Jiang Huaiyu gently handed the exquisite hairpin to Xie Wenyin's palm.
Xie Wenying held the hairpin, her face filled with shock. "You really want to give me this hairpin?"
"Could it be that you still have doubts?" Jiang Huaiyu asked with a hint of doting in her voice.
Xie Wenying no longer hesitated, and happily inserted the hairpin into her hair bun, reluctantly saying "Thank you."
Witnessing this scene, Madam Yang shook her head repeatedly but said nothing, secretly thinking to herself, "My sister-in-law is so generous."
Wearing a hairpin, Xie Wenyin stepped into Bai Qishi's room with a radiant expression.
Jiang Huaiyu stared at her retreating figure, a faint sadness flashing in his eyes.
After several days of waiting.
The old village chief personally led the villagers to set up the private school in an orderly manner, and then invited Jiang Huaiyu to inspect it and ask if any facilities needed to be added.
The private school is located in the town center. Although the courtyard is not large, the school building inside is spacious and bright.
Upon entering the school, Jiang Huaiyu was greeted by dozens of neatly arranged tables and chairs, with portraits of many sages hanging on the walls on both sides.
She smiled and gently shook her head, "The old village chief has already taken meticulous care of this place, there's no need to add anything more."
The old village chief stroked his beard, a satisfied smile on his face. "Then, let me discuss the details of the tuition fee with you."
"Back when Scholar Zhang was in office, the students paid their tuition with only a peck of coarse rice and two ounces of silver per month. This rule still continues to this day. What do you think, my dear wife?"
Admittedly, the fee was not generous, but Jiang Huaiyu never had any intention of getting rich from it.
“The ancients did so, and I have no objection to that.”
The old village chief nodded slightly, but a hint of hesitation crept onto his face. "However, there is one more thing..."
"Please speak frankly."
The old village chief smiled apologetically. “Although I have announced to everyone that I have decided to hire you as the new teacher of the private school, there has never been a precedent of a woman holding this position in the town, so people inevitably have some doubts. Therefore, the villagers have suggested that you conduct a trial teaching session for half a month first, during which time… no tuition fees will be provided.”
"But please rest assured, if the villagers are satisfied with your teaching, they will definitely make up for all the missed lessons later."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled gently, "I understand, that's understandable."
The old village chief nodded upon hearing this, and sighed, saying, "Yujing's wife, with your knowledge and intelligence, you would certainly be more than capable of serving as a teacher. However, this request is somewhat unfair to you."
"It's alright, there's nothing to worry about."
The two then discussed some specific matters in detail.
...
Bai Yujing stepped into the house, only to find it empty; Jiang Huaiyu had vanished without a trace.
Upon inquiry, he learned that she had already gone to the private school. After a brief conversation with Bai Qishi, he strolled alone to his study.
In his study, he held a book in his hands, flipping through it as he quietly waited for his wife to return.
More than half a month has passed, and he can't help but feel a little nostalgic. Even when he's reading, he can't help but be absent-minded.
Bai Yujing wore a faint smile, secretly wondering if she would like the jade plum blossom hairpin.
After all, this was the first time he had given a gift to a woman outside his family, and this woman was none other than his newlywed wife.
That day, he was wandering the streets when his eyes were drawn to this jade hairpin.
He felt that the hairpin was as warm and smooth as jade, clear and transparent, just like the first glimpse he had of her when he saw her at the Bai family's door.
At that time, he had just returned from the county town, weary from his journey, while she stood quietly in the crowd.
Everyone was chatting and laughing, their expressions varied, but she alone appeared calm and composed, her red wedding dress making her resemble a solitary and upright plum blossom in the cold winter.
She looks like a winter plum blossom, but her personality is like this piece of jade—gentle, kind, and refreshing.
Therefore, Bai Yujing immediately fell in love with the hairpin and, without hesitation, used her saved allowance to bring it home.
He thought to himself, "Such exquisite jewelry, she must love it so much."
Whenever Bai Yujing recalls the sweet moments of his early marriage, a happy smile involuntarily spreads across his face.
Suddenly, the study door was slowly pushed open, and Xie Wenyin walked in with light steps.
She carried a round jar in her hands, a warm smile on her face, and slowly walked over. "Cousin Yujing, this is mung bean paste that I carefully made this morning. It's been soaking in the well all morning in this jar. It's refreshing and delicious right now. Please have a bowl to cool off."
Bai Yujing snapped out of her reverie, still holding the book in her hands, and said softly, "Let's put it here for now, I'll enjoy it later."
Xie Wenying gently put down the bowl, but didn't leave immediately. She gazed at Bai Yujing, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, "Cousin Yujing, you've lost so much weight in this county town with no one to take care of you!"
Bai Yujing smiled and shook her head.
"I can take care of myself. Besides, it's normal to lose weight in the hot summer with a poor appetite."
Xie Wenying pouted slightly, "Cousin Yujing, it's almost the same for you whether you've married or not! She's enjoying delicious food at home, while you're suffering here..."
Bai Yujing was displeased upon hearing this and said seriously, "How can my going out to study be considered suffering? Huaiyu is also working hard at home. Wenyin, don't talk nonsense."
Seeing his solemn expression, Xie Wenying couldn't help but feel a strange sense of resentment.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
