Jiang Huaiyu straightened her back and looked at Jiang Wenyuan with a firm gaze, saying, "Father, the law does prohibit women from taking the imperial examinations, but it does not prohibit women from teaching. Besides, I am not the only female teacher in this world. Aren't there many female teachers hired by the powerful families in the capital in their private schools and girls' schools?"
Jiang Wenyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You make it sound so easy, but those so-called family schools and girls' schools are either all women or from the same clan, and what about you?"
He scoffed, "I heard you actually dared to have men and women teach together in the same classroom! That's utterly absurd!"
“Father, although this may be inappropriate, what is wrong with me educating girls? When I was young, wasn’t I also nurtured by you?”
Jiang Wenyuan's tone was icy, "I taught you to read, not so you could embarrass yourself in front of everyone!"
“Father,” a hint of stubbornness flashed in Jiang Huaiyu’s calm eyes, “I understand that you may think I’m overestimating myself, but when the private school faced difficulties, not a single one of those so-called scholars stepped forward. If I stood aside, wouldn’t I be watching the children lose their opportunity to study and their access to knowledge?”
Jiang Wenyuan slammed his palm on the hard wooden table, causing the teacup on the table to tremble slightly.
"How arrogant you are! Since you volunteered to be a teacher, what kind of enlightenment can you bring to those children?"
Jiang Huaiyu fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes, before slowly speaking: "In truth, I have no great ambitions. I know that as a young lady from a humble family, I cannot reach the achievements of those famous scholars and great masters, nor can I have students all over the world."
“My daughter knows her own abilities are limited. The reason she resolutely took over the private school is simply to pass on all the knowledge she has learned to the children without reservation. I am willing to do my best to help them embark on a longer journey, at least to enable them to pass the academy’s entrance exam, have the opportunity to study, and open up a future. That is all I ask for.”
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Jiang Wenyuan felt a surge of emotion, but still couldn't help but sigh.
"However, your approach will ultimately be difficult for society to accept!"
Jiang Huaiyu suddenly smiled calmly, "Father is worried about the Jiang family's reputation, isn't he?"
Jiang Wenyuan did not deny it, but his brows furrowed and his tone was serious: "Whether in officialdom or among the common people, reputation is of paramount importance. Even though you are now married, you still bear the Jiang family name and should think of the family. How can you be so reckless?"
Jiang Huaiyu replied, “Since you have heard all these rumors, I surmise that they must be a mixture of good and bad. If some people slander me for neglecting my duties and misleading others, then there must also be people like Bai Yujing who support me. As the Analects says, ‘Learning has no fixed teacher.’ Even though I am a woman, isn’t it a virtue to guide the children in my village to enlightenment and knowledge?”
Jiang Wenyuan glanced at her, his tone slightly mocking: "No wonder Bai Yujing didn't stop you; you two are quite united."
"It's not because we've become husband and wife that Yujing supports me, Father. You haven't refuted it, does that mean that, according to the rumors, quite a few people still approve of my actions? Although public opinion is divided now, as long as I adhere to the righteous path, I believe that in the near future, people will realize the significance of what I've done. At that time, won't the Jiang family also benefit from the reputation?"
Jiang Wenyuan gazed at her intently, his eyes filled with unspoken thoughts.
This was the daughter he had raised himself. Her words even gradually melted away his initial opposition, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
However, she was not his biological daughter.
She usurped the affection and guidance that should have belonged to his own daughter. Jiang Wenyuan sighed deeply when he thought about his daughter Shuqin's current temperament.
"You are so eloquent, and you remember the wisdom I have imparted to you so well."
His tone softened slightly, but his expression remained serious.
Jiang Huaiyu understood her father's tacit approval and smiled slightly, saying, "Father's teachings are etched in my mind. A wise person knows the difficulty of learning so that he can discern its beauty and ugliness, and thus broadly enlighten others. Only by enlightening others can one become a teacher. I always take this as my motto when teaching students."
"In that case..."
Jiang Wenyuan sighed softly, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"It's good that you haven't forgotten your original intentions, but remember—if things don't go as you say and fail to develop in a positive direction, and if the Jiang family's reputation is damaged, I will not hesitate to take drastic measures!"
"Your daughter obeys." Jiang Huaiyu nodded respectfully.
Jiang Wenyuan picked up the pages of the book he had just tossed aside. “Since you are willing to take on the responsibility of being a teacher, then do it. But do not forget to assist Yujing and manage the family affairs properly. Only when he is well will your future be smoother.”
"I will obey my father's command."
"Go."
Jiang Wenyuan turned the pages of the book again and continued to immerse himself in the world of books.
Jiang Huaiyu gave an elegant bow and said softly, "Father, take care. I must excuse myself."
After bidding farewell to Jiang Wenyuan, Jiang Huaiyu and Bai Yujing left the Jiang family together. Just before leaving the city, Jiang Huaiyu planned to have the driver detour to Liang's restaurant.
Before entering the capital, she had promised Feng Yun and Hui Yi that she would bring back delicious snacks for them to satisfy their cravings.
As soon as the driver picked them up and the carriage entered the familiar alley, he suddenly clutched his stomach, apologized with an embarrassed expression, and claimed that he urgently needed to relieve himself, then hurriedly went to find a toilet.
Life is full of inconveniences. Although Jiang Huaiyu felt helpless, there was nothing he could do but wait patiently with Bai Yujing in the carriage.
Time passed slowly, but the driver disappeared without a trace, as if he had vanished into thin air.
Bai Yujing couldn't help but say, "Huaiyu, we don't know how long it will take for the coachman to return. If we are late in leaving the city, it will be troublesome if we can't find a place to rest at night. Why don't you stay in the carriage and I go to Liang's to buy some snacks? By the time I return, the coachman will have solved the problem. This way, the timing will be just right."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and nodded in agreement, "Then I'll trouble you to make the trip."
Bai Yujing sighed, "Why indulge them like this? In my opinion, they might not even be able to tell the difference between coarse food from a roadside stall."
Jiang Huaiyu glared at him, her tone tinged with reproach.
"How can you be a good uncle like this? How can you treat people so carelessly? Don't forget, I am both their aunt and their teacher. How can I easily break my promise?"
"Alright, go ahead."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and gently pushed him.
Bai Yujing smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Alright, my wife, please wait a moment. I will return immediately."
However, he did not return for more than half an hour. Jiang Huaiyu knew the streets and alleys of the capital like the back of his hand. This place was only one street away from Liang's shop. Even on foot, half an hour was enough for two round trips.
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