Chapter 246 Teaching at the Branch School
It's normal for children to grow up, develop independent thoughts, and have their own social circles.
It's perfectly normal not to want more discipline from adults.
But Daiyu is only eight years old now; she is still a child!
Yuan Hongqu suddenly felt a sense of crisis, wondering if her laissez-faire parenting style was too extreme.
Daiyu had no worries about going to the Liu family. The family was not only naive but also very warm-hearted. They had done quite a few mindless things, but in retrospect, they were harmless.
Liu Qianrou was able to gain the Empress's guarantee and enter the girls' academy to audit classes. Originally, Hongqu had no real concerns about Daiyu visiting the Liu family.
The next day, Yuan Hongqu escorted Daiyu to the Liu family. As soon as the carriage turned onto the street where the Liu family lived, Lan Su saw the people waiting at the Liu family's gate from afar and couldn't help but smile.
"Mr. Yuan, is that Madam Liu standing at the door? I remember Madam Liu saying last time that her brother is a good person, works at the Court of State Ceremonial, and she wanted to introduce him to you, Mr. Yuan..."
"You remember it quite clearly. Why don't I go and talk to Madam Liu and arrange for you two to go on a blind date?" Yuan Hongqu said irritably. Although she knew that Madam Liu would not come to the gate to greet her, she still felt a chill.
Lan Su couldn't help but chuckle. "Mr. Yuan, they didn't take a fancy to a young girl like me. Madam Liu has her eye on you."
"Stop the carriage!" Yuan Hongqu shouted, disregarding the fact that they were already quite close to the Liu family's residence.
Inside the carriage, Daiyu comforted Yuan Hongqu.
"Granny, don't fall for it. Lan Su is deliberately trying to annoy you. Yesterday you made her do volunteer work at the academy, helping the kitchen beat eggs. She spent the whole morning beating eggs until her arms were almost numb. In the end, she didn't even get to eat any cake, and she's holding a grudge against you!"
"Let her complain. I'll get off here. Remember to go home early. I'll go to the estate and see if I can bring you anything good." Yuan Hongqu didn't find Lan Su annoying, but Lan Su mentioning the Liu family made her feel a bit of a physical aversion, so she decided not to go to the Liu family's door.
The carriage paused for a moment, and Yuan Hongqu nimbly alighted, glancing at Lan Su.
"Susu, I heard you were upset because you didn't get to eat cake yesterday? That's a real shame, but it's also a shame you won't be able to eat any today. I was planning to go to the pastry class at the branch campus to teach the students how to make cakes, what a bad timing!"
After saying that, she turned around, mounted her horse, and rode away.
Lan Su stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.
"Young lady, did you hear that? This is something a highly respected dean would say; she's provoking me!"
"Susu, didn't you ask for this? When has my nanny ever suffered a loss? You still insist on provoking her." Daiyu laughed. "Don't feel bad about it. That cake is not easy to make, but you eat it often. It's nothing once or twice."
“Girl, you know that Mr. Yuan’s cakes are always different and incredibly delicious. Yesterday, those milk and fruit cakes were almost all gone, even the students couldn’t get enough to go around. I didn’t even have a chance to keep one for myself, and I regret it now.” Lan Su felt very sorry for him.
Yesterday, Lan Su participated in the entire cake-making process. She could have sneaked a taste after it was finished, but before she could even take off her mask, all the cakes were taken out. She didn't have the nerve to compete with the students for food. She was just secretly angry at Mr. Yuan for making everyone wear those ridiculous masks. If it weren't for these masks, she would have already sneaked a bite.
She failed because she was wearing a mask and her movements were too large when she tried to sneak a bite.
Everyone involved in food preparation in the kitchen wears cotton gauze masks, as required by Yuan Hongqu. No matter how hot the weather, they are not allowed to remove their masks if they are directly involved in food processing.
Fortunately, when the weather is hot, the masks are thinner, so they are not too stuffy to wear.
"Susu, you'd better not eat so much cake. When you first came to our house, the branch on the treetop only swayed a little; now that you're up there, I'm worried the branch might break," Xueyan couldn't help but tease Lansu.
Lan Su was taken aback. "Really? Have I gotten this fat? No wonder my clothes have felt a bit tight lately."
"Don't listen to her. She's not fat at all. Lan Su, you were just too thin before. Being able to eat is a blessing," Zijuan quickly comforted her when she saw Lan Su getting nervous.
"You are a martial artist, so you naturally expend more energy than others. Even if you eat more, it won't make a difference."
Tingyue and Zhixia took turns comforting Lansu.
"Yes, you haven't gained weight, you've actually grown taller."
"You haven't worn the new clothes the government made for you this year; you're still wearing last year's. How can you not be in need?"
Lan Su's mood improved, and she glared fiercely at Xue Yan.
"Next time you want to eat fruit from the treetops, don't expect me to pick it for you!"
Xueyan covered her mouth and laughed.
"Miss, we've already been delayed for a while. If we don't go soon, Miss Liu will be here soon." Zijuan hurriedly reminded Daiyu. They were almost at the Liu family's house, and it was a bit impolite for the carriage to stop here and the group to start talking.
Upon arriving at the Liu family residence, the people waiting at the gate, upon seeing that it was the Lin family's carriage, immediately stepped down from the threshold and had the carriage driven inside.
The carriage arrived at the second gate, where Daiyu alighted. Madam Liu greeted her with a smile.
"Princess, you've finally arrived! Where is Mr. Yuan?"
"The teacher had classes to teach today and was afraid he wouldn't have time to get me here, so he rushed back to class."
"Isn't today a day of rest for all students at the academy?"
“It’s the branch campus. The branch campus only gets a break once every two weeks,” Daiyu replied with a smile.
Madam Liu exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Yuan is personally teaching at the branch campus? She hardly teaches here herself, yet she goes over there?"
Daiyu nodded gently, and Liu Qianrou, who was standing nearby, couldn't resist coming over and taking her hand.
“Daiyu, I told you yesterday that I had acquired something wonderful. I’ll take you to see it now.”
"You're so impulsive, don't frighten the princess!" Madam Liu gently scolded Liu Qianrou.
"Understood, Miss Lan Su, come quickly. My grandfather gave me a nine-section whip, and I would appreciate your guidance..." Liu Qianrou's joy was evident as the group followed her into the inner courtyard of the Liu family.
Leaving aside the lively scene at the Liu family's residence, Yuan Hongqu rode her horse to the branch courtyard by herself.
The branch campus is located in a more remote area. The original site was a nearly abandoned courtyard with little to offer, except for its large size.
The houses here were all built later and are not particularly aesthetically pleasing; the only requirement was that they be sturdy and durable, so the construction cost was not high.
There used to be flower beds behind the courtyard, but they have all been demolished and replaced with various vegetables, which are tended by students in their spare time.
The branch campus also provides accommodation and three meals a day for students, but the food is simple and can't compare to that of the main campus.
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