Chapter 503: Supposed to be twelve, actually twelve

He was not a competent father; he didn't know about Yun Chu before, but now that he knows, he still has to leave.

This decision is very difficult, but he must go.

Jiang Yun Chu smiled and poured a cup of tea for Jiang Zeyang, saying, "Father, you go first."

"Father and daughter, we will meet in Zhongzhou when the time comes."

She is not an ordinary girl; she did not grow up under her parents' doting indulgence, she has always been cautious, and moreover, her modern military life has given her a unique spirit and perseverance, and has taught her to be unswerving.

"You…" Jiang Zeyang looked at her, but in the end he did not ask.

Jiang Yun Chu smiled and said, "Saving Mother is something I have always persisted in."

"Good, rescue your mother and we will reunite as a family." After Jiang Zeyang said that, he suddenly lifted his head.

"What did you just call me?" His tiger eyes widened from the glare, his face also showing a surprised expression.

Jiang Yun Chu looked at his appearance, lightly smiled, and said, "Father."

Those two simple words made Jiang Zeyang's nose feel sour, yet his face showed a smile: "Good, good."

His daughter finally agreed to call him "father."

A daughter's voice is the most beautiful sound in the world.

Seeing his excited appearance, Jiang Yun Chu pressed her lips and could not help but laugh.

Jiang Wen Fu saw his appearance and gave a cold snort.

Then he turned away, not wanting to watch the father‑kind, daughter‑filial scene—who doesn't have a daughter?

He also has one!

"Take this Profound Heaven Jade Dew; it matches your current realm, Second Uncle—you should also go to Zhongzhou."

She returned the two Profound Heaven Jade Dew they had handed over.

Only then did she seriously look at Jiang Wen Fu.

Jiang Wen Fu hesitated a little, saying, "I will consider it, but this matter is not easy; I need to discuss it thoroughly with your aunt and your eldest uncle."

"Yun Chu, Northern Rong is not that simple; they are eyeing us covetously now. If I leave, the only ones who can keep them in check are you and the Regent Prince."

Jiang Yun Chu looked at her second uncle and said, "No…"

"There are many people."

"Listen, they're coming."

Those footsteps, over the years, have become the sound she knows best.

Those children, whose voices were once tender, have now matured; they no longer chatter incessantly, yet they still laugh and chatter happily.

"Dean, the roll calls for twelve, and twelve are present."

They did not enter the house, but stood in a row in the courtyard; even though they had not slept for days, even though each had just returned home, they were summoned.

But they had no other emotions.

They needed no other emotions; whenever the Dean gave an order, they dared not disobey!

They have families, parents, companions, but if the world asked them to choose the one person they trust most, they would all unhesitatingly choose the Dean.

"Enter."

Jiang Yun Chu's two words carried no emotion, yet her eyes revealed her excitement.

She had not properly seen them before; after nearly four years apart, she could finally look at her own children properly.

"Yes!"

The twelve children spoke in unison; their neatness was comparable to a barracks.

After entering the house, they then saw two familiar people.

"Grand General, Old Master Jiang."

Jiang Zeyang's identity in the Regent Prince's Manor had always been "Old Master Jiang"; now that people know he is Jiang Yun Chu's father, only a few know this.

Including the Kang Fu side, it's probably still not made clear.

Jiang Yun Chu looked at her own father; the road ahead is arduous and long!

"Tell me, what have you all experienced over these years?" Jiang Yun Chu looked at the twelve children, her eyes filled with concern and thought.

The Spring Flower Academy exists in name only.

To be precise, they have grown up enough to establish their own achievements.

"Dean, I have established over eighty shops in Da Ning, Xijiang, Northern Rong, Southern Barbarians, and many small states, dealing in grain, textiles, daily goods, and cosmetics." Zhang Cunwen stepped forward and gave a light smile.

He is merely a merchant, not comparable to others.

He might as well be the first to speak; otherwise he'd find it hard to bring up later—not out of inferiority, but because he genuinely likes these things.

Jiang Yun Chu nodded and said, "The reputation of the Third Manager has long spread throughout Da Ning; Zhang Cunwen, you have finally become the person you like to be."

Her praise was high, especially her eyes; when she complimented him, looking at Zhang Cunwen's eyes, those shining eyes illuminated his path forward.

"You know…" Zhang Cunwen's voice carried a hint of tears, yet his eyes held a kind of hope.

Jiang Yun Chu smiled and looked at him affirmatively.

"My own children—how could I not know? You've done well."

"Everyone says merchants are lowly, yet they all crave silver and love gold—where does it come from?"

"Walk your own path; don't worry about what others say."

"At least, everyone in this room supports you."

Jiang Yun Chu's affirmation gave Zhang Cunwen great courage; he ran forward and embraced her.

The embrace was not warm, but it conveyed understanding and courage.

"Dean, thank you."

Because of your encouragement, your teaching, and the silver you gave, he has stepped step by step onto his own dream.

He loved the sound of silver coins, the clack of the abacus moving back and forth; each time he heard it, his blood boiled.

He thought no one cared.

But the Dean cared, his companions cared; his future was never lonely, ah.

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

"Dean, look—what is this?" Han Wen Jun ran in from outside, and then in the big flowerpot was a tree.

But this tree bore two kinds of fruit, half apricots, half plums.

"Grafting technique." Jiang Yun Chu widened her eyes; this was something she had always wanted to try, but never had the time.

Han Wen Jun gave a hehe laugh: "Yes, Dean, the theory of grafting technique, through practice, finally succeeded."

"The Ministry of Revenue wants me to take up the post there, but I refused."

"This first fruit must be given to the Dean to eat."

"This theory was also proposed by the Dean; I want to hear the Dean's opinion."

He liked farming; at first it was because farming was safest. He was of the Han family, the Han clan now only had him left; he was selfish, not wanting his grandparents to have to bury him.

Nor did he want his mother and second aunt to lose hope.

Thus some companions chose the court, others chose the battlefield.

And he chose the land.

Moreover, he gradually came to love the land—the feeling of renewal from sprouting seeds, the sense of accomplishment from abundant fruit—both fascinated him.