Jiang Wan turned around and smiled at him, "Sir, do you believe it?"
Zhou Juren did not answer, only saying, "What method do you have to treat it?"
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "Then you have to let me see what illness it has first."
Zhou Juren opened the door and said to the two, "Come in."
The brother and sister entered the courtyard, and the first thing they saw was the tall osmanthus tree. Osmanthus trees grow slowly, and to grow to such a size was enough to show the owner's care.
It was said that the osmanthus tree, when it bloomed every August, its fragrance could fill half of Yao County. Coupled with its backstory, it was a household name in Yao County.
However, the current condition of the osmanthus tree was not good. Its leaves were yellow, and many branches near the roots had already withered and died.
Zhou Juren had tried every possible way to find the cause of the osmanthus tree's illness. He had invited several people skilled in growing flowers and trees to examine it, but none of them had any effect. In his desperation, Zhou Juren even went to the temple to burn incense for the Bodhisattva, asking for blessings for the osmanthus tree to survive this calamity.
This was all information brought back by the henchmen.
Jiang Wan was certain that whether Zhou Juren would accept Sanlang as a student hinged on this osmanthus tree.
So, after entering the courtyard, she went straight to the osmanthus tree. She walked around it several times, examining the branches and leaves, and digging at the soil around the roots, appearing very diligent.
Zhou Juren stood by and watched her busy herself for a long time before he couldn't help but ask, "Have you figured anything out?"
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow, "Of course."
Zhou Juren did not seem very convinced, "Then do you have a way to save it?"
Jiang Wan did not play coy, "Mr. Zhou, I can cure your tree, and I can cure it very quickly. In three days, I can make its yellow turn green. However, I have a condition. If Mr. Zhou agrees, I can start the treatment today."
Zhou Juren's eyes immediately turned cold. He pointed to the door and said, "Please leave quickly!"
They used the name of his deceased wife to trick him into opening the door, and then used the opportunity to propose conditions. This was clearly a premeditated plan.
Such deep cunning at such a young age was truly not a good sign!
Sanlang, seeing Zhou Juren's dark expression, feared he might suddenly fly into a rage and hit someone. He quickly shielded Jiang Wan, preparing to lead her away.
Jiang Wan, however, stood firm and refused to move, "Mr. Zhou, I admit I came with a purpose. The dream was a fabrication, but my skill in curing trees is real. If you truly want to cure this osmanthus tree, why not listen to my condition first? After all, my condition is predicated on curing the tree. If it's not cured, even if I propose more conditions, they will be useless."
Zhou Juren stared at her for a long time. Seeing her open and unblinking gaze, his expression softened slightly.
Seeing this, Jiang Wan immediately said, "Mr. Zhou, we have come today to ask you to accept my brother as your student, to let him study under you."
Zhou Juren immediately refused, "Impossible. I have already sworn that I will never touch books again in this life. You have the wrong person."
Jiang Wan smiled slightly, "Then doesn't Mr. wish to cure this osmanthus tree anymore?"
Zhou Juren's expression stiffened. After thinking for a long time, he said, "If you truly have a way to cure it, I can give you silver."
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes inwardly.
Give silver? Did Zhou Juren have a misunderstanding of his own financial situation?
Why did the scholar's wife have that accident back then? Wasn't it because Zhou Juren's family was too poor, and he was upright and proud, refusing financial assistance from the wealthy families in the county, which led to the scholar's wife's accident?
And in all these years, Zhou Juren had made no progress, nor had he any other livelihood. He lived solely on the few acres of thin land inherited from his family. To thank her with money?
It was a fantasy.
Zhou Juren probably realized this point as well, and his face showed some embarrassment, "If you can really cure it, I will give you all the land in my house."
Jiang Wan shook her head, "Mr. Zhou, I don't want your land, nor do I want your money. I have only one condition: to take my brother to study. Mr. Zhou, don't refuse outright. Let me finish speaking."
"Sir, why did your parents and your late wife strive with all their might to support your studies?"
"Your entire family, with the strength of the whole family, lifted you up, hoping that you would achieve success, pass the imperial examinations, and bring glory to your ancestors. But you listened to that Taoist's words, lost all your spirit, burned all your books, and ruined all your future."
"Have you ever thought about how sad your family would be if they knew this in the afterlife? They spared no sacrifice to help you achieve success, yet you retreated when you were so close, letting all their efforts and sacrifices go to waste..."
"Silence!"
Zhou Juren roared in anger, "What right do you have to say these things? You are just a child, what do you know! Get out!"
Saying this, Zhou Juren began to push them.
Sanlang quickly protected Jiang Wan, afraid she would be pushed down.
Jiang Wan, however, said unhurriedly, "Mr. Zhou, I will give you three days to consider. If you have made up your mind, come and find me in Xiaoshan Village. After three days, you will have no more opportunities."
After Zhou Juren drove the two out, he also threw out the gifts they had brought and then slammed the door shut.
Sanlang was furious. He picked up the gifts and pulled Jiang Wan, saying, "Wan Wan, let's go back. I'll tell Aunt Cheng that I'll study in another county."
He felt deeply distressed that his family was treated this way because of his studies.
Was it just studying away from home? Could it be that it would take his life? If others could go, why couldn't he?
Sanlang had made up his mind, not wanting his family to worry about this matter anymore.
Jiang Wan, however, said, "Little brother, don't rush. It's not too late to make a decision after three days. I'm confident he will come looking for us."
She looked back at the osmanthus tree, her eyes full of determination.
If he didn't come? She had plenty of ways to make Zhou Juren come to her willingly.
Sanlang did not know her plan. He only felt indebted to her. Seeing how serious she was, he could not bear to refuse her good intentions and agreed to wait for three more days, but he had already made up his mind to study elsewhere.
After returning home, Chen Yuezhi asked them, "How was it? Did you meet that scholar Zhou? Did he agree?"
Jiang Wan smiled confidently, "We met. Scholar Zhou agreed. He will definitely come to our door within three days."
Chen Yuezhi was overjoyed, "Really? That's wonderful! If a scholar can teach your brother, won't your brother be able to achieve success in the imperial examinations? No, I must go and burn some incense to thank the gods for their blessings."
After saying that, Chen Yuezhi happily went to burn incense.
Sanlang's mouth twitched, "Wan Wan, deceiving mother like this... isn't it a bit wrong?"
What if scholar Zhou didn't come, wouldn't mother be very disappointed?
Jiang Wan shook her head, "Who says I'm deceiving mother? Little brother, you can put your heart at ease. Scholar Zhou is bound to accept you as his student!"