Chapter Twenty-Four: Reunion at the School

  After several days of preparation, Jiang Keyue and his second wife had all the items they needed for their studies abroad ready. They were to set off early that morning to head to Longtan City to attend school.

  Master Zhou Shiming got up early and personally saw Jiang Keyue off, instructing the steward Liang Xingchu and a servant to escort her to Longtan City. Before departing, Master Zhou handed Jiang Keyue two letters, one addressed to Mr. Hong of the academy as an introduction, and the other to his son Zhou Tianhao. Jiang Keyue took the letters, bid farewell to Master Zhou and the second lady, and galloped towards Longtan City...

  The journey was very smooth, and after more than two days of travel, they arrived at Longtan City in the afternoon of the third day and found Shangde Academy where Zhou Tianhao studied.

  Zhou Tianhao and Shu Tong Aqi met Jiang Keyue and the housekeeper, which can be said to be a pleasant surprise. Zhou Tianhao hurriedly stepped forward: "How did you come?"

  Jiang Keyue smiled but didn't answer, Liang Zongguan smiled: "Guess."

  "Are you just passing by here on business?" Zhou Tianhao asked.

  "Guess again." The manager continued to keep a poker face.

  "You're not here to read books, are you?" Tian Hao asked, his eyes turning towards Jiang Keyue.

  Jiang Keyue smiled without answering, pursing her lips...

  Li Zongguan said with a smile: "This time you really guessed it, but it's not me who reads books, it's Miss Keyue who reads books. This time you have one more partner." Li Xingchu then told the whole story of how Mr. Zhou sent him to escort Miss Keyue to Longtan City to study.

  Zhou Tianhao was overjoyed and repeatedly said "I didn't expect it".

  Jiang Keyue pursed her lips and said, "Can't think of anything? Is it that you look down on a woman?"

  "You don't look down on me, but I have to say that I'm a bit surprised. You're always full of surprises, Miss Ke Yue. Firstly, I didn't expect someone from such a prestigious family like yours to have such a strong desire for self-improvement; secondly, I didn't think we'd meet again so soon; and thirdly, I didn't think you'd win over my family's approval and get recommended to the best private tutor in town. Not a single one of these is something to look down on, right?"

  "Really, Miss Ke, you see our young master is speaking from the heart!" Ah Gui chimed in from the side.

  "This still needs you to say it, do you think the girl is stupider than you? She can understand." Zhou Tianhao turned his head and playfully scratched Aqi's nose.

  "You young people, gathering together is lively!" Liang Guanjia said enviously. He turned to Zhou Tianhao again, "It's just right that it's not yet time for the master to go to class, shall we arrange a place for the young lady to stay first?"

  Zhou Tianhao looked at Jiang Keyue: "What requirements do you have for accommodation?"

  Jiang Keyue burst out laughing: "I'm new here, unfamiliar with the place and people, what requirements can I have? Besides, am I that precious? Everything will be done according to your arrangement, young master."

  "That's great, it'll be much easier then. I think so because we're all living in the same big courtyard, as long as our rooms aren't too far apart, that's fine, right?" said Zhou Tianhao.

  Jiang Keyue nodded lightly after hearing this.

  Upon arrival at their residence, Jiang Keyue chose a house that was relatively close to Zhou Tianhao's room, so that if anything happened, they could take care of each other.

  Zhou Tianhao and Liang Guanjia helped Jiang Keyue settle into her new accommodation, then hurriedly took her to the school to meet the teacher.

  Zhou Tianhao's study place is a four-in-one courtyard located in Longtan City, which was originally the house of a local Wang surname wealthy businessman. Ten years ago, he donated it to be used as a school. The classroom is set up in a three-room north house, with a plaque of "Great Sage Confucius" on the north wall, next to which is the teacher's seat. On both sides are the students' seats. The walls of the classroom are filled with hand-painted portraits of famous people. The teacher uses the sun shadow as a standard, saying that when it's time for class, he teaches, and when it's time to dismiss, he dismisses.

