After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

"Don't push! My family is here too!"

Before long, Shen Ying was surrounded by excited villagers.

Even Chi Sanhua and the others were frightened by the scene, and they quickly protected Su Tai and led her into the house.

When Shen Ying was rescued from the crowd, he realized that his hat was crooked and he had lost one shoe, which made him yell angrily.

Following Su Tai's instructions, the maidservant quickly went to the backyard to fetch a pair of new shoes for Shen Ying to change into.

Shen Ying changed into new shoes and was in a good mood again, so she hurried over to find Su Tai.

“Xiao Tai, there’s one more thing. Mr. Chu and Mr. Xi both said they want to settle down here. They also want to take the imperial examinations, as does Mr. Zhou.”

This matter involves people's future, so I couldn't just stop them. I agreed to everything. The teachers were practically burning the midnight oil to prepare for the exams. I was worried sick watching their dedication, so I didn't dare ask them to give the children extra lessons.

Now the villagers are all rushing to send their children to the village school, and I really can't keep up!

Sending a child to school is supposed to be a wonderful thing, so why is it causing him so much worry?
Shen Ying really couldn't understand it.

Su Tai felt distressed just listening to this. "Uncle, those children can't take the exam this year even if they're sent here now. Please talk to them nicely. If the children really want to study, they can learn to read at home first. They can be sent over after the imperial examination. Don't let the younger ones' failure to pass the exam affect the older ones. If you say that, they'll definitely calm down!"

If we say that the teacher also has to leave the palace and won't have time to teach so many children, the villagers will definitely gossip behind his back. But if we put it another way, absolutely no one will have any objections.

Shen Ying nodded repeatedly, still preoccupied. "This can only buy us a temporary relief. Afterward, we'll still have to face the problem of a shortage of teachers."

What's even more terrifying is that he can already foresee that after the imperial examinations, teachers will be extremely scarce, and it will be harder than climbing to heaven for their village to find a good teacher again.

Su Tai wasn't too worried. "Uncle, you can ask Big Dog about this. Didn't they go to other places to sell their goods this time? They're very knowledgeable. Just tell him your concerns, and Big Dog will find a way to help."

Having received Su Tai's guidance, Shen Ying hurriedly left.

Su Tai also wrote a letter and asked Yu Dong to send it to Shen Yi.

Shen Congrong returned from the village school in the evening.

Seeing that he was carrying several books and his hair was still covered in snow, Su Tai quickly stepped forward to brush the snowflakes off him and scolded, "Why aren't you using an umbrella? This won't do. Go and change your clothes."

Shen Congrong's two attendants explained tremblingly, "Madam, the young master said the village school is close to home, and carrying an umbrella is too troublesome; we can't keep up with him."

"It's alright, just be more careful next time."

Su Tai dismissed them.

He went straight into Shen Congrong's room and discovered that his beloved son's room had an entire wall of books, ranging from the Records of the Grand Historian to the Hundred Family Surnames, as well as many travelogues, astronomical and geographical books.

"You've read all these books?" Su Tai asked, her face full of shock.

Shen Congrong nodded slightly, somewhat embarrassed, "Some of these books were recommended to me by the teacher, some were picked out for me by Xiao Shier, and some I bought myself at the bookstore in Dahe Town."

Su Tai slowly sat down, her eyes still unable to leave the books on the bookshelf, and her tone was tinged with heartache, "You've used all the money your mother gave you to buy books?"

Among the children, the eldest, Shen Yuezhang, is a daughter. She is the oldest and has the most elder sister demeanor. She is considerate in all aspects and is relied upon by her parents the most. The twins are the youngest, mischievous and sweet-talking, and usually receive the most attention from their parents. Only the second child, who is gentle and mild-mannered, never competes or fights, is the most well-behaved, yet has the least presence.

When she gets busy, she sometimes doesn't pay attention to all these things and was unaware that her son's room had undergone such a big change.

Shen Congrong pursed her lips and explained, "There's also the money from my maternal grandparents and my sister. I couldn't buy so many books with just my money."

Su Tai had no doubt about this. In this era, reading was an extremely luxurious thing. From books to writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, even slightly better ones cost several taels of silver.

Books like the Records of the Grand Historian on the bookshelf, one of them is estimated to cost four or five ounces, and some even more than seven or eight ounces.

She gives her children one or two taels of silver each month. Unlike the twins, her eldest son doesn't squander money; he probably saves it all to buy books.

Su Tai felt sorry for him and immediately went back into the house to get a bag of loose silver. "There are one hundred taels of silver here. You can use it however you want. If you need more, just tell your mother."

Shen Congrong was overjoyed. "Thank you, Mother! Actually, I had my eye on a set of ancient book annotations before, a complete set of twenty books. The shopkeeper said he wouldn't sell it for less than eighty taels. My eldest sister gave me twenty taels of silver before the New Year, and on the second day of the New Year, my maternal grandparents and uncles and aunts all gave me lucky money, which would have made up thirty taels. I also had some savings from before, so I was just a little short."

Now Mother gave me a hundred taels, finally that's enough!

The joy on the child's face made Su Tai extremely happy, and she wished she could give him another thousand or a hundred taels of silver.

Shen Congrong was eager to go to Dahe Town to buy books.

Su Tai decided to accompany him on the trip.

The mother and son arrived at the Dahe Town Study in a donkey cart, protected by their attendants.

This is the only study in the entire Dahe Town, and it's owned by the Pu family.

As soon as Shen Congrong got off the carriage, she eagerly pulled Su Tai into the study, "Manager, do you still have the set of ancient book annotations that I asked you to leave for me before?!"

The shopkeeper recognized Shen Congrong and immediately replied with a smile, "I wouldn't dare refuse the book that Young Master Shen wanted! Everything else has been put away separately. Please wait, I'll go get it right away."

While the shopkeeper went to get something, Shen Congrong led Su Tai to sit and wait.

Su Tai could tell at a glance that her son was a regular here. After sitting down as he suggested, she discovered that one side of the study was lined with tables and chairs, and there were many people sitting there quietly reading without making a sound.

Su Tai was startled.

Shen Congrong lowered her voice and explained, "Mother, they are all people who truly love reading, but their families are not wealthy enough to buy all the books. The Pu family is kind and generous, giving them the opportunity to read for free, but on the condition that they copy one book for the study every month."

"This request isn't unreasonable." Su Tai looked at them curiously again.

Just then, a boy stood up from the corner and walked towards the counter.

When the shopkeeper appeared, he immediately handed over the book, "Shopkeeper, is this one alright?"

The shopkeeper examined it carefully and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad! Xiong Feng, you're not a novice anymore. If you copy books a little faster, you can earn two or three taels of silver a month by submitting just one more book. You won't have to spend money on pen, ink, or paper, and you'll have more money in your pocket."

"I understand, thank you for your kindness, shopkeeper." Xiong Feng said, carefully putting the book down and returning to his seat. (End of Chapter)