Chapter 126 Rewards
Meng Guanqi recuperated at Pang Shi's house for twelve days. In fact, he was almost fully recovered by the tenth day and wanted to contact his fellow disciples to attend the gathering that was being held these days. However, Li Xiaoxiao was afraid that his wounds had not fully healed and that he would get infected again if he went to a crowded place, so she did not let him go out.
Not going out doesn't mean they can't hear the news, especially since it concerns the Crown Prince. Qi Shi goes out every day to join in the fun and then comes back to tell Li Xiaoxiao and Meng Guanqi.
Whether it was at the Crown Prince's behest or not, she shared new information with them every day.
"His Majesty invited Taoist priests from Baiyun Temple to exorcise evil spirits from the Eastern Palace. I heard that they caught an evil ghost that had been hiding for many years in the Crown Prince's bedchamber! It was because of this evil ghost that the Eastern Palace had been draining its yang energy, causing so many children to die. Now that the evil ghost has been exorcised, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's health is visibly improving!"
Although someone had asked her to relay the message back to Li Xiaoxiao and Meng Guanqi, Madam Qi was particularly superstitious. She solemnly told Li Xiaoxiao, "I think it's definitely true! I saw the Crown Princess today, and she looks much better, even plumper!"
Li Xiaoxiao wanted to roll her eyes. Emperor Jian'an was truly going to great lengths to save his youngest son!
But then, does this mean the claim that the crown prince is an unlucky omen is no longer valid?
A day later, Qi brought back new news: "The students who were marching and the officials of the Ministry of Rites debated at the Imperial Academy today. Guess what? The messenger delivered a copy of the debate every hour. It was so brilliant that everyone on the street was cheering. I heard that the debate will last for three days."
Li Xiaoxiao quickly asked, "Which college has the most talented students?"
Qi Shi proudly declared, "Naturally, the students from the Imperial Academy are more capable; they almost won the argument against the officials from the Ministry of Rites!"
Li smiled and said, "Then you still lost, didn't you?"
Qi was a little short of breath, but immediately said, "After all, the student is only a Juren. When it comes to speaking, how can he compare to those veteran Jinshi from the Ministry of Rites? He is only slightly inferior, which is already quite good."
Li smiled and said, "Madam, could you please keep an eye out tomorrow if any students from Wanshan Academy participate? If they win, remember to come back and let us know!"
She glanced at Meng Guanqi and said happily, "Our young master is from Wanshan Academy!"
Qi muttered under her breath, "If the candidates from the Imperial Academy all lost, how could the students from the private schools possibly win?"
The next day, she returned as if she'd been injected with adrenaline: "Wow, Wanshan Academy really won the debate today!"
Meng Guanqi's eyes lit up: "Do you know which senior student won the debate?"
Madam Qi said with a smile, "The scholar didn't win the debate, but your headmaster did. I heard that he spoke eloquently and quoted extensively inside, leaving one of the Ministry of Rites officials dizzy and having to be carried out."
Meng Guanqi said with pride, "Our headmaster was a graduate of the Imperial Examination back in the day!"
Qi said, "That's right! The Ministry of Rites really didn't say anything about him, so the student won this round."
Li Xiaoxiao said, "One win and one loss, it's a draw. How are we going to debate tomorrow?"
Qi was also somewhat puzzled: "I heard that there was no more debate. It is said that during the court session today, the Crown Prince returned the Tiger Tally to the Emperor and said that the Heir Apparent was a lucky man who was saved by someone and is still alive. All the civil and military officials were shocked, and those who attacked the Crown Prince all shut their mouths and no longer said that the Crown Prince's luck was bad."
If we no longer say the Crown Prince is unlucky, and he has already relinquished his military command, then what reason is there to depose him? What did he do wrong?
No, the Crown Prince did nothing wrong. On the contrary, he has a very good reputation among the people.
Suddenly, all the prepared memorials had no reason to be submitted. The emperor took the opportunity to praise the crown prince, saying that he was of the purest and most filial character, a model for all the princes. He greatly commended him and bestowed upon him countless treasures and tonics to reward him for the grievances he had suffered recently. At the same time, he announced that the spring imperial examinations were approaching and appointed the crown prince as the chief examiner for next year's examinations, to work with the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the selection of candidates for next year's civil service examinations.
The imperial decree caused an uproar in the court. The emperor revoked the crown prince's military power, but then gave him the power to select talents, making him the chief examiner for this year's imperial examination. Wouldn't all the successful candidates in this year's examination become the crown prince's protégés?
