After crossing, I was forced to hold on to my thighs and build a kingdom

After walking through the bustling streets, passing through several quiet and mottled bluestone alleys, and finally along a winding country road, after about half an hour's walk, we finally arrived at the foot of the "Donglan Academy" where Huizhen's brother was.

From afar, a mountain with overlapping peaks and ridges stands before your eyes. This is Donglan Mountain in Lincheng.

"Donglan College" is located on Donglan Mountain. The academy is built against the mountain. Its terrain halfway up the mountain makes it isolated from the world while overlooking the mountains.

Looking up from the foot of the mountain, you can see the academy's eaves and corners hidden in the green trees, like an elegant landscape painting.

"Look! That's the best academy in Lincheng—Donglan Academy," Huizhen pointed in the direction of the academy and raised her head proudly. "My brother is studying there."

Jin Chu showed a longing look and sighed, "If one day my Zhao'er could also study here, it would be great!"

Huizhen patted her shoulder encouragingly. "Since your elder sister is so bright and intelligent, I think your younger brother won't be much worse. As long as he works hard, he will definitely have the opportunity to enter Donglan Academy."

"I hope you can take my word for it." Jinchu smiled and discussed with Huizhen, "We're already at the foot of the mountain. Wouldn't it be inconvenient for an outsider like me to go up the mountain? How about I stay here and wait for you?"

Huizhen thought for a moment, then shook her head, rejecting Jinchu's suggestion. "You're not familiar with the roads here, and I'm worried about leaving you here alone. I've sent clothes to your brother before, and there's a special area in the academy reserved for relatives to visit, which doesn't include entering the inner courtyard. You can come with me and wait there. I think it won't be a problem. After I see your brother, if he's free, he can take us to a nearby bookstore to pick out some books suitable for your brother's early childhood."

Jin Chu hesitated slightly, "Is this really okay?"

"Yes, yes, don't worry! The teachers at the academy are very kind, and your classmates are very polite. The academy has a very good atmosphere. If you stay here and I go up alone, I'll have to go down the mountain to find you after seeing you. It will definitely take us a long time to go back and forth. We also have to rush back home in the afternoon. Besides going to the bookstore, you also have to buy some clothes and food. If you calculate it this way, our time is very tight."

Jin Chu thought about it and realized that it was indeed as Huizhen said. It would take a lot of time to go back and forth to find people, and she did have more than just one thing to do.

She didn't go up with them, firstly because she was worried that the academy had rules prohibiting outsiders from approaching, and secondly because she wanted to leave some space for Huizhen and her sister so that they could talk.

Now that the academy doesn't have such strict rules and Huizhen doesn't mind her coming along, there's no need for her to be shy and avoid them. If the academy really doesn't allow outsiders in, she can just wait nearby, which can also save a lot of time.

In addition to purchasing books, clothes and food today, Jin Chu also had another very important thing to do, which was to find a money house and exchange the 500 taels of silver notes in his hand for some small amounts of cash.

Now she and Sun were on the verge of falling out. It was too conspicuous and unsafe for a single woman to carry large banknotes. Changing them into small change would also make it easier for her and Zhao'er to spend them in the future.

But she couldn't say these words to Huizhen for the time being. Although this girl was straightforward and enthusiastic, which made Jinchu quite fond of her, they had just met for the first time after all, and it was far from the level of close friendship. She also didn't want to use money to test people's nature.

"Jin'er, what are you daydreaming about?" Huizhen on the side pulled Jinchu, interrupting her thoughts, and continued to persuade: "It's not far from here to the academy, why don't you come up the mountain with me? It's a good opportunity for you to get to know my brother. He is a very nice person, it's worth meeting him." After saying that, she winked at Jinchu twice playfully.

Jin Chu couldn't help laughing, "Okay, I'll go with you! When we get to the academy, if you really can't let me in, I'll wait for you at the gate."

After the two reached an agreement, they walked towards the academy on the mountain.

"Jin'er, how old are you this year? When was your birthday?"

"I'm fourteen this August. How about you?"

"Then I am seven months older than you! So..." Huizhen stopped talking and stared at Jinchu with shining eyes.

"So?" Jin Chu asked cooperatively.

"I'm older than you, you have to call me sister!" The girl raised her face proudly and announced proudly.

"Okay, Sister Huizhen, I'm here to greet you!" Jinchu followed suit and called out obediently.

"Jin'er, why do I feel that you are saying one thing and thinking another? You don't even consider me as your sister at all?" Seeing Jinchu respond so quickly, Huizhen asked belatedly.

Jin Chu burst out laughing, "You finally figured it out! We are about the same age, but you are obviously more like a younger sister. Let's not differentiate between older sister and younger sister. Let's just call each other by our names."

Huizhen waved her hand and muttered softly, "Forget it, I won't take advantage of you! It's strange to say, although you are younger than me, Jin'er, your calm and smart personality always makes me feel that you are several years older than me."

Soon they arrived at the main gate of the academy. Thick vermilion columns stood at both ends, and in the middle of the tall archway were four large characters "Donglan Academy" written in a smooth and natural manner, combining both strength and softness. The blue bricks and black tiles, and the evergreen pines and cypresses gave people a sense of tranquility and solemnity, which aroused people's desire to learn.

Huizhen pulled Jinchu towards a side door nearby. A thin middle-aged man was sitting in the lobby, holding a book in his hand, seemingly reading.

Jin Chuxin thought, "As the saying goes, 'A red flower grows redder when it's near a red flower, and a black flower grows blacker when it's near a black flower.' In a place with such a strong academic atmosphere, even a janitor is accustomed to being constantly reading. This immediately strengthened my determination to teach Zhao'er well in the future."

Huizhen stepped forward and greeted him politely, "Uncle, my name is Wang Huizhen, and I'm the younger sister of Wang Weiyuan, a student of Mr. Cheng. I've come here today to bring you some food and clothing for you, brother. Could you please let him know?"

After she finished speaking, she unpacked the package she was carrying and handed it over. The concierge took the package, opened it and examined it. Then he pointed at Jin Chu behind her and asked, "Who is this girl?"

"Oh, she is my sister from the same village. We will not go in today. We just need to wait for my brother here."

Seeing Huizhen's answer, the doorman nodded to a young man next to him. The man looked at the name on the package, turned around and walked quickly towards the inner courtyard.

A moment later, the servant came out, and not far behind him followed a tall and straight young scholar wearing a black bachelor's scarf and a white robe.

He walked briskly, his clothes fluttering in the wind, and in the blink of an eye he came much closer. The sunlight shone on his tall nose, making his eyes look even more bright and energetic. He did not look much like Huizhen, and his temperament was completely different, elegant and calm, making him a very graceful and good husband.

No wonder Huizhen admires her brother so much.