Chapter 119's condition is that Xiao Ran be taught to read.
Old Zhang was in tears, "Miss Jiang, how much are these glasses? We'll buy them."
He knew that the items sold in Miss Jiang's shop were all quite valuable.
Even if it means going bankrupt, he's determined to buy these glasses.
Jiang Ling waved her hand, "This thing isn't worth much money, Uncle Zhang, just take it."
These glasses were secondhand anyway, and would have been just sitting in the warehouse as junk; Jiang Ling had no intention of selling them.
However, Old Zhang was unusually insistent.
“Miss Jiang, we, your uncle and nephew, will never forget your great kindness! But these glasses… are truly invaluable! They’ve practically given Chengze a second chance to study and take the imperial examinations! We absolutely cannot take them for nothing! If you don’t accept the money, we… we would feel really bad, and we wouldn’t feel at ease wearing these glasses!”
He knew the principle of not accepting rewards without merit, and he didn't want to take advantage of Miss Jiang for nothing.
This also takes into account the future ownership of the glasses. Only by buying them with real money can they truly own them and use them with peace of mind.
Fu Chengze had by then recovered from his great surprise.
On this point, he also agreed with his uncle's words.
Being able to rediscover this clear world, which I had lost, is all thanks to Miss Jiang's kindness.
He immediately bowed deeply, his tone extremely solemn:
“Miss Jiang, your kindness is like a second life! My uncle is absolutely right. If I cannot repay such a rare treasure, I, Chengze, will feel ashamed and uneasy! I beg you, Miss Jiang, to grant my request!”
His scholarly integrity and self-respect made it impossible for him to accept such a generous gift with ease.
He knew better than anyone what those glasses meant to him!
Jiang Ling couldn't persuade them otherwise. If she didn't offer a price today, they were afraid they would just stand guard outside the shop and refuse to leave.
But I don't know how to offer a price, and I'm having a hard time.
Suddenly, her gaze swept over Xiao Ran, who was standing to the side.
After a moment's thought, she smiled and said, "Uncle Zhang, Young Master Fu, how about this? I'll lend you these glasses for now. The autumn examinations are over now, and I'm sure Young Master Fu doesn't have anything urgent to do. Why don't you stay in our Jishui Village and teach Xiao Ran to read and write when you have some free time?"
It won't take too long, just three months, two hours a day. He doesn't need profound knowledge, just enough to begin his literacy and understanding of the world. Consider it payment for the glasses, how about that?"
There wasn't much work in the shop, and it had been cleaned several times already, but Xiao Ran was still looking for work all day long.
Watching Xiao Ran working tirelessly while he sat leisurely at the counter in a daze, she seemed like a landlord exploiting peasants.
Jiang Ling then thought of arranging something else for him.
Xiao Ran had shown her thirst for knowledge more than once, and Jiang Ling had noticed it all.
He simply couldn't find anyone in the village suitable to teach him.
With Fu Chengze around now, things are just right.
She didn't really expect to teach him to become a scholar; she just wanted him to be able to recognize all the characters.
She paused, then looked at Xiao Ran, "Xiao Ran, would you like to learn to read from Young Master Fu?"
Xiao Ran was initially happy that Young Master Fu could see clearly, but upon hearing this news, she could hardly believe her ears.
"Really? Sister Jiang! I can learn to read from Young Master Fu?... I'm willing! I'm a hundred times willing!"
He looked at Fu Chengze with excitement, his face filled with undisguised admiration and anticipation.
When this suggestion was made, both Old Zhang and Fu Chengze were stunned.
They were worried that Jiang Ling would ask for a price they couldn't afford, and they were prepared to sell everything they owned, but they never expected such a kind offer!
Teaching children to read is not a difficult task for a scholar like Fu Chengze; it can even be considered a respectable and leisurely job.
Not only can they repay kindness in a dignified way, but they can also have something to do during this adjustment period so as not to waste their time, and they can truly integrate into the village.
Old Zhang was so excited he was almost incoherent, "This...how could I possibly take such a big advantage of Miss Jiang again! It's such a small thing as teaching a child to read..."
Fu Chengze knew in his heart that Miss Jiang was helping them in an extremely tactful way.
Without further hesitation, he bowed deeply:
"Chengze will obey your instructions, young lady. I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"
That's how it's settled.
Xiao Ran was so happy he almost jumped for joy. He ran up to Fu Chengze and bowed respectfully as well.
"Student Xiao Ran greets teacher!"
His childish actions amused everyone.
Fu Chengze patted him on the shoulder: "You are my first student, and I will definitely teach you everything I know."
Afterwards, Jiang Ling taught them how to maintain and clean their glasses.
They also explained that the lenses were made of glass and that we should be especially careful not to break them, because once they broke, they were gone forever.
Actually, it wouldn't be difficult for her to get a few more pairs of glasses, but since they're not from this era, she should take better care of them.
The box and eyeglass cloth were also handed to them.
We agreed that I would come to teach Xiaoran every afternoon from Shenshi (3-5 PM) to Youshi (5-7 PM).
Starting tomorrow.
After seeing off Old Zhang and Fu Chengze, Xiao Ran was still immersed in joy and couldn't pull herself out of it.
Happiness came so suddenly that he felt like he was dreaming!
He had longed for this for a long time, and whenever he saw scholars picking up their pens to write, composing poems, or exchanging verses, he felt extremely envious.
But he knew his family's circumstances well and never dared to ask his parents for help, let alone imagine that Sister Jiang would find someone to teach him to read!
Xiao Ran bowed deeply to Jiang Ling, "Sister Jiang, I will never forget your great kindness! I will definitely study hard and work diligently to repay your great kindness!"
Jiang Ling couldn't help but laugh at his precocious manner and teased him:
"He's already become so bookish before he's even started studying? Looks like he's a promising student."
She also had her own selfish reasons for teaching Xiaoran to read.
After all, Xiao Ran was the only employee in the shop, and she didn't intend to let him do cleaning and sweeping work forever.
If the shop needs to keep accounts or write documents in the future, or needs to correspond with others, it will be necessary to be literate.
As they were talking, a clear sound of horses' hooves came from outside the shop, growing louder as they approached, and the sound of reining in the horses rang out at the doorway.
Jiang Ling and Xiao Ran looked in the direction of the sound and saw Lu Qian just reining in his horse at the shop entrance and dismounting.
Behind him came Li Hong, who had also arrived on horseback.
Lu Qian's face showed obvious worry. He didn't even bother to straighten his slightly disheveled robes from riding so fast, and he strode to the shop entrance in a few steps.
His gaze swept eagerly across the shop, locking onto Jiang Ling. He quickly looked her over from head to toe, and seeing that she was unharmed, his worry and anxiety finally vanished.
My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
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