bookrebus Chapter 168 Entering the Girls' School
Chapter 168 Entering the Girls' School
Upon hearing the first two sentences, Wu Guidi felt a chill in her heart, thinking there was no hope of staying. Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and she was overjoyed to be able to enter the Yu residence in another way!
He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, I'm willing, thank you, sir!"
"Your task is to teach the maids in the embroidery workshop how to sew. From now on, we won't need to buy ready-made clothes for the family!"
Yu Wanran asked Wu Guidi, but also Pinglu and the other two whether they could accept this kind of long-term work. If they wanted to learn other jobs in the future, it would be difficult to arrange them.
Pinglu and the other two bowed happily along with Wu Guidi and replied, "Master, please rest assured and leave it to us!"
In this way, they no longer have to worry about being resold because they are useless.
Yulan hesitated for a moment, then shook her head inwardly: No, she can't sit still! It's better for her to learn from Qiu Cui. Even if she doesn't end up as the manager, working odd jobs in the kitchen with Mei Xue would be quite peaceful.
After arranging the housework, Yu Wanran encouraged the others for a few more minutes before taking Yu Xiaoxiang's hand and leading her to her room to assess her studies.
Zhong Yeliu was busy putting over three hundred second-grade inkstones and one hundred genuine inkstones on the shelves of the Huangshan County shop and setting prices. On the days she was away, Hua Rong and Xiao Si took turns looking after the shop, while Qiu Cui was in charge of the accounts.
As for Da Niu, he was honest and simple by nature, and also very strong. Zhong Yeliu instructed him to learn a move or two from the guards, so that he could be taken out as a bodyguard in the future.
Originally, I planned to rest at home for a day before heading to the capital. However, the old broker sent a servant to say that he had found a female teacher who could teach reading, writing, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
It is said that this female teacher was a nanny from the palace, and her manners and demeanor were beyond question.
However, the other party had extremely high requirements: not only were the fees exorbitant, but the students also had to be agreeable to the teacher; and the learning time and place were set at the female teacher's own home.
Yu Wanran immediately took Xiao Xiang and, with the old broker's introduction, went to the door.
The female teacher's name was Chen Wei. She was nearly thirty years old and had been out of the palace for over a year. Because she had enough money to support her family, she opened a girls' school in hopes of earning some money for her retirement.
But she doesn't accept students who are slow learners or picky parents; she finds them troublesome.
Chen Wei first spoke with Yu Wanran and was very satisfied with Yu Wanran's demeanor.
Furthermore, the study of Yu Xiaoxiang was conducted.
Although he felt the child was timid and cowardly, and unlikely to stand out, he gladly accepted the student because of the child's basic academic foundation and out of respect for Yu Wanran.
The agreed-upon tuition and lodging fee was ten taels per month, and maids were not allowed to be brought along.
Chen Wei teaches not only economics, but also independence and discipline. This is precisely what Yu Wanran values.
Only through such learning could Yu Xiaoxiang shed the petty nature of her poor family and enter the proper etiquette of a well-to-do lady. She would then have the opportunity to marry into a noble family and find a promising and ideal husband.
After consulting with Xiao Xiang herself and confirming that her niece was willing to become Chen Wei's student, Yu Wanran prepaid a year's tuition and room and board fees, leaving her niece at Chen Wei's girls' school.
The girls' school also included several girls whom Chen Wei had initially taken in; they were all from wealthy families. They were only a few years old, so they rarely showed any disdain, and Chen Wei wouldn't allow it.
Yu Wanran watched as Xiao Xiang, though initially uncomfortable, quickly joined in the classmates' self-introductions, chatting and laughing with them, before leaving with peace of mind.
It's right to lay a foundation for my little niece first. Otherwise, if she were still the illiterate peasant girl who used to hide from everyone, Chen Wei would definitely not take her in today.
