Chapter 122

The day before, Shen Cui had been thinking about finding an opportunity to have a good chat with Cui Wuniang.

However, She was busy with important matters, making it difficult to arrange a meeting.

So Shen Cui had prepared a letter in advance, planning to send it to the Cui household the next day.

Unexpectedly, the next day, Cui Wuniang managed to find time amidst her busy schedule and personally visited Shen Cui’s residence.

Cui Wuniang was straightforward and to the point. After they sat down to talk, she began, “My younger brother couldn’t stop praising the food at your house after he returned yesterday, saying it was the most delicious meal he had ever had.”

Shen Cui already knew that Cui Fei was kind-hearted, but she didn’t expect him to praise her cooking so much when he returned home.

Blushing slightly at the compliment, Shen Cui listened Cui Wuniang continued with a smile, “I’m here today to ask if it would be convenient for him to come and eat at your house regularly in the future? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay separately for the meals. Of course, if it’s not convenient, that’s fine too.”

Cui Wuniang was unaware that Cui Fei had promised the instructor at the academy that he wouldn’t take leave casually in the future.

She was simply concerned that after Mu Yunchuan left, Cui Fei would return to his previous habit of staying at home all the time.

If he came to eat at Cuiwei every day, he would have a reason to accompany Wei Xin and the others, which would prevent him from being alone.

She brought up the idea first, so Shen Cui suggested, “Since the children get along well, why not let your son, Fei, join our academy directly?”

Mrs. Cui’s face lit up with joy. She had come to propose this matter herself, but she was hesitant.

Although she was sure that Cui Fei was outstanding in Mrs. Cui’s eyes, his appearance didn’t quite match that of the other students at Cuiwei.

Moreover, his performance at the academy might have given people the impression that he was lazy and unambitious.

So, although Mrs. Cui had this idea, she didn’t feel comfortable bringing it up directly.

She only mentioned having Cui Fei eat at Cuiwei.

Seeing Mrs. Cui’s expression, Shen Cui knew that she also had this idea in mind.

She continued, “However, although our academy is small, we do have rules. New students must live here initially. During this period, if you’re worried, you can come and check on him, but he won’t be allowed to go out unnecessarily. After some time, he can have more freedom.”

This “rule” was, of course, made up by Shen Cui. However, she had no choice.

The system said that the medicine required the enhancement provided by the academy.

It would be best if Cui Fei remained secluded in the academy like Wei Xi did, so that the efficacy of the medicine could reach its peak.

Cui Fei had to attend classes at the academy during the day, so he couldn’t stay secluded all the time.

Therefore, Shen Cui wasn’t sure how long it would take for his heart condition to be cured, so she didn’t specify a specific duration.

Moreover, when she devised the “teaching plan” for Cui Fei the night before, she discussed it carefully with the system.

Of course, the system’s food could block the rules from affecting Cui Fei’s “settings,” but relying solely on a meal or two was too slow.

Having the entire academy detached from the dimensional rules would be more effective than having him eat system-made food every meal.

This was something Mrs. Cui hadn’t considered because she thought the two households were close, and the curfew in the capital was late.

Cui Fei would have enough time to have dinner at Cuiwei, finish his homework, and then go home.

But it was understandable. Many renowned academies had their own rules. It was said that some academies located in remote mountains required students not to return home for three to five years, in order to cut off worldly distractions and focus solely on studying.

Was Cuiwei Academy similar in this regard?

Thinking like this, Mrs. Cui said, “Letting Fei stay outside for a long time isn’t something I alone can decide. I have to go back and ask my grandfather’s opinion.”

The patriarch of the Cui family was the previous head of the household. Although Cui Wuniang was capable, she was only Cui Fei’s peer sister in the end.

The elders of the Cui family didn’t usually restrict the younger generation from socializing, but there was one rule: they couldn’t stay out overnight.

When her Grandfather didn’t see Cui Fei at home, he would definitely inquire about it. So, this matter had to be reported to the patriarch first.

Traditional families valued rules heavily, so Shen Cui had thought that getting the approval of Mrs. Cui, the head of the family, would be enough.

She hadn’t expected this additional layer. Understandingly, she nodded and said, “Then, go back and discuss it with your grandfather. If it doesn’t work out, it’s okay. Let Fei come over for meals regularly, as you suggested.”

Mrs. Cui nodded with a smile. Then, she continued, “There’s one more thing. I only learned about it from Fei yesterday. After your eldest daughter-in-law left, you haven’t been able to find a housekeeper. I have someone suitable for you here.”

Yesterday, during dinner, Mu Er Pang saw Shen Cui working so hard and asked with concern, “Mom, haven’t you found a housekeeper today?”

Shen Cui replied that she hadn’t yet, “It’s okay. Your sister-in-law just left a few days ago, and Mom can handle it.”

