Chapter 154: A New Path to Reform Begins, Education Reborn with Vitality

Chapter 154: A New Path to Reform Awakens, Education Revitalized

As the last rays of the setting sun faded away, night gradually settled in, yet the academy remained brightly lit. The innocent laughter and the clear, resonant voices of children reading aloud intertwined into a captivating melody that echoed through every corner of the academy.

Standing high above, Lin Shiya gazed upon this transformed scene, a surge of indescribable excitement swelling within her heart. She could clearly sense that this was not merely a change in the academy itself but a turning point in the destinies of countless children. They were no longer passive recipients of knowledge; instead, they genuinely enjoyed the joy of learning, exploring the unknown fields with autonomy.

This filled her with great anticipation for the future of educational reform and kindled even deeper, more far-reaching aspirations. A steadfast light flickered in her eyes, like a blazing flame—an intense yearning for change and a hopeful vision of the future.

Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the fresh scent of ink and earth that filled the air, a fragrance that grounded her and infused her with strength. Slowly turning around, her gaze settled on Supervisor Li not far away.

Supervisor Li was whispering with several tutors, his brow furrowed tightly, seemingly engrossed in some weighty discussion. Lin Shiya knew that what she was about to propose would undoubtedly stir up a new wave of controversy.

She stepped forward decisively. Each step was firm and resolute.

“Supervisor Li, esteemed tutors,” Lin Shiya’s voice rang out clearly and strongly, shattering the silence of the night. “I have a new reform plan I wish to discuss with you all.”

Supervisor Li’s already furrowed brow tightened further at her words. He looked up at Lin Shiya, accustomed as he was to traditional methods of education, and cautious of any form of change.

The air seemed to freeze, so still that the sound of their breathing was audible.

“Yes, Scholar Lin,” Elder Tutor Song stroked his beard thoughtfully and spoke slowly. Though his tone was calm, it carried an unmistakable stubbornness. “Reform must be carefully deliberated over a long period; it must not be rushed.”

Master Qian, a parent, stepped forward with concern. “Scholar Lin, I admit your previous reforms were successful, and the children enjoyed them. But this new plan—could it not affect their future prospects?”

Other parents nodded in agreement, their faces filled with doubt.

Accountant Sun shook his head repeatedly, cautiously adding, “Scholar Lin, this new plan will inevitably increase the academy’s expenses. We have only just begun to recover financially; we simply cannot afford any upheaval now.”

Faced with such skepticism and opposition, Lin Shiya remained undaunted. A faint smile played on her lips as she cast a resolute glance across everyone present, as if harboring boundless strength.

She did not rush to explain nor forcefully defend herself.

“Rather than engage in idle talk here,” she said with a meaningful tone tinged with mystery, “why don’t we go and see with our own eyes?”

Without directly responding to their doubts, Lin Shiya smiled enigmatically and gestured invitingly. “Seeing is believing. Please, follow me.”

With that, she turned and walked toward a classroom, leaving the others exchanging puzzled looks.

Curiosity ultimately overcame hesitation. Supervisor Li, Elder Tutor Song, Master Qian, Accountant Sun, and others all followed her.

A dim yellow light spilled from beneath the classroom door, casting an expectant yet uneasy glow on their faces.

Pushing the door open, they were greeted by an atmosphere starkly different from before.

Gone was the lofty lecturing of tutors and the dull rote memorization of students. Instead, the room buzzed with lively discussions and the vibrant laughter of children.

At the center, several children gathered around a table scattered with wooden blocks of various shapes.

They eagerly debated, sometimes assembling the blocks with their hands, sometimes arguing passionately, their faces radiating the zeal of discovery.

Lin Shiya approached them gently, guiding their thoughts and occasionally posing thought-provoking questions.

“Why can’t this block fit here?” a child asked, puzzled.

“Because it’s shaped differently from the neighboring block!” another quickly answered.

“Then how can we make it fit?” Lin Shiya smiled and asked.

The children burst into animated discussion, some suggesting swapping blocks, others proposing different ways to assemble them. Lin Shiya listened patiently, offering encouragement and guidance.

The tutors standing at the doorway were stunned.

They had never witnessed such a classroom—children so proactive, the learning atmosphere so relaxed and joyful.

Even Elder Tutor Song’s once tense face softened into surprise. Stroking his beard, he murmured, “This… this is unheard of…”

Supervisor Li nodded slightly. Though he had been skeptical of Lin Shiya’s plan, he now had to admit this new teaching method had its merits.

Master Qian watched the children’s cheerful faces, his concerns gradually fading.

