Chapter 105
A family of four moved into the house in Qingshan Lane and lived there for two nights. They found that this place was indeed peaceful and quiet, and it was no different from the countryside after people settled down.
The two kids had a strong ability to adapt. They became familiar with the new house inside and out in just one day. They didn't make a fuss and ask to go back to their home town at night. Only then did Xu He and Zhang Fangyuan feel relieved.
Everything else is easy to deal with, the adults have no problem adapting, but I am worried about the two children. They have been living in the village since they were born, and I am afraid they will make noise if they move to a new environment.
Obviously, home is where dad is. I had been preparing the two children mentally, so they didn't seem to have any problems.
When Zhang Fangyuan had free time, he had time to visit the residents around him with gifts. He did not visit those far away, but he still visited those nearby one by one. From then on, he would meet them every day. If he had never visited them before, he would not know how to say hello even if he wanted to.
There are three neighboring families in front, behind, left and right. One is the Luo family closest to the house, one is the Song family behind the house, and the remaining one is the Yan family.
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He went to the door with their gifts, but they didn't expect that the Song family, who they went to first, didn't open the door to receive the gifts, and even the servants looked very arrogant. They heard that they were the family of officials, so they inquired about other people's background. Naturally, others would also inquire when they saw new residents settling in.
It is not surprising that scholars look down on the lowest-ranking merchants and are unwilling to make friends with them. Zhang Fangyuan did not force it, as it would be bad to curry favor with someone who does not like him.
He turned around and went to the next house. The Yan family he met was easy to talk to. They were a family of craftsmen and were quite warm-hearted. They were very happy to have a new neighbor. The man in charge of the backyard affairs was also a man. He got along well with Xu He, and the two of them even had a cup of tea before leaving.
Finally, it’s the Luo family.
The person who came to open the door was the Luo family's butler, who turned out to be one of the carriage pushers they met on the official road that day. He treated him very politely. Master Xu had long expected that he would come to give instructions, so the butler did not say much and led the couple in directly.
Only after entering the house did I realize that the Luo family's courtyard, which was not very grand from the outside, was actually a different world inside. Not only was it large with three courtyards, but its pavilions, towers, rockery and ponds were also very elegantly maintained.
The Luo family's home was very tidy and beautiful, with servants coming and going in a constant stream, making it dizzying to look at. However, the rules were very strict, and no one whispered to each other while walking, and even their steps were very light.
Even the couple, who had never read any books and had been living in the countryside for many years, felt that there was something extraordinary about it. Influenced by the environment, they also became somewhat bookish.
The closer we got to the reception hall, the clearer the soft and sweet voice of reading became.
"Master, the people have arrived."
When the housekeeper spoke, the little bun's voice stopped at the right time.
There were long paintings and calligraphy hanging in the reception room. The incense wafting from the copper stove and the faint scent of ink on the desk complemented each other. At first, Zhang Fangyuan had never guessed what the Luo family did, but now he knew that they were a family of scholars.
"It's really fate that we are neighbors here."
Luo Yan put down the little bun Luo Yuxing in his arms and spoke gently to the couple: "Please take a seat."
He turned to the butler and said, "Look at the tea."
"My name is Zhang Fangyuan, and I'm here with my husband Xu He to visit you." The couple also performed all the formalities.
"You're welcome. We are acquaintances after all."
The couple then sat down. Luo Yuxing felt happy looking at Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He, and called Zhang Fangyuan "uncle" just like he did the day before.
Luo Yan smiled and said, "Little Xing said the other day that a new tenant had moved in next door. It was the uncle who gave him the fruit. He brought two brothers who looked quite similar with him. He said he had been invited and wanted to come over as a guest."
"My son is naughty and likes to play. When he sees someone of the same age, he wants to invite them."
Luo Yan couldn't help but ask: "Young friend Zhang has a pair of twins?"
"Exactly."
Luo Yan stroked his beard and laughed, "It's really a blessing. Xing'er has no brothers or sisters, he's the only child. In the mansion, apart from teaching him some poetry and prose, he's basically alone, so it's inevitable that he's lonely. I'm afraid I'll bother little friend Zhang a lot in the future."
"Mr. Luo, that's not right. Just let the children play together."
