140 Chapter 130 Three Years
The next day, after Tian Jiawang collected the goods, Zhou Ying and her husband went to town with him.
After they parted ways in town, the couple went to their restaurant. Gu Chengrui got to know everyone and then went to his clinic.
Zhou Ying stayed behind and began to check everyone’s dishes.
When she arrived at the kitchen, she looked at the ingredients they had bought. The meat was fresh, and one could tell it was good-quality meat.
The seasonings were all prepared, and she also found some medicinal herbs she had never thought of, such as rhizome and chuanxiong. These were great tonic herbs.
“Zhao Cheng, did you buy the herbs?” she asked.
“Yes, I want to make a nourishing herbal soup today. I will use chicken, duck, cuttlefish, goose, pig’s belly, pork ribs, and other tonic herbs.
“This soup is suitable for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak bodies.” Zhao Cheng added.
“It will probably take a lot of effort, so go ahead and start.” After Zhou Ying finished speaking, she looked at the crowd and said, “Start when your ingredients are ready. Make everything yourselves as I want to test your skills.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Everyone responded and turned around, each finding their own ingredients and busying themselves.
Mrs. Li, on the other hand, helped to start the fire.
As for the three young men, she sent them out to find a store selling large quantities of chili. This was the most important matter in their restaurant’s opening, and it had to be settled as soon as possible.
After that, Zhou Ying walked over to Li Yue, sitting on a small bench in the courtyard and practicing writing on the ground. She said, “Little fellow, you can read?”
“Yes, Mistress. I can read, but not much. My father and mother taught me what I know.” Li Yue quickly stood up and bowed.
“There’s no need to be so polite. Just sit down.” Zhou Ying pulled him to sit down, and she looked down at the words he was practicing. They were all simple surnames of people.
For example, Zhou, Wang, He, Hua, Shi…
“Do your father and mother know many words?” she asked.
“I’m not sure, but my father can write down all the commonly used names. My mother, on the other hand, is a little lacking.”
“Do you like to read?”
“I like it. When I was in a residence, I envied Brother Dongzi, who was a study attendant. He learned many words from the young master.”
“Is that so? How about I send you to school? I’ll give you three years, and if you can get a recommendation letter from the headmaster after three years, I’ll give you freedom and let you continue your studies.”
“Really?” Li Yue was overjoyed, but he shook his head. “No, I’m a servant, I have to work.”
“How much work can you do? At most, you will be keeping the fire from burning out.
“How about this? When you come home, you can help with the work while studying, and I won’t give you a monthly salary. How about it?”
“I, I…” Li Yue was both surprised and delighted, not knowing what to say for a moment.
“Then, then I’ll discuss it with my father,” he mumbled.
After hearing her suggestion, he got up and ran into the kitchen. Li Yue excitedly told Li Sheng about Zhou Ying’s offer.
After Li Sheng heard this, he was so shocked that he almost cut his finger off. When he saw Zhou Ying, who followed Li Yue in with a smile, he asked in disbelief, “Mistress, is, is what he said true?”
“Of course, he’s still young and can’t do much. It’s better to let him study for three years, and if the headmaster can recommend him to take the scholar’s exam, I’ll let him take it.
“If he doesn’t get that recommendation, he’ll be able to return to the restaurant to help with his writing and reading skills. But, of course, his monthly salary will be gone while he studies.”
“Of course, of course. Thank you, Mistress. Thank you so much. You’ve given him a way out.” Li Sheng nodded repeatedly. At the same time, he bent his waist lower and lower, almost kneeling down.
His wife, Mrs. Li, pulled Li Yue down to their knees and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Mistress.”