Having spent his entire life navigating the treacherous waters of the imperial court, he knew all too well how difficult it was to achieve.
But this young woman, who had never even left Qingshui County, managed to do it.
And it was done effortlessly.
It must have a bright future.
He stroked his beard, leaned close to the Zhuangyuanhong wine and sniffed it deeply. "Good wine, good wine. No wonder I could smell its fragrance from afar."
Ye Daniu hurriedly uncorked the wine and poured a cup for Bai Yuanshou.
He now understood why his younger sister had bought the most expensive wine.
Ye Panjiu stepped forward and opened the lid of the braised food. "Director Bai, this is also a good snack to go with your drinks."
Bai Yuanshou was somewhat surprised when he smelled the fragrance.
The aroma was unlike anything he had ever tasted before; it was more assertive and complex.
"Let me try it!"
Ye Panjiu ladled out a large bowl full of soup and placed it in front of Bai Yuanshou.
Bai Yuanshou eagerly picked up his chopsticks and took a piece, but he couldn't tell what kind of meat it was.
It's surprisingly chewy and smooth when you put it in your mouth, and with its savory and delicious flavor, it gets better and better the more you chew.
"Glug."
He swallowed it down in one gulp, no longer caring about drinking, and hurriedly picked up another piece to eat.
Ye Ming swallowed hard, knowing how delicious his aunt's braised food was. He hadn't had it for half a month, and seeing Bai Yuanshou eating it so heartily made him very hungry...
Seeing this, Ye Panjiu felt sorry for Ye Ming and quickly served him a bowl as well.
Her braised food sells out quickly, one bucket in town and one bucket in the county every day, with no leftovers. Her family rarely gets a chance to eat any.
Ye Ming didn't sit down; he just stood there and ate.
Sun and Ye Erniu exchanged a glance; it seemed the food at Bailu Academy wasn't very good...
Bai Yuanshou ate several mouthfuls in one go before putting down his chopsticks. Remembering that there was Zhuangyuan Hong (a type of porridge), he took a sip.
He immediately slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, "Excellent! Fine food and fine wine, nothing could be more blissful in life!"
Ye Panjiu smiled and said, "If the head of the academy likes it, that's wonderful."
Bai Yuanshou rubbed his hands together, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Ye Panjiu.
...
Ye Panjiu's lips twitched. "Is there anything the Dean needs?"
Bai Yuanshou stood up and walked two steps to Ye Panjiu. "Young Miss Ye, I am ignorant. What kind of meat is this braised dish made of?"
"You started by eating the pig's offal, intestines and stomach, and later you ate the pig's head," Ye Panjiu said without hiding anything.
Bai Yuanshou stroked his beard. "I never imagined these things could be made so delicious. There's always more to learn."
He then changed the subject, saying, "I'll offer ten taels of silver, hoping you can send a bucket of this braised food to the academy every day."
Sun and Ye Erniu both stared wide-eyed. What had they just heard?
Ten taels?!
Ye Panjiu hurriedly waved her hand, "Chief, this is too much. This bucket of braised food of mine can only sell for three taels of silver at most. Ten taels is too much."
Bai Yuanshou looked at Ye Panjiu with a smile. Such a character, without the slightest greed, how precious is honesty in the face of money.
"No, for me, even if I buy this braised food for ten taels, I'll still make a profit. Oh right, you can send it down the mountain, and I'll have someone bring it up. There are also people practicing martial arts at the academy."
Ye Panjiu wanted to lower the price further, but Headmaster Bai waved his hand, "Tomorrow, that's enough for today. Take your family to visit the academy."
Ye Panjiu hurriedly raised her hands and bowed to the head of the academy, saying, "Head of the academy, Panjiu has a request."
Bai Yuanshou quickly patted her shoulder gently, "Young Lady Ye, please stop bowing. Tell me."
“I have two daughters and a niece. The older one is 12 years old and her name is Ye Taohua. The younger one is 7 years old and her name is Ye Ling’er. My niece is 13 years old and her name is Ye Guihua. I want to send them to school to learn to read, write, and be polite, as well as the Six Arts for children. I wonder if the head of the academy can accept them?”
With his hands behind his back, Bai Yuanshou felt increasingly shocked by Ye Panjiu.
In the Great Liang Dynasty, men were respected, and women obeyed their fathers at home and their husbands after marriage. Girls' schools were rarely seen even in the capital.
But after living most of his life, his experiences clearly told him that many women were not inferior to men, and some were even exceptionally talented.
He now felt that Ye Panjiu was also an outstanding person, and that she had a long way to go and would certainly not end up like this.
"Very good, very good. From today onwards, Bailu Academy shall follow Miss Ye's advice and begin teaching girls what boys learn, including martial arts."
Ye Panjiu nodded firmly, "Martial arts should be the same."
Ye Ming stared blankly at Ye Panjiu, only now truly witnessing the breadth of his aunt's insight.
After the initial surprise came a strong sense of pride—this was his aunt!
Ye Daniu remained silent. He didn't think there was anything wrong with his younger sister wanting Guihua to study.
Sun was stunned, feeling as if the two were talking to beings from another world.
Women learning martial arts?
Looking at Ye Panjiu, Ye Erniu felt that his little sister was radiant.
"Then let's wait and see!" Bai Yuanshou thought of his deceased mother. If his mother were still alive, she would surely feel an overwhelming sense of kinship with Miss Ye.
He walked back to the table, knelt down, and waved to Ye Ming.
Ye Ming bowed, and the group walked outside.
Ye Panjiu was last.
“Young Lady Ye, the money for Bailu Academy was all given by Su Yan.”
The head of the White House spoke in a low voice.
Ye Panjiu smiled and returned the greeting, "I've got it."
After saying that, he left.
Bai Yuanshou picked up his wine and drank it, watching her retreating figure.
It would be perfect for her to be my apprentice's wife; I just don't know if that kid Su Yan has the ability.
Ye Panjiu turned her head and saw Ye Ming sandwiched between Sun Shi and Ye Erniu.
The couple each took one of his arms.
Ye Erniu looked at him with concern, "Son, you ate braised food in such a hurry, did you not eat well at the academy?"
Madam Sun spoke urgently, "Ming'er, were you bullied at the academy? Who bullied you? I'll help you get revenge!"
Ye Panjiu: "..."
Second sister-in-law, do you want to hear what you're saying?
Ye Ming shook his head. "Mom and Dad, don't worry. I'm doing great here. I've lost weight because I'm focused on catching up on the schedule."
Hearing this, Ye Panjiu felt a little guilty and patted Ye Ming on the shoulder, "Ming'er, you understand the principle of forcing growth. Your health is the most important thing. Don't be too hasty."
Ye Ming smiled and said, "Don't worry, Auntie, I know what I'm doing."
“We bought a shop in the county, with two rooms in the backyard. If you have time, go home and visit more often,” Ye Panjiu said.
A gleam flashed in Ye Ming's eyes, "We actually have a home in the county now!"
Mrs. Sun nodded repeatedly, "Look how excited this child is! We're still setting up a stall in town. Your aunt is so good at business. I bet she'll have a home everywhere sooner or later!"
Ye Ming was very happy. "I also think my aunt is good at business. This is the academy's dining hall. There is meat in every meal. The senior brother said that we must not study on an empty stomach."
As Ye Panjiu watched, she couldn't help but wonder if Su Yan had ever studied on an empty stomach.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
