The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 331 The Master Did Not Come

"Where is Master Jingzhe?" Tong Huaqiong asked.

"Master...Master isn't coming," Gu Jingzhe said dejectedly.

not coming?
This news came like a bolt from the blue.

The village had prepared everything for setting up the private school, but at the last minute the teacher didn't show up. How were they going to handle this?

Some parents were almost in tears, wondering if their child's dream of education had been shattered.
Of course, the little kids who don't like studying are very happy, because they no longer have to worry about being disciplined by the teacher or being hit with a ruler.

"What's the reason for not coming?" the village chief asked after realizing what was happening.

How could this teacher be so unreasonable? He made a promise and then went back on his word.

The village chief was so angry that he grabbed his hair. He had already arranged with the village head and other village chiefs to come to the village the day after tomorrow to observe the opening ceremony of the private school.

Now, he has become a laughing stock among the village chiefs of Yanguan Town.

"They didn't say why, they just aren't coming."

Gu Jingzhe glanced at Tong Huaqiong, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"What the hell? This guy is supposed to be a teacher, how can he be so unreliable?" The village chief cursed angrily.

"Exactly, how can a teacher who doesn't keep his word teach children?"

"I guess they changed their minds because they thought Qinghewan was too rural. After all, who would come to teach in the countryside after getting used to living in Pingchuan County?"

"Then what should we do with our child?"

The villagers were discussing the matter, expressing anger at the teacher's change of heart, but mostly regret.

"Jingzhe, let's go home," Tong Huaqiong said.

She felt that Mr. Li must have some reason for not coming that he couldn't tell outsiders.

Gu Jingzhe followed Tong Huaqiong back home, and the village chief followed as well.

"Then why is Master Li not coming?" Tong Huaqiong asked, closing the door.

“Tell your mother the truth. Master Li had already boarded the carriage when he overheard me mentioning that Man’er would also be attending the private school. He said that girls attending private schools would disrupt tradition, so he got off the carriage and left. No matter how much I tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t turn back.”

It turns out that Mr. Li changed his mind because Man'er wanted to attend the private school.

Tong Huaqiong was so angry she laughed. She figured such a traditional and rigid teacher probably couldn't teach any good knowledge.

The village chief glanced up at the roof.

According to the village chief, since the teacher dislikes girls going to the private school, then let Man'er stay away for the time being, coax her to come first, and then work on her slowly later. It's better than the teacher giving up.

Upon thinking about this, the village chief felt that Gu Jingzhe was not very good at doing things.

When Chen Sufen heard the reason why her husband hadn't come, she felt a pang of self-reproach.

It was all because of their own child that the village school's progress was delayed.

Chen Sufen said to Tong Huaqiong, "Mother, why don't we let Man'er go to the private school? The children in the village are more important."

The village chief nodded.

It must be said that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family is a very understanding person.

Anyway, Man'er won't be able to take the imperial examinations even if she studies, so it's better for the other children in the village to have a chance to study for the time being.

Of course, the village chief wouldn't dare say this, but now that Tong Dajiao's eldest daughter-in-law has brought it up, it's likely that Tong Dajiao is willing to compromise for the smooth opening of the private school.

Tong Huaqiong frowned and said to Chen Sufeng, "What do you mean the village children are important? Man'er learning to read is just as important. If that teacher doesn't come, he doesn't come. There are plenty of teachers in the world. We've given him face, but he doesn't appreciate it. If he comes again, I won't accept it either."

Chen Sufen dared not utter a word after being scolded by her mother-in-law.

At the same time, I'm also relieved that my mother-in-law is really good to Man'er.

The village chief's mouth twitched.

Yes, he's not the only teacher in the world. The key is that there are very few teachers in the world willing to accept female students.

Even if there were, they would be teaching noble ladies in Shengjing.

Those noble ladies will go to the palace to become empresses in the future.

What can Man'er do?
The village chief looked over at Gu Jingzhe. Could it be that Tong Dajiao thought that if Gu Jingzhe passed the exam, Man'er's status as her niece would rise accordingly, so that she could learn to read and write and marry into a wealthy family?

If Tong Dajiao had such a plan, it would be better to teach her how to walk, sit, lie down, and do needlework.

“Mother Dashu, why don’t we invite the teacher over first, and then we can take our time with Man’er’s enrollment in the private school,” the village chief said through gritted teeth.

Tong Huaqiong interrupted the village chief, saying, "No way. This old-fashioned teacher can't just blame Man'er for not being able to teach. I don't believe we can't find a teacher willing to teach female students."

The village chief said, "That's true, but classes start the day after tomorrow. What are we going to do?"

The village chief kept trying to persuade Tong Huaqiong to compromise.

Tong Huaqiong wouldn't be herself if she compromised.

She said to Gu Jingzhe, "Tomorrow you go to Pingchuan County and issue a notice that the tuition fee will be double or triple. I don't believe that no teacher will be willing to come."

Tong Huaqiong lost her temper.

Gu Jingzhe did not agree this time.

It can't be that easy.

There were very few teachers in the entire county who were willing to come to the countryside to teach.

Gu Jingzhe said, "Mother, if we can find other teachers, I will continue to recruit other teachers in Pingchuan County as soon as Teacher Li gets off the carriage today. It's not that we can't find them."

Gu Jingzhe felt bitter inside.

He went to Pingchuan County and first visited Magistrate Liu. Magistrate Liu readily agreed that it was a good thing for the village to set up a private school, and that he would definitely come to attend the opening ceremony on the 18th.

When Magistrate Liu's mother learned that Tong Huaqiong was going to set up a village private school, she said she would come too. She asked Gu Jingzhe how many children were willing to attend the class, and she took out her private savings to give each of the children studying in Qinghewan a set of writing brushes and ink.

If he had known that Master Li would change his mind, he wouldn't have gone to ask the magistrate in advance.

This situation is beyond repair.

The village chief's gaze fell on Gu Jingzhe, who was a student of the Imperial Academy and was capable of teaching the village children.

However, I'm afraid he won't be willing, as he still wants to attend classes at the private school in town to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai.

Qinghewan has yet to produce a single scholar or official, and we cannot let the private school hinder Gu Jingzhe's future.

Tong Huaqiong was equally worried; this was the most difficult thing she had encountered since arriving in Qinghewan.

Surely she wouldn't personally teach the child, would she?

Just as she was worrying, Su Chengmin, who was sitting in the yard peeling corn, looked up and said calmly, "Aunt Tong, since the teacher isn't coming, I'll be the teacher."

Village Chief Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe all looked at Su Chengmin.

Su Chengmin had a calm expression.

The village chief coughed and said, "Laifu, are you sure you can handle this? The teacher is no joke."

The village chief thought to himself, "A coachman becoming a teacher? That's ridiculous! What if he brings the child to the eggplant field?"
It's better to send Gu Dahan than to send him. At least Gu Dahan can teach everyone practical farming knowledge such as raising pigs and planting crops.

Su Chengmin had gotten used to the name Laifu by now. He bent down, picked up a corn cob, and rubbed it on the grater while saying, "Anyway, you won't find any other teachers."

Tong Huaqiong's eyes lit up.

Although she wasn't sure about Su Chengmin's scholarship, she noticed that he often read Gu Jingzhe's books during his breaks, which made him seem like a cultured person.

Someone like him, who can follow the Crown Prince, must be quite learned.

Who is the Crown Prince? He is the future emperor. Someone who can become a future emperor's reserve talent is more than qualified to be a private tutor.

Tong Huaqiong slapped her thigh and said, "Let Laifu give it a try."