The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 154 Building a School

Wen Dazhuang's face darkened, and Wen Zhuzi lowered his head guiltily.

Without saying a word, the village chief called a few young men and tied them up in the village's threshing ground.

Because it was inconvenient to do so in the dark, he asked several people to take turns watching over them until dawn before they packed up.

The four of them were crying out to heaven and earth in the threshing ground, but no one answered their cries. Qian Zhaodi and Wu Hong, who were close by, had already started arguing together.

"Hey you two, can't you be a little more careful? If you get caught, you'll drag us down with you!"

Qian Zhaodi wanted to kick Wu Hong, but she was too fat to lift her leg and could only complain about blaming them.

Wu Hong rolled her eyes at her, her face full of disdain. "Sister-in-law, you should save your energy and think about what we should do when it gets light."

All they do all day is yell and yell, it's so annoying!

Everyone arrived at the threshing ground at dawn. Apart from the potatoes found in the cellar, the rest were sold by Wen Dazhuang and his group.

Qian Zhaodi refused to hand over the silver. Several women searched her and Wu Hong and found two taels of silver, but they couldn't find any in the house.

When Old Zhou learned of this while lying in her room, she fainted from anger upon hearing that the silver had been found again.

Village Chief Wenluozhi came up with an idea: to distribute all the silver. Wen Muchuan didn't take any, only taking the potatoes left from his own family back with him. As for those that were eaten or sold, he used the last chicken in the old house as compensation.

Wen Youcai was holding onto the hen tightly, but Wen Luozhi coaxed him away with just a few words.

When Qian Zhaodi returned and heard that the chickens were gone, she busied herself comforting the weeping Wen Youcai. Wu Hong, furious, flung her sleeves and went back to her room to pack her things.

Wen Zhuzi thought she was going back to her parents' home, and shamelessly tried to go with her, but Wu Hong pushed him to the ground. "Useless thing, you don't even have any money left, and you still want to come back to your parents' home with me?"

The village chief originally intended to expel them from the village, but considering that Old Zhou was doing them a favor, he let them go this time.

Now she's not only failed to get any money but also owes an ounce—where's she going to get it back?! She might as well just stay at that scoundrel's house! She might as well never go out again!

Wen Zhuzi refused, and after a few words, the group started fighting, their eyes red with anger.

...one month later

The house was completed, and Wen Luozhi looked at the magnificent house in front of her and wanted to lie down immediately.

The furniture that Zhou Shen made has been delivered and placed, and everything needed for moving tomorrow has been prepared. We're just waiting for the housewarming feast.

She went to town, glanced at the restaurant that was still under renovation, and then headed towards Jun'an Hall.

Helian Yue and his group had already arrived in the Southern Wilderness. Fearing that something might go wrong, they were going to send Jun Shuyan to Shanquan Village. They would talk to Jun Qianzi at Jun'an Hall about anything that happened.

Mo Li was already packing Mo Zhengfu's things. After resting for more than a month, Mo Zhengfu was now as spry as a feather, and he could easily climb Jitou Mountain even if he was an old man.

Wen Luozhi blushed slightly as she took the letter from Jun Qianzi. For the past month or so, Helian Yue had been writing to her every other day.

She hadn't been to town for quite some time, and several letters had piled up.

Jun Qianzi rarely saw her in such a girlish mood, and teased her, "A-Yue's letter, Luo Zhi, should probably be taken back to read, lest I get envious and want to find a girl myself."

Wen Luozhi raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly, "No one else would be looking for a girl, it's definitely not you. Everyone knows that Doctor Jun only cares about saving lives."

The two had become quite familiar with each other over time, and now they spoke like old friends.

Jun Qianzi smiled without saying a word, and began to discuss with Wen Luozhi what Helian Yue had sent.

Crops can indeed be grown in the Southern Wilderness, but the conditions are somewhat difficult.

As for the random seeds that Wen Luozhi prepared, they all came in handy.

