Chapter Seventy-Six: The roadside tea stall, it cannot enter

ing aroundEveryone thought the village head was too timid, but no one dared to refute him.We waited and waited, but no one came out from the forest. And we didn't see any sign of anyone in the cave ag...In Li Jia Courtyard, though Li Laosi was missing, it was still quite lively.

But young and old are all thinking about it, with something on their minds. As a result, they can't sleep or eat well.

The family was happy and peaceful, though the reason was unknown. But children are most perceptive, even when being mischievous, they were careful not to go too far.

On this day, Jiarren took a holiday and went home. Finally, the house was filled with some cheer.

Tao Hongying perked up and made several good dishes.

Old Lady Li pulled her eldest grandson aside and bombarded him with questions, worried that he would have a hard time at the academy.

Jiarin's heart was warm, and he smiled gently as he teased his sister and chatted with grandma.

When he first entered the academy, he was indeed ostracized and mocked because his family was poor.

Especially when Wu Erdog went to ask for money, it was a very embarrassing scene.

But as time went on, he studied diligently and with great effort, and he also had talent. The master liked him very much and often praised him.

Fellow students who also lived in the academy were mostly from farming families. After getting to know each other, I made a few friends who had similar personalities.

His reading life was much better because of these things.

This year, with the severe drought, during such a difficult time, his household never stopped providing for him, and even often sent him food.

When it rained, the academy wasn't short of water, but it wasn't extravagant enough to irrigate the vegetable garden.

Therefore, those vegetables sent from home are simply priceless.

He showed respect to the master by offering him half, and he kept the other half for himself to make a meal in the kitchen. Please share it with your fellow students.

This made the classmates even more amiable towards him, and their interactions became more harmonious.

Whoever brought delicious food would also invite him to share it.

Li Lao Tai was delighted, and Jia Yin was satisfied as well. No longer did she have to worry about her brother being bullied at the academy.

Jiarou's chubby and round sister, unable to resist, pecked her arm that was as tender as an lotus stem, and asked.

"Sister, next month is Little Sister's first birthday. Will we be having a celebration at home"

Li Lao nodded and casually took out her granddaughter's jewelry box.

Mrs. Sun sent over that gold collar, wiping it several times herself.

When the time comes, I'll put it on my granddaughter and host two tables of banquets, inviting everyone in the village to have a drink.

But thinking of her son who was still out there, she sighed again, wondering if the fourth son would be able to come back.

By the time his granddaughter was one hundred days old, he wasn't home. If he didn't make it by her first birthday, it would be a real shame.

Jia Ren didn't know where his uncle had gone, but being a鏢師 was always dangerous.

He wanted to say something, but worried that it would make Grandma even more upset, so he changed the subject.

"Milk, our academy has opened a Montessori class again, and it's expected to enroll students soon. What about your children, Jiaxi and Jianan Have you made any arrangements"

This really got her spirits up, immediately pulling the old lady and her son back to reality.

"A calligraphy class That's wonderful!"

Li Laotai was overjoyed, she took her eldest grandson's hand and carefully inquired.

How many children does the Mengxue Academy accept in total, and is there a prior test or selection process What is the tuition fee, and can students live at the academy

Jiārén remembered his younger brother at home, and only after he understood the situation did he bring it up.

He said, “The stipend is 500 wen per month, not including food and lodging, and requires travel. The selection process begins in early August with an examination for teaching positions, but it shouldn't be too difficult.”

Li Laotai frowned. Both grandsons went to study, and a month's tuition was one tael of silver. The family could afford it.

I'm not afraid of the exam, after all, I've been studying at home for half a year already.

This walk-in is a bit troublesome, it's not realistic to pick up and drop off early and late at home. I have to figure out another way.

"There's almost a month left. Let me discuss it with your father and uncle."

Jia Ren nodded and didn't persuade him any further.

He is now completely supported by his family and has grown quite complacent.

With two more brothers studying, the family burden is too heavy.

