Since it was a rest day, Shen Aoshuang and Shen Cui agreed to leave immediately after they finished packing their bags.

Mu Er Pang wanted to help but hesitated to speak directly, fearing that Shen Aoshuang might feel uncomfortable.

Shen Aoshuang could now see the expressions of the others up close, and knowing that there was a possibility of recovery from his disability, his mindset had changed.

He said, “The courtyard I rent isn’t far from here, and I don’t have much luggage, just a few changes of clothes and a bedsheet. But there are some books that need to be brought separately. It might be difficult for one person to handle. I wonder if Brother Hanshan could help with this?”

Mu Er Pang, of course, didn’t hesitate and accompanied Shen Aoshuang out of the academy.

As Shen Aoshuang had said, the courtyard he rented wasn’t far away, about a quarter of an hour’s walk from Cuiwei, and even closer to the academy, only half an hour’s walk away.

Cuiwei Academy was particularly quiet in the bustling market because the original site was considered ominous, and the locals avoided going there.

Shen Aoshuang’s rented courtyard, on the other hand, was conveniently located in the bustling area, which was quite rare.

Earlier, the toothman had taken them around the neighborhood, saying that apart from the ominous site, the rent in this area was particularly cheap.

The other houses closer to the academy might have small facades, but the rent for a year was no less than a hundred taels. Besides, even if you had the money, you might not be able to rent one.

If it weren’t for already knowing Shen Aoshuang, Mu Er Pang might have thought that someone who could rent such a place must have some remarkable means or considerable wealth.

But if it was Shen Aoshuang, would he be sharing it with others?

With this question in mind, Mu Er Pang followed Shen Aoshuang and knocked on the door.

A servant quickly came to answer the door. There was only him inside, and no one else.

He heard Shen Aoshuang say to the servant, “I’m going to live somewhere else. Please tell Uncle Shi. The house can be rented out to someone else. I’ll explain the situation to my family later in a letter.”

The servant agreed without asking anything and went to help pack.

From what he said, Mu Er Pang also understood some things.

No wonder Shen Aoshuang said it was completely fine to move to Cuiwei Academy, because his family wasn’t here at all, only a servant was following him.

And with a family that allowed him and his servant to come out to study alone, it seemed that they didn’t care much about Shen Aoshuang.

As for this house, it was lent to him by the Shen family out of friendship.

Mu Er Pang couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. Both belonging to the Shen family, although his grandparents didn’t treat their grandchildren equally, each grandchild was cherished in their hearts.

How could Shen Aoshuang’s elders treat him like this, as if he were nothing? Just because he was disabled? But it wasn’t something he wanted.

The servant was efficient and quickly packed up the items Shen Aoshuang requested.

Shen Aoshuang told him there was no need to see him off, so he didn’t, and didn’t ask any further questions.

Mu Er Pang and Shen Aoshuang each carried a bundle back to Cuiwei.

After they settled their luggage, Mu Er Pang took the initiative to ask Shen Aoshuang what he wanted for lunch.

Today was Shen Aoshuang’s first day at Cuiwei Academy, so it was only natural to celebrate a little.

Plus, seeing how he interacted with the servant just now, Mu Er Pang guessed his situation and wanted to be even nicer to him.

Shen Aoshuang wasn’t demanding, but when asked, after some consideration, he said, “I wonder if the headmaster would be willing to cook today? Yesterday’s soup was delicious, so… Of course, if it’s too much trouble…”

“Not at all,” Mu Er Pang agreed. “My mother used to cook from time to time, and today is your first day at Cuiwei… Is there anything else you’d like to eat?”

Shen Aoshuang shook his head and said, “Having a dish from the headmaster is more than enough. You don’t need to go out of your way for me.”

Afterward, Shen Aoshuang went to find Lao Buyu, served him tea, and paid his respects to the portrait of Confucius.

Since it was just a simple ceremony in their own academy, Mu Er Pang didn’t need to accompany him. He went to convey Shen Aoshuang’s wishes to Shen Cui and also mentioned some observations from their journey.

Shen Cui naturally agreed without hesitation. Although she knew that Shen Aoshuang appreciated her cooking because she used ingredients from the system, which allowed him to taste the flavors like a normal person, who didn’t like being praised?

Besides, making a meal only cost a few dozen shopping points, which was nothing to Shen Cui, who was still well off.

After they finished their conversation, Shen Aoshuang came over from the classroom. He handed Shen Cui a banknote worth one hundred taels of silver.

“This is all my money. I’m not sure if it’s enough for the expenses here. If it’s not enough, I’ll write to my family later…”

Shen Cui wasn’t surprised, as she had already inferred Shen Aoshuang’s background from Mu Er Pang’s description.

