Chapter 213: Fireworks in April, Heading Down to Jiangnan

Three days later.

The academy.

Zhang Yunxiu was seen standing on the high platform in front of the academy statue, with Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci standing on either side.

Behind them stood a row of burly soldiers.

Below the platform, a row of young, naive Scholars looked at the official on the platform with expectation.

Most of them were orphaned youths from the neighborhood; if not for Zhang Yunxiu, they would still be begging at this moment.

They might have starved to death in some dilapidated temple one day.

It was Zhang Yunxiu who had people pick them out of the garbage heaps and let them live like human beings.

"Congratulations to you all." Facing the gazes of the youths below, Zhang Yunxiu said in a calm tone, "Congratulations on becoming the first batch of Scholars of this Beijing Academy. You will spend the next five to seven years here."

"Your food and lodging will also be covered by the academy."

"What you need to do is very simple: just study diligently. We, however, have much more to consider than you do, such as how to assess you and when to assess you."

"Anyone who fails more than two subjects each year, and does so for two consecutive years, will be expelled."

"Before graduation, you are not allowed to go to brothels or other such pleasure quarters; those who violate this will be directly expelled."

"."

Zhang Yunxiu spoke in an orderly manner, and the youths below had glowing eyes, wishing they could carve every word into their brains.

After Zhang Yunxiu finished speaking in one breath, he shouted again: "I do not raise idlers. If you want to stay here, show me your perseverance. Otherwise, do not blame me for being heartless."

"Yes!" The youths shouted in unison, their necks turning red.

"Louder."

"Yes!"

Very good.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled with satisfaction, turned around, and instructed the soldiers behind him: "This month, first teach them how to obey, and dampen the arrogance of these fellows."

"Understood." The soldiers cupped their fists and smiled.

Then, Zhang Yunxiu gave a few more instructions to Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci, and hurriedly stepped down from the high platform.

Below the platform, the officials from the Ministry of Rites saw the person in charge come down and stepped forward one after another, fawning: "Imperial Study Attendant Zhang, rest assured, we will certainly teach these Scholars the great righteousness of a gentleman and let them become the pillars of the nation in the future."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded, cupped his fists, and also said a string of pleasantries to them.

Making an excuse that he had business, he left in a hurry.

Arriving outside the city, a convoy was already waiting there.

The guards were all exclusively Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled, stepped forward quickly, and stepped sideways into the brocade-fenced carriage in the center of the convoy.

Inside the carriage, Xu Ruoxi was wearing a cherry-red tight-fitting long dress, lying bored on the bedding.

A pair of delicate calves swayed slightly, looking playful and cute.

Zhang Yunxiu hugged her from behind, and Xu Ruoxi struggled feignedly for a moment before giving up.

She raised her head and looked at her husband with worry, suggesting: "Why don't we take Rui'er with us? Leaving him at home, how can I be at ease?"

"Didn't we find good people to look after him? Why are you still worrying about that?" Zhang Yunxiu straightened his beautiful wife's body, stared into her eyes, and smiled to comfort her, "Besides, the road is bumpy, and there are waves on the sea. If something happens on the way, how will you manage?"

"But..."

"No 'buts'."

Zhang Yunxiu put on the air of a head of the household, "With him not here, it's just right for us husband and wife to have a good talk, so we don't have to deal with this kid crying and making a fuss every time we try to do something serious."

Xu Ruoxi's cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her head without speaking.

"Depart!" Zhang Yunxiu laughed loudly, leaned out, and shouted to the outside. They arrived in Huating in the month of May.

In May, Jiangnan was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, tall locust trees and weeping willows, and a warm breeze; it had neither the continuous rain of spring nor the sweltering heat of the northern lands.

It was exactly the right weather for an outing.

This time, Zhang Yunxiu only brought Xu Ruoxi; Zheng Xi'er did not follow.

Firstly, the business in the capital could not be left unattended, and secondly, the two children also needed care, so she voluntarily chose to stay behind.

For this, Zhang Yunxiu was extremely grateful.

As soon as the ship docked, he scanned the riverbank.

Han San led the officials of Songjiang Prefecture to welcome them there.

Among them, Wang Zuan, Wei Ming, Xu Yuanchun, and others were all in the ranks.

Zhang Yunxiu walked down the gangplank, and Han San was quick-eyed, stepping forward first to welcome him: "Young Master has had a hard journey. I have already ordered people to arrange a welcome banquet to wash away the dust of your travels."

Wang Zuan cursed him for being a slippery fellow under his breath, then also stepped forward quickly, pouring out a stream of chatter.

Zhang Yunxiu could not handle it and could only use Xu Ruoxi as a shield.

"Everyone, everyone, this time I am accompanying my wife to visit her relatives. Let's skip the socializing for now; in a few days, in a few days, I will gather with you all again."

Upon hearing this, the crowd stopped pestering him, offered a few auspicious words, and dispersed.

After arriving at the Xu Family, Zhang Yunxiu had to make promises to the Xu Family's various aunts and relatives, and half a day passed before he knew it.

When he returned to the bedroom to rest, it was already the end of the You hour.

Xu Ruoxi was wearing only a wide-sleeved floral-striped short-sleeved pajama, leaning against the head of the bed with a book in her hand.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu return, she hurriedly put down the book, lifted the quilt, got out of bed, and helped him sit down at the table.

She poured him a cup of tea and asked with concern: "You must be tired, right? My brother is really something; with so many people, couldn't he have met you tomorrow?"

Zhang Yunxiu took the tea, drank it in one gulp, wiped the corner of his mouth, and smiled: "Your relatives are really numerous. If it weren't for your great influence, I might not have been able to return today."

"What influence could I have?" Xu Ruoxi asked curiously.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled, stood up, covered his mouth, and whispered two words in her ear. Xu Ruoxi's ears turned bright red, and white steam puffed out from her plump cheeks.

She bit her lip, suddenly pinching Zhang Yunxiu's waist, and coquettishly scolded: "Men are all baskets of evil goods; otherwise, they wouldn't spend all day with their minds set on debasing women."

Zhang Yunxiu's mouth twitched in pain.

Seeing her husband's expression, Xu Ruoxi felt a pang of heartache, yet she remained stubborn and refused to beg for mercy, simply turning her body away.

Zhang Yunxiu stood up and hugged her from behind, taking the opportunity to rest his head on her shoulder.

"This is my first time coming to your boudoir."

"Rest now."

Xu Ruoxi's heart softened, and she scolded him in a soft, sweet voice.

"Mm."

Zhang Yunxiu scooped her up by the backs of her knees, walked to the bedside, and then gently placed her onto the bed. Watching the enchanting beauty lying amidst the pink silk quilt, Zhang Yunxiu swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"What are you looking at? Hurry up and blow out the candle," Xu Ruoxi said, her small face flushing red as she scolded him in a sugary tone.

"That's not up to you," Zhang Yunxiu laughed loudly and pounced on her.

By the time the two of them got out of bed, it was already midday on the second day.

With flushed cheeks, messy hair, and a hoarse voice, Xu Ruoxi slowly sat up from the bed; she looked up and saw that the bed curtains had collapsed at some point.

Thinking of the madness from last night, Xu Ruoxi covered her cheeks, her whole body burning hot.

Just at this moment, Lvluo's gloating voice came from outside the room: "Son-in-law, Miss, it's time to get up."

(End of this chapter)