Yangyang said, and gestured to his head, "Right here, wearing a big red flower."
"Really?"
"Yes, yes." Yangyang nodded repeatedly, "Oh right, I saw the auntie who ate my duck soup yesterday there too."
"Her?" Yang Chuxia and Ye Ziâan looked at each other, "Sheâs back?"
"My dear, since we have nothing to do at home anyway, letâs go and have a look," Ye Ziâan said as he stood up, walked over to her, and helped her up from the chair as well.
Seeing that his parents were going to Grandmaâs house, Yangyang quietly diminished his presence, preparing to follow behind Ye Ziâan and also go out to play.
Unfortunately, just as he took a few steps, Ye Ziâanâs voice rang out, "Arenât you going to the study?"
"Ah..." Yangyang immediately covered his face, "Canât you pretend you didnât see me?"
Regrettably, his wailing didnât make Ye Ziâan change his mind; he just looked on, his expression growing colder and colder.
Luckily, the boy wasnât stupid; seeing his fatherâs face change, he immediately turned and ran to the study.
"Arenât you being a little too harsh on him?" Yang Chuxia watched his retreating figure with some distress. He was still at an age for playing.
"Not too harsh, the homework Iâve assigned him is all within his capability. Besides, as long as he concentrates and doesnât dawdle, he still has plenty of time to play every day," Ye Ziâan explained, "He just doesnât want to do it, how can this be allowed? There are so many children who wish they could read and write but canât. He has this opportunity and doesnât cherish it, deserves a beating. Boys need to be disciplined strictly."
"Thatâs true. Back when our family lived in the old house, Yang Qingwen and Yang Xiaoâan could go to school, while Qingrui and Qingtong couldnât," Yang Chuxia said with a laugh. "I still remember Qingruiâs eyes when he heard he could study, happier than when he was named the Cultivated Talent."
"Exactly, Lele and Yangyang have much better conditions now than we did when we were young. Not only can they study, they can choose what to study, so they donât have that sense of cherishing the opportunity like we did. Plus, this kid is lazy; if I donât discipline him more strictly, I fear heâll grow up to be one of those young masters who only know how to indulge in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. That would spell trouble," Ye Ziâan explained.
"Itâs not as bad as you make it sound. He practices his martial arts diligently every day," Yang Chuxia couldnât help but argue on behalf of her son.
"Hmph, if he wasnât somewhat serious about martial arts, I would be even stricter," Ye Ziâan couldnât help thinking that he was already being lenient because the boy took his martial arts practice seriously. "If we donât discipline him now, if he doesnât study and learn to read properly, he wonât even be able to understand military texts in the future. He dreams of joining the military and fighting in wars? Thatâs wishful thinking."
"Alright, alright, youâre right. The great responsibility of teaching our son will be all yours then."
The couple talked as they made their way to the Yang Familyâs place.
Upon entering the courtyard, they heard a noisy quarrel.
"How shameless can you get, woman? What about my brotherâs purse? Does it belong to my brother?" Yang Chuxia recognized Yang Xiayunâs voice, "As handsome as my brother is, would he fancy someone like you, a worn-out willow? Is it that your face is too thick, or is my brother out of his mind?"
"Just look at yourself," Yang Chuxia saw Yang Xiayun sizing up Qian Xiaoqing, who had left only last night, "A face that screams widowhood, a woman whoâs been married and whose husband has died; just how blind must my brother be?"