Chapter 743 Praising each other
As the night deepened, the wind seemed to grow even colder. The servants hung red lanterns in the yard, which intertwined with the pale moonlight from the sky to create a halo of light, which fell on people, making them look particularly gentle.
Bai Shan sent Man Bao back to her courtyard. 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 for a while, Man Bao said, "The waning moon is also very beautiful."
Bai Shan nodded.
Bai Shan sent her to the gate of the courtyard and said, "Rest early. We will go to the street to play together tomorrow."
Manbao nodded.
After seeing her go in, Bai Shan turned back to his own courtyard. Aunt Liu smiled and turned on the light for him. Bai Shan then noticed her and asked in surprise, "When did Aunt Liu come?"
Matron Liu: “…The old lady was worried, so she asked this old servant to hold a lamp for the young master.” You only just discovered this after I’ve been following you all the way?
Bai Shan was a little embarrassed and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam. I can go back by myself."
After saying that, he reached out and took the lamp from her hand.
Nanny Liu didn't force him and gave him the lamp. She waited until he was far away before returning to the main courtyard.
Daji was standing aside with his hands folded, reporting on what the young master and his men had done during this period, as well as the news he had heard about Yizhou City.
Madam Liu nodded slightly and let him go.
Aunt Liu smiled and poured her a cup of tea, saying, "I've noticed that the young master has grown up and become much more sensible. This time when we met, he was actually much less mischievous."
Madam Liu smiled and nodded, "So boys should go out and explore more. With more experience, their personalities will naturally become more stable."
Madam Liu paused and said, "It's also Mr. Zhuang's good teaching..."
She sighed and said, "Some things still need to be taught by a father. He doesn't have a father, but fortunately he has a good teacher."
If Mr. Zhuang hadn't told us 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 figure out some of the tricks.
By then, they had no idea how many detours they had taken.
But even she didn't see things as clearly as Mr. Zhuang did.
It is easy to find students, but it is difficult to find a good teacher, especially one who is willing to teach you everything he knows.
Madam Liu said, "Let's go to the street tomorrow and see if there are any gifts suitable for Mr. Zhuang. We must buy some to celebrate the Winter Solstice for him."
Madam Liu bowed and replied, "Yes."
Although the gifts for the Bai Yu family have been prepared, it is a rare trip to Yizhou City, so Mrs. Liu still wants to take a look around.
Check out new fabrics, clothing styles, jewelry, etc.
Zheng also liked to go to this kind of store. As soon as they started shopping, she grabbed Manbao's hand and liked to try on clothes and jewelry on her.
She wanted to buy a lot of things, but Manbao was only willing to accept one set. If he gave her more, she would buy him gifts in return.
Zheng also knew that she was not well-off, at least she could not buy clothes and jewelry so recklessly, so she could only satisfy her desire by giving it to her.
She said regretfully, "It would be great if I had a daughter."
Old Madam Liu was also full of regret and didn't say anything. If her son had lived a few more years, she would have had more sons, not to mention daughters.
Bai Shan and Bai Erlang were standing far away, and when they heard this, they said, "Mom, if you like, go dress up Manbao, isn't it just for fun?"
Zheng was very tempted, but Manbao was unwilling. "Bai Shan is fair and handsome. He wears a bun, so no one can tell he is a boy. Aunt Zheng can try him out..."
Bai Shan knew that she had bad intentions.
Madam Liu watched them bickering with a smile. She lowered her head and saw a set of pearl jewelry. She immediately pointed at the shopkeeper and said, "Take it out and let me see it."
"yes."
This set of pearl jewelry is very small and cute, just right for a lively and playful little girl. Old Lady Liu waved to Manbao and pinned a pearl flower on the side of her hair, which looked really beautiful.
Madam Liu smiled and said, "That's great. Hurry up and bring the bronze mirror over to her. A young girl should dress more lively. You only used a red string in your hair before, which was too simple."
Manbao looked down and saw that it was very beautiful.
Madam Liu took off the pearl flower and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying with a smile, "Pack up the whole set. Let's go and look at other things."
Old Lady Liu bought a set of ruby jewelry for Zheng and some gold jewelry for herself. Bai Shan and Bai Erlang also got some jade jewelry. Then everyone went home.
Not long after they got home, Mr. Bai arrived. He came from another place, so he did not go the same way as Mrs. Liu and the others.
But the banquet will start tomorrow, so he has to come today. And he didn't come alone, he brought his eldest son with him.
He smiled and said, "Da Lang has received a recommendation from his teacher and will go to Beijing to take the exam after the new year. If he can pass the Imperial College, that would be great. If not, I thought of finding him a college in the capital to study temporarily and then take the exam again next year."
Madam Liu was surprised, "Is Zhi'er so powerful?"
Bai Zhi stood aside calmly, bowing slightly shyly and saying, "Grandma, you're too kind. My good cousin is even more capable than me. He was admitted to the provincial school at a young age. I heard from my father that my good cousin is now in the A class."
Bai Shan naturally went back modestly.
Bai Erlang felt a toothache after hearing this, and whispered to Manbao, "We're all family, why do we have to be so polite? It makes me want to sleep."
Manbao nodded in agreement, but still listened with great interest. It would be good to learn something, maybe he could use it tomorrow.
Sure enough, they used these polite words early the next morning.
Mr. Zhuang wanted to take his three disciples to join in the fun of the first incense burning at Qixia Temple. Of course, Mr. Bai also took his eldest son with him. There were quite a few scholars and literati who also brought their students, sons or grandsons to join in the fun.
The road leading up the mountain to Qixia Temple was crowded with people, most of whom were scholars wearing wide robes and big sleeves.
When people meet on the street, whether they know each other or not, they will bow and nod to greet each other, but when they meet someone they are familiar with, it will be even more amazing.
Mr. Zhuang knew a lot of people, and many of them took the opportunity to praise Bai Shan and Man Bao.
Mr. Zhuang was about to return the compliment, and the students who were praised would naturally follow suit and be humble, so Manbao and Baishan bowed together and humbly returned the compliment.
Although they had never seen the brother opposite before today, or even heard of him, it would always be a good idea to praise his appearance, demeanor, and knowledge.
Mr. Zhuang, who never makes mistakes, accepted the compliments and brought Bai Zhi out. Actually, Bai Zhi was his first student after he came to Qili Village. It was for Bai Zhi's studies that Mr. Zhuang invited him to Qili Village.
Later, Bai Zhi went to Mianzhou to take the provincial school entrance examination, and he also followed Mr. Zhuang's path. He also answered some of his questions in the form of letters.
Although he did not become Mr. Zhuang's disciple, Manbao and the others still had to call him "senior brother".
When they learned that Bai Zhi had received the recommendation to take the Imperial College examination at such a young age, all the acquaintances they met on the road praised Bai Zhi, whether sincerely or not.
Then Mr. Zhuang took the young disciples out for a walk. After each disciple was praised, Mr. Zhuang took them to Qixia Temple with satisfaction.
(End of this chapter)
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