233, Performance (3 updates)
“I can recite the Three Character Classic, and I can write too!”
“Me too!”
“I can also squat in horse stance for an hour!”
“I can do that as well!”
Several children vied with each other to say what they all could do. Xie Zhinuan watched them and laughed, praising them for being very good and encouraged them to keep up the hard work, not to slack off, nor become arrogant. She then asked Old Zhu, “Are the two teachers getting accustomed over there?”
“They are accustomed,” he said. “I came to ask the host if she might allow the girls to go to school and learn to read as well. I’ve noticed that quite a few of the girls also want to attend, and their families are in agreement!”
“…”
Hearing this, Xie Zhinuan pondered for a moment before saying, “Alright, let them start by going to school to learn to read. I’ll see if there are any embroidery masters on my side, and find one to go over as well. Girls need to learn some skills to earn money too. Tell them that if they learn well, I will open up an Embroidery Workshop later, specifically to sell the things they embroider. If they wish to learn cooking, they can also come to the county town, and I will personally teach them!”
Not to mention anything else, these were children whom she knew well and were still young-easy to teach. Training them to become pastry chefs was also a way of cultivating talent for herself.
“Thank you so much, host!” Old Zhu was overjoyed.
Not every child wanted to learn needlework; more were interested in cooking, as it could fill stomachs and was easier for earning money, without being too exhausting.
“Don’t thank me in haste,” she said. “I am very serious when choosing apprentices. I won’t take them if they lack talent, or if they can’t endure hardship. And those who are disloyal, I definitely won’t accept. Old Zhu, I’m entrusting you with managing the manor, and I hope you’ll also convey my intentions. I’m granting favors today, but while I don’t expect them to repay me with their lives, they must do their work well for me. This is their responsibility. Isn’t that the right principle?”
Old Zhu nodded again and again.
Xie Zhinuan didn’t press Old Zhu any further.
As she was leaving, she gave him several dozen pounds of marinated meat to take back and divide among the families, giving each family two taels.
Old Zhu’s eyes reddened slightly, and the children seemed reluctant to part, “Host, can we come again next time?”
“In mid-October, I will visit the manor to see you, and I’ll bring pastries for you then. How does that sound?” Xie Zhinuan smiled and patted their heads.
After all, she felt very affectionate toward the children deep down in her heart.
“Mm-hmm!” The children nodded happily.
As they climbed onto the ox cart, they kept looking back and waving to Xie Zhinuan.
Xie Zhinuan waved back to them.
When Li Hengyi came out and saw this, he pursed his lips in a faint smile and approached Xie Zhinuan. “Do you really like children?”
Xie Zhinuan turned to look at Li Hengyi and laughed lightly, “Well-behaved and sensible children always tend to be more endearing!”
“…”
Li Hengyi wanted to say, why not have one of your own?
But he felt the question was too offensive and did not dare say more.
Xie Zhinuan spoke with him about visiting the wine, sharing that the three marinated meat shops in the county town were basically running smoothly now, and the aunties were doing a great job making dried radishes, with hardly any difference in taste. The chili sauce was also being made in orderly fashion.
She had also prepared several thousand pounds of pickled radishes and sauerkraut. Once the flavor had set in, they could use it to cook sauerkraut fish, which is one of ‘Kechanglai’s’ signature dishes.
The residence had a total of six wells, and she poured spiritual spring water into each of them. There was less water than what she previously had in Xiaohe Village but more than she had anticipated.
Considering she had this resource, it would be wasteful not to use it.
“Let’s go check on the wine tomorrow,” Xie Zhinuan suggested.
Li Hengyi nodded, “Sure, let’s take the carriage!”
“Alright, I’ll have a saddle prepared. I’ll ride a mule; I don’t dare to mount the others, but I can ride Dahuang!”
Chapter 234