"What is your suggestion?"
"I want these kids to know some self-defense, so I was wondering if it would be alright to add a self-defense lesson."
"Who's going to teach them?"
"I am."
"I feel like you are trying very hard to insert yourself into my life and this town's life."
"How did you read my thoughts?" Xia Ling said in a surprised tone, but still had a calm tone to it.
"Wait, seriously?"
"I'm jealous of you guys. You may be living a hard life, but you are still living happily. Back then, Xiao Qiang promised me we could make a living by our self. It only lasted 10 years before he was called back for duty because of a war."
"Wait, don't tell me-forest?"
"Yes."
"You guys made a living in the forest? A jungle!"
"Yes. It was one of my most peaceful moments ever. I treasure that time so much. He hunted for meat and I went harvesting vegetables. We lived in out little house full of happiness."
"Hey, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"You guys have been married for over a million years, but how come you guys have no children?"
"He didn't want one. I wanted one, but he said that let him have me to himself for a few more years before we have children."
"You actually complied?"
"What could I do? Whenever he shows me those puppy eyes... I can't say no."
"It's hard to imagine that man with a puppy face."
"Why so?"
"His face is handsome, but it's too cold and stiff. His eyes are beautiful, but they so fierce anybody would be scared to stare in them."
"Well, I guess that's true."
"Teacher Liu! Sis Lin! Look what we found!"
"Hm?" We stared at each other with a wry smile at what the children said. When we looked over at what they found, I had a surprised look, while Sister Shu had on a face saying stop stealing. The item was expensively looking, so of course Sister Shu would have that look, but I knew precisely what it was. The children couldn't have stolen it because it was from the modern world. But how did a modern item come to be in the ancient world?
Everybody who had come to make a living in this world never brought along an item from the modern world or their world. They also made sure they lived inconspicuously as to not disturb the original book story-line. This world was from a book after all. Of course, I already failed, but my dreams told me that it would go back to normal with the prince marrying the female lead.
The item was a diamond ring with an oval cut. Their was also rubies that were cut to fit well enough with the diamond. The rubies were also cut to not outshine the diamond itself. If know correctly, these types of rings have not been made yet during this time. In fact, it should be arriving until at least 500 years in the future. There has only been rings made of jade or other stones considered rich here. Besides this world had not even known about diamond yet.
It was just a ring, but it was enough to cause suspicion to rise in me. Who was it that brought a modern jewelry with them. If it is someone I know, it will be problematic, but if it is someone I don't know, I can ignore it. Still, I have to make sure that it is not someone dangerous. The fake Demon King already knows that I'm in this place and I am sure that Lu Ming already knows too. I don't have that much affection towards Lu Ming anymore, but at least he is trustworthy. If it is him, then I have no need to fear, but if it is the fake demon king, I must never show Xiao Qiang to him.
"Where did you find it Jiahao?"
"In the creek!"
"Can I see it?"
"Yeah!"
She looked at it much more closely. No matter who it belonged to, there would be a trace a them if she used her spiritual powers. She had the ring on her hands for only 5 seconds and then gave it back to Jiahao and said, "Jiahao, keep this ring and give to the woman you love in the future when proposing."
"Huh? This ring is for lovers?"
"Hehe... The man gives this to the woman he loves and will only love. This ring signifies affection and harmony. Don't ever lose it. It can bring you good luck."
"Really?" She nodded at Jiahao who was beaming. "Then, I'll take care of it and never lose it!"
"Aw! I'm jealous. I wish it could've been me who found it first."
"Me too..."
She and Sister Shu headed back to their room and talked again. "Was it alright to let him keep it? What if the ring had an owner?"
"Don't worry. Even though it has an owner already, he won't do anything to Jiahao."
"You know who it belongs to?"
"I used my powers and traced that belonged to someone I know. He's going to get mad at me, not the boy. Not only that, letting Jiahao keep the ring will do good for that man. It is about time he has gotten over his heartbreak."
"Heartbreak?"
"Sister Shu, so how about my proposal? I can teach them self-defense."
"As long as they don't get harmed then, I'm fine with it. Just... Can you do it?"
"Sister Shu, don't worry about that. I was a general for the heavens before I became his demon queen."
"That's good then."
"How about we begin their first lesson today? Let's make it in the afternoon at the hour of Shen."
"I'm fine with that."
"Alright, then. It's almost time for their lessons. Let's call them in." Liu Shu called the kids in to start on their next lesson. Their next lesson was analects. They used the analects to learn how to read and also used it to learn some philosophy. At the end, they would have to write down what they liked best from the analects without looking at it again. The poor thing is that, there wasn't enough books for them even though there was only 10 students. The kids had to share the literary book. There was only 3 analect literary books for all the kids. It seemed she would need to start writing down her own. It wasn't that bad too. She hasn't written a single book about philosophy for about 500 thousand years.
She would start once they went home.
After analects was over, it was reciting quotes from Mencius. Again there wasn't enough books for the children and this time, there was only one book. She would definitely make sure she buys at least 20 of them for the children. She made that reminder in her. After reciting was done, it was time for lunch. Some kids brought lunch, but it was only a small bun. The ones who didn't, looked at the ones who did in jealousy.