Since the old Duke's family had already arrived in the Southern Wilderness, Jun Shuyan could only send people to guard them and could not make a move, as there were still many people in the court watching the situation there.

The news that Helian Yue faked his death has spread like wildfire, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others.

The northern army was suffering repeated defeats, which annoyed Jun Shuyan greatly. He wanted to send Longxi over, but Longxi demanded that Gu Wenhuai be released, even threatening suicide to force him to comply.

How could Jun Shuyan possibly give up? He hadn't even found a trace of Helian Yue and Gu Yunqi yet, so how could he possibly let go? Plus, the Empress Dowager still had the Tiger Tally in her hands, so the emperor and his minister remained deadlocked.

Wen Luozhi was completely bewildered; this emperor was far too calculating!

Forget it, she's just an ordinary person, she wouldn't understand these things.

She wasn't worried about the two grown men, but how could she let a little girl like Helian Zhiyan follow them around? Besides, now that she had seen her, she felt it was safer to come back.

"Let them send Xiao Yan back, to Shanquan Village."

The capital is too dangerous; how can a young girl be allowed to live in fear? It's safer for her to stay here.

Now that the house is built, she can move around freely in the village without any problem, maintaining the same outfit she wore when she went to the Southern Wilderness.

She also designed many hidden features in the house, so she dares to say that its safety is guaranteed.

Jun Qianzi looked up at her with a slight surprise; they had thought of this before.

But the thought of the trouble it would cause her family made her too ashamed to speak up.

He had originally planned to suggest that the little girl come to his place in this reply, but he was worried that he wouldn't be able to take good care of a young girl.

Wen Luozhi smiled at him and said, "Helian's affairs are my affairs. Xiao Yan is well-behaved and won't cause trouble for my family."

Jun Qianzi lifted his robe to bow to her, but Wen Luozhi stopped him. "If you really want to thank me, then Dr. Jun can give patients from our village a discount in the future."

Jun Qianzi laughed. Let alone offering a cheaper price, it would be perfectly reasonable to treat him for free.

Mo Zhengfu and his grandson followed her back to Shanquan Village. The two had a separate room that was fully furnished and had bookshelves full of books. Mo Li's eyes lit up as she looked at it.

My sister didn't lie to him! She really meant what she said and gave him a room and lots of books! He was just a slave she bought!

Mo Zhengfu was filled with emotion. After so many years of wandering, he finally had a real place to settle down. He could never repay this debt of gratitude.

Seeing that they were satisfied, Wen Luozhi felt relieved. After all, scholars shouldn't be treated unfairly, especially since she had something important to do!

"Mr. Mo, I'd like to build a school in the village and would like to invite you to be the teacher. What do you think?"

She tentatively asked, fearing Mo Zhengfu might disagree, and quickly added, "The money will be the same as the teachers at the private school in town, plus a subsidy; our family will take care of your food, clothing, and lodging."

Mo Zhengfu didn't speak, but just looked at her in surprise. Build a school? In the village?

“Miss, this is no small matter. Have you thought it through?” he asked.

As far as he knew, it was already a great joy for rural families to be able to solve their basic needs for food and clothing; it would be quite difficult for them to go to school.

Does this girl intend to accomplish this all by herself?

Wen Luozhi, knowing the concerns he had, smiled and said, "I have several young children at home. Although everyone in my family is literate, there's only so much we can teach them. Besides, learning is a lifelong pursuit."

"Teaching one is teaching, teaching a group is also teaching. I don't expect them to become outstanding, but I hope they can understand right from wrong and not be blind."

Having spent these days with her, Mo Zhengfu admired her for thinking so much, especially considering she was a young woman. He praised her, saying, "Miss, you are no less capable than a man. I truly admire you."

"No need for money. Miss has already done us a great favor by saving my grandfather and me from dire straits. Just give us a meal."

Wen Luozhi was overjoyed to see that he had agreed and said happily, "Mr. Mo, just focus on teaching and nurturing students; leave the rest to us."