Chapter One Hundred: Discipline

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Jiaona had been lounging in the chair behind her desk, her expression somewhat languid. But the moment she caught sight of Chen Jianchen entering, she straightened at once, like a mouse startled by a cat, a wave of inexplicable tension washing over her. She unconsciously sat up straight, lips pressed tightly together, adopting a look of utter seriousness—she appeared every bit the model student.

Chen Jianchen could not help but laugh inwardly. Last night's fiasco with the seductive skeleton—it was obvious, even with one's toes, that Jiaona had been behind it, up to her usual tricks, trying to drive him away. Had it been someone else, unable to resist the allure of such beauty, they would have fallen into that illusory paradise and suffered for it.

Hands clasped behind his back, Chen Jianchen entered at a measured pace, playing the part of a stern teacher to perfection. He walked to his own desk, picked up the ruler, and cleared his throat.

On the other side, Jiaona immediately stood up, her conscience uneasy. "Good morning, Teacher!"

Beside her, Xiaojü was so shocked her mouth dropped wide open, nearly enough to fit a fist inside. Since when had Big Sis become so obedient and well-behaved? Did she actually just greet the teacher of her own accord? Am I seeing things?

Chen Jianchen nodded slightly. "A promising pupil indeed. Sit down."

In reality, Jiaona was fuming inside, longing to leap over and punch the detestable look off Chen Jianchen's face. But every time her gaze met his clear, penetrating eyes, her whole body inexplicably went weak, and any temper she might have had evaporated.

That sword last night had left too deep an impression on her mind. That shimmering little blade had unleashed a vast, overwhelming force.

Under its weight, she had felt like an ant—lost and helpless.

That was Jiaona's first impression at the time.

She had left a wisp of spirit within the seductive skeleton, only for it to be utterly annihilated by a single stroke. Her true self suffered a backlash, causing her to spit blood, and an indelible mark of terror was left upon her soul. She still could not fathom what kind of sword Chen Jianchen kept hidden within his spirit, that could wield such domineering power.

Chen Jianchen took his seat. "Miss Huangfu, since you do not know many characters, we shall start from the basics. We'll begin with the Thousand Character Classic."

Along the way, he had already acted as a teacher to many: Yingning, Xiao Yi, Abao, and others, so he had accumulated some experience in teaching literacy.

The sage once said, "A man's trouble lies in his inclination to instruct others," but Chen Jianchen harbored no such penchant. He simply wanted to help those around him become better; eradicating illiteracy was the first step. In truth, Jiaona was his first real student in the formal sense, with all the proper rituals and etiquette.

He set the hefty Thousand Character Classic on the desk. Seeing Jiaona's less-than-enthusiastic expression, he said, "Miss Huangfu, let me make the rules clear from the start: from today, I will teach you thirty new characters each day. Tomorrow, you'll have to write them from memory. For every word you fail to write, I will strike your palm once with the ruler; for two words, twice—"

"Objection!"

Jiaona's face flushed bright red as she cried out, "You can't hit me! If you must, strike my head instead!"

Chen Jianchen replied with dignity, "Objection overruled."

"Why?"

"If I strike your head, I'm afraid I might make you slow-witted, and then I wouldn't be able to answer to your father."

Jiaona ground her teeth in frustration. Was this man taking the opportunity to settle personal scores, getting addicted to hitting her? No, she needed to find a way out...

But the more she thought about it, the less she saw any alternative.

The best solution, it seemed, was to do exactly as Chen Jianchen said: study diligently, complete each day's lessons conscientiously, and present flawless work.

How infuriating...

Jiaona couldn't help but clench her little fists.

At the back, Xiaojü was wide-eyed at the teacher's list of punishments; she had fully expected Big Sis to throw a fit, as she always had before—perhaps even set fire to the teacher's beard—though, come to think of it, this teacher was too young to have a beard yet... But to her astonishment, Big Sis showed not the slightest sign of rebellion and listened meekly, as if she had become a different person.

Could it be the master's orders at work?

Xiaojü soon thought of a possible explanation: the master must have issued a strict command forbidding any mischief in class. Relieved, she then began to feel a deep sympathy for Chen Jianchen, who would surely face all sorts of trouble outside the classroom.

She rather liked this unusually young teacher—he was nothing like the others, who were pompous and old-fashioned. He was witty, too. Of course, looks always made a big impression: when two teachers stood side by side, one in his fifties or sixties with graying hair and wrinkled skin, and the other youthful, handsome, and elegant, Xiaojü's preference was clear.

That day, Jiaona was surprisingly cooperative, and Chen Jianchen found the lesson went smoothly. She was eager in reciting and writing every new character.

Such private lessons had no set time—once the thirty new characters were covered, the day's instruction was finished.

