Chapter 244: You’re in cahoots with them
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Little Peach’s mother insisted on giving her tuition fees and an apprenticeship gift, so Cui Lingyi asked her to buy a wild goose as an apprenticeship gift and pay a tael of silver every month.
Cui Lingyi asked for too little tuition fees. As long as Little Peach learned anything from Cui Lingyi, it would be enough for her for the rest of her life.
Little Peach’s mother did not know what to say to Cui Lingyi. After thanking her profusely, she could only remind Little Peach to be obedient and not let Cui Lingyi down.
Little Peach cherished such an opportunity. She took out all the copper coins she had kept and asked her mother to buy her a watercolor pen and a better notebook.
Her mother stroked her head. “Keep it. I’ll buy it for you.’
Little Peach was overjoyed. “Thank you, Mother.’
From now on, she would also have a teacher and could study!
Since Cui Lingyi had decided to teach Little Peach, she would definitely do her best.
After spending two days sorting out the content that Little Peach could learn at this stage, she set up a cla.s.sroom at home and asked her to come to school.
Little Peach was still young. She only needed to attend four hours of cla.s.ses in the morning. In the afternoon, if there were any other arrangements, Cui Lingyi would inform her directly.
She did not expect Little Peach to be smart and knowledgeable, but she wanted her to be sensible and have her own goal in life to break free from the shackles of the world.
Cui Lingyi’s lesson was very interesting. It was not like her brothers who would point at the books blankly and read them to her out loud.
She would gently tell her the meaning of the word, its origins and why the word was written like this. She would also hold her small hand and tell her the strength of the brush and how to control the feel of the nib against the paper.
In addition to learning how to read, Little Peach envied Little Cat for learning etiquette, horseriding, archery and music. Cui Lingyi would also teach her all these.
If Cui Lingyi was not proficient in these, she would bring her to Qinghe Academy to freeload.
Little Peach had a blissful morning. She had learned a lot of words.
Previously, the words that were difficult to remember and often confused were instantly memorized by her.
In addition to word recognition, Granny w.a.n.g also taught her etiquette, how to walk, and how to greet...
Although she was tired, Little Peach had been enjoying herself.
Four hours pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye.
Little Peach skipped home with her school bag.
On the way back, she met Zhao Erwa and the others who had also finished school.
Zhao Erwa asked curiously, “Why are you carrying a school bag?’
Little Peach was in a good mood. She smiled and said, “l went to study at
Teacher Cui’s place!”
“I can recognize many, many words!
“Teacher Cui said that I can learn chess, horsemanship, and archery in the future. I can learn whatever boys can learn!”
Her proud expression stunned Zhao Erwa. “When did Teacher Cui become your teacher?” She had clearly seen him giving a lecture in Cla.s.s A that morning.
Little Peach smiled even more brightly and said, “My teacher is Madam Cui!”
Before Zhao Erwa could speak, Goudan, who was beside him, interrupted, ‘What’s the use of you learning all these? It’s useless even if Madam Cui learns it. You might as well embroider two more flowers at home!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on Little Peach’s face froze.
The chubby Daniu agreed. “That’s right. You’ll get married sooner or later anyway. You can’t be a top scholar and a high official like us!”
The dark-skinned Gouya said, “My mother said that it’s a girl’s virtue to be untalented. Learn less, or you might not be able to get married in the future!”
Little Peach retorted loudly, ‘Why is it useless for Madam Cui to learn these?! She can teach me! I can teach others too! Why can’t women read? Why can’t they?!” As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
She clearly did not want to embarra.s.s Cui Lingyi by crying, but she could not help but feel sad for Madam Cui and herself.
Why should a woman get married?!
Why can’t it be a man getting married!
Little Peach cried, and the children who spoke immediately panicked.
Tiedan said, “Hey, don’t cry! We’re just saying casually. If you want to learn, we won’t stop you. I just feel that it’s useless for you to learn. Besides, it’s so tiring.
You’re going to get married anyway. That’s a fact.”
Daniu added, ‘That’s right. Girls are so petty. We’re saying this for your own good and yet you don’t appreciate it at all.”
How were they comforting people!
Little Peach cried harder. Zhao Erwa shouted at them, “Shut up!”
Tiedan and the others had originally wanted to “comfort” her, but after being shouted at by Zhao Erwa, they trembled in fear and immediately shut their mouths resentfully.
Zhao Erwa turned around, wanting to tell Little Peach that he supported her in her studies. In the end, all he could see was a sad back view running home.
Zhao Erwa glared at Tiedan and the others. “In the future, I’ll beat up whoever dares to say that Little Peach should not study!”
Zhao Erwa raised his hard fist. Tiedan and the others hurriedly nodded and promised not to say anything else.
The next day.
As soon as Cui Lingyi entered the cla.s.sroom, she saw a pair of swollen eyes the size of walnuts.
Stunned, she walked over to Little Peach. “What happened to you?”
She was fine the day before.
Little Peach didn’t want to say it, but when Cui Lingyi asked her, she couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat. She choked and said, “They said that it’s useless for me to study. They said that it’s a virtue for a woman to be useless. They said that I’ll get married sooner or later. I might as well embroider two more flowers.”
Cui Lingyi wiped her tears and asked gently, “What about you? What do you think?”
Little Peach’s eyes were filled with tears as she sobbed and said, “1 think they’re wrong. Even the empress needs to be educated and cultured. If she doesn’t study, how can she be the empress?”
Her logic made sense, but Cui Lingyi wanted to laugh.
She stroked Little Peach’s head. ‘Then why are you still crying?”
Little Peach replied, “I’m just angry. Why are they so certain that a woman must get married! ”
“I don’t want to get married! But I also want to study! I want to be like teacher with outstanding knowledge and virtue!”
Cui Lingyi was gratified that she would say this. “Little Peach can definitely do it. She won’t lose to any man in the world.”
Little Peach nodded firmly. ‘Teacher, I’ll definitely study hard and prove it to them!”
Cui Lingyi nodded, as if she could see her young self through Little Peach.
She smiled.
Fortunately, she had not forgotten herself.
On the way home, Little Peach met Zhao Erwa and the others again.
Zhao Erwa glanced at them and they quickly left.
Little Peach ignored him and left with a straight face, but Zhao Erwa stopped her.
Little Peach said, “Move!’
Zhao Erwa smiled ingratiatingly. “I didn’t make you angry.”
Little Peach complained, “You’re in cahoots with them!”
Zhao Erwa glanced around and took out a small red autumn chrysanthemum from his pocket. He chuckled foolishly. “I’m on your side. I’m very supportive of you studying. Moreover, I’m so dumb at studying. I want to study with you.”
He blinked and looked sincere. “Can I?’
For the sake of small chrysanthemum, Little Peach reluctantly agreed. “Alright then!”
Zhao Erwa’s eyes lit up. ‘Then let’s go home together?”
Little Peach took the chrysanthemum over and said arrogantly, “Alright.” But she couldn’t hide the smile in her eyes..