More updates, seeking pink votes.
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When Shen Qian ntioned wanting Xiao Qi to study alongside him, Lian Manman couldn’t help but turn her face to look at Shen Qian.
"Xiao Qi says he studies at the local private school every day and then cos ho to do the howork Mr. Loo assigns him. I think, no matter how good the private schools in town are, they have their limitations, don’t they?" Shen Qian, seeing Lian Manman looking at him, spoke unhurriedly, "Although Mr. Loo assigns howork, he is not present. Xiao Qi needs a good teacher to supervise even after completing his howork."
"My teacher, Master Chu, is a renowned Confucian scholar in Liaodong Prefecture and has so acquaintance with Mr. Loo. Before, Fifth Brother had shown Master Chu Xiao Qi’s essays and handwriting; Master Chu praised them and liked Xiao Qi very much."
"This ti, Master Chu is here to teach . If Xiao Qi cos along, Master Chu will certainly be pleased, and it would greatly benefit Xiao Qi’s studies," Shen Qian spoke eloquently, directing the last sentence to Shen Liu, "Sixth Brother, having a study companion would make more grounded."
"As you wish," Shen Liu glanced at Shen Qian, a flicker of sothing passing through his eyes before he responded.
"What do you think?" Shen Qian, having heard Shen Liu’s consent, turned back to look at Lian Manman and Xiao Qi for their response.
Lian Manman and Xiao Qi exchanged a glance. To be honest, Lian Manman was sowhat tempted by Shen Qian’s proposal. Xiao Qi was bright, but even the brightest students need guidance from a distinguished teacher. As Shen Qian ntioned, the local private schools, no matter how good, have limitations. The teacher instructing Shen Qian, Master Chu, was, as heard from Mr. Loo and Wu Lang, an imnsely knowledgeable and upright old scholar.
With both Mr. Loo and Wu Lang absent, if Xiao Qi could study under Master Chu, it should be extrely beneficial for him. Judging by Xiao Qi’s deanor, he seed willing as well.
"What do you think? I’m older than Xiao Qi and have studied for several more years, so I can act as half a teacher to him," Shen Qian pressed further, seeing that Lian Manman and her brother hadn’t imdiately agreed.
"If Xiao Qi could indeed study with Master Chu, it would undoubtedly be a great thing, sothing we’d be more than willing to agree to. However, we must first go ho and ask our parents," Lian Manman replied with a smile.
Xiao Qi nodded in agreent.
Shen Qian understood that Lian Manman had essentially agreed but couldn’t make the decision outright, hence needing to consult Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.
"Alright then, after you ask at ho, Xiaoqi can co," Shen Qian responded with a smile.
Lian Manman and Xiao Qi were extrely close siblings. With Xiao Qi coming to the mountain to study with him, Lian Manman would certainly worry and frequently visit the mountain herself. Lian Manman had also followed Mr. Loo’s teachings and was said to have literary talent and intelligence not inferior to Wu Lang. At that mont... Heh heh, Shen Qian laughed smugly in his heart, the joy in his fox-like eyes clearly visible.
"Sixth Brother, I’ll take Manman for a sit at my place," Shen Jin stood up at this mont and spoke to Shen Liu.
It was unclear whether it was a customary practice among the Shen family peers, or if it was due to Shen Liu’s authority among the siblings, but Shen Jin, though not overly restrained, showed considerable respect towards Shen Liu, even more so than Shen Qian’s occasionally casual deanor.
"Go ahead," Shen Liu nodded, adding, "Xiao Qi should stay; I’ll just test his studies."
This statent was naturally directed at Lian Manman.
"Sorry to trouble Sixth Master. ...Xiao Qi is still young, if there’s anything inadequate, I hope Sixth Master will forgive him," Lian Manman also stood up and spoke.
Shen Liu slightly raised his brows, glanced at Lian Manman, and said nothing.
"Behave well here, don’t be naughty," Lian Manman instructed Xiao Qi.
Towards Shen Qian, Lian Manman only gave a slight nod. Shen Qian looked at her and also nodded, the aning in his eyes very clear. "Don’t worry, I’m here."
Lian Manman smiled and followed Shen Jin out of the flower hall.
"Be careful of your steps, Miss Jin, the steps have just been watered and are still slippery," a maid ca over to support Shen Jin’s arm as they walked down the steps, speaking in a clear, crisp voice.
The maids serving outside the flower hall each perford their duties. Seeing Shen Jin and Lian Manman co out, they curtseyed in greeting without speaking, which led Lian Manman to suspect it was a rule in the Shen household. Only this maid broke the rule, prompting Lian Manman to scrutinize her.
Coincidentally, the maid, reaching out to help Shen Jin, raised her smiling face to look directly at Lian Manman.
The maid appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and slender, with an oval face, fair skin, wearing ticulously applied light makeup, and eyes full of life. Her stature and appearance stood out among the young maids serving inside and outside the flower hall.
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