Chapter 433: Red Coral
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The spring farming holiday was only five days long. The children were chased back to town after watching the bustle of the village school and the cane sugar workshop.
Little Ah Yu really wanted to see the small temple fair on the tenth. However, the holidays were over, so she could only give up regretfully.
Wang Wulang originally said, “In any case, our village has a school now. Why don’t we all move back to the village to study? It’s closer to home and more convenient.”
However, he was ruthlessly rejected by Old Madam Wang. “Is it convenient for you to play, or is it convenient for you to slack off? Don’t think that I don’t know the tricks up your sleeves. Go to school obediently. If you can’t get past the county level imperial exam, you will stay in town and work. Don’t even think about coming back!”
This made the children speechless. What was this method of threatening?
In the eyes of other children, it was a great honor to be able to go to school in town. However, according to Grandma, going to school in town was not as good as going to school in the village.
How could they know that the teachers in the village school were much more knowledgeable than the ones in town?
…..
However, now was not the best time for the children to return. When the teachers adapted and were willing to stay here completely, their originally impetuous thoughts would gradually settle down and they would teach the children more diligently.
Among the children studying in the village now, there were only one or two who were slightly knowledgeable.
Even if the teachers taught with their feet, it would not matter.
However, the children of the Wang Family were now soaked in Ah Yu’s divine water and were already quite talented.
After being taught by the teachers in town for a year, their foundation was naturally better. There was no need for them to mix in with the ordinary children.
It would not be too late to let the children come after the teachers adjusted their mentalities.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-April. Wang Chuanman returned again. This time, he brought back a message from Shopkeeper Zhou.
When Shopkeeper Zhou heard that Hu Family Village had started a sugar business, he wanted to sign a contract with Hu Family Village and invest in their business for a share of the profits.
Although he said that he wanted to take a share of the profit, he was actually taking care of Hu Family Village on account of the Wang family.
Ever since Wang Chuanman started working as a middleman, several young people in the village had received training. Their horizons were naturally different.
They all knew that this was a benefit from the Wang Family. Usually, when they were outside, they would help the Wang Family build their reputation.
The children of the Wang family were all taking the path of the imperial examination. Whether they could pass or not was one thing, but if they really passed, their reputation would be extremely important.
Now that the Imperial Examination and the Xiaolian examination subjects were being held at the same time, with a good reputation, one would have a good future.
Every time Wang Chuanman returned, he would bring a large cart of good things. Everyone in the family received something, and the ones with the most were naturally Liu Shi and Little Ah Yu.
Little Ah Yu had obtained all kinds of rare things and could not wait to share them with Wenwen and Liu’er. Naturally, there was no lack of Liang Xue and Tang Yuan’s share.
On the other hand, her Big Brothers received less.
Seeing that Little Ah Yu had brought so many things, Madam Yang said as she held her big stomach, “Ah Yu, Liu’er missed you at home every day during the few days you were gone. I heard that your village has opened a school. Are you going back to the village in the future?”
“Grandma doesn’t agree.” Little Ah Yu quickly undid a Luban lock and handed it to Liu’er before saying, “Grandma said that the town is quite convenient. She’ll only discuss it after Big Brothers get past the county level imperial exam.”
Madam Yang smiled. “Yes, it’s more convenient in town than in the village. Your mother said that you want to open a women’s school in the future. Have you thought about how to open it?”
“I haven’t thought of anything yet, but I’m still young. There’s no hurry. I can take my time to think about it.” Little Ah Yu’s eyes were burning as she looked at Madam Yang. “Madam Teacher, when my women’s college opens in the future, can you come and be a teacher too?”
“Sure,” Madam Yang replied casually, not taking it to heart.
These were just the words of a child. There was naturally no need to care too much.
When Liu’er heard them talking about this, she was also interested. She raised her head and said, “Ah Yu, when your academy is open, I want to be a female teacher too!”
Little Ah Yu: “Alright, alright!”
