Zhan Laotai narrowed her eyes and remained silent. Privately, she intended to send the second son of the third branch to the private school. After all, the second branch already had a eldest son, and it was time for the third branch. Moreover, Zhan Laotai doted on her youngest son.
However, she also doted on her eldest grandson. Zhan Dalang had been coaxing Zhan Laotai a lot recently. Coupled with the fact that her second daughter-in-law was her niece, Zhan Laotai hesitated. At this moment, she nodded in agreement.
Little Madam Yao was overjoyed, a glint flashing in her eyes. She glanced at her elder brother and sister-in-law, who showed no interest, and her gaze settled on Zhan Feiyu, who was sitting on a small stool. Smiling, she continued, "Father, Mother, both hands are flesh. Since we're going to have a competition, why not let Xiaoyu join? Xiaoyu looks very smart. If she studies and learns to read in the future, she might even marry into the county."
Uh... Zhan Laoda was stunned, and Madam Li was equally surprised. Looking at the amiable Little Madam Yao, she felt a bit more at ease.
Although the eldest branch had no sons, it was this couple who had contributed the most to the Zhan family. Being remembered for their kindness by the family made them happy.
Clenching her chubby little fists tightly, Zhan Feiyu looked up, her face a picture of innocence and surprise, as if she didn't understand that attending the private school had anything to do with her. She asked blankly, "If I win, do I get to go to the private school?"
Although both Zhan Laotou and Zhan Laotai favored their grandsons, they also doted on Zhan Feiyu, their eldest granddaughter. They were accustomed to her clever and lively demeanor. Seeing her sitting on a small stool, tilting her head up, her large, dark, and lustrous eyes wide like a cat's, her adorably silly expression made everyone in the main hall of the Zhan family laugh.
Zhan Laosan laughed heartily, flicked Zhan Feiyu's forehead, picked her up, and held her high. "Yes, if Xiaoyu wins, your uncle will send you to the private school!"
Among children of the same age, Zhan Feiyu appeared quick-witted and intelligent. However, she was still a little girl. Learning needlework and a few dishes from Zhan Laotou in the kitchen, then getting engaged around fourteen or fifteen, and marrying a couple of years later – this was the path all young girls in Jinlin Village would take.
Attending private school? Even the twenty to thirty families in the village who were wealthier than the Zhan family did not send their daughters to school. This was just talk, meant to amuse.
The competition was thus decided, with a ten-day period. Erlang, Sanlang, and Zhan Feiyu would compete based on their memory.
Zhan Dalang would spend half an hour each day teaching the three of them to recite the "Three Character Classic." After ten days, whoever recited the most fluently would win.
As night fell, the cicadas' chirping stopped, and the daytime heat dissipated. All households had extinguished their oil lamps.
Zhan family's third branch.
Madam Ma, lying on the bed unable to sleep, turned over and nudged Zhan Laosan's back, muttering, "What is Second Sister-in-law planning? Xiaoyu is so smart. If Xiaoyu can recite it, will they really let a girl go to private school? Isn't that a waste of money?"
Zhan Laosan, just falling asleep, was woken up. He moved to the edge of the bed grumpily and mumbled, "Why worry so much? Whoever wins, goes."
"You!" Madam Ma glared at him angrily, but then she smiled again. Her own Erlang was much better than Sanlang. Even if Xiaoyu went to private school, it would be better than letting the second branch be smug!
Madam Ma relaxed, closed her eyes, and within half an hour, she was fast asleep.
The Zhan family's second branch also had three rooms. In front of the osmanthus tree by the wall, they had built a wooden room. This was Dalang's study.
After trimming the wick, the study became brighter. Little Madam Yao, seeing Dalang put down his book, reminded him again, "Starting tomorrow, remember to secretly teach Sanlang a few more times."
"Mother, I'm not stupid." Dalang looked impatiently at his mother, who had already said it five times. Erlang was his cousin, and Sanlang was his own brother. No matter how brainless Zhan Dalang was, he knew to help his own brother.
Little Madam Yao pursed her lips and smiled, a proud expression on her face. "Alright, Mother won't disturb your studies."
