Su Yun'er didn't give an answer, but instead asked Xiao Cao, "Xiao Cao, what do you think? How can I continue to have the life you want?"
The little grass was biting the end of a chopstick, its chubby little face straining as if it were trying hard to think.
"To...make money?"
As the children waited expectantly for an answer, Su Yun'er placed another piece of chicken in Grandma Chen's bowl. Grandma Chen didn't touch it, her curiosity piqued by Su Yun'er's question.
In Grandma Chen's view, there is nothing wrong with working hard to farm and making money, because only by working hard to farm can you grow grain, and by selling some of the grain, you can have money to buy food and clothing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with working hard to make money.
However, Su Yun'er had a smile on her face and did not answer immediately.
Xiao Shu couldn't help but ask Su Yun'er what the answer was.
Su Yun'er uttered only two words: "Study".
study?
Grandma Chen was stunned for a moment, then became happy and expectant.
"That's right, how could I forget? There's also the path of studying and taking exams! Little Tree, would you like to study?"
Young children don't have much of a concept of studying.
After two years of famine, every household in Daliushu Village was a poor peasant. Having enough to eat was everyone's primary goal, and there was simply no money left to send their children to school.
You see, sending a child to school costs at least one or two taels of silver a year in tuition. Add to that books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and some academies even require uniforms. And at the age of six, when children start their education, they grow very fast. Clothes from two months ago might not fit them in two months, so you'll need more than one set of clothes. If the child eats at the academy, you'll also need to pay for their meals. Traveling to and from school will require at least two or three pairs of shoes a year. And once they start school, with more books and writing materials, they'll need a book box, right?
These miscellaneous expenses add up to at least six or seven taels of silver a year.
Six or seven taels of silver—that's about the amount a family of six or seven people would spend to eat their fill every day for a year.
So many families don't lack the desire to send their children to school, but rather the means to do so.
But the Chen family is different now. Su Yun'er is earning a lot of money, and if the family is frugal, it won't be a problem to support Xiaoshu's schooling.
As Old Mrs. Chen calculated this in her mind, the joy on her face deepened.
“If Xiaoshu studies hard, even if he doesn’t become an official, he can make money by selling calligraphy and paintings, or he can be a teacher. He won’t have to worry about making money.”
Grandma Chen patted the top of the little tree's head, and the little tree seemed a little confused.
Can studying really have these benefits?
"Mom, will going to school really mean I can eat white rice every day and have new clothes?"
“Of course.” Su Yun’er nodded.
The little tree tilted its head and thought for a moment, then, as if making a firm decision, it nodded sharply: "Yes, then I want to study!"
Seeing that her brother had found a way to continue living a good life, Little Grass became a little anxious: "Mother, what about Little Grass? Brother can go to school, but what about Little Grass? Little Grass also wants to have noodles to eat every day from now on, Mother!"
Little Grass shook Su Yun'er's arm, calling out "Mother" in a soft, sweet voice, pouting and looking pitiful and helpless.
Su Yun'er pinched Xiaocaodi's cheek and said reproachfully, "What's wrong, Xiaocaodi, don't you want to study?"
The little grass was overjoyed: "Mom, can the little grass read too!?"
Grandma Chen was very surprised to hear this: "A little girl, she still wants to go to school?"
"Of course girls can study. Studying can help girls understand principles, cultivate their character, and refine their temperament. In our dynasty, and in previous dynasties, there have been many female poets, female writers, and even female generals. Women are actually very strong. Just like men, women can be both literate and martial."
Grandma Chen hesitated for a moment: "But girls can't take the imperial examinations if they study, and it's said that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. If a girl studies, people will laugh at her."
Su Yun'er was amused by this statement, which contained both helplessness and annoyance; she found it laughable.
However, she did not blame Old Lady Chen for this. After all, Old Lady Chen was an elderly woman who had lived in this feudal environment for many years, and her thinking had become fixed, so it was natural for her to hold such a view.
"Mother, do you know that emperors throughout history have hired tutors for their daughters to teach princesses poetry, songs, music, calligraphy, and painting? Even many daughters and wives of wealthy families are well-versed in literature. The saying 'a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' is just something some arrogant people use to oppress women; it shouldn't be taken seriously. I may lack talent, but Mother, do you think I was virtuous in the past?"
This question left Old Mrs. Chen speechless. She opened her mouth several times, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word. Finally, her face turned red, and she spat out, "You've really become shameless now, bringing up this kind of thing everywhere."
“What’s the big deal? There are only a few of us in the family. Besides, Mother, if Xiaocao goes to school and can read and write, and can manage finances and household affairs, then when it comes to marriage, she can marry well, people will think more highly of our Xiaocao, and Xiaocao will suffer less grievances.”
Su Yun'er decided to persuade Old Mrs. Chen from a perspective that she could accept.
Sure enough, when the topic of future marriage arrangements came up, Old Mrs. Chen's expression softened considerably.
"However, if you want both children to go to school, there's the tuition fee, and the money for books and writing materials..."
I had already guessed that Old Mrs. Chen would worry about not having enough money.
Su Yun'er lifted Xiaocao onto her lap and said with a smile, "Mother, don't worry. Since I want both children to study together, I've naturally calculated it. If it's not enough, I'll just work hard to earn money. Most academies are on winter break now. After the New Year, when spring comes and the academies recruit students, I'll find one and send both children to school!"
"Oh oh oh!"
Little Tree jumped up happily on the kang (a heated brick bed), clapping his hands and spinning around: "Going to school! Going to school! If I go to school, I can eat white rice and meat every day and wear new clothes!"
Xiao Cao was held in Su Yun'er's arms and couldn't jump up, but she still clapped her hands and said, "Study, study, Xiao Cao can study too!"
Seeing how happy the children were, Grandma Chen couldn't bear to object anymore. Besides, Su Yun'er was right; it was for the children's future.
The children's noise woke up Gai Xue, who was sleeping by the kang table.
Gai Xue straightened her body, stretched, meowed unhappily a few times, went inside the kang (a heated brick bed), and found another place to sleep.
Just as things were getting lively, we suddenly heard a commotion outside.
Grandma Chen opened the window, and the little trees and grass immediately came over, sticking their heads out to see what was happening.
"Grandma Song, where are you all going?"
Seeing that Aunt Song was in a hurry, Xiao Shu asked loudly.
"Little Tree, where is your mother?" Aunt Song did not answer directly.
When Su Yun'er heard the question directed at her, she patted the little tree's bottom to make room for her, opened the window, and asked, "Auntie, what's wrong?"
Su Yun'er saw many villagers rushing towards the west end of the village. Among the crowd ahead, Su Yun'er also saw the eldest and second sons of the Song family and their respective wives.
"That damned Ma Tiannian is back!"
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