The meal was somewhat disrupted when news arrived that Pan Jing had been beaten by his tutor for failing to memorize his lessons and write characters properly. Upon hearing this, Lady Bai stood up abruptly, moving with a speed uncharacteristic of a woman nearing childbirth.
“Excuse me,” she said, her fingers trembling and face pale, eyes blazing with anger. She reached for Nian Yu’s hand, turning to head towards the back. What books could a three-year-old be expected to memorize? Some casual teaching was one thing, but to resort to physical punishment was going too far. Forcing growth like this could only lead to disaster. Were they trying to make the child fear teachers and books for the rest of his life? She absolutely couldn’t allow this. This wasn’t love; it was harm.
Seeing her reaction, Pan Rong quickly rose, gently pressing on her shoulders to make her sit down. He said in a low voice, “Stay seated. I’ll go.” He looked somewhat embarrassed as he continued, “Educating children to become successful is a father’s responsibility. Ensuring his wife’s comfort is a husband’s duty. Allowing parents to age peacefully is a son’s obligation. And avenging a deceased elder brother is a younger brother’s responsibility. I haven’t done well in any of these areas, causing you constant distress. This time, please trust me.”
Lady Bai was taken aback, visibly moved. Mudan and Jiang Changyang also agreed that it would be better for Pan Rong to handle the situation. Firstly, no matter how much the Chuzhou Marquis’s wife disliked Pan Rong, he was still her flesh and blood, so things wouldn’t escalate beyond control. Secondly, Lady Bai’s physical condition was too delicate to risk any further stress. Mudan held Lady Bai’s hand, gently saying, “That’s right, this is his responsibility. Let him handle it.”
Pan Rong glanced at Lady Bai, then gave Jiang Changyang and Mudan a somewhat shy smile before grabbing an oilcloth coat and striding out.
Lady Bai apologized, moved a stool to the window, and quietly watched outside. Jiang Changyang and Mudan felt it inappropriate to take their leave, knowing that any conversation now would only add to the confusion. After all, in such situations, constant chatter would be annoying to anyone. So they simply sat with Lady Bai in silence.
Shortly after, Nian Yu hurried in carrying Pan Jing. “The Young Master is still talking with the Old Mistress. Fearing that the Mistress would worry, he ordered me to bring the young lord here first.”
“Mother,” Pan Jing called out, cradling his left hand and still sniffling. His eyes were red from crying. Upon seeing Lady Bai, he rushed towards her but stopped short at the sight of her round belly. Carefully, he leaned against her knees, pouting pitifully as he held up his hand. “Ajing’s hand hurts so much. Mother, can you blow on it?”
A particularly tender smile spread across Lady Bai’s face as she took Pan Jing’s hand to examine it. The originally fair palm was now completely red, clearly showing that the tutor had indeed used force. A child is the flesh of their mother’s heart, and she couldn’t help but feel immense pain for him. Nian Yu softly explained from the side, “He was struck three times by the disciplined ruler. The tutor did use force, saying that if he were to punish, it should be memorable, otherwise, there was no point in punishing at all.”
While this reasoning might seem sound, it failed to consider the subject. Such a tutor clearly couldn’t adapt his teaching methods to the individual student. It would be better not to have him at all. Lady Bai did not comment, carefully blowing on Pan Jing’s hand. “Does it still hurt? Ajing is so brave, a little man, right? This bit of pain is nothing, isn’t it?”
Pan Jing hesitated for a long while before nodding with tears in his eyes. “Ajing is a man. But Ajing is very stupid, so the tutor always scolds me. Grandmother says, ‘Jade must be cut and polished to become a tool.’ The tutor’s scolding and beating are because Ajing didn’t do well. The tutor is good.”
How could they expect more from a three-year-old who already understood such a complex concept? Lady Bai painfully rubbed her forehead, forcing a smile as she said, “My Ajing is not stupid. It’s just because Ajing is still young. When Ajing grows up, he’ll naturally do well. Grandmother wasn’t wrong, and the tutor is also good. It’s just that Ajing is too young.”
Pan Jing replied, seeming to half-understand, “Really?”
Lady Bai smiled, “When has Mother ever lied to Ajing? If you don’t believe me, you can ask your Uncle Jiang and Aunt Dan.” She pointed to Mudan and Jiang Changyang. “You forgot something when you came in. Do you remember what it is?”
Pan Jing was silent for a moment, then obediently walked up to Jiang Changyang and Mudan. He first greeted them with a bow, then earnestly asked, “Is Ajing stupid?”
Mudan crouched down, looking him in the eye, and seriously told him, “Ajing is not stupid. Ajing is just too young. When Aunt Dan was Ajing’s age, she was still clinging to her mother’s arms, not nearly as sensible as Ajing.”
Pan Jing pressed his lips together in a shy smile, then looked towards Jiang Changyang. Jiang Changyang patted his head, smiling, “Ajing is a smart and sensible good boy. I think when Ajing grows up, he’ll study very well.”
Having received affirmation from everyone present, a genuine smile spread across Pan Jing’s little face. He ran back to Lady Bai’s side, nuzzling against her and carefully touching her belly. “When will little sister come out? Ajing misses her.”
Lady Bai laughed at his words. “How do you know it’s a little sister?”
