In the main courtyard, Landlord Xu was having his morning meal. The cuisine in Jiangnan was exquisite, emphasizing quality over quantity.
On the table were a plate of six white sugar cakes, three or four delicate shaomai, and a bowl of red date porridge.
Just as he was finishing up and about to set down his chopsticks to attend to his duties—Landlord Xu, being a mid-sized landowner, was far from the idle rich depicted in operas who spent their days with hands in sleeves waiting to eat and drink—May had arrived, and the early rice was growing well. More importantly, it was time for another crucial task: silkworm rearing and silk reeling.
Selecting silkworm eggs, breeding and feeding the silkworms with mulberry leaves, and harvesting the silkworm cocoons—each step was fraught with challenges. The slightest misstep could result in poor-quality silk.
The people of Danyang County were prosperous, the land fertile, and the climate throughout the seasons was ideal for silkworm rearing. For farming families, a significant portion of their annual livelihood depended on this.
Of course, for the Xu family, aside from collecting land rents, their greatest profits also came from silkworm rearing and silk production.
Just as Landlord Xu was worrying that this year’s excessive rainfall might have affected the mulberry leaves, leading to poorer-quality cocoons than in previous years, he saw Yue Ge’er enter. A smile immediately spread across his face:
“What brings you here today? Don’t be late for school. My dear, I know you’re filial, and Grandpa appreciates it. Just having this intention is enough…”
Xu Yue was accustomed to Landlord Xu’s effusive affection. First, she informed him that Teacher Feng had given his students a few days off. Then, with sweet coquetry, she asked for a suitable Purple Bamboo Xiao to use.
“Good, good, learning the xiao is wonderful—it’s a pastime for scholars.”
When it came to Xu Yue’s requests, as long as they weren’t outrageous—like selling land—Landlord Xu never refused.
A Purple Bamboo Xiao would, at most, cost a few taels of silver.
However, her next request gave Landlord Xu pause, and he hesitated to agree readily.
With a serious expression, Landlord Xu asked:
“Yue Ge’er, what made you think of asking me to open a clan school?”
A clan school, as the name implied, was an educational institution established by a family or clan. In ancient times, clans founded these schools to enhance cohesion and influence by providing learning opportunities for their younger members.
The benefits were numerous: they could uncover talent, win hearts, and showcase benevolence and righteousness.
However, there was one catch: it required substantial financial investment and social capital, with no guarantee of returns.
Thus, only prominent, large families typically opened clan schools. As far as Landlord Xu knew, not a single family in Danyang County had established one.
Xu Yue remained calm. The day before, she had spent a long time pondering the issue of her sisters’ education.
If she directly proposed having Yuan Niang and the others learn to read and write, and pleaded multiple times, Landlord Xu, who doted on her, would likely agree.
But—that would only address the symptoms, not the root cause.
The outcomes of literacy education could vary greatly, from exceptional to minimal.
The quality of teaching resources almost always determined the students’ achievements.
For instance, she had been fortunate to study under the young and exceptionally talented Scholar Feng—an opportunity akin to receiving top-tier instruction nationwide. His youth meant he had energy, and his talent meant he could impart extensive knowledge.
Further down the scale, teaching by an elderly Juren, like the original male lead, was also quite good. Then there were ordinary Xiucai and Tongsheng who ran private schools to make a living—their instruction was mediocre at best.
At the lowest end was what Xu Yue anticipated Landlord Xu would provide for Yuan Niang and the others: hiring someone who merely recognized a few thousand characters to teach them haphazardly.
This did not meet her expectations.
Xu Yue wanted to achieve the best she could under the circumstances, so she devised a plan—
Establish a clan school!
First, for the education of the clan’s children, the hired teacher would need to be at least a Xiucai.
Secondly, with a clan school established by our own family, the resistance to Yuan Niang and the others attending would be much smaller.
Lastly and most importantly, the subjects taught in the clan school—civil examination preparation, accounting and household management, and social etiquette—are undoubtedly several levels higher than what girls currently learn.
“Grandfather, I heard from Wen Shixiong that in the capital, he studied at the clan school alongside his male cousins, but at home, I’m the only one receiving an education…”
“So you want companions to study with?”
Landlord Xu chuckled. Yue Ge’er was only three years old—hearing about other families having clan schools and wanting one himself was nothing unusual.