He approached Lin Shiya quietly and asked, “Scholar Lin, what kind of teaching method is this?”

Lin Shiya smiled faintly and explained, “It is an interactive teaching approach designed to stimulate the children’s interest in learning and to cultivate their hands-on skills and critical thinking.”

Master Qian nodded, though some doubts lingered in his mind. Looking from the enthusiastic children to the tutors’ varied expressions, his gaze finally settled on Lin Shiya, and he spoke hesitantly.

“Scholar Lin, this…” His voice trembled, breaking the harmony in the classroom. The air seemed to freeze momentarily.

“Scholar Lin, this new teaching method certainly sounds novel, but the children must still partake in the imperial examinations. If it delays their orthodox studies, wouldn’t that… wouldn’t that ruin their futures?” he asked cautiously, careful not to offend the new top scholar, yet his worry was genuine.

Other parents gathered around, their faces etched with anxiety and unease. They whispered in low tones, small voices yet enough to unsettle the atmosphere.

The children’s joyful laughter gradually quieted as they looked toward the adults with innocent confusion.

Lin Shiya had anticipated this question. Unfazed, she walked to the table and took a thick booklet from a pile of scrolls, spreading it out before them.

It was a hefty volume, densely filled with writing and adorned with exquisite illustrations.

“Master Qian, esteemed parents, please take a look,” Lin Shiya’s voice was steady and clear, flowing into every heart like a pure spring. “These are results from other academies that have implemented similar reforms. These children not only achieved excellent results in the imperial examinations but also displayed outstanding abilities in other areas.”

The booklet documented achievements across various fields: examination scores, certificates from calligraphy and painting contests, and design blueprints of student-made devices.

Each entry substantiated that the new teaching method did not hinder academic progress but rather unleashed the children’s potential.

Master Qian’s gaze wandered over the pages, his worried expression gradually giving way to surprise and uncertainty.

Other parents leaned in to see, their previously taut nerves relaxing, hope flickering in their eyes.

They finally realized that Scholar Lin was not gambling with their children’s futures but truly acting in their best interests.

“I see now…” Master Qian murmured, looking up at Lin Shiya. “You are the one who truly cares for the children.”

Lin Shiya smiled softly and looked out the window. The night had deepened, a crescent moon hung gently on the horizon, casting a tender glow as if silently witnessing these unfolding events.

Turning back, she saw a familiar figure standing at the doorway, his back to the moonlight, his face obscured...

“Who’s there?” Lin Shiya raised her voice.

The moonlight outlined a tall figure who slowly turned to reveal a handsome face—it was Murong Fu.

His eyes were deep and steady as he gazed at Lin Shiya, a gentle smile playing at his lips.

He had come incognito, just to see her—to witness her striving for her ideals.

He stood quietly, as if the world had narrowed to just the two of them, and time itself had frozen.

Lin Shiya hurried to his side, joy evident on her face. “What are you doing here?”

Murong Fu gently took her hand, feeling its warmth, and said softly, “I came to see you.” His eyes swept the room, resting on the novel teaching aids. “You’ve done well.”

Lin Shiya’s eyes sparkled, a rosy flush coloring her cheeks.

“This is thanks to your encouragement back then.”

They exchanged a knowing smile; everything was understood without words.

Murong Fu accompanied Lin Shiya on a tour of the academy, watching the children happily learn under the new methods, his heart filled with satisfaction.

He understood deeply that her efforts were not only to reform the academy but to change the era itself.

Yet, in the shadows, Elder Tutor Song’s face darkened, his eyes flickering with discontent.

He slammed his teacup onto the table with a sharp clink, casting a sinister shadow in the dim light.

“Hmph, reform? It’s simply nonsense!” he ground his teeth, his tone full of disdain and anger.

He could not accept this break from tradition, nor could he tolerate a woman dictating affairs at the academy.

Several tutors gathered around him, nodding in agreement.

They were veteran educators accustomed to the old ways and deeply resistant to Lin Shiya’s reforms.

“Elder Song, we cannot just sit idly by,” one tutor whispered. “We must find a way to stop her.”

Elder Song took the letter from the tutor, then hurried away into the night.

Watching his retreating figure, a sly smile curled at the corner of Elder Song’s mouth.

He believed it would not be long before Lin Shiya’s reform plans completely failed.

The next morning, Lin Shiya arrived at the academy but sensed something was amiss.

A tense atmosphere hung in the air, and the students seemed uneasy.

She vaguely felt that something momentous was about to unfold…