After Qi left, Li Xiaoxiao and Meng Guanqi looked at each other, feeling that they had received a lot of information today.
Li Xiaoxiao asked, "Just as you thought, the Crown Prince has relinquished his military power. Isn't that a bit smarter?"
Meng Guanqi said, "It seems so at the moment."
Li Xiaoxiao glanced at him sideways: "You really didn't secretly write letters to him behind my back?"
Meng Guanqi immediately denied it: "There's no such thing. Why would I hide it from you?"
Li smiled and said, "Is His Majesty giving a beating followed by a sweet treat?"
Meng Guanqi said, "I suppose so, but it's very effective. The power to select talents in the Spring Examination is immense, and I never expected the Emperor to be willing to delegate it to the Crown Prince."
Will the crown prince be easily bribed this time?
If it were possible… Meng Guanqi’s heart sank, and she forced herself not to think about it anymore.
As a test taker next year, these are not issues he should be concerned about.
He took Li Xiaoxiao's hand and said, "I've recovered. Let's say goodbye to Madam Pang in the next couple of days and get ready to go home."
When it came to going home, Li Xiaoxiao immediately perked up: "Okay, okay, let's go shopping today and buy gifts for our family! Especially Rui Rui, I said I would go back in a month, but it's already August and I still haven't returned. I definitely have to win him over. Come on, let's go together."
She said she was going home, but besides bringing gifts for her family, Meng Guanqi remembered there was one more thing she hadn't done.
He smiled at Li and said, "I have to go back to Jixian Hall to see Headmaster Gu. There are some things I haven't had a chance to tell him yet."
The Crown Prince informed Headmaster Gu when he took him away, but Headmaster Gu was unaware that he was injured.
This time, he won't be going back to Luzhou with Headmaster Gu and his classmates. Instead, he'll go directly back to Biyang County with Li Xiaoxiao. It's just unknown whether Headmaster Gu will have any other plans.
Before leaving, Li Xiaoxiao found Qi Shi and asked her to send a message to the Crown Princess, saying that she would be going home in a couple of days and asking if she had anything to bring back to Aze so she could take it with her.
Lady Qi was secretly alarmed. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess hadn't sent anyone to bring the young prince back, but instead left him in Biyang County? Did they really trust the Meng family that much?
She agreed, and as soon as Meng Guanqi and Li Xiaoxiao left, she immediately sent someone to the East Palace to deliver a message to Pang Shi.
When Meng Guanqi brought Li Xiaoxiao back to Jixian Hall, his classmates were all surprised and rushed out to see him: "Guanqi, are you better now?"
The Crown Prince took Meng Guanqi away. Headmaster Gu told the students that he had suddenly fallen ill and had been taken home by his family to recuperate. Now that he had finally returned, they all came out to inquire about his condition.
Seeing the faint bluish tinge to his face and the bloodless color in his lips, his classmates felt sorry for him; he must have just recovered from an illness before coming out.
"Guanqi, why do you still look so pale? Did you run away again before you were fully recovered?"
"Yes, his clothes are all loose, he looks quite ill..."
"He must be seriously ill, otherwise how could he have missed the debate at the Imperial Academy?"
"What a pity! If you could have played, our academy might have been able to defeat the officials from the Ministry of Rites without even needing the headmaster to step in."
The classmates were clearly still immersed in the joy of winning the debate against the Ministry of Rites, and couldn't help but share it with Meng Guanqi whenever they saw him.
Meng Guanqi felt a warmth in his heart and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, fellow students. I am much better now. I have heard that our academy won the debate against the Ministry of Rites officials yesterday. That is something that even students of the Imperial Academy cannot do, but our academy did it. I am honored to share in the glory."
The classmates were excited and chattered with Meng Guanqi about their brilliant speeches from the previous day, until a soft snort came from behind them: "Alright, we celebrated yesterday, can't you settle down today? Have you finished writing the article I asked you to write?"
The students turned around in surprise and bowed, saying, "Headmaster!"
Master Gu said, "Those who haven't finished writing their articles should go back and finish them. Those who have finished should think about whether they want to come back to the academy with me or travel around the area before returning to the capital to take the exam. Make a decision before tomorrow and let me know."
The rally is over, and it's time to go back.
"Yes!" The students bowed and agreed, then returned to their rooms to prepare.
