Horse-head Wall Reflects the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 81 Who Urges the Clock Again? Mountain Rain Rises, Fallen Flowers Fill Autumn Canals

"Please give me another cup of tea's time, sir..."

"Sir, just a moment, just a moment, please don't take our books yet."

"Sir! We're ready! We're waiting for you!"

Just like the students in his own class, Guan Yin still remembers that when he assigned memorization homework the day before and asked them to recite the timeline of major events the next day, the students pleaded to have their books put away a little later so they could look at them a little more.

"What were you doing last night? I told you all we had to do a dictation test today." Guan Yin put on a very dissatisfied look, picked up the book in his hand, and tapped the desk of the first row of students. "Hurry up, hurry up, if I don't collect it, put all your books on the ground."

"what……"

"what?"

Disappointment rose and fell – as the sun began to set, they thought the teacher had forgotten about the dictation today, but to their surprise, the teacher still remembered.

"Quick, quick, whose book is still on the table?"

The group of students had never been so reluctant to part with their books. Only that confident and proud student threw his book on the ground early on, his bright eyes fixed on Guan Yin, hoping that the latter would announce the start soon.

A smile flickered across Guan Yin's lips.

It's the same in elementary school; there are always two or three students who are very confident. People always want to compete and be ranked, and naturally, they compare themselves to those around them.

Even if you have some minor flaws, you'll still be praised if your classmates haven't reviewed, and you'll feel proud when you go home—that's all children want; they don't have any malicious intentions to see their classmates make fools of themselves.

"Alright, alright, start writing now... Don't let me see you peeking at the books on the floor, or you won't be able to do the dictation. Just copy it five times and hand it in!"

In ancient times, private school teachers would sometimes hit students, but nowadays teachers think twice before even making students stand as punishment. Guan Yin was used to this system and could only be thankful that Cheng Jianwei was originally a gentle and magnanimous person.

Tall and handsome, he may not have the looks of a male protagonist in an ancient romance novel, but he was definitely not known for his "prestige" among the students.

So the ruler, which was originally just a decoration, simply became Guan Yin's tool for "emphasizing key points," with the most serious punishment being copying... As for calling the parents, Guan Yin himself was not convenient, so he could only say it to scare the children.

As Guan Yin patrolled the aisle, he indeed spotted someone with their head down, pretending to pick something up, and slightly lifting a corner of a book.

Gently tapping the ruler on the book is essentially placing it in front of the naughty child. The child is startled, but must pretend nothing happened, pick up a dirty crumpled piece of paper that was thrown on the ground at some unknown time, straighten up methodically, and pick up the pen that was placed to the side.

Guan Yin didn't expose it. After making her rounds, she returned to her desk, thinking about what she would say when she asked them to exchange their corrections, and... she had been feeling uneasy these past two days.

The article was short, lasting about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Those who knew it had memorized it almost completely, and those who didn't know it couldn't continue writing. Guan Yin then stopped writing.

"You don't need to worry too much. I'm just checking to see if you know how to do it. I won't call your father."

Seeing that the teacher didn't rush to put it away, even with such affirmation, the group of students were still uneasy—especially those who had filled in most of it but left most of it blank.

"Here's what we'll do: you two take turns grading each other's work." There weren't many students in the private school, far fewer than the amount of homework the teacher had to grade. Guan Yin wasn't trying to be lazy; his sole purpose in having them grade each other's work was to reinforce their understanding.

Students might be close friends, but when it comes to grading, even those who are usually mortal enemies can have a brief period of peace. Hearing this, I couldn't help but smile from the inside out.

How could Guan Yin not know about this kind of "under-the-table deal"? It's something everyone's already done back in the day!

“Correct them properly. The handwriting and ink marks are obvious. You can fool me, but there’s no need to fool yourselves… I will collect them and check them.” Guan Yin was very good at controlling the fate of a group of students. Seeing them deflate one by one, Guan Yin was secretly pleased.

After carefully reviewing the corrections, some students looked dejected, some were smug, and some kept sighing and regretting their actions. Guan Yin gave no emotional feedback and indifferently instructed, "Swap them back and see where the problems are."

"I won't take it."

Guan Yin's words saved countless anxious students. They looked at each other, mostly with expressions of relief.

