Chapter 39: Choosing a Private School

“Grandma, Second Granduncle is here!”

Song Liangzuo immediately guessed the purpose of the visit from his Second Granduncle and Uncle. After calling out, he ran toward Song Erquan and Song Wangshu, “Second Granduncle, Uncle, is there any news about the private school?”

Song Wangshu chuckled but didn’t answer directly. He ruffled Song Liangzuo’s hair playfully and, after the boy insisted, finally said, “What are you so anxious for? Go grab a stool for your uncle.”

With an “Oh!” Song Liangzuo dashed inside and pulled out two small stools.

He dragged them out rather than lifted them, prompting Song Zhaodi to rush over and help.

Once Song Erquan and Song Wangshu settled down, the old woman shot an eye at her eager grandson.

In response, Song Liangzuo promptly ran to his grandmother and nestled against her, earning her affection while giving her ample emotional value.

He then backed away slightly, gazing up at his Second Granduncle and Uncle with wide, expectant eyes.

The old woman smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Second Brother, have you eaten yet? Stay and have something more at my place!”

“No, no, we ate on the way here. Regarding the private school, we’ve got some leads. Let Wangshu explain,” Song Erquan said, pulling out a pouch of tobacco and preparing to pack his pipe.

It seemed his craving for tobacco had kicked in.

Without further ado, Song Wangshu stated, “Third Aunty, I’ve found out everything. There’s originally only one private school run by Scholar Hou over on Zhishui Street. Most of the children in town who don’t go to the county for school study there. The annual fees are around three taels of silver, plus six items for enrollment. I’ve heard that his students have done quite well; one even became a scholar and is now teaching in the Yan family clan in Yanjiaban. Some are working as accountants in the biggest tavern in Runing Prefecture, and every time someone returns from there, they bring back lots of delicious food.”

At the mention of delicious food, the room erupted in the sound of swallowed saliva. Song Liangzuo turned to glancing at his second sister, who was intent on soaking in every word.

She might not know exactly what “lots of delicious food” meant, but that didn’t stop her from imagining it as anything from meat to pastries — anything her heart desired.

But only Song Liangzuo furrowed his brows slightly. Was it true that the only student who passed was the one who became a scholar? What about the others? Were they merely juvenile scholars?

The fact that those who worked in taverns were highly regarded wasn’t exactly reassuring either; could that be considered their best-outcome students?

Pondering deeply, he felt a knot of worry forming in his heart. Then suddenly, a realization hit him. His brows relaxed, and he curiously asked, “Uncle, when you said ‘originally,’ does that mean there’s another private school in town?”

“Hahaha, look at our Liangzuo, so clever! Yes, indeed! Originally, there was only this one, but during my inquiries, I heard that there’s a family in town, the Fan family, who years ago all went to the capital and became officials. They left behind this ancestral home. For some unknown reason, one of their sons has returned, and he’s been living here for quite a while.”

“Earlier this year, there was word that this young man was interested in starting a private school. I heard children from the town have gone to study there, but not long after, many stopped attending, claiming the teacher was too strict, often using a ruler to smack their palms until they bled.”

The old woman immediately shook her head in disapproval. “That won’t do! We can’t have Liangzuo getting beaten over there. We won’t send him to someone like that!”

“I think that’s not a good idea either. Besides the corporal punishment, his fees are exorbitant—five taels of silver! Though, it is said they can stay at his home for free. But meals would be out of pocket—two hundred wens for lunch, and four hundred wens if you want breakfast and dinner. If you can’t pay, they allow you to bring your own supplies, and they help cook,” Song Wangshu continued, scratching his head sheepishly.

Song Liangzuo felt oddly drawn to this option. After all, they were a family of officials who had returned from the capital. Although he didn’t know why they had moved back to their ancestral home, he understood that something worth having was always expensive.

However, five taels for tuition were too high—it was enough to buy a full set of writing gear and learning materials.

Song Liangzuo found himself stumped for once.

“There’s also the Yan family academy over in Yanjiaban, which has recently started accepting children from neighboring villages, but I didn’t get sufficient details about that. Other than that, it’s only the county school; I didn’t inquire about it,” Song Wangshu added, grinning sheepishly.

“I believe Scholar Hou’s place is best; we’re here to learn, not to be beaten,” the old woman declared, clearly disinclined toward the idea of sending Liangzuo to the strict teacher who had returned from the capital.

“Mother, we want Liangzuo to attend private school for him to become a high-ranking official. You think Scholar Hou is the best choice? In my mother’s village, one child has been studying under him and still hasn’t passed as a juvenile scholar!” Wang Chunlan chimed in, not exactly in agreement with her mother-in-law.

The old woman turned and shot her a knowing look.

“This kind of learning is like chanting scriptures; the master opens the door, and the disciple must walk through on their own. Didn’t Wangshu just say that he had taught someone to become a scholar, who is now also teaching? Not to mention, nowhere else has someone as smart as Liangzuo—given Liangzuo’s ability, learning from anyone will surely be top-notch!”

The old woman beamed with pride.

Wang Chunlan, hearing this, didn’t voice her doubts, knowing that the other family’s tuition was simply too steep. Two years there could equal three years at Scholar Hou’s.

Suddenly, Song Liangzuo broke into laughter, shaking with joy like a little worm in his grandmother’s embrace.

Had she not been holding him tightly; he might have tumbled to the ground.

His family simply thought he was excited about going to school, and they joined in his laughter, unaware he was lost in his own thoughts.

Song Liangzuo, however, was preoccupied by the imagined scene of the well-regarded scholar saying, with tears in his eyes, “You’re wonderful, but I prefer him!”

Wasn’t that how he felt? He couldn’t help but lean toward the proposition offered by the Fan family’s son; he felt quite reliable, but alas, his purse wouldn’t allow it.

Once he laughed enough, he wiped away the tears of mirth, exclaiming, “Mother, I can start studying with Scholar Hou for one year, and if he’s good, I’ll stay with him! If he’s not, we can always switch private schools next year. This is just for my basic education; it doesn’t need to be so expensive!”

“Alright, then it’s settled. Tomorrow we’ll go find Scholar Hou,” the old woman said, feeling thrilled that her grandson had also chosen the scholar.

Finally speaking up was Song Erquan, who had been quiet the whole time. “I was really worried you’d choose that fellow who returned from the capital.”

Hearing this, the old woman looked puzzled and asked, “Why? What’s the matter with him?”