The painted boat slowly drifted away from the shore. Meng Anci leaned against the railing, listening to Master Li recount the history of the Huntong River. His gaze occasionally drifted to the small boats behind.
Dahuang stood at the bow of the boat, its eyes slightly narrowed, its head held high, its fur fluttering in the wind, looking quite content.
Shao Lishan's eyes swept over Meng Anci and Dahuang, and he scoffed, "Like attracts like; they're both people who know how to enjoy life."
Shiyan said unhappily, "Senior Brother Shao, that's enough... Why are you still arguing like this?"
Whether I tell or not is none of your business; you're just Meng Anci's dog too.
"What did you say?" Shiyan stood up, wanting to teach Shao Lishan a lesson, but was sternly rebuked by Master Li, "Sit down... or you'll capsize the boat."
After saying that, he looked at Shao Lishan and said seriously, "Classmates, speaking ill of each other like this, are you planning to never speak to each other again?"
If we were to serve in the same court that day, would we also engage in a life-or-death struggle?
They are rivals, classmates, and may become colleagues in the future. Academies Sheng Dynasty are vying for the number of successful candidates in the imperial examinations. The harder you work, the better your chances of winning.
Meng Anci excels in policy essays, while Shiyan excels in classical texts. If you frequently seek their guidance, you will not fall behind. Some of you will pass the imperial examinations, while others will fail.
But remember you were classmates. If you ever fall on hard times, at least you can lend a hand and help out out of consideration for your past friendship.
"You lot are really something. You haven't even passed the imperial examinations yet, and you're already fighting amongst yourselves. How can you go on like this, falling apart?"
Master Li's words made everyone blush, and Shao Lishan was so ashamed that he couldn't lift his head.
Meng Anci didn't care. In his view, if you have value, others will naturally help you. If you have no value, even if you kneel at someone's feet, they will still think you are blocking their way.
As my aunt said, you can help others unconditionally, but don't expect others to help you unconditionally.
The pleasure boat drifted on the river for about 15 minutes before finally docking.
Meng Anci stood on the shore waiting for Dahuang, while Shiyan crossed his arms and said angrily, " Shao Lishan is so hateful! He made us get scolded by the Master!"
Meng Anci watched as Dahuang, carrying its food box, ran over happily and casually asked, "Can you swim, or can I...? If we impulsively capsize the boat and everyone falls into the river, how will we save ourselves? After school, take a sack and come with me..."
Shiyan grinned and shoved Meng Anci hard. "I knew you weren't a good person. Tell me, what do we do? Zhao Zhiyuan and the others?"
As they were talking, Dahuang walked over. It paused briefly beside the two of them before continuing forward, with Meng Anci and Shiyan following closely behind.
The fewer people who know about this, the better.
Shiyan waved his fist, "I've disliked him for a long time..." Before he could finish speaking, Shao Lishan took a porcelain bottle and shoved it into the man's hand.
"Uncle... this is medicinal wine. Your back isn't good, you should go home soon," he said, handing over his purse before running off without waiting for the other man to refuse.
Shiyan was momentarily stunned. "He actually bought the medicine. I thought he was just saying it."
Meng Anci didn't speak and continued walking forward... Shiyan followed behind, hesitatingly saying, " Anci, maybe we should just forget about it."
Did he insult you?
"Saying a few words to him won't hurt him, and besides, I think he's a pretty good person..."
"So you don't want to vent your anger anymore?" Meng Anci stopped in his tracks and asked, looking at Shiyan's embarrassed face.
"What's there to be angry about... We're classmates, there's always a winner and a loser in an argument, we can't always be on top, right? Forget it, forget it, if Master Li finds out, he'll scold us again."
" Shiyan, kindness towards you isn't kindness at all," Meng Anci said, and walked on.
Shiyan chased after him, "Are you angry? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, you're doing well... Hurry home, or you won't finish your policy essay."
"Okay... I knew Anci was the best," he said, putting his arm around Meng Anci's shoulder. Meng Anci slapped him away, but Shiyan wasn't annoyed and they walked home together with a smile.
Anzhi Hall.
Jin Shanyao saw Meng Anzhi and brought out the food that had been brought into the study again. "What's wrong? Aren't you going to eat?"
He said he wasn't hungry, but he seemed to be in a bad mood.
Jin Shanyao thought for a moment, then called Qing He, "Make a bowl of glutinous rice balls..."
Qing He responded and went to the kitchen to prepare food. Nanny Chen asked softly, "Didn't the master say that the young master wasn't allowed to eat sweets at night?"
Qing He rinsed the glutinous rice flour into a bowl, added warm water, and stirred carefully. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Go and roast the sesame seeds and peanuts, then crush them and give them to me."
Feeling awkward, Nanny Chen stopped talking and began to stir-fry peanuts and sesame seeds in a hot pan.
After being stir-fried, the mixture is crushed, sprinkled with white sugar, and then made into glutinous rice balls by Qing He herself.
About 45 minutes later, the Qing He ladled out a bowl and carried it on a tray to Jin Shanyao, "Master, I made a little extra. What about Miss?"
Jin Shanyao accepted the gift, "Send only a small portion... you can divide the rest among yourselves."
After saying that, she took the glutinous rice balls to the study, knocked twice on the door frame, and then pushed the door open and entered.
He laughed, "My goodness, just how difficult was the question that my sweetheart wouldn't even eat?"
When Meng Anci saw his aunt come in, he forced a smile, "It's the same old story, still about water management..."
Jin Shanyao the tray high and turned to the side, saying, "Guess what delicious food I brought you?"
Meng Anci listlessly, "Huh? Wontons..."
Jin Shanyao her head. "Guess again?"
"Dumpling?"
Jin Shanyao laughed heartily, "Half right." She gestured for Meng Anci to clear the table and then placed the bowl opposite him.
Meng Anci's gaze fell on the bowl, and she said in astonishment, "Sweet rice balls?? Auntie, you call this half right? This is completely unrelated!"
"How can it not be half right? They're all filled. Try them... Qing He made them herself." Jin Shanyao over a chair and sat opposite him.
Meng Anci picked up a small spoon, scooped one out, and put it in her mouth. It was soft, sweet, and delicious, but she couldn't eat any more after eating just two.
Jin Shanyao gently coaxed, "What's wrong? You were fine when you went out this morning, but you're unhappy now. Did Dahuang cause trouble?"
"No... it's my own fault," Meng Anci, gently stirring the glutinous rice balls in her bowl. "Today, Shiyan was insulted because of me, and I was going to stand up for him, but he..."
Meng Anci paused here, unsure how to continue, and after thinking for a while, finally said, "It seems we have different ideas."
Jin Shanyao out and rubbed his head. "Child, people's thoughts are different."
You must allow others to be themselves. Similarly, you don't have to force yourself to change for anyone.
If you feel this friend is worth having, try to be tolerant of their shortcomings. If you feel a rift has formed between you, you can let go gracefully and make new friends.
Life is long, and the road ahead is far. Along the way, you will meet all sorts of people, and you will gradually drift apart from many of them.
But almost no one can accompany you from beginning to end. So don't dwell on it. On this journey of life, you are the main character, the most important person. Understand?
Meng Anci thoughtfully, "I'm sorry to have worried my aunt..."
"Don't talk nonsense... You and Anzhi are both very important to me, there's no question of whether I'm worried or not."
"No matter how important the matter, you must first fill your stomach and eat." After saying this, Jin Shanyao turned and left the study.