Chapter 63: Returning to Studying

Zhao Hu soon came home excitedly: “Master Zhou agreed!”

He quickly began packing his luggage. “Master said we’re setting off early on the 18th!”

Madam Zhao and Qin Ying also hurried to help him pack. They included three pairs of straw sandals for him to wear over his cloth shoes — to protect them and provide some warmth.

They also planned to prepare dry rations. He’d need a ration bag to sling over his shoulder without affecting his mobility, and a water pouch to carry with him at all times.

Madam Zhao reminded him earnestly, “You’re going out to work under the master — you must be quick with your hands and eyes, and keep your wits sharp.”

“Mom,” Zhao Hu scratched the back of his head, “I get the quick hands part, but what do you mean by quick eyes?”

Qin Ying giggled. “Mother means, keep your eyes open — don’t miss what needs doing.”

Madam Zhao’s hands itched. This son really couldn’t go a day without a smack!

Zhao Hu chuckled foolishly. “Sis, don’t worry. I get it! There are so many people around the master — if I don’t perform well, how will he ever notice me?

“I’ve already thought it through. I’ll make myself known in front of the master. When he returns to the city, maybe I can follow and work there too.

“If nothing else, if I train hard with Brother Xu, I could at least become a constable, right? That means an official salary!”

He nudged Madam Zhao with his elbow. “Mom, wouldn’t that bring honor to the family?”

Madam Zhao’s nose tingled, her eyes moist. She wiped them and nodded firmly, “Yes, it would bring honor!”

Once the date was set, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was time to depart. Everyone in the Zhao family got up early — everyone except little An’an.

Zhao Hu put on a thick cotton coat, slung the ration bag across his shoulder, and carried his simple bundle on his back. Then, excitedly, he headed to the west neighbor’s house.

Zhou Yu and the others were already packed. When they saw Zhao Hu arrive, Zhou Yu gave a slight nod, did a headcount, and led the group out of Tongshu Village in the soft morning light.

Madam Zhao quietly followed them to the edge of the village. Watching the group gradually disappear into the distance, she wiped her tears and returned home.

Qin Ying didn’t go to see them off because she needed to look after the child. When the sorrowful Madam Zhao came home, she found Qin Ying sitting in a daze and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong, Yingzi?”

Qin Ying picked up a stack of books. “Mother, these were just delivered by someone on behalf of Mr. Zhang. He heard I was teaching Huzi to read and gathered these especially.”

“Oh my!” Madam Zhao forgot her sadness in an instant. “This… how can we accept this? Books are so expensive!”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Qin Ying said, troubled. “He meant well by sending them. If we insist on refusing, it seems ungrateful. But accepting them — they’re too valuable.

“It’s a pity we don’t have pen and paper. Otherwise, I could copy them and return the originals.”

Madam Zhao suddenly slapped her thigh. “Right! How did we forget that? Yingzi, no need to copy them — you know how to read, don’t you? Just memorize the contents and return the books afterward!

“You always take good care of things — there’s no risk of damage.”

Qin Ying couldn’t help but laugh. “I really was being silly!”

“There’s not much else going on now. You can study during the day,” Madam Zhao decided. “I’ll take care of An’an. She’s easy to look after, and I’ll take her to visit neighbors during the day.

“When she naps, we two can sneak in some time to finish whatever chores we have.”

Qin Ying agreed with a smile.

The books Zhang Jinzhī sent were all beginner-level texts, including one on phonetics. If she came across unfamiliar characters, she could look them up.

She had learned these texts as a child, so as she opened them again, a familiar feeling returned.

Madam Zhao even prepared a small slate for her. Qin Ying could use burned wood to practice writing on it.

Qin Ying cherished this rare opportunity to study, and devoured the texts with eagerness.

Within half a month, she had memorized all the books and relearned the characters she had forgotten.

She chose a day and, with Madam Zhao and An’an, returned the books.

Zhang Jinzhī was quite surprised. “You finished all of them?”

“Yes,” Qin Ying replied modestly, “I had read them as a child. They weren’t too difficult.”

Zhang Jinzhī grew interested. He casually quizzed her and found her responses fluent and accurate. Very satisfied, he asked, “I still have a few more books. Would you like to keep studying?”

When Qin Ying studied, she seemed to glow. An’an especially loved her in that state, and now, fearing her mother might miss the opportunity due to unnecessary concerns, she jumped in eagerly: “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Zhang Jinzhī looked at the anxious little face and couldn’t help but smile. He reminded, “Since you studied before, you must know the value of learning.

“We won’t be staying here long, but until we leave, any books I have that can be lent out — you’re welcome to borrow.

“If you don’t understand something, you can always come ask me. I won’t claim to be a scholar, but I can certainly help with simple questions.”

Qin Ying no longer hesitated. She bowed respectfully. “Then please help me choose two books. I will return them as soon as I can.”

“That’s not quite right,” Zhang Jinzhī shook his head, speaking seriously. “In learning, haste makes waste. If you’re going to study, do it properly and thoroughly — digest the material fully.”

“Yes,” Qin Ying replied respectfully. “Thank you for the guidance.”

Zhang Jinzhī smiled. “What guidance? Tell me — why do you want to study? That’ll help me choose the right books for you.”

Qin Ying thought for a while, then asked, “Do you have any books about farming?”

“Not at the moment,” Zhang Jinzhī laughed. “That’s a tricky one. But I’ll keep an eye out in case I come across any.”

Qin Ying pondered again and asked, “Then… do you have the Gazetteer of Qin County?”

“I do.” Zhang Jinzhī pulled the book out, then added, “I also have several travel journals — very useful for broadening one’s horizons.

“Come to think of it, some of them even mention local customs, crops, and specialties.”

Qin Ying was overjoyed. “Then I’ll borrow two of those first.”

Zhang Jinzhī picked two travelogues and handed them over along with the Qin County Gazetteer. “Take them home and read slowly. Look up unfamiliar characters yourself. If you don’t understand the meaning of the text, feel free to come ask.

“If I know the answer, I won’t hold back.”

Qin Ying sincerely thanked him and returned home with the books and Madam Zhao.

An’an heard the chicks chirping and didn’t want to leave. She ran over to look at them for a while. The chicks had now shed all their down and had grown quite a bit.

Though they were no longer soft and adorable, their promise as food was even more tempting.

Watching the two young chickens awkwardly chase each other around the small pen in the corner of the room, An’an could barely stop her mouth from watering.

Zhang Jinzhī found the child adorable and brought over some mixed chicken feed, letting her feed the chicks herself.

An’an giggled while feeding them, silently praying in her heart: Hurry up and grow big. I want to eat juicy chicken drumsticks. I want to drink fragrant chicken soup!