there was even more to memorize. Bai Erlang stayed at the Academy for extra hours after classes, let alone Bai Shan.
Yin Huo had overexerted himself mentally and fallen ill. Manbao had to visit him personally for a diagnosis. She gave him acupuncture and advised, "Don’t strain yourself too much."
Old Madam Yin immediately chimed in, "That’s right, Qilang, being able to study is already excellent. The family doesn’t need you to pursue glory, so there’s no need to exhaust yourself like this."
The siblings who had rushed home after hearing of his illness, including Eldest Sister Yin and others, echoed her sentiments, cajoling him incessantly. Their intent was clear: if he fell ill again, what would happen to them?
Besides, Fourth Miss Yin and Fifth Sister Yin were already discussing marriage proposals, and were almost settled. Him being ill at such a time would not bode well for their prospects either.
Yin Huo remained silent throughout. Manbao thought he was remarkably composed, showing no change in expression despite the noisy onslaught.
She disliked long-winded persuasion. After prescribing a medicine, she packed up her things and left, throwing him a single remark as she departed, "Don’t be greedy for too much at once."
After pondering her words, the perpetually silent Yin Huo nodded. After three days of resting at home, he returned to the Academy, but stopped pushing himself as hard as Bai Shan and the others.
Now, he attended classes diligently, completed the assignments given by his instructors, and read books he was genuinely interested in. He no longer forced himself to memorize all the material from his lessons.
Occasionally, he strolled through the garden, tugging on tree branches or picking at the leaves still stubbornly clinging to the trees.
When he returned to the classroom after his wanderings, Bai Shan was still clutching a book, half-closing his eyes as he muttered to himself. Scanning the room, more than half of the students had already left. Yin Huo walked over, tapped Bai Shan’s desk, and asked, "Were you like this back when you were at the Prefecture Academy, working so hard whenever exams approached?"
Bai Shan silently recited the passage twice in his mind, confirmed he had memorized it, then closed the book and looked up. "I did work hard, but not to this extent. Back at the Prefecture Academy, I didn’t need to push myself as much to finish among the top."
Yin Huo was curious. "Is finishing among the top really that important?"
Bai Shan tilted his head. "Isn’t it important to finish among the top?"
Yin Huo thought for a moment and shook his head. "I’ve been reflecting on it these past few days and it doesn’t seem all that important."
So he decided he wouldn’t compete with them anymore.
Bai Shan closed his eyes and rested, saying, "It’s probably quite important. Anyway, I don’t want to be worse than others. I’m not any less capable than they are. Besides, I want to take the imperial examinations soon."
Yin Huo said, "Why the rush? You’re still young."
"Not that young. Lord Yang took the exams at seventeen, didn’t he?"
Yin Huo laughed. "You’re comparing yourself to Senior Brother Yang? Do you know he’s a renowned talent in the capital?"
"I know. By the way, tomorrow is a day off. Lord Tang is hosting a gathering in his garden. Senior Brother Yang will be there too. Want to come?"
Yin Huo hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is it alright to show up uninvited like this?"
Bai Shan replied, "Lord Yang and Lord Tang know you. It’s fine. If you want to come, we’ll take you along."
Yin Huo pondered it deeply.
If Mingxue was his later idol, then Yang Heshu was someone Yin Huo had always admired, while County Magistrate Tang was someone he had envied.
In the past, because of his poor health, he had only seen them from afar on two occasions without exchanging a word. Yet, he had heard plenty about them from his sisters.
Especially since two of his elder sisters were of similar age to them and had once harbored secret affections for them.
Unfortunately, aside from Eldest Sister Yin, the others were born to concubines and could only secretly gather to discuss such matters, not daring to voice them aloud as marriage proposals.
When he was ill, his sisters liked to congregate around him and chat, and he had often listened to them praise the two men.
So Yin Huo hesitated briefly but eventually nodded in agreement.
Bai Shan, ever easygoing, nodded in return. "Alright. Tomorrow we’ll swing by your place to pick you up, or do you want to go by yourself?"
"I’ll go myself. We agreed to meet outside at a specific time."
Bai Shan nodded.
Tang He and Yang Heshu had been back for some time now, but there hadn’t been an opportunity for them to gather with Bai Shan and the others. Primarily because they were busy, and Bai Shan and his group had their own obligations.
This time, they finally found the opportunity. The occasion arose partly because things had settled down for Tang He and Yang Heshu, and partly because they estimated Bai Shan and his group would be heading back home soon. They coordinated a time when everyone was available.
That evening, another heavy snowfall hit the capital. Manbao pushed open the door and felt the cold air rush against her face. She couldn’t help but take a long breath and exhale deeply.
She rubbed her hands together and amused herself by jumping into the snow, stomping around until it creaked beneath her feet. Only then, delighted, did she grab a wooden basin and head to the kitchen to fetch hot water for washing up.
After she left, Bai Shan yawned and came out as well. The two of them washed up, changed clothes, and took on their respective tasks—one knocking on Bai Erlang’s door, and the other fetching water to help Mr. Zhuang wash up.
After breakfast, they read for a bit. As the agreed-upon meeting time approached, they returned to their rooms, took out newly crafted fox fur cloaks, put them on, and eagerly ran out the door.
Mr. Zhuang watched as the three of them trotted off excitedly and chuckled, shaking his head before calling out, "Come back early."
The trio responded loudly from a distance, already running to the front courtyard to board the carriage.
Manbao’s fox fur cloak was white, made from fox pelts gifted by the Empress. Bai Shan and Bai Erlang wore gray ones. Manbao also owned a gray cloak, but the fabric was not from Zhou SiLang’s collection; instead, it was purchased by Old Madam Liu for their tailoring.
The quality of the fabric was excellent, far superior to the batch provided by Zhou SiLang.
Bai Erlang glanced at her white cloak enviously and said, "Why aren’t you wearing the same as us?"
Manbao replied, "White looks better in snowy weather."
Bai Shan cast her a quick glance, then averted his gaze, only to glance again. A faint smile crept across his face as he nodded. "It does look good."
Bai Erlang shot him a look and turned away, huffing. "But we’re supposed to match. You should have worn the same as us to show unity, like when we go to class and everyone wears similar uniforms."
Manbao countered, "I’m not going to class. When I return home, I’ll wear the gray one—it’s more durable."
Bai Shan nodded approvingly. "That’s a smart choice."
Bai Erlang glared at him and decided it was better to stop talking, since Bai Shan always agreed with whatever Zhou Man said these days.
When they arrived at the Tang Residence, the Yin Family’s carriage was already waiting there. Seeing them disembark, Yin Huo stepped down as well, using the small stool by the carriage.
He also wore a gray cloak, coincidentally matching theirs.
As he walked forward on the snow, which crunched beneath his feet, Daji took out the invitation and knocked on the door. The staff at the Tang Residence soon opened it and ushered them inside. "Young Master Yang and Madam Yang have already arrived. Please, esteemed guests, come in."