In Qingyunzhai, the scholars gathered together as if by prior arrangement. Some talked about their feelings after the exam, some discussed the current political situation, and some chatted about gossip in the capital.
"Did you know? Juxian Pavilion is under renovation and will reopen soon!" A scholar had just finished speaking.
Several people gathered around, their eyes shining. "Really? If I make the list, I'll definitely book a table there to celebrate!"
"Of course it's true. My mother said there was a job posting in front of the restaurant."
"Did your mother say that if you don't pass the exam, she'll make you work as a waiter in a restaurant?" a scholar teased, which immediately caused everyone to burst into laughter.
The scholar who started gossiping waved his sleeve and said, "Go away, who wants to be a waiter? If I don't pass, I can always take the exam again in three years."
Su Jin stood in front of the wall, looking at the poems on it. One was signed "Mingyue" and the other "Yueniang". Su Jin recognized her elder sister's handwriting at a glance.
There were also several catchy poems, which were probably the ones that Sui Sui brought to the private school.
I grabbed a book from the bookshelf and went to the window. The rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, and the raindrops hit the ground, creating bubbles.
"Brother Su, I knew you would come to the study. How are you? Have you recovered your energy after a good night's rest?"
He heard Zhen Jingxiu's voice from behind, and then patted him on the shoulder.
Su Jin turned around and looked at Zhen Jingxiu, who was tall and handsome, with clear and bright eyes.
"It's alright. I didn't stay up late much during those days at the examination hall. Jingxiu, you've recovered quite well too."
Su Jin glanced out the window as she spoke, “One autumn rain brings one chill; autumn comes earlier in the capital than in Yannan.”
“Yannan is truly a wonderful place. Just look at Suisui; she looks like a doll straight out of a New Year’s painting. Her father must be exceptionally handsome.” Zhen Jingxiu said as he sat down opposite Su Jin.
Looking up, he saw Su Jin's brows furrow slightly, and he quickly realized that this was a topic that shouldn't be discussed.
"This rain won't stop anytime soon, Brother Su, why don't you stay at the study for lunch today? I'll have someone bring some wine and dishes over here in a bit, and we can have a few drinks together."
"My sister is home today. I'll go back when the rain stops," Su Jin said truthfully.
Zhen Jingxiu knew that Jiang Shuyue ran a clinic and only had time to stay at home with her family when it rained, so he didn't insist that she stay any longer.
The two had barely sat down when some scholars noticed them and came over to greet them.
...
The next day, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. The air was filled with a moist scent, and the trees emitted a unique fragrance that made people feel refreshed and relaxed.
After leaving the post station, a group of people headed straight for the capital.
Xiao Dai lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out the window. The scenery along the roadside rushed past, making it seem as if the car was traveling faster than they had come from.
"Big sister, please tell the driver to slow down. The leaves here aren't as green as those in Yannan. They're red like flowers, and they're quite pretty."
Not satisfied with just watching, Xiao Yun simply lifted the carriage curtain even wider.
Xiao Dai was afraid that she might accidentally fall out of the carriage, so she quickly reached out and hugged her around the waist.
"Little sister, don't be too playful. We've already lingered long enough on the road. If we're any slower, we won't reach the capital before dark."
"If I weren't thinking about seeing my dear nephew, I would also like to visit Qinglian Temple."
Xiao Yun had heard the postmaster at the inn mention it, and he had mentioned it twice along the way.
Xiao Dai patted her younger sister's head gently, as if petting a cat, and said softly, "There will be many opportunities to go to Qinglian Temple in the future, there's no need to rush. The capital is more lively than Laiyang City, with more people coming and going from the north and south. Once we're in the capital, you mustn't wander around."
Xiao Yun simply lay down on Xiao Dai's lap, thinking about the scene of her nephew seeing her.
I fell asleep while thinking about it.
In order to make a quick trip, they had lunch at a roadside tavern. Xiao Yun was thinking about the delicious food in the imperial kitchen, so she only took a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.
Tired from admiring the scenery along the way, I simply fell asleep on the soft couch in the carriage.
"This servant respectfully welcomes Princess Chang Le. Please alight from the carriage, Your Highness."
"who?"
Xiao Yun was woken up and sat up abruptly.
Huh! Why is it so dark?
Just as Xiao Yun was losing track of time, a head popped out from beside the carriage. "Is Princess Chang Le awake yet?"
"Who is Chang Le?" Xiao Yun quickly lifted the carriage curtain and poked her head out.
The palace lanterns in the distance illuminated the halls, making them resplendent and magnificent, far more spectacular than the Prince of Yan's mansion.
"Welcome Princess Chang Le."
As soon as Xiao Yun peeked out, she saw several palace maids and eunuchs kneel down in unison.
She was the only one left in the carriage. Who else could it be but Princess Chang Le?
She slapped her forehead: "How could I have forgotten about that?"
It turns out that her second brother gave her the title of Chang Le, which she liked.
She waved her hand magnanimously, "Stop kneeling, get up! Have you seen where my mother, no, my empress, and my eldest sister went?"
The palace maid at the front stood up and reached out to support Chang Le's arm, "Princess, please get out of the carriage slowly. The Empress Dowager and Princess Yonghe have already gone to Cining Palace."
Oh, without a doubt, I've been left behind.
"How long have I been here? Why didn't Mother and my eldest sister wake me up?" Chang Le asked, rubbing her eyes as she got off the carriage.
"Your Highness, it was His Majesty who saw that you were sleeping soundly, so he ordered us to stay here and wait for you to wake up."
The palace maids didn't say anything; they had been waiting for almost half an hour. Seeing that the palace lights had already been turned on, they were afraid that Princess Chang Le would catch a cold while sleeping in the carriage, so they mustered up the courage to call her a few times.
"Will you all be following me from now on?" The lighting was dim, and Xiao Yun couldn't see their faces clearly. Seeing that the palace maids were about the same height as her, she asked.
The palace maids answered in unison, "Yes, we are all from Chang Le Palace, and we will serve Princess Chang Le from now on."
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