Chapter 297: One who wields a spear must advance without hesitation

"Kang Wu, you say."

"At that moment, Jiang Yunchu called roll."

"Kang Wu took a step forward, 'The Dean is right; in Kang Wen's consciousness, there is no option to retreat—he can only go forward, keep going forward, and go forward again.'"

"'Either the enemy dies, or he himself dies.'"

"This is also why he has been hesitant and unsure whether to choose the court."

"If he isn't there watching by his side, how could he feel at ease leaving his brother alone?"

"'Huh? Am I like that?' Kang Wen scratched his head, suddenly feeling a weight in his hand, and quickly gripped the Silver Spear with both hands—phew…"

"Jiang Yunchu nodded. 'Let's go back.'"

"Then he looked at the crowd and said, 'What weapon suits you hasn't been decided yet; only he has decided.'"

"'One who wields a spear must advance without hesitation.'"

"'One who wields a spear has a mind free of distraction, only the spear in hand.'"

"'The spear thrusts forth like a dragon.'"

"Jiang Yunchu's words rang out, touching on realms they had never considered."

"'Kang Wen, this is your partner, the only weapon you can trust in the future; with it in hand, you will have no fear in your heart.'"

"'Kang Wen, I hope you do not disgrace the prestige of the Silver Spear.'"

"'From today on, it must not leave your hand—remember that?'"

"This time, Kang Wen felt no nervousness in his heart, but his expression grew even more resolute; his grip on the spear tightened, and he said, 'I guarantee I will accomplish it.'"

"'Next, morning training continues.'"

"Jiang Yunchu had already clenched a willow twig in his hand, looking at the familiar willow branches, each child's body tensed even more."

"'She came, she came, she came walking with the willow branch!'"

"'Being whipped really hurts, as if losing one of three souls!'"

"Each person, none slacking off, all started running in standard fashion."

"Only Kang Wen, holding the Silver Spear, truly couldn't run, but fortunately the Dean was still merciful, because the willow twig didn't strike him today."

"Joy, the painful morning training, was thus completed."

"'Yun chu.'"

"Zhuang Miao burst into tears before speaking, grabbing Jiang Yunchu's hand and not letting go."

"When she saw those three portraits, she finally realized what she had missed all these years."

"Kang Lian and his lady said, 'I will accompany you back.'"

"'But regarding court affairs, she doesn't understand; yet she knows Kang Lian comes home later and later each day, his weary face—how could she let him walk with her?'"

"'What about the Kang Clan?'"

"'Wait a bit longer.'"

"She smiled and lightly nodded."

"Over these many years, she married Kang Lian and has never regretted it; he has kept every promise he made to her."

"As a woman, her husband is only herself; they have their own children, treating each other as honored guests, mutually respectful."

"Her mother-in-law is kind, her sisters-in-law generous; in the Kang household she has never suffered any grievance—what more could she want?"

"But seeing those three elderly people, their aged bodies, her heart feels uneasy."

"'Great Aunt, don't cry; next year, at the latest next year, Yun chu will take you back to Zhuang City.' Jiang Yunchu smiled and also took Great Aunt's hand."

"'Marrying far away, that's not wrong.'"

"'But when missing home, one can only gaze at the bright moon and long for family.'"

"'Great Aunt is fortunate, for this is the Kang household.'"

"Zhuang Miao lifted her head, looking at Jiang Yunchu, confirming something: 'But it's settled, right?'"

"Jiang Yunchu smiled and said, 'It's settled.'"

"'They say Jiangnan women are made of water; just look at Great Aunt—indeed she is.'"

"Zhuang Miao went from tears to laughter, laughing helplessly, she pointed at her in the air and said, 'You!'"

"However, the emotions in her heart had already dissipated with that laugh, and all the Zhuang clan members also felt somewhat relieved."

"'Look at me.' She wiped dry her tears, gave an embarrassed smile, mainly because those three pictures had moved her greatly."

"At home there are two elders, several children, her husband busy every day with court affairs, plus many manor estates—how could leaving be easy?"

"Her thoughts can only be willful for a moment, not for long."

"A woman like her knows her situation, knows the weight on her shoulders, understands what she can and cannot do."

"For this whole household, young and old, if she goes to Jiangnan for at least half a month more, how could she sustain it?"

"Thinking of this, Zhuang Miao, though her heart stirred, quickly calmed herself."

"Jiang Yunchu smiled, but said no more."

"In this era of slow carriages, the pain of marrying far away is unpredictable, and it was something she had to endure when she made that choice."

"But..."

"Jiang Yunchu's heart had already made certain decisions."

"'Yun chu has returned? This time it's been a long while since I last saw my great-grandmother.' The old man, seeing Jiang Yunchu approach, immediately burst into laughter, unable to suppress the smile at his mouth."

"Although during these days the Wang mansion's soups and waters have not ceased, her heart remains uneasy."

"Now seeing Yun chu safe and sound, her heart finally settles."

"'Great-grandmother, Yun chu misses you.'"

"Jiang Yunchu quickened his steps, walked to the elder's side, took the great-grandmother's hand, suddenly opened both arms, directly embraced the elder's waist, and rested his head on the elder's shoulder."

Time is very fair; it treats everyone equally.

Relatives' ages keep increasing; every time I see my grandmother's white hair, my heart feels sour, but she wants to express herself unreservedly, not being stubborn, say what she wants to say, cry when wronged, lean on the elderly's shoulders when tired, giving herself a momentary harbor.

She also gets tired, she also feels exhausted!

「Hey, my little Yun chu, are you tired? Are you feeling wronged? Tell grandmother, grandmother will make decisions for you. 」

The Old Lady's just‑kind‑loving voice suddenly turned domineering; her previously drooping eyes now widened.

Jiang Yunchu stood up with a smiling squint, 「Grandmother, nobody who could bully little Yun chu has even been born yet! 」

「Yun chu sis just misses you, just wants to hug you. 」

Everyone hearing her first half of the sentence couldn't help but laugh, but upon hearing the second half, they all fell silent for a moment.

Her fatigue—who among the Kang Clan could not know?

She is just a nineteen‑year‑old maiden!

「Good, little Yun chu misses grandmother, that's good. 」 The old man laughed hehe, pulling Jiang Yunchu all the way into the house.

Then he looked at the others, 「Today you all return to your own Courtyard, I want to have a heart‑to‑heart talk with Yun chu. 」

Kang Lian and Kang Yi exchanged a glance, with no further communication, but each brought his wife, performed a salute, and left.

「You also go to the academy to eat. 」

Just…

The old man also looked toward the grandfather, his voice soft, carrying a hint of a smile.

Kang Mengxian deeply gazed at his wife, finally sighed, what was bound to come, still had to come…

Time, isn't it a bit too early?