Worshiping the Master (Part One)

Old Mr. Zhou glanced at his daughter and asked, "What are you going to do in the county town?"

Mǎn Bǎo couldn't say that she was going to sell candy because her family had always suspected that her candy was given to her by Mr. Zhuāng or the students at the school. She was afraid that they would bring it up when they went to pay their respects to their teacher the next day.

So she had to come up with another excuse, "I want to broaden my horizons."

Zhōu Èr Láng said, "You're just a little kid." "What do you need to broaden your horizons for?" "Wait until you're older."

But by the time she grew up, the family was not short of money, and today, Mǎn Bǎo had a pretty good harvest. She felt that she needed to validate her own conclusions.

So she insisted, "No, I want to go the day after tomorrow. The fifth and sixth brothers are also going; let them take me." "Big brother and second brother don't need to worry."

Old Mr. Zhou glared sternly.

Was Mǎn Bǎo afraid of him?

Of course not, she slid off Zhōu Dà Láng's leg and hugged Old Mr. Zhou's arm, clinging to him like a twisty cruller. "Dad, please agree to let me go."

Seeing that he was unmoved, Mǎn Bǎo clenched her little fists and pounded his shoulders. "Dad, I'll go buy you some candy." Please agree.

Would old Mr. Zhou be swayed by candy?

He wasn't a child.

"But, 'Where will you get the money?'"

"I'll earn it, Dad. If you let me go to the county town, I can earn money," Mǎn Bǎo continued, pounding his shoulders from left to right.

Zhōu Dà Láng couldn't help but smile, speaking up for her, "Dad, just let her go." It just so happens that the day after tomorrow, we need to bring grain and eggs. "Second brother brought back a lot of eggs, and they can't be left on the cart; they have to be carried."

Zhōu Èr Láng also thought, "The youngest sister hasn't been to the county town yet." Since the fifth and sixth brothers are going, I want to bring some winnowing baskets and baskets. "The prices in the county town are slightly higher than at the market, and we might even turn a profit."

Old Mr. Zhou remained silent.

Mǎn Bǎo redoubled her efforts to pound his shoulders, "Dad, please agree, please agree."

From the left ear to the right ear, Old Mr. Zhou was annoyed by her, waving his hand, "Alright, alright, go ahead." "But if your brothers have to leave before dawn, can you get up in time?"

"I can get up, I can get up early!" Man Bao said confidently.

Old Mr. Zhou didn't believe her, "If you can't get up, we won't call you, and if you can't go, you're not allowed to cry."

Mǎn Bǎo was full of confidence, "I will definitely get up."

She immediately instructed the system in her heart, "Kē kē, you must wake me up the day after tomorrow, understand?"

Kēkē didn't expect to also serve as an alarm clock, but it also wanted the host to go out and see the world, so it nodded in agreement.

Qián Shì had already assigned the task of cutting and sewing clothes. The clothes made by the rural people were not as delicate. As long as the stitching was fine, it was considered acceptable.

Among the family members, Third Sister-in-law Hé Shì was the most skilled at cutting clothes. She took on the task and began cutting the fabric. Mr. Zhuāng's measurements were similar to Zhōu Èr Láng's, so she simply cut the fabric based on his measurements.

In order to finish the clothes the next day, Hé Shì didn't have to do anything else in the afternoon, just cutting and sewing. Qián Shì even generously lit an oil lamp for them after dark.

It wasn't much, but they soon finished the clothes.

Qián Shì was responsible for making shoes. The soles were ready-made, specifically crafted for Zhōu Èr Láng, as he frequently walked. Fēng Shì intentionally made the soles thicker for him, which made them very comfortable to walk in.

The uppers were made of specially purchased cotton fabric, which was much better than the homemade cloth in their house.

The next day, Old Mr. Zhou and his two sons put on their best clothes, washed their faces, and had Qián Shì wake Mǎn Bǎo up from bed, ready to go pay respects to their teacher.

Mǎn Bǎo had spent a long time peeling candy the night before. She turned over in bed, not wanting to get up.

Seeing that she kept burrowing under the covers, Qián Shì took her outer garment and lifted the covers, giving her a pat on the bottom, saying, "Little miss, if you don't get up soon, you'll be late. You have to behave well today because you are going to pay respect to your teacher."

She helped Mǎn Bǎo put on her clothes, then carried her to a chair and wiped her face with a towel.

The water was warm, but Mǎn Bǎo still shivered, reluctantly waking up.

Today, it was Feng Shi's turn to cook. She brought a bowl of egg water from the kitchen and placed it on the table, saying, "Little miss, remember to drink the egg water before you go."

Just as the sun was rising, Old Mr. Zhou took his two sons and Mǎn Bǎo to the school.

Mr. Zhuāng knew that Mǎn Bǎo would come to pay respects to him today, so he had also gotten up early and was practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

Old Mr. Zhou bowed instinctively when he saw Mr. Zhuāng, always showing reverence for scholars.

Mr. Zhuāng smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Zhou, please come inside."

"Yes, yes, please, Mr. Zhuāng," Old Mr. Zhou bowed and invited Mr. Zhuāng inside.

Mǎn Bǎo was very familiar with Mr. Zhuāng, so she took the initiative to help him into the study, and then went to assist her father. After looking around and seeing the familiar place with the fire burning, she was especially attentive in bringing water for them.

Zhōu Dà Láng and Zhōu Èr Láng hurried to take over. Mǎn Bǎo had never done these things at home, and her family was worried she might burn herself.

But Mr. Zhuāng was very pleased, stroking his beard and smiling at Old Mr. Zhou. Zhou, you have raised a good daughter. "In all the villages around, I have never seen a more clever child."

"That's because of the good teaching of the master," Old Mr. Zhou knew about Mǎn Bǎo's habit of secretly learning from the window. At first, he felt sorry for her, but then he could only endure the pain and allow her to learn as much as possible.

Because he knew that the greater the skill, the better one could live.

As long as Mr. Zhuāng didn't drive Mǎn Bǎo away, he wouldn't restrict her.

So for Mr. Zhuāng, Old Mr. Zhou had always been respectful and grateful, and his back was even more bent.

Mr. Zhuāng smiled and said, "This child is indeed good. Not only is she clever, but she is also filial, knowing how to clean the courtyard for me and remembering her parents and family." It shows that the family has good values. I have decided to take this child as my apprentice, but I can only teach her if she stays by my side. Before entering the school, I will need to seek permission from Master Bái.

After all, the school was opened by Master Bái, and he was the one who invited Mr. Zhuāng.

Old Mr. Zhou was immediately invigorated and said, "Actually, being able to study by your side is enough. Whether she enters the school or not doesn't matter."

Old Mr. Zhou was concerned that Mǎn Bǎo would face limitations if she enrolled in the school. His face turned red as he expressed, "Master, you are aware of my family's financial struggles..."

Old Mr. Zhou stammered and didn't finish, but Mr. Zhuāng understood. He laughed and said, "Mr. Zhou, rest assured, since I have decided to take Mǎn Bǎo as my disciple, I will treat her as if she were my own child. "Naturally, I won't impose any restrictions."

After a pause, he added, "I also know that your family is in difficulty, and Mǎn Bǎo is still young." You don't need to buy her anything. When she learns to read and write, she will be able to duplicate textbooks here.

In fact, before the Zhou family arrived, he wasn't very sure if they would be willing to let Mǎn Bǎo become his apprentice. Now that the Zhou family had arrived, Mr. Zhuāng couldn't help but sigh; the Zhou family truly spoiled Mǎn Bǎo.