Chapter 106
Luo Yan has not gone out in the past two days. He has been concentrating on teaching Luo Yuxing how to write and read at home.
Luo Yan taught the child to write two words every day, and they practiced dozens of times. Luo Yuxing did not complain and continued to write with gritted teeth unless the adults told him to stop. However, Luo Yan felt a little distressed when he saw the child's chubby hands turned red from being pressed by the pen.
He knew that the child was being stubborn with him. In the past, when he was tired of writing, he would act like a spoiled child and refuse to move. He had rejected the little guy's request before, but he never made a fuss with him again. It seemed that everything was normal.
It’s just that the child has been with him for quite some time, so his little emotions can be seen at a glance.
Although he still read and wrote, he was always listless and his study was not as good as before, but he kept his mouth shut and refused to say anything.
Luo Yan tried to coax her, "I've been practicing calligraphy for two days. How about going to Zhang's house to catch crickets with Zhang Ruili this afternoon?"
Luo Yuxing was holding the small brush and writing in a serious manner, as if he was very busy: "No."
"Why not?"
Luo Yuxing remained silent and refused to answer.
"Originally, Grandfather wanted to go with Xiaoxing to visit and ask Zhang Ruijin and Zhang Ruili if they were willing to come and study. Since Xiaoxing didn't want to go, we gave up."
Upon hearing this, Luo Yuxing quickly put down his pen and said, "Grandfather, I'll go!"
Luo Yan couldn't help but smile and shook his head.
"I'll go to two more private schools this afternoon. The private school I visited yesterday, Sensodo, is pretty good. Although the teacher is only a scholar, I heard that the students he taught all did well in school when they went to college."
Xu He was a little angry when he said this: "It's obvious that he is no worse than Master Meng, but the difference between the salary of a scholar and a scholar is ten times. I think Master Meng knows that we are merchants and deliberately rips us off."
Zhang Fangyuan also sighed. The private school he had been looking at these days was indeed the most expensive one belonging to the Meng family. "It is better not to go there in the future. The Qiancaotang we looked at yesterday was quite good, but it was too far away, and it was inconvenient to pick up and drop off the children. Let's take a look today. If there is really no suitable one, then we can only go to Qiancaotang."
"good."
The couple took a nap, got up, packed up, discussed what to do in the afternoon, had a cup of tea in the house, and prepared to go out.
The spring came late this year, as if there had not been even two days of spring and the weather had quickly become hot. In fact, it is indeed the hot season, but the spring came on time compared to previous years.
The weather is hot and the days are long, so I take some time to take a nap at noon, and I feel much more energetic in the afternoon.
The couple moved very quietly, thinking not to wake up the two children in the side room. Xu He looked at the gifts brought by the servants, counted them and saw that there was nothing wrong. He said, "We haven't found a good teacher recently, but we have given away a lot of gifts."
They really took great pains to take care of their two children's education. Just as the couple was about to go out, Gancao came to report: "Mr. Luo is here."
Zhang Fangyuan looked up at the sky and said, "Why are you here at this hour? Go and invite him in."
When a guest came to visit, the couple had to go back.
Luo Yan came with Luo Yuxing in his arms. The little guy became energetic when he came over and called people politely.
Xu He brought the child over, and Luo Yuxing couldn't wait to ask, "Where's Xiaoli?"
“Here!”
Before Xu He could say anything, the guy and his brother were still taking a nap. The little brat woke up at some point and waved to Luo Yuxing in front of the window with his butt sticking out.
"Go down quickly, be careful not to fall!"
"Oh~" Xiaoli rubbed his eyes, still a little sleepy, turned around and saw his brother standing at his feet. He grabbed Ruijin's hand and slid down, saying in a daze: "I heard Xiaoxing's voice and climbed up."
Xu He held Luo Yuxing in his arms and said to Luo Yan, "Both children are in the wing room. I'll take Yuxing over there to play for a while."
"Thank you." Luo Yan said politely, and said to Zhang Fangyuan: "No wonder you always wanted to come and play, we are of the same blood."
Zhang Fangyuan said: "Children are playful and like to be in a lively environment. They always want to have someone to keep them company."
"I have been thinking the same thing. I heard a few days ago that Mr. Zhang seemed to be looking for a teacher for his child. I wonder if there is anyone suitable this time?"
Zhang Fangyuan said, "I've been to many places in the city, but it's hard to find one that's perfect."
