CHAPTER 1545: CHAPTER 1521: SHARING A MEAL

Since they ran into Ren Ke and the others, it was only natural to eat together.

So everyone discussed and decided on a menu, then sent the young attendant to quickly run back and inform the restaurant.

Only then did Manbao go to look at the lotus pods they had bought.

Unlike their careful selection, the young gentlemen, who didn’t often go shopping, merely waved their hands and bought a large bunch, generously giving half to Bai Shan and others.

This made the three who had seemed reluctant to let go earlier feel a bit embarrassed, so they suggested that the attendants and servants move to the other boat, allowing Peng Zhiru and the others to join them for easy conversation.

Daji was also not worried about them now, and since the two boats were not far apart, he went with Changshou and others to Ren Ke’s boat.

Peng Zhiru and the others moved over, sitting in pairs to peel lotus seeds and eat. Being more familiar with Lu Xiaofu and Bai Shanzhou, he asked, "How is studying at Chongwen Pavilion?"

Bai Shan replied, "It’s not bad, just that we get to see Libationer Kong every day."

Peng Zhiru and the others put themselves in their shoes and felt a bit envious yet sympathetic towards them.

The restaurant’s service was quick, and the meal was delivered by lunchtime. The little attendant was particularly smart and had memorized the boatman’s boat before leaving, so when he came with several people carrying three large food boxes, he stood on tiptoe to glance around the lake and quickly found them.

The boatman was attentive, and since they were familiar with the staff from the restaurant, he waved them over casually, and the boatman maneuvered the boat to them.

Daji, Changshou, and others hopped onto the shore, carrying the food boxes into the cabin, opened them, and set the dishes on the table before stepping aside.

The boat then drifted quietly into the deep lake. A gentle breeze blew in moisture into the cabin, making them feel pleasant despite the scorching sun outside.

Especially with the tourists bustling along the lakeside, and the vendors shouting, it was more amusing than boating within the palace grounds.

Bai Shan gazed at the shore for a moment, then couldn’t help but sigh, "This must be a prosperous time, right?"

Manbao and the others turned to look at the shore, unable to resist smiling, "It’s much better than the stories the teachers told us about a decade ago."

Keep in mind that when the current emperor ascended to the throne, the world was still in turmoil. Although the former emperor established the country a few years ago, stability had not yet reached every corner.

When the current emperor ascended, the northern nomads led troops right up to the capital, and it was only when His Majesty personally rode out to the city gate that the battle halted. But in these past ten years, there have occasionally been wars in different regions.

However, most were insignificant rebellions and border disputes. For the people of the Central Plains, these years have indeed been peaceful and prosperous, with His Majesty easing taxes and labor. At a glance, this can truly be considered a prosperous era.

Bai Shan knew the country still had many shortcomings, but as long as peace could be maintained, the people’s lives would get better and better.

When the common people lived well, their lives would also be much better.

To say the least, there would always be lotus pods to eat during summer, and the sight of lotus flowers to enjoy, with every season bringing its own delicacies—pleasant and inexpensive...

Only then could it truly be called prosperous times.

Bai Shan’s thoughts brightened, and he himself appeared much more radiant.

Manbao turned his head to look at him, meeting his gaze, and they both couldn’t help but smile, their eyes sparkling like stars.

Peng Zhiru and Lu Xiaofu, who were sitting opposite, saw the two exchange a smile for the first time and inexplicably felt a bit sour. After all, they were older than Bai Shan...

Even Yin Huo, who understood their friendship, was momentarily stunned and looked at them inexplicably, wondering what was going on.

Only Bai Erlang, sitting to the side, was unfazed. Seizing the moment they exchanged smiles, he stretched his chopsticks to take the chicken leg Bai Shan had just picked up. The chicken was stewed with fresh mushrooms, it was fragrant, and even the chicken leg carried a pleasant aroma, and chicken legs are delicious.

Bai Shan snapped back, looking down and picking up his chopsticks again to continue eating, when he felt something was amiss and turned to look at Bai Erlang.

Bai Erlang had almost finished eating the chicken leg. Seeing Bai Shan look over, he raised his eyebrows and returned the chicken leg, "You want it?"

Bai Shan was quite disgusted, "You eat it yourself."

After the meal, the boat floated to the center of the lake, and they started chatting over tea.

Manbao simply wore his wide-brimmed hat and sat on the deck, took off his shoes and socks, and dangled his feet in the lake.

Inside, Ren Ke almost spat out his tea and quickly looked away.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang saw nothing wrong with it and asked Manbao, "Is it comfortable?"

Manbao nodded, so the two also stepped out of the cabin, took off their shoes and socks, and dipped their feet. Indeed, the water was clear and refreshing.

Bai Shan stirred the water with his foot and lamented, "I wonder how the lake mud is. If it’s as fine as the river mud in the village, that would be great."

That way, it would be fun to step on too.

Bai Erlang asked, "Didn’t you fall into the lake before? Didn’t you reach the bottom then?"

This wasn’t a pleasant memory, so Manbao and Bai Shan simultaneously retracted their feet and stopped soaking their feet.

Bai Erlang watched them leave without a word, and glaring with round eyes, turned to Liu Huan, who had just curiously leaned in to soak his feet too, "Did I say something wrong?"

Liu Huan knew Bai Erlang was referring to the incident last year when they were attacked on the lakeside, and Bai Shan and Zhou Man fell into the lake. It wasn’t a particularly happy memory, so he said, "You shouldn’t have brought it up. Falling into the lake isn’t a happy memory."

But Bai Erlang saw it differently, frowning, "Falling into the lake isn’t a joyful event, but it’s something to brag about. Why wouldn’t they be happy?"

Based on his understanding of the two little companions, they should be proud.

Bai Shan and Manbao put on their shoes and socks to go back, thinking to themselves: Two people drowned in this lake, so they won’t soak their feet again.

If it wasn’t because they were able to overcome two enemies, indeed, falling into the lake and emerging safely would have been a happy event.

The two returned to the cabin to sit down, and Peng Zhiru and the others stared at the wide-brimmed hats on their heads. Bai Shan removed his hat and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Peng Zhiru hesitated and asked, "Why are you wearing this when it’s not raining?"

In his mind, these are things worn only when it rains, right?

Manbao said, "Wide-brimmed hats can also shield from the sun. Haven’t you seen that before?"

Peng Zhiru, not very confident, turned to ask Lu Xiaofu and the others, "Have you ever used a wide-brimmed hat to block the sun?"

The group shook their heads.

Does the sun need sheltering?

Manbao was surprised, not expecting them to be rougher than commoners. Don’t they shield themselves from the sun at all?

Having spent quite some time entangled with wide-brimmed hats, Yin Huo interjected, "When the sun is intense, they may choose not to go out, or ride a carriage, and at worst, wear veils. Who uses wide-brimmed hats to block the sun?"

This now puzzled Manbao and Bai Shan, and they hesitantly asked, "Do men wear veils too?"

Peng Zhiru and others: ... Do you have some objections towards men?

Manbao and Bai Shan turned their heads to look at the distant shore, squinting for a long time but couldn’t spot any men wearing veils.

Yin Huo sighed, "The sun isn’t strong yet. In a while, you should be able to see it."

However, it’s not like they rely on farming for their livelihood; they can take carriages to get around. Who would bother wearing veils?

It’s mostly those frequently outdoors who would wear them.