Xiaoshan Academy

"Who goes there? Do you have business at Xiaoshan Academy?"

A woman came out of the academy and stopped the carriage.

The woman was dressed as a scholar, so she was presumably a master at the academy as well.

"Greetings, Master. My name is Bai Mo, and I am a disciple of Great Master Xiao. My teacher told me to report to the academy in the next two days. Sorry to trouble you, but could you announce my arrival?"

"Oh, so you're young friend Bai. There's no need to call me Master. I'm Aunt Liu, the academy gatekeeper. You can just call me Aunt Liu from now on. Come in. Great Master Xiao has already told us all about you, but she has family matters to attend to today and isn't at the academy. Come with me to pay your respects to Great Scholar Chen."

"Sorry for the trouble, Aunt Liu."

The academy occupied a vast area. Inside, the scenery was equally impressive, with exquisite elegance in every detail, and the sound of students reading aloud rang in her ears.

As they walked, Aunt Liu explained, "We have four main teaching areas here. Beginners and tongsheng are in the two eastern courtyards, xiucai are in the two southern courtyards, and juren are in the two western courtyards. The two northern courtyards are where jinshi discuss academic matters and where the masters work and rest.

"The courtyard farther toward the front on the south side is the dining hall. Great Master Xiao's office is in the Xiao-Du Pavilion toward the rear of the north side. The two courtyards in the very center are the library and the students' self-study area. The pavilions toward the rear of the west side are all residences for boarding students, while the rows of houses toward the rear of the east side are where the handymen and study attendants live.

"The lake that winds through the academy is fed by spring water from Spirit Mound Mountain. Because the water flows, it's very clear. Resting here in your spare time is quite relaxing."

Aunt Liu was very patient. Whenever she pointed something out, Bai Mo looked up at it. Though she couldn't see it clearly, she had a general idea of where everything was.

They headed toward the rear of the north side and stopped in front of a small pavilion. Wisteria covered the top of its wall, lending it a simple, pleasant elegance.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

A steady female voice came from inside.

Aunt Liu pushed the door open and entered, offering a scholar's salute.

"Great Scholar Chen, this student is named Bai Mo. She has just come to report to the academy, so I brought her over."

Bai Mo followed suit and offered a salute.

Great Scholar Chen put down the book in his hands and was pleasantly surprised to see Bai Mo. His appreciation for talent was no less than Great Master Xiao's.

"Young friend Bai, you're here! Are you enrolling today?"

"Greetings, Great Scholar Chen. I came to the academy to enroll today, and I also wanted to ask when I should start."

"With the juren examination approaching, the students in the xiucai classes are all studying very hard. Joining them partway through, you may find it a little difficult to keep up. The academy's break starts tomorrow and lasts three days. Why not come straight to class after the break? I'll take care of your enrollment and register you today."

Bai Mo thought, Well, isn't that a coincidence? You've really cleared the way for me to make my marriage proposal...

"All right."

"Your home is here in the Capital, so you won't need to arrange accommodation, will you?"

"That's right. Although I won't be living at the academy, I'll still apply myself to my studies."

Great Scholar Chen looked at Bai Mo and nodded in satisfaction. She really was a good child.

"Good. Great Master Xiao has assigned you to xiucai class A. Its master is also exceptionally capable. You can call her Master Wang. She's strict when she teaches, so be sure not to arrive late or leave early."

Bai Mo listened quietly to Great Scholar Chen's instructions and provided the information he asked for. Finally, she paid the tuition, and that settled her enrollment.

Great Scholar Chen checked the time. It was nearly noon. "Young friend Bai, come eat with me. I'll show you around Xiaoshan Academy."

Bai Mo hadn't eaten yet that day. For some reason, she wasn't hungry at all, but she couldn't refuse Great Scholar Chen's kind offer, so she nodded in agreement.

As the two walked through the academy, the students were just finishing class and heading toward the dining hall in groups of twos and threes. As they passed, they all bowed slightly to greet Great Scholar Chen, their eyes also sizing up Bai Mo.

Bai Mo wore a faint smile and didn't say a word more than necessary.

A faint fragrance filled the academy: the scent of sandalwood mingled with that of books, along with a touch of fresh greenery. It was deeply calming.

Great Scholar Chen's introduction was more detailed, and Bai Mo found herself liking Xiaoshan Academy even more.

The two entered the dining hall, where many students had already gathered. Though there were a lot of people, it wasn't noisy at all. They sat together in small groups, talking in very low voices.

"Come upstairs with me."

Just then, Xiao Yiliu spotted Bai Mo, her eyes curving into a smile.

"Greetings, Great Scholar Chen."

"Younger Sister Bai, what brings you here?"

At the sudden sight of Xiao Yiliu, scenes from the carriage sprang unbidden into Bai Mo's mind. No matter how thick-skinned she was, she still felt embarrassed. Xiao Yiliu, however, showed no change in expression and looked entirely at ease.

"Elder Sister Xiao, you're here too? I came to enroll today."

Seeing the two standing in the doorway, Great Scholar Chen said, "Student Xiao, join us for a meal. Let's all go upstairs."

"Yes."

The two followed Great Scholar Chen into a private room reserved for the masters.

"Student Xiao is in juren class A and is also one of our academy's most outstanding students. Young friend Bai, you could learn much from her."

Xiao Yiliu chuckled and shook her head. "Please don't praise me, Great Scholar Chen. My maternal grandmother says I'm the most foolish of all, not even a tenth or two as capable as my younger brother. It's a good thing I'm a woman."

"Hahahaha."

With Great Scholar Chen present, they talked about learning, the imperial examinations, and current affairs. Bai Mo and Xiao Yiliu both tacitly avoided mentioning what had happened yesterday.

Great Scholar Chen greatly admired Bai Mo. She was young and hadn't been studying for long, yet her vision was far-reaching. Though her manner of speaking was somewhat unpolished, she was still quite remarkable.

After they finished eating, Great Scholar Chen left first, leaving only Bai Mo and Xiao Yiliu in the private room.

There was a tea table in the room, so Xiao Yiliu brewed some tea herself and called Bai Mo over to sit across from her.

As soon as they sat down, their eyes met, and Bai Mo quietly looked away.

As if nothing were amiss, Xiao Yiliu said, "Younger Sister Bai, Uncle Fu delivered a red invitation to my family early this morning, saying you would come to propose marriage three days from now. My maternal grandmother and eldest grandmother are both at home making preparations today."

Bai Mo listened quietly.

Seeing that Bai Mo didn't answer, Xiao Yiliu didn't press her. "My younger brother has an excellent temperament and is exceptionally pure and kind by nature. I hope you'll look after him well in the future, Younger Sister Bai.

"Our parents passed away early, and as his eldest sister, I care for him most dearly. We grew up in Ru'an Commandery and had never seen the splendor of the Capital. I only came here after passing the juren examination. Our maternal grandmother hoped I would succeed in my studies and make a name for myself, so I could look after my younger brother better in the future.

"But once a man marries, no matter how powerful his birth family is, the one he can ultimately rely on is still his wife and master. Do you understand my earnest intentions, Younger Sister Bai?"

Xiao Yiliu set a cup of tea before Bai Mo, her gaze several degrees more serious and piercing.

Ever since Bai Mo had met her, she had always been gentle and broad-minded, carrying herself like a lady of a distinguished family and treating everyone kindly. This was the first time Bai Mo had seen a sharp edge to the woman.

Bai Mo also knew that she cared deeply for her younger brother. She picked up the teacup, smiled, and nodded slightly.