"Everybody, this sister made lunch for you guys! Make sure you guys finish it all!" I then waved my hand and ten tables came out with the same amount of food on there. There was a variety on the table, but it wasn't too much that you couldn't finish. She had made sure that everything about the food was the same so that the children didn't over about it. When the kids saw it, they each found a table to sit at and started to eat obediently.
In there heads, they thought, "This big sister made a big feast for us, so we must finish it." Xia Lin was so happy seeing the children feasting on the food she made for them that she had on a gentle smile. Liu Shu who saw this couldn't help but think, this sister is surely a goddess. She didn't think the children was disgusting like others because of their clothes or how they lived in poverty. Instead she was helping the children to live a more joyous life. Liu Shu was happy to find another person in this world who was willing to help the children in need.
Liu Shu was suddenly disappointed in herself. Back then, she had been able to supply the school a little bit because the 4th prince, Liang Zan, had fallen for her and decided to donate a bunch of materials to the school just to court her. She was thankful for the gesture, but never fallen for him.
After lunch was over, it was time to for them to learn about the five classics. When the children thought that school was almost over, they heard their teacher announce, "You guys have another lesson. Self-defense!"
"Wow! Is Big Brother coming?"
"That's right! Is Brother Yu coming over to teach us again?"
Liu Shu lifted her chin towards Xia Lin telling the kids, "This is your new teacher, Teacher Wei."
"Wait! Sis Lin is going to teach us?"
"But she doesn't look fierce like Bro Yu!"
"That's right! Isn't she suppose to have muscles all over like Brother Yu?"
Xia Lin looked at the kids and said, "If I had muscles, I would look like a monster. Now hurry along outside. I won't be letting you guys use any weapons yet. You guys need to learn how to use your fists first. But before that, I need to warm you guys up. I race you all to the back courtyard! 3! 2! 1! Go!"
They all raced and when the students thought they were winning, they saw that she was already waiting for them at the courtyard. The students had only used the front courtyard and the classroom. They had never gone to this part of the school. Teacher Liu never allowed them to travel far just in case some problems occurred, so this was the first time they saw the back courtyard.
It was much much bigger than the front, but not as pretty as the front. It was boring looking, but Xia Lin already planned on reconstructing the whole entire building. It was a school, it shouldn't look like a haunted house.
"Now, you all get into 2 lines. 5 in each. There are marks on the floor to show where you guys stand. Choose carefully. These are going to be your seats for the rest of your time in school from now on."
"Yes, Teacher Wei!" The students got into lines and it was amazing how they had done so, that Xia Lin wanted to laugh. All the boys had gone in the front and all the girls had gone in the back. Never thought they would choose to organize their-self like this.
Xia Lin carefully taught each of them with great patience. Telling them how much force to use and showing them what was the right position and the wrong position. She only taught them the basics of self-defense for now, but once she felt they were ready, she would go deeper.
After class was finished, all the students were panting and taking a breath. Before they went home, she gave each of them 100 copper coins in a pouch and told them to keep it and use it for their-self. She also warned them to not brag about it to other people or they could get it stolen. Before the children finally left, she told them, "No matter whether you are in wealth or poverty, you must never show your arrogance."
After they had finally left they told their parents about what happened during school. Their parents was wondering who was it that was so kind to give so much money to people such as them. They actually thought about how 100 yuan was just something Xia Lin thought, small.
At the Cheng Mansion, Liu Shu was praising Xia Lin for her kindness towards the kids. She was blushing from the over-compliments, but it wasn't a bad feeling to have. She also started complimenting Liu Shu and somehow, they ended up in a compliment battle. The men of the house started to get annoyed that they were being ignored by two beautiful ladies and interfered in their deep compliment battle.
Mister Liu then slammed the table and added with a "Ahem", he complimented both of them, "Alright, you both are kind human creatures, now take a rest and start making food. Us men are starving."
"Mister Liu, what did you guys eat today?"
"Leftovers."
"Do you guys not know how to cook?"
"A little bit..."
Liu Shu interrupted with a strong clear voice, "What 'a little bit...', you guys don't know how to cook at all! You two almost burned down the kitchen from just trying to make porridge for me!"
I laughed at this and they turned towards with a confused face, "Hehe! Well, the thing is that Xiao Qiang is not much different. I believe he is even worse. He almost burned down the entire forest we were staying in from just trying to cook a fish."
"Your not serious... Are you?"
"Nope! Totally serious! Well, I'll go make food now for you guys. Sister Shu, take a rest. Teaching can have some mental stress. Also, you always do house chores, so take a rest and take a breathing. As long as I'm here, don't worry about the cooking."
Xia Ling totally ignored the sulking face of Xiao Qiang and just headed towards the kitchen. The family of three that were left with him, saw that he had on a face similar to that of a sad puppy. They were left in utter silence at this scene. The demon king is like a loyal dog that needs it owner at every moment. Now that they thought about it...
Today was torturous with that dude around moping when she was gone... Perhaps they should ask her to bring him with her? But then they felt bad because they felt like he would bother her at every moment, so they threw out the idea. So they left to bed that night with a feeling that it seems, they have adopted a dog.