Madam Yang laughed in spite of herself. “You’re not even very knowledgeable yourself, yet you want to teach students. If their family comes looking for you, they can say that you’re misleading them.”
“I can teach the younger children and be a female teacher in the kindergarten class.” Liu’er was unconvinced.
Little Ah Yu nodded. “Then I’ll open a children’s school too. I’ll be the dean and Liu’er will be the female teacher!”
“Why aren’t you a female teacher?”
“I can’t. Grandma said that I’m too hot-tempered and I’m not suitable to be a teacher.” How good would it be to be the dean? I could even go sightseeing. As a teacher, if the students are not on vacation, I won’t be able to take a break too.
She was not stupid.
Madam Yang listened to the two little girls speak in childish language at the side and was especially happy.
After all, they were still young and always had unrealistic thoughts.
When Little Ah Yu returned home happily, she saw her Little Aunt, Wang Aibao, standing outside the courtyard and looking at the family.
Her expression was a little lonely.
“Little Aunt, why aren’t you going in?” Little Ah Yu went to pull Wang Aibao’s hand. “It’s going to be dark later. There are many mosquitoes. There’s only one bag of medicine!”
Wang Aibao was originally looking at the family immersed in their happiness and could not help but think of her child. She was feeling down.
Seeing Little Ah Yu, her gloominess dissipated.
“I just want to see the setting sun. I’ll go in immediately.”
After entering, she heard Wang Chuanman mention what he had brought. “It was also a coincidence that I obtained a red coral. It can’t compare to the royal tribute, but it’s especially good to use as a marriage proposal.”
Red coral was a very expensive thing. A woman’s family would use it as a head ornament and jewelry. When they got married, they would wear it, adding a festive and noble air to their aura.
“That’s not bad.” Wang Aibao walked over with a smile and looked at the red coral on the table. “A few days ago, Mother was still saying that the lady is after all the daughter of an official. The gift can’t be too poor, or too vulgar. This red coral is just right.”
This red coral was only the size of a palm. The advantage was that its design was exquisite and it was naturally formed. It could be said to be priceless.
Now, the most exciting thing in the Wang Family was Wang Dalang’s marriage. Everyone took it to heart.
Old Madam Wang said, “That’s fine, but if there’s only one coral, you have to think carefully. There are still a few boys behind and your daughter. If there’s a proper gift for only Dalang’s marriage and none for the other boys, in the future, if our grand daughter-in-laws ask, I’m afraid it’ll be difficult to give them an explanation.”
Originally, this was also a small thought. Madam Feng was also feeling uneasy. Of course, she was happy. With such a thing as a marriage proposal, she was afraid that the other sisters-in-law would have objections.
After all, the Wang Family’s fourth branch seemed to be the only family. They did not do much and only occupied a large house.
Now that her mother-in-law had mentioned it, she felt relieved.
If she had any objections, she would mention them on the spot to avoid trouble in the future.
“What’s wrong with that? We’ll talk about it in the future. If there’s one, there’s one. If not, it’s fine. If it were two years ago, not to mention red coral, there wouldn’t even be redwood!” Madam Zhang didn’t take it to heart at all.
Moreover, this was given to the eldest branch by the fourth branch. The fourth branch had no objections, so what objections could they have?
Wouldn’t that be making things difficult for herself?
Liu Shi also smiled. “Mother, Third Sister-in-law is right. I think so too.”
Wang Chuanman said, “It’s fine. In any case, I’m still searching outside. If I find another suitable gift, I’ll leave a portion for each branch. Even if there’s no red coral, there’s always something else.”
Seeing the adults discussing this thing, Little Ah Yu looked around and did not think that there was anything good about it.
“Elf, they’ve all prepared gifts for Big Brother to propose marriage. Should I prepare one too?”
[Uh… Why don’t you give him a gourd of water?]
As Meatbail replied, it crazily flipped through the Ancient Marriage Gifts Compendium from the database.
Was giving gifts in ancient times so complicated?
When the Elder Brother proposed marriage, did the younger siblings have to give him a gift too?