"Raise your hand if you're right." Guan Yin didn't want to be a spoilsport. He had studied diligently all night, but the next day he didn't receive the emotional value he deserved, which left him feeling disappointed.

The students in front of us are naturally the same.

"Very good, you two are exempt from today's copying assignment." Since you can recite it completely from memory, there is no need to waste time with repetitive copying. Guan Yin had a teacher like this when he was a child.

Neat handwriting means writing one less character; perfect dictation means writing one less line—limited time should be spent on more meaningful things, and appropriate rewards can also motivate students to study hard.

The rain outside showed no signs of stopping, and as the temperature began to drop, the wind blowing in was getting a bit chilly.

Guan Yin noticed this in time. After observing the clothing of the students near the door, he went over and closed the door: "Remember to have a bowl of hot soup to warm yourself up when you get home. It's not like summer now; it's easy to catch a cold."

"it is good!"

"What kind of hot soup would you like, sir? Ginger soup? I hate ginger soup the most!"

"Sir, does it have to be very, very hot?"

"Sir, can I not take today's dictation home?"

One question after another came at Guan Yin, but Guan Yin answered them all with great patience.

Just now, she was worried that something might go wrong with Liu Jiao'an, or that Liu's father couldn't possibly be without connections in the capital. As soon as Cheng Heng arrived there, they would surely discover that the current schoolteacher, Cheng Jianwei, was an imposter.

What might Liu's father do?
Guan Yin felt that Liu's father would definitely do something—this was the first person to cause Liu's father's authority to stumble.

Even if Liu's father really had no problem and was only doing it for his daughter, he couldn't help but retaliate against a "young punk" who ruined his daughter's youth.

In real society, fathers would probably do anything to resort to violence, and in a place where power can be used for personal gain, it would be even more so.

"That's enough for today, let's chat for a while."

“There are a few lines in ‘On Teachers’ describing the selection of a teacher. I wonder if you still remember them?” Guan Yin realized that he could not continue to delay like this. It was time to take some initiative, even if it was only to unite a small number of students in this private school.

"Witch doctors, musicians, and artisans are not ashamed to learn from each other..."

The student who stared intently at Guan Yin during the dictation today, seeking praise, was the first to give the answer.

The student who wanted to turn the page interrupted the former's unfinished words, and looked at Guan Yin with the same smug look: "No, no, it's that sentence, 'Therefore, I take the Way as my teacher. Why should I care whether they were born before or after me? Therefore, regardless of rank or age, wherever the Way exists, there the teacher exists!'" "Sir, I know, the second sentence is correct."

Seeing the teacher give the latter an appreciative and approving look, the child felt a little resentful.

"cut……"

"It's okay, it would be even better if you could do it right again next time." Guan Yin's meager income couldn't afford to buy too many snacks and toys for the children. A couple of days ago, after some picking and choosing, he found the word-shaped candies that Liu Jiao'an had bought for him before.

"But whether the answer is correct or incorrect, what issue does it all raise?"

“Sir, they should be more capable than you in a certain area; there’s no need to be fixated on their status.”

There's no domineering male lead, no devoted second male lead, no villainous empire prince who's driven mad, no five brothers doting on him, and no cheat system. Guan Yin can't do much. Every initiative he takes is worth careful consideration.

"Look, everyone who answers the questions today, and everyone who gets them all right, gets a piece of candy."

Those who could afford to study must have come from wealthier families than Guan Yin, but the candy they received at home and the candy given by their teacher were never the same. Even if it was just a small piece of candy, those who couldn't bear to eat it would carefully wrap it in Xuan paper, while those who could afford to eat it would pop it into their mouths in one bite.

"Alright, everyone else keep up the good work. Old... I don't have anything too fancy here, but as long as you do a good job, there will definitely be a reward."

Guan Yin almost blurted out "teacher" again. He didn't know what "teacher" meant in this era of similar culture but different history. Was it still limited to "the emperor's teacher" or had it become commonplace for ordinary teachers?

"Alright, alright, that's all for today's lesson. The rain has lessened a bit, so please be careful on your way home."

Guan Yin's habits easily reveal her female identity—in the eyes of her students, Guan Yin has always been a kind-hearted and beautiful person with a sweet personality, but she is also ruthless when it comes to getting everyone to memorize knowledge points, and she knows exactly how to "tear the umbrella" (a metaphor for unfair treatment).

