#517 - Ink Pond
Thirty years ago,
a young man carrying a book basket came to White Deer Academy.
The scholar held a letter in his hand.
In the entire world, the number of people who could obtain this letter could be counted on one's fingers.
And this scholar was only sixteen years old.
This scholar was also the third scholar from their dynasty to enter White Deer Academy.
"From now on, Junior Brother Xiao, you will be living here. If you need anything, just tell me. This is your jade token, Junior Brother Xiao.
Entering and exiting the academy, as well as going to some places in the academy, or receiving the academy's food and clothing, all require this jade token. Junior Brother Xiao must keep it safe, and you can't lose it, otherwise it will be very troublesome to replace."
The senior brother who led the scholar in, repeatedly instructed this young junior brother.
The scholar named Xiao Mo Chi bowed in salute: "Mo Chi remembers, thank you, Senior Brother Lin."
Lin Qing Shuang patted this little junior brother's shoulder: "There are indeed not many scholars from your Wu Kingdom who come to White Deer Academy, but each one is very talented, not to mention that you, little junior brother, were personally accepted as a disciple by the teacher. Little junior brother, you must diligently study and do not disappoint the teacher.
If anyone in the academy speaks ill of you, junior brother, feel free to come and find me!"
"Hahaha, then I will thank you again, senior brother. Please rest assured, senior brother, Mo Chi will definitely study hard and not disgrace our Luo Mo Peak." Xiao Mo Chi said cheerfully, liking this senior brother very much.
"Alright, then I'll go and get busy first. You can familiarize yourself with the environment on your own." Senior Brother Wang also smiled, bowed in salute, and then took his leave.
Xiao Mo Chi put down his luggage, fetched a bucket of water, and in the courtyard, Xiao Mo Chi made himself a cup of tea.
Although Wu Kingdom is called a "civilized dynasty wearing the skin of barbarians", the people of Wu Kingdom not only like to drink wine, but also like to drink tea.
While drinking tea, Xiao Mo Chi looked around the courtyard.
This courtyard is for three people.
Xiao Mo Chi knew that there were still two classmates who hadn't arrived.
But they should be here soon.
Xiao Mo Chi was actually quite looking forward to his other two classmates.
The next day, after Xiao Mo Chi woke up, he strolled around Luo Mo Peak, and then walked around that Mo Pond.
Legend has it that the Mo Pond of White Deer Academy was the inkstone overturned by the chief of White Deer Academy in every generation.
Over time, after ten thousand years, it condensed into such a large Mo Pond, and one could even row a boat on it.
Of course, this is just a legend, as for whether it's true or false, Xiao Mo Chi is not interested in it.
It's just that the Mo Pond has the same name as him, which can only be said to be a bit of fate.
Before the official start of classes at White Deer Academy, there were five days of free time.
During these five days of free time, Xiao Mo Chi would either read books in the academy's library, or stroll around the other peaks of White Deer Academy.
Except for a few places that were off-limits, most of White Deer Academy was open to the public.
And it was on the fourth day before the official start of classes.
A man and a woman came to the entrance of the courtyard.
At this time, Xiao Mo Chi was reading a book in the courtyard.
Sensing that someone had come, Xiao Mo Chi raised his head and looked at the man and woman outside the courtyard.
The man was about the same height as him, with a handsome appearance, and a spring breeze-like smile on his face.
He was wearing a green shirt, which looked very simple.
Just one glance gave a very comfortable feeling.
The woman was wearing a long dress, the gold thread embroidered on the plain white bodice rose and fell with her breath, and the moon-white wide-sleeved Ru skirt rippled in layers in the morning breeze, with dark silver bamboo leaf patterns looming under the gauze.
The semi-transparent texture made her creamy skin glow with warm jade luster, and the collar was edged with a three-inch wide dark cyan trim, with silver thread embroidered honeysuckle vines winding from the collar to the waist.
This woman looked like she was in her thirties, but she was well-maintained, with delicate and fair skin.
It's just that the woman's eyes were a little guilty and evasive, even a little nervous, and she didn't dare to look directly at Xiao Mo Chi.
Seeing that someone had come, Xiao Mo Chi put down his book and bowed in salute: "I wonder who these two are?"
"That... I..."
The woman's eyes rolled, not knowing what to say.
The man beside the woman stepped forward generously and bowed in salute: "Greetings, brother, my name is Lu Xiao Liu, and I am a newly admitted disciple of White Deer Academy. I have come to report today. May I ask if this is Jia Shui Fifteenth Dormitory?"
Xiao Mo Chi nodded and smiled: "Yes, then you and I should be classmates, my name is Xiao Mo Chi."
"Hahaha, please take care of me, brother." Lu Xiao Liu straightened his back and introduced to Xiao Mo Chi, "Brother Xiao, this is my mother. This time I came to White Deer Academy, my mother was worried and sent me off. I also wanted to let my mother go out for a walk and see the great mountains and rivers."
"I see." Xiao Mo Chi nodded.
Lu Xiao Liu's mother originally wanted to bow in salute, but felt it was inappropriate, and finally nodded.
Lu Xiao Liu wanted to tidy up the room himself, but Lu Xiao Liu's mother kept wanting to help, asking Lu Xiao Liu to accompany his friends for tea and chat. In the end, Lu Xiao Liu didn't insist.
In the past, everyone would live together for a long time, and the two sides would definitely have to chat and get to know each other.
Xiao Mo Chi learned that Lu Xiao Liu was from Wei Kingdom.
As for what his family did.
Just as Lu Xiao Liu was about to open his mouth to say it, his mother hurriedly walked out, saying that she wanted to stroll around the bamboo forest and let her son accompany her.
Lu Xiao Liu naturally did not refuse.
It's just that Xiao Mo Chi noticed that Madam Lu's expression was a little unnatural.
It was as if she didn't want her son to say it.
Xiao Mo Chi realized this and naturally didn't ask any more questions.
In the evening, after Lu Xiao Liu came back, Xiao Mo Chi deliberately avoided this topic and didn't mention the previous matter at all.
As for Lu Xiao Liu's mother, she had already left the academy.
As the mother of a White Deer Academy disciple, she would be escorted when she returned to her hometown, so Lu Xiao Liu didn't have to worry at all.
Xiao Mo Chi and Lu Xiao Liu chatted very congenially. The two of them chatted about Confucian classics, about dynasties and countries, and about the immortal cultivation sects.
In just a few days, the relationship between the two had already changed from strangers to friends.
However, not long after, Xiao Mo Chi heard a rumor from White Deer Academy.
Lu Xiao Liu's mother was a courtesan in the capital of Wei Kingdom.
For a time, many people pointed fingers at Lu Xiao Liu.
There was even a prince from Wei Kingdom who came to White Deer Academy to gild himself, who sneered at Lu Xiao Liu.
One day, Xiao Mo Chi couldn't stand it anymore. When class was over, Xiao Mo Chi directly punched the other party in the face.
