As Uncle Liu spoke with the guard outside, Bai Ce looked at the gate in wonder, imagining her new life here.
The walls were aged with time, and yet gave the impression of being impossibly solid. The width of the walls gave the impression that not even a ten ton beast could tear through it. The gate itself was humongous, with many narrow sections for both carriages and people to come and go from.
"Alright, children. Come out.", Uncle Liu spoke, returning from his talk with the guard outside.
Bai Ce woke up the groggy Shi Bai, who happily took the opportunity to run outside, not caring about where he was. She walked out gracefully, and stood on the gravel roads.
An attendant then came over, and took the carriage away, presumably to put it away in the stables.
Uncle Liu took Shi Bai by the neck and held him in his arms to prevent him from running wild. Bai Ce chuckled a bit, seeing this, and followed Uncle Liu inside the huge campus of the college grounds.
There, she saw the metre tall columns of plants, the gigantic trees that seemed to cover the sky, the endless roads that went everywhere she could see. Large, wooden buildings built from the finest architects were everywhere, and she saw some of the other parents and guides bringing in their children.
There were small ponds, and lots of trees everywhere. Some of the greenery were very exotic, and Bai Ce saw them for the first time, looking in wonder.
Eventually, not much time later, they reached a building made of bamboo and wood, with signs outside that read, "Admissions Office."
They weren't the only ones there. She could see that some of the children were still crying, and screaming.
Daddy, I don't want to go here!
Some of the parents hushed their children, muttering silently. Bai Ce too, felt like crying when she remembered her situation, but clenched her fist tight. Shi Bai, on the other hand, looked like he was having the time of his life in the arms of Uncle Liu, wrestling with him, trying to kick his face. Seeing this cheered up Bai Ce a little bit.
"Invigilator Liu, welcome, Sir. Please, this way.", a woman came out from one of the desks, hurriedly bowed, and then guided them into one of the offices.
"Good morning, Invigilator Liu. What brings you here?", a middle aged woman stood up, personally greeting Uncle Liu. She adjusted her spectacles as she beckoned them to sit on the chairs before her desk.
"I'm here to introduce two new students for the college. One of them is the son of the Fatefarer Scholar, and the other is the daughter of Marquis Bai.", he spoke as he took out a cheque from his left pocket and put it on the table.
"Oh! Such prominent students! Most certainly, Sir Liu. We do have seats vacant for the elementary batch.", the woman smiled as she carefully put the cheque away, in a file.
"Well, what's your name, child?", she then turned and looked at Bai Ce.
"My name is Bai Ce, ma'am. I am 7 years old.", she politely spoke.
"Such a cute and intelligent lady. Here, take this sweet.", the woman smiled at Bai Ce and gave her a nectarine candy before writing down some information on a file.
Bai Ce thanked the lady and happily munched on it, slowly eating it, blissfully.
"And what's your name, child?", she turned, looking at Shi Bai who was on Uncle Liu's arms, looking around the office.
"Tell her your name.", Uncle Liu had a very slight grin on his face, putting Shi Bai face first with the lady.
Shi Bai happily grinned and bared his teeth, and then loudly roared at the lady.
The people outside the office were shocked and confused, and some of the children were scared, crying.
Daddy, there's an animal in there!
The lady's expression changed immediately, looking at Uncle Liu, who still had a grin on his face.
"Put that down as Yunming.", Uncle Liu chuckled as he put Shi Bai down. He didn't miss a beat and rushed to go outside, but the doors closed at just the right time. He ran amok in the office, getting his hands on everything he could.
"You.....said this one was the son of Sir Kongming?", the lady questioned, looking puzzled.
"He has some difficulties. Vocal problems are just one among them. I'm sure the imperial college will be able to accomodate his difficulties, won't it?", Uncle Liu spoke, deliberately flashing his badge.
The lady nervously chuckled, saying, "Of course, sir. We will do our best to accommodate him and teach him to become normal again."
Uncle Liu ceased his smile, clicking his tongue.
Tsk, tsk.
"Very well, then. I'll leave the two of them in your care, if there's nothing else to be done."
Uncle Liu stood up, his tall frame making him look imposing. To the lady, however, the badge that he wore was scarier than anything else.
"Take care of yourself, little lady Bai. Don't let your parents down.", Uncle Liu spoke, intending to leave.
"Mm. Thank you, Uncle Liu.", she replied, giving a half bow.
"I'm going, little rascal. Behave, alright?", he said to Shi Bai, who was now chewing on a golden plaque, which nearly made the lady faint.
Uncle Liu opened the door, and left the office, closing the door behind him.
"Stop eating the plaque, child!", the lady screamed just after Uncle Liu left.
Shi Bai didn't listen. He thought that she was asking for some of the plaque as food, and so he offered it to her.
Sigh..what kind of person have I admitted to the prestigious college?
Bai Ce took Shi Bai's hands and asked him to calm down. Shi Bai did not understand much of anything, but he could tell that she wanted him to calm down.
"Yao'er! Bring student Duan Fei to the office.", the lady yelled as she polished the golden plaque with great sadness, seeing some bite marks on it.