Chapter 434 A Female Teacher Arrives at the School
The emperor has aged considerably lately because of the affair involving the fake empress and the fake crown prince.
Alone in the palace, he often thought about the past, but hearing about Du Wanchun today made him feel much happier.
He laughed and said, "The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhou family is really capable."
Suddenly, Eunuch Zhang blurted out, "Yes, it would be wonderful if His Highness the Crown Prince could find such a Crown Princess."
The emperor's smile froze on his face.
Eunuch Zhang quickly changed his tune, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't worry, we will find a way to locate them."
The emperor sighed and slowly rose. "After searching for so many years without success, I think they probably don't want to see me."
Zhang Gonggong followed behind him with his head down, without replying.
However, he was unaware that the emperor's gaze towards him had long since changed.
Within Cheng'an County, Zhou Ruiyuan severely punished the Lu and Ding families, and not only that, he also expelled them from Qingzhou Prefecture.
After this incident, not only did no one in the other villages dare to do such a thing, but they also cooperated by delivering the harvested rice to the Zhou family.
After Du Wanchun gave them money, they were able to buy cotton, coats, and charcoal to get through the winter.
As the weather gets colder and winter approaches, Du Wanchun's belly is gradually getting bigger, and it looks slightly protruding.
Little Mianmian often circled around Du Wanchun, saying, "Mommy~ Let me hear it~ Let me hear it~"
She really enjoyed lying on Du Wanchun's stomach and listening.
After listening for a while, she looked up and smiled at Du Wanchun, saying, "I heard the little brother's voice."
Aunt Zhou came in from outside carrying a bowl of bird's nest soup and said with a smile, "Little Mianmian, did you really hear your little brother's voice?"
Little Mianmian nodded earnestly, "Yes, I heard you."
Aunt Zhou took it as a joke; the baby in Du Wanchun's belly was only a tiny bit big, how could it possibly be talking?
Little Mianmian continued to lie on Du Wanchun's belly and listen, becoming happier and happier with each listen.
Du Wanchun gently stroked Xiao Mianmian's hair, her face full of tender smiles.
Zhou Ruiyuan has been coming home very early every day these days. He returned just after noon today, carrying Du Wanchun's favorite pastries.
"Wanchun." Zhou Ruiyuan put down what he was holding and quickly asked her, "How are you feeling today?"
Du Wanchun smiled and said, "The same as always."
Zhou Ruiyuan felt a little relieved, then took out a few small sugar figurines from his pocket and handed them to Xiaomianmian, Yi'er, and Yu'er.
Little Mianmian took the sugar figurine and said with a smile, "Daddy is so good!"
Zhou Ruiyuan reached out and gently flicked the tip of Xiao Mianmian's nose, then smiled and asked, "Xiao Mianmian, why didn't you go to school today?"
Little Mianmian took a bite of the sugar figurine in her hand and replied obediently, "Fifth Uncle said that a new doctor will be coming in a few days."
Zhou Quan has been busy helping Zhou Ruiyuan manage affairs these days, and the school has been somewhat neglected, so he plans to hire another teacher.
After hearing this, Zhou Ruiyuan patted the back of Xiao Mianmian's head and said, "Then you must listen to Mr. Xin's words carefully."
Little Mianmian smiled and replied, "I know, Daddy."
Seeing them talking, Du Wanchun got up to take away the bowl of bird's nest she had finished eating.
Zhou Ruiyuan saw this and immediately stood up to take it from his hands. "Wanchun, you sit down first, let me do these."
Du Wanchun didn't hold a grudge against him and handed him the bowl in her hand, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, husband."
After Zhou Ruiyuan took the bowl, he turned and went to the kitchen.
Little Mianmian immediately followed.
Lord Zhou, who usually appears serious, is a devoted father to his daughter and wife every day when he comes home.
When the yamen runners occasionally came to the Zhou residence, they would be startled by Lord Zhou's appearance.
The following day, Zhou Ruiyuan personally escorted Xiao Mianmian, Yi'er, and Yu'er to school.
Yi'er and Yu'er were taller, one wearing a dark blue long gown and the other wearing a light green long gown. At a glance, they were clearly young masters from wealthy families.
Yi'er was calm and composed. In school, she always sat at the back and listened attentively to the lessons.
Yu'er and Xiaomianmian sat in front of him.
Whenever he sees someone bullying Yu'er and Xiaomianmian, he immediately stands up and throws the book in his hand away.
So no one dared to bully them in the school.
Moreover, Zhou Ruiyuan would sometimes personally bring them here.
Within Cheng'an County, who would dare offend the county magistrate's child again?
Not long after Xiao Mianmian and the others sat down, the new gentleman arrived.
They were all taken aback when they saw the woman holding a book and wearing a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
It turns out the gentleman was a woman.
There has never been a female teacher in Cheng'an County.
Xiao Mianmian and Yi'er found it very strange.
This lady's surname is Qu, and she is the youngest daughter of Lord Qu from the capital.
Miss Qu and Zhou Quan were old acquaintances in Beijing. Recently, she ran away from her arranged marriage and came here. Zhou Quan asked her to temporarily work as a female tutor here.
Miss Qu is beautiful and tall, and her every move exudes the air of a scholar.
She was not intimidated by the children's surprise, but instead called the students to read together as usual.
Perhaps it was because she looked kind that Xiao Mianmian and Yi'er and Yu'er both liked her very much.
The three children, who usually don't study with their teacher much, were very well-behaved today.
Unlike the other children, who were completely uncooperative.
Two of these children come from prominent families in Cheng'an County.
One was the grandson of Master Liu, and the other was the grandson of Master Zhang.
The two were about the same age, arrogant and mischievous.
Not only were the two of them uncooperative, but they also shouted at Mr. Qu, "I don't want a female teacher! I don't want a female teacher! I don't want a woman to teach me!"
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