Chapter 2448: Chapter 39: Haina Tea House

The lectures in the Imperial Palace are exclusively for those with status; ordinary scholars naturally cannot enter.

But not being able to enter does not mean they do not participate. On this day, scholars from all over the country gathered in various libraries and tea houses in the capital, engaging in academic exchanges.

The Haina Tea House, being close to the Imperial Palace, is the largest tea house nearby.

Though called a tea house, it is more akin to a garden. With numerous pavilions and towers, at the center of the tea house is a lake. In the middle of the lake is a platform shaped like a boat, fixed on the water’s surface.

In the past, performances would be held on the platform if needed.

Now, the platform is filled with many desks and chairs, along with pens, ink, paper, and inkstones, for everyone to engage in discussion and exchanges.

The tea rooms on the pavilion are all built around the lake, and from the private rooms on the second floor, one can have a full view of the scene on the platform.

The private rooms at Haina Tea House were booked early, mostly reserved for the representative academies from various places. As Zhenglu Academy was a rising star last year, they naturally had a place too.

Their private room is on the left side of the second floor, spacious and second only to the Imperial College and the established Wanli Academy.

Shu Yu heard from Meng Yunzheng that Haina Tea House is owned by a prince who happens to have a very good relationship with Xiang Weinan. So, thanks to Xiang Weinan, they got such a good view from their private room.

When Shu Yu got off the carriage, there were already quite a few people at the tea house.

The students of Zhenglu Academy had uniforms, causing someone to immediately announce their arrival as they entered.

"Students of Zhenglu Academy have arrived."

As soon as the words fell, a servant came over and led them inside the tea house.

Holding Mianmian, Shu Yu followed the crowd towards the private room.

In the tea house, apart from the representative scholars from various academies, there were also many scattered students.

Not everyone could go on the platform in the center of the lake; after all, with so many people, the platform, though large, couldn’t accommodate everyone.

Hence, only three or four people from each academy could go up. As for the other students, most were unwilling to return to their private rooms; some of the private rooms didn’t have good locations, and they’d rather stay by the lakeside.

Shu Yu didn’t bother squeezing in; she took her two children upstairs and comfortably sat by the window to look down.

Mianmian, half held by Shu Yu, placed her small hands on the windowsill and exclaimed, "Wow, so many people!"

Shu Yu poured herself a cup of tea, "Did you find your senior brothers?"

The scholars of Zhenglu Academy were Mianmian’s senior brothers. The little girl was familiar with them and quickly pointed to the crowd on the right, saying, "There they are."

It seemed they saw Mianmian as well and raised their hands to wave towards her.

Mianmian was thrilled, almost leaning out to greet them.

Shu Yu quickly held her back, "Alright, it’s good that you found them. Your senior brothers are queuing over there; once enough people have gathered, they’ll head to the center of the lake."

"Mother, can I go up there?"

Shu Yu replied, "What would you go up there for?"

"To help my senior brothers!" The little girl clenched her fists, looking very determined.

Shu Yu laughed, "Your senior brothers appreciate your kindness, but let’s stay here to cheer for them and watch their performance, okay?"

Mianmian was a bit disappointed; she also wanted to go up on that big boat-like place.

Just as she was thinking, the door to the private room was knocked on; it was Xiao Ruojun and Doudou, whom they hadn’t seen for several days.

"We’re not late, are we?"

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