Chapter 1034 Casual Chat Between Mother and Son

Jiang Yexun, the third child, had just learned that his mother had actually funded the establishment of two schools.

An academy, a private school.

"Why have I never heard Mother mention this before?" Sanwa asked in surprise. "I want to go with Mother to see something so important."

“But you have official business to attend to, so how can you come with me to Zhuanglang County? Besides, we plan to go by carriage this time.” Song Chunxue knew that Sanwa was definitely curious, but she still persuaded him, “We can see it when we have the chance later.”

“We can travel by sword at night, it won’t take more than a few days. Oh, by the way, you didn’t know that Sanwa can also fly by sword,” Master Zhang said with a smile. “Indeed, he is just like you, exceptionally talented in this path.”

In fact, an ordinary cultivator might not be able to learn sword control even after more than ten years.

Like a country bumpkin, he can only show off his skills to fool people. But if you let him fly a sword alone, he's guaranteed to fall into a ditch.

“Mother, I can also ask for leave. To be honest, although life in the yamen is leisurely, there are too many unpleasant things, and I’m getting tired of it. If it weren’t for my fourth and second sons’ repeated persuasion, I probably would have resigned long ago.”

Song Chunxue's feelings were complicated. She had long suspected that Sanwa had this idea, but she had just been unwilling to ask.

From a worldly perspective, as a mother, I think that my son's current position is the kind of smooth career path that many scholars dream of. If he's not satisfied with that, he's just being lazy and doesn't know how lucky he is.

But as a spiritual practitioner, she understood that Sanwa's nature disliked facing those complicated official rules and didn't like the days when he had to rack his brains and play mind games to say a single word.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. I don't care about you. Just go if you've thought it through."

Sanwa smiled happily, "Okay, then I'll go get ready, and we'll set off tonight."

After he descended the mountain, Song Chunxue looked worried.

"What's wrong? Are you worried that your son will follow in your footsteps and become a wandering ascetic like you?"

Zhang Chengxuan crossed his arms, facing the mountain breeze and looking at the scenery below. "I think you're just bored. Although you are his mother, you have already completed your mission. They have to walk their own path, and you can't interfere."

"People close to you shouldn't interfere in many things, especially now that you have your own path to follow, otherwise you'll only cause trouble."

Song Chunxue nodded, "That makes sense, but he is, after all, my son."

“So, you need to let go of this identity.” He turned and walked away. “Although I’ve never been a parent, I can understand your feelings. The entanglements of the mortal world are indeed the most disturbing to the heart of the Dao.”

“But you’re planning to go find your master for some quiet retreat this year, you shouldn’t have such thoughts.”

"Okay, senior brother. Let's go back to practice our swordsmanship."

Zhang Chengxuan smiled without saying a word, even finding him long-winded. Really.

The next day, they brought the three children to Chunhui Academy.

The original name was Chunxue Academy, but Song Chunxue repeatedly rejected it.

She simply gave the money bestowed by God to Mei Yang. He and his brothers devoted themselves to the academy, running around and overcoming many difficulties to finally build it.

She was not entitled to be named after them, much less to receive their profuse thanks.

They just went to watch, and the part about going on stage to receive thanks and praise was left to Sanwa.

Sanwa initially refused, but having spent several years in the government office, he was able to handle the flattery and praise from the teachers at the academy with ease.

Changfeng, Changyun, Tudan'er, and Wuji Yebai all went, but only glanced at it before leaving.

Although they envied the students who wore uniforms, when they learned that the students could only face books all day long and only have a few days a month to learn music, chess, painting, etc., they found it boring and could not envy them at all.

Sanwa listened with great interest, toured every corner of the academy, and sat in the classroom listening to the teacher's lecture.

He felt extremely comfortable. Looking back on his years of hard study, and looking up at the clear blue sky, he thought that the academy was the most peaceful and pure land in the world.

"Mother, there's something I need to discuss with you." That evening, Sanwa excitedly approached Song Chunxue. "A few days ago, an academy in the west of Jincheng was to be demolished, but how to raise the money to rebuild it? The teacher has already gone to the government office several times, and we've asked all the wealthy people in the city for help..."

Song Chunxue listened quietly, "You need money, right? I have some..."

"No, I want to use all the money Mother gave me before for the academy. Will Mother agree?"

“Of course,” Song Chunxue suddenly felt a flash of inspiration, “Go back to your study and take a look. There’s a box under your books. Open it and do whatever you want. I understand your plan.”

Sanwa was so excited that he didn't know what to say to her for a moment.

He stood up and paced back and forth on the ground. "Was it given only to me? Won't Fourth Brother and Second Brother grumble when they find out?"

“I gave them some too, but those are my things, I can give them to whomever I want. Fourth brother will definitely open a restaurant. With his build, he's only focused on making his business bigger. His neck is thicker than his head. I'll give him some more capital, just to find him some work.”

"The second son is the same. He's vain and competitive, easily arrogant and conceited. He goes out drinking and carousing with those yamen clerks every day. Now that he's got a big head, he even challenges his wife. You don't know, some people are born to be subservient to their wives, otherwise they'll have endless troubles."

Sanwa listened in a daze, feeling a sweet warmth in his heart, knowing that his mother was praising him for being different.

They stayed in the east room of the fort, looking at the familiar furnishings, and were filled with emotion.

This is the house where Sanwa and Mulan got married. Looking back now, Sanwa couldn't help but say from the bottom of his heart, "If Mother hadn't had the money to send me to school in the first place, none of us would have the life we ​​have today."

"Mother, actually I have many things I want to ask, many things I want to say to you, but..."

Seeing that Sanwa seemed hesitant to speak, Song Chunxue took out a small pot of wine from her storage ring.

She hadn't had apricot blossom wine in a long time.

"Then stop talking. Look ahead. The days ahead will always be better. You can't always look back. That's pathetic, you know?"

As she spoke, Song Chunxue sat cross-legged on the chair, "Everyone is looking forward, don't dwell on the past. Aside from close relatives, don't go looking for old friends, you'll be disappointed."

Why?

Song Chunxue smiled faintly, "If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself tomorrow. When those people see that we are doing well and that you have become an official, not many of them truly acknowledge your hard work and dedication. They might think that it was me, a mother who only learned the profession halfway through, who predicted the exam questions for you in advance."

“And the people in our village, although they say to our faces that we know how to manage our lives, behind our backs they all say we’re lucky, that we’ve stumbled upon good fortune, and they’re hoping we’ll fall from grace,” Song Chunxue said seriously. “Although it’s true, it doesn’t sound nice, and you’ll definitely feel uncomfortable hearing it.”

That's true. I ran into several acquaintances today, and they all asked him how many children he has now. When they heard that Jiang Yexun didn't have a son, he said that he would definitely have one. Some even told him to take a few more concubines, and he was laughing so happily.