Chapter 42: An'an, An'an

"What?! Cheating on exams? Skipping lessons? Ignoring instructions?"

Within the esteemed halls of Mingde Academy, a surge of both disbelief and ire washed over Jiang Wang.

Yesterday, when An'an had informed him that her teacher wished to speak with him, a knot of worry had already tightened in his chest. His mind had immediately conjured the recent threat from Fang Zehou. If the Fang clan were to employ underhanded tactics, perhaps using their influence to have An'an expelled from the academy she so diligently attended, he knew he would find himself in a precarious position with few recourse. He had even begun to mentally prepare for the possibility of hiring a private tutor for An'an himself.

But never, in his wildest imaginings, had he conceived that An'an's teacher would summon him merely because of Jiang An'an's academic shortcomings. A profound sense of absurdity settled upon Jiang Wang.

Teachers administering lessons, delivering disciplinary swats to the hand, assigning punitive standing, and mandating the copying of texts were all commonplace practices. Never before had he encountered a teacher who felt utterly powerless to handle a student. Had he not, Jiang Wang himself, having ascended to the inner sanctum of the Dao Academy, found himself under the vigilant gaze of "Iron-Faced" Xiao, tasked with the arduous copying of Daoist scriptures?

Just how dreadful, how utterly defiant, must a student be for their teacher to feel compelled to summon the parents for a conference?

"Have a look." The venerable instructor of Mingde Academy thrust a stack of notebooks towards him. "I instructed her to copy the Thousand Character Classic. See what she has produced?"

Jiang Wang accepted the notebooks with both hands. A quick glance and he was about to declare that all seemed in order, the content was indeed the Thousand Character Classic. But then, a jolt of realization struck him. While the content was correct, the handwriting displayed a baffling variety – seven or eight distinct styles! In other words, Jiang An'an had even resorted to cheating on the punitive task assigned by the teacher.

Jiang Wang felt an overwhelming urge to shield his eyes, unable to bear the sight. He himself had been punished by "Iron-Faced" Xiao to copy the Daoist scriptures a hundred times, and never once had the thought of enlisting aid crossed his mind. Instead, he had honestly copied it, word by painstaking word, enduring countless sleepless nights! Why was this Jiang An'an's mind so… vivacious?

"She… she also cheated on the exam?" Jiang Wang stammered, his voice trembling.

"During a minor assessment, she was caught assisting others with their answers." The old teacher's voice suddenly rose in pitch. "And she herself failed the exam! Why!"

Jiang An'an stood beside him, her small head bowed, presenting a picture of abject misery. Yet, her large eyes furtively darted towards Jiang Wang's expression. The moment Jiang Wang glanced in her direction, her gaze would snap back down instantly.

There was another young girl in the room, sprawled languidly in an armchair, idly twirling her fingers. She was likely the classmate who had sought Jiang An'an's assistance in cheating… This attitude was simply too audacious! She possessed delicate features, skin like congealed fat, and exquisite eyebrows and eyes. Though she had not yet reached maturity, one could already discern the makings of a beauty. Only her small nose was held high, lending her an air of excessive pride. Her attire bespoke of great wealth, and she exuded the aura of a little devil.

And... to expect assistance with cheating from Jiang An'an, who had failed the exam herself, how could this child be a good student who cherished her studies?

Jiang Wang willed himself to remain calm. His sister was introverted, quiet, well-behaved, and utterly adorable. There must be some misunderstanding… What ghost of a misunderstanding! The irrefutable evidence was laid bare before him!

Jiang Wang seized Jiang An'an's hand and turned to leave. "Come home with me!"

The ancient wisdom held that an elder brother was akin to a father, and if a son was not taught, the fault lay with the father. He resolved that today was the day to assert parental authority. How had his shy little sister transformed into this in mere months? He decided she required a stern reprimand, at the very least ten slaps. It was too humiliating to administer a beating within the academy walls; he must take her home.

Hmm… Three slaps would suffice. Three slaps were still quite formidable, enough to inflict a lasting ache.

At this moment, the little devil also bounced to her feet and waved, calling out crisply, "An'an, goodbye!"

Jiang An'an, being led out by Jiang Wang, had already sensed the gravity of the situation and had maintained a docile, downcast demeanor for some time. Hearing her friend's farewell, her other hand instinctively twitched, poised to respond…

Jiang Wang pulled sharply on her hand, interrupting this exchange of camaraderie.

