“Miss Tu, your grandfather, Tu Jijiu, was my father’s elder, and my husband also became his disciple. Therefore, I know a little about your grandfather’s character. In fact, Tu Jijiu already knew that I was serving as a teacher in Fushun Town, but he never objected. This shows that your grandfather was not a conservative person.”
Tu Wenying nodded slightly. "Indeed, my grandfather was learned, kind-hearted, and extremely open-minded. Once, I overheard him talking to Scholar Bai, saying that your job was not easy and advising him to be more understanding of you. This puzzled me even more. Since my grandfather thought so highly of you as a teacher, why did he want me to take over, yet resolutely disagree?"
"I have a question for you, Miss Tu. When you praised me, was it a few months after I took over the private school?"
Tu Wenying pondered for a moment and replied, "That's right, it should be before the New Year."
“That’s right. Tu Jijiu initially had reservations about me because he wasn’t sure if I was capable of being a teacher. His praise and understanding of me only came after the private school started to show results. Based on this, we can infer that Tu Jijiu’s opposition to you becoming a teacher was not because he disapproved of women holding teaching positions, but perhaps because he thought you were not yet competent for the job, and that’s why he was stopping you.”
Tu Wenying was stunned upon hearing this, and frowned as she asked, "I'm not up to the task?"
She looked utterly astonished. "However, all my learning came from my grandfather, who should be well aware of my abilities. I am known as a talented woman in Wanfu County, and my grandfather has always praised me highly. Why then does he refuse to trust me?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently comforted him, "Perhaps there are other reasons, such as the relatively remote location of Fushun Town, which makes Tu Jijiu feel sorry for your travels, or he may be worried about your safety. These could all be reasons. After all, you come from a noble family, and the people of Fushun Town are a mixed bag. Just like me, I have also encountered misfortune. Tu Jijiu's concern for you is perfectly reasonable."
"Is that really the case?" Tu Wenying murmured thoughtfully.
Suddenly, she turned her head and looked at Jiang Huaiyu. "Master Jiang, you just mentioned that you changed your mind. Could it be that you have thought of a way to help me persuade my grandfather?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook her head.
A sense of disappointment welled up in Tu Wenying's heart, but then Jiang Huaiyu's words rekindled her hope: "Miss Tu may not know that when the old village chief appointed me as a private school teacher last year, I also encountered opposition from the townspeople. But look at me now, those people who once impersonated me and spoke ill of me have been driven out of town by the villagers in the blink of an eye."
Upon hearing this, Tu Wenying's eyes flashed with curiosity. "So, how did you win everyone's trust?"
“Actually, I didn’t really try to convince anyone,” Jiang Huaiyu said calmly. “I just decided to take the position and then took up the post myself. At first, not only were the villagers full of doubts about me, but even the students were resistant to me. For the first half month, I didn’t even receive any tuition fees. However, as time went by, everyone gradually accepted me and finally decided to pay the tuition fees so that the children could continue to study with me.”
"Such a thing actually happened?" Tu Wenying was astonished.
She had thought that it must have been difficult for Jiang Huaiyu to get to where she is today as a woman, but she never expected that Jiang Huaiyu would have experienced so many twists and turns from the very beginning.
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and gazed at her. "Now, isn't all of that in the past?"
A thoughtful look flashed across Tu Wenying's eyes, then her eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "I understand! Master Jiang, you're telling me that instead of racking my brains to persuade Grandfather, I should take action and prove my abilities with concrete results. If I can fulfill the role of Master, Grandfather will have no reason to refuse me!"
“That’s exactly right,” Jiang Huaiyu replied with a smile.
Tu Wenying had made up her mind, and her mood brightened immediately. She couldn't help but feel a little impatient.
"In that case, when can I come to take up my post? Oh dear... the academy doesn't seem to be finished yet."
Jiang Huaiyu chuckled softly, “Miss Tu, as long as you are willing, even though Fushun Academy has not yet been completed, this private school is always open to you.”
"That's absolutely wonderful!"
Tu Wenying's joy was palpable; she almost jumped for joy.
As the sun quietly set and night gradually fell, a woman dressed as a maid tiptoed into the room, gesturing anxiously to Tu Wenying.
Tu Wenying said apologetically, "Master Jiang, I have had a very pleasant conversation with you today, and my heart is filled with a thirst for knowledge. I still have countless questions that I long to have answered. However, it is getting late, and my maid has impatiently reminded me that it is time to go back. It seems that I must take my leave today..."
Jiang Huaiyu winked at her and smiled, "We'll soon be working together in the same room, so why worry about not having more time to spend together?"
"That's right, that's right!"
Tu Wenying laughed happily and bowed, saying, "Then, Wenying will take her leave now."
Jiang Huaiyu stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "Until we meet again. I will definitely have the contract ready for your arrival next time we meet."
Upon hearing this honorific title, Tu Wenying felt a surge of excitement and replied loudly, "I will certainly keep my promise!"
After seeing Tu Wenying off, the night was already deep. Jiang Huaiyu leaned back in her chair, looking exhausted.
Seeing this, Yingxiang said with concern, "If you feel unwell, Madam, I will go back and prepare a carriage to pick you up, so that you will not suffer from further bumps on the road."
"No need, let's go now."
After a long conversation, Jiang Huaiyu no longer felt uncomfortable, only slightly tired.
Upon arriving home, she went straight to her bedroom to rest.
Yingxiang prepared dinner and brought it to Jiang Huaiyu, but she had no appetite and had to put the food aside.
The next morning, Jiang Huaiyu had just woken up from her dream when she opened her eyes to see Madam Yang sitting by the bed, looking at her with a worried expression.
"Second sister-in-law, are you awake?" Madam Yang asked gently.
Jiang Huaiyu had just woken up from her sleep, a look of surprise on her face. "Sister-in-law, when did you get home?"
“I returned last night and heard you were already asleep, so I didn’t disturb you.” Madam Yang turned around and picked up a bowl of steaming porridge from the table. “Yingxiang told me that you’ve had a poor appetite lately, and you didn’t even eat dinner last night. How can this be? If your health deteriorates, how will we explain it to our second brother?”
“I remember you always raved about the salted bone porridge I made, and you always praised it when paired with the vegetables I pickled myself. So this morning I specially cooked a pot for you. It’s still warm when I brought it here. Try it and see if it suits your taste?”
Jiang Huaiyu took the bowl that was handed to her, a warm smile on her lips: "Sister-in-law's cooking skills are naturally wonderful."
Madam Yang gently shook her head, her voice filled with concern: "You have to go to the private school to teach today. If you don't eat and drink your fill, how will you have enough energy to discipline those naughty students?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently stirred the steaming porridge in the bowl, then looked up and gave a gentle smile.
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