It's already past August 20th, and Jiang Shuyun won't be able to stay at home for more than a few days before she has to leave for the prefectural city.
Once you arrive at Bailu Academy, you can't return until the New Year. Mu Yi'an learned from Jiang Shuyun that students in ancient academies worked much harder than modern students.
Each day was basically a full six hours, which is equivalent to twelve hours in modern terms. School started after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and continued until the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Some academies had three days off per month, while others only had holidays on special occasions.
Students at Bailu Academy are allowed two days off per month; otherwise, they are not permitted to leave the academy. However, students enjoy considerable freedom within the academy.
The morning sessions focused on scientific research-related knowledge. After lunch break, the afternoon sessions consisted mostly of extracurricular activities, which students could choose freely.
Mu Yi'an felt that Bailu Academy was somewhat like a modern university, with a wide range of subjects to choose from and opportunities for free discussion. Most of the time was spent on self-study, unlike junior and senior high schools, which were more like rote learning where teachers primarily lectured.
"My dear husband, you must work hard, study diligently, and achieve good results."
"My wife, your smile is too obvious!"
"Haha... Sorry, but the thought of you having to go through the grueling process of crossing a single-plank bridge again makes me want to laugh."
"How gloating! How heartless! Just think, I've taught others for so many years, and now I'm the one being taught. My wife, don't you feel sorry for your husband?"
Jiang Shuyun lay on Mu Yi'an's lap with a look of utter despair; he needed comfort.
"It breaks my heart, it breaks my heart. For our future well-being, my husband, you must study hard and endure hardship to rise above others."
Mu Yi'an lowered her head and kissed Jiang Shuyun, as a consolation prize.
“Sigh, what can we do if we don’t work hard? In this ancient society with its strict class system and the supremacy of imperial power, your husband and I have to earn a favorable status so that we can live well and not be trampled on at will.”
"Yes, I will work hard. I don't aspire to be extremely wealthy, but I can't be short of money either."
"My wife is amazing! She's a real expert at managing a household. I'll be relying on you to support me from now on."
Jiang Shuyun touched Yi'an's hand; it was no longer so rough. Since the Li family arrived, Yi'an and Jiang Qi could finally catch their breath.
"By the way, Shuyun, do you think we should move to the county town?"
"What? Move to the county seat?"
“Yes, Shaoming is already five years old and it’s time for him to start school. I’m afraid that staying here will delay his studies.”
Mu Yi'an unconsciously immersed herself in the role of a mother, naturally considering the needs of her children. Just like parents in her previous life, she started thinking about her children's learning environment from kindergarten, buying school district housing so that her children wouldn't lose at the starting line.
"It's time to consider this. In the village, the number of people a child can come into contact with is limited, which is not conducive to broadening their horizons. The ancient imperial examination system was even more competitive. Children from aristocratic families began their education at the age of three, some attending family schools and others private schools. Regardless of the form, they received better teaching conditions and environments, and came into contact with different groups of people."
Just like in her previous life, the people and things Jiang Shuyun encountered from childhood to adulthood were completely different from those of Mu Yi'an.
“I also think that the private school in the county town is better. For the time being, Shao Ming still likes reading. So we should create better learning conditions for him.”
"I'm leaving soon. Have your second brother inquire about houses in the county town. I'll go to the county school tomorrow and ask the teacher to recommend a few private schools so we can choose one."
The couple finished their discussion and went to sleep in each other's arms.
The next day, after Jiang Shuyun had breakfast, Li Hong drove him to the county town in a horse-drawn carriage.
"Master, I'll be waiting for you outside."
Li Hong is currently the external steward and part-time coachman for the Jiang family, mainly because they are the only servants in Jiang Shuyun's household. His father is in charge of the fields, his son is a page and servant, and his wife is the internal steward and cook...
Jiang Shuyun carried the gifts prepared by Mu Yi'an into Master Wei's house. He had come to express his gratitude to his teacher.
"They're here, how's it going?"
"Master, I have passed the test."
"Good job, keep it up."
Master Wei touched his clean-shaved, beardless chin; it did not disappoint him.
"Teacher, I have one more request."
"What's up?"
"My youngest child is of school age and I would like to ask the teacher to recommend a private school."
Jiang Shuyun didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her request.
"How old is your youngest child? Have you started his early education?"
"My eldest son is five years old and started his education at his father's school. He has already memorized the Three Character Classic, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Classic. I taught him to write, and his handwriting is quite neat."
Jiang Shuyun and Mu Yi'an discovered that Shao Ming was a resilient child who could sit still for long periods of time and genuinely loved reading, so they didn't want to hold him back.
“That’s good. I’ll recommend a private school to you. The teacher is a scholar who gave up the imperial examinations. He has some unique insights into the Four Books and Five Classics. Before your child takes the county-level exam, he can study with him to build a solid foundation and also learn some music.”
The person Master Wei was referring to was his former classmate, with whom he studied at Bailu Academy.
Jiang Shuyun was overjoyed and thanked the teacher.
"Come over after the New Year. He enrolls students on the second day of the second lunar month every year; he doesn't accept students at other times."
Jiang Shuyun asked about the location of the private school so that it would be convenient to buy a house nearby.
“I’ll go back and talk to the wife. We need to buy a house near the private school. The child is too young, and it’s inconvenient for them to travel back and forth.”
Jiang Shuyun briefly explained the family's plans: Yi'an would be staying in the county town for the next two or three years.
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