The two sides talked for a while. Although Xu He felt a little awkward as it was his first time meeting someone like Luo Yan, he could still enjoy the conversation because Luo Yan was very gentle and polite.
After coming out of Luo's house, Xu He let out a long sigh.
Zhang Fangyuan smiled and said, "What's wrong? Are you tired after running all morning?"
"I feel that the Luo family has strict rules and regulations, and they seem to be a well-known family. Look at the calligraphy and paintings everywhere, they must be from a famous family. But I have never heard of anyone talking about this person." Xu He sighed: "Now I know what it means to be well-read and elegant."
In the past, he thought that a scholar should be like Fei Lian, and he also vaguely heard the word "style and character". Now he knows what a true scholar is.
Zhang Fangyuan said, "I'm afraid they just moved in a while ago. They haven't said anything, so it's inconvenient for us to ask."
Xu He nodded. If he went to inquire, it would be an offense. However, thinking of Luo Yuxing, he couldn't help but say, "I thought our Ruijin was already very smart and precocious. Just now I saw little Xing and found that he not only knows how to recognize some words, but can even write!"
"There is some truth in the saying 'learning by listening and seeing'. We are both country folk. Even if Ruijin is smart, he can't learn poetry and books from us."
Xu He pursed his lips and said, "Then let's quickly find a good teacher for the child."
Zhang Fangyuan remained silent, and the couple started running around for their child again.
I first went to the academy in the city. There were more than one formal academy in the city, three or four in total, large and small. The two went to inquire, and learned that most academies had age restrictions. Some would not accept those under the age of five, and some would not accept those under the age of seven. The larger and more famous the academy, the stricter the requirements and the more they had.
The couple ran around, finding all the academies, big or small, and the youngest child they could accept was five years old, which was not the age that their two children reached.
If you can't go to the academy, then you only have two options: one is to go to a private school, and the other is to have a teacher come to your home to give lessons.
If one is not from a prominent family or a wealthy family, it is impossible to invite a teacher to teach at home without familiar connections. Those who can be the exclusive tutor at home are not short of money, but value reputation more.
The Zhang family is a family with moderate wealth and no one in the family has been in official careers for generations, so it is almost impossible for them to invite a teacher to give lessons at home.
After several rounds of screening, I had no choice but to go to a private school.
Fortunately, the neighboring Yan family learned that they wanted to find a teacher for their child. The Yan family, who had some experience in studying, recommended to them Mr. Meng, who ran a private school. Mr. Meng was a former juren, and was full of knowledge and talent. He also specialized in recruiting young children for enlightenment and was well-known in the surrounding area. Many merchants sent their children to him for enlightenment.
And the most appropriate thing is that Master Meng is in Qingshan Lane, and the private school is also at this end.
Upon hearing the news, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He were overjoyed and immediately brought generous gifts to the door to inquire about the matter.
"How old is the child now?"
"Nianchun is already three years old."
Upon hearing that they wanted to come to study, Master Meng personally met the couple, served them two cups of tea, and asked about the child in the hall.
Zhang Fangyuan did not ask a single question about the teacher, but the teacher asked him a lot of questions. However, for the sake of his child to have a good teacher, he had to answer them respectfully.
"Three years old is not considered old in our private school, but it is definitely not very young either. We should send our children here to start their education. If we delay any further, we will let the children down."
The teacher's face was expressionless, as if he was being very businesslike: "How many words do you know now, and how many words can you write? What are your advantages? Can you recite the whole article?"
Xu He thought Rui Jin was pretty good, as he could count at such a young age. But after the teacher's questioning, he found that he didn't have any advantages to show off. He couldn't help but frowned, and after a long while, he said in a proper manner: "The child doesn't have many outstanding qualities, but his memory is okay."
"A young child is like a blank sheet of paper, he memorizes things quickly." But the Master did not give him any face or give him a way out: "So you can't even read, let alone write?"
The teacher smacked his lips and said, "You are a latecomer. You know, the students in my private school who are younger than you can read and write, and they have made some achievements before they were sent here. If I were to accept your two children, I would probably have to spend a lot of effort to teach them."
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He felt bad seeing their child being humiliated like this.
"Then how can I enroll in Master Meng's school?"
The Master did not answer directly, but leaned forward in his chair, holding up the teacup in style, and raised his hand to signal the butler who was serving him.
