It was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month again, and Yaer got up early in the morning.
She washed up in a hurry, changed into her best clothes and ran out.
"Nianzhi, where are you going? Aren't you going to have breakfast?" Her roommate called her from behind.
Yes, her name is Chen Nianzhi now, and it was the name given to her by the headmaster, Madam Lu.
Shen Nianzhi took out the sesame seed cake he had brought back yesterday and shook it, saying, “I’ll just eat this!”
She said and ran towards the hall.
Nowadays, the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month every year has become the fixed day for girls to start their studies.
This year, a total of twelve people have successfully graduated and can leave the girls' school to find jobs and make a living on their own.
So today, not only will the senior sisters who have gone out to work in previous years come back to share their experience of going out to work with everyone, but the princess will also come to give them their independent household registration.
Shen Nianzhi heard that the princess would have a particularly important announcement today.
So she didn't even have breakfast, planning to go to the lobby early to get a good seat.
She ran to the hall and found that she was not the only one who thought so. Several people were already sitting in the front row eating.
Shen Nianzhi quickly found a seat in the second row and sat down, chewing the sesame cakes he brought with him.
The little girl next to her was very kind and asked her if she wanted some water.
After they finished their food, other people who had finished breakfast came over one after another, and soon the hall was full.
The ceremony began soon.
Today we invited two students who graduated from the Women's School back.
One of them is now the shopkeeper of a medicine shop in Beijing. Her boss admires her meticulousness and ability to keep accounts.
The other one has been working outside for two years and has now saved some capital to open a small shop.
Both of them have long paid off the IOUs they signed to their parents and now live on their own.
“You don’t have to worry about not being able to find a job after leaving the girls’ school, or having no money to live on at the beginning.
“The senior sisters who left the girls’ school two years ago are now doing well outside, and many employers have seen the advantages of us girls being shopkeepers and accountants.
“In addition to working in the store, I can also work as a teacher in other people’s homes and teach children.
"Most of the jobs come with food and accommodation. If we can't find a suitable job right away, the princess will provide us with free accommodation for the first year.
"So everyone really doesn't need to worry at all. You must make the most of your time at the girls' school and learn as many skills as possible. This is the foundation for your future life."
Looking at the senior sisters who were talking on the stage, Shen Nianzhi listened attentively.
If all goes well, she will leave the girls' school and start living on her own by this time next year.
All the experiences shared by her senior sisters were very valuable to her, and made her look forward to her future life even more.
After the two senior sisters finished speaking, Dean Lu came on stage to preside over the ceremony.
The princess personally sent the household registrations to the twelve people who were going on the expedition this year.
Shen Nianzhi still remembered that among them was an older sister who came to the girls' school with her.
Her body was covered with bruises from the beatings she received then, but now she has grown into a beautiful woman with bright eyes and a kind look, without any trace of the pitiful look of panic and fear she had back then.
The moment they received the household register from the princess, many people couldn't help but have tears in their eyes.
In the end, the twelve people hugged each other and cried.
All these years are thanks to the women's school.
Although everyone living here has to take care of themselves, they also have to learn to make their own clothes after studying. People living in the same room also have to take turns fetching water and cleaning.
But no one complained at all. Even some older girls would rush to do more and take care of the younger children.
Compared to the days at home where they have to work from the moment they open their eyes to the moment they go to bed, the girls' school is a better place for them that they never dared to dream of before.
Especially when the few people who left in the first year actually received the household register with only their names written on it from the princess, the enthusiasm of all the remaining people to study became even higher.
The teachers don’t have to worry about the girls who come here not studying hard. Instead, they often have to dissuade them because they study too hard.
But everyone knows that this is their only chance to take control of their own lives. If they learn more in the girls' school, they will have more capital after graduation.
At this moment, the people on the stage were crying, and the people below were also deeply moved.
Shen Nianzhi quietly wiped away the tears that had flowed down her face with her sleeve, looking forward to her future life.
I heard before that the princess is interested in offering more courses, and if students have good grades or outstanding performance, they can stay in the girls' school to continue their studies.
Shen Nianzhi had always wanted to seize this opportunity, and he didn’t know whether the princess would announce this matter today.
After the ceremony, Madam Lu signaled everyone to take a break before moving on to the next item.
The hall instantly became lively. Shen Nianzhi did not discuss what to do in the future with the classmates around him. Instead, he stood up and ran behind the screen. He found the senior student he had shared with everyone before, smiled and hugged her and said, “Sister Qin, you are too mean. You didn’t tell me you were coming back today when we met a few days ago.
"I was shocked when I saw you go on stage just now!"
Sister Qin reached out and pinched Shen Nianzhi’s nose and said, “Isn’t this just to give you a surprise!”
"This is such a surprise!" Shen Nianzhi said excitedly, "I didn't know you were ready to open your own store!
"You work hard, and when I become a master, I will come to help you, okay?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Sister Qin smiled mysteriously and said, "It's too early for you to say that.
"I'll tell you in secret, the princess will announce some very good news in a moment.
"Then tell me if you want to work for me."
Shen Nianzhi seemed to understand what she said, but although he didn't know what the princess was going to announce, he could no longer contain his excitement.
After letting everyone rest for a while, Madam Lu took the stage again to preside over the situation. She said, "Alright, everyone, be quiet and return to your seats. The princess has something to announce."
“A year from now, I will sail to the West and take some students with me to broaden my horizons.
“Anyone who has left a girls’ school or is currently attending a girls’ school can sign up.
“But in the next year, you will need to learn one more Western language than others, and you will also need to pass several tests. Only those who meet the requirements can set off with me to the West.
"After today's ceremony, anyone interested can directly contact Principal Lu to register."
As soon as these words were spoken, the lobby exploded.
Although Shen Nianzhi was mentally prepared, he still widened his eyes in shock, with a longing light in his eyes.
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