Starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, people in the village began visiting relatives, and the roads were bustling with pedestrians and vehicles every day.
The adults' conversations and the children's laughter could all reach Shen Xiaoyan's ears, but it had nothing to do with them, as they had no relatives to visit.
Although it might sound a bit bleak, the reality was quite the opposite. While they didn't visit relatives, they were not idle either.
First, on the sixth day, the three of them went to Lu Taobao's house together. After all, they had a cooperative relationship with Lu Taobao, and Lu Taobao had always had a very good relationship with Zheng Wei. Therefore, it was only natural that they should visit Lu Taobao's home.
Since they had confirmed the date of their visit with Lu Taobao in advance, Lu Taobao was at home waiting for them on the day they arrived, or rather, he was waiting specifically for them.
This was Shen Xiaoyan's first time visiting the Lu family. The Lu family's manor was one of the best mansions in town.
The carriage drove into the grand and luxurious gatehouse and stopped at the stable in front.
Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming got out of the carriage, and then they took out the gifts they had brought from the carriage: fresh vegetables, pastries made by Shen Xiaoyan, and two good fox furs.
The furs were from foxes hunted by Zheng Wei in the mountains. There were a total of five foxes. Shen Xiaoyan had made three of them into scarves, and the remaining two were brought as gifts.
Although not particularly valuable, they represented their sincerity, and they believed Lu Taobao would understand.
Indeed, Lu Taobao was a true foodie. Seeing the fresh vegetables and berries, his mouth began to water.
"Take the vegetables to the kitchen, then wash the berries and cherry tomatoes and bring them to me," Lu Taobao instructed Wu Yong, who was behind him.
"Yes, Young Master." Wu Yong agreed and, with two servants, carried the vegetables away.
Lu Taobao walked forward, holding Zheng Wei's arm, his eyes still on Shen Xiaoming and Shen Xiaoyan. He said, "I've been waiting for you for so long. Why are you only arriving now? Come in quickly."
As they spoke, they walked through the corridor and arrived at a door. Upon entering, they saw a courtyard.
As Shen Xiaoyan passed the threshold, she glanced up. Above the door was written "Carefree Courtyard." It seemed this was Lu Taobao's personal courtyard.
After entering the house, they each took their seats. Lu Taobao ordered tea to be served and then said, "Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law know that our family is in business, and we have a lot of dealings. Father and Mother are out attending to business today, so I've brought you to my courtyard. Let's talk freely."
Zheng Wei replied noncommittally, "You decide as you see fit."
Shen Xiaoyan also said, "The guest follows the host's lead."
Lu Taobao's smile widened, "I knew Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law were understanding people."
As the three of them were talking, Wu Yong came in with the washed berries and cherry tomatoes. After placing them down, he withdrew again.
Lu Taobao didn't stand on ceremony with the three of them. He picked up a berry and popped it into his mouth. After quickly finishing it, he took another one.
He only stopped after eating six berries. He wiped the juice from the corner of his mouth and said to the three of them with a look of satisfaction, "Don't laugh at me. I didn't even get to eat a few of the ones you sent before; my parents took them all."
Shen Xiaoyan pursed her lips and smiled without speaking, but Shen Xiaoming said, "Brother Lu, you don't need to rush. There's plenty more. No one will fight you for them today."
Shen Xiaoming's words made everyone present burst into laughter. Lu Taobao nodded even more, "Right, right, none of you can compete with me."
They had lunch at the Lu family's residence. Zheng Wei then bid farewell to Shen Xiaoyan, Shen Xiaoming, and Lu Taobao. Although Lu Taobao repeatedly urged them to stay, the three of them still left.
During the New Year, both the town and the farther county were very lively.
After the sixth day, they not only explored the entire town but also went to the county on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to see the lantern festival.
This was Shen Xiaoyan's first New Year spent in ancient times. She found everything novel and amusing, and felt fortunate to have experienced it all.
After the fifteenth, Shen Xiaoming had to prepare to go to the academy to study. Although there were still a few days before classes resumed, he had to go and inform the tutor in advance and prepare the tuition fees.
Zheng Wei said he would handle all these matters, and Shen Xiaoyan was happy to relax at home.
By the twentieth day of the first lunar month, the academy officially began its classes.
Shen Xiaoyan had ordered new clothes, new shoes, and a new schoolbag for Shen Xiaoming in town in advance. The three of them, all dressed neatly, walked towards the village together.
Baiyun Village was the largest among the surrounding villages, so its academy was also quite large. People from nearby villages came to study here, and those from further away even lived at the academy.
The academy was not far from the entrance of the village, a standalone black brick courtyard.
A plaque hung on the main gate, bearing the inscription "Happy Learning Academy."
As the three approached the courtyard, there was a gatehouse on the left side of the gate. The courtyard was very large, with a main building and two side buildings. There were passages on both sides of the main building that led directly to the back courtyard.
Shen Xiaoyan had never been to the academy before, but Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoming had. So Shen Xiaoming said with a smile, "Eldest Sister, the main building and the side buildings are all classrooms. Behind them are two more courtyards, which are the students' living quarters and the tutors' living quarters, respectively."
"Then how are the classes divided?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, looking closely. The classrooms Shen Xiaoming mentioned earlier were only six rooms.
"Oh, the academy is divided into three classes: upper, middle, and lower. Each class has two classrooms," Shen Xiaoming explained, his eyes fixed on the direction of the classrooms, filled with excitement and eagerness.
"Then which class are you in?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Shen Xiaoming with confusion.
Given Shen Xiaoming's age, he should be in the middle class. However, he didn't start studying at the age of seven or eight like other children. So, would he be going to the lower class?
"Hehe, fortunately, Brother-in-law taught me at home. The tutor said there will be an entrance exam today. If I pass, I can go to the middle class and study with Brother Da Gang and Brother Bai Yan," Shen Xiaoming explained.
At this moment, more and more people were entering the courtyard. There were children Shen Xiaoyan recognized; these were likely from Baiyun Village. There were also some unfamiliar faces, probably from other villages.
Shen Xiaoyan also saw Shen He and Shen Bing. The two children also saw her, but they didn't seem to intend to come over. Instead, they walked directly into a classroom.
Shen Xiaoyan was very pleased about this. It was great that they didn't come to bother her.
However, since Shen Xiaoming would be studying here in the future, she still needed to be careful and ensure he didn't have any conflicts with them.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't voice these thoughts, believing that Shen Xiaoming could handle things himself.
After another quarter of an hour, Shen Xiaoyan saw six tutors walking from the back.
All six men stood tall and were of similar age, around forty years old. Each of them exuded the scholarly elegance of a learned person.
Zheng Wei tugged at Shen Xiaoyan, then led Shen Xiaoming towards the six tutors.
"Greetings, esteemed tutors," Shen Xiaoming said respectfully, bowing to the tutors.
"Good, good. Don't be nervous during the exam. You have the ability to join the middle class," a fairer-skinned tutor said to Shen Xiaoming with a gentle smile.