Jiang Shuwan listened from outside, seemingly unperturbed. Perhaps because Old Madam Pei was very angry, she heard her voice again not long after.

"This old man is being unreasonable!"

"He didn't even come back for the New Year's Eve ancestral worship ceremony. Now that he's back, he's asking the Marquis's mansion to help him find a job."

"If it's not a lucrative position, why aren't you going!"

“Ridiculous! Just last year, His Majesty reprimanded him for being dishonest and embezzling public funds for river repairs.”

"You've forgotten everything in such a short time?"

“He’s really outrageous,” the old marquis’s voice rang out.

"Fortunately, my mother rejected him."

“These past few days he’s been moving around Beijing, all because he wants to return to the capital.”

"But none of it worked. The noblewoman's family has been spreading the word everywhere that anyone who befriends the Earl's family is going against them."

The old marquis sighed as he spoke.

The Pei family has two prominent members, so it's only beneficial for them if both sides prosper.

He originally planned to find the old man a regular job after the New Year, so he could start doing it for now.

Once we achieve results, we can move on to the next level.

The old man was all talk and no action, and even felt insulted by him, which caused a great unpleasantness between the two brothers.

The old man went out on his own, but no one was willing to help him, and he was ridiculed quite a bit.

Not only was he humiliated, but he was also disheartened and moved his belongings to a Taoist temple to live there permanently.

Judging from the looks of it, the Earl's family can't count on the old Earl anymore.

It all depends on whether Pei Lingyu can stand up.

They are all of Pei bloodline; it's truly heartbreaking to see.

Fortunately, his son is a good person, so he doesn't need to worry too much...

While pondering his next move, the old Marquis glanced at Pei Yanzhi.

He has had Pei Yanzhi participate in political discussions for some time now.

Pei Yanzhi remained calm and composed, showing neither surprise nor delight, nor offering any rash advice in an attempt to appear capable.

No nonsense.

Occasionally, when he encountered a difficult situation, he would say a few words, which were always reasonable and well-founded, and they would enlighten him.

Now they're making those little blackboards again, keeping them incredibly busy every day.

The old Marquis was not familiar with the small blackboard, but those who frequented Pei Yanzhi's courtyard were all his classmates from the Imperial Academy.

A group of students, they must be busy with serious matters, not some crooked or evil things, right?

Thinking about this, he wasn't sure, so he asked a few questions.

Pei Yanzhi then gave him a brief explanation.

"That little blackboard is indeed a good thing."

"It can save a lot of ink."

"However, those charcoal pens are really inconvenient to use. My son and some classmates are researching a pen that is both convenient and can be used to write on the blackboard."

"We have already tested dozens of materials, and one type of white plaster has a particularly useful application."

Depend on.

Isn't white plaster the raw material for chalk?

Are small business owners starting to study chalk?

Jiang Shuwan was slightly surprised.

The main component of chalk is calcium sulfate, which is gypsum. After heating and dehydration, it becomes calcined gypsum.

Chalk is made by mixing plaster with water and pigments and shaping it into a form.

Pei Yanzhi took the small blackboard to study it, and it didn't take long.

They've actually started working with chalk...

You really can't underestimate the wisdom of the locals.

It seems that chalk will be invented soon.

"That would be good."

"But don't spend too much time on it."

"Even if that thing saves money, it's still not the same as writing it on paper."

"You'll be taking the exam this autumn, so everything should be focused on the autumn examination."

After hearing his explanation, the old lord nodded.

But I don't want Pei Yanzhi to spend too much time on the chalk.

Ultimately, the imperial examinations were the real event, and their family wasn't short of money for writing materials.

“My son knows.”

Pei Yanzhi lowered his eyelids and didn't say anything more.

The characters written with a brush and those written with chalk on a blackboard are naturally very different.

But if chalk could really be made, it would be a great help to students who suffer from headaches caused by ink and paper.

There are also some people of average talent who don't study solely for the purpose of passing the imperial examinations.

Many of them think that if they study for a year or two, learn a few words, they can find a job in the city or do something else.

Being able to read is of immense benefit to them.

Chalk is useful!

Of course, the prerequisite is that you have to get it working first.

Having finished discussing the important matters, the maidservant went in to announce that Jiang Shuwan was going back to her parents' home tomorrow and had come to pay her respects to the old lady.

"Quickly let Wan'er in. She should go back home for the New Year and other holidays."

The gatekeeper lifted the curtain and invited Jiang Shuwan in.

Jiang Shuwan stepped inside, just as Pei Yanzhi came out. The two passed each other.

They exchanged greetings but didn't speak. Pei Yanzhi then hurriedly returned to his study to continue studying chalk.

The next morning, Qingxing carried the New Year's gifts that Jiang Shuwan had prepared when she returned to her parents' home onto the carriage.

“Miss, you specifically went to the old lady’s courtyard yesterday when the young master was there.”

"You even had a maid inform you that you were going back to your parents' home today, so why didn't the young master react at all?"

Logically speaking, during a festival like the Lunar New Year, Pei Yanzhi, as the son-in-law, should accompany Jiang Shuwan back to her parents' home for a meal.

But Pei Yanzhi has been studying chalk day and night, neglecting sleep and meals.

Jiang Shuwan didn't think Pei Yanzhi would accompany her back to her parents' home.

He might even have forgotten about it.

She had to remind him.

"Miss, we're about to set off, why hasn't the young master arrived yet?"

Qingxing gazed longingly into the mansion.

Jiang Shuwan held the gilded peony-patterned hand warmer with a calm demeanor.

She was also in a good mood admiring the bright red plum blossoms in the corner of the wall.

Suddenly, the sound of running footsteps came from inside the mansion.

Qingxing looked up with delight and saw Pei Yanzhi's personal servant carrying a piece of ink.

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