The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 916 - 914 Something Must Be Wrong

Chapter 916: Chapter 914 Something Must Be Wrong

Speaking of it, the scholars who study at Baiyun Academy are akin to phoenix eggs in their families; being chosen to participate in the dragon boat race, they are the crème de la crème of the academy.

On ordinary days, when they go out, they are admired by everyone and esteemed by their teachers. When have they ever experienced being guarded against like thieves?

They feel completely uncomfortable.

The leading teacher wore a grim expression and did not speak.

In the past, when Baiyun Academy visited Changqing Academy, they were always allocated the largest guest quarters, living comfortably and freely, able to go anywhere at their leisure.

As long as the requests were not excessive, Changqing Academy would generally be accommodating.

This time, however, not only were they given a small guest house, squeezing some twenty people together.

Previously, for meals, Changqing Academy would arrange a separate small kitchen in the guest quarters, hiring a cook woman to prepare meals for them.

They could eat whatever they wanted.

Now, Changqing Academy no longer mentions it, even when asked about meals, their steward begrudgingly says they are short-staffed due to dragon boat race preparations, and requests understanding for the lack of hospitality.

As for meals, Changqing Academy indeed has a large kitchen; many scholars residing at the academy pay monthly meal fees, and the large kitchen manages their daily meals.

The meal fee is inexpensive, the large kitchen’s food is clean and hygienic, albeit ordinary in taste. For scholars with modest family backgrounds who are not picky, it might be considered economical and reasonable.

Now, they were instructed to prepare more meals at the large kitchen to accommodate Baiyun Academy’s daily meals.

They also mentioned a special time for understanding from everyone.

Having said as much, what else can Baiyun Academy’s teacher say? To demand any further would be unreasonable.

Some expressed indignation: "This Changqing Academy is truly miserly. To say the least, we’ve come from afar as guests, yet they employ such tactics over trivial matters, making them truly despicable. A dignified academy, yet lacking an ounce of magnanimity!"

This sparked quite a bit of agreement: "Indeed, to say the least, wasn’t Brother Chang’s matters unresolved? And still, they cling onto it? It’s clear they are displeased from Baiyun Academy overshadowing them last year. Though not overtly, they take this opportunity to suppress us!"

"Brother Zheng speaks reasonably!"

...

The students of Baiyun Academy unanimously agreed.

Only a few showed disagreement in their eyes. Seeing the teacher’s complete approval, they exchanged glances and lowered their heads.

The students of Baiyun Academy spent half a day denouncing Changqing Academy, but it yielded no results.

Those squeezed into a small courtyard remained there, and wherever they went, they had to register, and were followed by someone supposedly to guide them, lest they get lost, with an overly hospitable attitude hard to refuse.

The ones eating at the large kitchen continued eating there, each resentful to no avail.

Seeing Baiyun Academy’s people bustling around for a few days, Changqing Academy turned a blind eye, and they had to gradually quiet down.

On this side, Gu Zikai pulled Song Chongjin with a smile: "A bunch unaware of their situation, still don’t recognize whose territory they’re on, yet so arrogant! After spending days in communal accommodations and eating shared meals, their brains should be clearer now."

But Song Chongjin sighed: "After all, it’s a century-old academy. How has it become like this? There is not a hint of Baiyun Academy’s former glory and dignity!"

Gu Zikai sneered: "Back then, they were overly self-important, refusing absurd demands, had they persevered, with their academy already turning their back on officialdom, they might as well have pursued a great scholar route diligently, teaching and enlightening, perhaps carving a path of celebrated literati."

"Yet they panicked seeing others entering court as officials, voluntarily bowing to others, after all these decades bent, they’ve likely forgotten the taste of standing upright!"

Song Chongjin silently mulled over the words for a while before saying: "I hear there are more than one significant figure coming this time?"

Gu Zikai chuckled dismissively, deftly pulling a leaf from a tree to toy with, speaking softly: "Besides the Grand Commandant born in Qingzhou Prefecture, Governor Chen, there’s also Zhu Haoran, Minister Zhu, known to be favored by the court, coming along."

Song Chongjin felt a jolt in his heart; Zhu Haoran? If guessed correctly, he should be the one encountered in Qi City?

It appears the Qi City private mines issue was handled quite well, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been promoted to minister.

Considering the timing, he must have only returned to the capital to report after promotion before being dispatched again?

Why is he coming to Jing County? Song Chongjin couldn’t help but ponder.

On the side, Gu Zikai continued his introduction: "This Governor Chen is heavily favored by the current sovereign, reportedly a close confidant during the sovereign’s days at the residence of the subversive. Since ascending the throne, Lord Chen diligently managed affairs, reportedly never making mistakes."

"What’s bewildering is why this Grand Commandant chose to come to Jing County for the dragon boat race?"

Especially forcing the two rival academies together, what could be the intention?

Song Chongjin hesitated a moment before lowly mentioning Zhu Haoran’s vague involvement with the Qi City matters.

Gu Zikai had also heard of the Qi City private mine issue; back then, his family even wrote about it.

This civil and martial pair, both confidants of the sovereign, arriving in Jing County, surely means something significant! A major event!

The two exchanged glances, barely suppressing their inner shock.

It was Song Chongjin who first regained composure: "No matter the reason, it likely has no connection to us. We only need to focus on our studies and perform well on the dragon boat race day."

Gu Zikai grasped Song Chongjin’s implied meaning, comprehended, then nodded, forming an unspoken agreement between the two.

Indeed, with two or three days left before the dragon boat race, Jing County began gradually bustling.

The grandstands by the Jing River have been gradually renovated, and nearby county residents fond of dragon boat races have been arriving in Jing County.

All at once, Jing County’s inns were filled to capacity.

Many who had no place to stay ended up seeking lodging in private homes.

The residents of Jing County became accustomed to it, annually during this period, families with spare rooms wishing to earn some money would offer their houses for rent to outsiders, making several large coins to offset household expenses.

The County Yamen had already dispatched government officials for daily three-shift patrols, fearing anything might occur.