  The old master of the private school was named Hong Dongguo, said to be the 20th generation descendant of Hong Qigong, the leader of the Song Dynasty's beggar gang. This man was a scholar in the Wanli period and was very famous locally and even in the capital city. He could be said to know astronomy and geography, understand ancient and modern literature, have high martial arts skills, and have good moral character. The imperial court repeatedly asked him to come out of retirement and lead troops to suppress the rebel army of Li Zicheng, but he politely declined each time. The old man was over 70 years old, with white hair and a beard, a ruddy complexion, a slightly thin body, but very robust, not at all looking like someone in his 70s, more like someone in his 50s. He wore a long gown, with the air of a scholar. Throughout his life, he had many disciples, but each time he accepted new students, it was extremely strict, only taking ten people at a time. This is also why Master Zhou Shiming let his son Zhou Tianhao travel thousands of miles to study under him.

  After the courtesy, Zhou Tianhao handed over his father's letter to Master. The old man opened the letter and read it carefully from beginning to end, then he repeatedly measured Jiang Keyue, only to see that this girl was seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a tight-fitting rose-pink blouse with green silk skirt, a large bow tied at her waist with golden threads, her hair low-hanging and slanted, with a jade hairpin inserted, showing her slender figure. Her face was like a melon seed, her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her cheeks were flushed, her skin was white and smooth, her eyes shone brightly, her complexion was clear and elegant, and her demeanor was refined. The old man liked this student at first sight. However, after his delight, a serious expression quickly climbed onto his face. Could it be that such a beautiful girl had come to study?

  "He asked: 'Are you Jiang Keyue?'"

  Jiang Keyue bowed slightly and replied: "Yes, Master!"

  "Zhou Shi Ming, the owner of the Zhou Manor, is an old friend of mine, and I also know his character. Whoever he recommends should be trustworthy. However, I have one thing that I don't understand: why didn't you stay at home to enjoy a peaceful life, but instead traveled thousands of miles to come here to study?" asked Master Hong.

  "In many cases, women's pursuit of knowledge is not well-received. Since ancient times, they have been praised less and obstructed more. People all believe that 'a woman without talent is virtuous', and it is precisely this way of thinking that has buried countless talented women in the long river of history, unappreciated and unknown to later generations. But Yue has had a special affection for poetry and books since childhood, and now she has encountered Zhou Zhuang's great kindness, Master Shi's vast learning and martial arts prowess. If Yue misses this opportunity, it will be a lifelong regret!"

  When Jiang Keyue said her reason for studying, Teacher Fu was taken aback. This young woman could say such unexpected words, making him look at Jiang Keyue in a different light.

  "Well said. If the girl really loves reading, then I'll take this disciple, haha..." Master Hong laughed loudly.

  "Thank you, Master, for taking me in. I, Ke Yue, will definitely not disappoint your kindness and cultivation!" He said, bowing his head to show respect.

  Master Hong led Zhou Tianhao and Jiang Keyue to the classroom, calling all students together. They paid their respects to Confucius' tablet with three kneels and nine head knocks. Liang Guanjia, as Jiang Keyue's parent representative, stood in front, while Jiang Keyue and others followed behind to pay their respects. After finishing the ceremony, Master Hong sat in the middle, Liang Guanjia stood in front, and Keyue, Tianhao, and other students stood behind, paying their respects again with three kneels and nine head knocks. The apprenticeship ceremony ended after the rituals were completed.

  Master Hong sat on the armchair, introducing Jiang Keyue to the students. "Today, you have added a new classmate, she is a girl and also the only female classmate in our academy, her name is Jiang Keyue. I hope from now on you will treat her like your own sister. And I also hope that Jiang Keyue will learn well from her seniors, be strict with herself and make continuous progress in her studies."

  The brothers saw the arrival of a female classmate who looked like an immortal fairy, some whispered to each other, and some stared with their eyes wide open... The teacher's words were rarely heard by a few people.

  After finishing his apprenticeship, Liang Xingchu bid farewell to Master Hong and others such as Tianhao and Keyue. He left the school and returned to Zhoujiazhuang to report back to Old Master Zhou Shiming...