Third Yang was a seasoned fighter, having killed many. Bai Lang’s movements seemed too slow to him, and Bai Lang wasn’t ruthless enough. Third Yang lashed out with his whip towards Bai Lang’s face.

Bai Lang was startled and quickly retreated, glaring at Third Yang. “You hit my face?”

Third Yang didn’t reply, but the whip lashed faster and faster, and Bai Lang couldn’t defend himself!

Zhou Yu, watching from the side, wasn’t worried at all. Third Yang was very measured, each strike just barely missing Bai Lang, frightening him into retreating repeatedly.

Third Yang wanted Bai Lang to fear him; only fear could control Bai Lang.

General Bai was initially very worried about his son, but after seeing through the scheme, he stopped worrying and instead focused on Third Yang. His deputy said that Third Yang was particularly eloquent, and after meeting him today, he found the young man to be quite shrewd and calculating and also possessed considerable martial arts skills.

General Bai stroked his chin; he felt a surge of appreciation for talent. He lacked a confidant who could speak eloquently.

A quarter of an hour later, Bai Lang sat on the ground, looking disheveled. He wasn’t injured at all, but he was incredibly embarrassed. He wanted to curse, but he was too proud to admit it.

Third Yang walked over and extended his hand. “There are too many dangers outside, far more ruthless than me. I apologize for my earlier offense, Young Master Bai.”

Bai Lang was speechless. Third Yang was doing this for his own good. He stood up and snorted.

Third Yang withdrew his hand. Young Master Bai had been spoiled since childhood, but his temperament wasn’t unpleasant. He had just tested him, and Young Master Bai hadn’t lost his temper; instead, his smile deepened.

Bai Lang saw his father, his face flushed, and he quickly ran back to the courtyard to change.

General Bai walked over and looked Third Yang up and down. “You’re quite good. Do you have any plans to serve in the army?”

Zhou Yu, “…”

Third Yang, “…”

No, he didn’t want to slowly grind his way up in the army. He wanted to have his own people!

General Bai, seeing this, understood. “Haha, come find me whenever you want to go to the army.”

Third Yang scratched his head. “Thank you for your kindness, General.”

General Bai needed to go back and comfort his son; his son had embarrassed him today.

A little while later, they ate breakfast together. Bai Lang reappeared, still as arrogant as ever.

Third Yang moved closer to Bai Lang, but when his Jiefu glanced at him, Third Yang couldn’t help but shrink back. Bai Lang noticed this, and his eyes lit up.

During the meal, Third Yang wanted to speak, but meeting his JIefu’s gaze, he obediently shut his mouth.

Bai Lang ate an extra bowl of rice and then spoke, “Are you afraid of your Jiefu?”

Third Yang met his Jiefu’s half-smile and tilted his head back. “No.”

Bai Lang didn’t believe him and was secretly delighted. “Father, I’ll stay and study. Don’t worry!”

General Bai looked at his son with mixed feelings, thinking he had protected his son too well. “Good.”

He hoped his son would become smarter after being deceived so many times.

Zhong Yan watched with a smile, even peeling a tea egg for Ziheng. The old man had developed a fondness for tea eggs ever since they were first made.

Ziheng ate with great relish, saying, “Thank you, Grandpa.”

General Bai also liked chubby babies, especially clever ones. Looking at his proud son, he hoped his grandson would be intelligent if his son remained like that forever!

General Bai left after breakfast. It was already quite an achievement for him to come personally for his son; he couldn’t leave the military camp for too long. He didn’t tell his son anything as he left, only patting him heavily on the shoulder.

Bai Lang was somewhat bewildered. “Father, you’re leaving like this?”

General Bai waved without turning back, afraid of looking back and causing him distress.

Third Yang looked up at the sky, resolving to lie to Young Master Bai less in the future.

General Bai left, leaving the Zhou family a hundred taels of silver, containing not only tuition fees but also money for yesterday’s food and drink.

Yang Xi looked at the silver. “General Bai deliberately tested our family; he’s satisfied now.”

Zhou Yu said, “General Bai is more astute than I expected.”   

Yang Xi took out ten taels of silver and put the rest away. “This is a blessing for the people of Ruizhou.”

“It’s also a blessing for us. Choosing Ruizhou was the right decision.”

Yang Xi separated two five-tael silver ingots. “One for the Wu family and one for the Liu family. They were busy yesterday, so they deserve it.”

Zhou Yu put the silver away. “It’s only right.”

The Wu family came to the Zhou family without hesitation, so it was worth it for the Zhou family to share the benefits with them. The Liu family surprised Zhou Yu, but he was also happy. The Liu family and his wife had been cooking all day, so the five taels of silver were well-deserved.

Yang Xi mentioned the Zhao family. “As long as we can maintain a decent appearance in the future.”

Zhou Yu nodded. “Yes.”

The Zhao family had an uncle who was a eunuch, and certain ways of dealing with people were ingrained in their character. Zhou Yu wasn’t disappointed.

As for the Ye family, Ye Shun was helping the Zhou family earn money. They weren’t as good as the Wu family, but they were still trustworthy.

The silver was delivered to the two families. The Liu family leader and Wu Shan both came, holding the silver in their hands. Zhou Yu was in class, so Yang Xi greeted them.

Wu Shan was used to it; he knew that Yang Niangzi had full authority over all matters concerning the Zhou family.

Liu Lizheng was still somewhat unaccustomed to it, but thankfully, Yang Niangzi frequently visited the school, so his awkwardness was only momentary.

The two had come to return the money, both saying that one shouldn’t accept money for helping.

Yang Xi said, “General, you left some silver. Our Zhou family isn’t ungrateful. Although we can’t guarantee we’ll always have meat, we won’t neglect anyone’s kindness. This is what you two deserve.”

Wu Shan, who had known the Zhou family the longest, took the silver back. “Thank you for your care, sir and madam.”

Liu Lizheng looked up at the smiling woman and also took the silver. “Madam is right. We’ll have many more favors in the future. I’ll accept this silver.”

Yang Xi said, “Please take care of me in the future, Lizheng.”

Liu Lizheng replied, “We should take care of each other.”

Yang Xi smiled and said, “Have some tea.”

Liu Lizheng thought to himself, “They say a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent.” He thought that if his granddaughter were like Madam Yang, he would want her to learn more. He couldn’t help but look at Wu Shan, knowing that the Wu family’s two daughters were studying with Madam Yang.

Before Zhou Yu finished her lesson, the two got up and left.

As Liu Lizheng walked with Wu Shan, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve known Madam Yang for a long time; what do you think of her abilities?”

Wu Shan touched the silver in his pocket. “Impressive. That lad Third Yang completely admires Madam Yang.”

He knew Madam Yang could improve bows and arrows, but this couldn’t be mentioned.

Liu Lizheng stroked his beard, needing to think it over further, when suddenly he said, “The Zhao family, who came with you, didn’t get any benefits!”

Wu Shan chuckled, “Zhou Xiangsheng and Madam Yang have sharp eyes!”

Liu Lizheng understood, knowing how to deal with the Zhao family in the future. “I’ll take my leave first.”

Wu Shan looked in the direction of the Zhao family; they would be far away from here in the future.

In class, Bai Lang couldn’t believe it. He had actually listened, even captivated by the small experiments. Today, the teacher had talked about buoyancy and even experimented.

Bai Lang learned that at a certain concentration, a person could easily float on salt water.

Zhou Yu assigned a problem: how to calculate the weight of the millstone in the yard using water.

Bai Lang was completely bewildered. Why assign an arithmetic problem? Ahhh, I’m going crazy!

(End of Chapter)

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