There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 16 This is a Gift

Grape: "Miss, why do you say our spring special is sold out when there are clearly two left?"

Then, a sudden inspiration struck her: "Oh, I know, Miss, you're doing this to make more money!"

Li Shuchen: "Almost there. Have you gotten any results from what I asked you to inquire about the academy?"

Xiao'er needs to go to school, so I'll use the money I earned from Princess Changning to pay for her education.

Grape: "In our capital city, the most famous academy is Hanhua Academy. It's full of sons of officials and scholars from various regions who have achieved academic success."

The teachers were all top-notch, and the annual tuition alone cost 200 taels of silver, not including other expenses.

The only academy slightly inferior to Hanhua Academy was Ruhai Academy. Its admission requirements weren't high, but students still needed to be well-versed in the Four Books, and the tuition was 50 taels of silver per year.

Within the capital city, these two academies are considered the best; there are also some smaller, less well-known ones.

Li Shuchen: "Understood"

After listening, Li Shuchen had a general idea of ​​what was going on. It was late, time to rest; he was quite tired today.

Li Shuchen yawned: "Grape, go to sleep."

I brought the grapes into the main hall, washed up, and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Early next morning

Li Shuchen: "Come on, Grape, let's go buy books."

Grape: "Yes, miss."

Li Shuchen: "Do you know where the best writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are from?"

Grape: "I know, the ones from Mozhu Pavilion are the best; many scholars love to buy from them."

Li Shuchen: "Then let's go to the Ink Bamboo Pavilion."

As soon as Li Shuchen arrived at the entrance of Mozhu Pavilion, a person enthusiastically asked her, "I am Manager Fang of Mozhu Pavilion. Miss Li, are you here to buy paper and ink?"

Li Shuchen: Yes

Shopkeeper Fang: "Miss Li, please come in."

Manager Fang enthusiastically introduced the products to Li Shuchen, because everyone in Weijingcheng knew that a fool had suddenly become senile and reopened his inn, and business was booming.

Besides, Princess Changning left the Happiness Inn satisfied last night. Anyone who can satisfy Princess Changning is definitely not an ordinary person, so he must treat her well.

Li Shuchen also felt that Manager Fang had good taste. Although she was poorly dressed, he didn't neglect her at all, but patiently introduced various items. This Manager Fang was quite good.

Li Shuchen was dazzled by the array of writing implements (brush, ink stick, paper, inkstone).

Based on Manager Fang's recommendations, we finally chose 'Huzhou brushes', 'Huizhou ink', 'Xuan paper', and 'Duan inkstones'.

I bought two sets in total.

I also bought the Four Books: *The Great Learning*, *The Analects*, *Mencius*, and *The Doctrine of the Mean*.

The Five Classics—the Book of Poetry, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals—cost a total of 140 taels of silver.

After settling the bill, Manager Fang said cheerfully, "I've arranged for a servant to take these items to Miss Li's home. Is that alright?"

Li Shuchen: "Then thank you very much for your kindness, Manager Fang."

The servant carried the things and followed behind Li Shuchen.

Upon arriving at his doorstep, Li Shuchen said to the servant, "Put it here."

He took twenty copper coins from his purse and gave them to him: "Thank you for bringing them. It's not much, take it and have some tea."

The servant accepted the money with both hands, smiling and bowing, saying, "Thank you, Miss Li, thank you, Miss Li."

After the servant left, Li Shuchen and Grape carried the things into the mansion.

As Li Shuchen entered, he called out, "Xiao'er, Xiao'er."

No one should

Li Shuchen put down his things, put his hands on his hips, and shouted loudly, "Li Lingxiao!"

Still no luck. Fine, he's not here. Usually, if you call him, he'll run faster than a rabbit.

Li Shuchen frowned. No one was home, so why wasn't the door locked? Weren't they afraid of thieves?

Then, looking around the yard, Li Shuchen felt relieved. In this desolate state, even a thief would have to leave some money.

Li Shuchen turned to Grape and asked, "Grape, where does Xiao'er usually go?"

Without hesitation, Grape replied, "Young Master only goes to Stone's house to play; it's not far."

Li Shuchen: "Put the things in Xiao'er's room, let's go look for them."

We walked for about 15 minutes.

Grape: "We've arrived, Miss."

Li Shuchen looked up and saw a courtyard in front of him that was about the same size as his own home.

Standing at the door, Li Shuchen could see two children squatting together under a willow tree in the yard, fiddling with something on the ground with twigs.

The one on the left is Xiao'er, and the one on the right, dressed in gorgeous clothes, should be Shi Tou.

He was also a handsome young man, looking about the same age as Xiao'er.

Shi Tou looked up and saw Li Shuchen, nudged Li Lingxiao with his elbow: "Your older sister is here."

Then she stood up and bowed, saying, "Hello, Sister Shuchen."

Li Shuchen returned the greeting: "Hello."

Li Lingxiao paused for a moment, then looked up: "Sister, what brings you here?"

The boy smiled and tossed the willow branch far away in the blink of an eye.

Li Shuchen noticed his subtle movements, while Shi Tou watched Li Lingxiao throw the branch without saying a word.

Li Shuchen smiled gently: "Xiao'er, your older sister has a gift for you. Would you like to go home and visit?"

Li Lingxiao smiled happily: "Okay, sister!"

Li Lingxiao waved goodbye to Shi Tou: "Shi Tou, I'm leaving now. I'll come back to play with you tomorrow."

Li Shuchen: "Did Xiao'er play with stones all day?"

Li Lingxiao, unaware that Li Shuchen was setting a trap for him, innocently replied, "No, sometimes I play all day, sometimes I play in the afternoon."

Li Shuchen realized that when Shi Tou was on holiday, Xiao Er would go to school for a day, and when Shi Tou finished school, Xiao Er would go to school for a while. He was secretly studying and didn't want his family to know.

Silly brother, he's probably afraid of burdening her.

She wanted to allay Xiao'er's worries and let him study openly and peacefully.

So Li Shuchen spoke up, "Xiao'er, do you know how much silver I earned yesterday?"

Upon hearing this, Li Lingxiao's face showed fear and worry. Had her older sister discovered something? Had she become a burden to her?

Li Lingxiao looked somewhat dejected.

"Sister, is running an inn difficult? It's okay, take your time. I'll earn money when I grow up."

Li Shuchen laughed heartily: "It's not difficult. My sister earned two hundred taels of silver yesterday."

Li Lingxiao's mouth dropped open: "Two hundred taels of silver! That's so much! Sister, you're amazing!" Li Lingxiao looked like a devoted fan.

Li Shuchen said this simply to let him know that her family had the money for her to go to school.

Back home, Li Shuchen took him to his own room.

As soon as Li Lingxiao entered the room, she saw a red cloth on the table, and something underneath it was unclear.

Li Lingxiao turned to look at Li Shuchen.

Li Shuchen: "Go, open it and see the gift your older sister bought for you."

Li Lingxiao walked over and gently lifted the red cloth with both hands until what was underneath was revealed.

Li Lingxiao stared at the items, stood there dumbfounded for a moment, and then said, "This is... the Four Treasures of the Study."

Li Shuchen: "Yes, we need to study hard."

Li Lingxiao's eyes warmed: "Thank you, Sister."

Li Lingxiao carefully touched the paper and inkstone: "Sister, buying these must have cost a lot of money."

Li Shuchen said casually, "Not much. I even bought books. Our Xiao'er will be going to the academy to study in the future. First, she should study the Four Books at home. The academy teachers will test her on them."