"Da Bao, your father has only managed to save two taels of silver for you. Spend it wisely. If it's not enough, your father will find another way."
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao remain silent, Madam Li assumed the other party was displeased with the amount of money she had brought.
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head and smiled faintly.
"It's enough. I'll use this money where it's most needed. Thank you, Father!"
Madam Li was taken aback for a moment, then said tearfully with emotion,
"My Da Bao has truly grown up and become so sensible."
Nian Jiaojiao then spoke again,
"Father, I also have something to tell you."
Hearing this, Madam Li gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and said seriously, "Have you encountered any difficulties?"
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head.
"Please don't worry, Father. Let me explain."
"The first matter is about my name change. I now have a formal name, Jiaojiao."
"Jiaojiao? Nian Jiaojiao..." Madam Li was delighted and agreed, "That's a wonderful name! My child is truly a pride of heaven!"
Nian Jiaojiao continued,
"The second matter is about my intention to study..."
"Study!?"
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Madam Li's exclamation.
She nodded and affirmed with a serious expression,
"That's right, study! And I also plan to participate in the Tong Sheng examination this year."
After she finished, she expected her father to inquire about the reasons for the examination or related matters. To her surprise, Madam Li was overjoyed.
"Da Bao, oh no! I should call you Jiaojiao now. You've finally opened up! With your intelligence, studying will surely not be a problem!"
"Most importantly, it will make your mother look at you differently! And incidentally, let your two sisters know that my child's talent is something they can never catch up to!"
Nian Jiaojiao was speechless for a moment.
It seemed her father was still a proud man.
Although he didn't say it out loud in front of her, he still longed for his daughter to achieve great things.
Madam Li soon realized she had gotten too excited. She calmed down and feigned a slight cough.
"Ahem, in any case, if you need anything, be sure to tell your father."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
"The money you gave me is a great help."
Madam Li nodded slightly.
"Are books, brushes, ink, and oil lamps all ready?"
"Don't worry, everything is prepared. Father, you should go back soon. Judging by the time, Mother will be back soon."
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao say this, Madam Li finally left the small courtyard, looking back three times with reluctance.
...
Shanshui Town.
Shanshui Private School.
Because most scholars who had achieved academic titles would only teach their own clan members, they received official stipends and were continuously supported by their clans.
Therefore, private schools open to ordinary citizens like those in Shanshui Town were not numerous, with only two in total.
Among them, Shanshui Private School was the most renowned.
Not for any other reason, but because Shanshui Private School had a scholar teaching there.
"Teacher Chen, may I inquire if my daughter has the honor of becoming a student of Teacher Jia?"
"Look behind you, look!"
"Hmm? I don't see Teacher Jia, the elder?"
Madam Nian pulled Nian Zhenzhen to look back. Although it was early morning, a long queue had already formed in front of the private school.
While Madam Nian was still deliberating, people queuing behind her became impatient.
"What's going on at the front? Why is registering taking so long?"
"Exactly, isn't it just a matter of paying money and filling out a form?"
"Hey! Sister, didn't you understand what Teacher Chen said? Teacher Chen meant to tell you to look at how many people are behind us who want to become Teacher Jia's disciples. Can Teacher Jia, the elder, take all of them?"
"Haha! This person is so naive! She's actually looking for Teacher Jia behind her!"
Hearing the mockery, Madam Nian's face turned pale and flushed. Just as she was about to argue, Nian Zhenzhen, standing beside her, tugged at her sleeve.
"Mother, let's register first."
For Nian Zhenzhen's sake, Madam Nian endured the insult. With a stiff expression, she said to Teacher Chen,
"Teacher Chen, here is five taels of silver."
Teacher Chen casually tossed the silver into the box and took a red bamboo slip from the table.
"Take this! Everyone here wants to find a teacher. Just wanting is not enough; what matters is talent. You must pass the assessment to catch Teacher Jia's eye!"
Saying this, Teacher Chen smiled dismissively.
Teacher Jia became a scholar at the age of twenty-six. Since she was neither a top-ranked scholar nor recommended by three provincial graduates, she was not eligible to continue the imperial examinations.
However, there was a special channel to continue on the path of imperial examinations: nurturing students who became provincial graduates!
The laws of the Great Yue clearly stated: "Teachers of provincial graduates and above are specially permitted to continue their imperial examinations."
Thus, in the more than twenty years since Teacher Jia opened her private school, she had taken more than a dozen direct disciples.
However, not a single one of these dozen disciples had managed to become a provincial graduate.
Therefore, in the past three years, Teacher Jia had only taken one direct disciple.
She became increasingly strict in her selection of disciples, wanting to devote more time to those who were truly exceptional.
In Teacher Chen's opinion, the Madam Nian before her did not seem very intelligent, so how smart could her daughter be?
Aspiring to be a direct disciple? Dream on!
Since Nian Zhenzhen would be studying at Shanshui Private School, Madam Nian could only offer a smiling apology as she took the red slip from Teacher Chen.
"Understood, understood. Thank you, Teacher Chen."
...
The mother and daughter left the private school after registering.
The withered willows on both banks drooped by the river, adding to the desolation.
"That Teacher Chen is so snobbish!"
Nian Zhenzhen, being young, had endured it as long as she could.
"Hush!"
Madam Nian placed a finger on her lips, signaling silence.
She quickly glanced around and, finding no one paying attention, whispered,
"Shanshui Private School has significant influence in Shanshui Town. We must speak carefully outside. If someone with ill intentions overhears, your future days at Shanshui Private School will be difficult!"
"I know, Mother. But that Teacher Chen is just a Tong Sheng, not even a scholar. She's just barking doggishly!"
Nian Zhenzhen's voice was much lower, but her face was filled with indignant resentment.
"Alright, Zhenzhen, the glory of our Nian family will depend on you from now on..."
Madam Nian patted Nian Zhenzhen's shoulder, then as if remembering something, sighed deeply.
"Alas... I, Nian Ri Tian, have four daughters in total. The eldest has been expelled from the family, and the youngest died prematurely. Now, only you and the third child remain by my side."
"The third child is not in good health and cannot participate in the imperial examinations, so this heavy burden can only fall on you... You must bring me honor!"
Nian Zhenzhen nodded, "Don't worry, Mother. I will definitely become a provincial graduate!"
Then, she changed the subject,
"Speaking of which, it was that Nian Da Bao who caused Third Sister to be unable to participate in the imperial examinations! I think we should report her to the authorities and have her thrown in prison!"
"Nonsense!"
Madam Nian frowned and stopped her, continuing,
"This matter is settled. She has already been driven out of the family. Moreover, both sides have their own claims, and without evidence, how can we sue the authorities? If this spreads, it will only lead to ridicule!"
She looked deeply at Nian Zhenzhen, "You are not allowed to mention this again, do you understand!?"
Under Madam Nian's stern gaze, Nian Zhenzhen reluctantly nodded.
After Madam Nian walked away.
Nian Zhenzhen gazed at Madam Nian's retreating back and murmured softly,
"They all say you favor me, but I know that you truly favor Nian Da Bao..."
"Heh, expelled from the family? Do you think I don't know this is to protect that wicked woman!"
"Poor Third Sister, forever reliant on medicine..."
Speaking of this, Nian Zhenzhen's gaze deepened, as if making a vow, she uttered each word,
"Third Sister, don't worry. One day, I will seek justice for you!"