Then Headmaster Gu turned to Meng Guanqi and said, "Guanqi, come with me."
Meng Guanqi took Li Xiaoxiao to Gu Shanzhang's house.
Headmaster Gu was taken aback and glanced at Li Xiaoxiao. Meng Guanqi said, "Xiaoxiao has personally participated in everything Headmaster wants to ask, so there's no need to avoid her."
Headmaster Gu looked at him in surprise, then remembered that Meng Guanqi was an extremely cautious person. If Li Xiaoxiao was untrustworthy, he wouldn't have brought her to see him.
Headmaster Gu stopped dwelling on the question and immediately asked, "In the few days since the Crown Prince took you away, news suddenly spread that the Eastern Palace was haunted by evil spirits, which were then subdued by the Taoist priests of Baiyun Temple. Yesterday, the Crown Prince suddenly handed over the Tiger Tally to His Majesty, and His Majesty immediately appointed the Crown Prince as the chief examiner for next year's spring imperial examination. Are these events related?"
Meng Guanqi countered with, "What do you think, sir?"
Gu Shanzhang sighed and said, "I don't understand. Since the Eastern Palace has caught the evil spirit, the ominous rumors about the Crown Prince can be attributed to this 'evil spirit.' But why did the Crown Prince suddenly hand over the Tiger Tally to His Majesty? And why did His Majesty immediately hand over the power of talent selection to the Crown Prince after accepting it?"
Meng Guanqi asked, "What does it resemble, sir?"
Headmaster Gu tapped his folding fan against his palm, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "It's like a transaction, and also like appeasement, exchanging administrative power for military power? But what is the opportunity?"
Meng Guanqi said, "These three things you mentioned are probably what people in teahouses and bookstores are talking about right now. But have any secrets from the palace been leaked out here?"
Headmaster Gu was taken aback: "Now everyone's attention is focused on the Crown Prince, and no one seems to be paying much attention to any secrets? What are you referring to?"
Meng Guanqi asked, "For example, has anyone spread the news that the Sixth Prince has been confined to his quarters?"
Headmaster Gu asked in surprise, "I hadn't paid much attention to that, but how can such a trivial matter as the Sixth Prince being confined to his quarters be compared to His Majesty's attitude and the Crown Prince suddenly becoming the chief examiner of the imperial examinations?"
Meng Guanqi sighed and quietly recounted the whole story.
Headmaster Gu's expression changed repeatedly, and finally he slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed, "Absurd!"
Meng Guanqi asked, "How do you think the Emperor should evaluate this action?"
Gu Shanzhang scoffed, “To protect his young son, the Emperor exchanged military power for governing power. It seems that he is giving the Crown Prince an important position, but in reality, he is praising him in name only and criticizing him in reality. This move is unbenevolent and righteous, and I’m afraid the Crown Prince has developed a grudge against him.”
He was practically implying that the emperor was both in power and being installed as emperor.
Meng Guanqi said, "Master once said that after Li Wenkui's death, the Crown Prince had no more advisors by his side. I did not understand the meaning of this statement. How could the Crown Prince lack advisors when he had so many officials and retainers in the Eastern Palace and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? It was only after seeing it with my own eyes that I understood the unfinished words of Master. The Crown Prince was being beaten everywhere. He was suppressed by the power of his father and the emperor above, and surrounded by his wolves and tigers brothers below. He desperately needed an advisor like Li Wenkui to devise plans for him."
Headmaster Gu fell into deep thought.
Meng Guanqi bowed deeply: "I wonder if you would be willing to come out of seclusion and assist the Crown Prince? The Sixth Prince appears harmless in public, but he is extremely cunning in private and has deep ties with unknown forces. By the time he finds an opportunity to leave the palace, I'm afraid the Crown Prince will be besieged on all sides and his position will be even more unstable."
Headmaster Gu remained silent.
Meng Guanqi said, “The Crown Prince is kind by nature, but sometimes he is too indecisive. Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, and at crucial moments someone needs to give him a push. If you really can’t bear to part with Wanshan Academy, why not open the academy in the capital? You can only occasionally go to the Eastern Palace to make an appearance and give the Crown Prince some advice, and spend the rest of your time sitting in the academy.”
Headmaster Gu smiled helplessly and said, "You, how much bewitching potion did the Crown Prince give you that you've become my advocate?"
