Under the gazes of the three people, a rickety old lady walked in slowly. She had gray hair, wore clothes full of patches, and had a cane in her right hand. She walked very slowly, as if every step she took was exhausted.
Although she had lost all her strength, her complexion was sallow and her muscles were thin, and she looked a little malnourished.
Looking at the impoverished old lady, Yun Wanqing's heart moved, and she quickly came over, helped the old lady over, and said softly: "Mother-in-law, why do you come to the academy?"
The old lady raised her head and opened her turbid old eyes slightly. This was the first time she had seen a woman with such a mark. She was really shy of the moon. What's more rare was that this young lady was kind-hearted. She whispered: "I am
I want to find the dean."
Zhu Ziming looked at her. She should be here for his children and grandchildren. Could it be that she is also here to adjust the class? If that is the case, this old woman may not be able to get the money.
Yan Yinli glanced at Brother Zhu and said with a smile, "Mother-in-law, what do you want from him?"
Yun Wanqingrou said: "Is it because your grandson is divided into classes?"
The old lady nodded, but then shook her head, making people wonder what she meant.
Based on this old woman's age, her precious grandson must be studying at Mingli Academy. Yun Wanqing was curious, if there were no other elders in their family, why would an old lady who had difficulty walking come to the academy.
The old lady undoubtedly came through the back door, and all three of them subconsciously confirmed this.
However, after the old lady's lips wriggled a few times, she said: "I came here for my grandson, but not for the separation of classes, but..."
The old lady found it difficult to speak, and hesitated for a long time before saying: "My old lady is useless. She can't even pay for her grandson's tuition. That's why I came here. I hope that the young masters and ladies can be kind and give me a few more days of grace."
I can raise money to pay tuition.”
The overall tuition fee for Yan State's academies is three taels of silver a month, which is equivalent to one tael of silver. Therefore, these three taels of silver are difficult for ordinary families to afford. Most of the children who can afford to go to the academy are
The family is fairly well off.
Although the rules and regulations of Mingli Academy are very different from those of other academies, the fee standard is the same. Three taels of silver is simply too difficult for this poor old lady to reach the sky.
But for the sake of her grandson, she gritted her teeth and decided to send him to Mingli Academy to study. She even put aside her old face and came to the academy to ask for help in person.
Yun Wanqing's eyes became slightly moist, and her voice was slightly choked as she said, "Mother-in-law, is there anyone else in your family?"
The old lady shook her head: "His parents died early, leaving only him and me. He studies hard every day and does odd jobs in the fields. Now that he has entered the academy, he has to study every day.
I can no longer subsidize my family, but my old lady can only make ends meet by picking up some wild vegetables every day..."
Given the old lady's current situation, the idea of a few days of grace is somewhat empty talk. The three of them are very clear-minded.
"My grandson is studying hard now, and he will definitely be admitted to the imperial examination in the future. He will definitely repay you tenfold and a hundredfold," the old woman said hurriedly, having already guessed what they were thinking. She almost knelt down.
"Mother-in-law, we don't mean that," Yan Yin said politely, "May I also ask what your grandson's name is."
The old lady said: "His name is Sun Peng."
Sun Peng? Yun Wanqing was stunned for a moment. Why is this name so familiar? As she thought to herself, her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up: "Sun Peng, isn't he the first in this class exam?"
The grandson of this old woman is the number one in the academy? Zhu Ziming was surprised and felt that it was indeed talented people who came from poor families, and only those who have suffered hardship know the importance of studying.
"Mother-in-law," Zhu Ziming said with a smile, "it turns out that your grandson is number one, so your worries will be overdue."
The old lady glanced at the black-faced young man who had not spoken a word, not knowing what he meant by what he said.
"Mother-in-law, this is the dean you are looking for." Yan Yinli introduced.
The old lady looked at Zhu Ziming and whispered: "My lord, what do you mean by what you said?"
This dean is not an adult. Zhu Ziming smiled coquettishly and said, "Mother-in-law, you don't know. Our academy has a new rule that specifically rewards students who study hard. The academy will award ten taels of silver to the first place in the class exam.
So you don’t have to worry at all.”
Is there such a good thing? The old lady didn't believe her ears. In her excitement, the crutch she was holding almost trembled because of the palm of her hand, and her whole body fell down. Fortunately, talented girl Yun was by her side to support her.
Zhu Ziming smiled and nodded: "If your grandson can take the first place in the exam every month, this reward will not only pay for the tuition, but also save some savings to go to Beijing to take the exam."
Unexpectedly, if you study well, you can also earn money. The old lady felt happy in her heart. Her toothless mouth opened slightly, and she was very happy. When her grandson insisted on coming to Mingli Academy, he had his reasons.
There were tears in Yun Wan's soft eyes. She didn't know whether she was moved or what. She just looked at Zhu Ziming gently. When did the academy have such a reward system? He must have just thought of it to deceive this mother-in-law.
However, his heart is not something that ordinary people can achieve.
It not only prevents the old lady from being so groveling, but also reassures the old lady and inspires the eagerness to learn from the top student in the academy. It really kills three birds with one stone.
It's so thoughtful and well-intentioned.
He is really a good and bad person. Yun Wanqing's heart was filled with faint ripples. Her beautiful eyes were looking at him like spring water, but she didn't know what she was thinking.
Zhu Ziming took out ten taels of silver from the cabinet and handed it to the old lady. Even one hundred taels of silver was nothing to Zhu Ziming now, but these ten taels of silver represented an encouragement and a help.
If there is more money, the meaning changes.
"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir..." The old woman took the silver with tears of gratitude. She held the ten taels of silver in both hands, but she felt like it weighed heavily.
The old woman said thank you a few more times, then she held the silver in her hands tremblingly and walked out of the room slowly.
"Brother Zhu, hey..." Yan Yinli came over and patted him on the shoulder, but he didn't know what to say for a moment. Brother Zhu has such a kind heart, which is really commendable.
However, Zhu Ziming seemed to have not heard him and stared into the distance in a daze.
"Brother Zhu!"
When Yan Yinli called again, Zhu Ziming slowly came to his senses: "I feel like something is wrong."
"What's wrong?" Yan Yinli asked, not knowing what he meant.
Zhu Ziming's eyes lit up and he stretched out his hands: "That's right! We have already divided all the money. How can I pay out all of these ten taels of silver? We should divide it evenly. Take five taels."