A few steps beyond the gates of Mingde Academy, heading south along Xuanwu Street, one would pass the Cai Family's mutton shop. As the savory aroma of roasting mutton wafted towards them, Jiang An'an deliberately let out a small cough. In the past, a simple glance from her, or even just a sniff of her small nose, would have prompted Jiang Wang to halt and lead her inside.

But today, Jiang Wang strode past her, his gaze fixed straight ahead. It was then that Jiang An'an truly grasped the depth of her brother's anger.

Turning left onto Qingmu Avenue, which extended eastward to Feima Lane, lay their home.

"Brother…" Jiang An'an called out.

But Jiang Wang remained silent.

"Brother…" Jiang An'an gently shook Jiang Wang's hand.

Jiang Wang emitted a cold snort from his nose, signifying his displeasure.

Just then, they reached the entrance of their dwelling, and Jiang An'an eagerly exclaimed, "Brother, I'll open the door, I have the key!"

Jiang Wang himself unlocked the door, pushed open the courtyard gate, and released the hand that had held An'an's so firmly. His voice, deliberately chilled, instructed, "Go inside." He could not allow Jiang An'an to believe that this matter could be easily dismissed. A child of four or five years was at a crucial stage of personality development, and he had to impress upon her the seriousness of her actions.

Jiang An'an's small hand, having been released by Jiang Wang, drooped in dejection as she saw that he truly had no intention of holding it again. But then, something sparked within her, and her spirits lifted. She scampered ahead.

Jiang Wang followed her into the bedroom and watched as Jiang An'an ran directly to her small bed. Jiang Wang was about to stop her. In the past, whenever Jiang An'an wished to avoid something, she would lie on her bed and declare, "Oh, I'm so sleepy, I'm asleep," thus conveniently escaping her responsibilities.

But Jiang An'an suddenly crouched down, her small form disappearing beneath the bed. Could she possibly avoid a beating by hiding under the bed? Jiang Wang was nearly overcome with exasperation, and he reached for the broom by the door, positioning it before Jiang An'an's small bed.

But An'an emerged quickly, clutching a small wooden box. Having rubbed against the underside of the bed for a moment, her small face was already smudged with dust. She held the old wooden box high with both hands and declared joyfully, "This is for you!"

Jiang Wang leaned the broom against the side cabinet and took the small wooden box, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. "What is it?"

He opened the wooden box and beheld a dazzling array of silver, gold, pearls, and other precious jewels. A sudden tightness gripped Jiang Wang's heart. He held the wooden box in one hand, his voice uncharacteristically stern. "Where did this come from?"

Jiang An'an had never witnessed her brother with such an expression, and she immediately panicked. Her mouth pursed, and a wail escaped her lips. "I… I earned it!"

"Earned it?" Jiang Wang's hand trembled. "Where did you earn it, how did you earn it!" He threw the wooden box to the ground with a loud crash, the gold, silver, and pearl light scattering across the floor. "Speak!"

Jiang An'an, terrified, cried out, "Helping classmates with exams…"

"Helping classmates with exams yields this much money?"

Jiang An'an choked back her tears. "Qingzhi… Qingzhi has a lot of money. I help her with exams, she gives me money."

Jiang Wang felt as though the tightly wound knot in his chest slowly loosened. He began to regret his harshness moments ago. He crouched down and gently placed his hands on Jiang An'an's small shoulders. She was like a delicate porcelain figurine, as if she might shatter at the slightest pressure.

"Does our family need you to earn money?" Jiang Wang looked at her and reached out to wipe away her tears. "Brother has money, a lot of money, do you understand?"

Jiang An'an sobbed, "Didn't you borrow money from that pretty boy to buy a house? Borrowing money has to be repaid…"

Jiang Wang suddenly remembered that the day he had gone to Zhao Rucheng to borrow money for the courtyard, An'an had been with him. Poor little An'an, her tiny box, the heart she had so carefully offered, how heartbroken she must have been when it was cast upon the ground?

Jiang Wang gazed at her, tears streaming down her dust-streaked little face, carving clean paths through the grime. A pang of tenderness resonated in Jiang Wang's chest. His heart suddenly softened immeasurably, shattering into a myriad of tiny pieces.

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(Grateful thanks to book friend Xizi Chu for their generous patronage. Thanks also to book friends Shen Ayao, Ren Sheng Bai Quan A Zhan, and Yan Er Gou for their rewards. And... please give Jiang An'an your recommendation tickets!!!)