"I can make my own decisions about my own affairs!"
"Really? Then why did you disguise yourself before daring to come here?"
Tu Wenying's eyes widened. "W-what do you mean by disguise? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Jiang Huaiyu looked towards the door. "Just now, someone dressed as a maid peeked out from the door three times. If I'm not mistaken, she was probably waiting for Young Master Tu, right?"
Tu Wenying turned her head to look, but saw no one. She snorted coldly, "So what if he was waiting for me?"
“Young Master Tu, as a scholar, you should have male servants accompanying you when you travel. Yet you brought a maid with you. Isn’t that puzzling?”
"What's wrong with that? When I was studying, I liked to have a maidservant by my side, to keep me company and to add fragrance to my life. I also hoped she would accompany me when I went out. Tell me, what's inappropriate about that?"
Jiang Huaiyu asked in confusion, "Since you have this plan, why not just let the maid enter the house directly, instead of having her secretly observe from the shadows?"
"this……"
Under her barrage of questions, Tu Wenying's anger gradually surfaced. "Since Master Jiang has already determined that I have passed the test, why is he repeatedly setting obstacles for me? What exactly is his intention?"
Jiang Huaiyu gazed at him, gently shook her head, and said earnestly, "Miss Tu's actions are nothing more than a cover-up, making me suspicious. Could it be that you secretly left home and sneaked into this place? If so, how could I easily hire you?"
Tu Wenying stood there stunned for a long time before she managed to ask with difficulty, "How did you find out?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly, but said nothing.
Yingxiang picked up the conversation, saying disdainfully, "Miss Tu is so young, yet she dares to disguise herself as a man in his twenties. How can this not arouse suspicion?"
Tu Wenying retorted somewhat unwillingly, "But I've asked countless people on the streets and alleys, and none of them have seen through my disguise!"
Jiang Huaiyu said in a gentle tone, "It seems that this is not the first time Miss Tu has dressed as a man. She is so meticulous that she even wears a chest binder. Apart from her slightly petite figure, it is indeed difficult to tell the difference between her real and fake at first glance."
Tu Wenying puffed out her chest proudly, "Of course! So, how exactly did Master Jiang expose me?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and revealed, "Tell me, how many men would keep their ears pierced?"
Tu Wenying suddenly realized, and touched her ear in annoyance, "So this is the detail that gave me away!"
Jiang Huaiyu continued, "Furthermore, if my deduction is correct, Miss Tu should be a descendant of the Tu family in Wanfu County, right? Then, what is your relationship with Tu Jijiu?"
"He is my grandfather!"
Tu Wenying proudly raised her chin, then looked at Jiang Huaiyu in surprise, "How do you know so much?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled calmly, "Miss Tu, as a woman, is remarkably knowledgeable, which is quite astonishing in itself. Coupled with your surname, it's hard not to associate you with the Tu family. But what ultimately convinced me of your identity was that wild vegetable and fish cake. Since Miss Tu knows something about me, you should also know that my husband is Tu Jijiu's prized student and frequents the Tu family. He naturally knows Tu Jijiu's preferences very well."
Tu Jijiu disliked gold and silver jewelry, so when Jiang Huaiyu chose gifts, he always carefully selected some stationery or delicacies.
"I see. Since you've seen through me, I don't need to hide it anymore." Tu Wenying sighed helplessly and finally dropped her pretense.
Tu Wenying gently removed the arrogance from her mask, revealing a serious expression. She said sincerely, "Master Jiang, I have heard many admirable stories about you in the county town, and I have great respect for your wisdom and courage. Although a woman like me cannot achieve fame and fortune through the imperial examinations, I yearn to leave my mark on this world."
My grandfather was one of the most outstanding Confucian scholars in the Western Wei Dynasty, and I was his personally cultivated disciple. Wenying prides herself that her scholarship is no less than that of her brothers, but she has lacked a suitable stage to showcase herself. Now, Master Jiang, you are like a guiding light before me. I wish to follow in your footsteps, firstly to impart wisdom and enlighten future generations, and secondly to set an example for women all over the world.
If more people like you step forward, they can draw courage from our actions, bravely break free from constraints, and pursue their dreams. On that day, the world may show more tolerance and kindness towards women.
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Huaiyu was deeply moved and stood up to bow to her in a solemn manner.
“Miss Tu’s heartfelt words resonated with me deeply.”
For a long time, Jiang Huaiyu's actions have won the support of many people, such as Bai Yujing and the first wife, but they are not women and cannot fully understand her good intentions.
Bai Jinxiao was the same.
As for Yang, although she agreed with Jiang Huaiyu's measures, she did not delve into her vision for the future.
Only now, after hearing Tu Wenying's heartfelt words, did Jiang Huaiyu truly feel that his efforts had been meaningful.
Tu Wenying immediately returned the greeting, saying humbly, "Master Jiang, I was dressed as a man earlier, so please forgive me if I was impolite."
The two sat down again, and Jiang Huaiyu smiled knowingly. "I know that Miss Tu did this to test me and see if I am really as you expect me to be."
"Sister is indeed exceptionally wise," Tu Wenying replied with a smile.
Jiang Huaiyu looked at her sincerely and said, "Miss Tu, to be honest, before you said those words, I had no intention of keeping you as a teacher at Fushun Academy."
Tu Wenying smiled slightly, seemingly having already guessed the reason, "Could it be because of my grandfather?"
Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly. “What Fushun Academy urgently needs right now is a teacher with exceptional talent. Your talent is already impeccable, but you came here concealing your identity. It must be because someone in your family objected that you had to take this helpless step. You also know that my husband is a student of your grandfather. Therefore, I am unwilling to offend Tu Jijiu by accepting you.”
"Your concerns are not without merit..."
Tu Wenying sighed and looked up in the direction of the private school. "If Grandfather gets angry, not only will Scholar Bai be in a difficult situation, but the reputation of the academy will also be affected."
My grandfather was a retired Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and he enjoyed a high reputation among the literati of Wanfu County. If he were to openly criticize Jiang Huaiyu, I fear that no one would dare to send their children to this academy in the future, and the academy would fall into ruin.
“I acted too rashly, without careful consideration. If this harms the academy, wouldn’t all your hard work be in vain? Master Jiang, I think we should put aside the matter of taking on the position of Master for now. I will go back and persuade my grandfather, and then we will meet again.”
Tu Wenying looked dejected, stood up, bowed deeply, and turned to leave.
Jiang Huaiyu hurriedly stopped her, "Miss Tu, please wait. I haven't finished speaking. After hearing what you just said, I have changed my mind."
Tu Wenying turned to look at her, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes, "But Grandfather..."
Jiang Huaiyu gently pressed her shoulder, making her sit down again. "Why don't you sit down first and let me explain slowly."
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