Chapter 794: Deceptively Simple
Editor: Henyee Translations
After spending two hours, the four of them completed all six test papers, with
Chu Qingzhi drafting the two most difficult ones herself.
After she finished, Ge Lihua, Chu Qingning, and Hong Yujun gathered to review them.
The first question in the knowledge test was: Please summarize your learning experience over the past three months in one sentence (limit: 20 characters).
The charm of ancient literature lies in its conciseness and depth, where even four characters can convey a multitude of meanings.
Ge Lihua expressed her admiration, “This question is very open-ended. It’s easy to write an answer, but very hard to score full marks.
Chu Qingning shook her head, “I can’t fully summarize it myself!
Hong Yujun commented, “It seems simple, but it’s actually very difficult…”
The three ladies discussed fervently, especially as they moved on to the later questions. They concluded that while the questions might seem easy at first glance, scoring full marks would be exceedingly challenging.
Chu Qingning gave Chu Qingzhi a thumbs-up, “Fifth sister, impressive. This will probably stop the kids from getting too cocky.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled, “That’s the effect I was aiming for.”
They continued to the arithmetic questions, the first of which was: If you have bags of rice weighing 120 pounds, 70 pounds, and no pounds, how can you make each bag weigh exactly 100 pounds without using a scale, but you have an empty bag at your disposal?
The three ladies were stumped by the first question, taking a while to figure out the answer.
Hong Yujun laughed, “This is too hard!”
Ge Lihua worriedly asked, “Can the children solve this?”
Chu Qingning shook her head, “It seems doubtful.
However, Chu Qingzhi had faith in the kids, “Whether they can solve it or not, we’ll find out when they try it tomorrow.”
Ge Lihua said with some anticipation, “I’ll collect the test questions. We’ll have the students try them first thing in the morning.”
Wondering if the children would cry upon seeing such difficult questions, they moved on from discussing the exam papers, and Chu Qingzhi returned to her room.
Before bed, she needed to feed the parrots, rewarding those that deserved it.
Taking care of a flock of bird children added quite a burden to her life.
Upon seeing Chu Qingzhi return, Shuang’er excitedly flew into the room, landing on the table to perform a color-changing trick for Chu Qingzhi.
Every time it saw Chu Qingzhi, it was very happy.
Of course, Chu Qingzhi also favored it. If she caught real caterpillars, they were definitely for it to eat; no one else received such treatment.
Chu Qingzhi prepared the food on a plate and placed it on the room’s floor.
Then, she blew a whistle with bamboo leaves, mimicking the sound of a titmouse, which signaled the gathering. Upon hearing this, the parrots rushed into the room, landing on the floor.
Eating also required a command, so the parrots just stood there, looking at Chu Qingzhi, not starting to eat, showing remarkable discipline.
Initially, the parrots weren’t this obedient, starting to eat upon sight and ignoring Chu Qingzhi’s commands. It took five days before seeing effects and ten days for them to fully obey commands.
Chu Qingzhi whistled again using the bamboo leaves, this time imitating a parrot’s call, signifying it was time to eat.
Hearing the sound, the parrots began to eat heartily and quickly, without spilling, eating steadily bite by bite.
Chu Qingzhi trained the parrots with military precision, imposing strict discipline on eating, sleeping, and other behaviors, which is why they were so well-behaved and cute.
After eating, the parrots stood still, awaiting Chu Qingzhi’s next command.
Chu Qingzhi, with a strict tone, commanded, “All parrots, choose a target to follow tomorrow and report back to me in the evening. Dismissed!” She then blew a whistle imitating a lark’s call.
As the call sounded, the parrots flew out the window to return to their nests for the night.
Chu Qingzhi bent down to pick up the plate. Despite the many parrots having eaten, the floor was spotlessly clean, showing no sign of the recent activity.
She placed the plate on the desk, planning to take it downstairs for washing later.
At that moment, an eagle flew in.
Chu Qingzhi removed a message tube from its leg.
“Fifth sister, Yu Ting and I are preparing to head south tomorrow. Grandfather will handle affairs in the capital. If you need anything, write to grandfather.”
After months, they were finally heading south.
Chu Qingzhi penned a reply, “Take care and have fun. Write if anything comes up.”
Summoning another eagle, she sent the message to Chu Qingyue.
