Daily life in the academy

When Baizhi walked into the dining hall, breakfast was already on the table.

Bai Zhi sat down in the empty seat and asked, "Why are you eating so early today?"

Yan Qingchen nodded, but didn't say anything. He just said, "Let's eat first and talk later."

Bai Zhi turned to look at Wen Zhe, who also shook his head to indicate that he didn't know. Mu Bailian took a sip of porridge and smiled at her, "Azhi, your encouragement last night was really effective. I'm not afraid at all on the way back."

"Huh?" Bai Zhi was stunned.

Yan Qingchen glanced sideways: "What happened last night?"

After a night of rest, Mu Bailian spoke much more clearly. He vividly described what happened last night when he followed Bai Zhi to the hot spring pool, and how he was inspired by Bai Zhi and returned to the main courtyard very smoothly.

Yan Qingchen reminded him, "Bai Lian is right. If you drink alcohol and then soak in a hot spring, you might pass out or even drown. It's better to be careful in the future."

"Got it. I'll pay attention next time."

Finally, breakfast was over and the maids had cleared the table. Yan Qingchen knocked on the surface and said slowly, "At dawn, I received a letter from the palace saying that Empress Murong had suddenly fallen seriously ill. The imperial physicians were helpless. Your Majesty has been recruiting talented individuals. If no one can treat her, I'm afraid her life will be short. So the Empress begged Your Majesty to quickly select wives for the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi."

Mu Bailian was puzzled: "What does this have to do with getting us up early?"

Wenzhe frowned: "The Queen is seriously ill. Have you verified that it wasn't done by a bad person?"

Bai Zhi said nothing. She really couldn't imagine how what they were saying had anything to do with a commoner like her. She looked left and right, waiting for what to say next.

"The entire palace has been searched, and no suspicious individuals or objects have been found. All the imperial physicians have examined the Empress's pulse, and they all agree that the illness is the result of excessive worry and depression." Yan Qingchen answered Wenzhe's question first, then turned to Mu Bailian and said, "I haven't finished my story yet, so please listen first."

"Putting aside the Prince of Qi, the selection of the Crown Princess is extremely important and has a bearing on the fate of the nation. Your Majesty didn't want to be so hasty, but he couldn't resist the Empress's persistent pleas, so he agreed. This matter originally had nothing to do with us. The next day, after Your Majesty left Concubine Li's chambers, he issued an edict summoning all sons and daughters of officials of the third rank and above in Sheng'an who were sixteen years old or older to attend."

Bai Zhi exclaimed, isn't this a large-scale blind date event?

Mu Bailian pointed at his nose and said in disbelief: "Brother Yan, I'm still young... I don't want to discuss marriage so early."

Wenzhe was still worried about whether there was a bad guy causing trouble a moment ago, and was speechless for a moment: "This..." There are always many troubles in front of the emperor.

Yan Qingchen held his forehead helplessly. "The imperial decree has been issued. There's no turning back. The five-day garden party will be held in two days. The location...is the Mountain Resort. The imperial eunuchs will arrive at the end of the day to rearrange the resort, so we have to leave first and return in two days."

Bai Zhi looked at the three people in front of her with a gloating look. For the first time, she was very satisfied with her status as a commoner. She said jokingly, "Then I wish you all the best in advance to find your soulmate."

Yan Qingchen said in a deep voice: "Follow me and come together."

"I'm just a commoner, so... there's no need to embarrass myself." Bai Zhi almost jumped up to retort, but held back.

Yan Qingchen snorted coldly, "With me by your side, who would dare bully you?" Meeting Bai Zhi's questioning gaze, he softened his tone slightly, "You'll eventually enter officialdom, so making more friends will do you good. Secondly, my mother also instructed me in the letter to take you with me."

Ah...this...

Noble people have a lot of things to do.

"...Okay." It's just a formality after all. Just be careful and cautious and don't offend anyone.

***

Two days later, the garden party officially began.

Bai Zhi, who followed Yan Qingchen out of the carriage, stood in front of the gate of the Summer Resort, which had a completely different decoration, with a slightly complicated mood.

Yan Qingchen tilted his head slightly and said softly to Bai Zhi, "Come in with me."

"Aren't you going to wait for Bai Lian, Azhe and the others?"

"They should be here soon. Let's go in and draw lots for the courtyards. We can't choose our own rooms this time."

"Ah, what should I do?"

Yan Qingchen chuckled: "Of course you're coming with me. Don't worry. Since I've brought you here, I'll make sure everything is arranged for you."

Bai Zhi was reassured that Yan Qingchen's ability to get things done was unquestionable. However, after she followed Yan Qingchen into the villa, she found that all the interior decorations had been completely renewed, and the materials used were even more expensive.

The whole thing smells like money!!

"Azhi."

"Brother Yan, Ah Zhi."

Two voices came from different directions, one male and one female.

She knew the male voice was Mu Bailian without even looking. The female voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember who it was. Bai Zhi looked at the female voice and it was Chu Youyou!

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time since their last chat. She thought Chu Youyou had forgotten her long ago, but she never expected to meet her here.

The memory of the dead began to attack Baizhi again.

"Ms. Chu, you are here too." Bai Zhi forced a standard smile.

Chu Youyou's expression froze. She quickly walked up to Bai Zhi and narrowed her eyes slightly. "It's only been two months since we last met. Ah Zhi, you don't remember much. You call me so strangely."

Being able to bend and stretch has always been Bai Zhi's virtue. She smiled more sincerely: "Hehe, Youyou, I was just joking just now, don't take it seriously."

"That's more like it." Chu Youyou glanced at her, then showed a proper smile and bowed to Yan Qingchen: "Greetings, Master Yan."

Yan Qingchen curled the corners of his lips slightly and nodded in response.

Chu Youyou said again: "Prince Yan, I am only familiar with Azhi here, can he accompany me for a walk?"

Yan Qingchen clenched his hands behind his back, but his face showed no displeasure. He looked at Bai Zhi calmly, as if as long as Bai Zhi was willing, it would be fine.

"Brother Yan, then I will accompany Chu...ah...Youyou for a walk. You can just send someone to tell me where I will live." As soon as Bai Zhi finished speaking, Chu Youyou pulled her sleeve and walked forward. She had no choice but to wave to Yan Qingchen behind her as she walked.

After the two left, Mu Bailian and Wenzhe walked to Yan Qingchen.

Wenzhe looked at the direction the two people left and asked, "That was Miss Chu?"

Mu Bailian: "Why did she drag Ah Zhi with her? When did they become so familiar with each other? Haven't they been in touch for a long time?"

Yan Qingchen walked forward without looking back, his tone cold: "How would I know?"

Mu Bailian touched the goose bumps that suddenly appeared on his neck and asked Wenzhe in a low voice: "Why is Brother Yan angry? Wasn't he fine just now?"

Wenzhe spread his hands and said, "Being inexplicably arranged to attend this kind of rally, which will last for five days, anyone would be unhappy."

"That's right. A good vacation is wasted like this. How abominable."

"Be quiet! If the prince hears you, you'll be in trouble."