Jiao Yin played with her elder brother's waist pouch, listening from beginning to end, and she was also troubled.

I bought over a hundred catties of vegetables before. I thought it was a lot at first.

But there are many people in the family, and the expenses are really too high.

Well, I still have to find a way to keep making money.

In less than two months, it will be time to harvest. The grain can't be sold.

However, the fruits in the small courtyard are ripe for picking now. I'll find a way to send them to Kyoto later on.

I wonder if I can meet someone like last year, who bought it for dozens of taels.

Leaving out family matters, Li Laosi and Liu Biantou rode hard for three or four days.

With still a hundred miles to go before reaching their destination, both of them let out a sigh of relief.

Liu Biaotou looked into the distance, at the tea stall by the town entrance not far away. He said,

"Let's take a break, eat some dry rations, and then run all at once."

Li Laosi licked his chapped lips and nodded.

Two people arrived at the tea shed, tethered their horses, and a friendly young man came forward to greet them.

"My esteemed guests, please come in and rest yourselves. The sun is scorching today."

As he spoke, he wiped the table with a cloth from his shoulder.

"Bring us a pot of cold tea, and no dry food."

Liu Biatou looked around, seeing no customers. He didn't suspect anything.

After all, at midday it was too hot, and everyone stayed home to escape the heat. Who would be willing to go out

The young man responded loudly and quickly brought a pot of cold tea.

Liu Biaotou sniffed and tasted it, then nodded.

Li Lao Si only then drank two large bowls, and then let out a long sigh of relief, finally easing some of the heat.

Liu, the head鏢師, had also drunk quite a bit and wanted another pot when the young boy brought out a basin of cold jelly, mixed with chopped garlic, soy sauce, and other seasonings.

That cool jelly is probably made from glutinous rice starch. It looks so pure white and paired with blanched greens, it just looks delicious.

Liu Biao swallowed hard, wanting to have a bowl of soup, but Li Lao Si took out dry cakes and meat sauce instead.

Let's finish all the meat sauce, or it will go bad.

Liu Biao then withdrew his gaze and ate with Li Lao Si.

Tao Hongying's craftsmanship is particularly good. The meat chunks are fried to a slight dryness with fragrance, and the sauce is salty and fragrant. Mixed together, paired with flatbread, it's endlessly enjoyable.

The young fellow, perhaps catching a whiff of the meat sauce aroma, stepped forward with a smile.

"Where did you two buy this meat sauce We've just added a cold vermicelli salad. With this meat sauce, it'll probably taste even better."

Li Lao Si smiled and said, “It’s brought from home. It’s not sold anywhere else. Little brother, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed!”

The fellow sighed indeed, and in the end quickly ladled up two bowls of rice noodles.

"This rice noodle is for the two of you to try. Since there aren't many customers today, it'll just go bad if left alone. If you like it, please come back and support my business."

Liu Biatou and Li Laosi looked at each other, both shaking their heads.

"Thank you, little brother. We brought a lot of dry food and it would be a shame not to finish it all. Next time we pass by, we'll definitely come back to try your rice noodle soup again."

The young man's face flushed a bit awkwardly after his offer was declined, and he sheepishly retracted his bowl.

Liu Biaotou and Li Laosi ate quickly, soon tidied up their things, paid for the tea, and then continued on their journey.

Run a little distance, there is a small hill at the foot of which flows a stream.

Two horses were thirsty, so they galloped over and drank water greedily.

Li Lao Si and Liu Biao Tou simply jumped down to wash their hands and faces, cooling themselves off.

"This trip was tough, but thankfully the drought is over. Otherwise, finding water to drink on the road would have been a problem."

"Yes, it's still God's blessing."

After chatting for a while, the two of them mounted their horses and continued on their journey.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred.

An arrow flew from the forest, heading straight for the two.andma He hurriedly knelt down, taking both hands, "Thank you, Lord Hou, for your gift.""Go on, remember to be careful."The lord gave another instruction, and He Ma ma bowed her head in response, retr...