Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but laugh out loud, "How could we trouble Scholar Bai to personally look after such a small private school in Fushun Town?"
Deep down, she understood that Bai Yujing's actions stemmed from concern that she might not be able to handle things alone, and therefore he was willing to go personally to support her.
In the darkness, she sighed softly. If she had never seen that painting that day, she could have easily believed that this tender affection was entirely because of her.
...
The next day at dawn.
After having breakfast, Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing, along with Feng Yun and Huiyi, embarked on their journey to the private school.
When they arrived, several students were already seated in the private school. Upon seeing them enter, they all cast curious glances at these uninvited guests.
Jiang Huaiyu was also carefully observing them. With a sweep of her gaze, she saw a group of children who were about half-grown.
She had already checked the roster and knew that the oldest of these children was no more than twelve years old, a crucial period for them to begin learning to read and write.
Before everyone had even arrived at the academy, Jiang Huaiyu had already chosen a seat for Feng Yun, and then directed Huiyi to sit in the area on the right, which was separated by a bamboo curtain.
In a corner of the school, several students whispered among themselves, their gazes involuntarily drawn to a figure that stood out from the crowd. It was a little girl, sitting quietly at her desk, a stark contrast to the other children, whose faces showed disbelief.
Jiang Huaiyu ignored this and patiently waited for all the students to arrive.
Soon, the seats in the school were gradually filled.
Just as Jiang Huaiyu was about to speak, a bold and courageous student spoke up first.
"May I ask, sir, why is there a young girl in the school? Why is she here studying with us?"
Jiang Huaiyu replied calmly and in a peaceful tone, "She is also my disciple and will listen to your teachings together."
"This is utterly absurd! How can a woman be allowed to set foot in a private school? This is supposed to be a place where we men study the classics and pursue knowledge. By bringing her here, teacher, aren't you disrupting our focused studies?"
Upon hearing such a comment about his sister, Feng Yun was indignant and was about to stand up to refute it when Jiang Huaiyu stopped him with a look, signaling him to sit down again.
Jiang Huaiyu turned his gaze to the student who had spoken.
This schoolboy is tall and strong. His name is Yao Zhe. He has been studying hard in the private school for two years and his speech and behavior reveal a scholarly air.
“You address me as ‘sir,’ but I am also a woman. If women can stand on the podium to impart knowledge, why can’t they study in a private school? A woman’s right to knowledge should not be restricted by gender.”
Left with no other option, Yao Zhe retorted helplessly, "Back when Mr. Zhang was here, were there ever any such rules? You were merely a temporary recruit by the old village chief, a mere charlatan. For a woman to serve as a teacher is already an exceptional act, yet you dare to disrupt the order of the academy by placing a woman in the classroom; this is truly disgraceful!"
"Which private school dares to allow boys and girls to study together? I suspect you're just trying to corrupt our morals!"
Yao Zhe's angry rebuke rose like a sudden storm, and the other students couldn't help but show worry and waver. The originally quiet schoolroom suddenly became noisy and chaotic, like a marketplace.
Bai Yujing frowned, about to speak, but was gently stopped by Jiang Huaiyu.
With a calm expression and a firm tone, she asked, "I haven't even started teaching yet, so how can you be so sure I'll mislead students?"
"Since you don't follow the rules, how can you be qualified to be a professor?"
Yao Zhe's eyes were filled with doubt and dissatisfaction.
"Even if I teach terribly, who is qualified? Is it Mr. Zhang, who is away on a long journey and has not yet returned, or the scholar Bai standing beside me?"
Jiang Huaiyu pointed at Bai Yujing and said, "Go ask him if he's willing to take over your studies."
Bai Yujing was famous in Fushun Town, and the schoolchildren were quite familiar with him. Upon hearing this, they all looked at him eagerly, and a hint of expectation flashed in Yao Zhe's eyes as well.
Bai Yujing, with his hands behind his back and a composed expression, said, "I am also studying hard myself and have no time to attend to private tutoring."
Upon hearing this, the students all showed expressions of disappointment, like fallen leaves helplessly drifting in the autumn wind.
Jiang Huaiyu's gaze fell on Yao Zhe, her tone calm yet firm, "What you just blurted out did indeed touch upon the truth—I am indeed an unknown woman, and if it weren't for the shortage of qualified teachers in private schools, it would be impossible for a woman like me to hold a teaching position. However—"
She paused slightly, her eyes revealing an unwavering determination. "Now that I have stepped into this school, you know that I am a female teacher, and you still chose to come, which means you acknowledge my identity. Since you have accepted it, you must abide by the rules I have set."
“Yao Zhe, you have been studying under Mr. Zhang for two years, but when you shouted at me just now, did you have even a trace of respect for your teacher in your eyes? Have you forgotten the teachings of the sages you have learned?”
Yao Zhe's eyes darted around slightly.
"I don't mean to disrespect you, sir. I'm just wondering why girls are allowed to study with us?"
Jiang Huaiyu's gaze slowly swept across the crowd. "Since I can impart knowledge here as a woman, I am naturally qualified to teach girls here as well. Not just Bai Huiyi, but all the sisters in your family can enter this school as long as they pay the tuition. There are bamboo curtains hanging down here to separate men and women, so that they do not interfere with each other."
The schoolchildren were stunned upon hearing this.
Jiang Huaiyu cleared her throat and then said in a firm yet gentle tone, "The reason you look down on women is precisely because they are uneducated and lack the knowledge and wisdom you possess. But what if they were also well-read?"
Yao Zhe curled his lip and said with a belly full of complaints, "What's the point of studying the classics? Women still have no right to participate in the imperial examinations!"
"Even if they cannot excel in the imperial examinations, learning to read and write is a wise move, allowing them to comprehend the wisdom of ancient sages. Furthermore, I will teach them arithmetic and needlework skills, which are essential for survival. How can only men be allowed to roam the world while women cannot carefully plan for their future?"
The idea of sending the girl to a private school was the result of repeated discussions between Jiang Huaiyu and the old village chief.
Since she was able to shoulder the responsibility of being a female teacher, she also hoped to use her own strength to fight for more opportunities for women everywhere. The addition of arithmetic and needlework to the curriculum was also out of consideration for real life.
Just like Huiyi.
Only when people see that they can indeed learn practical skills by following her will people be willing to send their daughters to study here.
By learning, women can become self-reliant and will no longer be looked down upon by others.
Perhaps, more and more female teachers will emerge in the future.
Yao Zhe's face turned ashen, and he could find no room for rebuttal. He muttered under his breath, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. I won't say anything more. After all, we haven't paid our tuition yet. If you teach poorly, we'll pack our bags and leave immediately."
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