Meng Guanqi said, "The Crown Prince once said frankly that you disapproved of 'that person's' way of doing things, and therefore had no interest in officialdom after passing the imperial examination. But if you really didn't care about national affairs and the people's livelihood, how could you have established such an excellent private school as Wanshan Academy? It is clear that you are still very concerned about the affairs of the court. The Crown Prince is upright and honest, and is definitely not someone who says one thing and does another. Please rest assured."
Gu Shan sighed deeply, "Let me think about it."
Meng Guanqi added fuel to the fire: "If you, sir, are willing to come out of seclusion, not to mention the Crown Prince, even the Gu clan would be delighted."
The Gu family has an even deeper heritage than the Meng family, and many of its members hold official positions in the court. But what family would complain about having too many Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)? Gu Henian ranked fourth in the imperial examination that year, making him one of the best in the entire Gu family.
Who would have thought that he was a prodigy from childhood, with a mind full of wisdom and ambition? After passing the imperial examination, he encountered a few disgusting things that displeased him, and immediately decided he didn't want to continue his official career. He resigned and started a private school, which infuriated the head of the Gu clan. However, he actually made a name for himself in his private school, tutoring dozens of successful candidates in the provincial examination and seven or eight successful candidates in the imperial examination in just over ten years. These people recognized Gu Henian as their teacher, which naturally benefited the Gu clan, so the Gu clan members didn't say anything.
But how could these scholars compare to the benefits Gu Henian would bring to his family by personally serving as an official? If he were willing to step down from his post, he might one day be granted the title of Imperial Tutor, and the Gu family would rise to prominence in no time.
Master Gu laughed and said, "You, you've been studying on the mountain for more than two years, how come you have so many tricks up your sleeve? I know what you're talking about, but whether the Crown Prince is worth the risk for me to take is something I need to observe how he performs in presiding over this year's imperial examination, and whether you, lad, can pass the examination in one fell swoop before I decide whether to come out and help him."
Meng Guanqi was overjoyed: "Thank you, sir."
Headmaster Gu sighed, “Actually, when it comes to teaching and nurturing people, your father is far more suitable than me. It’s a pity that he was constrained by his status and never dared to stand out, which fostered his mediocre nature. If he didn’t want to be an official, he could come to my academy to teach and nurture people…”
Li Xiaoxiao muttered under her breath, "How could he not want to be an official? We adults know how good it is to be an official. Nobody in Biyang County dislikes him..."
Headmaster Gu smiled and said, "Yes, yes, you adults are naturally the best."
Magistrate Meng's mild and gentle nature made him a blessing to the people when he became a local official.
After teasing Li Xiaoxiao for a moment, Headmaster Gu said, "Since the Crown Prince has stayed in Biyang County, I suppose you don't need to come back to the academy with me. Take good care of him and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Meng Guanqi said, "Don't worry, sir, the family will definitely take good care of him."
Headmaster Gu said solemnly, “Although you have already experienced the bloodshed before entering officialdom, the imperial examination is still a mountain blocking your way. Don’t think that you are already able to stand in front of others and realize your ambitions. If you do not pass the imperial examination, you will not even be qualified to stand beside the crown prince. Do not be complacent and do not relax in the slightest.”
Meng Guanqi's expression hardened, and he solemnly said, "This student thanks you for your teachings, sir. I will certainly not slack off in my studies."
The two talked for a while longer before Meng Guanqi, along with Li Xiaoxiao, said goodbye to Headmaster Gu and left.
After leaving the Jixian Hall, Li Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "When did the Crown Prince appoint you as an intermediary?"
Meng Guanqi smiled and said, "When you were helping the Crown Princess recuperate in the Eastern Palace..."
Li Xiaoxiao said, "No wonder you told Headmaster Gu all the secrets of the Eastern Palace. It turns out the Crown Prince has taken a liking to him!"
Meng Guanqi's expression was strange: "What do you mean you've taken a liking to him? The Crown Prince only sent me as an envoy because he admires Headmaster Gu's talent. Besides, Headmaster Gu isn't so easy to invite. If the Crown Prince doesn't perform well in the future, he'll probably just politely decline."
Li Xiaoxiao exclaimed, "Mr. Gu really has quite the airs to refuse the Crown Prince's offer!"
Meng Guanqi said proudly, "Of course, you are a rare talent in this world, how could you be used by others so easily?"
At this point, he glanced at her and said with a smile, "Actually, you don't need to be modest. I remember Pang Shi asked you to serve in the Eastern Palace several times, and you refused without even thinking about it."
