Chapter Twenty-Eight: Becoming an Apprentice

Looking at her eldest son who remained silent, her daughter who wore a look of reluctance, and her youngest son howling on the floor, Old Madam Bai felt her headache worsen. Not one of them was of any use; what kind of sins had she committed to deserve this!

"Sister, this cart is ours!" Sheng Huaimu circled the donkey cart excitedly.

"That's right! From now on, I’ll use it to take you both to school! Are you happy?" Sheng Wanqiu patted little Huaimu’s head with doting affection, a smile gracing her face.

"Big Sister, are you really going to send us to school?" Sheng Huaian asked with a solemn expression.

"Of course! Didn't I tell you before? Would your sister ever lie to you?" Sheng Wanqiu gazed at her second younger brother, who acted like a little adult.

"Big Sister, don't worry, I will definitely study hard!" Huaian steeled his resolve. He was the man of this house, and he had to study well to protect his family.

"Sister, me too, me too!" Little Huaimu jumped and promised, terrified that his sister might forget him.

"Good, you are both good children. This afternoon, Sister will take you to pay respects to your teacher," Sheng Wanqiu said with a smile, looking at the two little ones.

"Yes! Thank you, Big Sister!" the two brothers said in unison.

Lunch consisted of scrambled eggs, mixed-grain rice, and a bowl of mushroom soup. Old Madam Sheng was quite a good cook, and with all the seasonings now available, the food tasted excellent. However, there was no meat, and as a carnivore, Sheng Wanqiu found it hard to get used to. She was craving meat!

"Grandma, are you coming with us this afternoon? The donkey cart has enough room!" Sheng Wanqiu suggested.

"I won't go; you just go ahead."

"Alright then. Grandma, I want to find someone to clear that piece of wasteland and have it tilled over." She handed a pouch of silver fragments to Old Madam Sheng. "Here is the money; I'll leave this matter to you. Once it's cleared, I have big plans for it!"

She knew her grandmother was the type who couldn't stay idle; if she didn't find something for her to do, she would eventually fall ill from boredom. Having been the household manager for so long, she would feel truly miserable without work.

"Fine, I'll take care of it!" Old Madam Sheng readily accepted the silver and went off to busy herself as soon as the meal was over.

The two brothers cleared the table. In Sheng Wanqiu's mind, there was no such thing as chores being unfit for men; everyone in the household had to share the burden so that the boys wouldn't grow up to be lazy masters who did nothing.

Sheng Wanqiu stayed in her room, preparing the six traditional gifts, the standard requirement for paying respects to a teacher in this era. She had prepared two sets, having bought them while wandering the streets earlier that morning.

"Sister! Zhaodi is back!" Little Huaimu ran in.

Soon, cries erupted from the house next door, followed by the sound of Sheng Dashan shouting curses.

"Is she dead?" Sheng Wanqiu asked, puzzled.

"Not dead, but her leg is broken. She's a cripple now!" Huaian said as he walked in.

"Oh! That has nothing to do with us. You two, go wash your faces and comb your hair properly. Let's go!" Sheng Wanqiu commanded.

Little Huaimu ran off to tidy up immediately. Huaian stood still, looking as if he had something difficult to say.

"Are you wondering if Zhaodi will hold a grudge against me?"

"Set your heart at ease! Even if her leg weren't broken, she would hold a grudge regardless!"

"Second Brother, remember this: the only thing we should do is distance ourselves from such people and stand tall, so that those who envy us can only look up at us. We shouldn't waste our days worrying about the petty grudges of small-minded people!"

"Go on! Get ready and let's head out!" Sheng Wanqiu ruffled Huaian's hair, urging him to hurry.

Huaian left the room, deep in thought. What his sister said was true; he had to study hard to distance himself from them as soon as possible.

Liu Juan returned empty-handed. She had gone to ask for help, but her brother refused and scolded her, and she was eventually chased out by her parents, even getting her face scratched by her sister-in-law. The result was predictable: she was beaten by Sheng Dashan again and lay on the floor like a dead dog. Sheng Zhaodi had not yet woken up, her wounds still oozing blood, while Sheng Laidi and Sheng Pandi huddled in the corner like little quail, too afraid to make a sound, taking care of their eldest sister with extreme caution.

By then, Sheng Wanqiu had already driven the donkey cart to Qiao Family Village with her brothers. After asking around, she quickly found the old scholar. It was a thirty-minute walk, but the donkey cart cut the time in half.

The old scholar’s surname was Wu, and he was in his forties. His given name was Yong. Useless? No wonder he never became a high-ranking official; it was a bad name. If he had changed it, he might have passed the imperial examinations long ago.

Sheng Wanqiu respectfully presented the two sets of apprenticeship gifts and explained her intent. Master Wu asked the two children to step forward, felt their hands, and observed their features. They were bright, and their palms were thick enough—good material for writing and composition.

"Since you are from the neighboring village, I will provide one meal at noon. The tuition for both children for one year is four taels of silver."

"You must provide your own paper, ink, and brushes," Master Wu said, stating his rules.

"What about books? Do we need to buy the Four Books and Five Classics?" Sheng Wanqiu asked.

"No, learn to recognize characters first, then read books," Master Wu replied.

"Understood. We will follow your instructions, Master. If any books are needed later, please let my brothers know!"

"Huaian, Huaimu, kneel down and kowtow to your teacher!"

Sheng Wanqiu gestured to her brothers and took out the silver, placing it beside the gifts. Upon hearing their sister, the two boys immediately knelt and performed three firm kowtows. Master Wu helped them up with a smile. "Rise now. From now on, just address me as 'Master'."

The two boys bowed and obediently called him Master.

Having agreed to start formal lessons the day after next—using tomorrow to prepare the stationery—Sheng Wanqiu took her brothers home. Passing by the crossroads of three villages, Sheng Wanqiu’s sharp eyes caught two people being carried back, covered in blood.

Weren't these the two little scoundrels who tried to rob her?

Judging by the direction, they seemed to be from the village of her aunt, Sheng Chunhua. This was the consequence of excessive boasting; they had caught the eye of criminals, only to be "counter-killed" by their own targets!

After dropping her brothers off at home, Sheng Wanqiu headed back up the mountain. She couldn't go without meat; she lacked energy without it! What to eat today? She was craving sweet and sour pork ribs!

She decided to catch a wild boar. With her previous experience, Sheng Wanqiu took a copper basin from her space, filled it with spiritual spring water, and placed it by the stream. She then climbed the nearby tree with lightning speed—waiting for the "pig" to arrive.

Before long, animals from the mountain approached, drawn by the scent. To them, the spiritual spring water was irresistibly attractive. Seeing that they were only agile creatures like pheasants and rabbits, Sheng Wanqiu flicked pebbles from her hand, scaring them all away.

"Get lost! You aren't what I'm looking to eat today!"