During the conversation, she learned that the two little ones were actually a rare pair of twins, a boy and a girl. Feng Yun was born earlier than Hui Yi and was the older brother, while Hui Yi was the younger sister.
The brother and sister were initially wary of their new aunt, but as their conversations deepened, they discovered that Jiang Huaiyu was not only kind and amiable, but also always had a smile on her face. No matter what they said, she responded with a smile, and even if they occasionally said something inappropriate, she wouldn't get angry, but would patiently guide them and correct them logically, making her very easy to get along with.
Unbeknownst to him, Feng Yun's sense of awe towards her also diminished.
When Jiang Huaiyu asked him if he knew how to write, he patted his chest and said with great pride, "My uncle has already taught me the Three Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames. I can even write my sister's and my names!"
"Oh? Then why don't you try your hand at writing?" Jiang Huaiyu casually broke off a long, slender branch and handed it to him.
Feng Yun, brimming with confidence, wielded the tree branch freely on the muddy ground, sketching out characters.
Jiang Huaiyu watched intently as he finished writing, then nodded slightly and praised, "Bai Fengyun and Bai Huiyi, you wrote both names accurately. It seems you can also write the names of other family members with ease?"
“That’s right.” Feng Yun nodded proudly.
Jiang Huaiyu asked curiously, "Then, can you also write my name?"
After a moment's thought, Feng Yun picked up the branch again and slowly began to trace patterns on the ground.
He wrote the character "姜" (Jiang) with ease, and after two revisions, the character "怀" (Huai) was finally perfected. However, when it came to the character "虞" (Yu), he clearly encountered a problem. The branch in his hand seemed hesitant, and he didn't know where to start writing.
After a long while, Feng Yun lowered his head awkwardly, "I...I don't know how to write..."
Jiang Huaiyu gently patted his shoulder and smiled, "You're only eight years old, and you already know so many characters. That's a remarkable achievement. Starting tomorrow, I'll formally teach you to read. How about that?"
Upon hearing the good news that he would soon be starting school, Feng Yun was filled with anticipation. However, the thought of his father and mother's argument that morning added a touch of unease to his heart.
"Auntie, what are you planning to teach me?" he asked curiously, his eyes sparkling with longing for the unknown world.
Jiang Huaiyu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "You are currently still in a state of ignorance about writing, so naturally you need to start by learning to read. Only by mastering vocabulary can you understand the wisdom of the sages and perceive the deeper meaning behind words and phrases. As your knowledge accumulates, you will need to learn how to skillfully use vocabulary, using pen and ink as a medium to condense your thoughts into words. Remember, since I have promised to teach you, as long as you are willing to learn, I will not hesitate to impart all my knowledge to you."
Feng Yun listened attentively, a fervent desire flashing in his eyes. "Then, can I be as outstanding as my uncle?"
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and replied, "Where there's a will, there's a way. As long as you work hard, you might be able to surpass your uncle in the future."
"Okay, Auntie, from now on I will definitely follow you and study hard!"
Jiang Huaiyu turned to Huiyi and asked softly, "Huiyi, can you read? Would you like to study with your brother tomorrow?"
Huiyi hesitated, then nodded, and gently shook her head, her voice barely a whisper: "My uncle once tutored me, but my grandmother and parents thought that girls' education was useless and a waste of time. They always said that girls should do more housework. Therefore, I know far fewer characters than my brother..."
A feeling of pity welled up in Jiang Huaiyu's heart, and she asked gently, "Then, Huiyi, do you yourself yearn to learn?"
Her gaze was full of concern, as if encouraging Huiyi to bravely pursue her dreams.
Huiyi pouted slightly, nodded gently, and her eyes sparkled with longing: "I long to learn. I hope to be like my aunt and understand many philosophies of life."
Before her aunt stepped into the family, Huiyi had never met such a unique woman. Her beauty contained a firm confidence, and she was gentle yet elegant. Every gesture and every word she spoke was captivating.
She was completely different from her aunt Wenyin and her own mother, and Huiyi felt a longing to become that kind of well-educated and reasonable woman.
Jiang Huaiyu gently stroked the top of her head, her tone soft and warm: "Your aunt will do her best to get your grandmother and parents to agree to your receiving an education."
"Really!" Huiyi was so excited she almost jumped up.
Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but gently rub her cheeks and said with a smile, "Of course it's true."
Teaching one student is the same as teaching two students. This little niece of the Bai family is so lovable that Jiang Huaiyu really can't bear to abandon her.
"Auntie, you're so kind!"
Overjoyed, Huiyi excitedly rushed into Jiang Huaiyu's arms, affectionately snuggling with her.
Feng Yun was equally excited, grinning from ear to ear: "That's fantastic! With your aunt personally guiding you, I won't have to teach you in secret anymore."
Jiang Huaiyu asked in surprise, "You're actually teaching Huiyi?"
Feng Yun nodded slightly, his tone revealing pride. "That's right. Grandmother forbade Huiyi from learning to read from my uncle, so I secretly taught her what I knew. When my uncle found out, he even praised me. However, Huiyi's learning progress was indeed slow. There were some characters that I taught her many times, but she still couldn't master them!"
Huiyi retorted somewhat discontentedly, "It's clearly your teaching methods that are inappropriate!"
The little girl's indignation was obvious. She pouted and said confidently, "My uncle sometimes tests me, and I can remember anything he teaches me personally. How can you say I'm stupid?"
The two children were arguing incessantly, but Jiang Huaiyu fell into deep thought.
Recalling Bai Yujing's words that morning, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. He was indeed a warm and kind person; one could clearly sense this from his attitude towards her little niece. He was not one of those rigid and boring individuals.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have so resolutely recommended himself to be Feng Yun's tutor.
"Okay, stop arguing."
She gently separated the two children. "Fengyun, your willingness to pass on what you've learned to your younger sister is a profound expression of love and a reflection of your self-improvement. Although tutoring your sister may seem arduous, it has invisibly helped you solidify your knowledge and reflect on your shortcomings. For you, this is also a valuable gain."
After Jiang Huaiyu finished speaking, he turned to Bai Huiyi, gently raised the corners of his mouth, and looked at her with doting eyes, "And you, Huiyi, from now on you and your brother will study together, and you will need to encourage each other and move forward hand in hand, understand?"
The two children were taken aback at first, then nodded vigorously.
"We understand!"
Jiang Huaiyu gently patted their shoulders and said with a smile, "So sensible."
At this moment, Bai Yujing stood under the eaves, a smile on her face, her gaze gentle as she watched the heartwarming scene before her.
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