Transmigrated into a fat wife, farming, raising children, and picking up husbands

The woman speaking described the scene vividly, as if she had witnessed it herself.

"Good heavens! This is karma!"

"I've long heard that the garden is haunted; they say it's where the family of a high-ranking official who died unjustly is buried, and their resentment is palpable!"

"Who says otherwise? Those murderers from the Black Fish Gang seized someone else's territory, and now they've gotten their comeuppance!"

"Tsk, you know, this school is so close to that awful playground, just across the street!"

The woman who spoke first frowned, her tone full of worry and dissatisfaction.

"Back then, the men pooled their money to set up this school precisely because it was far from the docks, inhabited by honest, law-abiding families, and offered a quiet place for the children to study in peace, didn't they?"

"Who could have imagined this would happen..."

Her words resonated with the other women.

"Yes! Who would have thought that the house next door would become a haunted house! It's causing widespread panic, and I don't feel at ease with my child attending school here!"

"You bet! It's fine during the day, but what if school ends late one day, or it's windy and rainy... just thinking about it is terrifying!"

"This is no longer a place where I can study in peace, it's just...sigh!"

The women grew increasingly upset as they talked. Looking at the ancient school gate not far away, it seemed as if a shadow had been cast over it in their eyes.

Then look across the street and further away at the outline of that desolate garden, which appears particularly dilapidated and silent even in the daytime sunlight.

Who could have predicted that, with the passage of time, the considerations of seeking tranquility in the past would change?

Now, the rumors of the abandoned garden being haunted have intensified, becoming a thorn in the side and a hidden danger for parents.

This also made what was originally just a rumor circulating in the streets seem incredibly real and tangible because of the truly miserable state of the Black Fish Gang members.

This directly affected the concerns of these women who were most worried about their children's safety.

Several women were gazing worriedly in the direction of the dilapidated garden in the distance, their brows furrowed, when the two heavy wooden doors of the school were creaked open from the inside.

The women, who had been whispering and gossiping, suddenly fell silent and looked over somewhat awkwardly.

It wasn't children leaving school who came out, but rather Master Zhou, the old student who had taught elementary education for over twenty years.

He was about fifty years old and wore a slightly worn but very clean blue cloth gown.

He had a sparse, graying beard on his chin, a lean face, and a peaceful, upright gaze. He was also holding a book in his hand.

Master Zhou had clearly overheard the whispers outside the door.

His expression was calm as his gaze slowly swept over the women waiting to pick up their children.

The atmosphere became quiet for a moment, with only the gentle voice of the young scholar, Master Chen, maintaining order faintly audible from inside the courtyard.

Master Zhou did not blame them for gossiping; he simply slung the book behind his back and cleared his throat.

His voice carried a composure unique to scholars, one that unconsciously quieted people down: "Ladies, you are overthinking it."

"The school is a place where sages teach and enlighten, where people recite the writings of sages and are filled with righteous spirit."

"The Analects says: 'The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits.' Such absurd rumors and unfounded tales are not worth worrying about, much less disturbing a student's desire to learn."

His tone was calm, yet it possessed a convincing power.

When the Master said, "The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits," the women, though not fully understanding, knew that he meant that such matters were not worth discussing and should not be feared.

The slightly plump woman looked a little embarrassed, while the woman in the blue jacket quickly nodded, "What the teacher says is true. We women are just worrying unnecessarily and are short-sighted."

Master Zhou nodded slightly, his gaze drifting towards the desolate garden in the distance before returning to his own, his tone becoming casual.

"This school is located in a quiet place, which is perfect for studying. Master Chen and I teach here every day, and we also grade papers, cook tea and eat meals here in the afternoon. We have never felt that there is anything wrong with it."

"When people's hearts are upright, no evil can invade them. Now that you have picked up your sons, you should go home early to prepare lunch."

He spoke casually, yet he pointed out the fact that he and the young Master Chen spent their days in the school, even at noon.

This statement is more powerful than any refutation.

Even the teachers who spend all day on the edge of danger aren't afraid, so what are you afraid of, you're just passing by to pick up your children?

Just then, the sound of children packing their books and benches came from the schoolroom; it was time to end school.

The scholar, Chen, who was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and had a refined and handsome face, appeared at the door, smiled and nodded to the outside, and began to organize the students to leave in an orderly manner.

Master Zhou said nothing more, bowed slightly to the women, and then turned and slowly walked back into the courtyard.

Judging from the direction they were heading, it seemed they were going towards the small kitchen in the backyard.

He and Master Chen would probably start a fire as usual, have a simple lunch, and then continue their afternoon classes or grading papers.

The children's joyful shouts poured out like a flood.

One by one, small figures carrying schoolbags hopped out from inside the door, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere at the entrance.

The children chattered, some calling out "Mother," others chasing and playing, completely unaware of the quiet worry that had just passed outside the door.

Young scholar Chen also emerged from among a group of children.

He was much more easygoing than Master Zhou. Upon seeing the scene outside the door, he simply nodded slightly to the women and then smiled as he went to greet the students who had fallen behind.

The women's inexplicable worry seemed to fade a little when the teacher interrupted them and they saw their children running around happily.

They glanced at each other, but ultimately didn't continue the topic. They each called their children by name and led them home.

Master Zhou stood by the door, watching the students and their parents leave, his expression remaining calm.

He was not unaware of the rumors circulating in town, nor did he completely disbelieve in the existence of strange phenomena.

In his view, however, the school was a place for enlightenment and moral cultivation, and the disturbances and rumors from the outside world, especially such horrifying and bizarre things, should never invade this place.

Instead of being fearful and anxious, we should teach children to read more classic texts, distinguish right from wrong, and cultivate themselves.

His saying, "The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits," temporarily silenced the gossip among the women in front of the school.

But for most of the people in Peach Blossom Town who don't read the classics, especially for the teahouses and taverns that are the most well-informed and best at "processing" and spreading information.

That's barely any binding force, haha, practically zero.

So, by the afternoon, the discussions on the streets and alleys not only did not subside, but instead became even more heated as idlers gathered.

Especially those children who know no sorrow.

Although there was a school in the town, not every family could afford to send their children to school.

Only wealthy families who were in business, owned shops, or had a business or a good skill could afford tuition and have the resources to send their children to school.

Therefore, most children were either helping with chores at home or running around and playing in the streets.

They didn't understand the concept of "Confucius did not speak of it," but only gleaned from the adults' fragmented conversations and exaggerated expressions.

They captured words that are both exciting and a little scary, such as "abandoned garden," "black fish gang," "ghostly screams," and "scared to death."