"Sister-in-law, this Li family is the Li family from the Li Family Workshop in Shao County. This year, the Li family produced a scholar who passed the imperial examination. He was born in the same year as Lin Can and was recently invited by Lin Can to come and visit."
"It's his family? The Li family presented the tofu recipe and also researched the breeding, transplanting, and ratooning of rice. They were bestowed with a plaque by the Emperor. It seems that a ninth-rank official also came from his family."
Her sister-in-law was somewhat taken aback. So this was the Li family. In the entire Ning'an Prefecture, who wouldn't have heard of them?
“It is his family, sister-in-law. I heard from my aunt that last year, Li was looking everywhere for a female tutor to enlighten the girls in the family.”
Young Master Li happened to be a guest at the Lin residence, so Lin Can and his aunt acted as matchmakers for us.
"My aunt summoned me today because the young master of the Li family wanted to test my knowledge."
"I see. My sister is indeed very knowledgeable. When will they come to visit? We should prepare some things for them."
Knowing whose family it was, Lin Shu's sister-in-law finally felt relieved.
She really didn't want Lin Shu to stay at home, but she also couldn't let her be taken away by some unknown family.
"It should be tomorrow."
Remarkably, the conflict between the two women, aunt and sister-in-law, was completely resolved today with this contract.
"Don't blame me, that's just how the world is. I also have to think about your niece's future."
"You were divorced like this, your reputation is already bad, and you won't marry or enter a nunnery. I can't bear it, and neither can your niece. Words in this world can kill."
Lin Shu's sister-in-law remained silent for a long time before finally apologizing.
"Sister-in-law, I know."
Bearing the stigma of being a jinx to her husband, she was divorced by his family. In the years since she returned to her parents' home, her sister-in-law has done everything she could for her.
She is still young, but she is unwilling to remarry. The rumors behind her back are getting more and more hurtful. She can hide at home, but her family has to suffer along with her.
Lin Shu had her moments of anger and resentment, but what good did it do?
Just like my sister-in-law said, that's how the world is.
Fortunately, she found another path.
She will not remarry, nor will she need her brother and sister-in-law to support her. In the days to come, she will rely on her knowledge, do what she loves, and live a good life.
The day after Li Qingyao and the others received the reply, Liu Yun arrived in Changfeng County. She didn't go to the Lin family's house, but instead found an inn in the county to stay at.
Since it was a matter of hiring a female tutor, it was somewhat inappropriate for Li Qingyao and his group to go and make the invitation themselves. Liu Yun was the matriarch of the Li family, so it was naturally more appropriate for her to do it than for a few young men, and there would be no issues with etiquette.
As soon as Liu Yun arrived, he asked the inn's waiter to go to the Lin family's house to greet Li Qingyao and the others.
Having received the message, the children hurried over to pay their respects.
"Qingyao has already tested Lin Niangzi's knowledge. Her breadth of knowledge and erudition are comparable to those of men."
With Auntie involved, this matter should be settled.
"Luckily, Auntie came, otherwise we would have been quite stumped and worried that we might not have been polite enough."
"That's right!"
Several people were talking at once, and Liu Yun listened with a smile.
"This is a female tutor, which is very rare. Our family has been searching for half a year and we haven't found one. Now that we've finally found one, we must hold on to her tightly."
She only spoke after she had finished speaking.
The day she received the letter, she packed her things and set off for Changfeng County. She trusted Li Qingyao and the others. Since a letter had been sent, the teacher's knowledge must be excellent.
The next day, Liu Yun arrived at their door in a grand manner with his men.
The Lin family warmly welcomed them, and there were many clansmen outside watching the spectacle.
"Is this a marriage proposal? Which family are they?"
"It's not a marriage proposal, I heard they're going to the door to ask Lin Shu to be their tutor!"
"What female tutor?"
“He taught the women in his household to read and write.”
Why such a large-scale operation?
"It is said that if Lin Shuru is willing, her family will take care of her in her old age and provide for all her needs for food, drink and lodging."
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
In addition to the gifts for the Lin family, Liu Yun also prepared six extra gifts as a sign of respect for his teacher.
Lin Shu was quite shaken upon seeing it. The Li family truly valued her in every way, and Lin Shu signed the contract on the spot.
Once this contract is signed, one entrusts their entire life to the Li family.
Four people came, and six people left.
The day after signing the contract, Lin Shu went to Shaoguan County with the Li family.
Lin Shu's arrival was warmly welcomed by the women of the Li family, and Mo Qiaoniang had already prepared a room for Lin Shu at home.
The room was neither too big nor too small, and it even had a study, which was well-stocked with early childhood books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
The Li family's thoughtfulness was evident in all these small details, which put Lin Shu at ease.
On her second day at the Li family's house, Lin Shu began preparing her lessons diligently. The Li family had shown her immense kindness, and she had no way to repay them except by teaching, so she could properly enlighten the Li family's daughters.
The women of the Li family officially began to have teachers, and girls' education gradually got on the right track.
Lin Shu was indeed very talented. She taught several subjects every day. In the morning, she taught literacy and writing, and in the afternoon, she taught painting and music.
Aside from the mandatory morning classes, you only need to choose one of the two afternoon classes. It's incredibly cost-effective, but the schedule makes no sense in terms of rest time; it feels like you're teaching every single day.
Pan Jinhua felt sorry for Lin Shu and offered to work five days on and two days off to reduce her workload.
"...A balance is best. Our family will find some more tutors to ease your burden in the future. You've really worked hard these days."
"What are you saying, Madam? I'm not having a hard time. This life is already better than I could ever have."
“You are just a teacher, not an animal. You need to have your own time. Just listen to me.”
That's how Lin Shu was persuaded.
Lin Shu was very patient in her teaching, and she explained things in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The children, who were initially somewhat resistant to reading, immediately started listening.
Before they knew it, it was time for Li Qingruo's wedding day.
Gao Chuan hadn't expected his future wife to come from such a wealthy family, but he didn't underestimate himself. He was simply determined to marry her into the family in the best possible way.
Madam Gao was unhappy because she felt she had been deceived. She wouldn't do anything to ruin the wedding, but she certainly wouldn't put in much effort. If the mistress of the house wasn't dedicated, the servants below would slack off.
Gao Chuan could only put in more effort and do his best to make the wedding a success.
The Li family home was decorated in festive red—bright red lanterns, bright red couplets sprinkled with gold, and firecrackers popping incessantly.
Everyone in Lijia Village knew that Li's daughter had been married off.
Amidst the joyous celebrations, Li Qingruo was carried onto the bridal sedan chair by Li Qingduan, thus leaving the Li family.
At this moment, people were not yet feeling particularly sad.
Li Family Village is too far from the prefectural city. After the bridal sedan chair goes to the prefectural city, we will have to come here again.
The Li family had already decorated the house under Li Qingruo's name and moved in beds and furniture.
This house was intended for the young couple to move into after the family divided their property, and the formal wedding ceremony would also take place here.
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