Tianliangyuan

Chapter 269 School

Grand Tutor Jiang was still worried, so he sent Jiang Yanhui's wife, Lady Song, to the Prince Zhong's residence with Jiang Yuan. Of course, he also made sure to bring the family physician.

The Prince Zhong's residence acted as if they hadn't noticed anything, and everything remained perfectly calm.

When Madam Song returned, Grand Tutor Jiang and the old lady summoned her and questioned her personally.

"How is Ning'er?"

"Father, Ning'er's health is quite good, her face has become rounder, and her diet is normal. Ning'er's appetite is a bit large now, but Princess Zhong specially asked the palace to bestow a nanny upon her. With her by her side to take care of her, Ning'er's diet is arranged very well."

Song was naturally aware of some of the clandestine practices within the inner quarters.

Her reply implied that Jiang Ning was safe and sound, and that she was well protected within the Prince Zhong's residence; this was the Prince Zhong's attitude.

Grand Tutor Jiang nodded: "Was Jiang Fu mentioned?"

"The daughter-in-law dared not mention it without her father's permission."

“That’s right. Your mother and you should go there together another day. If Ning’er is alright, you should tell her. If she seems uncomfortable, then it’s best to keep it from her.”

"Yes, father."

The old lady frowned: "Is there no one in the Prince's mansion who gossips about her?"

"I heard that the Prince gave the order that anyone who dared to say a word in front of Ning'er's courtyard would be beaten to death. On the day of Jiang Fu's burial, two maids were so foolish as to gossip outside the courtyard gate. Jiang Ning's head maid overheard them, but before she could report to Ning'er, the Princess Consort discovered them and dragged them away to be beaten to death."

As for the maid, after the Princess Consort explained the situation to her, she only took two days off and did not serve her, after which everything returned to normal.

The old lady nodded and said, "Fortunately, women are most prone to miscarriage during the first three months of pregnancy. Princess Zhong is also very magnanimous. If she really wanted to harm Ning'er's unborn child, she only needed to send this news to Ning'er and make a few sarcastic remarks. With Ning'er's personality, she would definitely not be able to bear it."

What Grand Tutor Jiang saw was different from what the old lady saw.

As a powerful minister, he saw the vision and wisdom of the Princess Consort, not just the magnanimity of a woman.

Xu Zhaozhao showed no sympathy whatsoever for Jiang Fu's death.

If there is any sentimentality, it is only that she feels the life of a woman is lowly and not as precious as that of a man, which is the tragedy of this era and something she is currently powerless to change.

After the main residence of Yunqi Mountain Villa was completed, Xu Zhaozhao invited all the women of her household to stay at the villa for a few days. Since they had nothing else to do, they simply treated it as a pastime.

This time, the old lady also accompanied them.

Xu Zhaozhao was happy to give the old lady some respect. As long as she didn't cause trouble, she would still be the old lady of the mansion, enjoying a life of luxury!

Yan Shu and Li Sheng led their men to greet them at the gate of Lantian County. This time, the magistrate of Lantian County also came with his men.

Xu Zhaozhao did not go to the county government office; she simply exchanged a few words with them before heading to the mountain villa.

Everyone went to settle in, and Xu Zhaozhao called Li Sheng over for questioning.

"You were originally the captain of my guard. Do you feel it's a waste of your talents to leave you here?"

"I dare not. Since I have been assigned to work by the county magistrate's side, I should obey her orders."

"That's very good. I've heard that you have some relatives in the capital, including quite a few scholars. Do you know any students who have passed the preliminary or county-level imperial examinations but have no interest in pursuing an official career?"

After a slight pause, Li Sheng replied, "Your Highness, I do recognize one or two of them."

“Excellent. When you have time, ask them if they would be willing to come to Lantian County to teach.”

"Huh?" Li Sheng was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Are you coming to our village?"

"Exactly. There are more and more people in the village, and the children can't keep running around and playing like this. We need to restrain them and teach them to read and write. It's better than them running around and causing trouble."

"The county magistrate is kind and benevolent!"

Xu Zhaozhao shook her head: "I can't be called benevolent. I can only let these children study for free for three years. After three years, if they really have the talent, the estate can pay for their studies and take the imperial examinations. If they don't have the talent, they can learn a trade or do some light work. Being able to write and calculate is better than their parents."

"What the county magistrate says is quite right. I wonder if a plan has been set for this matter?"

"I intend to find two male and two female teachers. In addition to teaching the girls to read, the female teachers will also teach them some skills such as embroidery. I have already arranged for someone to find a female teacher in the capital. It is also easy to find a suitable embroiderer. However, we do not yet have a suitable candidate for the boys."

"I will go and inquire immediately."

"There's no need to rush. I'll stay here for a while longer. Go and call Yan Shu and Chang Sheng over. I have something to tell them."

"Yes, Your Highness."

When Yan Shu brought Changsheng over, Xu Zhaozhao was talking to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan came here to help sort out the accounts, mainly because Yan Shu was really not good at this.

"You can draft a charter later and see how much silver it will cost. Now that the school is built, the remaining expenses are basically just for hiring teachers. As for the students, they will eat at their own homes, so it won't cost much. However, in winter, there will be charcoal and hot water, so no matter how many teachers we hire, there will always be two servants in the school to do some odd jobs."

"Yes, I understand what you mean, County Princess. I will draft the plan tonight and bring it over for you to review tomorrow."

“Cousin, there’s no need for that. Just call me ‘sister’ or ‘Zhaozhao.’ There’s no need for such formalities among family.”

Xu Chuan smiled but didn't say anything.

Xu Zhaozhao turned her head and saw the two of them waiting outside the pavilion. She waved for them to come closer and answer her question.

Seeing that Xu Zhaozhao did not intend to make him leave, Xu Chuan continued to sit.

"Yan Shu, I was just discussing with my cousin about sending children to school in our village. You need to make a record of all the children between the ages of five and sixteen, separating boys and girls. I'll use that number to determine other details later."

"Yes, Your Highness. However, some families may not be willing to send their daughters to school. I'm not afraid to admit it, Your Highness, but in ordinary families, girls usually help take care of the children and do housework. Some even have to go to the fields with them. If they are sent to school, it would be like losing half of their labor force."

"It's alright. Just tell them that in the future, all the businesses on our estate will give priority to hiring children who have attended school, and these three years will be free. The school will also provide the children with two sets of clothes for each season. If they haven't attended our school, they won't be assigned any jobs in the future. I believe that anyone who isn't stupid will know what to do."

"The county magistrate is wise."

Xu Zhaozhao looked at Changsheng. The current Changsheng was completely different from when he first arrived.

Chang grew taller and stronger.

"I heard you went up the mountain to hunt wild boar before, is that true?"