To celebrate Xu Mao's success in the imperial examination, Bai Muqiu wanted to hold a banquet for him at a restaurant, but Xu Mao refused because it was too extravagant.
Furthermore, Xu Mao also had some classmates and friends who wanted to celebrate with him. Bai Muqiu knew all of these people, though not very well.
Xu Mao was initially surprised because Bai Muqiu was very beautiful, but others did not find her stunning at all, and even looked at her with indifference.
Later, he heard from others that the Bai Muqiu they described was quite different from the Bai Muqiu that Xu Mao saw.
Thus, Xu Maocai understood the meaning of Bai Muqiu's words during their first meeting: that it was only by fate that they would meet.
Although several people were celebrating together, they simply set up a table of food in the backyard of Bai Muqiu's shop, chatted, and drank some wine.
The food was ordered by Bai Muqiu. Since they couldn't go to a restaurant, they weren't allowed to stop him from packing it up for takeout.
Xu Mao had no choice but to accept Bai Muqiu's kindness.
That night, Xu Mao was actually happy; he drank two glasses of wine and his face was flushed.
Bai Muqiu wasn't drunk. He saw everyone else off before curfew, closed the door, and turned around. Xu Mao was clearing away the dishes.
Although he was a little drunk, he was alright. He was a man of moderation in all things. Even when he was happy, he didn't drink too much. He knew his alcohol tolerance and wouldn't cross that line.
Bai Muqiu stepped forward to stop him, telling him to wash up and go to bed early, and that he didn't need to worry about these things.
Xu Mao wanted to insist, but he couldn't persuade Bai Muqiu, so he washed up and went back to his room to lie down.
After Xu Mao returned to the house, Bai Muqiu used magic to pack up his things. He clapped his hands in satisfaction and was about to turn around and go back to the house when he found Xu Mao still in the position of opening the door, looking at him in surprise.
"Uh...aren't you going to sleep?"
"Hmm... I feel a little unwell and I'm afraid of throwing up on the bed, so I want to come out and throw up first."
"Oh... then you go ahead."
"Ah... okay, get some rest."
"Mmm, time to rest!"
Bai Muqiu gave an awkward laugh and walked stiffly back to her room.
Xu Mao glanced at the mess of cups and plates that had vanished in the blink of an eye, chuckled softly, and went to the outhouse.
He really had an upset stomach.
The next morning, Bai Muqiu was still a little worried about how to face Xu Mao, but when she actually met him, she found that Xu Mao was just as usual.
He boiled water, washed up, and then sat on the veranda in the backyard to read. The autumn sky was high and clear, and the temperature was just right, making it quite pleasant.
"Good morning, it's late autumn. There's still hot water in the pot; you can wash up."
Xu Mao greeted Bai Muqiu and then continued reading his book.
Bai Muqiu scratched his head, went into the kitchen, and scooped up some water to wash up.
After washing up, Bai Muqiu sat idly in the courtyard, while Xu Mao quietly read a book.
The leaves rustled as they fell, and the autumn breeze was refreshing.
Around noon, there was a knock on the back door. It was the government office delivering silver and official documents to the officials who had ranked among the top three in the imperial examinations.
If Xu Mao wanted to go to the capital to take the imperial examination, he needed to bring a document to prove that he had passed the provincial examination and served as a pass.
Although both were successful candidates in the imperial examinations, their rankings differed, resulting in different amounts of reward money.
Xu Mao accepted the reward money and documents, and gave the yamen runner a small tip for his trouble.
Bai Muqiu was speechless upon seeing this. He was completely ignorant of human ways and didn't understand the complexities of human affairs. As a divine beast, he didn't have so many complicated matters to deal with.
"Scholar, are you going to the capital?"
"Not so fast. I won't be able to participate in the scientific expedition next spring. I can only participate in the scientific expedition the year after next."
"So you're going to Kyoto next year?"
"Yes, and we need to go early. Kyoto is far away, and it's difficult to travel alone. I need to make plans with the other classmates who have passed the exam to go together."
"So, are you staying this year?"
"I'm sorry, Muqiu, I need to go back to my hometown before the New Year. After all, once I go to the capital for the imperial examination, unless I fail, I won't be able to return home for three to five years."
"Oh, it's alright. You haven't been home for two years. You should go back and visit. Now that you've passed the imperial examination, you should return home in glory!"
Yes, you must go home, and you must return in glory!
Bai Muqiu acted on a whim, telling Xu Mao to put down his things and then taking him to a clothing store to buy clothes. Xu Mao simply couldn't refuse Bai Muqiu, who was already completely captivated.
Moreover, Bai Muqiu was genuinely happy for him, and Xu Mao couldn't refuse her kindness.
Besides clothes and accessories, Bai Muqiu also bought some gifts for Xu Mao to take to his family.
"No, no, this is too expensive. I'll buy something to take home."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Are we even brothers? What's wrong with bringing some things for our grandpa and uncle? You're just a gofer, I'm not even going to pay you for the trip!"
"..."
Xu Mao was speechless.
Finally, he rode in the carriage arranged by Bai Muqiu, followed by a group of bodyguards he had hired.
Truly, a triumphant return home!
Bai Muqiu watched Xu Mao leave with satisfaction, then strolled back to the shop with her hands in her pockets.
This departure may mean we won't see each other for a long time.
Xu Mao has already returned the rented courtyard house. He went home, and when he leaves again, he will go directly to Kyoto.
Bai Muqiu had considered whether Xu Mao might encounter danger on the way, but Xu Mao wasn't alone. Besides, Xu Mao had previously come to the prefectural city to take the imperial examinations, far from his hometown.
Moreover, robbers generally don't target scholars, especially those preparing for the imperial examinations, as they are neither wealthy nor likely to get into trouble.
So Bai Muqiu thought about it and decided not to interfere or protect anyone.
After Xu Mao left, Bai Muqiu's days became boring.
The shop was empty; no one entered.
More than half a month later, the bodyguards who escorted Xu Mao returned, bringing him a letter.
After paying the final payment and seeing the bodyguard off, Bai Muqiu returned to the backyard and opened the letter to check it.
Xu Maoxin reported that he was safe and sound, chatted briefly about everyday matters, attached a poem, and left his address.
Bai Muqiu understood that this meant they could communicate.
You can ask bodyguards or traveling merchants to carry messages, or you can send messages through official post stations, where there are couriers who can deliver them.
However, Bai Muqiu never wrote letters, as there was no need for such an outdated method of communication.
He scratched his head and thought for a while, then went to the guest room to get a brush, ink, paper and inkstone. He originally just wanted to write something casually, but he didn't know if it was because he had been holding back for too long, but he couldn't stop writing as he went on.
Another seven or eight days later.
Xu Mao, who was teaching his nephew and cousin to read and write at home, received a package. The courier who delivered it said it was a letter.
Xu Mao looked at the bulging little bundle and couldn't connect it with the letter at all.
He didn't open the bundle until he put it on the bed.
"Splash—"
A bundle of letters was squeezed out.
Xu Mao couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably.
Looking at this large stack of letters, he could easily imagine Bai Muqiu's state of mind as he wrote them; he must have become more and more excited and absorbed in his writing.
I guess at first they were probably sitting or lying down while writing, but later they were most likely standing or squatting on a chair.
Xu Mao's nephew and cousin were astonished to see so many letters. Xu Mao simply said they were from a good friend and wrapped them up first.
When he had some free time, Xu Mao read through all the letters without missing a single one.
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