Just as he was about to patiently explain the differences between the families and dissuade Yue Ge’er from the idea, he heard:
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
The child, who barely reached Landlord Xu’s thighs, wore an expression of determination and calmness beyond her years. Gazing seriously at her grandfather, she said:
“Grandfather, I can study properly under Teacher Feng, but the others in the family cannot.”
“They’re falling behind.”
The little one frowned, seemingly struggling to articulate her thoughts clearly, and counted on her fingers with visible distress:
“They’re not like me.”
Though spoken with childish innocence, her words struck a chord in Landlord Xu’s heart. With a sudden jolt, he began pondering deeply.
In his view, although Yue Ge’er had been born in the wrong gender, she was undoubtedly destined to become a Jinshi scholar.
Becoming a Jinshi meant holding an official position, and being an official wasn’t easy. The other Xu family descendants would naturally need to assist Yue Ge’er.
As the saying goes, “Father and son fight together in battle; brothers join forces to slay a tiger”—one’s own people are always more trustworthy than outsiders.
But if the Xu descendants remained uneducated and illiterate, what help could they possibly offer?
They’d likely be more of a hindrance. Moreover, if her brothers lacked learning, what if someone seized upon this to mock Yue Ge’er?
“A phoenix born in a pheasant’s nest”—though phrased as praise, such a phoenix would inevitably be looked down upon compared to other “phoenixes.”
…
Though he didn’t agree immediately, Landlord Xu took the matter of establishing a clan school to heart. For several days, he pondered it constantly, whether walking or eating.
However, the question was no longer whether to establish a clan school, but how to establish it properly.
Preoccupied with these thoughts, Landlord Xu often wore a furrowed brow and displeased expression, making others afraid to approach him.
Li Shi had originally intended to have Second Master Xu reclaim the household management authority. With Li Niang’s arrival, the plan to find a new wife for Master Xu had naturally fallen through.
She thought this was an opportunity—if they pleaded enough, they might regain control of the household.
But seeing Landlord Xu in this state, Second Master Xu grew timid. With his delicate skin and fear of pain, the marks from last time’s feather duster beating hadn’t even faded yet!
This frustration caused Li Shi to develop a large blister on her lip.
Similarly, Master Xu was thoroughly softened by Li Niang’s tender affections.
Furthermore, he privately thought: although Yue Ge’er was exceptionally gifted, Yuan Ge’er was also his son—who’s to say he wasn’t equally intelligent?
Sons from the same father couldn’t be that different, after all.
And Yuan Ge’er was older—compared to his three-year-old younger sister, he was actually at a more appropriate age for studying.
A vivid image formed in Master Xu’s mind: both his sons riding tall horses, joyfully bringing news of success, brothers achieving imperial examination honors together!
Holding this confident belief, Master Xu mustered some courage and finally stepped through the doorway under his father’s cold gaze, managing to voice his thoughts.
“Say that again?”
Landlord Xu dug at his ear and asked with a cold sneer.
Hearing his foolish son actually repeat it again, Landlord Xu’s jaw ached with anger, and his gaze toward Master Xu turned icy.
Who could possibly compare to Yue Ge’er?
What a joke! Who was Yue Ge’er? A star in the heavens! Landlord Xu had received a divine dream, painstakingly concealed his identity, and personally raised the hope of the Xu family!
And who was Yuan Ge’er? The illegitimate son of an unknown mistress.
If the main branch didn’t have Yue Ge’er, he might still have a place.
But now? Hah.
In Landlord Xu’s true heart, this grandson wasn’t even comparable to the legitimate eldest granddaughter, Yuan Niang. How dare he reach for the moon and try to compare himself to Yue Ge’er?
“Get out.”
Landlord Xu couldn’t be bothered to say more. He didn’t even want to spare a glance at his foolish son and spoke decisively.
“Father, no—I know you favor Yue Ge’er, but Yuan Ge’er is also my son. As a father, how can I watch one son soar in the heavens while the other is buried in the dirt?”
After holding back repeatedly, Master Xu couldn’t restrain himself any longer and spoke to Landlord Xu with some resentment.
In the man’s view, both were his sons. Even if one was legitimate and the other illegitimate, there wasn’t much difference. Besides, with Li Niang—his beloved concubine—as the birth mother, Master Xu actually favored Yuan Ge’er a little more.