Chapter 2448: Extra - Haina Tea House

Chapter 2448: Extra - Haina Tea House



The lectures in the palace were attended by those with status. Common scholars and students naturally couldn't enter.


However, not being able to attend didn't mean they couldn't participate. On this day, tea houses near the capital city were filled with students from all over the country who came for academic exchanges.


Haina Tea House was the largest among them and was conveniently located close to the palace.


Although it was called a tea house, it was more like a garden. There were many pavilions, terraces, and buildings in this place. In the center of the tea house was a lake with a boat-shaped platform in the middle, fixed to the surface of the water.


In the past, performances were held on this platform when needed.


Now, the platform was filled with many tables, chairs, and writing materials, intended for scholarly discussions.


The tea rooms on the upper floor were built around the lake, and from the second-floor tea room private compartments, one could see the scene on the platform.


The private compartments in Haina Tea House were reserved early, most of them for representatives of various academies from around the country. Considering the recent success of the Zenglu Academy, they naturally had a place reserved as well.


Their private compartment was on the left side of the second floor, spacious and only second to the Emperial Academy and the well-established Wanli Academy.


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


The students from the Zenglu Academy had uniforms, so as soon as they entered, someone called out, "The students from Zenglu Academy have arrived."


As soon as the words were spoken, a servant came over and led them into the tea house.


Shu Yu carried Mengmeng and followed the crowd into the compartment.


The tea house was not only attended by representatives of various academies but also by many scattered students.


Not everyone could go onto the platform in the center of the lake. Despite its size, it couldn't accommodate everyone who came.


Therefore, one academy could have three or four representatives on the platform. As for other students, most of them preferred to stay by the lakeside.


Shu Yu chose not to squeeze herself onto the platform. She sat comfortably by the window, looking down.


Mengmeng was half-hugged by Shu Yu, with her little hands resting on the windowsill. She exclaimed, "So many people!"


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


The students from Zenglu Academy were like senior brothers to Mengmeng. She was very familiar with them, and it didn't take her long to point to a group in the crowd on the right. "They're over there."


It seemed that they had spotted Mengmeng too, as they raised their hands and waved.


Mengmeng was excited and eager to greet them.


Shu Yu quickly hugged her, saying, "Alright, that's enough. You've found them. Your senior brothers are over there, and they'll be on the central platform when it's time."


"Mom, can I go up there?"


Shu Yu asked, "What would you do up there?"


"Help my senior brothers!" Mengmeng clenched her fists, showing great determination.


Shu Yu smiled. "Your good intentions are understood by your senior brothers. We'll stay here and cheer for them. Is that okay?"


Mengmeng looked a bit disappointed. She wanted to go to that boat-shaped place.


Just as she was thinking about it, there was a knock on the door of their compartment. It was Xiao Shi and Dou Dou, who they hadn't seen for a few days.


"I hope we didn't arrive too late."