The three from Goguryeo fell even more silent because... the relations between Goguryeo and Silla were really not good.
Bai Erlang and Manbao were discussing enthusiastically, evidently unaware of these hidden truths, but Bai Shan knew.
He quickly interrupted the two, pulling the topic back, "So, have you decided on which academy to attend?"
Generally, students from vassal states would attend either the Four Gates Academy or the Highest Institute.
The three from Goguryeo paused and then smiled bitterly, "Honglu Temple has not yet decided."
This was one of the reasons they were so enthusiastic upon hearing that Bai Shan was a student at the Imperial Academy. Previously, due to Silla, the relations between Goguryeo, Silla, and the Heavenly Empire had not been good. Although they delivered tributes this ti, Honglu Temple accepted them but did not imdiately agree to their requests.
They could feel that Honglu Temple was reluctant to allow them into the Imperial Academy, whereas there was less obstruction regarding the two doctors they brought applying to enter the Imperial dical Bureau, and it seed they had already acquiesced.
However, the study at the Imperial dical Bureau was rely on crafts, whereas entering the Imperial Academy ant studying the governance of the state, which they preferred.
As one of the key figures in the Imperial dical Bureau, Manbao: ...
Though the opposition spoke with subtlety, she could still discern their disdain towards the Imperial dical Bureau.
Manbao huffed silently, feeling that Director Xiao was right; these people didn’t speak Chinese well, and even she had a hard ti understanding. Joining the Imperial dical Bureau would require them to relearn the language and script, which seed overly troubleso; it was better not to admit them.
The three from Goguryeo were oblivious to all this, and their narration of their predicant was in hopes that Bai Shan and the others could help plead with Honglu Temple to let them enter the Imperial Academy sooner.
Bai Shan looked towards Mingda and Changyu. While Mingda was quite calm, Changyu felt sorry for Lou Mian’s grievances and thus said, "I’ll ntion it to Junior Courtier Liang."
The Junior Courtier of Honglu Temple was surnad Liang.
Unable to resist, Manbao glanced at Lou Mian and then at Changyu, silently remarking to Keke, "Indeed, beauty can be the downfall of a nation."
Keke: ...
Bai Erlang thought so too; sitting diagonally across from Manbao and Bai Shan, he couldn’t help but wink at them.
Bai Shan glared at him, signaling him to behave, while beside him, Gao You was already pleasantly surprised. He didn’t know Changyu’s identity, but her words indicated her high status, soone whose words carried weight.
Thus, he quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.
Changyu, however, kept staring at Lou Mian, who felt her gaze and blushed slightly. It wasn’t until Gao You nudged him that he stood up and bowed in thanks.
After resuming their seats, Gao You couldn’t help but express his joy and began to inquire about the Imperial Academy from Bai Shan and the others.
There was nothing they couldn’t divulge about this. After all, Bai Shan and Bai Cheng had studied there and were quite familiar with it. They talked about the Imperial Academy with the three from Goguryeo, while the three shared with Zhou Man about the various dicinal herbs abundant in Goguryeo. Mingda and Changyu were curious about the people in their country and the prevalent clothing styles...
This way, everyone benefited, and naturally, their conversation was lively and enjoyable.
The eight remained in the private room all afternoon, drinking tea and chatting. It wasn’t until the palace attendants reminded the princesses that it was ti to leave that they reluctantly got up and bid farewell, "It’s getting late, we must head back."
Manbao only then looked outside, realizing it was indeed late, and got up to say, "We should also prepare to take our leave."
Changyu reluctantly cast one last glance at Lou Mian, uncertain when they would et again, and sighed, turning to Manbao, "You must co find us to play next ti."
Manbao: "...I’ll co play with you the day after tomorrow."
Changyu pouted, "That’s not what I ant."
Manbao responded, "Slow and steady wins the race, don’t go overboard, or I’ll lose face in front of Keke and the others and won’t be able to bring you out again."
Mingda nodded repeatedly, also advising her sister, "Sister, we should head ho now. Perhaps before the big winter festival, we might have a chance to co out and play."
Changyu found this idea appealing and finally looked at Lou Mian and the others, bid farewell, and left.
Lou Mian secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, together with Gao You and Xing Xuan, escorted them downstairs.
