Chapter 603: Chapter 603: Going to School Chapter 603: Chapter 603: Going to School Su Yunjin held the loquats, feeling somewhat awkward under Gu Ya’s gaze. Su Ningxiu, the second sister, teased, “Brother-in-law, you really treat my little sister well!”
“Second sister, Yunjin is my wife. It’s only right for me to treat her well,” Gu Ya said earnestly, and then turned to look at his little wife again.
Su Yunjin deliberately turned her head away, not looking at Gu Ya, knowing that the little wife was just being modest because of her shyness. Gu Ya handed the loquats to his little wife, then carried the meat and vegetables he had bought to the kitchen.
As they needed to prepare lunch for a crowd that day, Gu Ya took the vegetables he had bought to the kitchen, and Su Yunjin followed him.
With more people at noon, they needed to cook extra food, make a few more pan-fried buns, and boil a pot of fish to ensure a hearty meal. While the women were busy cooking, the men couldn’t be much help, so as Su Yunjin and the others bustled about in the kitchen, Gu Ya sat in the courtyard talking with his elder brother Su Muze and the other grown men.
While chopping cucumbers, Su Yunjin thought of her little brother Su Xiaobao, who was ten years old and still hadn’t gone to school. She then suggested to Mrs. Shen:
“Mother, Xiaobao isn’t young anymore. He can’t just play at home every day. I think you should discuss with Father about sending Xiaobao to the village school to learn a few characters. It’s always good to know how to read.”
Even if he doesn’t take the imperial examinations, being literate is beneficial. Otherwise, when it comes to signing any written agreements.
Being illiterate puts one at a disadvantage.
Mrs. Shen had also considered sending Su Xiaobao to school before, but back then, the Su family was too poor to afford it. Now, the Su family had a bit more money.
In addition to that, Su Yunjin had given almost two taels of silver to her mother and the surplus was tight, but there was still enough to send Xiaobao to school.
“Yunjin, I will discuss your proposal with your father when I get back and see if we can send your brother to school after a while,” said Mrs. Shen.
Su Ningxiu also agreed with Su Yunjin’s idea, “Mother, my little sister makes sense. Xiaobao is not young; he should learn to read. When we go back today, you don’t even have to discuss it with Father. You can just go directly to the village school and inquire, then send Xiaobao there to study.”
Su Xiaobao came inside from outside just in time to hear the conversation between his mother and sisters and looked at Su Yunjin with naive eyes, “Sister, are you sending me to school?”
Su Yunjin looked at the approaching Su Xiaobao and asked in return, “Xiaobao, tell your sister, do you like the idea of going to school?” Su Xiaobao had never been to school.
He didn’t know what attending school meant. When Su Yunjin asked Su Xiaobao if he liked it, he couldn’t answer. He knew that Fan Wenxuan from their village was a scholar.
After thinking for a bit, Su Xiaobao suddenly asked.
“Is studying like being Fan Wenxuan?”
As soon as Fan Wenxuan’s name came up, Su Ningxiu quickly showed disdain, “Pah, pah, pah, nonsense talk. How could studying be like Fan Wenxuan?” If he were really to become like Fan Wenxuan.
They would rather let Su Xiaobao remain illiterate.
Su Yunjin was amused by her second sister’s reaction and called Su Xiaobao over, explaining, “Xiaobao, listen to what your third sister says. Attending school is about reading, recognizing characters, and understanding principles. It has nothing to do with that Fan Wenxuan, remember?”
Su Xiaobao nodded, but Mrs. Shen was a bit worried, “Yunjin, are you sure Xiaobao won’t end up like Fan Wenxuan by going to school?” Su Yunjin laughed out loud.
“Mother, how could that be? Fan Wenxuan is that way because of his own lack of integrity. Our Xiaobao is different from him. Don’t worry! Xiaobao won’t turn out like Fan Wenxuan after going to school,” she reassured.