For Xiao Xiang's future, she took a firm stance this time. She directly told her family that Xiao Xiang had been sent to a girls' school, and would no longer spend half a month studying and half a month farming.
If Xiaozhen and others miss their children, they can come to the city and have three opportunities to visit them each month!
She didn't know or want to know the reactions of her mother and sister-in-law.
After settling into their home, on the third day they packed their belongings, took Zhong Yeliu, Wangyou, Yanqing, and Shunzi with them, along with two hired mule cart drivers, and set off for the capital to transport nearly two thousand Chengni inkstones.
It was Zhong Yeliu and Shunzi's first time traveling such a long distance, and everything they saw was new and exciting.
But after several days of long journeys and repeated overnight stays in the wilderness, the initial excitement and anticipation had completely vanished. All that remained was the daily weariness.
Only then did they realize how hard their master worked to earn money through trade! They even encountered a group of bandits who attempted to raid the camp in the dead of night and rob them of their supplies.
Although they were driven away by Yu Wanran, Wangyou Yanqing, and the other two were quite frightened. On the contrary, the two coachmen who often traveled were calm and praised the three for their martial arts skills, no wonder they dared to travel on their own without entrusting a caravan.
Shunzi secretly touched her heart.
Next time he goes out, he'll have to hide a knife in the car! Otherwise, what kind of person would he be, constantly hiding behind his master if something happens? He himself would feel ashamed!
As Zhong Yeliu watched Yu Wanran effortlessly kill a bunch of bandits and robbers, as easily as eating and drinking, she silently took out her handkerchief and wiped away the saline solution that had accidentally spilled from the corner of her eye.
She needs to get used to it as soon as possible!
If you can't even handle these minor squabbles, how will you become your master's right-hand man in the future?
Yu Wanran frowned.
Despite the apparent peace and prosperity, banditry is rampant. Is it due to government incompetence and laxity, or are there simply too many people unable to survive? Although this area is considered a no-man's-land, the chances of encountering bandits are undeniably high.
She got into the car to comfort Zhong Yeliu, whose face was pale, patted her shoulder, and poured her a glass of water.
"Ye Liu, are you alright? Don't be afraid, the robbers have been dealt with! This kind of thing doesn't happen often, it's just a rare occurrence..."
Zhong Yeliu silently accepted the cup.
What if we do it all the time?
"Master, I'm fine. Please be careful not to get hurt..."
To take care of Zhong Yeliu, they traveled frequently, stopping along the way. Their original plan to reach the capital as quickly as possible ended up taking twice as long. Little did they know, someone in the capital was waiting anxiously!
They arrived in the capital rather late. Yu Wanran led the convoy directly into Zhenyuan Escort Agency.
The escort agency runs a chain of inns where goods can be stored, which is convenient and safe. They are just a bit more expensive than ordinary inns. Yu Wanran originally wanted to visit Li Tonghai while she was there, but the agency said the head escort was out protecting his men, so she had to give up the idea.
The next day, she sent Yanqing to the Yan residence to deliver a letter to Yan Cheng'an. She herself took a box of Chengni inkstones, had Shunzi drive the carriage, and led Zhong Yeliu and Wangyou to Rongbaozhai.
Upon hearing the news, Yan Xing'an immediately came out to greet him.
He had almost forgotten about their previous jokes about Chengni inkstones. He never expected Yu Wanran to send him a new product so quickly.
Did they really create colorful clay inkstones?
He couldn't help but get excited. If a novel and stunning colored inkstone appeared among the common inkstones, with vibrant colors, it would surely cause a major upheaval in the market.
He warmly led Yu Wanran and her party to the second floor and had fragrant tea served. After exchanging a few pleasantries, just as they were about to ask to see the goods, Yan Cheng'an arrived like a whirlwind with Xiao Ze and Yan Qing.
Before Yan Cheng'an could speak, Yan Xing'an quickly pushed him aside and laughed, "You're quick on your way! But there's an order to things, let Miss Yu show me the goods first!"