Evans Shipping Fleet Returns
As soon as she heard the fleet was returning, Su Li was so excited that she jumped up and exclaimed, "Fantastic! We've finally waited long enough for Edward and the others to come back!"
Bai Lu laughed and said, "Exactly! The fleet's return means ship after ship loaded with silver! Now that we're in Chang'an, things are much easier than back in the capital. Ning City is now part of Qin, directly connected to the Wei River, making transportation so convenient. We don't have to do what we did before—after returning, secretly splitting up the cargo and sneaking it to the capital."
"That's right. Now everything coming and going is on our own turf—no need to hide anymore." Su Li smiled and let out a long sigh of relief.
News of the fleet's imminent return quickly spread to the Foreign Language Academy.
The children were all filled with anticipation, because most of them would be joining the fleet on its next voyage across the ocean for further study.
The remaining few would stay in Chang'an, serving as foreign language teachers to train even more new instructors.
These new foreign language teachers would teach in the new-style academies, helping foreign languages become widespread among the children of Chang'an.
The happiest student of all was Yuan Ling.
Yuan Ling was diligent and earnest in her studies, and had also participated in translation work. Her foreign language skills improved by leaps and bounds, passing the academy's selection exams and earning the chance to study abroad.
As soon as Yuan Ling heard the fleet was returning, she excitedly grabbed Lin Xiaowu and rushed off to find Su Li to confirm the news.
"Big Sis, can I really go study abroad?" The young man's eyes sparkled as he looked at Princess Jade Hayes, full of hope.
Princess Jade Hayes looked up at her younger brother, now a little taller than herself, and nodded with a smile. "Of course. You passed the Study Abroad Selection Exam, and both your parents agreed. You can definitely go."
"That's amazing!" Leonard Yuan clenched his fists and jumped three feet into the air with joy.
Lin Xiaowu, standing nearby, said, "Leonard Yuan, are you really that happy?"
Leonard Yuan grinned from ear to ear and replied to Lin Xiaowu, "Of course I am! The world out there is so big, with so much useful knowledge we've never heard of or seen before. I have to go out and see it for myself, learn as much as I can! Xiaowu, just wait—when I come back, I'll be a whole new person, not just a useless scholar anymore!"
Listening to Leonard Yuan, Lin Xiaowu lowered his head thoughtfully and murmured, "Then there must be a lot of medical knowledge out there I've never heard of or seen, too..."
Meanwhile, Princess Jade Hayes patted Leonard Yuan on the shoulder, and the siblings sat down to chat. Jade Hayes grinned mischievously, "Ling'er, when you go out this time, you'll get to meet that special someone."
"Huh? Who?" Leonard Yuan's ears turned bright red. The once bold and confident young man suddenly became shy and bashful.
"You know who!" Princess Jade Hayes nudged Leonard Yuan's shoulder and whispered, "Kid, let's see if you've got what it takes. When you come back in a few years, bring your sweetheart home with you."
Leonard Yuan blushed and stammered, "Sis, do you—do you support me and Sisi?"
"Of course! She's such a wonderful girl—why let someone else have her? But it all depends on whether you can win her heart. Don't worry, if you two truly care for each other, I'll talk to our parents for you." Princess Jade Hayes winked at Leonard Yuan.
Leonard Yuan was so happy he didn't know what to do with himself. "Great, thank you, Sis! I—I need to go get ready!"
With that, Leonard Yuan got up and headed out. Lin Xiaowu tried to follow, but Princess Jade Hayes grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him back. "Xiaowu, don't run off. Sis has something to discuss with you."
Lin Xiaowu's scalp instantly tingled.