Chapter 127: The Report

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At the academy, all the students wore identical uniforms. Some sat and others stood in the courtyard, gathering in groups of two or three to discuss what their teacher had taught that day.

Every student they passed along the way stopped to bow to Dean Wu.

The Wen family followed behind, gazing curiously at everything in the academy. Naturally, the students inside were just as curious as they studied the family in return.

This was Wen Fa and Wen Jin’s first time entering an academy. They were so nervous that they did not even know what to do with their hands as they walked. Only Datou remained calm and composed beside Wen Xiuyi, occasionally whispering a few words to Wen Jun.

The brothers exchanged a glance, then quickened their steps to catch up. It seemed that staying beside Datou and Wen Jun gave them a measure of security.

At last, they passed through the garden where the students rested and arrived at the study where the teachers conducted their affairs.

“We’re here. Brother Qiu, please take the guests to the side room to rest. You three, come inside with me.” Dean Wu finished speaking and looked toward Datou, Wen Fa, and Wen Jin.

Wen Fa instinctively grabbed Wen Jun’s hand.

“Big Brother.”

Wen Jun patted the back of his hand reassuringly. “It’s all right. Go on. Datou will be with you.”

Datou, who was not even as tall as their legs, confidently thumped his chest. “Fourth Brother, don’t worry. I’m here.”

Wen Fa lowered his head and glanced at his younger brother, then silently released Wen Jun’s sleeve.

He was actually less capable than a little child. Sob, sob, sob.

Compared with Wen Fa, Wen Jin was nervous too, but he merely bit his lip and clenched his fists. He did not seek comfort from anyone else as Wen Fa had.

Dean Wu had already reached the doorway. When he saw that they had not moved, he turned back to look at them. The three of them had no choice but to follow.

Once they had gone, Shopkeeper Qiu glanced at the members of the Wen family. “Come on. We’ll wait in the room next door.”

As soon as they entered the side room, someone brought them tea and pastries.

Yet no one was in the mood to eat or drink. Only Wen Xiuyi, the moment he sat down, lifted a cup of tea and began savoring it. He even found time to eat a pastry, then leaned toward Wen Yao and whispered, “Not as good as yours.”

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Wen Yao also tried one.

It was acceptable—soft, tender, and pleasantly chewy. It was not unpleasant to eat, but after two pieces, Wen Yao found it somewhat cloying, as it was simply too sweet.

Perhaps they had wanted to give the pastries a better texture, so they had added sugar with a heavy hand. After eating several pieces, all that remained was sweetness upon sweetness.

It seemed she could add another pastry recipe the next time she gave Sister Qiu one.

The two of them murmured to each other, completely unaware of the nervousness surrounding them.

“Eldest, do you think they’ll manage?” Old Man Wen finally could not hold himself back any longer and began speaking to his eldest son. He did not even glance at the pastries on the table—his favorite sweet treat. That alone showed how nervous he was.

Wen Xiuyi swallowed a piece of pastry and nearly choked on it. After gulping down a mouthful of tea, he said indistinctly, “Father, don’t worry about it. Dean Wu already said they’ll definitely be accepted. Today’s assessment is only to determine which classes they should be placed in.”

Old Man Wen rubbed his hands together and glanced toward the door. Why did time seem to be passing so slowly today?

He was about to say something else when Madam Luo stuffed a pastry into his mouth.

“Don’t you love pastries? Can’t they keep your mouth shut?”

Old Man Wen tasted the sweetness in his mouth, and his eyes immediately lit up. He no longer cared what was happening with his three grandsons. Eating the pastry came first.

About half an hour later, voices finally sounded outside. The entire Wen family rose as one and looked toward the doorway.

Soon, Dean Wu entered with the three boys.

“Brother Qiu, your adopted son is truly remarkable.” The moment he stepped inside, Dean Wu’s smile spread uncontrollably across his face.

Shopkeeper Qiu remained outwardly calm, but pride was practically overflowing from his eyes. Smiling, he said, “You flatter him, Brother Wu. Datou, come here.”

Datou gave Dean Wu a solemn bow, then pattered over to Wen Xiuyi and Shopkeeper Qiu. He bent deeply at the waist and said, “Father, Adoptive Father, I haven’t disgraced you.”

Dean Wu stroked his beard and nodded. “Indeed. This child is exceptionally intelligent. I think we should place him in my class.”

The members of the Wen family were delighted. With a little thought, they knew that anyone capable of becoming a dean must possess outstanding talent. For Datou to study in his class could only be a wonderful thing.

Still, they could not overlook the other two children in the family.

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Madam Luo spoke up. “Dean, what about these two children?”

Dean Wu glanced at Wen Fa and Wen Jin. He found it difficult to understand how, despite being members of the same family, their abilities could differ so greatly. Even so, he had never been one to judge people by appearances.

“Wen Fa and Wen Jin have nearly the same foundation. However, Wen Jin is somewhat more adaptable, so we’ll place him in the intermediate class. Wen Fa is weaker, so he can study with the new students for now. If he improves in the midyear assessment, we can transfer him to another class.”

Madam Cai burst into tears of joy. She hurriedly wiped them away and gazed silently at her son. The hand clutching Wen Xiuqing’s sleeve trembled with excitement.

A trace of disappointment flashed through Madam Li’s eyes, but it vanished almost immediately, and she no longer dwelled on it. She knew her own son well enough and understood exactly where he stood. Being admitted to the beginner class was already quite good.

“Thank you, Dean. Being able to attend the academy is already a blessing for them. We’ll accept whatever arrangements you make.” Madam Luo quickly led the members of the Wen family in bowing.

Dean Wu hurried forward and helped Old Man Wen and Madam Luo to their feet. “There’s no need to be so formal. I established this academy to teach and guide students. However, there is one matter I should ask you about first.

“Our academy offers both day attendance and boarding. Students whose homes are relatively far away generally choose to live at the academy. The monthly fee for lodging and meals is two hundred copper coins. Day students do not need to pay that fee, but they must provide their own writing implements and supplies. The academy has a library whose books may be read freely, and students may also copy them to take home and study at their leisure. That is all. Go home and make your preparations today. Tomorrow, the children can enter their classes and begin their lessons.”

The members of the Wen family looked at one another. Madam Cai’s expression changed from joy to worry.

Two hundred copper coins every month, in addition to the cost of writing supplies.

She secretly glanced at Madam Luo, then lowered her head and made up her mind. Once she returned home, she would work hard and produce more embroidery to sell. No matter what, she had to earn back those two hundred copper coins every month.

Madam Luo also frowned slightly, though she did not let it show on her face. She nodded to Dean Wu. “All right. We’ll discuss it after we return home. When we bring the children to school tomorrow, we’ll confirm whether they’ll be boarding here.”

“Very well. Give me your answer tomorrow. Oh, and in a moment I’ll have someone take you to collect their uniforms. In my academy, whether a student comes from a poor family or a wealthy one, everyone dresses alike. This is so the students can focus on their studies instead of competing with one another,” Dean Wu explained.

Shopkeeper Qiu nodded in satisfaction. That was precisely why he had arranged for the Wen family’s three children to study under Dean Wu.