Chapter 130: Ill Omen

“No, he shouldn’t be grouped with the beginners; it would be a waste of his potential. It’s better if he follows my lessons,” Master Meng insisted.

Rubbing his hands together, he continued, “Yes, under my guidance, I will ensure he excels.”

With an exceptional memory like his, coupled with a bit more intelligence, passing the imperial examinations would be a breeze.

He was determined to produce a successful candidate from this school and make that old coot take notice.

“You’re being impulsive again…”

Zhang Wenbin rolled his eyes, but seeing Master Meng’s serious and resolute demeanor, he decided not to oppose the idea further, simply saying, “As you wish.”

If he later comes crying about the difficulties of teaching a student like this, or being a teacher, it’s on him.

Seeing Zhang Wenbin’s agreement, Master Meng was overjoyed, practically jumping with excitement. He then went to prepare a seat for Song Jingyun in the classroom for the next day.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wenbin continued to review the students’ assignments.

Stay calm, stay calm, I am called “Don’t Get Angry.”

Hold back, hold back, these are students I personally taught…

The matter of Song Jingyun attending the Hongle Academy in town was settled.

On that day, Jiang Mixia’s family made final preparations for Song Jingyun’s school journey.

Although Master Meng had said no preparation was needed, since it was his first day of school, Song Jingyun still went through the items he had prepared earlier for studying.

Considering he would spend the whole day at the academy and couldn’t return home at noon, Song Jingyun also brought a bamboo cup, specially selected by Jiang Mixia. With a lid, it wouldn’t leak even if shaken, perfect for drinking water at the academy.

Overall, there was nothing extraordinary, except for the logistics of getting to school.

Song Jingyun had to be at the school every morning, but since their home was quite a distance from the town, walking would mean waking up too early and returning too late in the evening, causing excessive fatigue.

After a family discussion, they decided that for the time being, Jiang Mixia would rise early each day to drive Song Jingyun to school, and then return to pick him up in the afternoon.

“Wife, it’s too much for you to drive me to school every day,” Song Jingyun expressed his concern to Jiang Mixia before bedtime.

“It’s alright. I have spare time at home anyway, moving around a bit is good,” Jiang Mixia replied. “Plus, it gives me a chance to go to town daily, which allows me to buy groceries and essentials for the house. If anyone in the village needs something delivered, I can help them out as well.”

Song Jingyun blinked in response.

Jiang Mixia was far from idle at home; she was always busy.

It was evident that Jiang Mixia said those words to ease his worries. Even the shopping errands mentioned were merely excuses.

Jiang Mixia was indeed kind to him.

Realizing how little he had done to show his appreciation, Song Jingyun made a silent vow to study diligently, strive to succeed in the imperial exams, protect Jiang Mixia, and bring joy to her.

Song Jingyun made a firm resolution in his heart.

The next morning, after an early breakfast, Jiang Mixia hitched the ox cart and set off to town with Song Jingyun.

The family had raised the ox for a while now, and it had grown accustomed to them, becoming even more docile. Jiang Mixia had become skilled at driving the ox cart, ensuring a smooth journey.

As it was now winter, the day began with a dim light, gradually brightening as they traveled. More pedestrians appeared on the road, walking or riding carts in small groups.

Noticing the time was getting late, Jiang Mixia hastened the pace of the cart.

With the ox hooves pounding and the wheels turning, a bit of dust was kicked up.

Some of that swirling dust landed on a pair of newly worn blue-gray shoes.

These were brand new shoes worn for the first time that day, and now they were being dirtied while riding the cart!

Jiang Chunbao, feeling distressed, tried to stomp the dust off the shoes, but in doing so, more dust was raised, making the situation worse.

What bad luck!

Frustrated, Jiang Chunbao glared angrily at the cart ahead.

Upon realizing that it was not just anyone sitting on the cart but rather his third uncle’s cousin and her husband, Jiang Chunbao was taken aback.

Since there was no market in town that day and no need to sell baskets, he wondered why they were heading to town. Moreover, as they were driving a cart, couldn’t they have offered him a ride when they saw he needed to walk to the academy? Even though he wouldn’t ride in a cart from the third family.

In Jiang Chunbao’s view, their relationship with the third family was strained, almost to the point of open hostility. Although they hadn’t come to blows, they would completely ignore each other when they met.

Furthermore, as the third family’s business prospered, earning more money, Jiang Chunbao looked down on them even more.

The strong smell of money was overpowering. They were no longer simple farmers but rather detestable merchants in his eyes.

However, despite his disdain, he couldn’t deny that despite their strained relations within the village, they were still cousins outside. Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun remained his sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

As cousins, they should have greeted each other and given way when they met outside. If they didn’t, the fault was on their side.

Feeling resentful, Jiang Chunbao kicked a stone away from his foot.

The once dusty shoes, now dirtied even more due to the stone kicking, had a small section of the shoe surface scuffed by the stone’s edge.

Covered in dust, Jiang Chunbao couldn’t see clearly and continued walking towards town on his own.

Jiang Mixia drove the ox cart all the way to the Hongle Academy.

Master Meng had been waiting at the entrance of the school, and when he saw Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun arriving in the cart, his face lit up, and he hurried over, saying, “Finally, you’re here.”

He had been waiting for quite some time!

“Greetings, Master,” Song Jingyun respectfully bowed.

“Good, good,” Master Meng clapped his hands with a big smile.

As long as you’re here, everything is good.

“Come inside the academy and have a look. I’ve arranged your seating, so get acquainted and meet your classmates,” Master Meng said, leading Song Jingyun inside.

“Wife, I’m going in now,” Song Jingyun informed Jiang Mixia.

“Go ahead, I’ll come to pick you up in the evening,” Jiang Mixia smiled warmly, watching Song Jingyun enter the academy before turning the ox cart back home.

Master Meng hurried Song Jingyun into the school, almost running, and once inside, he pointed to a seat at the front, saying, “You’ll sit here.”

“Alright.” Song Jingyun set down the small bamboo satchel he was carrying and took out his essentials: pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

As he didn’t know what kind of books to bring, Song Jingyun hadn’t brought any with him.

Master Meng brought over several books and handed them to him.