Chapter 88: This School is Just Too Much to Afford

Ji Chunhua walked over and quietly asked, “Mother, is Zhaodi still not up?”

Aunt Ji shook her head, her face filled with worry. “No, not yet. I wonder if she was too tired yesterday, or if she’s not feeling well? Ever since she joined our family, the girl’s been busy day in and day out.”

“If she’s just tired and wants to sleep a bit more, that’s fine. I’m only worried she might be unwell. We can’t ignore it; we need to get a doctor to check her out if necessary.”

Ji Chunhua patted Aunt Ji hand to comfort her. “Mother, Zhaodi is probably just exhausted. Let her rest a bit; we shouldn’t disturb her. She knows medicine herself. If she were feeling unwell, she could treat herself. Don’t worry too much.”

Aunt Ji still glanced worriedly at Hu Zhaodi’s door. “Alright. I’ll check on her again in a bit.”

While Ji Chunhua tried to reassure her mother, she was secretly just as anxious. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Aunt Ji was about to check on Hu Zhaodi again when the door opened.

Hearing the door, Ji Chunhua rushed over with a worried expression. “Zhaodi, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?”

Hu Zhaodi smiled sheepishly. “I’m fine. I just got a bit too excited last night and couldn’t sleep, so I ended up sleeping in today.”

Ji Chunhua breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re alright. Go freshen up; Mother kept breakfast warm for you.”

Hu Zhaodi nodded with a smile.

Suddenly, Ji Chunhua grabbed her by the arms, exclaiming, “Zhaodi, you look like you’ve changed overnight!”

Hu Zhaodi was startled and confused. “What? Changed how?”

“I feel like you suddenly got taller, your skin looks fairer, and you’re even prettier. Hmm… and there’s something different about your aura too.”

Hu Zhaodi touched her face, feeling her skin had indeed become smoother. Glancing down at her clothes, she realized they had gotten a bit short.

What in the world…

Did she grow a few centimeters overnight? Was it because she reached the level of a martial artist? Or was it due to the spiritual spring water?

Could that water be some kind of growth enhancer? Or maybe it was both?

With a face as if she’d just seen a ghost, Hu Zhaodi thought, “How does one grow like this?”

Noticing Ji Chunhua’s wide-eyed stare, Hu Zhaodi scratched her nose awkwardly. “Hehe, maybe I’ve been nourishing myself a bit too well lately, so I grew all at once.”

“Go freshen up and eat breakfast!”

Aunt Ji stood by the kitchen door, eyes wide at the noticeably taller Hu Zhaodi. “Girl, are you alright?”

Hu Zhaodi laughed. “I’m fine, Auntie! I’ve been eating so well lately, I’ve even grown taller.”

“Growing taller is good; you should keep growing. You look especially beautiful today.”

“That’s thanks to the nurturing water from the Ji family! Hehe.”

“Go on, freshen up and eat breakfast. I kept it warm in the pot.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Hu Zhaodi happily went to freshen up.

Meanwhile, Ji Chunhua hurried into the house, took out some of the best-looking fabric, and prepared to make Hu Zhaodi a new outfit.

Once Hu Zhaodi finished her breakfast, Ji Chunhua pulled her inside to take her measurements. After getting the measurements, she couldn’t wait to start cutting the fabric.

As for Hu Zhaodi, she headed to the east side of the village.

At the private school.

The old scholar had set up tables and chairs outside the classroom, with paper and pens laid out, waiting for people to come register.

“Grandpa Ji, has anyone come to register yet?”

The old scholar shook his head. “Not yet. Maybe it’s still a bit early.”

Hu Zhaodi smiled and nodded. “No rush, it’ll pick up. For now, why don’t you write down the names of the Ji family children who are the right age for school?”

“Alright.”

The old scholar picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and started writing down the names of the children from the Ji family who were eligible to attend.

“Wow! Grandpa Ji, your handwriting is beautiful!”

The old scholar chuckled. “Girl, would you like me to teach you how to write?”

Hu Zhaodi waved her hand with a smile. “No need, Grandpa Ji. Actually, I already know how.”

The old scholar’s eyes widened in surprise. “You know how to write? Who taught you?”

“A mysterious old man—a sort of teacher to me. But he’s elusive, always coming and going like a ghost. He didn’t even let me call him ‘Master.’ He taught me everything in secret.”

“I see! No wonder you’re so eloquent and quick-witted. Turns out you have a lot of hidden talent! Hahaha…”

“Not much of a talent, really. I just learned enough so I wouldn’t starve out in the world.”

They chatted for a while until villagers gradually started arriving with their children to register.

The private school charged six taels of silver per year for each child, which covered food and supplies. For those eating at home, the fee was three taels. This fee included the essentials like paper, brushes, ink, and inkstones.

When they heard the price, most of the villagers hesitated. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to educate their children, but six taels of silver was simply too much for them.

In truth, Hu Zhaodi’s six-tael fee was already affordable; private schools in the county town charged eight taels or more per year.

When more people had gathered, Hu Zhaodi spoke up, “Everyone, you can let your children start school first. As for the tuition, there’s an easy solution.

“In a few days, I’ll start building a house, and the land around it needs to be cleared, too. You can come help with the construction or land clearing, and I’ll pay you wages. The tuition can then be deducted from your wages.

“Also, for neighbors who helped build the school earlier, you’ll get a two-tael discount, which can be seen as your wages for that work.

“My fellow villagers, sending children to school and teaching them to read is to give them a brighter future.

“They don’t necessarily need to aim for titles or official exams. Even if they find work elsewhere, being able to read and calculate will make things easier for them, won’t it?

“And jobs that need these skills pay better than manual labor.

“So, let me ask you: do you want to stay poor, or do you want to change things for the better?”

The villagers responded one after another.

“Of course we want change! We’re sick of poverty, but forget about finding silver for schooling—we’re thankful just to fill our stomachs!”

“That’s right! Even with what we grow in the fields, we barely earn six taels in a whole year. I want my kid to go to school, but we just can’t afford it!”

“Zhaodi! How about you pay us two taels in wages instead? We really can’t afford this schooling.”

“Six taels! I’ve never even seen that much silver all at once. All I have at home is a few copper coins. Forget school.”

“…”

Hu Zhaodi pulled up a chair, climbed onto it, and raised her voice. “Everyone, quiet down and listen to me!”

By now, even more villagers had gathered, and when they heard her call for quiet, they immediately fell silent, their eyes full of expectation fixed on her.

The old scholar stood off to the side, looking a bit nervous. At this moment, he couldn’t help but feel that opening this school might have been a bit too hasty.