jdhmnovel Chapter 271 Protecting Growth
Chapter 271 Protecting Growth
From the first day of school, Jiang Nian'en and Jiang Xiaobao's life at the Royal Academy settled into a routine. Every morning, before the sun had completely dispelled the mist, Jiang You'an would bring Jiang Xiaobao to Jiang Liushen's residence, and together with Jiang Nian'en, they would head to the academy.
One day, Jiang Youan, Jiang Xiaobao, and Jiang Nian'en entered the school as usual. Jiang Nian'en, carrying her small schoolbag, skipped along when suddenly, melodious piano music drifted from the school's music room. Drawn by the beautiful music, Jiang Nian'en stopped and stared intently in the direction of the music room.
"Brother, what's that sound? It's so beautiful!" Jiang Nian'en tugged at Jiang Xiaobao's sleeve and asked curiously.
Jiang Xiaobao scratched his head and looked at Jiang Youan, who smiled and explained, "That's the sound of a zither. Someone's playing the guqin. Shall we go take a look?"
The three arrived at the door of the music room, where they saw a teacher sitting at the zither, his fingers dancing nimbly across the strings. After the piece was finished, Jiang Nian'en couldn't help but clap and exclaim, "Teacher, you played so well! I want to learn too!"
The teacher smiled and looked at Jiang Nian'en: "If young master is interested, he may come and participate in the zither lesson."
From then on, Jiang Nian'en looked forward to her piano lessons. However, learning the piano was not always smooth sailing. At first, Jiang Nian'en struggled to even master the basic fingering techniques; her fingers would ache terribly after pressing the strings for only a short time. Seeing her classmates making rapid progress, Jiang Nian'en felt somewhat frustrated.
Jiang Xiaobao witnessed this scene. During the break between classes, Jiang Xiaobao ran to Jiang Nian'en's side and encouraged him, "Little brother, don't be discouraged! I'll practice with you." So, every day after class, the two of them would gather in the music room. Although Jiang Xiaobao didn't know how to play the piano, he would cheer Jiang Nian'en on and correct his fingering by imitating the tone of a teacher.
Once, while Jiang Nian'en was practicing, a string suddenly broke, leaving him terrified and at a loss. Just then, the boy who had once snatched books passed by the practice room, saw what was happening, and began to mock him again: "You can even break a string, what are you even learning to play the piano for!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobao instantly flew into a rage and rushed over to stand in front of Jiang Nian'en, shouting, "Why are you bullying your little brother again! If you're so capable, have a match with me!" The child was frightened by Jiang Xiaobao's imposing manner and mumbled as he ran away.
After learning about this, Jiang Youan found Jiang Xiaobao and Jiang Nian'en. He patted their heads and said earnestly, "Xiaobao, it's right to protect your brother, but you can't be impulsive. Nian'en, you can't rush learning the piano. As long as you persevere, you'll be able to play beautiful music one day."
Encouraged by Jiang Youan, Jiang Nian'en rallied her spirits. As time passed, her piano skills gradually improved. At the school's talent show, Jiang Nian'en, dressed in a white robe, sat gracefully before her instrument and played "High Mountains and Flowing Water." The melodious music echoed throughout the school, earning rounds of applause from teachers and students. Jiang Xiaobao, jumping for joy in the audience, exclaimed, "Little brother, you're amazing!"
Jiang Xiaobao had a strong interest in martial arts. The school offered martial arts classes, and Jiang Xiaobao actively participated every time. One day, during a martial arts class, the teacher taught everyone a set of boxing techniques. Jiang Xiaobao studied diligently, but when sparring with his classmates, he couldn't control his strength well, making frequent mistakes and even accidentally falling to the ground.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Nian'en rushed over to help Jiang Xiaobao up: "Brother Xiaobao, are you alright? Why don't you stop practicing?" But Jiang Xiaobao stubbornly shook his head: "No, I must learn martial arts well so that I can protect you and my family in the future."
After learning about this, Jiang Youan decided to personally instruct Jiang Xiaobao. Every weekend, Jiang Youan would bring Jiang Xiaobao to the training ground of the mansion. Jiang Youan started by teaching the most basic horse stance. He demonstrated and corrected Jiang Xiaobao's posture at the same time: "Xiaobao, keep your waist straight, separate your legs shoulder-width apart, and lower your center of gravity."
Under Jiang Youan's careful guidance, Jiang Xiaobao's martial arts skills became increasingly refined. One day, the school was attacked by bandits. The bandits stormed into the school, attempting to rob them, and the teachers and students were terrified. Seeing this, Jiang Xiaobao stepped forward and used his martial arts skills to fight the bandits. Jiang Nian'en did not back down either; he cleverly used his zither music to distract the bandits. Together, they successfully repelled the bandits.
Afterwards, the school held an awards ceremony for Jiang Xiaobao and Jiang Nian'en. Jiang You'an, Jiang Liushen, and Jia Xiaoyan all came to the school and were filled with pride as they looked at the radiant children on the stage.
"Children, you did a great job." Jiang Youan walked onto the stage, looked at Jiang Xiaobao and Jiang Nian'en, and said with satisfaction, "I hope that no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, you can be as brave and united as you are today."
The night in the Nanzhao Kingdom was exceptionally quiet. The moonlight, like water, gently spilled into the courtyard of Jiang You'an's residence, draping the well-arranged pavilions and towers in a silver veil. Jiang You'an had just finished his business and was passing by the courtyard when he saw his younger brother, Jiang Xiaobao, sitting on a stone bench, resting his chin on his hand, gazing blankly at the moon.
