Chapter 281 - 240: I’m here to fall in love_1
Since Li Xuan was going to observe the ceremonies and enjoy the festivities, he decided to invite Xue Yunrou along.
Although he hadn’t seriously pursued romance in his past life, he knew that women treasured companionship. He didn’t want to risk being outdone by other men, so he decided not to leave his girlfriend behind.
When they arrived at the external academy of the Guozi Bureau at Yuhuatai for the second time, escorted by Wang Jing and Long Rui, they found it already teeming with people, with crowd rubbing shoulders and jostling for a sufficient view.
Li Xuan found the Guozi Bureau’s selection competition rather dull, yet the number of onlookers proved considerable.
Apart from scholarly students and noble maidens from Nanjing, the majority of the crowd were local residents.
Although most of these average folks had no understanding of the scholarly arts, it didn’t prevent them from joining the lively gathering.
Over two hundred stalls had even sprouted up outside the academy gate, forming a makeshift marketplace comparable to the Chenghuang Temple fair. This forced the Liudao Division to assign a sizeable troop to ensure safety.
Unexpectedly, the ones assigned to oversee the situation were from Mingyou City.
Upon seeing Li Xuan and Xue Yunrou, arm in arm, their collective expressions became complicated. Ma Chenggong looked especially bitter. How was it fair that while he worked tirelessly, Li Xuan had the leisure to enjoy a carefree outing at Yuhuatai with a girl?
"Did Jijiu Quan invite you?" Ma Chenggong sneered in disbelief after hearing Li Xuan’s explanation, "Jijiu Quan is a significant figure; would he really go out of his way to invite you? Qianzhi, you love pulling my leg. Okay! Fine! It’s fair enough that you get a few days off after solving so many big cases recently. Nobody will argue with that.
Although I, old Ma, haven’t had a day off in a month – my solitude being spent in prison – I respect you, Qianzhi. Not the least bit jealous, I say, sincerely."