Chapter 9: The Pit

Grandmother Jia was watched by everyone with expectant or anxious gazes. Feeling a slight tightness in her chest, she couldn't help but turn the prayer beads on her wrist.

School reform was, by rights, a matter for the men. Shen Ning was overstepping her bounds; she had crossed the line.

Yet, given her background and status, combined with the events of today, intervening in the school's reform was also a logical progression.

Hadn't the crowd, who were dissatisfied just a moment ago, all been waiting for her to agree to Shen Ning's proposal?

The only one who didn't want her to agree was the second daughter-in-law, Lady Wang.

Jia Zhu had passed the *xiucai* examination last year and was currently studying at the Imperial Academy, where he was looked after by his father-in-law, Lord Li. The mother and daughter-in-law had no worries there, and the Jia clan school had no jurisdiction over him. But what about Baoyu?

Baoyu was six years old this year. Since he was three or four, he had learned many characters from his eldest granddaughter, Yuanchun. Now was the perfect age for him to study, and they had already hired a private tutor; there was absolutely no need for him to attend the clan school.

But if he didn't attend... she would have to pay five hundred taels of silver a year.

The money wasn't the issue; the difficulty lay in her second son, Jia Zheng, who was prone to being stubborn. If things went poorly, he might very well make Baoyu come over every seven days to eat "bitterness-remembering and sweetness-thinking" meals.

Though she didn't know the specifics of these meals, the mere mention of "remembering bitterness" was enough to know they were unpleasant.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia sighed. "That is fine, but you know, Zhu'er is studying at the Imperial Academy. If you make him come back to eat those bitterness-remembering meals..."

"Zhu'er has already passed the *xiucai* exam, so he is naturally exempt."

In truth, if it were up to Shen Ning, Jia Zhu was the one who should come back and be toughened up by Jiao Da.

Unfortunately, if she really made Jia Zhu come back, Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang would turn against her on the spot, and even Jia Zheng wouldn't agree.

Shen Ning smiled slightly. "Within the Jia clan, all those who have earned official titles are exempt from the constraints of the clan school. As for the others... having been born into the Jia family and enjoying the family's wealth, remembering one's roots must come first."

Grandmother Jia: "..."

Lady Wang: "..."

Both women wanted to grit their teeth, but to object now would be to admit they had forgotten their roots.

*Hmph.*

The two couldn't help but glance involuntarily at her stomach.

"In that case... very well!"

Grandmother Jia sighed inwardly. "This old woman is also a member of the Jia family. How about this: I shall do as you do and donate three hundred taels to the clan school every year to buy brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for the children!"

"Since the Old Matriarch and the eldest sister-in-law have both donated," Lady Wang said in a gentle tone, though the smile in her eyes carried a strange, fierce glint, "then my sister-in-law and I will also donate one hundred taels to the clan school each year!"

Lady Xing: "..."

She didn't want to donate; she had no children who needed to study.

But since everyone else had donated, in terms of status, she... could not afford not to.

When Shen Ning looked her way, Lady Xing nodded with a forced smile. "That is the right way of things."

"In that case, Shen Ning thanks my aunt and two sisters-in-law for their support."

With Qingzhu's help, she stood up and performed a curtsy to the three of them.

Except for Grandmother Jia, who remained seated, Lady Xing and Lady Wang could only turn slightly to avoid receiving the full bow.

"Oh, eldest sister-in-law, why are you being so formal with us?"

At a signal from Grandmother Jia, Wang Xifeng hurried over to support her. "It is all for the sake of the clan. Your health is poor; let me and the eldest sister-in-law handle the follow-up matters here. You, the Old Matriarch, the Lady, and the second Lady should go back and rest early."

"Feng'er is the only one who knows how to care for people."

Shen Ning patted her hand. "However, you still need to attend to the Old Matriarch and the two sisters-in-law. Leave the matters here to Lian'er."

