Xiao Jinheng didn't quite agree with Xiao Xitian opening a mahjong parlor. After all, she was still too young, and managing too many shops would be overwhelming.
At such a young age, she had to bear the responsibility of earning money to support the family. What if she got exhausted?
If they were really short on money, she could just ask him for it.
"Huh? Stinky boy, why aren't you talking?" Xiao Xitian asked curiously.
Xiao Jinheng snapped back to attention and gave a dry laugh, "Little village girl, where did you get this mahjong from?"
After asking, he felt rather speechless. What was the point of asking the origin of something a little monster produced?
It was naturally picked up.
"I picked it up by accident!" Xiao Xitian replied earnestly.
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
See, that's exactly what he guessed.
Putting the mahjong matter aside for now, Xiao Jinheng had another important reason for calling Xiao Xitian over today.
"Little village girl, you're six years old this year, aren't you?" Xiao Jinheng changed the subject.
Xiao Xitian: "???"
The question was very sudden.
Seeing the little village girl's bewildered expression, Xiao Jinheng smiled slightly and explained, "It's like this, you and I have both reached the age to study. My father has also been quite concerned about this matter, so he wants to send Scholar Jiang from the Hanlin Academy to Great Water Village to teach both of us."
As soon as Scholar Jiang was mentioned, Xiao Jinheng's expression became bright and cheerful, as if he greatly admired the man. "This Scholar Jiang is in charge of the lecturing work in the Hanlin Academy. He is truly learned, knowledgeable about both ancient and modern times, and proficient in all the classics and histories. We can also have Jingde and Xiao Bao come to listen to the lessons, and everyone can study together."
Xiao Xitian listened and stared blankly at Xiao Jinheng, wondering, "Stinky boy, do you want to open a private school?"
There was an academy in the county town, and Gao Jingde and Yun Xiao Bao could attend it. Why study at home?
Xiao Jinheng smiled faintly, "The private school is being set up specifically for you. You also know that the imperial court's regulations do not allow girls to study at academies. Apart from hiring a tutor at home, we have no other choice. Little village girl, you don't want to be illiterate, do you?"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
Do I look like an illiterate person?
She actually just didn't want to trouble the stinky boy too much. To think that they would invite a scholar from the Hanlin Academy for her studies. What an honor this would be for the Yun family!
"Don't worry, I've arranged everything. Scholar Jiang will arrive in Great Water Village in a few days. Little village girl, you just need to listen carefully to the lessons!" Xiao Jinheng instructed.
Xiao Xitian wrinkled her little nose, feeling quite unhappy.
In her previous life, she had completed nine years of compulsory education, followed by university, postgraduate studies, and a doctorate. Why did she have to pore over books again after transmigrating?
The thought of sitting at a desk every day, holding a book and reading from morning till night, sent a shiver of fear through Xiao Xitian.
"We'll... we'll see then!" Xiao Xitian twitched her lips, then put the mahjong tiles back into the box and trotted away.
That night, in the main hall of the Yun family.
Old Man Yun, Madam Gu, and the elderly couple Han Che'er sat around a table, earnestly playing mahjong.
With Xiao Xitian standing by to guide them, these middle-aged and elderly people quickly grasped the gameplay and rules.
As soon as Xiao Xinling saw this thing, she was more enthusiastic than if she had seen her own parents. She pestered Old Man Yun, insisting on playing a round.
"Uncle Yun, please, just let me play one round, okay?" Xiao Xinling pleaded.
Old Man Yun stiffened his neck, "Girls are not allowed to touch this thing."
What if she got addicted?
Since mahjong also involved gambling, Old Man Yun didn't want his children to get involved with it.
Xiao Xinling pouted her lips even higher and pleaded again, "Uncle Yun, then... then I can help you stack the tiles, right?"
Young people learn quickly. For people like Er Man, Xiao Xinling, Xiao Jinfeng, and Jin Huaihua, just watching a few rounds was enough for them to understand.
Old Man Yun grunted, "Stacking tiles is fine, but you can't play!"
Xiao Xinling: "..."
Yun Erman was also itching to play. He secretly pulled Xiao Xitian aside and asked urgently, "Sister, where can this thing be bought? Second Brother will go buy a set right now!"
Xiao Xitian couldn't help but laugh when she heard this, "Second Brother, this set of mahjong is the only one in the entire Great Liang Kingdom. Second Brother won't be able to buy one."
"Ah?" Yun Erman was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. "Look, your sister-in-law Shanshan is pregnant now, and she doesn't have much to do at home. I want to get her a set of mahjong to pass the time. Sister, can you get another set of mahjong for Second Brother? Second Brother will buy you candy!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
Second Brother, you clearly want to play mahjong yourself, but you're using sister-in-law Shanshan as an excuse. You're very wicked.
"Let's wait a bit longer. This thing needs to be custom-made, and it might take a long time!" Xiao Xitian said with a smile.
Since there was only one set of mahjong in her spatial dimension, if she wanted to open a mahjong parlor, she would have to order them in large quantities.
Hearing this, Yun Erman lowered his head dejectedly and went back inside.
The couple Han Che'er were clearly very fascinated by this thing. Once they joined the game, it was hard to get them away from the mahjong table.
Even the serious Si Yaketun rolled up his sleeves in front of the mahjong, shouting and yelling over one or two copper coins.
"No, I say, Brother Yun, there's a problem with your calculation. I just won a hand with a pure color and double杠, why did you only give me five copper coins? Are you bullying me because I can't calculate?" Si Yaketun glared.
Old Man Yun held his tobacco pipe, puffing smoke, and said calmly, "Sister-in-law Jiao Jiao, you can't be unreasonable. Last round I won a big hand, and you haven't given me the money yet."
Hmph, don't even think about playing these tricks with him.
"Didn't... didn't I give it?" Si Ya mumbled, then looked blankly at Madam Gu.
Madam Gu couldn't help but laugh and cry, nodding, "Indeed, I didn't give the money."
Why did she feel that after Si Yaketun started playing mahjong, he no longer mentioned looking for their daughter?
She didn't know how that disobedient Princess Han was doing now, or if she was eating properly.
Little did she know, at this very moment, Han Chejiao was lying on a bed in an inn, her belly so full it looked like a ball. By her bedside were roast chicken, roast duck, and roast goose, and even two pots of fine Hua Diao wine.
It seemed that this girl had indeed not let herself suffer.
"We barbarians never renege on our debts in this regard. Han Che'er, hand over the money immediately!" Si Yaketun said sternly.
Han Che'er: "..."
Old woman, when you get serious, you're even crazier than men.
Fine, as long as you're happy playing, he wasn't short of money.
At the same time, on a vast grassland north of the northern frontier, a young man was galloping on a swift horse.