107 Cousin from the Zhou Family
Lu Jiao told everyone to visit her at home if they wanted an examination.
Because of all this, it was late by the time Lu Jiao and her children arrived at the Village Leader’s house.
When Xie Fugui and Lady Zhang saw her, they warmly welcomed her and offered them sugar water.
Xie Fugui asked Lu Jiao caringly, “Is there something we can do for you?”
Lu Jiao drank some water and said to Xie Fugui, “Before, we talked about teaching the villagers how to harvest herbs. Now that Yunjin’s surgery is done, he’s asked me to start teaching everyone tomorrow. I’m here to let you know.”
Xie Fugui slapped his leg happily, “That is such great news!”
He was honestly worried that Lu Jiao would take back her offer. After all, she had no reason to share all that knowledge.
For her to come over now and make that offer again made him ecstatic. Herbs equaled money.
“Let me go to the Clan Leader’s place to discuss.”
Lu Jiao stopped him, “Village Leader, there’s something else Yunjin wanted us to talk about.”
Xie Yunjin stopped walking, “What is it?”
“Because Yunjin is injured, he needs to rest for a while. Over the next two to three months, he won’t be able to go back to studying. He’s thinking of using this time to teach the children how to read. Though it’ll be hard to learn too much during this short period of time, it’s good to learn. During this time, he can also assess which children are talented. Those interested can go into town to study.”
Xie Yunjin’s brows trembled from joy. This time, even Lady Zhao smiled with her teeth.
The Villager Leader had two grandsons, Datou and Maomao. One was seven while the other was five. They were both ready to start learning.
The Village Leader wanted to send Datou into town but he was afraid his grandson wasn’t made to study and it would be a waste of money.
Since Yunjin was willing to teach, it was the perfect opportunity to find out if any of his grandsons were born to study.
Xie Yunjin was excited but also worried about Yunjin’s legs, “Would that disturb his rest?”
Lu Jiao shook her head, “Yunjin is thinking of having our four children teach the other children for a bit. When his legs heal a little, he can take over.”
The three children turned to look at Xie Fugui, “Daddy’s taught how ‘Three Character Classic’. We want to teach it to Datou and Maomao.”
Xie Fugui gratefully patted the children’s heads, “You are good kids, such good kids.”
He then looked up to Lu Jiao, “Your family has done so much for us. You are truly a hero to the village.”
Lu Jiao didn’t think she deserved that praise. She really didn’t think she’d done that much. Obviously, the Village Leader disagreed.
Lady Zhang nodded in agreement.
It was late. Lu Jiao talked to the Village Leader for a bit longer. She wanted the Village Leader to find a few copies of the Three Character Classic. They only had four copies at their place and they were bought for the quadruplets.
Four copies wouldn’t be enough so the Village Leaders would need to search around in town. After all, there’s been children who were sent into town before.
The Village Leader happily took that on.
Lu Jiao and the children bid their farewells.
After they left, the Village Leader went to the Clan Leader right away to talk about this. Both the herbs and the lessons were great news that needed further discussion.
Lu Jiao walked home with the children. On their way back, they were once again faced with much warmth from the villagers.
Because of this, the three little ones walked proudly and almost arrogantly. With their chest puffed out and heads held up high, they chit-chatted, “Mommy, you are so great.”
“Yeah, daddy was smart back then, and now mommy is so smart too.”
The Fourth Born grabbed Lu Jiao’s hand and he gave Lu Jiao a thumbs up, “Mommy, you’re the best!”
Lu Jiao felt that curing the sick was something she needed to do. However, when she heard all these compliments from the boys, it made her heart feel full.
They walked home. Before they entered their living room, they heard voices coming from the east bedroom.
“My third son, this is your cousin Zhou Xiaotao. Xiaotao, say hi to your cousin.”
Lu Jiao raised an eyebrow when she heard those words. Her evil mother-in-law was out and about again. It seemed that she would die if she went a day without causing chaos.
Lu Jiao took the three little ones to the bedroom door. They didn’t enter and watched the show from the outside.
Inside the east bedroom, a fragile and weak-looking woman in a pink dress shyly called out, “Cousin.”
Xie Yunjin’s stare was cold as he looked at the thin woman. She wasn’t that young yet she acted like she was.
She had a tired-looking yellow face but she caked it in white powder. Sadly, all that powder couldn’t conceal her very waxy yellow skin. This woman also pretended to be very shy and timid.
Xie Yunjin found this to be spicy to his eyes. He didn’t look at this woman and turned to Lady Ruan.
While doing so, he caught sight of Lu Jiao watching from the door.
Xie Yunjin saw how much fun Lu Jiao was having and he was instantly furious.
“Lu Jiao, did you not see our guests? Why aren’t you in here hosting?”
He then shut his eyes and pretended to be tired.
Lu Jiao rolled her eyes as if saying, can’t you deal with your own problem?
Xie Yunjin no longer planned to participate in this. Lu Jiao couldn’t do the same so she entered with the three little ones.
Before she could say anything, the three children rushed to the bed and gave Zhao Xiaotao warning stares.
“Who are you? Why are you here?”
“Are you here to be my dad’s concubine?”
“Are you here to have my dad’s children?”
“You’re shameless.”
Those words were so sharp, Xie Yunjin started to cough. He glared at the four little ones and glared at Lu Jiao. If Lu Jiao didn’t talk nonsense to the kids, they never would’ve learned the concept of concubine.
Lu Jiao nervously looked at the four little ones to comfort them.
In front of the bed, Zhao Xiaotao started to cry. As if she’s been wronged, she croaked out crying, “Cousin, how can they talk to me like this?”
Lady Ruan also exploded, “Third son, look at this wife of yours! She’s taught your sons so many bad things. Just what will they become once they grow up?”