Chapter 006: Learning Ability

Accompanying Wu was a little girl, about three or four years old. The girl's features resembled those of the Zhang family, while her lips and nose took after Sima Guang. Though still young and not fully developed, one could faintly discern how remarkably beautiful she would become as she grew up

Both are three-year-old children, Wang Lang and Sima Yan are not particular about manners, and both plop down onto the bluestone steps in front of the door. Wang Lang sits more casually, while Sima Yan sits more demurely. The two exchange a glance, but neither expresses any wonder about the peculiarities of the world. Wang Lang quietly asks, "I am not good at history, are you?"

Knowing that Sima Yan had also become "childish" like himself, Wang Tang finally felt at ease. He shared his grand "sowing and watching the seedlings grow" plan with Sima Yan, speaking animatedly: "Later, we will plant the seeds in your yard, and when I come back to play with you, I will say I am here to see if the seedlings have grown!"

Sima Yan nodded

Wang Anshi intended to tease him, took it in his hand and weighed it, then asked: "What are these things? How about I check them for you first to see if you can take them to your uncle Sima's younger sister."

Sima Yan also wanted to find a control group to be an ordinary child

Wu saw that the father and son were about to quarrel again, and hurriedly intervened, saying: "We all went to buy it together, so there can be nothing inappropriate. If you want to know anything, just ask me."

Sima Guang and Zhang cherished their only daughter as if she were a precious jewel. When their daughter had just begun to speak, Sima Guang was already contemplating how to present her future husband with the eighty-one challenges, to ensure that their daughter would not marry an unsuitable man

Wang Anshi felt that this young man was getting restless again, can 'do not act improperly' be interpreted this way

Sima Yan nodded and looked into the room together with Wang Tang. At this moment, Sima Guang and Wang Anshi had already engaged in conversation. Both are erudite individuals, and they were chatting quite happily, their brows relaxed. From time to time, they would refill each other's cups with tea.

Sima Yan: "... ..."

Wang Anshi was at a loss with Wang Lang and could only repeat the conversation he had before leaving to Sima Guang, shaking his head: "This kid, I wonder when he secretly read the section on Yan Yuan from the Analects."

It sounds rather ominous. Wang Fang's understanding of the historical "Wang Anshi Reform" is limited to the five characters "Wang Anshi Reform" and the outcome of the reform: failure. If a person's thoughts are one step ahead of their time, they may become a great figure; if a person's thoughts are countless steps ahead of their time, they will only be regarded as a madman. The failure of the reform and the fate of the reformists and their leaders are all too evident. Wang Fang couldn't help but murmur, "In that case, aren't my father and your father sworn enemies"

"No, the sage also said, 'Do not speak of what is improper!' When Father asks Mother, you cannot just tell him the things I sent to my sister, that won't do either!" Wang Fang said with a righteous expression, "I am sending it to my sister, not to Father, so why should Father know?"

In other words, both of their previous learning abilities were exceptionally advanced, offering no reference value whatsoever

Wang Wang suddenly widened his eyes, his gaze fixated on the little girl. Even though she had shrunk significantly, Wang Wang was still able to determine that this was Sima Yan, and he could even recall her appearance as an adult from her current features. Coming back to his senses, Wang Wang hurriedly ran over, and with a serious tone, he said, "I have seen this little sister before."

Glancing at the small child Wang Fang, Sima Guang felt that he was overthinking it. How could such a little kid understand anything? It was just a casual remark made by a child.

Sima Guang's family was well-off, with a salary higher than that of Wang Anshi. He held a position at the Imperial Academy, and indeed, his house had a courtyard. The location of the house was also favorable, situated on the street side of the Imperial Academy, with the front door opening directly towards the academy and the back door facing the street, making it convenient for the household servants to go out.

Sima Guang: "... ..."

Sima Guang glanced at Wang Wang's slender arms and legs, temporarily lowering his guard, and allowed Wang Wang to take his daughter outside to play on the steps.

Wang Fang, after listening to Sima Yan's words, said softly: "At that time, I was working on Olympiad math problems"

"It doesn't seem right," Wang Fang said

It is not unlike. Sima Yan agrees

The atmosphere suggests that it would not be an exaggeration to say they are like old friends or that they regret not having met earlier; it hardly resembles that of mortal enemies. Wang Fang, having more experience in interpersonal relations than Sima Yan, remarked: "People can change; what is true now may not be the case in the future."

"It's normal," Sima Yan said, "No matter how old the memories you carry are, one must obey the state of their body. We are still young, our nervous systems are not fully developed, and our hormone levels differ from those in adulthood, which naturally affects your thinking and psychological state." She hesitated and looked at Wang Fang, "I wanted to say this when we met for the second time: you may often suppress yourself, forcing yourself to perform well enough. You are always like a tightly stretched string, striving to present your best side to everyone. When I first came here, I thought that if you had the chance to experience childhood again like I did, you might turn into quite a mischievous child."

