Chapter 171: Han Family

What's wrong with understanding? What's wrong with not understanding?

When the time hasn't come, once it arrives, you'll naturally understand.

Alright, do you two have any other questions? If not, leave my study; sighing here wastes my reading time.

Jiang Yun Chu tapped her fingers on the table, signalling the two children: speak up if you have something to say, otherwise hurry out.

Ning Hanmo and Ning Qiancheng immediately stood up, then said with a grin, 'Thank you, Dean Jiang Yun Chu, for your instruction; we'll go think about it.'

After the two children finished speaking, they didn't wait for her reply, turned and ran out.

She watched the two children's retreating backs, shaking her head helplessly.

Several other mansions were bustling extraordinarily at this moment.

'Jun'er, you've suffered!' The Old Lady of the Han family, who in her youth was also a skilled horseback rider.

People say that affection skips a generation, and it's not without reason; when educating her sons, she was extremely strict, not tolerating the slightest fault, yet her two sons were outstanding—young generals who nonetheless died one after another on the battlefield.

Now only this lone sprout remains; how could she not protect it like the apple of her eye?

'Grandma.' Han Wen Jun stepped forward, knelt directly, and then knocked his head three times with a thud.

Everyone in the room was startled.

How much injustice must this child have suffered to do something like this?

Their Jun'er used to be a little devil who defied heaven and earth, never kneeling before anyone else; if not for great injustice, how would this child kneel and kowtow?

'Oh dear, my sweet grandson, what injustice have you suffered? Tell Grandma, and Grandma will make it right for you.' The Old Lady Han wiped her tears, gave the Old General Han beside her a sharp look, her aura reminiscent of her battlefield prowess back then.

Han Wen Jun saw this and knew Grandma had misunderstood.

He hurriedly stood up, wiped Grandma's tears, and said, 'Grandma, I haven't suffered any injustice—look, I've even gotten a bit plump.'

These days, he feels every day is arduous; he has to rise before dawn for morning practice, struggles to keep up with the lesson pace, and can only study hard on his own after school. Fortunately, his companions work hard too, and Ning Qiancheng and the youngest always give them extra lessons, which barely lets them keep up.

Every day he's exhausted; sometimes he thinks, maybe just give up.

The Han household has only this sole heir, yet he lives like a spoiled rich kid, and the days aren't bad.

But when he thinks of giving up, he sees the outstanding Ning Qiancheng, the earnest youngest, the diligent second and third, all striving—what reason does he have to quit?

Furthermore!

He doesn't want to drift further away from them.

'Huh?' The Old Lady Han pulled him over to look; he hadn't gotten fat, but he had become noticeably sturdier, and there were no wounds on his body, so he likely hadn't suffered any punishment.

If Jiang Yun Chu knew what the Old Lady Han was thinking, she would surely scoff, thinking the Spring Flower Academy was some kind of deluge monster.

'What have you learned these days?' The Old General Han stared sternly, seeing the changes in his grandson, and he was very pleased.

At home, the old wife and two daughters-in-law—three women—just circled around the grandson.

From having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth, the child's spoiled nature comes purely from these three women indulging him; as soon as he separates from them, he believes his grandson will stand on his own.

Because, he bears the Han surname.

Because the blood of the Han family can only be shed on the battlefield, not wasted on a carefree playboy.

'Every day I rise early to practice, then have two classes in the morning, two in the afternoon, and an evening reading session; after school I study in the dormitory. Ning Qiancheng and the youngest are formidable—they'll review whatever we've learned before.'

When mentioning those two, Han Wen Jun's eyes sparkle with anticipation and expectation.

The Old Lady Han narrowed her eyes; back in her day she too had a reputation, a heroine on the battlefield who yielded to no man.

How could she fail to notice her grandson's transformation?

Having come this far, she suddenly realized the old man's decision was the right one!

'Grandpa, Grandma, our academy will have a Joint Examination with the four major academies, starting next summer, with one exam each month thereafter.'

'Ning Qiancheng and the youngest have only studied for half a year, but Professor Kang says their foundations are very solid—they can go out and take a test!'

To share in the honor.

This is Han Wen Jun's current state of mind.

The Old General Han and his old wife exchanged a glance; just that eye contact made everything clear.

'Will you go out to compete?' Grand Madam Han asked anxiously.

Second Madame Han also wore an expectant expression.

The Second Lord Han had just married when border war broke out; before they could even consummate the marriage, he died on the battlefield.

The entire Han household mourned.

The Old General Han had told Second Madame Han, 'It's the Han family that has failed you; everyone in Jingdu knows that the Second Lord went straight to the battlefield after his wedding.'

'Whether you reject the Second Lord or part ways, it's fine.'

'Child, our Han household cannot fail you!'

The eldest daughter-in-law still has Jun'er by her side, but…

Alas!

'Father, mother, elder sister-in-law, since I've married into the Han household, in life I belong to the Second Lord, in death I'll be his ghost.'

'Father, mother, if you despise me as an omen of ill fortune, I'll just smash my head into a pillar and die—then at least I'll have fulfilled my marital bond with the Second Lord.'

Upon hearing the second daughter-in-law say that, the two elders dared not speak, nor dare to advise.

Yet seeing her wash her face with tears each day, pouring all her love onto Jun'er, they too feel resentful inside.

Seeing the expectant gazes of the four, Han Wen Jun nodded and said, 'Dean Jiang Yun Chu said we should also go out to take the test.'

He actually doesn't understand either—they've only been there a few days, and they still can't fully recognize the characters.

Their daily typing makes their hands ache; isn't Dean Jiang Yun Chu afraid they'll go and embarrass her?

'The time is too short, the foundation insufficient, somewhat rushed.' said the Old General Han.

Han Wen Jun nodded in agreement, 'Right, I feel the same way.'

'But…'

The Dean said we're going not for the rankings; even if we place last, she isn't afraid.

When Han Wen Jun mentioned the Dean, his eyes narrowed and he gave off a somewhat mysterious and unfathomable air.

"Then why are you letting them participate?" the Grand Madam couldn't help but say.

Usually, when her parents-in-law were at home, she rarely spoke.

Now she simply couldn't hold back.

Han Wen Jun smiled, looked at the anxious crowd, and didn't beat around the bush.

"Our Dean also said she wants us to feel the atmosphere, learn the procedure, and then understand the exam scope for answering questions."

"These are invaluable experiences that will help us in our future imperial examinations!"

After he said that, he looked at everyone with an expectant expression.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

He looked at everyone, who remained silent, and didn't quite understand.