TRBDM -Chapter 86 Study Tour at the Imperial Academy

In the evening, after returning from school, Xie Lan and Xie Yu brought back some news.

In a few days, Mr. Dong’s students would go to the Imperial Academy to study for seven days.

Before selecting the candidates for the upcoming competition, all twelve students would first go on a study tour at the Imperial Academy.

Wei Zhaorong nodded with satisfaction:

“This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons. You must cherish it. However, once you enter the Imperial Academy, you must speak cautiously, avoid making baseless remarks about state affairs, and never quarrel with the students there.”

Inside the Imperial Academy, there were two princes. Xie Lan and Xie Yu were still young and inexperienced in officialdom. Offending the wrong person could easily bring trouble upon themselves.

“Yes, Mother, we’ll follow your instructions.” The two children, obedient by nature, took their mother’s advice to heart.

For this study tour, their accommodation and meals would be provided at the Imperial Academy, and many things needed to be prepared. Xie Wanrou volunteered to help them pack.

Previously, whenever the Lei family held banquets and invited numerous high-ranking officials, Xie Wanrou had gotten along exceptionally well with their wives.

With some officials’ sons studying at the Imperial Academy, she was somewhat aware of the inner workings.

Students at the Imperial Academy all stayed in campus dormitories. Visiting students like Xie Lan would be temporarily arranged in a side room in the west wing, with six students per room.

Wherever there are people, there will be disputes, and many rules needed to be observed.

When choosing clothes for Xie Lan and Xie Yu, Xie Wanrou picked low-key colors and styles, but the materials were anything but modest.

All the students were children of high-ranking officials; wearing shabby clothes would invite contempt, while dressing too extravagantly could draw unwanted attention.

Low-key yet luxurious—just right.

Silver coins were also indispensable.

“When you’re away, many things need attention. Spend what you need to without hesitation.”

Following behind Xie Wanrou, Xie Lan felt extremely happy watching his elder sister meticulously pack for him.

“Lan’er, Yu’er, do you remember everything I just told you?”

“Yes, we remember.”

Since Xie Yu came from a servant family, he had only recently “flown to the branch and become a phoenix,” and had not fully adapted to his new status.

Hearing about the study tour at the Imperial Academy, his legs trembled.

Noticing Xie Yu’s unease, Xie Wanrou took his hand and said softly, “Yu’er, don’t be afraid. Discuss matters with Lan’er whenever possible. If anything urgent happens, have your servant rush back to the marquis’ residence to inform Mother. With Mother there, she will protect you.”

“Yes, we’ll listen to Elder Sister.”

After finishing the preparations and giving a few more reminders, Xie Wanrou, not wanting to disturb their studies, left without lingering.

“Third Brother, are you scared?” Xie Yu quietly asked, coming up to Xie Lan.

“No. Don’t worry, Fourth Brother. With Third Brother here, no one dares to bully you.” Xie Lan patted his chest, assuring him.

Only then did Xie Yu truly feel reassured. With their mother, elder sister, and third brother present, he had nothing to fear.

“Well, Third Brother, I’m going back to my room to study.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

Once Xie Yu left, Xie Lan secretly exhaled.

He had spoken bravely, but naturally felt a bit guilty inside. When Xie Yu asked if he was scared, of course he was.

The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning. On top of that, there were two princes studying there!

A single misstep in speech could even endanger one’s life—how could he not be afraid?

But as the elder brother, he had to protect his younger brother, and could not show fear in front of him, lest it unsettle him.

Opportunities always come with dangers—a double-edged sword—and it all depended on how the wielder used it.

Xie Lan washed his face with cold water to stop himself from overthinking.

Sitting at his desk, he forced himself to discard all outside distractions and fully immerse himself in his books.

After half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xie Lan finally calmed his mind.

He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when suddenly someone leaned over his desk, scaring him out of his wits. The brush slipped from his hand and smudged the work he had just completed.

“Xie Lan.” Xie Wanyi’s face was right in front of his.

Xie Lan instinctively leaned back, putting some distance between them. “Second Sister, what are you doing here?”

Xie Wanyi smiled at him. “I heard you’re going to the Guozijian in a couple of days?”

“That’s right.”

“So it’s true! That’s wonderful.” Xie Wanyi’s eyes sparkled.

Xie Lan was puzzled. Xie Wanyi had never stepped foot in the Lan Courtyard and usually treated him like air.

Now, so late at night, she showed up—and seemed genuinely happy. Xie Lan couldn’t make sense of her intentions.

“Second Sister, it’s so late. Why have you come to see me?”

Xie Wanyi stood up and took out a letter.

“When you get to the Guozijian, give this letter to Nangong Hai.”

Nangong Hai?

Xie Lan had never even heard of him.

“I don’t know him, nor what he looks like. I don’t think I can do this for you.”

“Tch, your mouth is always running. If you don’t know him, can’t you ask around? Nangong Hai is the companion student of Li Ming, the young master of Prince Jing. He has a face like jade and a handsome, elegant demeanor—extremely good-looking.”

Extremely good-looking? Xie Lan didn’t quite understand what Xie Wanyi meant by that, but he didn’t want to meddle.

His mother’s warnings still echoed in his ears: study quietly, don’t cause trouble, don’t argue with anyone.

“Second Sister, since it’s for a young master of the Nangong family, why not just send it to the Nangong Mansion directly?”

“Oh, you pig brain, how can you be so dumb? If I, a girl who hasn’t even married, deliver a letter to a young man, and someone finds out, wouldn’t it be utterly scandalous?”

Xie Lan was speechless. So sending a letter would earn her a good reputation? That’s about the same as nothing.

“Xie Lan, if you don’t help me with something this small, do you even have any heart for your sister?”

Of course not.

But Xie Lan couldn’t say that out loud.

Seeing him remain silent, Xie Wanyi took it as agreement.

“When you give him the letter, you must say it’s from the Second Young Lady of the Mingde Marquisate, Xie Wanyi. Got it?”

Xie Lan nodded helplessly.

Satisfied, Xie Wanyi patted her butt and left immediately.

Xie Lan stared at the hot potato on his desk, feeling completely overwhelmed.

After some thought, he finally slipped it into the luggage his eldest sister had packed.

He would deal with it when the time came.

The next day, Xie Lan and Xie Yu went to study at the Dong residence, while Xie Wanrou arrived early at the little kitchen to start making pastries.

Today’s pastries were complicated, with high demands on patience and skill.

Fortunately, Xie Wanrou had memorized the recipe thoroughly. Before beginning, she ran through the steps in her mind, so once she started, everything went smoothly.

After an hour, the pastries were finished, filling the Moyun Courtyard with a fragrant aroma. Occasionally, servants followed the scent to the kitchen. “Young Madam, what did you make today? It smells amazing!”

Xie Wanrou divided the Honey Puff Pastries and Ice Snow Cold Pastries into two food boxes and smiled. “I made some pastries to share with each household. The rest is for you to enjoy yourselves.”

“Ah, thank you, Young Madam! We’re lucky to taste your treats again.”

Xie Wanrou smiled and carried the boxes out of the Moyun Courtyard.

She was going to deliver them to Jiang Yuelin.