Returning to the bedroom, she saw Zhan Lao'er sitting on the bed, fanning himself. Little Madam Yao's smile deepened, and she proudly reported, "Isn't the method I thought of today good? Once my Sanlang wins, the third wife won't be able to talk about this matter anymore."
Little Madam Yao sat intimately on the edge of the bed next to Zhan Lao'er, imagining her two sons studying and achieving success in the imperial examinations. She would then be an official's wife, and not only the Zhan family but the entire village would rely on her sons for support.
"Sanlang's mind is smart, but he's wild and loves to play. After entering school, I'll ask Master Lin to discipline him more." Little Madam Yao paused and looked at Zhan Lao'er with a playful reproach, "Why did you let Xiaoyu get involved? That girl is too cunning."
Her two sons had good looks and good minds, destined to be officials. But no matter how smug Little Madam Yao was, she knew that her eldest niece, Zhan Feiyu, was not foolish. She just didn't want to admit that a mere girl was better than her sons.
Zhan Lao'er half-closed his eyes and said calmly, "Erlang and Sanlang are both eldest brother's nephews, but don't forget that eldest sister-in-law's surname is Li. The family still needs eldest brother and sister-in-law to support it. Reluctance and willingness are different."
"That's true. Eldest sister-in-law looks amiable, but she's very shrewd," Little Madam Yao pouted unhappily.
Among the three daughters-in-law of the Zhan family, Madam Li had the best reputation. She was kind-tempered, benevolent, and capable. Her only failing was not being able to bear sons, otherwise, the spot in the private school would definitely belong to the eldest branch.
Zhan Lao'er smiled shrewdly, looking at his wife's stern face, and explained unhurriedly, "As long as eldest brother sides with the family."
Eldest brother was stubborn and needed to be appeased. However, no matter how good the brotherly affection was, it couldn't compare to marital affection. Zhan Lao'er had sensed something. Therefore, when Little Madam Yao brought up the competition regarding the division of peaches, Zhan Lao'er carefully considered adding his niece, Zhan Feiyu, into the mix.
With eldest sister-in-law appeased, and with this premise, eldest brother would definitely work hard to support his nephew's studies. Even if eldest sister-in-law whispered in his ear, Zhan Lao'er was not afraid.
Moreover, Father and Mother would not be put in a difficult position. The water would be kept level, and all three sons would be treated fairly, with no favoritism.
As for which branch privately benefited or gained an advantage, Zhan Lao'er's eyes, filled with shrewdness, revealed a hint of greed and smugness. That was a matter of personal ability.
Zhan Lao'er, having accounted for everything, put down the fan and lay down. He reminded Little Madam Yao with a hint of worry, "Starting tomorrow, you keep a close eye on Sanlang. Erlang is steady and much more patient than Sanlang."
"Alright, I know. I'll have Dalang secretly teach him, and Sanlang will definitely win." Little Madam Yao's smile was irrepressible. She wished the ten days would pass in an instant. No matter how smart or steady Erlang was, he was still an eight-year-old child. Without anyone teaching him, he definitely wouldn't win!
At midnight, the entire Jinlin Village fell silent. Zhan Feiyu climbed out of her small bed. Yesterday, she had deliberately created the scene of a peach-eating competition, confident that with her second uncle and aunt's shrewd calculations, they would take action after being provoked.
The wooden door creaked. Fortunately, her parents, having worked hard all day, were fast asleep. Zhan Feiyu tiptoed out of the door. The big yellow dog in the yard wagged its tail and then lay down obediently on the ground.
Zhan Dalang had already returned to his room to sleep. The small study was not locked. After sneaking in, Zhan Feiyu picked up the handwritten copy of the introductory "Three Character Classic" on the table by the moonlight, then took "You Xue Qiong Lin" from the simple bookshelf, and with her short legs, she left the Zhan family compound.
The big yellow dog immediately followed. The girl and the dog walked towards the woods behind the village.
On the slope to the right of the forest, there was a raised rock. The rock was huge, like a barrier, not only blocking Zhan Feiyu, who was nestled behind it, but also completely concealing the candlelight.
Zhan Feiyu lit the candle she had brought and placed it in a recess under the rock. By the moonlight and candlelight, she quickly read through the "Three Character Classic" once.