A family of four moved into the house on Qingshan Lane for two nights, and found that this end is really peaceful and secluded, and it is no different from the countryside after they settle down.

The two cubs are very adaptable, but they got used to the inside and outside of the new house within a day, and they were not unaccustomed to clamoring to go back to the house at night, so Xu He and Zhang Fangyuan were relieved.

Everything else is easy to say, there is nothing wrong with the adults, but I am worried about the two children, who have been staying in the village since they were born, and I am afraid that they will be noisy in a new environment.

Obviously, home is where father is, and I have been doing psychological training for the two children before, but there is no discomfort at all.

When Zhang Fangyuan is free, he will have time to visit the surrounding residents with gifts. If you don’t go far away, you still have to go through the process one by one. If you don’t look up and look down, if you haven’t visited, Even if I want to say hello, I don't know how to say hello.

There are three neighbors in the front, back, left, and right sides, one is the Luo family next to it, the other is the Song family behind the house, and the remaining one is the Yan family.

Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He brought things to the door together, but unexpectedly the Song family who went first did not open the door to accept the gift, and even the servants they brought were very majestic and arrogant. They heard that they were officials and officials, and they inquired about other people's family. As for the details, when others see a new resident, they will naturally inquire.

Scholars look down on the most low-ranking merchants, so it's not surprising that they don't want to make friends with them. Zhang Fangyuan didn't force it either.

Turned around and went to the next house. The Yan family I visited was easy to talk to. It was a family of craftsmen, and they were also enthusiastic. He also ate a cup of tea before leaving.

In the end, it was the Luo family.

The person who came to open the door was the butler of the Luo family. He was actually one of the carriage pushers that he met on the official road that day. He was very polite to him. Master Xu had expected that he would come to the door to give orders, but the butler didn't say much. He directly led the couple in.

After entering the door, I found that the Luo family, which is not very grand outside, has a hidden world, not to mention that it is as big as three courtyards, and its pavilions, towers, pavilions, rockery and pools are very elegantly cared for.

The Luo family is very tidy and beautiful, the servants and maidservants who serve are coming and going, it is dazzling to see, but the rules are very strict, let alone no one whispers when walking, even the steps are very light.

Even people like the couple who haven't read poetry and books, who have been in the countryside all the year round, also feel the difference, and they have become a little bookish due to the influence of the environment.

The more you go to the reception hall, the softer and softer the reading becomes clearer and clearer.

"Master, here we come."

When the butler spoke, Xiao Baozi's voice stopped in due time.

Calligraphy and paintings are hung in the middle hall where dragons and phoenixes dance, and the incense from the copper furnace complements the faint fragrance of ink on the desk. First, Zhang Fangyuan really didn’t guess what the Luo family does, but only now did he know that it was a scholarly family. No.

"It's really a fate, it's actually a neighbor here."

Luo Yan put down the little bun Luo Yuxing in his arms, and spoke gently to the couple: "Please sit down."

Turning around, he said to the butler, "Look at the tea."

"Next Zhang Fangyuan, I will pay a visit with my husband Xu He." The couple also performed the courtesy.

"You're welcome, it's an acquaintance."

The couple just sat down, Luo Yuxing was a little happy looking at Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He, and called uncle just like when he saw Zhang Fangyuan the day before yesterday.

Luo Yan said with a smile: "Brother Xiao Xing said the other day that a new resident moved in next door. He was the uncle who gave him fruit, and he brought two older brothers who looked quite similar. He said he was invited and wanted to come over. Be a guest."

"The dog is naughty and loves to play. When he sees someone of the same age, he wants to invite him."

Luo Yan couldn't help asking: "Xiaoyou Zhang has a pair of twins?"

"Exactly."

Luo Yan stroked his beard and laughed: "It's really a blessing. Brother Xing has no brothers and sisters, and he is the only child. Apart from teaching him some poems and articles in the house, he is mostly alone, so he is inevitably lonely. In the future, I am afraid that I will bother Zhang Xiaoyou a lot."

"Where is Master Luo, just let the children play together."

The two talked for a while, although Xu He was a little embarrassed when he met Luo Yan for the first time, but Luo Yan was very gentle and polite, but they also had a good time talking.

