Chapter 189: Chapter 188: Seems Like It Works Again

This question, Si Niang had already asked more than twenty times before,

But as the days for Da Lang and Second Lang to start school drew nearer, she brought it up more and more often.

Qin Yao had previously used various reasons to deflect it, but this time, it seemed she couldn’t dodge anymore.

Si Niang was just young, not foolish.

The previous reasons given to her didn’t stand up at all.

Her third brother is also young, the same age as her; yet in two years, he will be able to go to school, while no one says she can go in two years when she is older as well.

Her second brother isn’t physically strong and can’t walk far; yet he can ride a cow cart to school.

There are many reasons, none correct according to Mother!

Or, perhaps there is one that seems right.

“Is it because I’m a girl?” Si Niang mumbled, still not understanding, “Why can’t girls? Why can boys?”

Before age four, without her mother by her side, she didn’t feel any difference in status between genders.

After four, the only woman she interacted with was Qin Yao, and here, there wasn’t any difference in status between genders.

Even in the little girl’s mind, Mother was more impressive than Father, her brothers, or anyone in the village!

It’s genuinely difficult for her to understand why girls can’t go to school.

Additionally, Liu Ji had responded similarly, but when asked: Why can’t girls?

He couldn’t provide a reason, only saying it’s been like that since ancient times.

This young girl, Si Niang, is very smart at times, but because she is too smart, she often fixates on things and won’t rest until she understands them.

Such stubbornness, Qin Yao suddenly asked curiously, “Si Niang, are you born in the Year of the Ox?”

Si Niang paused for a moment, shaking her head, “I don’t know.”

“Elder Brother, what year am I born in?” She immediately asked her all-knowing elder brother, successfully shifting her focus.

Da Lang calculated and replied, “You’re born in the Year of the Rabbit.”

Si Niang acknowledged and nodded, then continued curiously, “What about little brother?”

Da Lang answered, “He’s also born in the Year of the Rabbit.”

Si Niang: “What about second brother?”

After asking about her second brother, she asked about her elder brother, then asked Father…

Qin Yao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly telling the four siblings to wash up and return to their rooms to sleep!

As for Si Niang’s question, Qin Yao would think carefully on how to answer before replying.

That night, Qin Yao went to bed very late.

Firstly, to draw the diagrams to divide the book box.

Secondly, contemplating the answer to Si Niang’s question.

But the true societal reality is genuinely cruel to a little girl, if possible, Qin Yao would prefer her to grow up as confused as Jinhua and the other village girls, without asking so many whys.

To prematurely crush all of a little girl’s hopes and expectations is such an inhumane act, that will be left for Liu Ji to do.

In the blink of an eye, it was January 28th, only four days until school starts in February.

Liu the carpenter hurriedly rushed and finally made the Divine Power Book Boxes for Da Lang and Second Lang.

The box uses very sturdy wood, decorated with ornate carvings, and painted black, giving it an ancient and advanced feel.

The layered compartments inside were customized by Qin Yao according to the two’s different needs. Da Lang’s could fit his slingshot and dagger.

Second Lang’s just had large compartments open for anything he wanted to store.

Liu the carpenter became addicted to crafting, and with a hidden piece of Huanghua Li material left in the house, he wanted to make another luxurious and exquisite book box.

Not for sale, but to showcase his skill. Also known as the legendary treasure of the store.

Qin Yao brought the two completed Divine Power Book Boxes home, Da Lang and Second Lang immediately carried them to their rooms to pack their things.

Sanlang curiously followed his brothers to see their preparations for school, including items like ink brushes and paper.

The previous day, Qin Yao took the two to Ding Family Manor to meet Old Madam Ding in advance, though Liu Ji hadn’t shown up, the old lady seemed a bit disappointed, but the matter of the brothers enrolling was settled.

Everything was in place, just waiting for school to start.

However, these days Si Niang was feeling very down, because her three brothers were always together, and Jinhua was confined at home by her mother to study women’s skills, the little girl often sat alone on the doorstep, staring at a place without moving for a whole hour.

Qin Yao said she would teach her martial arts, but Si Niang showed little interest. Even though she had previously watched her elder brother practice martial arts and was clamoring to learn, now that Qin Yao agreed to teach her, she wasn’t interested.

Initially, Da Lang and Second Lang overlooked their sister, but now that everything was prepared, they shifted attention from school matters and soon noticed their sister’s unhappiness.

They tried to comfort her, promising they would teach her and Sanlang once they learned at the clan school.

But the little girl still hadn’t regained her enthusiasm. Sometimes, when they talked too much in her ears, she simply ignored them, continuing to immerse herself in her small world.

While the whole family was worried about this, the sound of drums came from across the river.

“Is there something joyful?” Second Lang immediately jumped up, running to the slope to look excitedly toward the village.

Before long, the tall figure of Liu Qi appeared by the riverbank, beating a drum while shouting:

“The village chief has good news to announce, everyone come to the ancestral hall!”

As if to confirm the mother and sons on the hill had heard it, Liu Qi raised his hand and waved, Second Lang also waved back in response.

Knowing they had heard, Liu Qi was happy to walk less, turned around, and continued drumming through the village to notify every household.

“Mother, the village chief has good news to announce, asking everyone to go to the ancestral hall,” Second Lang ran back to the main entrance to inform the family excitedly.

Qin Yao had already heard and, seeing the listless Si Niang, her heart went out; she picked up the little one, hinting to Da Lang and the others to lock the door and follow, heading first to the village hall.

Along the way, they encountered many villagers, all excited and curious, wondering what good news the village chief was announcing with such fanfare?

Could it be the taxes would be reduced this year?

With curiosity, anyone in the village who wasn’t working headed to the ancestral hall.

The hall was small, so each family sent one person inside, while the others gathered around the entrance, and some strong youths climbed to the treetops to look into the hall over the courtyard walls.

Once everyone had arrived, the village chief smiled, picked up a freshly received warm document, and began to read aloud.

Those literary words, the villagers, lacking education, listened in confusion.

But the part about “tuition fees waived for two years,” was clear and got their hearts racing.

Anything related to waivers, the villagers lacked the patience to wait for the full reading of the document, and those with higher seniority interrupted the chief, asking him to quickly explain to everyone in plain terms, rather than reading the incomprehensible document.

Nearby Old Liu echoed, “Exactly, exactly, we don’t listen to any document, we just want to hear what the village chief has to say, we’ll believe whatever you say!”

If the village chief had a beard, you could bet it was being ruffled by this group of ’troublemakers.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep