Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 195 - 194: Teacher, Please Enlighten Me

"Liu Jinbao, Liu Jinhua, Lv Liang, Lv Daniu..."

Upon hearing their names being read by the steward, Jinbao and Jinhua quickly stepped forward, following the main group into the academy.

In total, there were twenty people, arranged by gender and height.

Jinhua was shocked to find that she was the only girl on her side.

Before she could react, the teacher called her first to step forward.

Jinhua was immediately startled, but fortunately, she hadn’t forgotten what she had just learned. She performed a bow and then made a simple self-introduction.

"Hello to all three teachers, my name is Liu Jinhua. I’m from Liu Family Village, and I am seven years old."

The teacher who was about to ask her age and name was a bit surprised, but quickly restrained his emotions and looked very serious.

He asked, "Have you studied before?"

Jinhua: "I’ve studied the Hundred Family Surnames." She actually wanted to say she had only read a little, but her third aunt said that the more you say, the more mistakes you might make. As the teacher hadn’t asked for details, there was no need to explain.

All three teachers looked over with interest and asked her to demonstrate.

So Jinhua recited a long list of surnames she had just memorized—fifty-five in total, five more than her practice run!

Jinhua felt a bit proud, but the expected praise did not come. The teacher who had first questioned her saw her stop, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and said, "Is there more?"

Jinhua swallowed, "No, that’s all."

"Can you write?"

Jinhua shook her head.

"Can you draw?"

Jinhua shook her head again. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Alright, you may leave." The teacher waved his hand, picked up a pen, and marked an X next to Liu Jinhua’s name.

The desk was very high. Jinhua tiptoed to see what the teacher had written, catching a glimpse of red vermilion before the teacher shot her a glance, scaring her into quickly leaving.

"So soon?" Liu Zhong felt a jolt.

They had only been in there for less than half an incense stick’s time, finished already?

Liu Zhong asked her about the situation inside, if the teacher had said anything.

Jinhua felt like she had narrowly escaped danger, her mind blank and unable to speak.

"It’s okay." Qin Yao smiled gently at the suddenly tense Dragon and Phoenix Twins, "Don’t be nervous, believe in yourself."

The Dragon and Phoenix Twins nodded earnestly, focusing all their attention on the school entrance.

Soon, the children came out one by one, dejected because they couldn’t answer anything the teacher asked, not even as well as Liu Jinhua, who at least could have a conversation with the teacher.

Before long, Jinbao also came out. Perhaps because he was further back in line, he wasn’t as nervous and quickly recounted the questioning process inside to give the Dragon and Phoenix Twins some insight.

Qin Yao had guessed earlier that the ink and paper in the academy were for examinations, but it wasn’t quite what she imagined.

Those ink and paper were for the children who could write and draw to showcase their skills; the examination was actually simpler than she had expected.

However, Jinbao, who performed even worse than Jinhua, mentioned he saw the teacher place a checkmark under his name.

Qin Yao’s heart skipped a beat.

Looking around and counting, including Jinhua and Si Niang, there were only three girls in total.

Could it be?

Qin Yao had a bad feeling—could it be that the teachers didn’t want to accept female students?

But before Qin Yao could adjust her approach, the second round of examinations began, with another girl included.

Si Niang clenched her fists to encourage herself, "Brave Si Niang, boldly charge forward!"

Sanlang mimicked, "Brave Sanlang, boldly charge forward."

They glanced back at their families, then boldly followed the group inside.

The first to come out was the other girl.

The little girl cried as soon as she saw her parents, saying the teacher was fierce, and she was too scared to answer anything.

Her parents sighed regretfully, holding her hand as they retreated to the side. They wouldn’t leave until the final results were in, though their daughter’s chances seemed slim.

Qin Yao began to discern a pattern: because there were fewer girls, they might start with the girls’ examinations.

In that case, next would be her family’s Si Niang.

"Liu Pingling from Liu Family Village, greeting the three teachers!"

Si Niang walked forward steadily. Though small in stature, she performed the etiquette correctly, and spoke with confidence, showing no fear.

After speaking, she raised her head, revealing a pair of bright eyes, full of innocence and curiosity.

The little girl was very pretty, dressed neatly, with a simple round bun instead of the usual double bun hairstyle. Her bangs hung lightly over her forehead, making her look like a little Daoist boy from a painting.

Her cloth was light pink, with two pink ribbons hanging behind her tie, ensuring no one mistook her for a boy.

Such an adorable little girl, with big dark eyes looking at them, softened the hearts of the three teachers in an instant.

Mr. Cheng lightly coughed, sternly asking the questions he had already posed dozens of times before.

"Have you read books?"

"Can you write?"

"Can you paint?"

Si Niang paused, confirming that the teacher had finished speaking, then earnestly answered with her hands behind her back:

"Reporting to the teacher, I have read the Classic of Poetry and the Analects, and I can write, but my writing isn’t refined yet. As for painting, my parents say my hands are still tender, not robust enough for painting, so I’ve only learned a bit of simple art, afraid to make the teacher laugh."

Saying this, she shyly grinned at Mr. Cheng.

The two teachers on the side, hearing her words, curiously looked over. Of all the children examined so far, she was the first to speak in such a interesting way, making her stand out.

Upon looking again, her mischievous smile was like a cat’s, filled with clever spirit, making it hard for their eyes to look away.

Mr. Ding, the oldest teacher to Mr. Cheng’s left, who had just scared a little girl to tears, suddenly wanted to test her, so he asked:

"Little one, do you know the line after ’Learn without thinking, you will be bewildered’?"

Si Niang nodded, "Thinking without learning, you will be imperiled."

All three were delighted; finally, a promising student.

Another teacher joined in the fun, asking her, "Can you recite a poem from the Classic of Poetry?"

Si Niang thought for a moment, "Teacher, may I recite ’Wooden Melon’? It is my favorite."

"When I’m gifted with melons, I give back with jade, not only for the gift, but for lasting goodwill."

"When I’m gifted with peaches, I give back with precious jade, not only for the gift, but for lasting goodwill..."

Her childlike voice was as clear as a nightingale, carried with a rhythmic melody that elevated the listener’s spirits.

The teacher squinted, pondering her answer before asking again, "Do you understand its meaning?"

Si Niang nodded, "When a friend gives me fruits like melons and peaches, I return the favor by giving them beautiful jade and stones. It’s not because they gave me something that I must return it, but because I cherish the friendship between us."

"This friendship can be seen both as camaraderie and mutual affection between a man and a woman."

"From this poem, we can also see that the gift in return is much greater in value than what was initially given, highlighting that treasuring and understanding the feelings of others is the truest form of offering."

After speaking, Si Niang bowed again, "Please correct me, teacher."

Raising her head, she saw the three teachers looking at each other, seemingly hearing this type of analysis for the first time, full of intrigue.