Chapter 27: Teaching the Son

Chapter 27: Teaching the Son

Jiang Shu glanced around the hall and saw everyone with worried frowns, immediately understanding the gravity of the situation.

"May I ask why His Excellency summoned me?" Jiang Shu asked.

Shen Changze gestured to Huo Chong, who recounted the entire incident of Yan Yang skipping school from start to finish.

"He's been beaten and punished, but Yan Yang refuses to read no matter what. What can we do?" Mother Shen fretted, pounding her chest in distress.

Cheng Jinchu did not expect the situation to be so serious.

Fuming with anger, she slapped Yan Yang out of frustration.

"You will read this book, whether you want to or not."

Yan Yang was stunned by the slap. Already upset, he became even more heartbroken, his once bright eyes now dull and lifeless.

He did not argue, did not refute, did not admit fault, and did not utter a word.

"Yan Yang."

Cheng Jinchu tried to reason with him, but Yan Yang seemed to hear nothing, offering no response.

Cheng Jinchu was so angry that she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, clutching her stomach and furrowing her brows.

"Lady, Lady... there's blood!" the maid cried in panic.

In the light summer clothes, a streak of blood trickled down Cheng Jinchu's skirt and dripped onto the floor.

It was a shocking sight.

"Hurry, bring in Physician Fang!" Mother Shen ordered urgently.

Fortunately, she had the foresight to have Physician Fang ready beforehand.

Shen Changze carefully carried Cheng Jinchu to a chair, and Physician Fang examined her pulse meticulously.

After a long while, Physician Fang withdrew her hand, her face grave. "Lady Jin shows signs of miscarriage. She must not be agitated any further and needs complete rest."

Physician Fang paused, hesitating to continue.

"Just speak plainly," Shen Changze said.

Physician Fang replied, "Lady Jin's body cannot withstand any more stress. It would be best if she does not concern herself with anything else."

"Changze, take Jinchu back. We'll discuss the rest without troubling her further." Mother Shen decided firmly.

Cheng Jinchu looked at Yan Yang, reluctant to leave but unable to bear the pain, allowing Shen Changze to carry her away.

Yan Yang knelt quietly, showing no reaction to Cheng Jinchu's near miscarriage.

Seeing this, Mother Shen was at a loss for what to do.

"Shu'er, Yan Yang calls you mother. What is your opinion on this matter?" Mother Shen passed the difficult question to Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu glanced at the sullen Yan Yang and said, "Though he calls me mother, I have never truly been a mother and do not know how to teach a child."

"It is Grandmother and Mother who should have experience."

"This..." Mother Shen and Mother Shen exchanged glances.

While they had raised children, they had never encountered someone as stubborn and defiant as Yan Yang.

Perhaps it was due to the indulgence during their years at the border.

After a moment of silence, Mother Shen said, "In any case, Yan Yang and Yan Huan cannot stay in Lanyun Courtyard anymore."

"What do you mean?" Mother Shen asked in confusion.

"Isn't it clear enough from what Physician Fang said? From today onwards, nothing and no one in this household can affect Jinchu." Mother Shen spoke firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Yan Yang was already like this; if he turned out to be hopeless, then the child in Cheng Jinchu's womb would be their new hope.

They had to save at least one of the two children.

Shen Changze soon returned, and Mother Shen informed him of their decision.

"Grandmother is right. I will have their belongings moved to Mother's place," Shen Changze said.

Mother Shen looked panicked. "I am already overwhelmed with managing the household affairs. How can I possibly look after two children?"

Mother Shen glared at her disapprovingly. "Send them to Shouyong Hall. I am an idle old woman; I will take care of them."

Mother Shen smiled awkwardly. "It's not that I don't want to, but I truly lack the energy."

Yan Yang was so disobedient; she simply could not manage him.

"Perhaps send them to Shu'er. Shu'er is wise and educated, more suitable for raising a child."

That was a reasonable suggestion.

Shen Changze looked at Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu's eyes flickered with a hint of mockery. "If I were to raise him, Lady Jin would not sleep peacefully."

Shen Changze understood Cheng Jinchu's attitude towards Jiang Shu and immediately dismissed the idea.

"Alright, let's send them to Shouyong Hall to keep me company in my loneliness," Mother Shen declared decisively.

People don't become close without reason. Jiang Shu could not possibly treat him with genuine affection.

Therefore, Mother Shen still believed that her upbringing was the most appropriate, and if there was any need, she should seek Jiang Shu.

Whoever decided the upbringing, the method of upbringing became a challenge.

For the stubborn Yan Yang, they were at their wits' end.

"Madam, do you have any suggestions?" Shen Changze asked Jiang Shu.

As Mother Shen had said, Jiang Shu was wise and reasonable; she must have valuable insights.

Jiang Shu did not want to interfere, but seeing a five-year-old child with a look of utter despair was truly pitiful. She said, "My Lord, do you wish for Yan Yang to understand principles and become accomplished, or simply to be obedient and study?"

"What's the difference?" Shen Changze was puzzled.

Jiang Shu said, "My Lord, look at those trees outside."

Shen Changze looked out as instructed and saw many trees in the courtyard.

"Ginkgo, magnolia, osmanthus, arborvitae... they are all trees. Some bear fruit, some bloom, some can be eaten, some are beautiful. They are different yet all loved by people."

"Children are like trees; different children grow into different trees. But even the most capable person cannot turn a magnolia into a ginkgo."

Jiang Shu paused and continued, "Without carving, jade remains unrefined; without teaching, a person cannot become accomplished. But one must teach according to individual aptitude, not with a one-size-fits-all approach."

"Do you mean he shouldn't read?" Shen Changze frowned.

Jiang Shu shook her head. "Not that he shouldn't read, but rather not force him. My Lord, why not ask Yan Yang what he likes and what he wants to learn?"

Shen Changze gave Jiang Shu a deep look and turned to Yan Yang. "Tell Father, if not reading, what do you want to learn?"

Yan Yang looked up at him, mustered his courage, and trembled, "I want to learn martial arts, to be a mighty general like Father and Mother."

"No!" Shen Changze rejected outright.

The battlefield is perilous; he could not let Yan Yang follow in his footsteps.

Yan Yang shuddered from Shen Changze's shout and hung his head, saying nothing.

Seeing Shen Changze's quick temper, Jiang Shu frowned and said, "When a child makes a mistake, parents should lead by example and guide patiently. Simply scolding and punishing will not help the child understand."

Not only would it prevent him from becoming accomplished, but over time it might breed resentment.

"He can do anything, except be a general," Shen Changze's voice softened but remained firm.

Jiang Shu said, "Learning martial arts does not mean becoming a general, and being a general requires more than just martial arts. If My Lord wishes to change Yan Yang, set an example and guide him."

"What do you mean?"

Jiang Shu said, "Since he cannot focus on reading, let him develop his character for two years. My Lord, bring him along, teach him martial arts to strengthen his body, show him how to read official documents, and make him understand that generals also need to know how to read."

Generals also need to know how to read.

Hearing this, Yan Yang trembled both physically and emotionally.

"Grandmother, Mother, what do you think?" Shen Changze sought their opinion.

Not reading is a significant matter, and he feared making the wrong decision and ruining Yan Yang's future.

Mother Shen and Mother Shen exchanged glances and said, "Let's proceed this way."

There was no better solution at the moment; they could only take it step by step.