Coming out of Luo's house, Xu He let out a long breath.

Zhang Fangyuan smiled and said, "What's the matter, are you tired from running all morning?"

"I feel that the Luo family has strict rules and looks like everyone. Looking at the calligraphy, painting and ink treasures that can be seen everywhere, they must be from a famous family. But I have never heard of such a person." Xu He said with emotion: "I can be regarded as one in this dynasty. I know what it means to have a poetry and book spirit in your belly."

In the past, he thought that a scholar should be like Fei Lian, and he listened to the word character, but now he knows what a real scholar is.

Zhang Fangyuan said: "I'm afraid they only moved in a while ago. They haven't made it clear, so it's inconvenient for us to inquire."

Xu He nodded, it would be offensive if he went to inquire, but thinking of Luo Yuxing, he couldn't help saying: "I thought our family Ruijin was already bright and precocious. Yes, you can still write!"

"It's reasonable to be swayed by the four characters. We are both grassroots in the countryside. Even if Ruijin is smart, he can't learn the content of poetry and books from us."

Xu He pursed his lips: "Then let's quickly find a good wife for the child."

Zhang Fangyuan was silent, and the couple ran around again about the children's affairs.

I went to the academies in the city first. There are more than one official academies in the city, three or four in size. The two went to inquire, most of the academies have age restrictions, those who are under five years old will not be accepted, and some under seven years old will not be accepted, the more famous the academy, the stricter the card and more requirements.

The couple ran down together, regardless of the size of the college, even the youngest age to admit children is five years old, and the two children in their family are not up to the age.

If you can't go to the academy, there are only two choices, one is to go to a private school, and the other is to invite a teacher to teach at home.

If it is not a famous family, a big family, without familiar contacts, you will not be able to invite teachers to teach at home. Those who can come to be their exclusive teachers are not short of money, and what they value more is fame.

For people like the Zhang family who are not high or low in wealth, and who have been in the family for several generations and have no official career, it is almost impossible to invite a teacher to teach at home.

After several rounds of screening, he could only go to a private school.

Fortunately, the Yan family next door learned that their family wanted to find a husband for their children to study. The Yan family who had some experience in schooling recommended Meng Fuzi who opened a private school. Kaimeng is also famous in the surrounding area, and many merchants send their children to Kaimeng.

And the most timely thing is that Master Meng is in Qingshan Lane, and the private school is also here.

Upon hearing such news, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He felt like they had found a treasure, and immediately brought a generous gift to the door to inquire.

"How old is the child now?"

"Nianchun is three years old."

I heard that they wanted to come to study, but Master Meng personally met the couple, served two cups of tea, and asked about the children's news in the hall.

Zhang Fangyuan didn't ask about his master's situation, but his master asked him a lot of questions, but in order for his child to have a good husband, he had to answer them all respectfully.

"Three years old is not considered very old in our private school, but it is definitely not too young. It is time to send the child to enlightenment. If there is any delay, the child will be missed."

The master didn't have any expression on his face, and seemed to be very businesslike: "How many words can I know now, and how many words can I write? What are the advantages and strengths? Can I recite the whole article?"

Xu He thought Ruijin was pretty good, and he could count at a young age, but now, after being questioned by his master, he didn't have a single advantage to show. Said: "The child doesn't have many advantages, but his memory is not bad."

"Young son is like a blank sheet of paper, he can memorize things quickly." The master didn't give anyone any face or step down: "So you can't read, let alone write?"

As he spoke, the master smacked his lips: "You are behind. You know that the students in my private school, who are younger than them, can read and write, and they have made achievements before they are sent. If you want to accept your two children , I’m afraid it will take a lot of effort to teach.”

Both Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He felt bad for the child being belittled in this way.

"Then I don't know how to enter Mengfuzi's school?"

The master did not answer directly, but leaned back on the chair slightly, held up the teacup in a pompous manner, and raised his hand to signal to the butler who was serving beside him.

The housekeeper stepped forward to answer for his master.

"Our lord's private school only recruits talented students from the city. Because it is a private school, the number of students it recruits is limited. It is not like an academy that recruits all kinds of students. The threshold is extremely low, so the etiquette is high."

