Zi Fu pulled Shen Shi into the study, and Shen Shi saw his son being so mysterious, still smiling and saying: "What's the big deal, why do you have to avoid people talking about it?"

  "Mom, what I'm telling you, don't be alarmed, maybe I'm overthinking it, and if nothing's wrong, that's even better."

  Shen saw her son's formal and serious face, she felt a little nervous in her heart, and hurriedly urged Zi Fu. Zi Fu told Shen about the events of the past few days when he met Wen San in Anzhou, Wen San came to visit him specially, and today he ran to the countryside especially to see him.

  "He's a young master, no need to bring things to the door to take care of him, and there's no need for him to run all the way here. I'm worried that he has some thoughts about Zi Qing. Although he's not very old, people from such high-ranking families have many concubines and maidservants around them, they know more than they should. My point is that maybe he himself doesn't even know what his thoughts are, or maybe he's just curious. But I don't want Zi Qing to get hurt, she's still young and definitely doesn't know that their family is not one we can associate with. If she gets blinded by his superficial splendor, it won't be good. That kid also didn't have much sincerity, not even willing to tell us his real name, just saying to call him Wen San would do. So, son, think carefully and don't let your sister interact with him anymore. Although country girls are not as pampered as city girls, they don't need to stay at home all the time, but your sister is already ten years old, she's not a stunning beauty, but she's very delicate and lovely, especially those eyes, one look and you can tell she's clever and bright."

  Zi Fu said all this, but Shen Shi still didn't react, "It can't be, Qing Er is not even nine years old yet, and she's still a child. The young master of the Wen family looks like he's only twelve or thirteen, they're all just children. Besides, their family has all sorts of beautiful girls, maybe they just haven't seen a country girl like your sister before. It's understandable that they would be curious."

  "Mother, I didn't say he has any ulterior motives now. I'm just a bit worried, so be more careful at home. Your sister doesn't look like a country bumpkin from anywhere, my classmates all said she looks like a young lady from a wealthy family in the city. Look at her clever ideas, if it weren't for her messing around with watermelons, our family wouldn't be living such a good life now. I still don't know how she managed to get the seedlings to grow and have the watermelons go on sale more than half a month early. And look at the fruit trees, chickens, and sheep at home, which one wasn't messed with by her? Oh right, there's also that lantern, it was selling those lanterns that they met each other. You don't know how quickly she learned to read and write, even faster than me. I always feel like these are all just small tricks she came up with, fortunately your sister is easily satisfied, content with a little wealth, and didn't plan on making too big of a fuss, knows how to keep a low profile. Just wants to live a peaceful life."

  Shen's family listened carefully and thought for a moment, indeed it was so. "Your father also said that, unfortunately she is not a boy, but your father also said that in the future her life will not be our worry, she will definitely live well. However, what kind of person can match up to her? Rich families we cannot climb up and do not want to climb, families with three wives and four concubines would wrong her, poor families who struggle with daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt for over a decade, like my family with a big crowd of people, even meals are not enough, and today your younger aunt also said that life in the husband's household is not good. If she can get married and separate from her husband's family it would be fine, but if she gets married and lives with her husband's family, there will be mother-in-law above and sister-in-laws below, another big pile of grievances."

  "Daughter, it's still early, there are many years to go, don't worry, I will study hard and let your sister have a reliance in the future, so she won't be bullied. This time when I go to the provincial city, I'll take her with me, first because I really need someone by my side, secondly because the watermelon at home should be ripe, and Zhou Zhanggui will come frequently, I'm worried that Wen Jiaxian will follow us too if he has nothing to do, taking your sister out for two months will calm down that young man's heart, it's best if nothing happens."

  Shen nodded and was about to say something else when Zeng Ruixiang returned home, looking for her. Shen quickly opened the door and replied. Zeng Ruixiang smiled and asked: "What good things are you mother and son talking about behind closed doors?"

  Shen's family hadn't spoken yet, but Zi Fu spoke up first, saying: "I told my mother that it wouldn't be convenient for me to stay in the provincial city by myself for two months. Let Qing'er come with me and she can take care of things for me. Last time in Anzhou, I didn't have to worry about anything thanks to her."

  "Two days ago you asked me and I said it's not necessary, that one person would be enough, after all we have Tong Wang. Why did you change your mind this time?" Zeng Rui Xiang asked.

  "It's nothing much, just thinking about it carefully, there is still Qing'er at home to take care of things. The food she cooks is delicious, and she even helps me with the laundry, saving me a lot of trouble. I was worried that there would be too many household chores without her." Zi Fu explained.

  Zi Qing happened to be back from the backyard, carrying a basket of eggs, and heard everyone mention her, so she asked: "What do you want me to do? Who's making decisions for me again?"

  When Zi Fu told her to follow him to the provincial city, there was still a hint of excitement in Zi Qing's heart. A big city, going out and having a look around would be good anyway, and it wouldn't be a waste for her to have come to ancient times. Zi Qing smiled with sparkling eyes, and Zi Fu and Shen Shi exchanged a glance, which brought a suspicious gaze from Zeng Rui Xiang.

  Suddenly, Zeng Ruixiang slapped his own head and said: "Look at you guys making a fuss, I even forgot about the important matter. Just now Old Tian rushed over to deliver a message from the city's pawnshop, saying that there are houses and paddy fields for sale, let's take a look tomorrow morning. Zifeng, you'll substitute for me in class tomorrow morning, I'll tell you what we're going to cover later."

  This spring, the villagers saw that the children who had attended school for a year were indeed different in their speech and behavior, so they sent their children to come over. As a result, Zeng Rui-xiang's private school had more than ten additional students, with varying levels of progress. Zeng Rui-xiang could only divide them into two classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Although it was harder work, his mood was still good.

  The next morning, Zeng Rui-xiang and Shen-shi went out. Zi-qing also wanted to follow Zi-fu to school, firstly to see how Zi-fu taught, secondly to see if the peach blossoms had been stolen by the students. Zi-fu couldn't stop her, so he took her along.

  Zi Qing originally wanted to find a table to sit down, but unfortunately Zi Fu didn't allow it, so she could only stand outside the wall and listen to their rhythmic recitation. Zi Qing thought of Lu Xun's "Three Flavors Book House", where children recited books with nods and shakes of their heads. She took a sneak peek, and indeed they were doing just that. She followed along and learned for a bit, but soon her head was spinning, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing. Afraid that Zi Fu would hear her, she quickly ran out.

  At noon, Zifubrought back Zishou and Zixi. Ziqing asked: "Big brother, why do you have to shake your head when reading books? I get dizzy with just one shake, how can I remember anything?"

  "Are we reading books with our heads shaking? I don't think so," asked Zisou.

  Zi Fu rubbed her head and said: "Not dizzy, isn't it good standing here? I'm asking you, why are you smiling foolishly by yourself outside?"

  Zi Qing touched her head and said: "Big brother is the most annoying, always likes to mess up my hair."

  The four of them fooled around for a while, and the Shens also returned with big smiles on their faces. Today's trip was very rewarding, they bought two shops and fifty mu of paddy fields. Shen smiled and said that from now on, even if they didn't do anything at home for a year, they could still collect more than 500 taels of silver in rent.