HBWnovel Chapter 67: The Herbalist is Charming (64)
Chapter 67: The Herbalist is Charming (64)
Chapter 67 The Herbalist is Charming (Sixty-four)
From then on, Liu Ya became Qin Xiu Niang's apprentice, a lifelong disciple, receiving Qin Xiu Niang's devoted instruction. After completing her studies, she could take over her master's shop. Even her sister had found a good marriage.
Xiwa's elder brother Zhao Yu no longer has to work at the dock. He originally wanted to save money to open a food shop. Murong Feng knew that his parents were craftsmen and made delicious noodles, so he directly gave him a noodle shop.
Murong Feng also arranged for Xiwa to attend a better academy and paid the tuition fees, hoping that one day he would truly bring honor to his family, as his father had hoped. Even if he had no hope of passing the imperial examination, he would leave someone behind to look after his benefactors and ensure they had a smooth life.
At first, Murong Feng thought Xiwa really didn't like studying, so he wanted to send him to learn abacus from the accountant of a big restaurant. However, Xiwa was hesitant and wanted to change to another academy, hoping that the teacher would not be too pedantic. Murong Feng then realized that Xiwa still wanted to study hard and make a name for himself.
Liu Ya wanted to become Qin Xiu Niang's disciple, which was a simple matter for Murong Feng. Qin Xiu Niang asked for such a high apprenticeship fee because she was afraid that teaching her apprentice would starve her to death.
As long as the benefits were attractive enough, Qin Xiu Niang would naturally agree. After giving her enough money, a shop, and since Qin Niang had no children, and Liu Ya promised to take care of her in her old age and see her to the end of her life, her attitude changed drastically!
Liu Ya thought about the guards' attentive attitude when they sent her to see Madam Qin, treating her like a daughter. But since Madam Qin treated her well, she would naturally repay her master!
Liu Ya walked home briskly. Her sister was cooking and her mother was sitting under a big tree making tiger-head shoes for her unborn baby. When she saw her come back, she quickly put down her work and asked her how her visit to Qin Niang was today. She found that Qin Niang treated Liu Ya very gently and smiled with satisfaction.
"You should learn well from Madam Qin. Since the noble man you saved has made an agreement with Madam Qin, I don't know how long she will teach you. But if you study hard and treat Madam Qin well, she will naturally teach you her unique skills."
"Yes, don't worry, mother. I will learn embroidery from the master!"
Liu Ya only found out today that Madam Qin was once an embroiderer in the capital. After her husband died unexpectedly, she returned to her husband's hometown, Manjiang Town. She even made clothes for the daughters of the Bo family. Her embroidery skills are really good!
Liu Ya's mother whispered to her, "The man you saved was so generous. He gave us twenty taels of silver. This has made our life much better! Your brother will have a better life when he's born. When he's older, we'll send him to the best academy in the county! The fortune teller said he's the god of literature, Wenquxing, who has descended to earth!"
When the woman thought about her future life, she was full of expectations. If she spent this huge sum of money frugally, maybe she could raise a top scholar!
Liu Ya lowered her head shyly and didn't say anything. She only breathed a sigh of relief when she returned to her room.
Brother Feng gave her one hundred taels of silver and told her to keep it as her private money, not to tell anyone, to hide it well, and not to use the money unless it was something important.
She originally thought that she couldn't keep such a large sum of money privately and should tell her parents, but Brother Feng said that he had already given her mother another 200 taels of silver, enough for their family to use for several years. This 100 taels was a special thank you to her, and she was told not to tell anyone, otherwise it would cause trouble.
Liu Ya hesitated for a long time, but finally agreed. She thought Xiwa and Brother Zhao Yu must have received a lot of money, so she would not take the initiative to talk about the money. She would not say anything even if they asked.
She guessed correctly. The Zhao family had two brothers, Zhao Yaozu and Zhao Yu. Their family also received some money, but not much, only fifty taels. Mainly, they received the deeds to two shops. They decided to rent out one and run a noodle shop in the other.
Murong Feng felt that the girl's life was a bit difficult and the shop was too conspicuous. If he gave it to Liu Ya, when Liu Ya got married, the shop might still be in the hands of the Liu family and not belong to her. His benefactor was Liu Ya, not the entire Liu family, so it would be better to give her money.