For Jiaona, learning thirty characters a day was child's play if she would only focus for a moment. After all, she was a fox spirit of the golden core level.

Foxes are clever by nature, and all the more so after attaining spirit form.

Previously, Jiaona simply had no interest and resisted all discipline—thus, nothing stuck.

When the lesson was over, Chen Jianchen left the study and stepped outside, where he found Master Huangfu beaming at him with a smile, giving him a thumbs-up from a concealed vantage point in token of his approval. Clearly, the old fox had been back for a while and had listened in on much of the session.

"Master, you have returned," Chen Jianchen greeted him with a bow.

Master Huangfu's face was radiant with delight. He took Chen Jianchen by the arm. "Come, my boy, let us drink together!"

A long while later, Jiaona and Xiaojü finally emerged. Xiaojü said, "Big Sis, the master was eavesdropping outside the whole time." The master's appearance only confirmed her suspicion as to why Big Sis had behaved so well in class.

Jiaona merely replied "Oh," with little enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Xiaojü added, "Big Sis, aren't you going to climb the mountain later?"

Jiaona turned her head, her eyes wide. "Why should I go climb a mountain?"

"Didn't you tell me yesterday to get ready for it?"

"Er, never mind, I'm not going."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Jiaona pouted. "What else? I'm stuck doing those wretched assignments."

Ah!

Once again, Xiaojü was left in disbelief.

In the main hall, a sumptuous meal had already been set. Master Huangfu, his face flushed with wine, pressed Chen Jianchen for answers. "My boy, what trick did you use to turn my daughter from obstinate to obedient? It's remarkable! You must tell me!"

No one knew his daughter better than her father. He was only too aware of her temperament: at heart, she was a willful child, quick to throw a tantrum at the slightest displeasure, heedless of consequences or others' feelings.

Such a nature, viewed charitably, could be called "passionate and forthright," but in truth, it was "spoiled and unruly, lacking in manners."

Master Huangfu had long been at his wits' end: he had scolded, taught, punished, and berated her, to no avail. Every teacher he hired was eventually defeated and sent packing in disgrace. When he invited Chen Jianchen, he had little real hope, fearing his daughter would drive the new teacher out before the day was done.

He had considered intervening personally to curb his daughter's antics, but on second thought, he let things proceed as before, governing by inaction. After all, if he had to interfere to subdue her, what good would that do? If his daughter did not respect Chen Jianchen, she would never truly heed his teaching; and if Chen Jianchen could not command her on his own, he would not last long as a teacher.

That day, Master Huangfu had been out discussing business, but his mind kept drifting back, unable to rest easy. He returned early, only to stumble upon a scene he had dreamed of but never witnessed: his daughter seated quietly, attending to her lessons, reading and writing with earnest diligence, not the least bit unruly. It was nothing short of miraculous.

How had Chen Jianchen accomplished it?

Delighted and astonished, the old fox could not help pondering the matter more deeply. In his eyes, Chen Jianchen now seemed a man of mystery.

It was as if he had seen a ghost.

He was perplexed, for he had detected no trace of supernatural power about Chen Jianchen—he appeared to be an ordinary mortal.

For a mere mortal to win his daughter's obedience was precisely what he had wished for, yet now that it had happened, Master Huangfu could not help but feel a nagging doubt.

To his inquiries, Chen Jianchen only laughed and replied with feigned secrecy, "Master, this is my own special method. Forgive me, but I must keep it to myself."

Thwarted, Master Huangfu's curiosity only grew stronger, though he could not press further. He resolved to ask his daughter directly later, to see what she might reveal.

No matter what, it was an occasion for great joy, and so Master Huangfu was in high spirits, urging more and more wine upon his guest. Yet Chen Jianchen, knowing his own limits and having matters to discuss with Lu Xiyue later, drank in moderation and took his leave once the meal was nearly finished.

In the end, Master Huangfu, filled with paternal satisfaction, drank himself into a stupor, sitting in the hall, tapping bowls and dishes with his chopsticks, humming to himself...

Chen Jianchen returned to his own courtyard, only to find that Lu Xiyue was not in her room, but had moved a chair outside beneath the eaves to wait for him. She had clearly been waiting a while. When she saw him return, she hurried up, immediately catching the scent of wine.

"Young Master, have you been drinking?"

Though Chen Jianchen had restrained himself, he had still drunk quite a bit and felt a little dizzy. "I had a few cups with the master."

Lu Xiyue hurried him inside, lest he catch cold, and asked Xiang'er to brew a pot of tea to sober him up.

Facing the slightly tipsy Chen Jianchen, Lu Xiyue suddenly recalled the first time she had seen him—amid the bustling streets, he had seemed much the same. Yet even now, she felt she did not truly know this elegant, untrammeled man.

She could only hope that this time, it would be a good beginning...