Chapter 1425: Chapter 1403: Announcement (December Monthly Ticket Bonus 1)
During their journey to the capital, after being educated by Junior Ms.Qian and Bai Shan about the importance of the Six Academies at the Imperial Academy, the two became excited as well.
Entering the Imperial Academy is akin to stepping one foot into the officialdom, and joining the academies above the Four Gates School is like stepping into officialdom with rank.
Being an official, just thinking about it makes the Zhou Family believe their ancestral grave is emitting auspicious smoke.
Feng Zongping observed their reactions and found them very endearing, much like Zhou Man, confident, truly a family trait.
A hint of laughter flashed in his eyes, and Yi Ziyang found it amusing, thus he suggested, "Since you’ve decided to study in the capital, why not take advantage of the current low housing prices to buy a house? It’ll be convenient for long-term living."
Manbao exclaimed, "Houses in the capital are so expensive, how can we afford one?"
Among the people present, besides the Zhou Family and Bai Shan, Bai Erlang, nobody thought she couldn’t afford one.
Feng Zongping responded with mock annoyance, "You’ve entered and exited the palace so many times, each time receiving rewards, and you can’t buy a house?"
Manbao muttered, "What’s given are fabrics and such, not gold or silver..."
Everyone: ...
Ji Hao said, "If you can’t use up all those fabrics, why not sell them to me, you can exchange them for money."
Feng Zongping teased, "What, does Junior Brother’s family run out of silk and brocade?"
Ji Hao solemnly replied, "That belongs to the family. When my sisters have birthdays, I must give them gifts. And since Zhou Man’s fabrics aren’t selling, I would graciously help her circulate them..."
"No need," Bai Shan said with a faint smile, "She doesn’t have much fabric left, and what remains are her favorite patterns. It’s getting hotter in two months, and she needs to keep them for clothes. Plus, these are palace rewards, meant for personal wear or gifting, not selling."
All three adults, including Liu Huan, nodded in agreement. Liu Huan whispered to Yin Huo, "This transaction should be private; how can he bring it up so blatantly and say it so rudely? Zhou Man would have to be silly to trade with him."
Naturally, Manbao wasn’t silly, but if Ji Hao offered enough money, she wouldn’t mind his rudeness.
But Bai Shan had already refused, and even though she didn’t quite understand why, she nodded in agreement; no amount of money from Ji Hao could change that.
Maintaining the dignity of one’s own people is always important.
Ji Hao knew he messed up again; he couldn’t help but feel frustrated, though he didn’t show it on his face.
Bai Erlang looked from one to another, momentarily indecisive.
Perhaps having witnessed his elder brother and Bai Shan’s engagement in succession, he always felt something off about Ji Hao.
Bai Shan had already noticed, so he secretly kicked Bai Erlang under the table.
Bai Erlang winced in pain, glaring at him, wondering why he got kicked.
Bai Shan glanced at Manbao, signaling Bai Erlang with his eyes.
Unfortunately, Bai Erlang couldn’t understand at the moment, so he stared at him.
Liu Huan, nearby, asked, "What’s wrong with you two?"
They looked like they were about to fight.
Yin Huo, who’d just finished ordering dishes, turned around, saw the scene, and couldn’t help but smile. Though focused on ordering, he had kept an ear on the table, so he poured a cup of tea and said to Bai Shan and Manbao, "I wasn’t here when you got engaged; though not married yet, I’m in poor health, but I’ll still toast you with tea, sharing your good fortune. How about that?"
Bai Shan’s face lit up with a smile, he poured a cup of tea from the pot, and then one for Manbao, smiling, "We’re not good at drinking, so we’ll use tea as wine too."
Manbao hurriedly raised her teacup, thanked Yin Huo with Bai Shan, and wished him good health.
Feng Zongping and the others were astonished, Ji Hao was even more dumbfounded, his eyes turning red as he regained his voice after a long while, "You, you’re engaged?"
Bai Shan glanced at him, nodded reservedly, "Indeed, but it was at the old home; we didn’t invite you, but we will when it’s the wedding."
You’re free to attend or not as you wish.
Feng Zongping, although eighteen this year, hadn’t gotten engaged; he couldn’t tell if he was envious or jealous. He poured himself a cup of tea, "Then we’ll toast you too, but let’s drink wine. Yin Junior, Primus Pavilion’s wine is so famous, aren’t you ordering us a pot?"
Yin Huo couldn’t help but laugh aloud, turned, rang the bell to summon the waiter, and instructed them to bring a good pot of wine.
Bai Shan and the others couldn’t quite appreciate the delight of wine yet, so they didn’t drink; only Feng Zongping and his two friends took the pot, pouring themselves a cup.
Ji Hao’s eyes uncontrollably turned red; he reached for the pot and poured himself a cup too.
Feng Zongping noticed and lightly shook his head, feeling a bit sympathetic towards him.
Even Manbao stared thoughtfully at Ji Hao, only Zhou Lixue and the other two, unfamiliar with Ji Hao due to being newcomers, didn’t understand what was happening.
But who cared because the waiter began serving dishes.
Primus Pavilion’s dishes, regardless of taste, first-rate based on appearance alone; at least many were visually stunning when served, captivating Zhou Lixue and his companions.
Heaven knows the best they’ve eaten is made by Junior Ms.Qian.
But Junior Ms.Qian doesn’t carve flowers, horses, or other decorative shapes on dishes.
Of course not.
So those three youths were momentarily stunned, forgetting even Junior Ms.Qian in the process.
Everyone congratulated Bai Shan and Manbao, toasting them, and despite the bitterness on Ji Hao’s tongue, he joined in the toast.
After drinking, his bitter tongue felt even more so.
Ji Hao struggled not to cry.
Bai Shan merely glanced at him; seeing that he didn’t speak ill, he let him be.
The meal, despite the strange atmosphere among everyone else excluding the Zhou Family’s three young members, went on.
But who cared? Everyone still leisurely cleaned off the table’s dishes and then slowly drank tea, chatted, and parted ways.
Ji Hao didn’t linger, claiming family matters and left alone.
Liu Huan couldn’t help but say, "I feel like he’s on the verge of tears."
Yin Huo cast him a glance, and Liu Huan, meeting Bai Shan’s gaze, sheepishly lowered his head.
Manbao already vaguely sensed it; it was quite incredible for her. Could Ji Hao actually like her?
Though their past interactions weren’t exactly enjoyable.
Bai Shan stood by Manbao’s side, standing closely. For convenience in treating patients, Manbao wore tight-sleeved clothing, but Bai Shan’s student attire had wide sleeves.
The sleeve hung down, covering half of Manbao’s hand, allowing Bai Shan to subtly grip her hand, all while he kept his gaze steady on Feng Zongping, "Senior Brother Feng, we won’t see you off."
Feng Zongping shot them a knowing smile; he wanted to inquire about the Crown Prince’s health but sensed today wasn’t the right time.
So Feng Zongping pulled his three friends away and bid farewell.
Bai Shan turned to invite Yin Huo to visit their place, suggesting, "Also let Manbao check your pulse in case you need acupuncture?"