32 A Penny Is Enough I (2/2)
”Moving into the Academy earlier is quite a good idea. Probably I can get to know more seniors.”
”It's not cheap to stay in the Academy. It's much more expensive compared to a single room at the best Yuelai inn in Chang'an. Speaking of which, the Taizu (the founder of the Tang Dynasty) Period was the best. At that time, the lodging and food at the Academy were free.”
”What's the point of saving such little money? I still feel that going to the Academy one day earlier is better. At least we can be more familiar with the area, which gives us a higher chance of passing the Academy entrance exam. I heard that the Military Ministry is crazy this year. They had recommended more than 70 students for the exams... ”
Just as Ning Que was about to walk through the entrance, he stopped upon hearing their words. He then looked at the young scholar and greeted him with a bow, hands folded in front as he asked, ”Brother, may I clarify what you mean... Do you mean that the current Academy no longer provides free lodging and food?”
The three of them stared at Ning Que as if he was an idiot. They were probably thinking in their minds about why he was even taking the exam if he didn't even know about such things.
The thing that Ning Que loved to do the most was to mock others for being an idiot behind their backs and in front of Sangsang. However, when he was being seen as an idiot in front of others, he naturally could not accept it, so he turned around and entered the office.
By the time he stepped out of the office, the group of young scholars was long gone. Should they see the lad's pale face again, they would take the opportunity to mock him.
Sangsang had been waiting for him outside all the while. She held onto a big black umbrella to block herself from the sunlight and prevent her face from getting any darker. Just as she was grinning and happy with herself for thinking of such a great idea, she noticed the look on Ning Que's face. She instantly became nervous as she quickly ran towards him in small steps and asked him with a trembling tone, ”What happened? The Academy does not allow you to bring a handmaiden? Did you tell the adults inside that I can help the Academy to work, as long as we have a place to lodge in?”
”That's not the problem.” Ning Que's lips became dry as he looked at her and continued with a rough voice, ”I've just asked them. The Academy does not provide free lodging and food at all. This means if I were to become their student, I'd need to pay 30 silver every month.”
”30 silver?” Sangsang unknowingly raised her volume, as she screamed. ”Then what's the point for you to study!?”
The moment she spurted out these words, she knew that they were meaningless. She then frowned and said to Ning Que bitterly, ”Young Master, we only have savings of 76 silver and 34 copper coins after all these years. When we were accompanying the Princess on the way here, we had not spent a single penny. If we included the money that we earned from selling the horse carriage, that general that sponsored you, and the winning money from betting, there are still less than 200 silver in total. And don't forget that we've stayed at the inn for two nights in Chang'an and had five meals... ”
Ning Que stopped the little handmaiden from nagging, before he replied anxiously, ”There's still one month until the Academy entrance exam. It seems like we still need to stay at the inn for another month, so deduct this expense from our savings as well.”
If only Sangsang could see how she looked right now, she would be slightly happier. That was because her dark-toned face had become much fairer than before from all the shock and anxiety she had.
...