The General's Little Peasant Wife

Chapter 9: Preparation

Translator: Vesper

Ning Meng Yao could only nod her head helplessly, “Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble, no trouble at all.” The three of them nodded their heads at the same time.

Ning Meng Yao spoke a little more to them and left.

Not long after she left, the two boys from the Li family returned home. Their grandfather then went to inform them that they could finally start to learn words.

“Grandpa, is that true?” the seven-year-old Lin’er looked at his grandfather with eyes full of anticipation.

“It’s true. in a few days, you and Little Mu must be well-behaved, okay?” Grandpa Li smiled. He knew that his eldest grandson had been longing to learn. Although their family was financially better than most other villagers, they were not able to send him to the academy. However, it was not the same now.

If Lin’er had the talent, then they would make plans to send him there.

Lin’er looked at his brother. They were so happy that they jumped, “That’s great!”

Similar scenes happened in many other houses in the village. The adults were happy and the children were filled with anticipation.

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On the next morning, Yang Le Le took her embroidery work to Ning Meng Yao’s house. Both of them rode a cow-pulled carriage to the town.

Once they arrived in the town, Ning Meng Yao first accompanied Yang Le Le to sell her embroidery and bought some embroidery supplies before heading to the bookstore to buy some books.

Ning Meng Yao picked several easy books like “Three Characters, Hundred Family Names”, “Thousand Words Script”, “Standards for being a Good Pupil and Child”, and more. She even went to get some papers, ink, and brush.

“Yao Yao, these are expensive.”

“It’s alright, I’ll cut the paper once we get home and copy down the books,” Ning Meng Yao was not bothered and she shook her head.

Ning Meng Yao bought a total of ten books. She only had to spend time to copy all the books and they only cost her more than a liang but no more than two.

“I’ll help you when you’re going to do it. Although I cannot write, I can help you to cut the paper,” Yang Le Le thought and said.

“That’ll be good,” Ning Meng Yao smiled as she nodded.

After buying the books, Ning Meng Yao went to buy some necessities before heading back.

After arriving home, Ning Meng Yao divided a table and put the brush and ink on top before she started to copy down the books.

When she finished a portion, Yang Le Le would bind them together carefully using oil paper before sewing the spine with a thick string.

They busied themselves the moment they returned from town, and only until afternoon came did they finish copying “Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child” and binding it.

Looking at the thirty books, Ning Meng Yao smiled.

Yang Le Le looked at the books on the table. Feeling a sense of accomplishment, she suggested, “I’ll come again tomorrow to help.”

“Then I’ll be troubling you to help me.”

“You don’t have to say that,” Yang Le Le waved her hand carelessly.

That night, Yang Le Le ate dinner at Ning Meng Yao’s place before packing up and heading home.

Yang Zhu and Madame Yang were standing worriedly by the door. Their worries were only at ease when they finally saw her silhouette.

Seeing them at the door, Yang Le Le remembered that she had been so busy helping Ning Meng Yao bind the books that she forgot to inform her parents.

Walking to the door hastily, Yang Le Le said, “Father, Mother, I’m alright. I was only helping Yao Yao bind the books and accidentally forgot to come home to tell you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You said you were helping her to bind the books?”

“Yes. Yao Yao bought ten books today, but they were very expensive. All those books cost her nearly two liang. Yao Yao said that she wanted to make copies of them.” Thinking about the time they spent to complete thirty books, Yang Le Le felt a sense of satisfaction.

Yang Zhu looked at his daughter as she spoke. He did not know what he should say to express his feelings in his heart.

“Father, I will be helping Yao Yao again tomorrow. It’ll be too much for her to do it all alone.” Yang Le Le frowned.

If no one was there to help her, she would have to copy down the books and bind them all by herself. How much time would she have to spend?

“I understand. You can put down your chores and help Yao Yao first.” Yang Zhu nodded. He was pleased with his daughter’s behavior.

It was unfortunate that his sons were not home. If they were, then they would be able to send their children to learn.

On the next morning, Yang Le Le went to Ning Meng Yao’s house again. When she arrived, there were already a few completed books beside Ning Meng Yao.

“You’re already done with that much? Why didn’t you wait for me to come?” Walking to the desk, Yang Le Le took the needle and started binding the portions that Ning Meng Yao had finished.

Ning Meng Yao smiled but remained silent as she remained focus on copying down the books.

Just like that, the two spent nearly four to five days to complete everything. At Old Li’s end, the pieces of furniture were ready and delivered to her.