Taking Guan Yin's class is like eating chocolate—it has its bittersweet moments, but ultimately it's a joyful experience.

However, Cheng Jianwei lacked Guan Yin's playful and lively nature. The subtle details she inadvertently revealed would have alerted any adult to the problem long ago...

"Sir, you seem quite happy lately? Is it because we're expecting a mistress?"

The student's parting words stunned Guan Yin, making him realize that some of his behaviors must seem strange to these precocious children: "It's still early, what? You want a teacher's wife to restrain me so you can take advantage of the break to climb on the roof and tear off the tiles?"

Several students who turned around to listen to the commotion burst into laughter.

Perhaps they had heard of insane people or ghost stories about "possession," but the gentleman in front of them was unusually kind, so naturally no one would think of anything else.

I assumed it was some happy occasion for my husband. Since it wasn't his wife, perhaps he had some delicious candy? It's hard for a child to distinguish between something delicious and a major success in life.

"Phew..." After finally seeing off the last student, Guan Yin leaned back in his chair, almost sliding down, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

My initiative this time will definitely have some effect. As for Liu Jiao'an, I should probably think of a way to contact her.

But this vast land is not the people's domain, but a chessboard for officials and those in power. Guan Yin didn't know where to escape Liu's father's control.

His gaze swept aimlessly... A letter not far away made Guan Yin realize a place: the brothel!

It seems that even Liu's father couldn't know the truth about many things that happened in the brothel.

Otherwise, the fact that Guan Tongtong was called "Sister Yin Yun" by Ling Xiao should have reached Liu's father's ears long ago. But Liu's father still considers himself a "rascal who kidnapped his daughter" all these years, which means that there must be someone behind the brothel.

Having decided to take the initiative, Guan Yin felt that the brothel was a must-visit destination.

Under the cover of rain, Guan Yin saw the osmanthus blossoms that had just secretly bloomed but were now scattered on the ground, and felt a pang of sadness.

Having empathized with oneself... one naturally feels pity for the fallen flowers.

The osmanthus's initiative resulted in its early withering, and Guan Yin feared that he would suffer the same fate—remaining unchanged in the face of all changes seemed to be the safest approach.

"Ah, it smells so good!" A young child, about to break free from the umbrella-holder's grasp, rushed towards the pile of fallen osmanthus blossoms without a second thought. "It smells like my mother's hair, so fragrant..."

"Come back, you'll catch a cold if you get caught in the rain."

"It's alright, it's alright, I'll pick some up and take them back to my mother."

"The osmanthus trees in the house will bloom soon."

"But this is fresher than the smell at home. The smell at home is so strong, it doesn't smell like Mom's... No, no!"

This brief burst of light disrupted Guan Yin's previous somber mood. Guan Yin stood there blankly, his gaze fixed on the spot. Only after the two bright lights had left the bluestone street did Guan Yin become alert to the sound of water flowing in the sewers after the rain had stopped.

"Is it refreshing?"

"Refreshing..."

It was getting late, and the houses around them had lit up. Guan Yin put away his umbrella and went back inside, planning to tell his students the next day that he had to leave for two days.

But things often don't go as planned. Just as Guan Yin was welcoming most of the students into the private school in the morning light, a neatly dressed middle-aged man appeared at the door. Merchants are not allowed to wear fine clothes, so the middle-aged man's wealth could not be reflected in his clothing.

"But what's the matter?"

Students are afraid of teachers contacting their parents, but little do they know that teachers are also afraid of parents coming to their door. Guan Yin saw the person in front of him push the child in front of him, and before he could even react to which student it was, he started to think about how to minimize the risk.

“Sir, my child is not young anymore. The whole family is supporting his education, hoping that he can achieve something.”

This is natural. In the traditional social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants often couldn't afford to spend their money on luxuries. Even setting aside the pursuit of education and officialdom, they still hoped their children could become officials so they could spend that money on themselves. This desire for one's son to succeed is all too common.

"Yes, yes, of course." Guan Yin nodded, subconsciously making his tone even more infuriating, "Did you come to see me this time because you have something to discuss with me?"

"If so, why don't we move to a less crowded place to talk?"

"No need, let's talk here."

"It was only a few words originally. I still have accounts to settle. I'll leave after speaking with you, sir."