Free Web NovelChapter 684: Chapter 684: Another Option Added to the Ambition List
No one should be able to refuse such a bright and cheerful elder sister, Qin Yao thought enviously.
If she weren’t already in her twenties, she would love to enter this Women’s Academy and read more books.
The Women’s Academy is adjacent to the Imperial College, and its area is comparable to that of the Imperial College.
Entering through the main gate, there’s a small square first, followed by a lotus pond. The lotus flowers in the pond have not yet bloomed, only small buds showing a hint of pink tips.
Passing through the long corridor beside the lotus pond, you can see a row of classrooms, totaling nine.
Among them, five north-facing classrooms are half-open. Two classrooms are empty, and in three classrooms, there are female students in class, ranging in age from six or seven to twelve or thirteen.
Each classroom has approximately thirty students.
The students are divided into different age groups for classes, with three classes: the little room, the middle room, and the young room.
The two empty classrooms belong to the young room.
Caiwei explained, "The young room is for children over twelve years old, who have body technique practice in the morning at the martial arts field over there."
"They have body technique practice as well?" Si Niang asked curiously.
Caiwei nodded, "To study well, a healthy body is essential. The younger children in the little and middle rooms also have ten riding and archery classes each month to let the girls run around."
At this point, Caiwei specifically turned back to look at Qin Yao and tentatively asked, "Does Madam mind these courses?"
Qin Yao was a bit puzzled, "Why would I mind? Isn’t this great?"
"Sister Caiwei, my mother is very good at riding and archery!" Si Niang said proudly.
Caiwei looked at Si Niang in surprise, "Madam also learned riding and archery?"
Si Niang nodded enthusiastically and corrected, "Not just learned, my mother is really skilled."
Caiwei looked back at Qin Yao twice, and Qin Yao raised her eyebrows at her confidently.
The mother and daughter were not alike in appearance, but their little expressions were strikingly similar.
In fact, seeing their ages and dissimilar features, Caiwei immediately realized they couldn’t be biological mother and daughter.
However, that identical smug expression made her doubt — could they really not be biological?
"But it’s good that Madam doesn’t mind. You know, there are many noble people in the Capital City, with many rules as well."
Some always worry about their children getting hurt or bruised, especially girls, fearing scars or dirty faces which might lead to rejection during engagements.
So, sitting still is considered best.
Caiwei ended the topic there and continued to lead them towards the other four classrooms with closed doors.
As they walked, she introduced, "This is the Book Collection Pavilion, where students can read during their lunch break. However, the books in the Book Collection Pavilion cannot be borrowed, only read inside."
"This here is the Piano Room, where a piano master comes to teach the students daily."
Si Niang excitedly tugged on her mother’s sleeve, as the piano at home could be played again.
Qin Yao patted the child’s head, silently mouthing a reminder: stay calm.
The principal hasn’t been seen yet; it’s not too late to be excited after successfully enrolling.
But seeing how much the child likes it here, as a parent, she must find a way to ensure the child’s successful enrollment!
"Caiwei, did you say a piano master comes daily? Does that mean it’s a different piano master every day?" Qin Yao politely inquired.
Caiwei, caught off guard by her observation, coughed lightly and, somewhat guiltily, said, "Yes, our piano masters come from the teaching house."
Qin Yao understood, "I see." She showed no particular reaction.
Caiwei secretly breathed a sigh of relief; she was afraid of being questioned, so not needing to explain was a relief.
Si Niang quietly asked, "Mother, what is the teaching house?"
Qin Yao thought for a moment and explained, "It’s a place responsible for teaching, rehearsing, and performing music, dance, and acrobatics. It’s an official institution handling duties both within the court and for the nobility."
Si Niang exclaimed, "Isn’t that impressive?"
Qin Yao responded, "Yes, very impressive."
Caiwei pointed to the second room from the end, "This is where they have lunch. Our Women’s Garden provides a free soup porridge at noon because children can’t stay hungry and need another meal during lunch."
Finally, they arrived at the last room. Caiwei indicated for the mother and daughter to wait outside while she went in to announce their arrival.
"Alright, thank you." Qin Yao held Si Niang’s hand under the eaves. The sun had already risen, the temperature was high, and it felt hot on their arms.
Si Niang quietly asked, "Mother, has Sister Caiwei gone to see the principal?"
"Probably," Qin Yao was uncertain too. Caiwei had closed the door after entering, and only the sound of conversation was heard inside, no mention of the principal yet.
Si Niang let out a soft "oh" and looked ahead at the large pond and then peeked at the surrounding classrooms where students were listening to the teacher, surprisingly finding out that the teachers seemed to be women.
This was something she had never encountered before. There were actually so many female teachers!
In Si Niang’s small catalog of aspirations, there was now an addition: becoming a female teacher.
After waiting for quite a while, there seemed to be no sign of the door opening.
Si Niang was a bit bored. Seeing her mother had no intention of stopping her, she stepped a few steps further out, observing the large martial arts field behind the building.
On the field, students were practicing horseback riding, all appearing as elder sisters to Si Niang.
There are always students who get distracted in class, looking around, spotting a curious little head peeking out from behind the building, and making a face at her.
Si Niang couldn’t help but laugh but quickly realized it was class time at the academy and stifled the sound.
The riding instructor was also a woman, one tall and the other petite, yet highly skilled in equestrian arts, even able to run while standing on horseback.
Si Niang watched in amazement, unable to avert her gaze, unconsciously holding her breath, afraid the equestrian master might fall.
Qin Yao noted her daughter’s tension and glanced at the display, which was mere showmanship, and found it uninteresting.
Retreating back to the wall, she perked up her ears to listen to what was happening inside the room.
Caiwei had not spoken a word since she entered, only two voices continually conversing inside. Perhaps the principal had other guests.
Another half an hour passed, and perhaps fearing they had waited too long, the door gently opened. Caiwei quietly slipped out and said to the mother and daughter:
"You came at an inopportune time. The principal has important guests today, and it might still be a long wait. Perhaps you should head back first?"
Seeing the mother and daughter both displayed intentions to continue waiting, Caiwei signaled for them to follow her to another room.
"Madam, can you write?" Caiwei took out paper and pen. "We can leave the information here, and I can pass it to the principal later."
The mother and daughter exchanged looks, slightly disappointed but acknowledging the untimely opportunity; they could only settle for this.
After all, reaching this point today was unexpectedly smooth, and judging by Caiwei’s attitude, Si Niang’s enrollment shouldn’t be difficult.
Qin Yao nodded, accepting the paper and pen, "How should I write?"
