Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Li Ying (Part 1)
Jiang Shaohua examined silently.
County Magistrate Cui, born into the Qinghe Cui Family, is a distinguished young talent himself, so naturally his wife is not an ordinary woman. This Mrs. Li is of the same clan as Consort Li from the inner court, and in terms of seniority, she should call Consort Li an elder cousin.
Of course, the Li clan is a significant family, numbering near thousands. Those closely related to Consort Li with familial ties are at least one or two hundred.
County Magistrate Cui and Mrs. Li are cousins, betrothed since childhood, grew up together, and have deep affection. After marrying, Mrs. Li followed her husband to Ye County, consecutively giving birth to two sons.
"Mrs. Li greets the Commandery Princess." Mrs. Li has a graceful figure and delicate features, presenting a dignified stance as she bows.
Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly, "Mr. Li, please rise quickly."
Upon hearing the term "Mr. Li," Mrs. Li couldn’t help but press her lips with a smile. After rising, she gently said, "Ye County is holding an academy for the first time, and there are quite a few debates among the people about girls studying. So, I took the initiative to propose becoming a teacher to alleviate the concerns of the people. I hope the Commandery Princess will forgive my impertinence."
"Both of you are mindful people, which I, the Commandery Princess, greatly admire and appreciate," Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, "Besides, in an academy, you should naturally address as teacher."
"May I ask for Mr. Li’s full name?"
According to Da Liang’s customs, after women marry, they adopt their husband’s surname, and their maiden name should not be easily disclosed. For instance, Mrs. Li should be called Mrs.Cui Li.
Mrs. Li was momentarily stunned by the inquiry, instinctively looked up to meet the gaze of the Commandery Princess, "I am surnamed Li, with the maiden name Ying."
"Li Ying, a good name!" Jiang Shaohua complimented with a smile, then earnestly instructed, "Since you’ve become a teacher, you must hold up the female academy. Today there are only five students, perhaps next year there will be ten, the year after twenty."
"I will visit Ye County Academy annually henceforth, hoping it to be the best not only in Nanyang County but also in Da Liang’s counties."
Just these few sentences filled Li Shi with a rush of enthusiasm... No, from now on, she should be addressed as Li Ying.
Li Ying solemnly replied, "Yes, I will not fail to live up to the Commandery Princess’s expectations."
Jiang Shaohua further inquired, "What are they learning currently?"
"What is their progress in learning?"
"Among them, who is the most diligent?"
Li Ying answered each one, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, they began with the Qianziwen literary texts. The academy opened a month ago, and every month there’s a four-day rest. Their learning pace is standard, similar to the academy next door, if not more diligent."
"Among these five children, the most intelligent and aspiring one is Lu Daniu."
County Magistrate Cui chuckled as he took over, saying, "It’s the Lu Family from last year where the daughter-in-law accused the mother-in-law. Though the Lu family quarrels, they are both willing to let Lu Daniu study."
Li Ying softly added, "The mother-in-law feels there’s free lunch without expenses, so why not take advantage of the county government’s offer. While the daughter wishes for her child to succeed, hoping her daughter can stand out like Chen Sheren and serve beside the Commandery Princess."
Chen Jinyu was surprised that the matter related to her, feeling a bit proud and amused, "She indeed has vision. Now, Lu Daniu, come over so I can take a look. Let me see if she has the talent to become a housekeeper."
Jiang Shaohua laughed lightly, "She cannot compare to Chen Sheren. In my heart, Chen Sheren is unparalleled, unmatched."
The lies of the Commandery Princess’s mouth.
Lu Cong felt jealous inside.
Ma Yaosong was endlessly envious. He also wished to be praised as unparalleled by the Commandery Princess!
Li Ying called a young girl over with a smile.
This little girl seemed about seven or eight years old, fair-skinned, with delicate features, and especially bright large eyes. Facing the Commandery Princess, she wasn’t frightened at all and generously bowed, "Daniu greets the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua smiled as she evaluated, "You are lovely and confident, very good."
Lu Daniu blushed from the praise, puffed out her chest, and loudly responded, "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for the compliment."
Then, she looked up expectantly, "Commandery Princess, if I study well, can I serve like Chen Sheren in the future?"
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Who told you that?"
Lu Daniu grinned, showing two loose front teeth, "My mom told me."
Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed with laughter, she reached out to gently stroke Lu Daniu’s soft hair, "Alright, I promise you. Follow Mr. Li and study well, after five or six years, you can come and serve at the Prince Mansion."
Lu Daniu was thrilled, jumping once, "Great! I have to tell my mom and my grandmother tonight. Grandma always favors my brother, I must outdo him one day and show grandma."
Jiang Shaohua was amused, "How old is your brother? Does he study at the academy too?"
Lu Daniu nodded, "My brother is in the class next door, he’s two years younger than me. Grandma always says he is the root of the Lu Family, and the future of the Lu Family depends on him. She also says when I grow up and get married into a good family, I can help him by being educated. Hearing this makes me unhappy."
"Commandery Princess, am I too envious, not being a good sister?"
Lu Daniu is smart and precocious, already having her own thoughts at such a young age.
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze softened, her voice was especially gentle, "You’re great, it’s your grandmother who is biased and narrow-minded. In my view, you’ll certainly be a smart and capable girl in the future, not inferior to anyone."
Lu Daniu was delighted by the reassurance.
In terms of age, at this moment Jiang Shaohua is only three years older than Lu Daniu.
However, everyone instinctively regards the Commandery Princess as an adult, with no sense of the scene being unusual.
Dusk fell as the sound of the night watchman’s clappers echoed.
As school was dismissed, the children swarmed out of the academy, flying like swallows into their parents’ arms who had come to pick them up.
Lu Daniu first met with her brother, then returned home with her mother.
On the way, Lu Daniu with great excitement and radiance recounted her encounter with the Commandery Princess.
Mrs. Lu Zhang listened joyfully, embraced her daughter with a smile, "Daniu is clever, unafraid before the Commandery Princess. You must study well and become literate, so when you grow up you can go and work at the Prince Mansion."
Her brother sniffled, "Is Sister going to be a maid at the Prince Mansion?"
Lu Daniu glared at her brother, "I want to be a female official like Chen Sheren."
...
This day’s experience changed the destiny of Lu Daniu’s life.
For Li Ying, wasn’t it the same?
When Li Ying returned from the academy, she went alone into the study, unknown what she was busy with. Her two sons, one four years old and the other two years old, were clinging at the door, calling for mother in childish voices.
Upon returning, County Magistrate Cui saw this situation and felt heartache, he picked up his sons in each arm, "Why are you outside, why not go in?"
The second son was small, not yet speaking fluently.
The eldest son spoke clearly, "Mother said she needs to write some important things, and told us to wait outside, not to disturb her."
County Magistrate Cui: "..."