"Master Gui and Young Master are of mediocre qualifications. If ordinary people come, Master will definitely not recruit them. Considering that they are recommended by the Yan family and they are both in Qingshan Lane, it is also possible to make an exception to accept two students, but this bundle of rituals will definitely It is higher than ordinary students."

Zhang Fangyuan's eyebrows moved slightly.

The steward saw that the couple did not make a decision, and said: "The two children come to school, and the rest of the students are behind. The master will definitely do his best to teach and help the two children catch up with the progress of the other students in the private school. They can learn more. It is also expedient to take up the master's time."

Zhang Fangyuan endured it, and asked politely about the ceremony.

In addition to the most basic etiquette, another fifty taels of silver should be sealed to the house as tuition fees, which will be renewed after half a year.

Xu He almost got up from the stool. The tuition fee is not waived, and it is too black-hearted. It should be known that the tuition fee of the academy is only one thousand yuan a year, and the cheap ones are only a few hundred yuan. He is trying his best to endure it now No attack.

Zhang Fangyuan said: "Just to bother me, I will bring my husband back to think about it, and I will give my wife an answer at that time."

At that moment, the master put down the teacup and said, "I heard that you all moved into the city from the countryside. I guess you don't know much about the expenses in the city. It's hard to hear these rituals all of a sudden. It is common sense to accept it. You are merchants, and you have always been the ones who plan to do business the most. Now you spend more for your children, and you will get fame in the future, so the rewards will not stop there."

"Money is the most important thing. The most important thing is the prestige that can't be bought no matter how much money you spend. Go back and think about it."

Zhang Fangyuan didn't say anything more, and pulled Xu He out of Meng's house, and the expressions of both of them were not very good when they returned.

"It's not that the family can't afford the money. I've traveled to many places these days, and I've talked to several masters, but I haven't seen anyone selling it at such a high price."

Xu He was very upset when he thought that the teacher belittled the two children with his upright face. Scholars have arrogance, but ordinary people like them are human beings, and they are not willing to be humiliated.

But he was also very uneasy. Seeing that Luo Yuxing, who was younger than Ruijin Ruili, did know a lot more than the two children in the family, he wondered if it was true, as Master Meng said, that Ruijin Ruili was a queen. .

Zhang Fangyuan knew what Xu He was thinking: "You can't believe what the master said. Even if the children in the countryside are late, the conditions are not as good as those in the city. They can learn a lot, but Ruijin Ruili is also one of the best in the village. Yes, I don’t believe that if you bring them to the city, they will be stupid, so it’s possible that all the children from good families in the city are as smart as the sky.”

"In this way, every time the imperial examinations are published, the people on the list should be the children of outstanding family backgrounds. How come there are still many students from poor families who can make the list. Could it be that everyone's family is like the Luo family?"

Xu He felt a little relieved when he heard the words, but now he was in trouble. Although the Meng Family Private School did not get along well, it was the only place he could enter among the few places he had seen so far.

"Let's not be in a hurry, let's look again, the huge Siyang may not be able to find a suitable wife."

Xu He nodded.

"Daddy is back!"

The two of them walked through the corridor, when they heard the sudden sound of footsteps when they entered the garden, Brother Li ran over excitedly, holding Luo Yuxing who walked much slower than him by the hand.

"Brother Xing is here too."

Little brother Li threw himself into Zhang Fangyuan's arms. Luo Yuxing just stood there when he was dropped, looking up at the tall little brother Li who was being held by Zhang Fangyuan.

"Little uncle, please give me a hug."

Seeing the pitiful child, Xu He squatted down, and Luo Yuxing threw himself into his arms happily.

It was Xu He's first time hugging Luo Yuxing. The child looked very soft, but he didn't expect it to be even softer when hugged.

Although he is a little brother like Ruili, Ruili is in good health. He eats a lot and often runs around. His body is very strong and his arms are round. Luo Yuxing is a bit fleshy, but under the strict tutoring of Luo's family, he does not have the temperament to run around, and his body is not very strong, and he is very soft when hugged.

Seeing that there were only two people running out, Zhang Fangyuan asked, "Where's brother?"

Brother Xiao Li said: "Brother is counting in the room again."

