Yan Qingqing was very happy that Li Xiangkang had gained the master's approval, and then handed the apprenticeship gift to Master Lin.
Master Lin noticed that Yan Qingqing had two extra catties of "Flipped Red" besides the meat and pastries. This stuff wasn't cheap. He had eaten it once or twice before, and it was indeed delicious, but his monthly allowance was limited, so he couldn't eat it often.
Master Lin said somewhat embarrassedly, "How can I accept such a valuable gift?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "This is our token of our appreciation. Please accept it, Master Lin. We hope you will take good care of this child at the academy in the future."
Master Lin immediately said that Li Xiangkang was a smart child and that he would definitely take good care of him.
Seeing that everything was settled, Yan Qingqing paid two taels of silver as tuition before taking her leave with Li Xiangkang.
As soon as they stepped out of Xifeng Academy, Li Xiangkang asked in a low voice, "Mother, why didn't you tell Master Lin that this 'Flipped Red' was made by our family?"
Yan Qingqing glanced at him and smiled, "The teacher didn't ask either."
Li Xiangkang muttered under his breath, "That's true."
This silly child is still too young. If they really told him, would that show their sincerity?
Li Xiangkang asked again in a low voice, "Mother, did I do well in front of the teacher just now?"
Yan Qingqing pinched his little face and said, "You're doing great. Look at how much you've practiced at home yesterday."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangkang replied with a grin, "Isn't that what Mother said about not fighting a battle unprepared? I was just afraid of getting nervous."
Li Xiangkang had practiced those lines with several of his older brothers and sisters yesterday, which is why he was able to speak so smoothly today.
They waited for a short while at the entrance of Xifeng Academy before Li Xiang'an arrived in an oxcart to pick them up, a satisfied smile on his face.
As soon as Yan Qingqing and the others got into the car, Li Xiang'an said, "Today, Manager Xue and Manager Wang told me again that this little bit of goods is not enough to sell. If this continues, they will offend their old customers."
Yan Qingqing then asked in return, "So what's your opinion on this?"
Li Xiang'an replied, "They've attracted countless customers by using the 'Flip Red' potion we have at home. If it were available to everyone, it wouldn't be anything special. This is what Mother always calls 'hunger marketing'."
I told them that even if we increase the quantity later, it won't be by much.
Yan Qingqing nodded in agreement. Although she had promised Manager Xue that she would increase the quantity for them after the Mid-Autumn Festival, she would not increase it too much, because Yan Qingqing had her own plans for the braised offal.
Currently, three restaurants in the county sell their "Flipped Red" (a type of fruit), with a stable supply of about 150 jin (75 kg). Therefore, Yan Qingqing's family has a fixed income of four or five taels of silver every day.
Their "reverse red" dishes often sell out as soon as they are delivered to the restaurant.
Many people who crave this dish need to make reservations with the restaurant in advance.
In addition, Yan Qingqing and her family occasionally take on odd jobs, so they still have an income of two hundred taels of silver per month.
She's quite far along in her pregnancy now, so she doesn't plan to do anything too strenuous before giving birth.
The mother and her two children chatted as they drove the oxcart, heading straight for the Ink Treasure Studio because Li Xiangkang had been admitted to Xifeng Academy.
According to Yan Qingqing, Mobaozhai is the largest stationery shop in Chengyang County, which not only sells stationery but also various kinds of books.
As soon as Yan Qingqing and her companions entered the shop, a young shop assistant greeted them warmly, smiling and saying, "Madam and young master, please come in. What would you like to order? I can give you a detailed introduction."
Yan Qingqing didn't really know much about these writing implements, so she said, "My son will be going to study at the academy after autumn. Please pick out a few things that beginners will need."
The young shop assistant nodded and led Yan Qingqing and the others to an area, saying, "Young master, you've just started school, so you don't need to use the best paper, ink, or inkstone. Just make sure you use a good pen, so it will help you practice writing beautiful characters in the future."
Yan Qingqing nodded, agreeing with the young shopkeeper. Although her family had some spare money, it wasn't enough to buy a good inkstone.
Finally, on the shop assistant's recommendation, Yan Qingqing chose an inkstone, an ink stick, a ream of ordinary paper, a stack of Xuan paper, and two wolf-hair brushes. These items alone cost Yan Qingqing nearly five taels of silver.
The main reason was that the inkstone was expensive; it was said to be an Yishui inkstone. Yan Qingqing didn't know much about these things, but the item did look quite nice.
Yan Qingqing took a deep breath, thinking that it was no wonder that most people couldn't afford to go to school these days; you really couldn't afford it without some family wealth.
Look at Li Xiangkang, he hasn't even enrolled yet, and he's already spent seven or eight taels of silver. And the expenses in the future will be much greater.
Yan Qingqing, who had just felt that she was doing quite well, suddenly felt motivated again. She had to hurry up and make money, otherwise she really couldn't afford to support them.
The young shop assistant was also a good man. Seeing that Yan Qingqing and her group had bought a lot, he explained the situation to the shopkeeper and gave them a handwritten copy of the Three Character Classic.
After leaving the Mobaozhai shop, they saw that it was still early, so Yan Qingqing turned into the pastry shop and bought some pastries and snacks for the children.
Yan Qingqing had developed a habit of bringing things back for the children whenever she came to the city, regardless of whether she had money or not.
When Yan Qingqing and the others returned home, Grandpa Li was actually waiting for them.
Yan Qingqing understood immediately; the old man knew that Li Xiangkang had gone to the school to register today and wanted to check on the situation.
Li Xiang'an went to unload the oxcart, and Li Xiangkang, holding the writing implements in his arms, respectfully called out, "Grandpa."
Old Master Li exclaimed in surprise, almost bursting into tears. He saw what Li Xiangkang was holding and knew the answer without even asking.
Li Daniu is completely ruined. I never thought that the Li family could produce another scholar. I wonder if he will live to see his grandson achieve success.
He couldn't help but recall the fortune teller's words from years ago: "A lucky star shines upon your home from all sides, and wealth comes from all directions as you wish. You will be reborn from the ashes, and the moon will shine through the clouds."
This is the divination result given to him by the fortune teller back then, who said that his family had a lucky star and that it was only a matter of time before they had to change the entrance hall.
People always have a strong attachment to good things. For so many years, he believed that the lucky star was Li Daniu, so he devoted the whole family's resources to sending him to school. All these years, he was wrong, mistaking a fish eye for a pearl.
Now it seems that this lucky star is clearly his little grandson. The more Grandpa Li looks at Li Xiangkang, the more he feels that Li Xiangkang has the demeanor of a scholar. Just look at this child standing there, his nose is a nose and his eyes are eyes.
It has to be said that if someone is immersed in their own world, no one can wake them up.
Although Yan Qingqing knew a little about what Old Master Li was thinking, she couldn't understand why someone so old could be so excited, so she shook her head and went into her room.
This left behind an excited old man, Mr. Li, and a completely bewildered Li Xiangkang.
Li Xiangkang belatedly realized what was happening and looked at his mother pleadingly, but Yan Qingqing only gave him her back.
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