As the eagle flew away, the golden phoenix on Chu Qingzhi’s arm flickered.
Chu Qingzhi touched it, and soon, Tang Jinghong’s deep and unique voice came through, “Qingzhi, I’m returning tomorrow.”
Chu Qingzhi responded, “Understood, waiting for you.
On a cold morning at the end of November, Chu Qingzhi opened her door, shivering as the cold wind hit her.
She went downstairs, with some time before breakfast, intending to check if the animal pens were warm enough. The animals in the pens were still young and easily susceptible to the cold.
Stepping out, she encountered several villagers heading to the early market.
“Qingzhi, good morning!”
“Good morning, aunts!”
She greeted many villagers along the way and continued on her tasks.
Chu Qingzhi visited the horse pen.
The pen was reinforced with quality materials. Entering it, she found it not only free from cold but also cozily warm, quite comfortable.
Fubao saw Chu Qingzhi and opened the stable door to greet her.
Chu Qingzhi petted Fubao’s head, “Good boy, where’s Houfu?”
Fubao stepped aside to show Houfu.
Houfu’s belly had grown significantly, moving slowly towards them.
Seeing Houfu, Fubao immediately became anxious, nudging Houfu gently, showing concern.
Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Take good care of Houfu. She’s carrying your baby and it’s hard on her.”
Fubao wagged its tail several times, indicating understanding.
Luo Hongping approached, “Miss.”
He slept in a thatched cottage, as a horse lover, he couldn’t bear to leave the horses alone here. Only by staying could he rest assured.
Chu Qingzhi turned, “It’s cold, go back to sleep. I’m just checking on the horses and will leave soon, no worries.”
“It’s fine.” Luo Hongping continued towards Chu Qingzhi, saying, “I always pay attention to the horses’ diet, safety, and warmth, treating them like my sons. Miss, you can rest assured.”
This was true; every horse was in excellent condition, obviously well-cared for. Chu Qingzhi smiled, “I trust you’ll take good care of them.”
Luo Hongping thanked her, “Thank you for your trust.”
Chu Qingzhi expressed her concern, “Wear more clothes, don’t catch a cold.
I’m leaving now.”
“I’ll see you out.” Luo Hongping escorted Chu Qingzhi outside the horse pen and watched her walk towards the pig pen before he returned.
In the pig pen, there were now two hundred piglets, all bought at the same time, approximately 100 pounds each, housed five to a pen, with ample space. Stepping out, Chu Qingzhi encountered early market-goers.
“Qingzhi, good morning!”
“Good morning, ladies!”
She greeted many villagers along her path and continued her duties.
Chu Qingzhi arrived at the horse pen.
The pen had been reinforced with quality materials. Inside, it was not just free from the cold but also pleasantly warm.
Fubao, seeing Chu Qingzhi, opened the stable door to greet her.
Chu Qingzhi petted Fubao, “Good boy, where’s Houfu?”
Fubao moved aside, allowing Chu Qingzhi to see Houfu, whose belly had noticeably grown and moved slowly towards them.
Fubao, seeing Houfu, immediately became anxious, gently nudging Houfu with concern.
Chu Qingzhi advised, “Fubao, take good care of Houfu. She’s carrying your baby and it’s hard on her.”
Fubao wagged its tail several times, indicating understanding.
Luo Hongping approached, “Miss.”
He slept in the nearby thatched cottage, not wanting to leave the horses alone here. He felt at ease only by staying close.
Chu Qingzhi turned, “It’s cold, go back to sleep. I’m just checking on the horses and will leave soon, no worries.”
“It’s alright.” Luo Hongping continued towards Chu Qingzhi, saying, I constantly monitor the horses’ diet, safety, and comfort, treating them like my children. Miss, you can be completely assured.”
Indeed, every horse looked robust and well-cared for, clearly showing Luo Hongping’s dedication. Chu Qingzhi responded with a smile, “I believe you’ll take good care of them.”
Luo Hongping replied, “Thankyou for your trust.”
Chu Qingzhi, showing concern, said, “Dress warmly and don’t catch a cold. I m leaving now.”
“I’ll walkyou out.” Luo Hongping escorted Chu Qingzhi to the outside of the horse pen and watched her walk into the pig pen before returning.
In the pig pen, there were now 200 piglets, uniformly sized at about 100 pounds each, housed five per pen, offering ample space.