The day's slowly passed with Bai Chun busy from sun up to sun down. He would wake before the sun rose to go hunting. By noon he would finally get home and sit at his desk to read and memorize poems. When one of the women came in with a snack some time later he would start working on his writing. Then one of the women would come and get him for dinner and he would end his day sleeping with one of them.
Besides this the women would add a bit of change to his boring and stressful days with their small fights and the ways they would subtly fight without pushing it too far.
Half way into the month Bai Chun paid for the exam and has been hunting more animals by making traps. Tao Fang and Tao Chun helped earn a bit of money once they got some soft fabric from their mother by giving Bai Chun their embroidery to sell.
There are now two days until the exam and Bai Chun is heavily stressed. Huang Hao stood next to him as he got up with a sigh.
"Bai Chun brother, I know you're under a lot of pressure but you need to relax or you will be tired on testing day." Huang Hoa said with a frown while Bai Chun rubbed his forehead.
Around them students chattered as they left the classroom with only a small portion rushing out for work or to head home. Min Qiang and Huang Fu walked past while covering their noses with smirks.
"It smells right here and I wonder why." They chuckled, Bai Chun's face didn't change but Huang Hao smirked.
"I can always speak with Fuqin again." Huang Fu's face went pale at his words and he gave him a glare as he left with Min Qiang.
Not long after, Bai Chun and Huang Hao left the school and stopped at his carriage.
"Get on, I wish to take you to my home to relax a bit. It's been a long time since you have visited." Bai Chun nodded and climbed on with Huang Hao following after him. The carriage started moving after they settled.
"So, please tell me have any of the women's stomachs started moving?" Huang Hao asked with a smile. Bai Chun shook his head.
"No, I haven't heard them say anything about pregnancy."
"Well, has there been any drama with them?"
"Well remember when I was telling you about them bullying Li Bai? Well after they visited my mother in-law they have calmed down a lot thank goodness." Bai Chun said with a sigh remembering the drama of then. Huang Hao paused, looking at him surprised.
"Wait did you say Li Bai? As in Li Bai of the Li family that runs that clothing store?" He asked. Bai Chun paused in confusion.
"Yes, didn't I mention her name before?" Huang Hao burst into laughter.
"No you didn't! I didn't take you for the type to steal another's concubine." He said softly after he calmed down. Bai Chun widened his eyes in shock.
"You don't know but when she ran away it spread all over town. If someone found out that she actually became your concubine you would be targeted by that man she was supposed to be with." Huang Hao said seriously. Bai Chun frowned and nodded in understanding.
"Well she told me the old man she was being given to is wild in the home." Bai Chun said carefully, making Huang Hao snort.
"That's a mild way of putting it." They chuckled to each other.
"Just avoid mentioning her until you have enough power and allies before letting that get out." Huang Hao said as the carriage pulled to a stop at his family's villa. The two stepped out one by one and slowly passed the gate and walked to the front courtyard's garden.
The pathway was made of stones pressed into the ground making a smooth and elegant walkway that had beautiful bushes on the side guiding those who walked the path. At the garden there were a few trees and many bushes with flowers. Multiple paths went throughout the garden to allow for more viewing paths. In the center sat an elegant pavilion with a smooth stone table and chairs. A maid placed down fresh tea and wiped the chairs and table off quickly as the two approached the pavilion.
"Everytime I come here it seems to get more beautiful." Bai Chun said while carefully looking at the garden. Huang Hao chuckled while looking around.
"I hope so my mother loves the garden and is always making sure it's taken care of and occasionally adding more plants." They sat at the table and after their tea was poured they took a sip.
"What job do you think you will have after the exam?" Huang Hao asked him. Bai Chun thought while taking a sip of tea.
"Hmm, probably a record keeper based on my background, nothing crazy." He finally said after a pause.
"Well once you get a position I have good money so I can help you get promotions faster and you can help me when I need it." Huang Hao said with a proud expression making Bai Chun chuckle at his bragging words.
As they chatted a girl and a maid slowly entered the garden and when spotting them she slowly approached. She wore simple clothes with only a few flowers embroidered on the hem and had her hair tied up simply with few hair ornaments. She stopped near them and bowed.
"Brother."