She gave an encouraging look to You Shi, who had been recording the reward and punishment regulations with pen and ink. "Have you recorded everything? Once finished, hand it to Lian'er and let him discuss the details with She-di and Zhen'er."

"I have recorded it."

You Shi calmly set down her pen. Only then did everyone notice that she, who had been standing the furthest away, had actually filled more than half a page.

*Hiss.*

No wonder she was able to marry into the Ningguo Mansion as the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch.

The admiration in the eyes of the ladies and mistresses was genuine.

Now that the regulations were set down in ink, they would basically never be changed.

Not every family among them was living comfortably.

With these hundreds of taels in rewards, the children would have more motivation to study.

With a glimmer of hope for the future, even though the screams of the children in the middle courtyard could still be heard occasionally, the smiles on their faces grew more frequent.

Meanwhile, sipping tea while watching Jia Zhen administer the beatings and listening to the commotion outside, Jia She seemed to be thinking of someone, his gaze distant and melancholy.

The women of the outer courtyard had come crying and making a scene. He had originally thought they would try to break down the doors and cause a massive disturbance, but he hadn't expected them to stop crying and fussing so quickly.

Lady Xing couldn't manage this, and Lady Wang couldn't either. Only his mother and his eldest sister-in-law could.

His mother wouldn't intervene before knowing the specific reasons, so it must have been his eldest sister-in-law.

Jia She sipped his tea, tasting the bitterness within it.

"Uncle She!"

After striking the last person's backside three times, Jia Zhen tossed the work to a servant and walked over, wiping his hands. "Should we notify Uncle Zheng about today's events?"

"Hmm."

Jia She raised his eyelids, a mocking smile on his face. "Do you not intend to tell your father as well?"

His father?

Thinking of his father, Jia Zhen's face turned slightly pale, and his legs felt a bit shaky. "Naturally, I must tell him."

He only hoped his mother could still protect him as she had in the past.

"I also intend to expel Jia Dairu and Jia Rui from the Jia family. I wonder if you..."

"As you wish. I have no objections."

Jia She was used to being a hands-off manager. "As long as you can handle the aftermath yourself."

He was about to say something else when he saw the courtyard gate opened by the gatekeeper, and his son, Jia Lian, came trotting over. "Father, Brother Zhen."

Jia Lian held up the sheet of paper. "This is the new school regulation drafted by my aunt." It would be a lie to say he wasn't impressed. "It looks very formidable; even the Old Matriarch and the ladies have supported it."

No wonder there was no sound outside anymore.

Jia She and Jia Zhen looked at it together, and before long, smiles appeared on both their faces.

"Where is the Old Matriarch? Did your wife see her off?"

"Yes!"

You Shi's handwriting was not meant for public eyes, so Jia Lian had transcribed it at the school. "They should be arriving home by now."

"Hmm. Then let's do it this way!"

Jia She looked at his own son, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "Your Brother Zhu is still studying. Lian'er, in the future... you should also go to the school and study."

What?

Jia Lian was shocked. "Father, I... I have already donated for the rank of *tongzhi*!"

When he got married, the family had specifically donated for the fifth-rank *tongzhi* title so his name would look better!

Brother Zhu hadn't donated for an official post because he intended to pass the exams.

He had the ability to pass, too.

But at his age, if he had to go and study with a bunch of little brats...

"Just because you donated for a *tongzhi* rank, does that mean you don't need to learn how to be a man?"

Jia She's face turned cold instantly, and Jia Lian almost knelt. "Father, don't I still have to manage the household?"

"Pfft."

Jia She's disdain was evident. "Is fighting your wife for the right to manage the household that interesting?"

Jia Lian: "..."

He wanted to beg Jia Zhen for help, but Jia Zhen was busy looking at the sky, the ground, his backside, and the pillars—anywhere but at him.

*Bastard, is he trying to set me up?*

"Yes!"

Those who understand the times are wise. Jia Lian didn't want to be beaten by his own father in public, so he hung his head and agreed for the time being. "I will attend school."