The back residence of the county yamen.
Mrs. Zou placed the blue and white porcelain cup on the table, signaling the head maid to withdraw before softly saying, "My lord, I hadn't heard you mention this before."
Chen Weibin picked up the teacup and took a few sips, then said leisurely, "Prefect Zhang's only treasure is his beloved daughter."
Mrs. Zou, being intelligent, understood after pondering for a while. Prefect Zhang's wife hailed from the Kong family. Miss Zhang had reached the age of enlightenment, and both Prefect Zhang and Madam Kong intended to send their beloved daughter to Qingya Academy.
Who would have thought that Old Madam Zhang would disagree, firmly believing that a woman's lack of talent was her virtue, and that appearing in public was tantamount to losing her chastity.
The old madam even staged a dramatic scene of crying, making a fuss, and threatening to hang herself, causing Prefect Zhang to lose face and the entire household to become a spectacle. Yet, with filial piety invoked, Prefect Zhang and Madam Kong had no choice but to yield.
Chen Weibin's actions were also an indirect expression of his attitude and stance. He did not seek Prefect Zhang's patronage but merely wished not to be obstructed. Thinking of his former mentor, Liu Jian, a fierce glint flashed in Chen Weibin's eyes. A gentleman's revenge is never too late!
In the blink of an eye, it was September. Golden wells and phoenix trees shed their autumn leaves, and frost descended overnight without the pearl curtains being rolled up. m..oΓg
The Lin family's private school was a two-courtyard residence. The front was for studying, and the back was the dwelling of Tutor Lin's family of three. From afar, the sound of clear and loud reading could be heard emanating from the courtyard.
Madam Li's round face was filled with a joyful smile as she stroked Zhan Feiyu's head, "Little Yu, study hard."
Zhan Da, as usual, maintained his stern demeanor, but his eyes also held a smile. His daughter not only gained admission but also brought him honor. In the past few days, whenever Zhan Da went out to work, everyone he met would offer him praise, commending him for having such a good daughter.
"Parents, I will work hard." Zhan Feiyu nodded. Her parents' cold war had ended just like that.
The three entered the private school. Zhan Da, out of habit, put on a stern face, appearing cold and serious.
Madam Li also restrained her smile due to nervousness. Only Zhan Feiyu, with her bright eyes, surveyed her surroundings.
A osmanthus tree was planted in the courtyard, its branches and leaves lush. Directly facing the courtyard gate were three brick and earth houses. One was the residence of the servant Old Uncle Dong and his wife, while the other two were places for study.
The children who had passed the county examination studied and practiced calligraphy in the first room on the left. The adjacent second room belonged to the young children beginning their studies, with over thirty of them.
Zhan Da had not passed the county examination and was currently studying alongside a group of children who were just starting their education.
Seeing Tutor Lin, dressed in a blue robe and wearing a scholar's cap, emerge from the house, the Zhan family of three quickly spoke, "Tutor Lin."
"Follow me." Tutor Lin nodded and led the three towards the back courtyard.
The study.
Looking at the nervous and uneasy Zhan Da and Madam Li, whose hands and feet didn't know where to rest, and then at Zhan Feiyu, whose eyes were clear and her chubby face filled with joy, Tutor Lin's gaze was gentle. "Let's formally begin the apprenticeship today."
Zhan Feiyu's eyes lit up instantly, her bright and shining gaze revealing her yearning and anticipation for learning and advancing her studies. This pure yet fervent gaze made Tutor Lin nod with satisfaction.
Tutor Lin announced loudly, "The Book of Rites states: The beginning of propriety and righteousness lies in rectifying one's posture, regulating one's expression, and ordering one's speech. As the saying goes, first rectify your attire, then understand principles."
Tutor Lin reached out and adjusted Zhan Feiyu's clothes. The first step of the apprenticeship, rectifying attire, was thus completed. He then had Zhan Feiyu kneel before the divine seat of Confucius, the most sagely ancient master, and perform the bowing ceremony. "Perform the apprenticeship rites, first bow..."
Zhan Feiyu knelt on both knees and kowtowed nine times. Afterward, she respectfully bowed three times to Tutor Lin, who was seated beside her. "Tutor."
"Tutor Lin, this is the tuition fee." Zhan Da quickly placed the bamboo basket in his hands on the table. It contained the six traditional gifts for commencing an apprenticeship.
A bunch of celery: symbolizing diligent study, with excellence stemming from diligence; lotus seeds: the heart of the lotus is bitter, symbolizing painstaking education; red beans: symbolizing good fortune shining brightly.
Red dates: symbolizing early success in examinations; longans: symbolizing the completion of merits; dried lean meat strips: to express the disciple's sincerity.
The ten taels of silver for the tuition fee were placed in a pouch next to the bamboo basket.
Tutor Lin was not concerned with the tuition fee. Looking at Zhan Feiyu, whose plump face was solemn and respectful, he held a brush in his right hand. With the tip dipped in cinnabar, he lightly tapped Zhan Feiyu's forehead, "Cinnabar opens the intellect, and henceforth, your eyes will be clear, your heart bright, and your mind enlightened."
A smile spread across Zhan Feiyu's face. Her beautiful, chubby face radiated joy, as if all the gloom had dissipated. "Thank you, Tutor."
Zhan Da and Madam Li, standing awkwardly to the side, also breathed a sigh of relief. They were illiterate and held a natural reverence and admiration for scholars. Thinking that Zhan Feiyu would also be a scholar in the future, the couple felt honored and considered sending Zhan Feiyu to study the most correct decision.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Zhan Da and Madam Li left the private school, looking back repeatedly.
Tutor Lin led Zhan Feiyu into the room. The previously orderly sounds of reading abruptly ceased, and the eyes of twenty to thirty children turned uniformly towards the doorway.
The children from Jinlin Village were somewhat better. The children from several other villages were extremely curious about Zhan Feiyu. She was the divine child who had been examined by the county magistrate.
For the past month, whenever people from the surrounding ten villages spoke of studying and advancing in their education, they would bring up Zhan Feiyu. Everyone marveled, with some exaggerating to the point of saying that this young girl was the star of literature descended from heaven, and if she hadn't been born female, she would surely have become a top scholar.
"Have you all memorized it?" Tutor Lin's gentle expression turned stern. With a sweep of his gaze, instantly, all the children who had been looking with curiosity shook their heads and resumed their recitation.
"Little Yu, sit here." Madam Lin led Zhan Feiyu to the right side of the room. Here, a row of ten desks was occupied by the young children who had just enrolled in the autumn.
"Yes, Tutor." Zhan Feiyu glanced at Shanwazi, who was making faces at her, placed her small schoolbag down, and put the newly acquired "Three Character Classic" on the desk.