The butler stepped forward and answered on behalf of his master.
"Our master's private school recruits talented students in the city. Because it is a private school, the number of students it recruits is limited. It is not like academies that recruit all kinds of students. The threshold is very low, so the tuition fee is high."
"Your young master and son have average talents. If ordinary people came, the master would definitely not recruit them. However, considering that they are recommended by the Yan family and are both from Qingshan Lane, I can make an exception and accept two students. However, the gift of cultivation must be higher than that of ordinary students."
Zhang Fangyuan's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Seeing that the couple did not make any comments, the housekeeper continued, "When the two children come to school, the master will definitely do his best to teach the other students behind them and help them catch up with the progress of the other students in the private school. They can learn more and it will take up more of the teacher's time. This is also a temporary measure."
Zhang Fangyuan endured it and asked politely about the gift.
In addition to the most basic etiquette, an additional fifty taels of silver must be sent to the mansion as tuition, which can be renewed after half a year.
Xu He almost stood up from the stool. The tuition fee was a bit too unscrupulous. One must know that the tuition fee of the academy was only one thousand coins a year, and the cheaper ones were only a few hundred coins. At the moment, he tried his best to be patient and not get angry.
Zhang Fangyuan said, "Sorry for bothering you. I will go back with my husband to think about it and give you a reply later."
At this moment, the teacher put down the teacup and said, "I heard that you just moved to the city from the countryside. I guess you don't know much about the expenses in the city. It's understandable that you find these gifts a bit difficult to bear. You are merchants and have always been the best at calculating business. Spend more on your children now. When they pass the imperial examinations in the future, the rewards will be more than this."
"Money is the least important thing. What's important is reputation, which cannot be bought with any amount of money. Go back and think about it carefully."
Zhang Fangyuan didn't say another word and pulled Xu He out of the Meng family. Both of them looked unhappy when they returned.
"It's not that my family can't afford the money. I've traveled to many places these days and talked to many teachers, but I haven't seen anyone selling it for such a high price."
Xu He felt very unhappy when he thought about the teacher's righteous look and how he belittled their two children. Scholars have pride, but ordinary people like them are also human beings and will not tolerate humiliation.
But he was also very uneasy, seeing that Luo Yuxing, who was younger than Rui Jin and Rui Li, indeed knew much more than the two children in the family, he wondered if it was really as Master Meng said, that Rui Jin and Rui Li would be promoted.
Zhang Fangyuan knew what Xu He was thinking, "You can't believe everything the teacher said. Even if rural children start learning later and don't have as good conditions as those in the city, where they can learn a lot from what they see and hear, Rui Jin and Rui Li are among the smartest in the village. I don't believe they would become dull if they were brought to the city. Are all the children from good families in the city extremely smart?"
"So, every time the imperial examination results are announced, the people on the list should be children from outstanding families. How come there are still many poor students on the list? Could it be that everyone's family is like the Luo family?"
Xu He felt a little comforted after hearing this, but now he was in a dilemma. Although the Meng family private school was not on good terms with him, it was the only one he could get into among the several places he had looked at.
"Let's not rush. Let's keep looking. Siyang is so big that we may not be unable to find a suitable teacher."
Xu He nodded.
"Daddy is back!"
The two of them walked through the corridor and just as they entered the garden, they heard the sound of footsteps. Xiaolige ran over excitedly, holding the hand of Luo Yuxing, who walked much slower than him.
"Xing Ge'er is here too."
Little Li brother suddenly jumped into Zhang Fangyuan's arms. Luo Yuxing was left behind and just stood there, looking up at Little Li brother who was held high by Zhang Fangyuan.
"Uncle, give me a hug, please."
Seeing the pitiful child, Xu He squatted down, and Luo Yuxing happily threw himself into his arms.
It was the first time for Xu He to hold Luo Yuxing. The child looked very soft, but he didn’t expect that he would be even softer when he held him.
Although he is a little boy like Ruili, Ruili is in good health. He eats a lot and runs around often, so his body is very strong and plump. Luo Yuxing is a bit chubby, but under the strict education of the Luo family, he is not the type to run around, so his body is not very strong and he feels soft when hugged.