Li Xiaoxiao was taken aback: "Then how can they be the same?"
Meng Guanqi laughed and said, "What's the difference? Didn't you also politely decline His Highness the Crown Prince's offer?"
Li Xiaoxiao thought about it seriously. She didn't want to work in the Eastern Palace, mainly because she didn't want to live a life of constant danger. Her grand goal was to live a life of leisure and ease! How could she work in such a dangerous place?
If she hadn't fallen in love with him, she probably would have stayed in Biyang County her whole life, living a carefree and leisurely existence. Unfortunately, he was destined for a life of bloodshed and turmoil, and was also destined to enter the imperial court…
She sighed, "It's still different. I mainly find it troublesome, and my greatest wish in life is to live a life of leisure and wait for death. But Headmaster Gu lives in the countryside but is concerned about the court. He doesn't serve in the government simply because he can't stand what he sees."
Meng Guanqi reached out and covered her mouth, whispering, "Grandma, keep your voice down, we're on the street..."
The two chatted and laughed all the way, bought gifts for their families on the street, and returned to Pang Shi's house with bags and bags of gifts.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they were startled by a carriage in the middle of the yard: "Whose carriage is this?"
Madam Qi, accompanied by her maid Bitao, came over from the other side of the courtyard. Upon seeing them return, her eyes lit up: "Young Master Meng, Miss Li, you're finally back! These are things Her Highness prepared for the young master, asking you to help take them back to Biyang County."
Li Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in disbelief. Such a huge car?!
No, she said she could help carry some things, meaning luggage that could be left on the horse. She brought over a whole carload of stuff, so how is she going to take it back?
Madam Qi said, "Don't worry, Her Majesty said that the carriage is for you. I can help you find a coachman at the escort agency in the outer city to take you back to Biyang County. He will come back on his own after he gets there. I heard that the capital is nearly a thousand miles away from Biyang County. How can riding a bicycle be as comfortable as sitting in a carriage?"
That's true. If there's a car to ride in, who would want to ride a horse?
Li Xiaoxiao opened the carriage curtain and looked inside. My goodness, it was crammed full of all kinds of bundles and boxes, leaving only enough space for two people to sit.
So, they were just delivering goods and that was a side trip for them?
Qi pointed to two of the boxes and said, "Miss Li, this box is for you, and this box is for Young Master Meng. These are all gifts from His Highness and the Empress. The rest are for the Heir Apparent."
When Li Xiaoxiao looked at her suitcase, she realized that it was very small, while Meng Guanqi's suitcase was very big. She thought that her contribution should be greater than Meng Guanqi's, so why was she only given such a small suitcase?
She first opened Meng Guanqi's suitcase, then quickly closed it as if she had seen something dirty.
Books, all books, crammed full!
She was no longer envious, not at all.
But Meng Guanqi was pleasantly surprised. She rolled her eyes at her and immediately reopened the box. She reached out and flipped through the book titles. It turned out to be full of famous works, and even included many rare books from previous dynasties. This box of books was priceless!
He immediately took out one of the books and carefully opened it to read.
Li Xiaoxiao, however, showed no interest in his book. She immediately opened her small box and her eyes were immediately dazzled by the gold. The box was full of gold!
Li Xiaoxiao immediately beamed and hugged the gold tightly: "Wow~! Gold, so much gold!"
Qi was also stunned. This whole box was full of gold. There must be thousands of taels of gold in it.
When did the Crown Prince start rewarding people so simply and brutally, giving them nothing but gold...?
Seeing how happy Li Xiaoxiao was, Qi Shi vaguely felt that the Crown Prince probably rewarded her like this because he knew she liked it.
Li Xiaoxiao opened the second layer and found a piece of paper-like material underneath. Curious, she picked it up and asked, "Huh? What's this?"
But Madam Qi recognized the stamp on it at a glance: "Is this a house deed? It looks almost the same as my family's house deed..."
When Li Xiaoxiao opened it, she was surprised to find that not only did it look almost identical to Pang Shi's house deed, but the address was also similar. Pang Shi's house was number four, and hers was number five.
The crown prince bestowed the house next to Pang Shi upon her.
Li Xiaoxiao stared at Liu Shi, "Madam Pang, is your house next to the Crown Prince's property as well?"
Qi said, "This entire neighborhood, and the entire neighborhood next door, are all the Crown Prince's properties."
