After Yan Qingqing finished discussing the purchase with Li Xiang'an, she looked up and saw Li Xiangkang and Xiao Mochen standing at the door. Li Xiang'an said to Li Xiangkang, "Where have you been studying? You've even learned to eavesdrop. Look at you, you've corrupted Mochen."
Li Xiangkang felt wronged. They were clearly standing there openly and honestly. His second brother and mother were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't see them. What business was it of his? Besides, they were both standing at the door, so why was his second brother only scolding him?
Seeing his defiant look, Li Xiang'an asked, "What's wrong? You still don't accept it?"
Seeing Li Xiangkang's aggrieved look, as if he dared not speak out, Yan Qingqing waved to him and Xiao Mochen and said, "Did you two come to see Mother for something important?"
Li Xiangkang shook his head and replied, "It's nothing. We just wanted to come and see my sister. When we got to the door, we heard Mother and Second Brother talking, so we didn't dare to disturb them. I'm going to study at the academy in a couple of days, and I also want to talk to Mother and spend more time with her."
The academy starts its semester relatively late, usually after the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. In addition, Li Xiangkang is a beginner and his studies are not so urgent, so the start of the semester is even later.
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "Our Fourth Brother is the most filial son. He even made a special trip to come and talk to his mother."
Xiao Mochen's eyes showed envy as he saw this scene of motherly love and filial piety. Yan Qingqing glanced at him and gestured for him to come closer.
Yan Qingqing looked him over carefully and said, "I think Mo Chen has grown quite a bit taller."
Xiao Mochen's eyes flickered as he listened, and he said, "I eat and live well at my aunt's house, and I don't have any worries, so I naturally grow up faster."
After Yan Qingqing said that, Li Xiang'an was also surprised to find that Xiao Mochen had indeed grown up too fast. When he first came, he was not even as tall as Li Xiangkang. In less than two months, he had already grown taller than Li Xiangkang. Although children of this age grow up relatively quickly, this was too fast.
Seeing Xiao Mochen's evasive gaze, Yan Qingqing knew that the child must have a secret, so she stopped asking and changed the subject, saying, "Your aunt said before the New Year that she would send you to study at the academy after the New Year. Why don't you go with Silang when he starts school? You have a good foundation, and I will talk to the teacher to see if you can get into the top class."
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Mochen shook his head and replied, "Auntie, I don't want to go to school. I just want to stay by your side."
Li Xiangkang looked at him in disbelief and said, "Didn't we agree before the New Year that we would go to school together after the New Year? Why did you change your mind again?"
Xiao Mochen replied without hiding anything, "I already know everything the teacher teaches, so going there would be a waste of time. I'd rather stay by my aunt's side and learn more."
Xiao Mochen was telling the truth. With his knowledge and experience, he was indeed better than the average teacher in the academy. However, the things that Yan Qingqing knew were things that Xiao Mochen did not know but longed for.
Seeing that Xiao Mochen was unwilling to go, Yan Qingqing tried to persuade him, saying, "Mochen, going to the academy is not just about learning knowledge. You can also make friends, build your network, and even get some useful information."
Xiao Mochen listened in silence. He felt that Yan Qingqing always considered things comprehensively, and was indeed more thorough than him. However, it was indeed not advisable for him to show his face in public at the moment.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Mochen spoke up, "Let's wait another six months. I'll stay with Aunt for the next six months. Aunt has been teaching Third Cousin military strategy recently, and I'd like to learn with her."
Seeing his resolute attitude, Yan Qingqing did not insist and agreed.
Li Xiang'an was always very efficient. When he returned on the third day, he said to Yan Qingqing, "Mother, the brokerage firm has given us news. Tomorrow, there will be a batch of servants coming from Xuancheng Prefecture that we can choose from."
And Xue Xiaowu came again after seeing our recruitment information. I thought he was articulate, so I kept him on. As you said, the probationary period is one month with a salary of 350 cash, and after that, it will be 500 cash a month, with four days off per month.
Xue Xiaowu was so excited when he heard this that he said he would definitely kowtow to you several times next time he saw you.
He also said that he had worked at the jewelry store for more than a month without receiving a single penny of wages, and that he was beaten up when he went to argue with the manager.
He'd been wanting to work in our shop for a while, but since we hadn't opened, he thought we'd closed down.
After Li Xiang'an finished speaking, he gave Yan Qingqing the silver that the shop had earned that day. Since the shop opened after the New Year, their income had been very stable, with more than eighty taels every day.
Who wouldn't be happy to receive money? Yan Qingqing smiled and accepted the silver. At this rate, she would soon become a millionaire.
Seeing Yan Qingqing's happiness, Li Xiang'an seized the opportunity to say, "Mother, look, our family isn't short of money now, shouldn't we get a raise on our monthly allowance?"
It's no wonder Li Xiang'an brought this up. Anyone who worked for their family would earn several hundred coins a month, but the siblings received the least.
Although his mother reimbursed him for his business expenses and provided him with all the food and clothing he needed, he always felt he lacked confidence because he didn't have any money of his own.
Yan Qingqing slapped her forehead and said, "I originally planned to give you a raise during the New Year, but I got so busy that I forgot. You and your older brother are alright; you manage the shop and all the money goes through your hands, your older brother has your sister-in-law's help, and your two younger sisters also get dividends. But your two younger brothers are probably..."
"Alright, I'll raise it to one or two taels then. That should be enough for your daily expenses."
Li Xiang'an didn't expect that he would get a raise today because he helped Li Xiangjian and Li Xiangkang, but no matter what the reason was, his monthly salary increased by a lot.
To be honest, Li Xiang'an truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to this family. He basically managed the shop, and if he wanted to make some extra money, it wouldn't be difficult at all. But he never even considered doing that.
The next day, Yan Qingqing got up very early. He was going to go into the city with Li Xiang'an to buy some servants from the brokerage firm.
This time, Yan Qingqing is going to take Yuan Huiniang with her. After all, Yuan Huiniang is now in charge of the household, and these people have to be to her liking.
Yuan Huiniang also got up very early and dressed herself up properly, looking quite like a young mistress.
When Yan Qingqing lifted the carriage curtain, she found Xiao Mochen sitting inside. Yan Qingqing asked in surprise, "Mochen, what's this?"
Xiao Mochen smiled at Yan Qingqing and said, "Auntie, I haven't been out to see anything since I came here. You're right, I'm always cooped up at home and out of touch with the world. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to go sightseeing with you."
Li Xiangkang went to school, and Xiao Mochen was naturally bored staying at home alone. Yan Qingqing thought it would be good to go out for a stroll.
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