Pan Jing shyly buried his head in her embrace, whispering, “I just know, I just know.” Then, with concern, he asked, “Mother, Ajing doesn’t want to go study for now. Can Ajing go when he’s older?”
No matter what, she would never let him suffer like this again. Lady Bai’s eyes shone with determination as she seriously said, “Mother promises Ajing, you can go when you’re six years old. But Ajing must also promise Mother that you’ll study hard then and not be afraid of difficulties. Can you do that?”
Pan Jing happily agreed, “Yes, yes.” But then he worried, “What if Ajing tries his best but still can’t do well? Wouldn’t that be breaking a promise?”
“Mother only asks that you try your best. I’m not requiring you to reach any specific level. People’s talents are limited. For example, some people run fast, some run slow. As long as you try your best, you’re not breaking your promise.” Lady Bai raised her hand for a high-five. “Let’s make a pact. If you can’t do what you’ve said today when the time comes, Mother will spank you herself.”
Pan Jing hesitated for a moment, a solemn expression appearing on his little face. He raised his right hand and earnestly high-fived Lady Bai, even saying on his initiative, “Please let Uncle Jiang and Aunt Dan be witnesses.” Though his voice was still childish, his demeanor was not.
Watching this mother and son pair make their pact with utmost seriousness, Mudan’s heart was filled with emotion. Lady Bai had raised Pan Jing well, and Pan Jing trusted Lady Bai deeply. This kind of trust couldn’t be built overnight. Mudan remembered Lady Bai telling her that even though Pan Jing was a child, she never lied to him and always treated him like an adult. She never made empty promises about things she couldn’t do, and once she promised something, she always followed through. Now it was clear that this approach had worked well. Mudan wanted to learn to be such a mother.
Mudan turned her head to look at Jiang Changyang, intending for him to observe and learn as well. However, she saw Jiang Changyang stand up and respectfully bow to someone outside the door. “Uncle.”
Standing at the doorway was a man wearing a dark green round-collared robe with narrow sleeves. His hair was graying, his expression serious, his eyes somewhat melancholic. Though his frame was thin, his posture was very upright. His gaze had been fixed on Lady Bai and Pan Jing. Hearing Jiang Changyang’s greeting, he slowly turned his head, stopping Lady Bai and Pan Jing from rising, and returned Jiang Changyang’s bow. “I hear you’ve been very busy lately.”
Jiang Changyang replied, “Yes, very busy. Erlang has been a great help to me.”
“Very good,” the Chuzhou Marquis said after a moment of silence. “With you guiding him, I can rest easy.” He looked towards Mudan, a gentle smile appearing on his face. “Feel free to visit more often when you’re not busy.”
Mudan hurried forward to greet him respectfully. The Chuzhou Marquis nodded, then looked at Pan Jing, who was blinking his eyes and looking at him endearingly, and Lady Bai, whose face showed a stubborn expression. He said calmly, “This is good. Let him start school when he’s six years old.”
Everyone in the room visibly relaxed. With the Chuzhou Marquis having spoken, the matter would not be revisited.
The Chuzhou Marquis glanced at the dishes on the table. “Have the kitchen prepare fresh, hot food. Axin, you and Erlang entertain them well. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t be joining you.” He paused, then spoke gently to Lady Bai, “Axin, put your mind at ease. Taking good care of yourself is the most important thing now.”
“Yes, Father,” Lady Bai replied. She gently nudged Pan Jing, who excitedly ran over to hug the Chuzhou Marquis’s leg, looking up at him with clear, bright eyes shining with happiness. “Grandfather, Grandfather, do you mean it? Can Ajing wait until he’s six to start studying?”
The Chuzhou Marquis crouched down, stroking Pan Jing’s head with immense affection. His voice carried a barely noticeable tremor, “Of course it’s true. Grandfather is also a man of his word.”
Pan Jing raised his hand. “Shall we high-five too?”
The Chuzhou Marquis smiled, both helpless and embarrassed. He hesitated but eventually raised his hand to high-five Pan Jing. As he turned to leave, Jiang Changyang suddenly called out to him, quickly running out. The two spoke quietly in the courtyard for a few moments. The Chuzhou Marquis looked at Jiang Changyang with a complex expression, nodded firmly, and patted him on the shoulder.
Not long after, Pan Rong returned excitedly. “The tutor has been sent away. From now on, Ajing will be with us in the mornings and evenings, and with Mother in the afternoons. Father will personally guide his education.” He looked at Lady Bai excitedly. Originally, he had gone prepared to be scolded for being unfilial and looked down upon by the tutor as uneducated, determined to achieve his goal no matter what. Instead, he had received praise from the Chuzhou Marquis. In his memory, he couldn’t recall the last time the Chuzhou Marquis had praised him. It was truly rare. However, he felt too embarrassed to say this in front of Mudan and Jiang Changyang.
But Pan Jing gave him a hero’s welcome, suddenly throwing himself into his arms and giving him a big hug. Laughing, he said, “Father saved Ajing. Thank you, Father.” At the time, he had been very sad and crying. The tutor was fierce, and Grandmother ignored him. It was Pan Rong who had rescued him and sent him to his mother’s side. A child’s emotions are just that direct.
“Saved?” Pan Rong was overjoyed, shaking his head with a foolish smile. “You little rascal, where did you learn to talk like this? Every sentence sounds like it’s coming from an adult.”