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The mule cart swayed and rattled along the dirt road leading to the county town. It was just dawn, and the dew was wetting the roadside weeds.

Qingge sat on the carriage shaft, holding the reins in her hand. Tao'er beside her had her eyes slightly closed; she had gotten up too early and was a little sleepy.

The two children sat in the carriage, occasionally sticking their heads out to look at the scenery along the roadside.

"Miss, why don't we let the young master and the others go directly to the academy?"

Are the teachers at the county school not better than those hired from outside?

Qingge finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked the question she had been holding in all the way.

Tao'er did not answer immediately, her gaze falling on the gradually clearing outline of the county town in the distance.

"The academy has its own rules. The teacher teaches dozens of students. How can he have time to keep an eye on each one of them?"

Moreover, neither of them has any connections, and I'm afraid they'll get bullied.

It's more reassuring to keep it close at hand.

Tao'er's words were half true and half false; in reality, she was afraid that Ayan's identity would be exposed.

"Yes, what you say makes sense. Most of the children in the county school come from wealthy families, and their character is questionable!"

Bringing a schoolteacher into our home is absolutely brilliant!

Qingge thought to herself, "I wish she would be this smart someday."

The mule cart entered the city gate, and the streets gradually became lively.

Tao'er found a noodle shop with a sign that read "Old Zhang's Noodle Shop," tied the mule cart to the crooked willow tree in front of the shop, and led the three of them inside.

"Four bowls of plain noodles, with braised pork, plus a poached egg, and plenty of chopped green onions."

Tao'er instructed the waiter, then turned to the two children and smiled, "Fill your stomachs first, and I'll buy you something delicious later."

When the noodles were served, the steaming soup was topped with bright green scallions and a few drops of oil, along with a high pile of braised pork and a golden poached egg.

The two children were probably hungry, as they ate heartily, slurping down their food.

Qingge ate slowly, glancing around from time to time.

The noodle shop was mostly filled with farmers heading to the early market and a few vendors carrying their wares; no one paid any attention to their table.

After finishing our noodles, the sun had already climbed above the rooftops on the east side, shining warmly on the bluestone streets of the county town.

Tao'er kept her word and stopped at a straw bundle covered with bright red candied hawthorns on a street corner. She bought two skewers and handed them to the two children.

Huanhuan carefully licked it, her eyes immediately lighting up as she exclaimed, "Candied hawthorn is so delicious!"

Ayan, being more reserved, accepted the food, said thank you, and then took a bite.

Seeing the two children enjoying their food, Tao'er muttered to herself: "Kids really do love sweet and sour things!"

"Let's go to the pharmacy and see if Young Master Li has arrived yet."

Tao'er patted the sugar residue off her hands and led the group toward East Street.

The door panels of Jishengtang Pharmacy had been removed, and a strong herbal smell wafted out.

Behind the counter, a young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe was fiddling with the abacus beads. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Tao'er. His smile immediately spread across his face.

"Miss Liu, you've arrived so early today. I've only been here for about half a cup of tea."

Li Chenhao put down his abacus, walked around the counter to greet him, and asked, "What good stuff did you bring this time?"

The last batch of astragalus was of excellent quality; even the merchants from Beijing praised it.

Tao'er shook her head, her expression more serious than usual: "Young Master Li, I'm not here to sell medicinal herbs this time. I have a favor to ask of you."

Only then did Li Chenhao notice Qingge and the two children behind her. His gaze lingered on the children's faces for a moment, but he didn't ask any questions. He stepped aside and gestured for them to come in: "Come in and talk. There are too many people talking outside."

The inner room was much quieter than the front hall, and a pot of asparagus fern sat on the windowsill, its leaves lush and green.

The servant brought in tea and a plate of osmanthus cake and chestnut cake. Li Chenhao personally handed one piece to each of the two children before sitting down in the main seat, picking up his teacup and taking a sip: "Tell me, what troubles have you encountered?"

"If there's anything I, Li Chenhao, can do to help, I won't hesitate."

Tao'er picked up her teacup to warm her hands, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I'd like to hire a tutor for these two children."

Li Chenhao's eyebrows twitched slightly: "I know Dean Liu of the county school, and we have some acquaintance."

Dean Liu is impeccable in both scholarship and character. If you'd like to send your child to his school, I can recommend him.

Tao'er shook her head: "That's not what I want."

No matter how good the academy is, a teacher cannot attend to every student.

It's my fault for not explaining things clearly to you earlier.

What I mean is to invite a gentleman of good character and learning to live in my home and personally teach Ayan.

Although Huanhuan is still young, it won't hurt for her to listen to the lessons.

Upon hearing this, Li Chenhao's gaze involuntarily fell back on the two children.

The boy was about five or six years old, with a handsome face, upright posture, and a calmness in his eyes that was beyond his years, as well as an innate air of composure. He didn't look like an ordinary farm boy at all.

The girl was younger, about three or four years old, with delicate features and bright, dark eyes that made her look cute and intelligent.

Several thoughts raced through his mind, but he ultimately didn't ask them aloud.

Although he and Miss Liu were already quite familiar with each other, he wouldn't presume to interfere in other people's private affairs.

Everyone has their secrets!

Li Chenhao pondered, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "The homeowner?"

I do have a suitable candidate, but I'm afraid you won't be able to hire them.

Tao'er's eyes lit up: "Who?"

"Mr. Xu Heng."

Li Chenhao put down his teacup and his expression became serious.

What is Mr. Xu's background?

You look so serious.

She had to find out the teacher's background, otherwise she wouldn't dare to hire him!

Have you ever heard of Qingshan Academy?

Mr. Xu was formerly the headmaster of Qingshan Academy, one of the most prestigious academies in Beijing.

Later, for some unknown reason, the whole family moved to our county town and never opened a restaurant again.

I got to know him because he frequently came to the pharmacy to get medicine.

Tao'er hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

Li Chenhao sighed and lowered his voice: "I don't know the specifics, I only know that his son and daughter-in-law are gone, leaving only the old couple with a two or three-year-old granddaughter."

The elderly couple kept a low profile with their granddaughter and didn't like to form deep friendships with others.

Six months ago, the little granddaughter went out to buy a candied hawthorn and never came back.

The old lady was so anxious that she collapsed on the spot. She was sick for more than half a year and is still on her way with medication.

The old man has to take care of his wife; how could he possibly have the mind to take on students?

After listening, Tao'er remained silent for a while, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the teacup.

Qingge listened from the side and secretly glanced at her, knowing that she was plotting something.

"Could you please, Young Master Li, take me to meet this Mr. Xu?"

Tao'er suddenly stood up, her tone resolute, "Whether it works or not, we have to try."

Li Chenhao looked at her, then at Qingge and the two children, and said with a troubled expression, "Going is fine, but the old man has a strange temper and doesn't like to see strangers."

If there are too many people, he might not even open the door...

Tao'er understood and turned to Qingge, instructing, "Take the two of them to a teahouse to watch a play. It's called 'Tingyuxuan' at the street corner. Ask for a private room and wait for me there."

I'll come find you as soon as I've finished my business.

Qingge hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in agreement, took the two children's hands, and walked outside.

Huanhuan turned to look at Tao'er, who smiled at her and said, "Good girl, go with Sister Qingge to the opera. Sister will be back soon."

After the others had walked a distance, Li Chenhao stood up: "Let's go, I'll take you there."