Lin Moniang hadn't said much since she arrived, quietly listening to He Liu and Su Yun'er's conversation.

However, when He Liu mentioned "teaching children to read," she had been keeping her head down. She then raised her head, her eyes filled with timidity and envy, and looked at Su Yun'er and He Liu.

Seeing Su Yun'er looking at her, Lin Moniang blushed and lowered her head again.

"What brings you here today, Mo Niang?" Su Yun'er asked.

Although she had already guessed Lin Moniang's purpose in coming.

He Liu saw Su Yun'er ask, but Lin Moniang did not answer. Instead, she lowered her head, bit her lip, and remained silent.

He Liu had a short temper, and seeing Lin Moniang's awkward appearance, she became anxious for her. She nudged Lin Moniang and urged her in a low but audible voice, "Say something! What are you doing here? You were talking to me on the way here, why aren't you saying anything now?"

Lin Moniang blushed and looked up at He Liu and Su Yun'er. She opened her mouth, but was too embarrassed to speak. She bit her lip and lowered her head again. This time, there were tears in her eyes.

"Oh dear, you woman, you're really driving me crazy! Just say what you have to say!" He Liu's voice was louder this time.

He Liu was genuinely worried when he saw Lin Moniang's timid and evasive demeanor.

After poking for a long time, Lin Moniang still didn't utter a sound.

Seeing that He Liu's grip was getting stronger, Su Yun'er quickly called out to her, otherwise He Liu would turn from stabbing to hitting her.

“Auntie, never mind, Mo Niang is too embarrassed to speak up. Since you know, you can speak for her.”

He Liu punched Lin Moniang in exasperation and said to Su Yun'er, "Lin Moniang is like me, wanting to ask if it's possible for his son Ma Xiaolan to study with you."

Su Yun'er smiled, realizing she had guessed correctly.

“It’s not difficult for them to study together. As long as Xiaolan and Xiaowen are willing, I have no problem. I can manage all four children, and they can also supervise and encourage each other.” As Su Yun’er finished speaking, He Liu’s eyes immediately lit up with anticipation, and even Lin Moniang looked up, her eyes sparkling with expectation. Su Yun’er smiled, then changed the subject, “However…”

"But what?" He Liu immediately pressed.

"However... I need to charge tuition for teaching the children."

"We know that, but we don't know how much you charge."

When the topic of tuition fees came up, He Liu's excitement waned, replaced by apprehension.

It's important to understand that raising a child to study in this era was very expensive. The annual food and living expenses for an average family of three were roughly three to five taels of silver, which is equivalent to three to five thousand copper coins.

As for studying, buying books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones would cost at least three taels of silver a year, not to mention the tuition fees that had to be paid to the teacher. If one ate and lived in the academy, the cost of food and lodging would add up to at least five hundred coins per month.

Therefore, raising children is a very expensive thing, and ordinary families simply cannot afford it.

He Liu's eyes were fixed on Su Yun'er's mouth, his heart was pounding, and he could hear his own heart beating and his blood flowing.

Su Yun'er's lips changed again: "It costs one hundred and fifty coins every month."

"One hundred and fifty coins?" He Liu was surprised.

"I am not as good as a teacher who specializes in educating people. I only teach children some basic knowledge and provide them with basic enlightenment."

"Then, what about the cost of the books? What about the cost of the writing materials?" He Liu pressed.

"You'll have to prepare your own writing materials. As for books, you can buy them yourself, or I can copy one for you. I'm currently teaching the Three Character Classic, and copying one costs fifty coins. However, I don't know how to bind books, so you'll need to go back and bind the copied pages yourself."

The main cost of copying a book is paper and ink; you only need to collect a small fee for your labor.

He Liu was overjoyed upon hearing this; the wallpaper was much cheaper than he had imagined.

She works at Su Yun'er's stall, and her husband works at the docks. They can afford the money, especially since Su Yun'er is already offering a very reasonable price.

"No problem, no problem." He Liu smiled broadly, readily agreeing.

"Mo Niang, what about you?"

He Liu agreed, and Su Yun'er then turned to Lin Moniang.

Lin Moniang looked troubled. Her family situation was special. She had not found work yet. She used to make a living by sewing, mending and washing, but that money was barely enough for her and her son to stay alive. It was impossible for them to go to school.

“Mo Niang, I know you are in trouble. I have a solution, but I don’t know if you are willing to accept it.”

Lin Moniang raised her eyes and pursed her lips: "Sister-in-law Shanhe, is there any way?"

"After the New Year, my stall won't be a small stand anymore; it'll be a small shop. I'm short-handed right now, to make some simple food and keep the shop clean. I wonder if you'd be willing to do it?"

Lin Moniang's eyes lit up.

Cooking and cleaning are just everyday chores we do at home. What's so difficult about them?

"I'm willing! I'm willing! But..." Lin Moniang was just excited for a moment, but then she became worried again, "Can I do it? I... I'm afraid you think I can't."

Towards the end, it became almost like humming in words.

Good heavens, Su Yun'er suddenly felt even more hatred for Ma Tiannian at this moment.

That bastard, that piece of trash, what has he done to a normal woman all these years?

“Mo Niang, you have to believe in yourself. You cook and clean every day at home, I think you can do it.” Su Yun’er became a little anxious and stopped beating around the bush, directly saying, “Besides, you work here with me…”