Returning from the funeral, the three of them followed Vice President Huxley and Dean Gould in front in silence.
Joan was among the three, holding Sheeran's hand on one side and walking side by side with Fanning on the other side.
During this period, Huxley turned his head, his eyes sharp but his tone gentle: "Caroline Van Ning, right? You composed a "Fantasy Impromptu" during the improvisation test two days ago?"
Fan Ning nodded.
Huxley asked again: "The funeral march just played was also composed by you?"
Fan Ning nodded again.
A delicate hard card wrapped with golden velvet was handed to Fan Ning's hand.
"December 7th, invitation to the music salon next Saturday night. You are welcome to come and you can bring your companions." Huxley then turned his head back without any hesitation.
Fan Ning didn't have time to think, and could only instinctively thank him for the items handed to his hands.
Joan beside her looked at Fan Ning curiously.
"Marquise McAdam's Music Salon? Wow... This is a big family with considerable influence in the entire Ufranser and even the empire."
Her eyes were shining: "Caron, you are so amazing, you deserve to be a young composer! You will go there then, right?"
"Oh?..." Fan Ning looked closely at the contents of the card in his hand, and Sheeran also looked over from the distance.
He also had an understanding of the salon culture of the Tioline Empire, which was somewhat similar to that of modern Europe in previous generations.
It is usually organized and initiated by the powerful hostess of the family in a private residence, focusing on topics such as literature, art, theology, philosophy, social hot topics, etc., and inviting participants to speak freely.
The rise of salon culture broke the limitations of dialogue among all classes of the empire. Whether they were princes, nobles, businessmen, scholars, middle class, or poor people, as long as they could output valuable content on salon topics, they would be respected by everyone.
To organize such a high-end social occasion, you first need to have strong connections and a lot of financial resources to support an almost extravagant banquet.
Chatting must be done after having good wine and delicious food, after eating and drinking, and then continuing to eat some exquisite and expensive snacks while chatting.
For the organizers, the significance of the salon is to reflect the family's comprehensive strength and elegant taste.
For participants, the level of salons a person is frequently invited to can directly reflect his social status and his professionalism and authority in a certain field.
Fan Ning looked at the column of introducers below, and there was also a set of hot stamping patterns composed of ancient Hoffmann words.
These nobles loved the ancient Hoffmann language in their writing to reflect the family's ancient heritage and exquisite cultivation.
He barely made it out: Kay Huxley, branch of the Bologna School at the University of San Legia.
Seeing this name in writing, Fan Ning recalled that Vice President Huxley was also a sculptor, and his small works had been exhibited and auctioned in his own art gallery a long time ago.
"The Bologna School, the Guidance School...are all schools..." Fan Ning thought secretly, "Is this also an organization of knowledgeable people?"
"Since it is a branch in St. Lenia University, it means that there are other school branches... So there is a unified school of thought behind these imperial aristocratic public schools?"
"Whose force is guiding the school?..."
Fan Ning was thinking in his mind, playing with the invitation letter in his hand, constantly switching sides.
Seeing that Fan Ning had not spoken, Qiong poked his shoulder: "If it's convenient, can you take us there? Sheeran also wants to relax, right?"
Fan Ning then looked at the two of them: "As long as I am sure that I have passed, I will take you with me, okay."
Vice President Huxley must be a knowledgeable person
Today is only Monday, and there is still nearly two weeks of ample time to collect and investigate other information and make a decision whether to go.
But the most important thing is that you must be promoted to a knowledgeable person as soon as possible, so that you can deal with various things with confidence.
Joan stretched out her little hand, her fingers as white as onions: "Caron, in return, I will provide you with three free dream interpretation services, a very professional one, how about it? If you have any confusion, um, this kind of service
Confusion is common to most people.”
Finally, she tilted her head and gave Fan Ning a victory sign.
"Sister, are you a king or a bronze?" Fan Ning felt that he could not understand her more and more.
Everyone returned to the west gate of the school and separated.
Fan Ning, Sheeran, and Joan had lunch together in the cafeteria.
"Caron, you have to take good care of Xilan."
After reaffirming her agreement with Fan Ning to meet at the main entrance of the campus on Thursday night, Qiong said goodbye to the two of them and walked to the northwest to catch up with classes at the School of Literature and History.
"Caron, what did you mean just now, did you mean that you wanted to come to live in my house, or... or that you wanted me to follow you..."
