Chapter 58: It's not that you're wrong; I just didn't teach well

Silly child, it's not that you're wrong; I just didn't teach well.

You're just six years old, an age that should be carefree, but because of our manor's special nature, you're destined to grow up early.

It's not that you're wrong; I just didn't teach well!

Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu, at her body covered in wounds, yet her face still wore a calm smile, and at the boy lying on her.

She seemed to know where she had gone wrong.

How could the disciple be wrong? It's this master who's wrong!

If back then, we hadn't driven her down the mountain, she...

"Mommy..." Ning Hanmo lay on her arm, tears streaming down her clothes, soaking her skin; those salty tears made her wound feel a faint, stinging pain.

But she didn't move; the corner of her mouth was smiling.

The child cried and cried, then fell silent.

Ningguang approached and saw that even on her calm face, a hint of a smile appeared.

"I don't know how he managed before, but these past two days he's been guarding the gate; even when exhausted, he'd lean against the doorframe and sleep a bit."

Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu and said, "From now on... call me Ningguang."

"I'll grant what you ask for."

Jiang Yunchu's eyes suddenly lit up; she didn't even know how to voice it, yet Ningguang agreed.

It's said that Ningguang hasn't come down the mountain for eighteen years.

She thought this wouldn't work out; she had already prepared a list of visits afterward, and she couldn't let the children be delayed.

But...

Unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise arrived.

Don't get too excited too soon.

"I have demands!" Ningguang saw her expression and indeed, it was exactly like her mother's.

Even that stubborn nature was the same.

Not achieving the goal, not resting.

Back then, Kang Ying, in order to come down the mountain, didn't she also kneel for three days and three nights?

It's all fate!

"What demands?"

"I'll agree to all."

Jiang Yunchu quickly answered.

Just now Ningguang loosened the cloth binding her hand; before, they feared she'd scratch her wound in her sleep and leave a scar.

But now that she's awake, her self-control is enough to handle this.

"Don't speak too loosely; my demands aren't low."

Ningguang calmly placed the cloth aside, put the half‑read book into a sheet of paper, then set it aside.

Jiang Yunchu slowly sat up; she now had no strength left, feeling as if... drained.

"If I can do it, I will definitely do it." Other things she dare not say; she would never agree to do something illegal or disorderly.

However...

Whatever she can do, she will absolutely not delay even a bit.

"What demands? Please speak." Jiang Yunchu sat up.

Although she was seated while Ningguang stood, making their positions seem reversed, yet...

Now she also feels willing but powerless.

"First condition: all those under my Ningguang's authority shall henceforth belong to your Regent Prince's Manor."

"Those under my Ningguang are few; each child has rich knowledge, but their backgrounds and pasts are not good."

"You won't lose out."

Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu and put forward the first condition.

These people have accompanied her for years; how could she rest easy letting them go?

"I agree." Jiang Yunchu quickly nodded.

This is exactly what she hoped for—send a pillow when someone's sleepy; before, she'd thought that if Ningguang disagreed, abducting a few young scholars wouldn't be bad either.

Over five days, these young scholars each day urged themselves, especially the first one she met, whose heart was very kind.

"Second condition: my students must know martial arts."

"Whether they pursue an official career, a merchant path, or even become tenant farmers, they must have a strong body as the foundation."

Nowadays everyone thinks practicing martial arts will affect studies; wouldn't it be better to spend that time reading more books?

But the thing she regrets most in her life is yielding to her disciple and not letting her practice martial arts.

"I agree."

Jiang Yunchu's eyes all lit up; she felt she had picked up a treasure.

Scholars who know martial arts.

Let's just ask.

Literary debate or martial contest?

"Third condition: you must study martial arts with me every day, every day, must!"

"Of course, if there are special circumstances, your daily martial training must be increased."

Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu's face; this condition was proposed even more firmly than the previous two.

That steadfast gaze was telling Jiang Yunchu.

If she disagrees, there is no room for negotiation on this matter.

Can I? I couldn't ask for more.

Jiang Yunchu said excitedly, she had previously wanted to force An San to teach her, and now someone is teaching her—how could she not be happy?

I cannot tolerate deceit in my eyes; if you secretly defy while outwardly complying, I will leave the Regent Prince's Manor at any time.

Ningguang and everyone looked at Jiang Yunchu and spoke a threatening sentence.

The first two conditions were absent, but this condition is present.

Jiang Yunchu suddenly felt that, compared to all the previous conditions, this one is the most important.

Oneself...

And with Ningguang and everyone...

There is no past at all, but everything of Ningguang and everyone is because of oneself.

Well...

When I mentioned the cherry blossom hairpin, her expression changed.

She had not come down the mountain for eighteen years, and she is eighteen years old; her mother died eighteen years ago...

……

I only have these three conditions; as long as you acknowledge and follow them, that's enough. Ningguang and everyone said.

When Jiang Yunchu went without food or drink for three days, she could no longer sit still, couldn't continue reading, and she accompanied Jiang Yunchu in hunger for two days.

Five days...

She broke her oath and went down the mountain.

But... may I offer some suggestions?

Jiang Yunchu silently raised her hand, her heart filled with the thought that she was about to die.

... this is one of the four great scholars of Da Ning, the highest tier of people.

Being able to agree to go to the Wang Fu already calls for countless thanks, yet she actually still wants to give suggestions.

Her heart was also trembling...

But...

"Go on." Ningguang looked at her appearance and ultimately couldn't help but smile.

She seemed not to have relaxed like this for a long time.

In this lifetime, I've truly been defeated by her mother and daughter.

"My educational philosophy might be somewhat special, different from traditional teaching; perhaps... when educating children, we need some adjustments."

Jiang Yunchu said helplessly, she wants to adopt a modern-ancient combined approach, so that children are not just rote learning, nor merely studying for exams, but can integrate all the knowledge they learn.

Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu and said, "This can all be discussed."

"Really?"

Just a moment ago she looked lifeless, but now she immediately seems to have come alive.

Her mother is not like that; Kang Ying has always been gentle and elegant, everything she does carries a sense of strategic planning.

At her young age, she is already among the four great scholars, not because these elders used backdoors, but because her knowledge has reached that level.

But...

This girl, with her constantly changing expressions, I don't know how she can have so many expressions.

Her eyes darting about, at first glance she looks clever and mischievous.

Although...