Moreover, she learned exceptionally well, and she got almost everything right. In his previous life, his childhood was spent navigating the ocean of knowledge; he never slacked off and never played around like his peers. Even though he had a naturally mischievous and troublesome disposition, he still managed to be a good son for over twenty years and a good brother for over ten years. Now that he has the chance to live again, he has no desire to repeat the way he lived in his previous life—he wants to enjoy many things that he never experienced before.

Wang Xiaotong: "... ..."

Sima Guang was just about to praise Wang Fang when he saw Wang Fang hand the cloth bag he was holding to his daughter, cheerfully saying: "This is a gift I prepared for you. Let's find a place to play, away from their eyes!"

Sima Guang formally posted an invitation, and Wang Anshi, as promised, visited with his family. In recent days, Wang Fang has been happily going out with the Wu family every day, preparing a large cloth bag filled with gifts for his younger sister, Ayan.

Indeed, the daughter is only 3 years old, yet Sima Guang has already developed a sense of vigilance against wolves

Sima Yan also wanted to meet with Wang Tang more often. Upon hearing this, she expressed that the plan was excellent and that she would definitely cooperate well. Sima Yan thought for a moment and asked Wang Tang, "What were you doing at our current age? My grandfather is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and at that time, he was showing me 'Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases.' He was already able to identify over a hundred types of medicinal materials."

Sima Yan : `` ... ... ''

Sima Guang would not take a concubine; his family was living well, and what was the point of bringing in an outsider to bear a child? Moreover, having a daughter is not a bad thing. At least Sima Guang found his daughter to be clever and adorable, bright and quick-witted. In terms of intelligence and learning speed, which family's son could compare to her? The couple had quarreled once over the issue of taking a concubine, but it only brought them closer together. Their relationship was as intimate as glue, and they treated each other with mutual respect, leading to a life that could not be more fulfilling.

Sima Yan said: "Yes. It is clearly just an ordinary matter, yet occasionally I cannot help but shed tears and cry with my mother or father."

Wang Anshi led his wife and children through a small part of the Guozijian and entered through the front gate of the courtyard. Although it was a house with a courtyard, it was not like those grand residences outside, as there were no gatekeepers. Wang Anshi had just knocked twice when Sima Guang personally came out to greet him. The two exchanged pleasantries as they entered, and Sima Guang's wife, Zhang, also came out to speak with Wu.

Sima Guang previously thought that Wang Lang was a clever child, and he was also quite well-behaved, which is why he sent an invitation for Wang Anshi's family to come over as guests. Upon hearing Wang Lang's words, Sima Guang's brow twitched, and a sense of vigilance surged within him. Although this boy was still young, he was a male child, and as he grew older, it would be best if he did not take an interest in his daughter.

Sima Yan's historical knowledge is also lacking; her talents are entirely focused on medicine, and she is not well-versed in other fields. She even struggles with interpersonal relationships. In her previous life, many colleagues remarked that she was very aloof and unapproachable, making her difficult to pursue. In reality, Sima Yan was completely unaware that they were trying to court her. She is usually quiet, simply wanting to spend more time on clinical research.

For example, the pure maternal love that Wu gives him

Wang Fangqi asked, "Do you also do this?"

Zhang's condition is not suitable for conception. When she gave birth to her daughter Sima Yan, she faced life-threatening complications and nearly crossed into the realm of the dead. The doctor stated that Zhang would not be able to conceive again. This means that Sima Yan is her only child from now on

The air suddenly fell silent

The two individuals exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat helpless. There was no way around it; to excel in a certain field, one inevitably had to give up other things. Gains came with losses, and there was not much to be said about it. Sima Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Since our family also bears the surname Sima, I know a bit about my father's affairs, such as his later compilation of the 'Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government' and his role as a chancellor. By the way, he was a pioneer of the conservative faction," Sima Yan looked towards Wang Bang, "while your father was the leader of the reformist faction."

Wang Wang could not help but exclaim, "I didn't expect you to also study psychology!"

Wang Fang recalled how Wang Anshi had been secretly showing off in front of Zeng Gong, and hesitantly exchanged glances with Sima Yan: "... I feel that we might have already revealed our true intentions"

"No way." Wang Fang tightened his small face, swiftly snatching the cloth bag back into his arms, wrapping it with his short little arms. "You, a learned person, should not casually rummage through others' belongings! The sages have said, 'Do not touch what is not proper!' How true that is; it is impolite to meddle with others' things!"

Wang Fang: "... ..."

Sima Guang was a person of great responsibility. Once he married Zhang, he resolved to be with her for life. The only time they quarreled was when Zhang learned that she could no longer bear children and suggested that he take a concubine.

Wang Lang once again discussed with Sima Yan the various changes that occurred after his body shrank. Wang Lang said: "I always feel that after becoming smaller, my mind and character have become more childish. Sometimes, even though I know my father is trying to provoke me, I still can't help but argue with him"

Wang Anshi was so angry that he laughed: "I am your father, what right do you have to say that?" As the appointed time was approaching, Wang Anshi generously chose not to hold a grudge against Wang Fang and took his wife and children to visit Sima Guang.