"Studying is both easy and difficult. Although there are many studious people who have made achievements on their own, if parents help and support them, they can save a lot of trouble."
Luo Yan paused and said, "If young friend Zhang trusts me, you can send the two children to Luo's house for enlightenment. I am currently giving Xing enlightenment. The three children are of similar age and can serve as companions."
Zhang Fangyuan was stunned. He didn't know that Luo Yan would talk about this matter when he came to his house today.
For a moment he did not know how to reply, so he went to the Luo family to visit and from what he saw and heard, he was sure that Luo Yan was well-educated and could certainly teach a young child, but he did not know the details of the Luo family, so it was not easy for him to agree rashly.
Luo Yan seemed to see Zhang Fangyuan's concerns and smiled: "Little friend Zhang, don't worry. I am not someone of unknown origin."
As he spoke, Luo Yan took out a token from his waist and said, "This is a certificate of success for those who have passed the provincial examination. It is definitely not a fake. I have no other intentions. It is because Xing Ge'er is lonely. It happens that two children are going to school at this time. It would be best if I could let a few children keep him company."
Zhang Fangyuan was slightly surprised when he saw the token. It was unexpected but also seemed reasonable. This confirmed his and Xu He's guess that the Luo family was a family of scholars.
"This is really sudden. I am not the one who makes the decisions on family matters. I have to ask my husband first."
Zhang Fangyuan spoke the truth, but Luo Yan thought it was a delay. However, he was not in a hurry. This reaction proved that the Zhang family had never gone to inquire about the Luo family's affairs.
After Xu He saw Luo Yuxing off, he returned to entertain the guests. He was quite surprised to hear this news.
"You want to take in two children?"
Judging from the family wealth, the Luo family is not a family short of money. Moreover, they are also juren, so they have no worries about not being able to recruit students. They don't seem like a group of people who are greedy for other people's money.
It was a pleasant surprise that they were willing to extend an olive branch to merchants like them.
The couple looked at each other and thought for a moment. Zhang Fangyuan bowed and said to Luo Yan, "In this case, I'll trouble you, Master Luo."
It wasn't that he agreed quickly. Luo Yan was a juren, and his talent was evident. This was hard to find in Siyang. The status of a juren could be seen from the high-handed attitude of the Meng family.
It would be fine if the Meng family was so arrogant only to their family, but the fact that they treated all the merchants who sent their children to the Meng family's private school in the same way and were praised by others was enough to show that the status of the juren was extraordinary.
It was extremely rare for Luo Yan, a scholar, to be willing to speak up.
Furthermore, the Luo family is close to the Zhang family, so it is very convenient for them to pick up the children. The couple can also feel more at ease. If there is any discomfort, they can bring the children back in time.
What impressed Xu He the most was Luo Yuxing. This child was still so young, but he was obviously well-educated and well-mannered, and had the demeanor of a noble man. With this being a living example, why would Xu He worry that the two little ones would not have good teachers?
Seeing that the couple spoke very little and had a good understanding, Luo Yan smiled and said, "That's great."
Zhang Fangyuan couldn't hide the smile on his face, and thought of the matter of Shu Xiuli. Although it was a bit embarrassing to bring it up, it would be better to make it clear in advance. If it was not clear at that time, it would only cause more resentment.
"May I ask what the tuition for Mr. Luo's two children should be..."
"No hurry, just follow the usual six rituals and don't bother preparing anything else."
"How can I do this?" Zhang Fangyuan has been to many private schools recently, and just giving the six gifts is too little: "Tuition fees still need to be paid."
"I don't mind this little bit of tuition, and I recruit students based on my personal liking. If the child has a promising future, it will be worth my while to teach him."
Having said this, Zhang Fangyuan didn't know how to say more. He was filled with gratitude. The two children were the apple of his eye, and having met a good teacher, he felt relieved from a great burden.
"It's getting late, and I have things to do. I won't sit here any longer. Bring the child here as soon as possible."
Luo Yan stood up and thought of taking Luo Yuxing back with him so that they could go to school together and have plenty of time to spend together.
But he could hear the children's excited laughter in the side rooms, which had never happened in the Luo family's house, and he couldn't bear to take the children away.
Luo Yan tilted his head, and Zhang Fangyuan smiled at him: "Let Xing'er stay here to have fun, and send the nurse and maid to take him back later."
"Okay."
