Who knows where again she learned such nonsense.
Yu Tingwan’s gaze remained indifferent.
The Zhao Family’s daughter looked up at her: "Sister Wan."
She walked over, patted the little girl’s head, and took out a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds made by Hui Niang from her bosom and gave them to her.
The hole didn’t matter, so she simply ignored it, picked up the stone stool, and moved it to another spot.
The Zhao family’s house was just ahead, the two houses were close, with only a narrow path in between for one person to walk.
Not at ease about her daughter, Lady Zhao sat at the doorstep sewing a shoe. She looked at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair with a smile.
"Are you heading out?"
Yu Tingwan returned with a smile: "Yes, I just wanted to ask Sister-in-law where in our county town is good for buying clothes."
This was sothing Lady Zhao knew all too well.
"Then you’ve asked the right person."
"Xiantai Cloth Shop on East Origin Street has good and varied materials. That’s where I always buy mine."
"If you’re in a hurry to wear it, you’ll need to buy ready-made clothes. Just go to the Li Family’s Clothing Shop on East Gate Street. The workmanship there is exquisite and affordable."
Yu Tingwan: "The Li Family?"
She tried to recall: "Is it run by a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo?"
Lady Zhao, surprised: "How did you know? That mother-in-law has poor eyesight, but she’s amazing at making clothes, can even sew patterns with her eyes closed, and if the size isn’t right, she can alter it on the spot for you."
"It’s not far from East Origin Street; if you have ti, you can check out both places."
Yu Tingwan noted it all down one by one.
Hui Niang, carrying a basket on her back, heard voices from the neighboring room and casually asked a question.
"Do you have guests at ho?"
Lady Zhao’s smile faded slightly.
"A tutor ca over; he was schoolmates with my husband in earlier years."
They even took the imperial exam together back then.
But Mr. Zhao has always been focused on his studies and didn’t like Mr. Chu’s scheming ways.
Over the years, the two families’ relationship hasn’t been deep, with barely any visits during festivals. It was only because they both were helping at the post station recently that they reconnected.
Thinking of this, Lady Zhao felt a headache: "I overheard a bit; he wants my husband to take on a student under his na."
Mr. Zhao refused without even thinking, but Mr. Chu kept a low profile, unwilling to leave.
Since it was soone else’s business, Hui Niang didn’t feel right asking further.
Yu Tingwan said nothing, but after leaving the alley, she frowned slightly.
Judging by Lady Zhao’s expression earlier, it seed she wasn’t very welcoming to the visiting tutor.
After spending ti together recently, the Zhao family couple seed like decent people.
If Lady Zhao didn’t like him, the tutor was probably not easy to deal with.
Taking on a student ans having to personally teach them. If it’s soone agreeable, that’s fine, but it could bring a lot of trouble otherwise.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had just left, not even enough ti for an incense stick to burn. Mr. Zhao escorted Mr. Chu out of the room.
Mr. Chu bowed to him: "Brother Zhao, no need to see off any further."
He smiled and said: "Then it’s settled, I’ll bring Yaozu over for you to take a look at later."
Mr. Zhao’s tone was flat: "If he’s not talented, no matter how much you praise him, I won’t take him."
"Indeed, indeed."
Mr. Chu: "This child is impeccable in both character and diligence, if he weren’t, I wouldn’t bring him before you."
Mr. Zhao said nothing more, and after the person left, his face fell, and he sighed irritably.
"What’s wrong? Did you agree?"
Lady Zhao put down the shoe she was holding.
"He kept pleading, and brought up his late ntor and the friendship with classmates, I couldn’t refuse him outright again and again."
Mr. Zhao sighed.
"I heard he’s a diligent and promising student, quick to grasp things. I’ll et him first, and then we’ll see."
He looked at his wife: "You know, we haven’t had any scholars from here in recent years, even scholars are scarce."
With that, Mr. Zhao felt a bit disappointed thinking about Mr. Chu’s words and behavior.
Earlier in the room, Mr. Chu saw the poem he wrote.
The sa one criticized by Wei Zhao.
Mr. Chu held it in his hands, full of admiration, constantly praising his literary talent.
Praising him to the skies.
There was genuine admiration mixed with deliberate flattery.
In the past, Mr. Zhao would have considered it well-deserved.
He indeed wrote well.
But since being pointed out by Wei Zhao, he had lost respect for Mr. Chu.
If you can’t produce work of this level, that’s one thing, but not even being able to discern good from bad, no wonder you’re teaching at the town’s school for life.
Thinking of this, Mr. Zhao felt unsettled.
He glanced next door: "It’s been a while since I’ve seen Brother Wei, I’ll go check on him."
Wei Zhao was inside, resting with his eyes closed.
He was half-sitting on the couch, playing with a peace charm in his hand.
"Brother Wei, are you in there?"
He heard Mr. Zhao’s voice at the door.
Wei Zhao listlessly replied: "No."
Mr. Zhao: "Then I’m coming in."
Wei Zhao: ...
So annoying.
Yu Tingwan was already bad enough, Wei Zhao accepted it, but why are the neighbors so intrusive too.
This courtyard was poorly chosen by Rong Di!
With a creaking sound, Mr. Zhao pushed the door and entered.
"You look good today."
Wei Zhao ignored him.
Mr. Zhao took out a piece of rice paper from his bosom.
"This is the poem I rewrote, can you take a look for ?"
Wei Zhao glanced at it.
Mr. Zhao: "How is it? Any progress compared to last ti?"
Wei Zhao: "Hm."
Alright, Mr. Zhao knew the answer.
He wasn’t angry.
In fact, he was quite content at the mont. The goosebumps caused by Mr. Chu had all disappeared.
He ca over precisely to find sothing unpleasant.
People need to humbly seek guidance and be aware of their shortcomings. You can’t let flattery make you oblivious.
There are many people out there more talented than him.
Mr. Zhao: "I might take on a student."
"When he cos over later, I’ll definitely bring him to visit you, and you can offer so guidance."
How could Wei Zhao have the ti for that?
Previously at the Imperial College, many young nobles would co to seek advice, and Wei Zhao would decide based on his mood.
Of course, back then he was particularly arrogant, nine out of ten tis he’d say he wasn’t in a good mood.
Thinking of sothing, Mr. Zhao quickly added: "As it turns out, he’s from the sa village as you. I was coming over to ask you about this."
Because Mr. Chu’s words were full of praises.
He had to inquire.
When taking on a student, one must consider talent, but also character.
Otherwise, no matter how capable, if soone’s character is flawed, should they beco an official, it would be a disaster for the people.
The recent post station incident was a lesson in itself.
"That person is called Hu Yaozu."
"The person who introduced him said this child is patient, likes children, and will surely get along well with Nannan."
Wei Zhao squinted his eyes and slowly looked over: "Well, what a coincidence."
"His family only likes sons."
Mr. Zhao: ???
"Don’t bring him to our ho."
"Wha... what do you an?"
"Just a glance is filthy."
Mr. Zhao: !!!
Wei Zhao frowned: "I need to see..."
"See what?"
"See about finding a new house."
Mr. Zhao: !!!
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