Li Xiaoxiao chuckled: "The Crown Prince bestowed upon me the house next to yours, so will we be neighbors from now on?"
He actually rewarded her with the house next door! Madam Qi was secretly shocked. A thousand taels of gold and a mansion worth nearly ten thousand taels. His Highness the Crown Prince rewarded Li Xiaoxiao with things worth twenty thousand taels of silver in one go. She must have made an extraordinary contribution!
It's worth noting that even Pang Shi had never received such a large reward, aside from the house...
What exactly did she do during her time in the Eastern Palace?
Qi was filled with mixed feelings, but she quickly came to her senses and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, we'll be neighbors from now on."
Li Xiaoxiao said, "Is your house next door also like yours, a large courtyard with three courtyards?"
Qi said, "That's hard to say. Why don't we go and take a look together?"
Li Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Is that okay?"
Qi said, "Of course you can. The deed is in your hands, so this is your house."
Li Xiaoxiao rummaged through the box again: "But I don't have the key... Did the Crown Prince forget to give me the key?"
Qi said, "Why do you need a key? This is the Crown Prince's property, and there are servants guarding the gate. Just knock on the door and go in."
Li Xiaoxiao was so excited she almost jumped up and immediately pulled Meng Guanqi, saying, "Come on, let's go see my house."
This is the first time she's had her own house since she came to Dawu! Good heavens, this is a house in the capital! If it were as big as Pang Shi's house, how could she possibly live there all by herself!
Meng Guanqi reluctantly lifted his head from the book and asked in confusion, "What house?" He was so engrossed in reading that he didn't notice the conversation between Qi Shi and Li Xiaoxiao.
Madam Qi smiled and said, "The Crown Prince has bestowed the house next door to Miss Li as a gift, so we will be neighbors from now on."
Meng Guanqi took a deep breath. Well, she really deserved it.
The three of them exited through the side gate of the Pang residence and walked for almost the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before finding the main gate of the neighboring house. The main gate was locked from the inside, but it looked quite clean from the outside.
Li Xiaoxiao banged on the door, and someone immediately answered from inside: "Coming, who is it?"
An elderly servant with gray hair saw Li Xiaoxiao and immediately said, "The eunuch from the palace has already come to deliver a message. You must be the new mistress of this house, Miss Li?"
Li smiled and said, "Yes, I wanted to come and take a look."
The old servant hurriedly replied, "Yes, young lady, please come in. The house has been uninhabited for a long time, but this old servant sweeps up the fallen leaves every few days, so it's still quite clean."
It was said to be fairly clean, but it had been uninhabited for many years, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard had not been trimmed and were growing unevenly, but Li Xiaoxiao found it quite charming.
This is also a three-courtyard house. There is a screen wall at the entrance. In the front yard, there is an outer study, a reception room, a storeroom, guest rooms, and a corridor for servants' quarters. There are seven or eight rooms in total on the left and right sides. In the middle, there is a hanging flower gate that leads directly to the back yard.
The second courtyard is the main house, with east and west wing rooms and side rooms. Next to the side rooms is a covered porch. In the middle is a small courtyard of more than 100 square meters, where several large pots of lotus flowers are kept. The height of summer has passed, the lotus flowers have all fallen, and it is the time when the lotus seeds are ripe. Several plump lotus pods sway among the lotus leaves. Li Xiaoxiao went up to take a look and thought they were ripe. She picked one for Meng Guanqi and Qi Shi and peeled and ate it in their hands.
Passing through the main house, we arrived at the rear main house in the third courtyard. It had a similar layout to the main house, except that it lacked the study and elegant room. The courtyard was more than twice the size of the main house in the second courtyard. Pang Shi had transformed it into a martial arts training ground. Li Xiaoxiao looked at the area and thought it would be a good idea to make it a children's play area for the kids.
Unlike Pang Shi's house, this house had a small garden in the backyard. Although it wasn't very big, it had two rows of five or six trees and was connected to the covered corridors on both sides. It was a good place to read or take a walk.
Li Xiaoxiao said to Meng Guanqi as a matter of course, "From now on, you can study here in the morning. The sun won't shine on you, and you can read loudly without disturbing me."
Meng Guanqi's hand, which was peeling lotus seeds, stopped abruptly. He stared at her intently, his expression strange.
Li Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?"
A thought struck her, and she was horrified: "I didn't mean to study with you! I think my recent studies are pretty good enough... I don't need to study anymore!"
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