Chapter 29: Her Child

At the entrance to the school stood Master Fang, clad in a blue robe. His refined and gentle face was now shrouded in a layer of indifferent calm. The classroom fell instantly silent. Even the bell outside seemed to ring with a duller tone. After a moment, the students seemed to return to themselves, quickly taking their seats with proper composure. Jiang Bowen, Fang Juncai, and the others all bowed respectfully and returned to their places. Soon, all eighteen seats were filled. Though their robes varied in color, every student sat upright and solemn, awaiting respectfully without a word.

Master Fang stepped up to the platform. All eighteen rose together to pay their respects. "Greetings, Master." "Be seated." "Yes, sir." The students sat down. Master Fang cast his gaze around the room. Though it was a mere passing glance, each student felt as if he had looked directly at them. Some met his gaze, others looked away in guilt, a few let their eyes flicker restlessly.

Retracting his gaze, Master Fang spoke in a clear voice, "Today we shall discuss the Great Learning: 'Sincerity of will and rectification of the mind are the foundation of self-cultivation...'" Master Fang spoke with eloquence. The students below listened intently, as if nothing had happened moments before.

Jiang Bowen and Zhang Hongsheng exchanged a glance. Liu Ziyu kept his head down, afraid to look up. Fang Juncai glanced at the window, listening to the lecture, his hand clenched tightly beneath his sleeve. On the other side, Huang Wenzhao was busy taking notes, seemingly oblivious to everything else.

Master Fang's gentle teaching was like sipping fine wine, lending an air of solemnity to the hall. In the blink of an eye, the lesson was over. "See Master out," the students rose. Master Fang nodded and turned to Jingyuan, "Jingyuan, come." "Yes, sir." Jingyuan replied, following Master Fang as they left. The students left behind exchanged complicated looks.

"Master is giving Jingyuan special instruction."
"Master really doesn't avoid favoritism."
"If you have the ability, you could become his disciple too~"

A ripple of wind stirred, carrying faint whispers to their ears. Passing by, even Master Fang glanced over. Jingyuan acted as though he hadn't heard. Master Fang recited, "Right and wrong fill the day, but if you do not listen, they do not exist."
"Yes, I am enlightened," Jingyuan replied.
Beside him, Master Fang looked away.

Master Fang's study faced south, with bamboo blinds half-rolled beside the window. Sunlight poured in, illuminating the books resting against the wall with a touch of charm. Master Fang led Jingyuan inside, closing the door. He sat by the desk, Jingyuan quietly taking a seat nearby. The desk was already set with ink and brushes; Jingyuan took up the inkstone and began to grind.

The handsome youth's features seemed to glow under the sunlight, and Master Fang was momentarily distracted. When Jingyuan finished grinding the ink and put brush to paper, his strokes flowed as a silkworm devours mulberry leaves; only then did Master Fang come to himself.

"On the day you open your business, I will visit your family," Master Fang said. Jingyuan said nothing, continuing to write. His brush traced the words: "The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting bright virtue..."

"Your parents wish you well," Master Fang added. Jingyuan's pen paused for a moment, but he kept writing. Master Fang said nothing further; he saw tears begin to well in the young man's eyes.

When the paper was full of ink, Master Fang picked it up and nodded slowly, "Compared to yesterday, you have improved much."
"I have here a letter for you. Practice with it, and you will soon be proficient. For the imperial examination, your script must be as refined as your essays, but more important still is rigorous reasoning, substance, and mastery of the material."
Jingyuan nodded.

Master Fang continued, "Today, I will teach you from the Great Learning."
Jingyuan said nothing, only raising both hands before his chest, fingertips touching to form a circle in salute—a gesture of respect from the young to their elders.

Master Fang pondered briefly, then began to teach. Jingyuan listened closely, asking questions when he was uncertain; Master Fang explained each point. As the lesson progressed, Jingyuan began to grasp the concepts on his own.

Master Fang secretly sighed. Truly, he is her child.

With the bamboo blinds swaying gently in the breeze, the quiet voices drifted out and mingled with the sounds of reading inside and outside the hall. The sun slowly moved westward under the clear sky. The bustle of the town gradually quieted.

As students streamed out from the school hall, Sutang's figure appeared beneath the bright, glowing sunset. She carried a basket, inside which was a box of water chestnut pastries.

Yesterday's silver was paid in full; today, every request must be answered.
Having completed today's task, her reward had arrived.
The sooner she saw her young husband, the sooner she could collect her reward.

Spotting several young students she had met the day before, Sutang greeted them warmly.
"Junior, we meet again. Would you like some snacks?"
Especially seeing the student who seemed to have been scolded to tears yesterday, Sutang approached proactively.
"Junior, was today's lesson difficult? I made some treats for you. If your elder brother did anything inappropriate in class, for the sake of your sister-in-law, don't take it to heart, all right?"

The fragrant water chestnut pastries were tempting, and the smiling young lady before him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her gentle voice made his ears flush with heat.

Liu Hu's face turned red, and he was at a loss for what to do. Sutang, seeing this, simply picked up a pastry and handed it to him, smiling more softly: "Junior, consider this my apology. Is that all right?"

Liu Hu's face reddened further, but he accepted it in the end.
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Liu Hu said, bowing politely.

"No need to thank me," Sutang smiled like a flower.
Just think of it as coaxing a child.

Unexpectedly, the child then shared a surprising piece of news.
"Brother is no longer in the introductory class; he is now in the Wenhua class."

What Wenhua class?
"In the Wenhua class, the brothers are all preparing for the county examination. Our introductory class is separated by two levels—Jin Xue and Wen De. Brother is diligent and studious; in fact, we all admire him," Liu Hu explained.

Oh, that means he skipped three levels. Sutang suddenly recalled the whispers she overheard yesterday—could it have been jealousy because of this?

At that moment, Sutang felt something and looked up.
Standing at the school courtyard gate was her young husband.

Sutang immediately waved, "Husband—"
Among the students streaming from the courtyard, their robes of blue and indigo mixed with hints of black and white. Some were greeted by family, young and old alike, but the emerald floral dress stood out vividly.

Her smile was as radiant as the evening clouds, her eyes bright, and even the unremarkable hairpin on her head quivered with her wave. The basket on her arm—she knew without looking what it contained.

Jingyuan wondered why he could see her so clearly.
Yet it seemed he was not the only one who noticed.

"I—I’m leaving now."
"Take care, junior," Sutang said with a cheerful smile, watching the flustered Liu Hu depart. Gazing at the promising young man drawing near, Sutang lifted the basket and handed it over.

"Husband, water chestnut pastries."