A teacher even more formidable than the village tutor — Shen Yunzhi feared his standards would be even stricter.
“If he takes anti-allergy medicine at night, it’ll improve a lot. It won’t interfere with his writing,” Song Yinuo reassured her.
There was nothing to do but try.
Su Jingci slept in the room next door. Although he was no longer officially studying, every night after everyone had gone to bed, he would still pick up his books to read for a while, then use a branch to practice writing characters on the ground.
He was so absorbed that he didn’t notice Shen Yunzhi standing there for quite some time.
Her eyes reddened again.
When Su Jingci finally grew tired and stood up, he saw her. Instinctively, he hurried to wipe away the characters on the ground.
“Mother, don’t be angry. I was just writing casually. I won’t do it again.”
He knew she disliked him studying.
“No. From now on, you can study.” Shen Yunzhi’s voice trembled. “It was Mother’s fault before. I delayed your education. Today I went to see the tutor. He said you have talent for study. If you apply yourself, you can definitely pass the provincial exam.”
“I won’t study.” Su Jingci lowered his head. He knew he had already missed the ideal years for learning. Even if he wanted to return, it might be too late.
“You must study. Otherwise Mother will be angry.” Shen Yunzhi’s expression hardened. “Not only must you study — you must promise me you’ll achieve something.”
“Mother, you…”
“Tomorrow the tutor will take you to visit an even better teacher. I’ve already prepared what you need. Just bring it with you.” She pointed to the items on his desk.
Su Jingci lifted the basket lid.
Inside were brush, ink, paper, and inkstone — along with the traditional six gifts for formally becoming a disciple.
Shen Yunzhi pulled his hand toward her and carefully applied ointment. “These hands are meant for reading and writing. You must protect them.”
Su Jingci could barely remember the last time he had been this close to his mother.
Everything felt so good it was like a dream.
If it truly was a dream, he hoped he would never wake up.
“Mother… I want to ask you for something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can you let Cuiyun come help you make the ice jelly?” Su Jingci didn’t dare lift his head.
This was his mother’s livelihood skill. Grandfather had specifically warned that it must not be spread.
“She can just do simple tasks. Even picking false groundcherry would be fine.”
“Does your son like her?” Song Yinuo’s voice came from the jade pendant. “That Cuiyun isn’t harmless. You’d better keep your distance.”
Shen Yunzhi thought for a long time but couldn’t remember who this Cuiyun was.
From Song Yinuo’s tone, she didn’t sound like a good person.
In front of Su Jingci, it wasn’t appropriate to ask too much. She simply said, “Of course she can work at our house — but only if her character passes.”
“Mother, don’t worry. She’s a very good girl.”
“Then Mother will test her. If she passes, I’ll agree.”
Su Jingci completely ignored that last sentence.
He had full confidence in Cuiyun. A girl with such good character — Mother would definitely like her.
One piece of good news after another left him so excited he couldn’t sleep.
After returning to her room, Shen Yunzhi asked about Cuiyun.
Song Yinuo told her what she knew.
“In the original storyline, your son was basically her devoted lapdog — no, her admirer. He loved her deeply. In the end, she used him… and he fell off a cliff to his death.”
A chill ran through Shen Yunzhi’s entire body.
It was her fault.
She had paid so little attention to her son that in her previous life, she hadn’t even known how he died.
“You wanted to test Cuiyun, right? I’ll give you a method. I guarantee it’ll make your son see her true character.”