Chapter 106
For the past two days, Luo Yan hadn't gone out, focusing instead on teaching Luo Yuxing to read and write at home.
Every day, Luo Yan taught the child to write two characters, practicing each one dozens of times. Luo Yuxing never complained, continuing to write diligently until the adult told him to stop. However, Luo Yan couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache when he saw the child’s chubby little hands reddened from gripping the brush.
He knew the child was being stubborn. In the past, Luo Yuxing would have whined and refused to continue when tired, but since Luo Yan had rejected his request, the child had stopped making a fuss and seemed to carry on as usual.
However, having been with the child for so long, Luo Yan could easily detect his subtle moods.
Although Luo Yuxing still studied and wrote as usual, he seemed listless and less enthusiastic than before, yet he kept his feelings to himself.
Luo Yan tried to coax him: “You’ve been practicing writing for two days. How about going to the Zhang family this afternoon to catch crickets with Zhang Ruili?”
Luo Yuxing, holding his small brush with great seriousness, seemed very busy. “No.”
“Why not?”
Luo Yuxing remained silent, refusing to answer.
“Originally, Grandfather wanted to visit with you and ask if Zhang Ruijin and Zhang Ruili would like to come here to study. But if Xing’er doesn’t want to go, then forget it.”
Hearing this, Luo Yuxing quickly put down his brush. “Grandfather, I’ll go!”
Luo Yan couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.
____
“This afternoon, let’s visit two more private schools. The one we saw yesterday at Qiantang Hall wasn’t bad. Although the teacher is only a xiucai, I heard his students perform well when they enter academies.”
[Tóng shēng - preliminary student/candidate; Xiù cai - Prefectural Level; Jǔ rén - Provincial Level ; Jìn shì - The highest level, could serve in high-ranking government positions]
As he spoke, Xu He grew annoyed. “He’s clearly no worse than Master Meng, but just because one is a juren and the other a xiucai, the tuition fees differ by ten times. I think Master Meng is taking advantage of us because we’re merchants.”
Zhang Fangyuan also sighed. Among the private schools they had visited recently, Master Meng’s was indeed the most expensive. “It’s better not to deal with him in the future. The one at Qiantang Hall was good, but it’s too far, making it inconvenient to take the children there. Let’s look around today. If we can’t find a suitable one, we’ll have to go to Qiantang Hall.”
“Alright.”
The couple took a nap, got ready, discussed their plans for the afternoon, had some tea, and prepared to go out.
Spring had arrived late this year, and it seemed like the warm weather had barely lasted a few days before the heat set in. In reality, it was already the hot season, but in previous years, spring had arrived on time.
The long, hot days meant they could afford a short nap at noon, which left them feeling more refreshed in the afternoon.
The couple moved quietly, trying not to wake the two children in the side room. Xu He checked the gifts the servants had prepared and, seeing everything was in order, he said, “We haven’t found a teacher yet, but we’ve already given out a lot of gifts.”
They had gone to great lengths for their children’s education. Just as they were about to leave, Gancao came to report, “Master Luo is here.”
Zhang Fangyuan glanced at the sky. “Why is he here at this hour? Please bring him in.”
With a guest arriving, the couple had no choice but to return.
Luo Yan had brought Luo Yuxing with him. The child became lively as soon as he arrived, greeting everyone politely.
Xu He picked up the child, and Luo Yuxing eagerly asked, “Where’s Little Ruili?”
“Here!”
Before Xu He could say that the child and his brother were still napping, Little Ruili, who had woken up at some point, was waving at Luo Yuxing from the window.
“Come down, be careful not to fall!”
“Oh~” Little Ruili rubbed his eyes, still sleepy. He turned to see his brother standing beside him, grabbed Ruijin’s hand, and slid down, mumbling, “I heard Xing’er’s voice and climbed up.”
Xu He, holding Luo Yuxing, said to Luo Yan, “The two children are in the side room. I’ll take Xing’er over to play.”
“Thank you.” Luo Yan politely replied, then turned to Zhang Fangyuan. “No wonder he always wants to come here to play. They’re like kindred spirits.”
Zhang Fangyuan said, “Children are naturally playful and enjoy being around others. They always want companions.”
“I feel the same way. A couple of days ago, I heard you were looking for a teacher for your children. Have you found a suitable one yet?”
Zhang Fangyuan replied, “We’ve been to many places in the city, but it’s hard to find one that’s perfect.”
“Finding a teacher can be simple or difficult. While there are diligent students who achieve success on their own, having parents who support and guide them can save a lot of trouble.”
Luo Yan paused, then said, “If you trust me, you can send your two children to the Luo family for their early education. I’m currently teaching Xing’er, and the three children are about the same age. They can keep each other company.”
Zhang Fangyuan was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Luo Yan to bring this up during his visit.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Based on what he had seen and heard during his visit to the Luo residence, he was certain Luo Yan was highly educated and more than capable of teaching young children. However, since he didn’t know much about the Luo family’s background, he couldn’t agree rashly.
Luo Yan seemed to sense Zhang Fangyuan’s hesitation and smiled slightly. “You don’t need to worry. I’m not some shady character.”
With that, Luo Yan took out a token from his waist. “This is the certificate given to those who pass the provincial examination. I’m not an imposter. I’m not scheming anything, it’s just that Xing’er is lonely, and now that your two children are also seeking education, it would be best if they could keep each other company.”
Zhang Fangyuan was slightly surprised by the token. It was unexpected yet made sense, confirming his and Xu He’s guess that the Luo family was a scholarly family.
“This is quite sudden. I don’t make decisions alone in my family, I’ll need to discuss it with my fulang.”
Zhang Fangyuan was being honest, but Luo Yan thought it was a delaying tactic. However, he wasn’t in a hurry. This reaction actually proved that the Zhang family hadn’t been prying into the Luo family’s affairs.
Xu He, who had returned after taking Luo Yuxing to play, was equally astonished by the news.
“You want to take in both children?”
The Luo family didn’t seem to be short on money, and as a juren, Luo Yan certainly had no trouble attracting students. He didn’t seem like the type to exploit others for financial gain.
It was an unexpected delight that he would extend such an offer to a merchant family like theirs.
The couple exchanged a glance, thought for a moment, and Zhang Fangyuan cupped his hands in gratitude. “Then we’ll trouble you, Master Luo.”
It wasn’t that he agreed too quickly. Luo Yan, as a juren, was clearly highly educated, and such individuals were rare in Siyang. The way Master Meng had looked down on them was proof of the high status of provincial graduates.
If Master Meng had only treated their family with such arrogance, it might have been personal. But since he treated all merchant families the same way and was still praised, it showed just how esteemed provincial graduates were.
For Luo Yan, a juren, to make such an offer was truly extraordinary.
Moreover, the Luo family lived close to the Zhang family, making it convenient to drop off and pick up the children. The couple could feel more at ease, and if anything went wrong, they could quickly bring the children back.
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