Chapter 468: A Teacher
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In the late afternoon, Chu Qingzhi arrived at the back of the old house.
There, a group of dirty beggars stood, their appearances unkempt, but their expressions were vivid, and their eyes were bright.
Master Peng was packing up his tools. When he saw Chu Qingzhi approaching, he smiled and said, “Miss, I’ve dug the cellar as agreed. Take a look.”
Chu Qingzhi smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
The entrance to the cellar had been treated to look like a well, to prevent rainwater from pouring in and damaging the stored items. Steps led from the entrance to the cellar, with sloping sides on each side to facilitate the transport of goods.
The cellar was approximately fifty square meters, with a room-like space, perfectly square, supported by pillars in the middle.
Chu Qingzhi tested one of the pillars. It was clear that the pillars were strategically placed to bear the weight, and without them, the entire cellar would collapse.
The floor was laid with two layers of bricks, and the walls were tiled. Some basic waterproofing had been done, and there were no major issues. The details had been handled well, and the quality of the cellar was excellent.
Chu Qingzhi was quite satisfied and handed fifty taels of silver to Master Peng, five taels to his apprentice, and ten taels to the group of beggars.
According to the usual wages, this group of beggars could take seven to eight taels of silver after working for three days. Chu Qingzhi gave them more as a reward. Digging the cellar was much more dangerous than building a house. It was very difficult.
Master Peng accepted the silver and expressed his gratitude before leaving with his apprentice.
The group of beggars bowed in appreciation to Chu Qingzhi. “Thank you, Miss Chu, for the meal and the money. We are very grateful.”
“Don’t mention it,” Chu Qingzhi replied. After a moment of thought, she suggested, “There’s still a lot of rice to be harvested now. You can help with the harvest. It’s better than begging. In about a month, my family will be planting winter wheat, and I hope you can come and help then.”
The leader of the beggars replied with determination, “We’ll come together when the time comes.”
“It’s getting late now. Go and have your meal, and then head back.”
“Okay.”
As it turned out, before this group of beggars could leave the village, they received another job offer. The employer promised to provide meals like Chu Qingzhi did and pay them for helping with agricultural work. If they performed well, they would receive a certain amount of silver as well.
There was no reason for them to decline, so they agreed to the offer and decided to start working the next day.
The apples that had been brought back today were sorted. The good ones were stored in the cellar, while the damaged ones were used by Chu Qingzhi to make apple pies.
At this moment, everyone gathered around the table, eagerly watching Chu Qingzhi take out four apple pies from the oven. The air was filled with the aroma of apples and freshly baked wheat, making everyone’s mouths water.
Chu Xuyuan licked his lips greedily. “I feel like we have something new to sell again.”
Chu Xuhua rubbed Chu Xuyuan’s head and smiled. “You’re telling the truth again.”
Everyone laughed.
Chu Qingzhi, with a knife, cut the apple pie just like cutting a cake into individual slices. She handed them out to the four elders, and the fifth piece was given to Tang Jinghong. “You should like this.”
Tang Jinghong hadn’t even started eating, but he already felt delighted. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
The others served themselves slices of apple pie and began to taste them.
The apple pies were baked to perfection. The outer layer was crispy and golden, while the inner part was soft and filled with the sweetness of apples, the aroma of wheat, and the honey’s sweetness. It was a delightful treat that conquered everyone’s taste buds.
Chu Xuyao ate two pieces happily and asked, “Fifth Sister, do you still have apple pie?”
Chu Qingzhi replied, “Other than these four, there are eight more.”
Chu Xuyao hesitated for a moment. “Can I have one?”
Chu Xuyan looked over and asked, “What do you want it for?”
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Chu Xuyao told the truth. “I want to bring one to the school. There’s a teacher in the school. It’s his birthday tomorrow. I want to give one to him.”
Chu Xuyan said, “Xuyao is talking about the teacher with the limp.”
Chu Xuhua asked, “Does the teacher have a limp?”
Chu Xuyan replied, “Let me tell you, but don’t mention it to anyone outside.
This teacher has had a very unfortunate life.”
Chu Xuhua assured, “We won’t tell anyone else.”
Chu Xuyan began to explain…
There was a teacher in Yunfei School called Yan Yixian. Five years ago, at the age of twenty, he achieved the title of “Tan Hua,” an extraordinary accomplishment. Moreover, he caught the eye of a high-ranking official, Tai Changqing, who wanted to recruit him as a son-in-law. However, Yan Yixian declined the offer, stating that he was already married.
Yan Yixian was an orphan who had been found wandering the streets. He was taken in by an elderly woman.
This elderly woman had a mute daughter, and the three of them became a close-knit family.
Despite the daughter’s speech impediment, her skill in blending scents was exceptional.
This talent allowed the elderly woman and her daughter to live a prosperous life.
With foresight, the daughter believed that education would lead to a brighter future. She persuaded Yan Yixian to study.
Initially resistant, Yan Yixian eventually agreed and enrolled in the school.
Perhaps due to his early years of hardship, Yan Yixian possessed exceptional determination. He worked tirelessly, dedicating himself to his studies, rising early and working late into the night. He consistently achieved the top position in his class.
Within a year of enrollment, he received special attention from the headmaster, who granted him priority access to various resources and even waived half of his tuition.
At the age of fifteen, he passed the examination for the title of “Tongsheng,” and at sixteen, he became a “Xiucai.” Concurrently, he developed feelings for the daughter. By the time he turned eighteen and earned the title of “Juren,” they had become a couple. When he was twenty, he became a “Tan Hua,” and his wife became pregnant.
He was very motivated, but all the good things came to an abrupt end when he turned 20.
His refusal had infuriated the noblewoman who had pursued him. She sent her men to break Yan Yixian’s leg, leaving him with a permanent limp, dashing his hopes of an official career.
But that wasn’t all. The noblewoman went further, warning Yan Yixian’s wife to leave him and let her marry him instead. This psychological torment drove his wife to a premature labor, resulting in excessive bleeding that claimed both her and their unborn child’s lives.
Devastated by these tragedies, the elderly woman who had raised Yan Yixian couldn’t bear the sorrow and passed away as well.
Yan Yixian returned home to find his once-happy family devastated and broken. Overwhelmed by grief and despair, he attempted to take his own life by hanging.
However, he was saved by villagers from his hometown. Later, to repay the headmaster’s kindness, Yan Yixian accepted a position as a teacher at the school.
Students often saw Yan Yixian sitting under the shade of a tree, lost in thought as he gazed at the sky blankly. Everyone knew that he was thinking of his wife, who had been both his sister and benefactor.
A month ago, this scene was witnessed by Chu Xuyao.
A month later, Chu Xuyao considered this thin, perpetually melancholic teacher as his friend.
During their conversation yesterday, Chu Xuyao learned of Yan Yixian’s upcoming birthday and contemplated what gift to give him.
That’s when Chu Qingzhi’s apple pies came into the picture, and Chu Xuyao decided they would be a suitable present..
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