Zhang Fangyuan raised his thick eyebrows when he heard the words, feeling a little ashamed in his heart, Brother Xiaoli asked again: "Has Daddy found a good wife? My brother doesn't like to catch bugs in the yard with Brother Xiaoli and Brother Xiaoxing, hurry up Send him to school."

"Don't worry, I haven't found a suitable one yet."

Brother Xiaoli then asked why, but Zhang Fangyuan said, "Are you hungry?"

Hearing what to eat, the child immediately forgot the question he asked just now: "I'm hungry, I want to eat the bean cake made by little daddy."

Luo Yuxing, who was still waiting to explain why he hadn't found his wife, asked, "Are Brother Li and Brother Ruijin going to study?"

Xu He nodded: "Kids can't patronize and play, they still need to read and write."

Luo Yuxing obediently responded.

"However, you can skip reading today and eat bean cakes first."

Zhang Fangyuan laughed, and walked under the old pear tree in the garden with his cub in his arms. Brother Li hugged Zhang Fangyuan's neck, and said to Xu He who was behind: "Little Daddy, hurry up and bring Brother Xiaoxing over here. "

Seeing that the cub was in a much better mood, Xu He went to the kitchen to make some snacks together.

Luo Yuxing seldom set foot in the kitchen at home, let alone seeing such a lively family making cakes together. He found it both novel and happy.

He was led by Brother Xiaoli to run around in front of the stove, and even pulled Ruijin out of the house.

Have fun until night falls.

Luo Yuxing was playing in Zhang's house and didn't want to go home, but seeing that it was getting late outside, he took his nanny and maid to urge him, and he politely bid farewell to Ruijin, who likes the stern face like his uncle, Xiao Li, and went home go.

Brother Xiaoli put down the pastry and sent Luo Yuxing out, poked his head out from the crack in the thick log door of his house, and watched Luo Yuxing enter the Luo's house all the way. Then he took his head back and ran back to eat the pastry.

As soon as the gate was closed, when Luo Yuxing returned to the house, it was deserted again. It was very different from the bustle of Zhang's house. The smiles on the children's faces dissipated visibly, and Yan'er slumped on the nanny's body.

"Why are you still not happy after going to play for so long?"

Luo Yuxing heard a familiar voice and quickly turned around: "Grandpa is back?"

"Well, it's been a while since you came back." Luo Yan stretched out his hand and hugged the child into his arms: "Did you enjoy yourself at the Zhang family today?"

Luo Yuxing nodded and said excitedly, "Brother Xiao Xing wants to be with Brother Li every day."

Luo Yan patted the child's head: "How can that work, every child has his own home."

Hearing that Luo Yuxing lowered his head, his eyes flickered, he didn't cry or fuss, but it made people feel distressed.

When Luo Yan saw this, he immediately softened his tone and coaxed: "If Brother Xing is good at reading and writing, how about grandfather letting you go with the two children from the Zhang family?"

Luo Yuxing clutched Luo Yan's sleeve: "Brother Xiaoxing heard from his uncle that Brother Ruijin and Brother Xiaoli are also going to study with their master. Grandfather is a great Confucian, can you also teach Brother Ruijin and Brother Xiaoli?"

Luo Yan's eyebrows twitched: "Why are you doing this? Is it the request of the Zhang family?"

Luo Yuxing shook his head: "Uncle is not at home today, I went to seek a wife for Brother Li and Brother Ruijin, but I didn't find a suitable one. Brother Xiaoxing likes Brother Li and wants to study with him."

Luo Yan didn't answer Luo Yuxing's words, but said: "I want to eat something at night, my grandfather asked Aunt Tian to make it for you."

Luo Yuxing is not like little brother Li who is gluttonous. It is not easy to fool around with food: "I have eaten fruit at my uncle's house, so I am not hungry."

He shook Luo Yan's sleeve again: "Grandpa~"

"Yu Xing, remember my grandfather's teachings, don't tell others about family affairs, if anyone asks, you must tell grandfather."

"Brother Xiao Xing knows."

Luo Yan didn't answer the request, Luo Yuxing couldn't help lowering his eyes, and after a while of silence, he slid down from Luo Yan's arms and went back to his room alone.

Looking at the back of the child, Luo Yan couldn't help sighing.

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