Chapter 247
"Miss, just tell me if you have anything to ask. There's no need to discuss it with me."
Jiang Shuyue looked at Jinhua steadily and said, "Is Yaozu of your family six years old?"
Jinhua picked up the teapot and added some water to the teacup, then stepped back and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, my son will be seven years old after the Chinese New Year."
"Sui Sui needs a book boy to study with. You can discuss with your head of the family later. Are you willing to let Yaozu and Sui Sui go to the city to study together?"
Jinhua was full of joy and nodded hurriedly, "Thank you, Miss, I am willing, of course I am willing. Being a book boy for the young master is the blessing that Yaozu has cultivated in his previous life."
The young masters of wealthy families all have a book boy of about the same age as themselves. The book boy eats, lives and studies and writes with the young master.
Xiao Jingzhao said that he would arrange a companion for Sui Sui. Jiang Shuyue wanted to cultivate the Zhang family, and the first person she thought of for the book boy was Yaozu.
When Xiao Jingzhao discussed the matter of accompanying her to study, Jiang Shuyue had proposed that the bookboys of all ages should go to the lecture hall to listen to the lessons together.
This is a treatment that the bookboys of ordinary wealthy families do not have.
Jiang Shuyue said: "You'd better discuss this matter with your head of the family."
"I will listen to the young lady." Jinhua happily withdrew and ran to the kitchen after leaving the inner courtyard.
Aunt Zhang was preparing lunch with Zhang Qiu.
I didn't know that the young lady would come today, and it was too late to go to the town to buy meat. Aunt Zhang used the dried game to stew a pot of soup.
"Mother, I have good news to tell you. The young lady asked Yaozu to go to the city to be a bookboy for the young master." Jinhua said happily as she stepped into the kitchen.
"Sister-in-law, are you serious?" Zhang Qiu was burning a fire. He threw the firewood in his hand into the kitchen and stood up suddenly and asked.
"Old family, are you serious?" Aunt Zhang was so happy that she was dizzy. She couldn't believe that such a good thing actually fell on her Yaozu.
In the wealthy families in the capital, the quota for book boys is all the descendants of the children born in the mansion. The young lady clearly said that Yaozu and his mother are not slaves, which shows how much the young lady trusts her family.
"Of course it's true. The young lady asked me to discuss with my parents and Yaozu's father. Are you willing to let Yaozu leave the manor?"
"I'm willing to let him go. Yaozu will have a better future if he goes with the young lady than if he stays with us." Aunt Zhang was so happy that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes piled up.
The grandson does not need to pay tuition for studying, and someone will take care of his food and clothing all year round. If he wins the favor of the young master, he will work for the young master when he grows up. Such a good thing, Aunt Zhang never dreamed of it.
"Sister-in-law, come and watch the fire. I will tell my father and eldest brother this good news."
The second brother took people to Yanhui Mountain to burn charcoal. Every time they went up the mountain, they had to stay by the earthen kiln on the mountain for several days.
Before Jinhua responded, Zhang Qiu ran out of the yard.
Next to the firewood room, Yaozu held a newly born little rabbit for Suisui to touch.
"Master, touch it quickly, its fur is so soft."
As soon as Suisui rubbed it, Gao Mu and Cang Yun came over.
"Ahem, Master Suisui, do you still want to stroll by the river today?" Gao Mu asked with two dry coughs.
Suisui turned around, "Is there anything fun by the river?"
Gao Mu said with a guilty conscience, "Let's go fishing."
Seeing Suisui was indifferent, Cang Yun echoed, "Yes, let's go fishing, catch a lot of big fish."
Suisui turned around and asked Yaozu, "Do you want to go fishing?"
"Yaozu listens to the young master."
At this time, Qiuju's voice sounded behind him, "Come on, those two small fish were not enough to make soup last time, Suisui, don't go."
Qiuju glared at Gao Mu.
The two's thoughts were seen through. Gao Mu and Cang Yun looked at each other and said, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. Miss won't stay here today. Let's go feed the horses."
Watching the two leave
Yao Zu was confused and stayed where he was, wondering, didn't he catch several big fish last time? Why wasn't it enough to cook soup?
Is the pot of the young master in the city too big?
After lunch, the Zhang family began to pack clothes for Yao Zu. When Yao Zu learned that he was going to follow the young master into the city, although he was reluctant to leave his parents, he was more happy and excited.
Especially Zhang Yuanshan, he thanked Jiang Shuyue several times. If Jiang Shuyue hadn't signaled Qiu Ju to stop him, he would have knelt down and kowtowed to thank the master for his kindness.
Qiuju watched Jinhua come to the main courtyard with a package, and she smiled: "Sister-in-law Jinhua, keep this package of clothes for Yaozu's unborn brother. When Yaozu returns to the capital with us, I will ask someone to prepare clothes, shoes and socks."
"Miss Qiuju, don't make fun of me. I haven't planned to take it yet." Jinhua smiled embarrassedly.
Qiuju asked Jinhua to take the package back, and then went to the courtyard to find Suisui and Yaozu.
After dinner, the two took the two little rabbits to play outside the courtyard.
In the hall, Zhang Yuanshan and his son were concentrating on listening to Jiang Shuyue's explanation of how to grow chives.
"Miss, are you saying that chives are not green when grown, and there is no need to build a greenhouse?" Zhang Cai picked up a pen and wrote down while listening. He would ask questions about anything he didn't understand.
"Well, if it's not exposed to light, it will turn slightly yellow. If it's not covered well, it will turn green, and it won't taste tender."
Zhang Qiu immediately understood the principle of what Jiang Shuyue said, and he took over the conversation: "Miss, what you mean is that if leeks are not exposed to light, they will be like weeds pressed under stones, white and tender with a slight yellow tint."
Jiang Shuyue gave Zhang Qiu a thumbs up, "Zhang Qiu is really careful in observation. It's probably like that. It doesn't matter what season it is. It can be planted all year round. It's very delicious when it's used to stir-fry meat."
Zhang Yuanshan was fascinated by what he heard. He had lived in the manor for so long, and there were many chives in the fields, but he didn't know as much as his master from the capital.
Jiang Shuyue paused and said, "The villagers have worked hard to build the greenhouse. This recipe for growing chives will be passed on to everyone. Each family can take it to the market to sell it, which can also be considered an income."
Jiang Shuyue knew that it would be good for the villagers to sell some cash, even if they could sell a few dozen coins at a time.
The wealthy families in the capital have salaries and shops to collect rent. Many families also have their own businesses in secret. The ladies of high rank spend hundreds of taels of silver on a set of gorgeous clothes and jewelry. They can't understand the hardships of the lower-class people.
Since she came here, she had to do something for this place. It is better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish.
Zhang Yuanshan was so excited that his eyes were filled with tears. He quickly bowed to Jiang Shuyue respectfully, "Miss, you are so kind. Thank you for thinking about everyone. I would like to thank you on behalf of the villagers."
The surrounding villagers have become rich. They remember the kindness of the young lady and look up to her family.
After arranging the things on the farm, Jiang Shuyue went back home.
She and Qiuju took a carriage. In order to make Yaozu feel less restrained, he and Suisui took a carriage driven by Cangyun.
…
In the palace, Xiao Jingzhao breathed a sigh of relief after reading the letter delivered by the postman at full speed.
The border crisis was resolved and the soldiers were returning.
Xiang Song looked at his master holding a secret letter in his hand and hesitant to open it. He stretched his neck and took a look, "Your Majesty, this letter has a special seal. Is it a handwritten letter from the Emperor of Liang?"
Xiao Jingzhao said "hmm" lightly and slowly opened the heavy envelope...