Soon, everyone finished their work at the workshop and went home. At this time, Zhao Xian and Yang Ruotong were finally alone in one room.

Zhao Xian was extremely embarrassed at this moment. He knew that this was something he had to face and could not avoid.

The room was dimly lit, and Zhao Xian kept his head down, not daring to look Yang Ruotong in the eye.

"My husband, I love you the way you are now. You are a responsible and dependable man, no longer the poor, pedantic scholar you used to be. What did you go through while I was away at my parents' home? Can you tell me?"

Yang Ruotong's voice is very soft and gentle.

Zhao Xian smiled; of course, he couldn't say that he had traveled from another time.

“After you went back to your parents’ home, I thought about it for a long time. Our Zhao family has already accumulated a lot of debt in order to help me achieve fame and success. If this continues, my family will be ruined. At that time, I will no longer be able to bring you back from your parents’ home.”

From then on, I began to consider starting a business. During the time I was doing business, I made many friends, including not only the county magistrate but also the prefect, who were of great help to me.

Later, my business improved, and I not only paid off my family's debts, but also got back the land that I had mortgaged in the past. In order to continue the business, I built workshops and factories.

The reason I only brought you back now is so that you won't suffer any more grievances after you return.

As Zhao Xian said these words, he felt extremely hypocritical, but there was nothing he could do. Having come into this world, he had to change himself and adapt to it.

Zhao Xian's words deeply moved Yang Ruotong. She leaned against Zhao Xian and sobbed softly.

"My husband, I'm sorry. I was too willful. I shouldn't have gone back to my parents' home. I should have shared your joys and sorrows. How could I let you suffer alone?"

And so, the two of them talked back and forth, finding themselves getting along better and better, as if they had endless things to say.

The next morning, the family got up early, and Zhao Lingling came to find Yang Ruotong with a pretty hair clip.

"Sister-in-law, can you braid my hair? I lost the hair clip you bought me last time, so Sister Shiyu bought me one too."

"Okay, Lingling, your sister-in-law will braid your hair right away," Yang Ruotong said with a smile.

Zhao Lingling quickly finished combing her two little braids, and with the pretty hair clip, the little girl looked even more adorable.

At this moment, Zhao Xian walked to Zhao Lingling's side and asked with a smile.

"Lingling, do you like herding cattle?"

Zhao Lingling nodded.

“After picking up my sister-in-law yesterday, I went to pick a lot of grass for the cows. The cows ate all the grass, which was very fun. I plan to go herd the cows today.”

"Then you'd become a cowherd," Zhao Xian said with a smile.

"Isn't being a cowherd good enough?"

"If you become a cowherd, you'll end up like Tiezhu and Tiedan, wearing tattered clothes, working in the fields all day, covered in mud, and getting tanned dark. Do you like that?"

Zhao Lingling panicked and quickly shook her head.

"I don't want to be like that. I want to be like Shiyu and Sister Yingying, who can read and write and also do business."

"If you want to become like Shiyu and Sister Yingying, you must go to school to study and learn to read. Are you willing?"

"I'm willing, I want to go to school."

"Wait a minute, I'll take you to see a gentleman and have him teach you to read and write, okay?"

“Okay, brother, then take me to see the teacher. I want the teacher to teach me to read and write.”

Zhao Xian was very happy that his younger sister was willing to go to school.

"Let's go have breakfast first, and after breakfast, I'll take you to see the gentleman."

After breakfast, Zhao Xian bought two jugs of low-alcohol liquor and some snacks through the system. He carried these items and led Zhao Lingling toward Master Lin's house.

Master Lin's house is located on the south side of the village. It is a small, detached courtyard. Master Lin planted some bamboo next to the courtyard, which has now become a bamboo grove. When a gentle breeze blows, the bamboo leaves rustle.

"This is the master's home. I will take you to see him. When you see him, you should bow and greet him."

"I understand, brother." Zhao Lingling said earnestly.

Zhao Xian led Zhao Lingling to the gate of Master Lin's courtyard and knocked on the gate.

After quite some time, there was no movement in the yard.

The courtyard gate was finally opened, and a man in his forties stood at the entrance. He was well-dressed, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a refined demeanor, but he had quite a bit of white hair, which seemed a little out of place for his age.

This is Master Lin. According to Mr. Fang, Master Lin rarely goes out. I never expected that he would be so particular about things while staying at home.

Because Master Lin rarely interacted with the villagers, he did not know Zhao Xian.

"May I ask who you are and what brings you here?"

"This scholar from our village has come to pay a special visit to Master Lin."

Although Master Lin rarely left his home, he had still heard of Zhao Xian.

"So it's Scholar Zhao, please come in."

Master Lin invited the two into the house, and they walked through the small courtyard to the main hall of the house.

After they were seated, Master Lin asked a question.

"I wonder what brings you to my humble abode, Scholar Zhao?"

Zhao Xian placed the several packets of pastries and two jugs of wine he had brought on the table. Upon seeing this, Master Lin frowned.

"No reward without merit. If you have something to say, Scholar Zhao, please speak freely."

Zhao Xian stood up again and bowed to Master Lin.

"This is my younger sister Zhao Lingling. She is 9 years old this year and has never been to school. I originally wanted to send her to school, but the school does not accept girls. After Mr. Fang gave me advice, I took my sister to visit Master Lin."

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