These two sentences were heard by Cui Fei, who went back and specifically told Mrs. Cui to come and help.

As Mrs. Cui’s words fell, a woman in her thirties, with an ordinary appearance, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Mrs. Cui introduced her as Yao, explaining that she wasn’t a servant of the Cui family but rather a helper Mrs. Cui had taken in.

Yao was originally skilled in cooking, having spent several years learning from a master who specialized in medicinal cuisine. She was somewhat proficient, and she was responsible for Cui Fei’s meals at home.

Since Shen Cui needed someone and Cui Fei would be dining here regularly, Yao could move to Cuiwei Academy to work, and everything would remain the same.

“Wouldn’t this be too much of an inconvenience for Yao?” Shen Cui was hiring a general worker, but Yao… If Mrs. Cui could trust her to handle Cui Fei’s meals, she was obviously more than just a simple cook.

Someone with such skill could find better prospects either staying in a prestigious household like the Cui family, working as a head chef in a restaurant, or even starting her own business, rather than working as a general laborer at Cuiwei Academy.

Mrs. Cui smiled at Yao, who spoke up for herself, “Madam Cui, you honor me, but in truth, the main person in charge of Master Fei’s meals at home is the master chef who specializes in medicinal cuisine. I am just an assistant. My skills aren’t that great. Working in your academy, I can’t say I’m being treated unfairly!”

Later, Shen Cui learned that Yao had also suffered hardships in her early years. Her parents passed away early, and her uncles arranged her marriage to a husband addicted to gambling.

After gambling away all their wealth, they couldn’t even afford a doctor when their children fell ill and eventually lost them both.

Yao was left feeling hopeless and tried to end her life several times, but each attempt failed — her husband wouldn’t let her die and even contemplated selling her into slavery.

Coincidentally, when Mrs. Cui, who had just taken over the family, went to inspect their properties in the countryside, she saved Yao and even gave ten taels of silver to her husband, allowing him to sign a divorce agreement and granting Yao her freedom.

Afterwards, Yao wanted to repay Mrs. Cui for her kindness.

However, since the Cui family didn’t lack servants and Yao was a free citizen, Mrs. Cui couldn’t let her become a servant just because of gratitude.

Knowing that Mrs. Cui cared most about her younger brother, Cui Fei, Yao made an effort to improve her culinary skills.

Today, Mrs. Cui called out a few capable people from the house and asked if they were willing to work at Cuiwei Academy.

Except for Yao, these people were all servants who had signed contracts of servitude with the Cui family. In fact, if Mrs. Cui ordered it, they had to go.

However, if they were unwilling, they wouldn’t do a good job once they left the Cui residence unsupervised.

Mrs. Cui decided to send her capable people to help as a gesture of goodwill to Shen Cui.

She couldn’t afford to send someone who wouldn’t be dedicated, which would reflect poorly on her.

Under this inquiry, the others were unwilling to go. Most of those who could work in the Cui family in front of Mrs. Cui were well-connected servants who had worked hard to reach their current positions.

They feared that something might go wrong if they were sent elsewhere. If their duties at the Cui residence were replaced by others, what would they do? Moreover, the same reason also applied to why they couldn’t find people to work in the tooth store.

Cuiwei Academy was considered an “unluck or hunted place”! Who would willingly go there for no reason?

Then Yao stepped forward. She was there to repay a debt, and wherever Mrs. Cui needed help, she was willing to go without considering such factors.

Seeing that she was genuinely willing, Shen Cui asked, “Then, what about Yao’s salary?”

Although she knew Mrs. Cui meant well, she couldn’t afford to pay according to the Cui family’s standards.

Mrs. Cui waved her hand, “She will only work half a day at your place and return to the Cui residence at night. You don’t need to worry about her salary; it will count as payment for Fei’s meals here.”

This arrangement worked out well. Yao, being familiar with everyone, was more trustworthy than hiring someone new. Also, with her presence at Cuiwei, she could report back to Mrs. Cui about Fei’s well-being, which would put Mrs. Cui’s mind at ease.

Mrs. Cui was straightforward, and Shen Cui wasn’t one for formalities either.

She agreed to have Yao start working half-days at Cuiwei Academy from the next day onwards while Cui Fei began dining there.

In total, they only sat for about half an hour. Mrs. Cui’s maidservant came to fetch her, and she couldn’t stay any longer.

She apologized to Shen Cui before swiftly leaving to attend to household matters.

Indeed, her day was busy. She was occupied until dinner time before returning home to the Cui residence.

After returning home, she planned to inform her grandfather about Fei’s enrollment.

If he agreed, Cui Fei would stay at Cuiwei Academy. If not, Cui Fei would only come for meals, and she would inform him of the outcome.

Unexpectedly, she didn’t need to relay messages back and forth.

The servants said that Cui Fei was currently undergoing training with her Grandfather.