Suddenly, Sister-in-law Wang slammed her hand on the table. "Oh right, there's another academy with very strict requirements, called Bailu... It's extremely difficult to get in. Hanxue couldn't get in back then."
Ye Panjiu understood. "Okay, thank you, sister-in-law."
"Not at all, we're all from the same village," Sister Wang said warmly, taking Ye Panjiu's hand.
It seems everyone was right; Pan Jiu has become a completely different person since she was divorced, and she's getting better and better.
As the two left Aunt Wang's house, Ye Panjiu made arrangements, "After we finish selling the braised food tomorrow, let Ming'er come with us to the county academy. This matter cannot be delayed."
Mrs. Sun nodded vigorously, "Okay."
She actually wanted Lei'er to study with her, but when he was little, Lei'er didn't like going to school. He would skip school whenever she sent him, and he wouldn't go even if she beat him, so she gave up on the idea.
I wonder who he took after to dislike studying so much!
The next day, just as Ye Panjiu had predicted, another stall selling braised food appeared.
Aunt Qingfutou still looked at the group with resentment.
Ye Panjiu didn't mind. She already had a stable customer base, and many families would order braised food from her every day.
She still greeted the guests with a smile, her emotions remarkably stable.
After selling out within the normal time, the group packed up their stall.
"Santian, thank you for your hard work. We'll go home today to pick up Ming'er, and then we'll have to go to the county again." Ye Panjiu prepared to give Ye Santian another ten coins.
Ye Santian hurriedly waved his hand, "Sister Panjiu, please don't give it to me. Forty coins is more than enough. Even if I have to make two more trips a day, it's still more than enough."
Seeing that he refused to accept the money, Ye Panjiu had no choice but to put it away.
I'll give more holiday gifts to my neighbors during festivals and holidays.
She knew very well how important it was to get along well with her neighbors in the countryside.
This is about building a risk defense network so that if any difficulties arise, neighbors will lend a helping hand if they can.
Ye Ming was very excited today. Last night, his aunt said she would take him to the academy today.
He took a thorough bath last night and even wore his clothes with the fewest patches.
He was about to continue burning charcoal when Ye Daniu objected.
"There's no rush, don't get yourself dirty."
Ye Ming had no choice but to sit down on a stool, his heart pounding so hard he couldn't calm down.
He stood up again and paced back and forth.
"Don't be nervous, you'll definitely be able to do it." Ye Daniu was dizzy from being shaken.
"Okay," Ye Ming replied, still walking back and forth in circles.
"..."
Ye Daniu simply changed seats, turning his back to him and refusing to look at him.
The distant sound of the bells around the old ox's neck echoed through the air.
"They're here!" Ye Ming strode forward and opened the courtyard gate.
He rolled up his sleeves and helped unload the truck.
Ye Erniu also carried a pile of firewood home.
After everything was settled, Ye Panjiu, Ye Erniu, Sun Shi, and Ye Ming boarded the oxcart.
After all, this was a matter of great importance, and Ye Erniu didn't want to miss it.
The oxcart headed towards the county.
"Let's go straight to Bailu Academy first, and if that doesn't work, we'll go somewhere else," Ye Panjiu decided.
Sun wanted to open her mouth, but after looking at Ye Ming, she swallowed it back down.
Is this even possible? Hanxue attended school for two extra years, and he still hasn't passed...
Ye Ming knew that Bailu was better than the other two schools and harder to get into, but he didn't want to give up without even trying.
Ye Santian didn't know about Bailu Academy, so the group asked for directions.
When they passed a cloth shop, Ye Panjiu bought Ye Ming a white long gown and a Dongpo scarf, both of which were popular among scholars.
“Appearance is also important,” Ye Panjiu said.
After Ye Ming changed, he instantly became several times more elegant, his shoulders and back straight, like a pine or cypress.
Mrs. Sun circled around, admiring him. "As expected of my son, so handsome!"
Ye Ming blushed with embarrassment.
Ye Panjiu paid the money; the outfit cost five hundred coins.
No wonder it was difficult for poor families to produce scholars in ancient times; this outfit must have been quite expensive.
Finally, the oxcart entered through the east gate and exited through the west gate.
Bailu Academy is not located in Qingshui County, but rather on Qingshan Mountain in the west of the county.
The oxcart could only reach the foot of the mountain; the academy was at the top.
Ye Santian stayed on the oxcart to wait for them.
Ye Panjiu looked at the long staircase speechlessly. Did the teachers of these academies not have to go down the mountain?
Fortunately, all four of them had done a lot of work during the day, so they were only a little out of breath after climbing up.
The gate of the academy was built to be very tall.
Ye Ming looked at the door and clenched his hands inside his sleeves.
Ye Panjiu secretly admired the academy, thinking to herself that it seemed quite extraordinary.
This gate is made of large blocks of granite, and there are such long steps; it must have cost a lot to build.
She led the way inside.
A blue brick road meandered forward, and after walking for a while, the group finally encountered someone.
He was also wearing a gray long gown, a square scarf on his head, and holding a book in his hand, muttering to himself.
Ye Ming stepped forward and gave a scholar's bow. "Brother, may I ask where the head of the academy is?"
The man looked at them curiously and returned their greeting. "You're planning to enter the academy, aren't you?"
Ye Ming nodded.
"Please follow me." The man turned and led the way.
Ye Panjiu raised an eyebrow; this person was very polite.
After walking along the winding path for a while, pavilions and towers came into view.
It is antique and elegant, with carved beams and painted rafters, and a lifelike silver white deer rising in the center.
That's quite a grand gesture!
Ye Panjiu paused in surprise. This Bailu Academy was definitely not simple, yet it was hidden so discreetly in the little-known Qingshui County, which made it even more extraordinary.
The man walked up to the shortest house and knocked on the door. "Dean Bai, a new student has arrived."
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