The Shen family should also be a wealthy family, otherwise they wouldn’t have such lavish social connections, but at the same time, they didn’t pay much attention to Shen Aoshuang.

So it wasn’t surprising that he could produce a hundred taels of silver.

“They pay the academy two hundred and forty taels of silver a year, half to me and half to Lao Buyu. This is almost half a year’s worth for you, so there’s no need to rush to pay more,” Shen Cui said, collecting the banknote.

For lunch that day, Shen Cui made a pot of “ink” soup that Shen Aoshuang had specifically requested.

Since it wasn’t part of the regular tasks, not everyone had to drink it, so she reserved it all for him.

Shen Aoshuang had two large bowls of rice soaked in “ink” soup before he finally stopped eating.

This time, he didn’t get teary-eyed again. Instead, he turned and wrote a poem. It served both as a demonstration of the poetry method he had taught Mu Er Pang earlier and as an expression of his current feelings.

In the poem, Shen Aoshuang likened the soup made by Shen Cui to the ambrosia found only in the heavenly realm.

Shen Cui blushed as she carefully collected the poem.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Cui received a letter from Hongle Academy Headmasyer Lao Shanzhang.

Over the past few years, the two academies had maintained communication.

Initially, Shen Cui’s relationship with Lao Shanzhang wasn’t particularly deep; they exchanged educational experiences and thoughts.

However, since Mei Ruochu came, the relationship between the two academies had improved significantly.

They not only exchanged written materials but sometimes Lao Shanzhang would chat with Shen Cui like an elder sharing family anecdotes.

However, this letter was different. It wasn’t casual chatter but rather about the upcoming inter-academy competition.

Shen Cui suddenly realized that three years had passed since the last competition.

Unfortunately, this year’s competition was being held in another prefectural city, which would take more than half a month round trip from Qingzhou Prefecture. Moreover, the competition itself would last for several days, adding up to over a month of absence.

Although Shen Cui’s relationship with Hongle Lao Shanzhang had improved over the years, her son’s absence from studies for over a month wasn’t a negligible matter. Plus, the number of students at Cuiwei Academy wasn’t high.

Taking such a long leave for a competition didn’t seem worthwhile.

Lao Shanzhang was aware of the situation at Cuiwei Academy through the letters he exchanged with Shen Cui.

So, he suggested that if the students couldn’t participate, Shen Cui or Laoyu could go as judges.

He had already informed the other academies, and they had no objections.

Shen Cui didn’t feel the need to participate in the competition.

Mei Ruochu was itching to say something, but Shen Cui stopped her, saying, “You’re only half a member of Cuiwei. With Lao Shanzhang being so kind to our family, should I take you away from here? Stay at the prefectural school and wait a few years. Maybe it’ll be our turn to host the competition then.”

It wasn’t just about the inconvenience of participating; the rewards from the system had also played a role.

But this time, with Mei Ruochu’s growth and the pace of Mu Er Pang’s learning catching up, the necessity of such rewards had diminished.

Time enhancements had become more of a bonus

Although Cuiwei Academy had nurtured a few scholars and even produced a “Little Three Excellence” in a short time, its foundation was still shallow.

Established only a few years ago, Cuiwei was nowhere near the level of other academies that had been operating for over a decade, like Qingzhu Academy.

Shen Cui suspected that Lao Shanzhang had orchestrated the invitation for Cuiwei to send judges.

Even if the students didn’t participate, it would still enhance the academy’s reputation.

Of course, the students’ excellence played a crucial role in this decision.

Even with Lao Shanzhang’s prestige, it wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Shen Cui, being somewhat of a “illiterate” in literary matters, was certain not to go. Moreover, the academy couldn’t function without her.

She asked Lao Buyu if he wanted to go.

Laoyu felt both excited and nervous about the opportunity.

He recalled how the academy had struggled to even qualify for competitions three years ago. Now, he was being considered as a judge.

Encouraged by Shen Cui and the others, Lao Buyu decided to go.

He was someone who couldn’t stay idle for long, and this opportunity seemed perfect. Besides, he had traveled extensively in his youth and was self-sufficient.

Since he would be away for some time, Lao Buyu planned to visit his old master after the competition, pay respects at his grave, and update him on his life.

Then, he would return before the New Year.

After Lao Buyu left, the students couldn’t help but miss him.

Even Shen Cui sometimes felt the absence of his presence, making the academy seem emptier.

However, their concern didn’t last long as winter was approaching, bringing with it the annual year-end examination presided over by Liu Xuezheng.