Qin family.
After school, Nian Jiaojiao was called to her home by Mrs. Qin.
Study.
Seeing that Mrs. Qin had not spoken for a long time, Nian Jiaojiao took the initiative to ask:
"Teacher, is there something you are looking for me for?"
"It's nothing, I just want to ask you a few questions."
Mrs. Qin said with a smile.
"Yes, please tell me."
As soon as she sat down, Mrs. Qin personally poured tea for Nian Jiaojiao, who accepted the teacup with both hands.
At this moment, Mrs. Qin slowly took out three books from her怀 and placed them on the desk.
"How do you think these three books are written?"
Nian Jiaojiao put down her teacup and leaned closer to take a look.
Holy cow!
Aren't these the "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" she wrote?
Is Mrs. Qin that idle?
She actually reads romance novels?
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's stiff movements as she flipped through the books, Mrs. Qin's mouth curved into an arc, and she said leisurely:
"This book has really gone viral recently, and everyone is discussing it everywhere. I never used to read these kinds of books, but someone in the family bought it, so I casually flipped through it. Have you read it before?"
Nian Jiaojiao's mouth twitched, and she said without looking away:
"My duty is to study hard, so naturally, I wouldn't read these miscellaneous books!"
Mrs. Qin said with a half-smile:
"Oh? As expected of my most valued student, you're devoted to your studies. However..."
Suddenly, she changed the subject:
"However, why does this writing style look a bit familiar?"
Saying that, Mrs. Qin took out another stack of papers from the drawer. Nian Jiaojiao looked closely.
Good heavens!
Isn't this precisely her after-school homework?
"This... Teacher..."
Nian Jiaojiao looked up and saw the other person's expression that seemed to say, "I know everything."
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
Old fox!
"Teacher, I, I just wanted to help supplement the household expenses! You know our family's situation, four mouths to feed at home, they..."
"Enough!"
Mrs. Qin interrupted Nian Jiaojiao's sob story and said irritably:
"Don't try to pull this stunt on me, you!"
"However, the poetry is still good, very literary... No, this book became popular a few months ago, and you hadn't started learning to write poetry then... What is this?"
Nian Jiaojiao's brain spun rapidly, and soon she replied:
"Oh, my father-in-law is also a Xiucai, and I've been influenced by him."
"Your father-in-law?"
"Yes, Scholar Xu from the Xu family!"
"The Xu family..." Mrs. Qin seemed to realize something.
There was only one scholar surnamed Xu in Shanshui Town, and that was the scholar who ranked first.
This also explained it.
But even so, it was still her own talent.
Mrs. Qin glanced at Nian Jiaojiao and then said:
"Don't worry, I called you here not to hold you accountable. The private school does not stipulate that students cannot write books."
Nian Jiaojiao asked curiously:
"Then what is this?"
"This is a letter sent from Fengcheng, but I don't think you'll need it."
Nian Jiaojiao took the letter from Mrs. Qin's hand and saw that it was a letter of recommendation. She looked at the other person in surprise.
Mrs. Qin smiled and said: httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"I have seen your talent, and it is a waste for you to stay in our private school. The academy in Fengcheng is more suitable for you. I originally wanted to be your recommender, but since you are the daughter-in-law of Scholar Xu, I think she should have made preparations for you."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Indeed, at the New Year's reunion, Scholar Xu had told her to go to the academy after some time. A few days ago, he had even sent a letter of recommendation, but she had been hesitating and had not set off.
Nian Jiaojiao bowed deeply to Mrs. Qin.
"Regardless, thank you, Teacher!"
Mrs. Qin quickly stepped forward to help her up and patted her shoulder:
"When you go to the academy, study hard and don't bring shame to our Qin family's private school."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded heavily.
...
Tong family.
"Mother, I don't want to go to Fengcheng to study. Isn't it good for me to study at the private school in Shanshui Town?"
Tong Fu said coquettishly to her mother.
She didn't like going to a place where she didn't know anyone.
Besides, Nian Jiaojiao was also studying at the Qin family's private school in Shanshui Town, so it would be great if she could go there.
Mrs. Tong frowned:
"Fu'er, why are you so insensible? Your mother is doing this for your own good. Can the town's private school compare to an academy? You're going to take the Xiucai exam, not the Tong Sheng exam. Your mother can't help you anymore, you can only rely on your own hard work."
Tong Fu pouted:
"Isn't the result obvious? I can't even pass the Tong Sheng exam, let alone the Xiucai exam!"
When Mrs. Tong heard this, her tone became serious:
"You have no ambition! Look at you, you only know how to play all day, and the friends you make are just drinking buddies and hangers-on. When you go to Fengcheng, you must break off contact with them!"
Tong Fu was unconvinced:
"Who says all my friends are hangers-on? I have a friend named Nian Jiaojiao, and she's the Tong Shou for this exam!"
Tong Fu's face showed pride, as if she were the Tong Shou herself.
Mrs. Tong looked surprised.
How did she not know that her daughter had such a friend?
"Who exactly is your friend? When did you meet her? Why haven't I ever heard you mention her?"
Tong Fu raised her small face: "Not only me, but my brother also knows her!"
So, she told Mrs. Tong everything about how she met Nian Jiaojiao.
Mrs. Tong pondered for a moment.
The Tong Shou, even if she didn't do well in the future, would at least be a Xiucai.
This friend was worth making.
However, how deep the friendship should be was debatable.
After all, she was just the Tong Shou of their Shanshui Town.
This was the mindset of a merchant; they considered the gains and losses when making friends.
Thus, Mrs. Tong instructed her daughter:
"You can make this friend, but the most important thing for you now is to study! You will pack your bags and go to Fengcheng tomorrow, and don't say another word."
Tong Fu wanted to make a final struggle, so she smiled flatteringly at Mrs. Tong:
"Mother, can I bring my third brother? If you bring him, you'll be more at ease."
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Tong still refused her decisively.
"Your third brother is of marrying age. I will arrange a match for him in a while, so he can't follow you around everywhere."
Just as Tong Fu was about to argue, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Tong Ziyao walked in and respectfully greeted Mrs. Tong:
"Mother."
Seeing her proud son, Mrs. Tong's expression softened slightly, and she asked:
"Ziyao, is there something?"
Tong Ziyao replied:
"Mother, I want to accompany Tong Fu to study at the academy in Fengcheng."
Mrs. Tong was confused:
"Your sister is going to study, what are you going to do?"
Tong Ziyao stood up straight like a bamboo pole and said:
"To supervise Fourth Sister's studies, Mother. Don't worry, with me by her side, I will definitely help Fourth Sister pass the Xiucai exam in three years."
Tong Fu would definitely not pass the Xiucai exam next year. The second exam would be in three years.
However, passing the Xiucai exam in three years would be quite good.