In fact, Fan Ning used to be a frequent visitor to Professor Anton's house, but the situation is different now.
Fan Ning smiled: "Same as before, I'll stay at your house."
The conditions of the apartment I live in now are too average.
"If my Turner Art Museum can reopen one day, I will definitely let you experience those luxurious rooms."
"Oh." Sheeran moved and followed Fan Ning's footsteps.
There was already a lot of snow on the main road of the campus, and the two of them walked in the snow-covered road.
"The most embarrassing problem now is that I can't get the radiant spirit liquid myself to activate the 'four-fold line' movement sign, otherwise I would be a knowledgeable person in a minute." Fan Ning continued to think in his mind.
The market price of 10 ml of "Candle" Phase Illuminating Essence Spirit Liquid is 100-150 pounds. Even if it is more expensive on the black market, I can't even afford the blood myself.
To take a step back, you can lower your face and borrow some money from Sheeran for the time being. Become a knowledgeable person and find a way to pay it back immediately.
But the key is where to buy it?
That kind of trading party organized by knowledgeable people hidden in the dark? If you don’t know, you won’t tell, and if you know, you won’t dare to go.
Another trip to the Woodpecker Consulting Agency? Sir Viadrin will definitely provide it to him - of course the accounting will be in his own name.
But I can't say in front of him, "This one you gave me won't work", and then take out another strange road sign, nor can I say, "Can you go out for a while?"
Although he may not necessarily defend himself next time, the initiative is not in his hands.
At the moment, the only way Fan Ning can think of is to see if he can find a relatively reliable person, get information about a relatively reliable "black market", and then collect some money.
Well, the relatively reliable "black market" still sounds very unreliable.
This question is so embarrassing...
The professors' housing is built in an area to the north of the University of San Lenia, close to the Conservatory of Music. No. 6 of the row of small villas in front of them is the residence of Teacher Anton and Sheeran. Although it is not a luxury house, it has its own
An independent courtyard, not far from the north gate, is the more prosperous Cedar Square connecting the inner and outer neighborhoods of Lenia, making life and travel very convenient.
"Oh, okay." Fan Ning came back to his senses, "When did you ask for leave?"
"Today, plus the weekend before, I just finished it in three days... I will take the entrance exam next year, and I am under a lot of pressure from schoolwork." Sheeran opened the lock of the courtyard gate.
"There will be no problem with your grades, Xilan." Fan Ning consoled her, "and the dean made it clear today that it is not a big problem to go through the recommendation channel for admission. It will be easier and you don't have to put so much pressure on yourself.
"
The front lawn of the yard is a piece of grass, with ice and snow covering the swings and small rockeries under the trees.
There is a large chestnut tree at the door of the house that is as high as the roof, pressing against one of the windows on the second floor.
Sheeran's fingers were slender and white, pointing to the other side of the courtyard: "Caron, you planted this with your own hands a few years ago when you were a freshman, remember?"
"I was carrying water, and dad and you were digging holes with a shovel each, and we kept complaining that your shovel always took him astray."
Fan Ning looked at the row of small fragrant leaf trees covered with white snow. There were ten trees in total. They were not neatly arranged. If they were aligned, they would obviously be crooked.
"Sheeran, I know how you feel right now, because I feel the same way."
Fan Ning looked up at this exquisite hut again: "This is my first time to come to this home where Teacher Anton is no longer here. The last time I came was three or four days ago, everything was fine."
Xilan continued in a daze: "The last time I saw my father was when I went to school last Monday. I stayed on campus for the next few days. Then I rushed back after hearing the news. I cooperated with the police at the scene and disposed of the belongings. No.
I know how I got out of this house in the end."
Her tone was a little choked: "In the past few days, I rested at Qiong's house during the day, and she stayed with me at night. In short, I didn't dare to go home and face this situation. It seemed that if I didn't come back, my memory of home would stop there.
Like a happy weekend”
Fan Ning looked at the weeping girl in front of him and let out a long sigh.
After my father disappeared three years ago, I felt deeply how difficult it was to be alone.
Now that Sheeran is as young as she is now, a mentally mature person in this situation may seem calmer to outsiders, but the sadness inside is not less.
He took off his top hat, took out his handkerchief, and wiped his hands.
Then he took a step forward and gently placed his hand on the girl's smooth hair: