When it was nearing 8pm, at the small rear house, which was located farthest from the other houses in the Ku clan, someone brought food for Guo Xian Xian. In the food tray, there were three items: one bowl of boiled rice and a lump of honeycomb.
The servant who brought the food was a mature man familiar to Xian Xian's mother. After placing the food on the central table in the room, before Xian Xian could turn around, she conveyed the words of Master Huo Yin, the eldest son, to her daughter.
"You, number four, you must understand Master Huo Yin very well. Why he did this is something you should know best. I won't say much; it's just that the lady ordered that if it's not necessary, you shouldn't show up at the main house frequently, or even at the houses of the eldest son and the two young masters. Do you understand what I'm saying?" She left those words for a while before continuing, "Just for today, the young master thinks you've done well. Nothing is inappropriate. This is a reward from the lady. You should eat a bit more. It seems like you've lost weight recently."
"Please tell my mother that I understand," Guo Xian Xian replied without even looking at her. She lowered her head and said nothing more.
Once the servant left, Guo Xian Xian began to divide the food she had received. She carefully wrapped the honeycomb in a small cloth and placed it in a large woven box on the table, next to her makeup table. That night, Guo Xian Xian ate the food that had been brought to her until it was finished. Her large, bright eyes carefully observed each piece on the plate. She swept every morsel into her mouth, as if she was saving it for the next day. She cleaned the plate herself and placed it on the table in the hallway without anyone's help, unlike the servants in other houses who had their young masters and mistresses to assist them. The close servant she had, who was also her only confidant, was sent to work at the laundry that night. Until now, he had not been released because the main house was short-staffed.
Though Guo Xian Xian was only sixteen, she knew that this was just a matter of harassment. While the main house had many maids and servants, only one young servant boy was chosen to request her presence. Even though she couldn't say that there was only one servant boy who was her close confidant, how could it be a coincidence that he was the one chosen among the few? Even if there was only one servant boy who was close to her, looking after her day and night, and the master of the house thought it necessary to ask him to fetch her, it was all clear. Guo Xian Xian was a simple-minded girl; she hoped that her servant boy would return safely. As long as he was safe, she could continue her life without much trouble. Even now, when she felt worried, it was only for her close servant boy. She hoped he would return tomorrow because she felt increasingly lonely without him.
During this time, it was still in the ninth month before the arrival of winter. The weather was neither too hot nor too cold. After washing their faces and rinsing their mouths, Guo Yun and Nan Khaon Li stepped out of the Ku clan's rear house together. In Guo Yun's hand, there was a small bundle of incense. As they opened the door, Nan Khaon Li almost constantly led the way, declaring himself as the local expert.
"Do you know which way the school is?" Guo Yun grinned before stopping when they reached a junction and saw his companion leading them the wrong way.
"I know I haven't been to school for a while, but I remember that going this way is wrong," Nan Khaon Li said as he turned back.
"I'll just stop by for something to eat, and you're already going the wrong way," Guo Yun shouted and walked in the opposite direction. Nan Khaon Li hesitated for a moment before turning back to follow him. When they reached a food stall, Guo Yun chose to sit on a low stool by the side of the road. He ordered two bowls of sweet soup for both of them. When Nan Khaon Li came over, he joined in, and they ate just enough.
At that moment, when Nan Khaon Li was about to ask about the fourth sister of the Ku clan, whom he had almost never seen, even though he had been part of the clan since he was a child—no less than five or six times—why had he almost never encountered the fourth sister, even though the ages of the Ku sisters were not much different? Why was the fourth sister so reserved, always with a sulky expression, and silent every time she entered the main house? He just wanted to ask to clear up his confusion. However, he realized it was not the right time to ask, especially from the mouth of a young man about to grow into a young man, and the matter to be inquired about was the business of girls in other households like this. But he couldn't help but wonder. The eyes he saw that night were clear with hope. It seemed that the fourth sister hoped for more attention than she received. Otherwise, this girl of her age, who should have been lively, was so quiet, with a sullen expression, and seemed to be introverted all the time. He just wanted to ask to clear up his confusion. He also wanted to know what might have been bothering her. He just wanted to ask her to stay in the Ku clan's house for a more appropriate period while thinking about how to provide her with a proper place to stay. During his thoughts and while swallowing sweet soup, a carriage passed by slowly. When it was about to pass, the carriage suddenly stopped. The side curtains of the carriage were lifted, and the carved wooden window was slid open. A small hand lifted the curtain, blocking it in front of the window.
"Guo Yun, are you not in a hurry? We have a competition today. Are you just sitting here relaxing?" The person speaking was Xie Sui, the eldest son of the Xie clan, who was also Guo Yun's school friend. He had his head out of the window of the carriage.
"If you're still idling here, isn't that right? Why haven't you hurried up?" Guo Yun grinned, placing the bundled fabric next to him without forgetting to leave the money for the sweet soup on the table. He didn't rush to go anywhere, but instead, he walked straight back to his friend's carriage. Nan Khaon Li, who was thinking about the question he shouldn't have asked, followed suit.
"Why are you still in a daze here?" Guo Yun shouted from inside the carriage.
"Are you not interested in exploring the city? From here, just walk to the right, no more than three steps, and you'll be there. I'll wait for you there," Xie Sui said as he drove the carriage towards the right side of the road. Nan Khaon Li looked at the disappearing carriage from the right side of the road. He shrugged, as he had never been to the capital city before, and he didn't want to be bothered by that cunning doctor again. It was a good thing he had already paid for the sweet soup. That way, he could stroll around leisurely.
In the carriage, the two young men exchanged glances. Xie Sui couldn't help but ask, "Are you leaving him like this? Is that good?"
"No problem. He's used to it," Guo Yun replied casually.
Xie Sui didn't bother him any further. When the carriage had moved for a while, it stopped at the entrance of the school. Guo Yun was the first to jump off, carrying the bundle, ready to lead the way into the school. He informed the gatekeeper that his friend would "run" after him and asked him to let him in.
Xie Sui didn't rush to follow. Instead, he turned back to open a long wooden box at the front of the carriage, preparing the necessities, especially the bow and arrows he had brought specifically for the competition. He knew that today was not just the annual school competition; dignitaries would also be visiting. If he could perform well, there was a chance he might not have to wait for the city or provincial-level examinations. Perhaps he could get an opportunity to be friendly with some high-ranking officials at least. Of course, his goals were not just this. Every destination he had planned had to start somewhere, right? He extended his hand to stroke the feathers of the arrow with a focused gaze. When he was ready with his belongings, he got off the carriage and walked to the school gate. Not forgetting to admire the graceful movements of the birds at the tip of the arrow, he fixed his gaze with determination. He had prepared his tools for this, and if everything went well, he wouldn't have to wait until the city or provincial exams. Maybe he could have some opportunities even if he could only perform well enough to impress some high-ranking officials.
The school building was divided into two-story wooden structures and a single-story building. The two-story buildings served as classrooms for the entire school, while the single-story structure, located at the back, served as accommodation for the teachers. This building stretched along the rear end and bordered the spacious open area. The elevation allowed for a panoramic view of the northern city walls.
The gathering place for everyone this morning was the expansive open area near the foot of the hill.
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