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Yang Shunde’s stomach started to ache.
It began as a dull ache, gradually spreading into a small area, eventually escalating to a sensation as if his entire stomach was about to explode, making it unbearable for him to stand.
A particular area felt like it was on the verge of bursting, impossible to contain, as if a floodgate was about to open at any moment.
Yang Shunde’s face turned pale. Clutching the book in his hand, he leaned over a table, barely able to move, with sweat dripping down his forehead like soybeans, one after another.
Enduring the discomfort in these two areas, Yang Shunde gritted his teeth, legs tightly pressed together, gripping onto the row of desks, slowly inching his way out.
Seeing Yang Shunde’s unusual behavior and his visibly unwell complexion, the students gathered around, expressing concern and inquiring, “Teacher, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Teacher, your complexion looks terrible. Are you feeling unwell?”
“Should we call a doctor to come and check on you?”
“Teacher, let me pour you a cup of hot tea to help you relax.”
“Teacher, please sit down for a moment…”
Seeing Yang Shunde staggering, several children helped him to sit on a bench.
“Stay away from me! Move aside, all of you!”
Yang Shunde’s inner voice screamed, waving frantically at the children.
“Teacher, are you okay? Can you speak? What’s wrong with you?”
“What does waving your hand mean, Teacher? Can you not speak right now? If you can’t speak, why not write it down with pen and paper?”
“Teacher, here’s your tea. Take a few sips…”
Yang Shunde’s face turned from pale to liver-colored. He opened his mouth but no sound came out, his body going limp like a noodle, collapsing to the ground.
“Teacher, Teacher!”
“Teacher, what’s wrong? Please get up!”
“Hey, have any of you noticed a strange smell?”
“You mentioning it, there does seem to be a foul smell. It’s coming from the teacher…”
“It smells like it’s from the teacher’s pants!”
—
Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng have been searching for a suitable school with Song Jingyun in tow.
After searching around, they finally set their sights on the Hongle Academy in town.
The teachers at Hongle Academy were all scholars, and they were not too old.
After thorough inquiries, Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng heard that Masters Zhang and Meng at the academy were knowledgeable, wrote well, and were dedicated to their students.
To ensure students understood the meanings of texts, they transcribed their annotations into books for students to read and memorize.
Their dedication was apparent.
Thus, Jiang Mixia and Jiang Youcheng took Song Jingyun to the town and arrived at the entrance of Hongle Academy with their cow carriage.
At the entrance of the academy, an elderly gatekeeper stopped them, “Are you here to find someone?”
“Excuse us, sir. Our family member wishes to study at the academy. We were hoping to meet Master Zhang or Master Meng,” Jiang Mixia politely greeted.
“The teachers are currently teaching. If you wish to see them, you’ll have to wait a while. It might take about half an hour,” the elderly man informed them. “The gatehouse is small and not suitable for guests. Please wait outside.”
With that, the elderly man brought out a few stools.
“Thank you,” the three of them expressed their gratitude and settled outside the academy gate.
During the wait, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun observed the academy carefully.
Located in a small alley, the academy was somewhat secluded but peaceful.
Judging by the length of the surrounding walls, it seemed spacious inside. Over the wall, they could see tall paulownia trees extending their branches, plum blossoms peeking out, and sturdy pine trees standing tall.
Faintly, they could hear the sound of students reading aloud and the chirping of sparrows playing during winter.
The atmosphere exuded a sense of tranquility and serenity at the academy.
“This place seems really nice,” Song Jingyun spoke up, squinting his eyes slightly.
Jiang Mixia raised an eyebrow.
Does her young husband like it here?
It must be the harmonious atmosphere.
Hongle Academy being the best in town surely has its unique qualities.
After a bit more waiting, when the sound of reading inside ceased entirely, the elderly gatekeeper went inside.
A moment later, he returned with a tall, slender, and elegantly dressed middle-aged man in a blue robe, exuding a scholarly air.
“This is Master Meng,” the elderly gatekeeper introduced.
“Hello, Master Meng,” Jiang Mixia and the others greeted with a bow.
“Polite greetings,” Master Meng nodded slightly. “I heard from Han Bo that someone wishes to study at the academy?”
“Indeed.”
This time, without waiting for Jiang Mixia to respond, Song Jingyun spoke up.
Seeing this, Jiang Mixia took a step back with Jiang Youcheng.
After all, it was her young husband who was here to study, and this kind of school interview required him to handle it independently.
Master Meng observed Song Jingyun for a moment, then smiled faintly. “You seem to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Since you’re here at Hongle Academy to study, where did you study before, what have you read, and how many characters do you know?”
“I have never been to any school before. If we’re being exact, I only attended for half a day. I was punished for pointing out a teacher’s mistake and asking for explanations, resulting in standing and getting my palms slapped. After that, I didn’t go back. As for what I’ve read and how many characters I know…”
Song Jingyun scratched his ear. “I recognize some commonly used characters, can write them, haven’t systematically studied any books. I’ve read the Hundred Family Surnames, and in the past few days, I memorized the Three Character Classic, all taught by my wife.”
Upon hearing Song Jingyun’s honest response, Jiang Youcheng first looked surprised, then urgently waved his hand at Song Jingyun.
This child, so straightforward, revealing everything.
After waving his hand, and seeing that Song Jingyun seemed unaware, Jiang Youcheng started panicking around him.
“Father, just relax,” Jiang Mixia tugged at Jiang Youcheng’s sleeve, whispering, “They say fate determines life and wealth is in the hands of the heavens. Let it go, what’s meant to be will be. What you strive for may not always turn out for the best.”
That’s true.
It was quite a hassle searching for a school for Song Jingyun earlier, and there were concerns to address. However, that Yang Shunde turned out to be quite unpleasant.
If the young son-in-law spoke the truth, and if the other party took offense, it would indicate a lack of tolerance on their part, making the decision not to attend the academy acceptable.
If the teacher understood the situation well, it would show that Master Meng was open-minded, of good character, and would bring many benefits.
Listening to Song Jingyun earnestly sharing these words, Master Meng chuckled, “You are honest and willing to learn from your wife.”
Typically, men emphasize the husband’s authority, and even if they agree with a woman’s occasional wise words, they would often acknowledge it superficially. This man, however, didn’t seem to mind and openly acknowledged it.
Song Jingyun chuckled, “My wife is very knowledgeable, she teaches me many things. Oh, and she also taught me the Three Character Classic.”
“Ah,” Master Meng nodded with a smile, “You mentioned you could recite the entire Three Character Classic. How long did it take you to learn it?”