Zhang Fangyuan accompanied Luo Yan all the way to the door. Watching him pass by, he felt happy and his steps became brisk. He was just about to turn back and discuss the matter in detail with Xu He.
"Master Zhang, please stay!"
Zhang Fangyuan turned around when he heard the voice and found the person looking familiar. After a little thought, he remembered that it was the housekeeper of the Meng family.
He made a false salute, in a good mood, and was polite to others: "So you are a housekeeper."
"I don't know why you're here, butler. Please come in."
The housekeeper didn't say anything polite and followed Zhang Fangyuan into the house. Even as he walked through the corridor, his eyes were always busy looking around. Seeing the Zhang family's lonely servants and simple decoration, he couldn't help but frowned slightly.
After walking into the central hall and drinking a sip of tea, the housekeeper said slowly, "I wonder how Mr. Zhang's studies are going?"
"Housekeeper Lao is concerned about the child and has been looking for a teacher for him."
The housekeeper added, "Our master has also recruited a few students in the past two days, and classes will begin this morning. Considering that Master Zhang and our Meng family are from the same lane, it is still possible to make some arrangements."
Zhang Fangyuan raised his eyebrows slightly. Today, everyone really rushed to come to their Zhang family.
The housekeeper said bluntly: "Master Zhang has two children. The cost of sending them to a private school is not a small amount. If Master Zhang is in financial difficulty, our master is kind and can say 80 taels for two children."
The housekeeper surnamed Gan used the lid of the teacup to push the tea leaves out of the cup with a familiar look, and said, "This is an honor that no other family has. What do you think, Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Fangyuan couldn't help but lower his head and chuckled: "Thank you Master Meng for your consideration, but it's a pity that I have already found a master, what a pity."
The butler paused, looking a little incredulous: "Did you find it?"
"Exactly."
"Which private school is it?" the housekeeper asked. "Is it the private school in Qiancaotang? Mr. Zhang, please don't blame me for being harsh. This child should not only study for the sake of low tuition fees. You get what you pay for."
Zhang Fangyuan said: "Butler Gan has misunderstood, it is not Qiancaotang."
There was nothing to hide. People from Qingshan Lane were everywhere. If one paid close attention, one could tell where the child was studying. He said directly, "My son started school at the neighboring Luo family."
"Luo family?"
Not only was the butler puzzled, but even Mr. Meng couldn't help but turn around and ask when he heard the butler's report.
"The Luo family and the Zhang family moved into Qingshan Lane one after another. Some time ago, someone went to inquire about the Luo family, but found nothing."
The housekeeper asked, "Could it be that the Luo family and the Zhang family are relatives or friends?"
"If relatives and friends had sent the child there from the beginning, would there be any need to ask for help from others?"
"The old slave is stupid."
Master Meng snorted coldly: "These merchants are short-sighted. They are unwilling to spend a few more taels of silver on their offspring. Even a literate person is recognized as a master. Bah! I want to see what can be accomplished."
It's a bit of a pity to lose such a popular thing. After all, one more student means one more income and expenditure.
The housekeeper surnamed Gan knew what his master was thinking, and comforted him, "I think the Zhang family is just like this. They have only a few servants in the house, and they are not extravagant. I guess they spent all their money to buy a house in the city. Money is tight, so they are reluctant to spend so much money."
"Well, I overestimated him. We don't need to associate with him anymore."
"yes."
After Rui Jin and Rui Li's teachers were confirmed, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He taught the two children overnight. Although the children were sensible, they had always been growing up under the wings of the couple. This was the first time they were to be sent to someone else's home, even if it was next door, so they couldn't help but feel worried.
One reason was that he was afraid that the child would be distressed, and the other was that he was afraid of bumping into Luo Yan.
For this purpose, Zhang Fangyuan paid for two children aged seven or eight from a business to serve as his study companions. This was a popular practice among people in the city.
Xu He had not originally planned to equip his child with these things, but children always need someone to look after them, and it would not be convenient for the two adults to go with them to study, so having a book boy to accompany them would be a good thing.
So he brought back two after careful selection. Gan Cao Pei taught them a lesson, and five days later in the morning, Zhang Fangyuan took the two little ones and two study companions to the Luo family.
Although Luo Yan accepted two students halfway through, he treated them with caution and ordered his servants to clean up a bright room to use as a classroom.
The three children were very happy to meet each other.
Zhang Fangyuan held the two curious kids and first performed the apprenticeship ceremony to Luo Yan in a proper manner.
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