"Xiao Bao, what are you thinking about?" Jiang Youan asked softly, his voice like a spring breeze breaking the stillness of the night.
Jiang Xiaobao snapped out of his daze, saw Jiang Youan, and his eyes lit up instantly, like two twinkling stars: "Brother, the teacher in the school has started teaching the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child,' but those sentences are so difficult, I don't understand many of them."
Jiang Youan walked over with a smile, sat down next to Jiang Xiaobao, patted his head, and said, "So that's how it is. It just so happens that I'm free tonight. Let's study the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child' together."
Just then, the butler came over with a lantern. Seeing the scene, he said considerately, "Young master, it's getting chilly. Why don't we move to the study? It's warmer there and the light is better." Jiang Youan nodded his thanks, took Jiang Xiaobao's hand, and walked towards the study.
In the study, the candlelight flickered, its warm yellow light illuminating the entire room and dispelling the chill of the night. Jiang Youan took a copy of "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child" from the bookshelf, opened it to the first page, which read, "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child, the teachings of the sages. First, filial piety and brotherly love; next, diligence and trustworthiness."
"Xiao Bao, this sentence means that the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child' is the teaching of the sages to us. The first thing to do in order to be a good person is to be filial to your parents and respect your elder brothers. Secondly, you should be strict in your behavior and honest and trustworthy in your speech." Jiang Youan explained patiently, his eyes full of tenderness and expectation.
Jiang Xiaobao tilted his head, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Brother, what is filial piety?"
Jiang Youan smiled and said, "Filial piety means listening to your parents and not making them angry. For example, if your parents ask you to do something, you should do it immediately; if they are tired, you should massage their backs or pour them a glass of water. Just like last time when Mom was sick, you stayed by her bedside to take care of her. That's a manifestation of filial piety."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobao suddenly understood and nodded emphatically: "I get it! Then what does 'ti' mean?"
"Brotherly love means respecting elder brothers and caring for younger brothers and sisters. We take care of each other and play together every day, that's what brotherly love is." Jiang Youan said, gently patting Jiang Xiaobao's shoulder.
Then, Jiang Youan led Jiang Xiaobao to read the next sentence: "Love all people and be close to the virtuous. If you have spare energy, then study literature."
"This means that we should not only love our own family members, but also care for everyone around us and be close to virtuous people. If we still have extra energy after doing these things, we should strive to learn knowledge," Jiang Youan explained.
Jiang Xiaobao frowned and asked in confusion, "Brother, how do you care for the people around you?"
“For example, when a classmate encounters difficulties, take the initiative to help; when you see an elderly person crossing the road, lend them a hand. These are all expressions of caring for others,” Jiang Youan patiently answered. “And being close to people means learning from those with high moral character. They are like a mirror, allowing us to see our shortcomings and become better.”
Jiang Xiaobao seemed to understand but not quite, and asked again, "Then how do we know who is a virtuous person?"
Jiang Youan pondered for a moment and said, "A virtuous person speaks gently and politely, acts honestly and trustworthyly, and is happy to help others. Just like the teacher in the school, who always patiently teaches you and cares about your growth, this is the manifestation of virtuousness."
To deepen Jiang Xiaobao's understanding, Jiang Youan also told him some historical stories. "Xiaobao, do you know the story of Kong Rong giving away the bigger pear? When Kong Rong was a child, he gave the bigger pear to his older and younger brothers and ate the smaller one himself. This shows that he understood the principles of brotherly love, respected his elder brothers, and cared for his younger siblings."
Jiang Xiaobao listened intently, his eyes wide with curiosity, and asked, "Brother, are there any other stories?"
Jiang Youan then told the story of Huang Xiang warming the bed for his father: "During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a boy named Huang Xiang. His mother passed away when he was nine years old, and from then on, he took even better care of his father. In winter, when the weather was cold, Huang Xiang would first crawl into his father's bed and warm the bed with his own body before letting his father sleep. This is a model of filial piety."
After listening, Jiang Xiaobao's eyes reddened slightly, and he said, "Huang Xiang is so filial. I want to be like him in the future."
Unbeknownst to them, the moon outside the window had quietly moved, and the night grew deeper. Jiang Youan and Jiang Xiaobao continued reciting the "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child," each sentence filled with their love for each other and their hopes for the future.
When reading the lines, "When your parents call, answer without delay; when your parents command, act without laziness," Jiang Youan said, "Xiao Bao, from now on, when your parents call you, you must respond immediately; when your parents ask you to do something, you must not be lazy and must do it right away."
Jiang Xiaobao nodded firmly: "Brother, I'll remember."
When reading the passage "The hat must be straight, the buttons must be fastened. Socks and shoes must be worn snugly," Jiang Youan pointed to Jiang Xiaobao's clothes and said, "Xiaobao, look, before going out, you must wear your hat straight, fasten your buttons, and wear your socks and shoes neatly. This is not only a sign of respect for yourself, but also a sign of respect for others."
Jiang Xiaobao looked down at his clothes and began to tidy them up carefully.
As the recitation and explanation deepened, Jiang Xiaobao's understanding of the *Di Zi Gui* became increasingly profound. Jiang Youan, watching his younger brother's focused expression, felt a surge of pride.
Finally, Jiang Youan led Jiang Xiaobao in reciting the entire "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child." Jiang Xiaobao's clear and resonant voice echoed throughout the study.
"Xiao Bao, today we learned the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child.' I hope you can keep these principles in mind and put them into practice in your life," Jiang Youan said earnestly.
Jiang Xiaobao raised his head, his eyes resolute: "Brother, I will definitely do it!"
Jiang Youan smiled and hugged Jiang Xiaobao in his arms: "Okay, brother believes in you."