Attendants brought up their horses; the two mounted them, nodded slightly from their elevated position, and rode off with their attendants.
Gao You gave a glance at the dozen attendants following them, his eyes glimring, turning to Bai Shan and the others, he saw a carriage and several horses stopped at the side, with several guards standing respectfully beside them.
Gao You imdiately smiled and asked, "Young Master Bai, where is your residence? So we can arrange a visit next ti."
Bai Shan turned and took a na card from Daji and handed it to him, smiling, "Our residence is in Chongyuan Courtyard, just look for the Zhou Residence when Ambassador Gao visits."
Gao You knew that the people living in Chongyuan Courtyard were nobility and grew even more respectful towards the trio.
Of course, Gao You also gave them their na card, though they probably wouldn’t need it.
Then, Gao You watched as the trio got into the carriage and left. Daji drove the carriage for them, while the guards rode their horses, taking Bai Shan and Bai Cheng’s horses back ho together.
Once the carriage had traveled a distance, Bai Shan pulled down the curtain and spoke to Manbao, "Princess Changyu is so fond of beauty, yet you took her to see handso n. What if sothing happens?"
"Nothing will happen," Manbao asserted, "There are many beauties in the world; although Changyu loves beauty, she is also a princess. She knows what she can and cannot do. Besides, in terms of looks, Lou Mian can’t compare to Scholarly Senior Brother Yang, or even you and Yin Huo; she won’t make a misstep."
Bai Erlang chid in, "And ."
Manbao and Bai Shan turned their heads to look at him.
Bai Erlang straightened his chest slightly and said righteously, "Teacher once said, beauty is not just about appearance; it’s about talent and character. As for character, it’s still early for us, but speaking of talent, Lou Mian and the others can’t compare to , and I don’t look bad either, do I?"
After saying this, he flicked a lock of hair and tilted his head to look at Bai Shan and Manbao.
Manbao made a gagging motion, while Bai Shan directly swung his fist to hold him down and punched him several tis, scolding, "Do that again, and next ti I’ll send you to hang out with Ma Fuming."
Bai Erlang shouted, "It’s a delicate touch, like Lou Mian, isn’t it?"
"Not at all," Manbao said, "You’re just being pretentious; he’s genuinely gentle."
At this ti, Changyu, who was riding back to the palace, was also talking to Mingda about Lou Mian, "He’s so fair-skinned, even fairer than us girls."
Mingda nodded, "I noticed he didn’t seem to be in great health, yet he’s fairer than us. But, it seems he’s not as fair as Yin Huo."
Changyu sighed, "Not only is he not as fair as Yin Huo, but he’s also less talented. I used to dislike Yin Huo, thinking how could a man be so delicate, even more so than us won, and prone to tears."
"I rember a few years ago at Big Sister’s wedding, I saw him in the backyard. When two of Brother-in-law’s cousins made so mocking comnts, he cried right there." Changyu huffed, "If he had scolded them back or hit them, I’d have respected him as a true man, but he ended up crying with red eyes. I thought it was disgraceful. At the ti, Father even said that if his health weren’t so poor, he would have considered marrying into the Yin family. No way I’d want to marry soone so frail."
"But the Yin Huo I saw at Manbao’s today seed different from the one I saw before," Changyu said, "Though Lou Mian is truly gentle, Yin Huo, I fear, is like a rose stem hidden in dough—prickly indeed."
Mingda laughed heartily upon hearing this and asked, "Is Sister choosing beauty or a consort?"
"Of course, just beauty; as for a consort, alas, that is Father’s decision," Changyu sighed, "Father just wants to marry into those families with ritorious sons."
It was clear she was not pleased, so Mingda asked, "Sister doesn’t like them?"
"We’ve all grown up together, who doesn’t know what kind of people they are? I don’t like them, not at all."
Mingda curiously asked, "Then what kind does Sister like?"
"I like soone strong and masculine with manly charisma, but look at the people Father suggests, which one fits that description?"
Mingda was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, "Sister likes that type? But, but..."
But Yang Heshu and Lou Mian are not like that...
Mingda was puzzled, her eyes full of confusion.
Changyu gazed at the sky in front of her at a forty-five degree angle, sighing, "It’s just a fancy; if I can delay marriage talks for a couple of years, I’d be satisfied."
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