Zhang Fangyuan saw that only two people ran out, so he asked, "Where's my brother?"
Little Li said, "Brother is counting in the room again."
Zhang Fangyuan's thick eyebrows moved when he heard this, and he felt a little ashamed. Xiaoli asked again, "Dad, have you found a teacher? My brother doesn't like catching bugs in the yard with Xiaoli and Xiaoxing. Send him to school quickly."
"Don't worry, I haven't found the right one yet."
Xiaoligeer then asked why, but Zhang Fangyuan said, "Are you hungry?"
When the child heard about food, he immediately forgot his previous question: "I'm hungry. I want to eat the bean cake made by Daddy."
Luo Yuxing, who was still waiting for an explanation as to why he hadn't found a teacher, asked, "Are Xiaoli and Ruijin going to study?"
Xu He nodded: "Children can't just play around, they still have to read and learn to read."
Luo Yuxing responded obediently.
"But you don't have to study today. You can eat bean cake first."
Zhang Fangyuan laughed and walked under the old pear tree in the garden with the kid in his arms. Little Li hugged Zhang Fangyuan's neck and said to Xu He behind him, "Little Daddy, come here quickly with Little Xing."
Seeing that the kid was in a much better mood, Xu He went to the kitchen with several people to make snacks.
Luo Yuxing seldom set foot in the kitchen at home, and had never seen a family making cakes together in such a lively manner. He found it both novel and happy.
Xiaolige led him to run around in front of the stove, and even pulled Ruijin out of the house.
Have fun until night falls.
Luo Yuxing was having fun at Zhang's house and didn't want to go home, but seeing that it was getting late outside and his wet nurse and maid were urging him, he politely said goodbye to Xiaoli and Ruijin, who liked to have a stern face like his uncle, and went home.
Brother Xiaoli put down the cakes and saw Luo Yuxing off. He then poked his head out from the gap in the heavy wooden door of his house and watched Luo Yuxing enter the Luo family before he retracted his head and ran back to eat the cakes.
As soon as the door was closed, Luo Yuxing returned to the house and found it deserted again. It was very different from the liveliness of the Zhang family. The smile on the child's face disappeared visibly, and he drooped listlessly on the wet nurse.
"Why are you still not happy after playing for so long?"
Luo Yuxing heard the familiar voice and turned around quickly: "Grandfather is back?"
"Well, I've been back for a while." Luo Yan stretched out his hands and held the child in his arms: "Did you have fun at Zhang's house today?"
Luo Yuxing nodded and said excitedly: "Xiaoxing wants to be with Xiaoli every day."
Luo Yan touched the child's head and said, "How can that be possible? Every child has his or her own family."
Hearing this, Luo Yuxing lowered his head, his eyes flickering, he didn't cry or make a fuss, but instead looked pitiful.
Seeing this, Luo Yan immediately softened his tone and said, "If Xiao Xing studies and writes well, grandfather will let you play with the two children of the Zhang family from time to time. How about that?"
Luo Yuxing grabbed Luo Yan's sleeve and said, "Xiaoxing heard from uncle that brother Ruijin and brother Xiaoli are also going to study with a master. Grandfather is a great scholar. Can he also teach brother Ruijin and brother Xiaoli?"
Luo Yan's eyebrows moved: "Why is this happening? Is this a request from the Zhang family?"
Luo Yuxing shook his head: "Uncle is not at home today. He went to ask for a teacher for Xiaoli and Ruijin, but he couldn't find a suitable one. Xiaoxing likes Xiaoli and wants to study with him."
Luo Yan did not answer Luo Yuxing's words, but only said: "If you want to eat something at night, Grandfather will ask Aunt Tian to make it for you."
Luo Yuxing is not as greedy as Xiaoli. He is not easy to fool with food: "I have eaten fruit at my uncle's house. I am not hungry."
He shook Luo Yan's sleeves again: "Grandfather~"
"Yuxing, remember your grandfather's teachings. You must not reveal your family's affairs to others. If anyone asks, you must tell your grandfather."
"Xiao Xing brother knows."
Luo Yan did not respond to the request. Luo Yuxing could not help but lower his eyes. After a while of silence, he slipped out of Luo Yan's arms and returned to his room alone.
Luo Yan looked at the child's back and couldn't help but sigh.
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