Chapter 68: Joint Examination

Knowing they all liked to eat, I gave each a large spoonful of sweet and sour spare ribs according to their appetite; only the vegetables varied in amount.

The amount of spare ribs was the same for each.

「This is the cafeteria; today Yun chu promised the kids, we're in for a treat. 」 Ningguang looked at Jiang Yunchu serving the food, wearing a light smile.

Having been at Wang Fu for over half a month, such days are delightfully smooth.

Teaching and nurturing.

Jiang Yunchu has said that nurturing comes first, nurturing before teaching.

She didn't just say it; she held these children close to her heart.

Among these children, the person they fear most is none other than Jiang Yunchu.

But the person they like most…

They would also say that name without hesitation.

Jiang Yunchu!

Children are simple; they have no scheming or deceit, they understand their own likes and dislikes, and do not change for power or profit.

「Qing Feng Da Ru. 」 Jiang Yunchu looked at the white-haired, hundred-browed old man, slightly bowing in respect; this was her reverence for scholars everywhere.

「I want to come to your academy to teach the zither; do you have any objections? 」

Those two old fogeys didn't relent; now he doesn't care about face either, and upon meeting him he directly asked Jiang Yunchu.

His two greatest passions in life are teaching people, watching generation after generation of students go forth to contribute to Da Ning and relieve the Emperor's worries.

And another passion is eating.

He is greedy for food, unlike those two old fogeys, who don't indulge; his silver, besides buying books, is spent on eating.

「Originally there shouldn't be any objection, but… I can only say I have a request. 」

Jiang Yunchu was smiling, her face showing no other emotion; at a glance, she was extremely respectful.

Ningguang and Kang Mengxian exchanged a glance; all right, the fishing has begun.

They even suspected that she had inquired about Qing feng's preferences, knowing he would come today, and was waiting here for the fish to bite.

「Speak. 」 Qing feng unconsciously swallowed twice before answering.

Fragrant!

It's really too fragrant!

How is the cafeteria of Chun Hua Xue Yuan able to produce such food?

Could he invite the cook to Qing feng Academy? But with those two old fogeys watching, he probably doesn't stand a chance.

In a year, I want to ask the great scholar to preside, letting Chun Hua Xue Yuan enter the Joint Examination.

「Sure, sure! 」

「Wait! 」 Qing Feng Da Ru finally came to his senses at that moment, finally bringing himself to shift his gaze from the food and look toward Jiang Yunchu.

「You mean, in a year, we'll have to take the Joint Examination? 」

Jiang Yunchu nodded. 「Yes. 」

Ningguang and Kang Mengxian were somewhat surprised; Yun chu hadn't discussed this with them, but although they were surprised inside, they didn't show it on their faces.

「Take a look at these six kids—no, that little girl doesn't count. 」

「There are also two girls. 」

「Those three boys are only six years old, while our lowest Dingzi exam requires participants to be eight or older; they've only just started studying for a year—how could they keep up? 」

Qing Feng Da Ru had already forgotten the food at this point, merely feeling that Jiang Yunchu was being somewhat ridiculous.

Jiang Yunchu laughed and shook her head. 「I won't gamble with their futures; I don't need to recruit many students, nor do I need any fame. 」

「All they need is to know their own gap; this step, they must take. 」

Only by knowing the gap can there be a direction for effort.

「Moreover… has the Joint Examination ever stipulated that female students are not allowed to participate? 」

Preference for males over females?

Hehe.

But who can decide that women are inferior to men?

At least in her Chun Hua Xue Yuan, every girl is outstanding.

She has never doubted it.

「That's not been required, though… persuading those academies is just too hard. 」

Jiang Yunchu suddenly laughed, her laugh clear and crisp, like an oriole's clear song, carrying a faint tone.

「If it were easy, how could Yun chu dare to trouble Qing Feng Da Ru to act? 」

All right!

So it turns out this matter has fallen on him!

He turned his head to look at Ningguang and Kang Meng; both spread their hands, looking clueless.

They have been friends for a lifetime; he saw their surprise and naturally knew they truly didn't know.

「This matter isn't simple; let me think about it. 」

「As for this meal… 」 Qing Feng Da Ru, smelling the aroma of the sweet and sour spare ribs, could hardly bring himself to move.

「Naturally it's Yun chu's invitation; having come to our Chun Hua Xue Yuan, how could we let the great scholar go back hungry? 」

Jiang Yunchu took a specially made small plate, gave Qing Feng Da Ru a spoonful of sweet and sour spare ribs, also dished out two servings of vegetables and a bowl of soup, placing them on the tray.

「Over there are biscuits; take as much as you want, and if it's not enough, you can take more. 」 Jiang Yunchu introduced this with a giggly smile, completely the attitude of a junior.

Qing Feng Da Ru found this rule somewhat novel, and he saw many youngsters taking their small plates to get biscuits themselves.

Every child who had finished eating, regardless of size, stood in front of a row of washbasins, cleaned their own plate and tray, then placed them in their fixed spots before orderly leaving the cafeteria.

The people behind just queued up like that, without urging, and the people in front also washed very clean.

There was a row of people helping to change the water.

……

This……

Can the school still be like this? Qing feng Institute's cafeteria is responsible for itself; shouldn't these students be spending more time studying?

What's wrong with this Chun Hua Xue Yuan? Everything feels off!

"What does this mean?" Qing Feng Da Ru ate a few bites of sweet and sour pork ribs, but still couldn't suppress the doubt in their heart.

"This?"

"Teach them to rely on themselves." While Ningguang was speaking, those six students also stood up.

Under Qing Feng Da Ru's astonished gaze, even Ning Hanmo, the foremost playboy of Jingdu, squatted down to wash his own bowl, and even took over that little kid's bowl.

"Thank you, brother." Yue Yue smiled sweetly; she no longer had the bell on her head, although she liked it most, but Yun chu said it would disturb others' class.

When she moved, the bell moved, and the teacher couldn't teach.

When she liked it, she wore it in the morning, and took it off when washing up.

"You're still little, brother will help you." Ning Hanmo didn't look up; Yue Yue squatted beside him, accompanying him in washing, and didn't leave first.

And not to mention them, even the two little tyrants from the Kang Clan started washing bowls…

What's wrong with this world?

These two children were sent to Qing feng Institute at the beginning of the year, but they were so mischievous that the teacher complained all day, so he had to talk with Kang Meng about sending them back a year or two later.

But now… the sight of them earnestly washing bowls makes those who don't know think they'll become cooks in the future.

"Wouldn't it be better to spend this time studying?"

Qing Feng Da Ru disagreed; such trivial matters should be left to servants, students ought to look like students.