The matter of Da Mao and the others going to school was settled. After the Lantern Festival, Zeng Rui Xiang found a carpenter's apprentice to make over ten simple tables and chairs, then went to visit San Bao Bao. Among the close relatives, her family had the most children. Zeng Rui Xiang's intention was naturally that he hoped all the children in the family could read some books. As soon as San Bao Bao heard this, tears came out, and she grasped Zeng Rui Xiang's hand, saying: "San Niang didn't misjudge you, you and Yu Mei are good kids. San Niang has always wanted to send them to school to learn a few characters, but it's just that the family is poor. These past two years, with your help, planting those foreign potatoes, several families' lives have become more comfortable, especially Lao San's family. San Niang understands this in her heart. You can rest assured, although there isn't much money, they still have the strength to work hard. In the future, just order them around for farm work at your home, and don't bother with anything else."

  After leaving Sanpo's house, Zeng Ruixiang went to Lǐzhèng's house again. Such beneficial things for the whole village, Lǐzhèng immediately notified every household. The villagers' reaction was mostly wait-and-see, after all, children over ten years old can still help with a lot of chores at home, and there are also those who are stingy and don't want to give out gifts. Zeng Ruixiang explained that anything can be used as a gift, and he prepared his own pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

  The villagers were unwilling to pay, and by the end of the month when school started, only four children from the village came. It is said that one was still the son of the Li Zheng family, plus the three grandchildren of the San Popo family and the three of Da Mao, and also Zi Shou. The number of students in class was only eleven, and Zeng Rui Xiang was somewhat disappointed. Shen Shi advised him to take it slow, as all things are difficult at the beginning.

  Zi Qing saw that Zeng Rui Xiang's enlightenment book was "Three Character Classic". Zi Qing flipped through the whole book, and the latest content was from the Tang and Song dynasties. Zi Qing searched again in the study room and finally understood that the history here spanned a long period of time, over 400 years. Moreover, due to the greatness and openness of the Yuan dynasty, advanced industries and agriculture from Europe were introduced into China, such as glass, potatoes, sweet potatoes, watermelons, and cotton cultivation, which made this era slightly more advanced than the Ming and Qing dynasties in the same period.

  The current Li surname dynasty was established less than a hundred years ago. The country is called Feng, and it's exactly at the peak of stability and prosperity. At least so far, Zi Qing hasn't heard anything about wars or the like. Fortunately, Zi Qing is relieved that she didn't travel to a turbulent era.

  Zeng Rui-xiang's private school has started classes, every morning from 7:00 to 11:00, afternoons are basically free time, those who want to practice calligraphy will be guided by Zeng Rui-xiang. Those who have farm work at home and can't get away will return home to work, the children are used to playing outside, so they don't adapt well at first, therefore Zeng Rui-xiang also doesn't restrict them too much.

  Everyone else is fine. Only Er Mao is the most difficult to manage, being mischievous and causing trouble to the extreme, and what's most infuriating is that he bullies the weak for no reason. Almost every day, someone comes to find Zeng Rui Xiang to complain, making Zeng Rui Xiang very headache-inducing. If this continues, it's likely that even the few children they have will not be able to stay.

  Ziying had thought of following them to school to study and write properly, but her family really couldn't spare anyone. Moreover, after hearing about the misdeeds of Er Mao and others, she also had some reservations about school. As a young girl with yellow hair, going there would only make her a target for bullying. Besides, Ziying had always disliked them and wanted to stay as far away from them as possible. So she never mentioned it to her father.

  The days passed quickly and entered March, because the sixth of March was the day when Xiao Xiuying got married. Shen's wife arranged for Zi Yu to hand over to Zi Qing to take care of the house, and came alone to the old house to discuss with Zhou's wife about adding dowry, seeing that Zhou's room door was locked, Tian's wife was whispering with Qiu Yu in a low voice, seemingly somewhat angry, her face didn't look very good.

  When Shen saw the house, Tian and others stopped talking. Shen said his intention, Tian said Zhou was carrying a child in the kitchen. Shen found Zhou in the kitchen.

  As soon as they met, Shen didn't have time to speak, Zhou mysteriously asked: "Younger sister, have you heard? The golden earrings in Xiuying's dresser are gone, and everyone suspects it was one of the Maos who stole them. There are no outsiders at home, just them going back and forth to the inner room, if not them then it must be a ghost! Xiuying is so anxious she's crying. When I'm not in the room, I lock the door, Zi Ping heard her mother say that the copper plates at home have also gone missing, but Mother doesn't dare shout about it. People with discerning eyes all know what's going on. I don't plan to stay here for long, after we eat the wedding dinner, we'll go back to the city. For now, I'm stuck doing chores in the fields. Those three good-for-nothings are really detestable, lazy and gluttonous, with unclean hands and feet. I think Mother will one day... want to cry but won't know where to go. They're studying at your place, you should also be careful not to let them take advantage of you and get into trouble.

  Shen's family was shocked and said, "How can this be? A child of just a few years old dares to steal gold earrings. What will happen when they grow up? I'm going to Linshan at the end of the month for my younger brother's second son's wedding. I originally planned to take the whole family there to play for two days and ask your father to help me watch the house for two days. Now that you've said this, I have to think carefully."

  "Of course, if your father goes, those three ghosts will follow him too. You didn't see Old Yan's attitude, she almost moved into your house and wouldn't come out. I've lived for so many years and have never seen such a thick-skinned person. Fortunately, your elder brother doesn't even talk to them now, and they still fear his stern face."

  "Ah, no," said Shen with a smile. "Even my husband is afraid of his older brother." The two chatted for a while longer before Shen took her leave.

  At night, I mentioned this to Zeng Ruixiang. He sighed and said: "Without factual basis, don't spread rumors randomly. I reckon it's that Er Mao kid. He's been beaten and scolded, but he's still a stubborn thing. I can't manage him. One day, I'll tell his parents about this."

  "What's the use? Grandfather has scolded him hundreds of times already." Zi Qing said as she walked in.

  At this time, Zi Shou followed behind Zi Qing and came in saying: "Second Brother Mao always has copper coins in his pocket, he always buys things to eat, and says that whoever wants to tell others will be beaten."

  Shen's wife asked again about Er Mao's behavior in school, and after Zi Shou went out to practice calligraphy, she said to her husband: "This child can't be kept, he has a habit of stealing from home, it's hard to guarantee that he won't steal outside. He is studying in your school, will ruin your reputation, and will also bring other troubles."

  "Who says it's not? But now that he's only been here for a month, even if I were to speak up and fire him, without mentioning his mother, with his father's temperament, he might not agree. Think about it, these three big men, saying they're supported by their parents, but in fact, it's our money, can he bear to give up this advantage? For now, we need to think of a way to make him voluntarily leave."

  "I think your mother won't pass that test, you forgot what she said when your brother-in-law asked the kids to come over and study, I'm afraid you'll soften up and agree." Shen said.

  "I'll sincerely agree with you, what are you going to do next?"

  "What else can we do? I'll listen to Qing'er, you guys build a few rooms in the schoolyard, and you take your nephews to live with you. We women have been without you for so many years, haven't we been doing just fine?"

  "Dad, this really has nothing to do with me, I just casually mentioned it, don't take it seriously. Dad, you've finally thought of us and we're back home, how could I say no to you? I even praised you to my older brother, saying that you were firm for once." Zi Qing saw the deep meaning in her old father's glance and quickly found an excuse to run away.

  After Zi Qing left, the couple chatted and discussed for half a day, but still couldn't come up with a good solution, so they had to put the matter aside for the time being and go to bed early.