As the mother of several children, Qin San Niang got up early in the morning and got ready. She not only put on her neat clothes, but also took out a silver hairpin with a begonia pattern and put it on her head to show that she was different today.
"Big brother, little brother, did you two bring your schoolbags? And bring your sister's schoolbag too. Also, bring your stools; there aren't any at school!"
Yesterday, the village headman beat drums and announced that the school was being built rather hastily, so any child who wanted to attend should bring their own stool—any kind of stool, chair, or folding stool would do! The priority was to ensure the children had a place to sit. In a few days, once the carpenters had finished making the stools, they could take them home. This was just a temporary measure!
They already don't have enough stools at home. If the kids take them to school, are the adults supposed to sit cross-legged on the muddy floor? Once the new house is built, they'll definitely need to order new furniture, and then they'll make a set of desks and chairs that the kids can use.
For now, let's just make do with a small stool. This stool was made by Old Han. She's a real gem; there's almost nothing she can't do. Old ginger is spicier!
Seeing that several of Liu's grandsons were able to attend school, Old Madam Han was filled with envy. She didn't expect her granddaughter to be literate, but if her own precious grandson could go to school, it would be an incredible stroke of luck! She also learned from Liu that the refined scholar in the long gown living in the courtyard was the teacher. Seeing his upright demeanor, she was so excited she didn't know what to do with her hands…
Upon seeing this, Liu understood everything. She then asked He Yingyuan if children from other villages could also come to study.
Who is He Yingyuan? He's a shrewd man! Hearing Liu's words and seeing how Old Han has been these past few days, he guessed that it must be her child who wants to study here.
Originally, Old Man Wang's village was not within the student's catchment area, but He Yingyuan was the only teacher at the school, so he could make the decision on this matter! He then told Liu that if Old Man Wang's grandson wanted to come to school, he could make an exception and admit him.
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Han was so excited that she didn't know what to do with her hands! She thanked him tremblingly, "Thank you, scholar, on behalf of my husband and grandson! Oh, this is wonderful!"
This person, who is usually very eloquent, was now crying tears of joy and didn't know how to express her gratitude!
Liu was happy for her, and even more proud that the scholar had given her face! Back in her hometown, probably only the village head could get students into school!
When Qin Sanniang returned to the school for the first time, she looked around and realized that this place was really nice! The village head was extremely dedicated!
The school was located at the east end of the village, surrounded by several houses not far away, ensuring both safety and a degree of privacy. There were five rooms in a row, presumably intended to house students of different ages or to entertain guests. Later, I learned from He Yingyuan that some of them were kitchens, and others were the teachers' rest rooms, etc.
The environment in the yard is also very nice, surrounded by a fence that is as tall as a person, and a circle of bamboo is planted along the fence. When the wind blows, it creates a different kind of atmosphere!
There was a stone table and benches in the courtyard, and a pear tree planted beside it, which He Xiucai had bought himself. The village head quickly tried to stop him, fearing he was spending too much money. He, however, thought it shouldn't be too conspicuous; otherwise, he might plant more flowers and plants—the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo, and plum) were a must…
There's no way to compare people; this guy just knows how to enjoy life!
Qin San Niang sighed. "Ah, comparisons are odious!" she thought. "Oh well, once her house is built, I'll tidy up the yard and enjoy a peaceful life!"
After dropping the kids off at school, everyone instantly felt a sense of peace and quiet! Ah, what a joyous welcome to liberation! Qin San Niang sighed, finally understanding why her best friend was so excited after sending her child to kindergarten! Kids are good, but their noise is bad for their health!
Thinking about it this way, she felt a little sorry for He Yingyuan. At home, she had to listen to the children making noise, and when she went to school, she still had to listen to the children making noise. No wonder she had to make the environment better, otherwise it would be easy for her to feel unhappy!
Old Wang and others were working hard on the construction site, and in another half month, the house would be almost finished!
"Huh? Why are all the Chen family members from Shiligou late today?"
"Hey, those who arrived late are all families with kids. They'll only be a little late, they'll be right there!"
"Children? They have to take care of the kids? What are the wives for?" a man asked, probably surprised. The man was out earning money, and the wife was supposed to stay at home taking care of the children and doing housework. Otherwise, how could the man work in peace?
"Brother, you may not know this, but today our village school is opening. How could those who have become fathers not go and see it?"
"What did you say? A new school has opened in Shiligou?" Wang Tiezhu asked. His youngest son was three years old this year. Although there was a school in the neighboring village, the teacher was very arrogant and did not accept children from other villages. Besides, the tuition was not low.
"Yes, everyone knows the teacher at this school. He's our master, Scholar He! I heard he's no ordinary scholar; he's the top scholar who passed the imperial examination! He's the pride of heaven who came in first place, and his knowledge is top-notch! Families from several surrounding villages are planning to send their children to study here! They're all close friends with our village head!"
"I never imagined we'd be building a house for such a learned man! If Scholar He passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi, this will be his ancestral home! Ah, thinking about it, we really have to build it well; it's such an honor!" one of the men said, his eyes filled with longing.
Old Wang had many thoughts on his mind. Although he only had one grandson now, he believed that he would have more in the future!
My grandson is definitely intelligent. If he could go to school, even if he's not good at taking the imperial examinations, he could learn more characters and become an accountant or something similar. It's much better than being a peasant or a farmer for the rest of his life, isn't it? He Xiucai and Madam Qin should have a good relationship. It was Madam Qin who came to ask me to build a house. I wonder if I could try to persuade her to help me get a place for my grandson.
From this perspective, it's clear that Old Man Wang and his wife genuinely care about their children and grandchildren! If Aunt Qin knew, she would definitely say, "Your grandson won't be able to go to school for another three or four years, there's no need to rush!" But for Old Man Wang and his wife, this opportunity won't come again!
As the weather warms up, the men have all taken off their cotton-padded coats and put on thin clothes, and they don't feel cold at all!
Wang Tieniu excitedly approached his father and handed him a bamboo tube of water, which Old Han had just brought over.
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