CH 74

Chapter 74 Nian'an Temple (2)

Mu Yang didn't take her words seriously and said, "How are they unlucky? Nian'an Temple is the largest of the four temples. You don't have to sleep in a room with others when you go there. If I had the choice, I would definitely go to Nian'an."

Wen Yantong stated. "Even if it is a smaller temple, they wouldn’t let Little Marquis and the Fifth Highness be squeezed into a room with others."

Even if four or five other people slept in one room, Chi Jingxi and the others would be given a single room. This was the power of status.

Mu Yang nodded. "That's true, but then again, which temple do you want to go to?"

Fu Zixian said pragmatically, "We are not given a choice."

"Even without a choice, we can still think about it, no?" Mu Yang sighed and said, "There must be one you want to go to."

"I want to go to Fule Temple. I think that’s the best one to be sent to." Wen Yantong said happily, "The temple is always visited by many people, so it must be quite lively there."

Fule Temple was the most famous temple among the four temples and also the smallest temple among them. The common people liked to go there the most since there was a belief that smaller temples gathered the most blessings.

Fu Zixian said, "I really want to visit Shouye Temple."

Shouye Temple, on the other hand, was the most prosperous among the four temples. Rich people from all over the world like to donate and offer incense money to Shouye Temple. In addition, the Emperor's sacrificial ceremony held every three years was observed in Shouye Temple. Fu Zixian wanted to go because he had never been to Shouye Temple. He wanted to see the temple where the Emperor held a sacrificial ceremony.

After hearing this, Mu Yang nodded and said, "Then, if you guys don't get where you want to go, we'll find someone to switch you guys."

"Can it be switched?" Fu Zixian asked hesitantly, "Wasn’t it said that our names will be recorded on the spot?"

"Isn't it enough to change it before they record it?" Mu Yang said, disgruntled, "So stupid."

Wen Yantong was speechless. You actually dare call someone else stupid? Based on your own foolish appearance?

As soon as the three of them finished their discussion, four officials from the Ministry of Rites entered their classroom.

Two were holding wooden boxes, while the other two were holding a book and a pen. As soon as someone drew a temple, the officials would jot down their names, leaving no room to request for an exchange.

The three of them were sitting in the corner, so by the time the box came to them, everyone else in the room had already been assigned to a temple.

Mu Yang took out a note from the box. It was marked ‘Nian'an Temple’.

Wen Yantong snickered behind him. This was an inevitable result. Bro, go in peace.

Once it was her turn, Wen Yangtong put her hand in the box excitedly. Only the results of the main characters were written in the book. As a minor character, she really didn't know where she would be assigned to.

Once she pulled out the paper and unfolded it, Mu Yang and Fu Zixian brought their heads together at the same time, blocking the view of the officials from the Ministry of Rites.

On the paper was written: Ciju Temple.

The only one of the four temples that requires climbing. Wen Yantong exclaimed, "I am really too unlucky!"

Mu Yang also felt it was not a good pick. Before the officials from the Ministry of Rites could see it, he grabbed the paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it back into the box.

The official of the Ministry of Rites was a young man. It was the first time he had encountered such a situation. His eyes widened, and due to the shock, he could only shout, "You!"

The person, who recorded behind him, pulled him back. He pointed to Mu Yang's name on the notebook, signaling him not to be impulsive.

Mu Yang also explained in a very face-saving way, "My friend is a cripple and can't climb mountains, so let's change it to another place."

Wen Yantong was unhappy with his explanation. "I'm just temporarily crippled, okay? And I'm almost healed! Now it doesn't hurt to run and jump, and I don't limp anymore when I walk!"

Mu Yang waved his hand. He then reached into the wooden box and took out a note. "I'll pick one for you since I'm lucky."

Wen Yantong didn't believe it. "If you are lucky, then how did you get assigned to Nian'an Temple? Move over. I will pick one myself!"

Mu Yang refused to cooperate and insisted on taking one for her. And not just for Wen Yangtong, he picked out two for both of them. "I’ll help Fu Zixian pick one too."

He unfolded the two notes, both of which said Nian'an Temple.

This was natural. As one of the main characters in the book, no matter how many Mu Yang picked, it will always be Nian'an Temple.

Fu Zixian's face turned pale, and he shook his head like a rattle. "No, no, I want to pick it myself."

But Mu Yang said, "Look how lucky I am? Could you have gotten Nian'an Temple if you picked it by yourself? Ok! The decision is final!"

He commanded the officials of the Ministry of Rites, "Hurry up and write it down."

"No! Nian'an Temple– Nian'an Temple..." It was hard to know what Fu Zixian was trying to say. In the end, he blushed and made a final struggle, "I don't want to go there."

"Don't worry. I'm here." Mu Yang knew that he was afraid of the rumor that Nian'an Temple was haunted. He went around behind him and Wen Yantong, put his arms around their shoulders, and vowed. "The ghosts wouldn’t dare to knock on our door!"

Wen Yantong shook his hand away. "Go away, musclebrain."

After Sixth Ding Hall drew their lots, the lottery process for the entire academy ended. All the students and teachers began to prepare and simply packed up their belongings.

The Snow Clearing Festival will last for three days. The teachers will also go with them, so Songhai Academy will be basically empty, except for some servants.

Wen Yantong also went back and simply tidied up. The most that she brought in the package were cotton coats; all kinds of cotton coats. Finally, after thinking that it was not enough to only keep warm, Wen Yangtong decided to bring a small hand knife and a few new firestarters.

Fortunately, she was no longer prescribed any medicine, so there was no need to go out with a bunch of herbs.

It was the first time that Wen Yantong experienced going out with classmates for an outing. Her high school in the past was a full-time ‘closed’ school. There were even some months in a row where they weren’t given any holiday. The physical education teacher also took many sick leaves year round, so there was no chance to do such activities.

After she happily sorted everything out, Wen Yangtong waited for the Snow Clearing Festival to begin.

The Snow Clearing Festival was a three-day period. They were to leave early in the morning on the tenth of the twelfth lunar month and return in the evening on the thirteenth. After that, there will be a holiday starting on the sixteenth. This was for the Lunar New Year, so classes would only resume on the sixteenth of the first lunar month. After that, the next holiday would be on the first day of the second lunar month.

All the academies in Chaoge were like this. The original intention of the Emperor, who set these holiday dates, was to hope that the famous wealthy businessmen or officials from all over the country would come to Chaoge to celebrate the New Year. This way the imperial capital of Shao Jing would be lively.

Since then, the vacation dates have not changed. As such, some students in the Academies, who live far away, either stay in Chaoge for the New Year, or have their parents come to Chaoge for the New Year.

Wen Yantong thought this arrangement was quite crooked.