Chapter 250: You have always been my pride, never changed

From the start, she was stricter with Ning Hanmo, not because of the era's preference for sons over daughters, but more because his mind was maturing and he was a bit older.

Yue Yue was still too young; no matter how much you explained those profound principles, she couldn't understand them.

Although she was strict with Ning Hanmo, she clearly poured more attention onto him than onto the two children.

"Once."

After Ning Hanmo finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned to him.

But he himself merely smiled, a cheerful child in gray academy robes, no longer throwing tantrums from discomfort, no longer getting angry over unsuitable food, and not making a fuss when his wishes weren't met.

One year was enough to change many people.

"But it's not resentment."

The young boy held his back straight, his eyes already able to conceal a hint of emotion.

"Looking back now, at that time I was envious, even jealous."

"I keep wondering why you treat Yue Yue so well? Why can't you smile at me? Why can't you give me a hug?"

"I'm also a child!"

Over this past year, this was the first time he so frankly analyzed his inner self; now he has long forgotten being embarrassed into anger, and can even face his own thoughts directly.

"I went mad with jealousy, always wanting to prove myself, to manifest myself, so you could see me."

"Even if……"

"When you mocked me."

Now, not only did he laugh, but everyone around laughed too, especially Zi Su and Bai Zhi; they had all witnessed the mother-son battle of wits and courage back then.

"Every midnight I also hate myself—why am I so useless? I clearly wanted to drive you away, yet I keep wanting to get close to you."

"Back then my mindset had some contradictory feelings."

Ning Hanmo's brows also furrowed; he even didn't know what his own heart was thinking back then.

Present self can no longer see through past self.

Torn, contradictory, seeking self-worth—perhaps as people grow up, thoughts and stances change; he has even forgotten his former mindset.

"Before, I feared your pride, so I never said many things; I think I can tell you today."

Jiang Yunchu curled the corner of her lips, then stood up and walked to Ning Hanmo's front.

"Son, you're great."

"Even when I just married into the Wang Fu, even if you disliked me that much, the most you'd do was give me laxatives; back then I thought, this kid is really adorable—hating someone so much yet only giving laxatives."

"You used to be carefree, but your heart is very kind, carrying the sense of justice you believe in."

"Although you're stubborn, I know that the words I said before are continually being absorbed by your heart."

Jiang Yunchu looked at Ning Hanmo's clear black-and-white eyes; in his eyes she could see her own reflection—sincere and limpid.

"Those days when we battled wits and courage were truly happy."

"Seeing you change, I actually feel a bit disappointed, a bit… unsatisfied?"

She spoke while smiling, but Ning Hanmo's eyes flickered—he definitely didn't want those days to return!

"Later, your kindness, your intellect, and even though we were at odds internally, you still protected me outwardly—I knew I couldn't leave."

Jiang Yunchu chuckled, "Did I ever retreat? I did!"

She had thought that, since she was reborn, it was merely a ten‑year lifespan; she wanted to go to the battlefield, to there save more people, and finishing her remaining life wouldn't be bad.

But she chose to stay, because of Ning Hanmo, because of Ning Yue Xue, and because her heart, without realizing it, had formed a bond with those two children.

If she left, her heart would be uneasy.

Thinking of this, she gave a light chuckle, her voice tinged with regret, but she was no longer confused at all.

"Ning Hanmo, you have always been my pride, never changed."

In her firm voice lay words she had never expressed before.

Ning Hanmo lifted his head, gazing at her expression; the corners of his mouth began to rise, a wild smile blooming, his heart felt as if fireworks had gone off—for a moment his mind felt dazed, his thoughts slowed half a beat, and he didn't even know what to say.

"Mother……"

In the end, he reduced himself to just a title—this title, in this life and the next, he would call only her.

Jiang Yunchu shook her head; between this mother and son, nothing needed to be said, because they both understood.

Because they had never possessed it before, they cherished it all the more.

"Let's not look at the other gifts now; we should keep some suspense so I can unlock them myself?" Jiang Yunchu shrugged, glanced at the people around, and gave a light smirk.

"Then… rest early, I'm old, can't stay up too late or my eyes will blur." Ningguang waved everyone off, said no farewells, and left directly.

"Kang Mengxian, tonight the two of us will drink all night—whoever runs is the grandson!"

Qing Feng Da Ru grabbed Kang Mengxian by the arm, seeing how slippery he was, and hastily pulled him back!

It used to be that whenever the three of them gathered, it was this old man who always slipped away midway; today he can't be allowed to run.

"We'll rest tomorrow, gentlemen can drink freely." Kang Wen blinked, looking at his grandfather's embarrassed look, and couldn't help bursting into laughter.

Previously I thought grandfather was a very stern person; even when in the Kang Fu, he never laughed, sitting at the head, arranging all affairs of the Kang Clan.

I don't know whether grandfather changed or I did, but either way something changed—he seems not so afraid of grandfather now.

"Hahaha, drink freely!"

Qing Feng Da Ru, right now bearing no semblance of a Da Ning scholar, directly dragged Kang Mengxian out of the courtyard.

Jiang Yunchu watched their retreating figures, feeling a mix of laughter and tears.

"Although the master rests tomorrow, you lot aren't resting—go back and rest early."

Tomorrow is the day to go to Sandy Field for labor; they need to observe the sprouts' condition, confirm moisture and pest status, and discuss subsequent plans with the tenant farmers.

That plot of land is like their partner, growing step by step from nothing to what it is now.

Their feelings for that plot of land even surpassed Jiang Yunchu's original intention……

"Dean, we know, we're heading back now."

Ning Hanmo waved his hand, and a bunch of kids scurried off the Rhyme Courtyard with a hustle-bustle.

Jiang Yunchu shook their head helplessly, glanced at Ning Yue Xue, and asked, "What about you?"

"Mother, I won't rest tomorrow; I have to go back to stay. Yue Yue is already a big girl—she needs to be strict with herself." Like a little adult, head tilted, wearing a serious expression.

Jiang Yunchu nodded. "Not bad."

"Sister, I brought them back—running a little late." Jiang Yun Hui chuckled, one hand tugging a little one.

When I first arrived at the Regent Prince's Manor with the two kids, I felt utterly exhausted—every day the two children wore me out, one thing after another.

But later, slowly, she began to like this feeling; only when she squatted down could she see the children's world and feel their happiness.

When she stopped seeing this as a chore and instead treated herself as the children's friend and their support, she realized how simple communicating with them could be.