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“Why did you come at this time?” She glanced at Ruyi’s belly.

Ruyi blushed, “I heard you wanted to open a school.”

“Yes, our town has many poor families, and their children can’t afford to go to school. I want to hire a teacher specifically for these children. If there are smart and eager students, we can cultivate them.”

“Hehe, my husband happens to have some free time. Can you hire him as a teacher?”

Qiao Mai looked at them. She knew the character of the Qin family.

“Okay, I will pay your husband ten taels of silver monthly. However, he must teach the students diligently. Just because they are attending for free doesn’t mean he can cut corners.”

“Master, please rest assured. I will definitely teach them well,” Qin Yide immediately agreed.

“Aren’t you planning to continue your studies?”

Qin Yide replied, “I want to take the imperial exams, but I also want to find something to do instead of lazing around at home. And I want to move out with my wife.”

“Is there a dispute at home?”

“Just some family matters. There are always disputes. With this livelihood, I’ll have an excuse to move out with Ruyi.”

“Well, your family is reasonable. Have a good discussion. If it doesn’t work out, call me.”

“Yes, Master.”

The matter was decided straightforwardly. Ten days later, the two rooms were fully furnished.

The exterior looked similar to Qiao’s Small Eatery, with tables and chairs for the children to rest outside. They could use it to write or do other activities.

Qiao Mai didn’t want to waste the spacious area in front of her building. She put up a large sign.

“Lucky Star Academy.”

Ruyi moved in with her dowry and maids.

She knew her Master was giving her face; a scholar was typically paid around two taels of silver in schools, but Qiao Mai paid ten.

The two courtyards behind the buildings were connected, and they had all the necessary furniture.

All the daily necessities were also prepared. As for Ruyi, she learned about this matter and wanted to help her Master, so it saved Qiao Mai from the trouble of finding other people. Her husband also wanted to engage in some work, so it was a perfect match.

The enrollment and start of classes were left in Qin Yide’s hands.

He and Ruyi prepared all the arrangements. They posted a notice outside – Free enrollment for children aged six to ten.

Children from poor families who can’t afford to attend school are welcome.

Qiao Mai mentioned to Madam Liu Qiao, “Aunt, please have Bao’er attend. Mr. Qin is a scholar with good knowledge. Next year, he will take the imperial exams with Jiaqi.”

“Why don’t you charge tuition?”

“How many families can afford it? I established this school to give children who can’t afford to attend a chance to study together.”

Madam Liu Qiao sighed, “You have a kind heart.”

“My husband has always loved learning since he was young. He’s from a poor family, and there are many children like him. I want to give them an opportunity. Prepare some writing supplies for Bao’er.”

Madam Liu Qiao brought Bao’er to register the same day. He was the first student in the school.

Qiao Mai bought twenty sets of elementary school books. These books were for the school, and teachers would give them to students during lessons. They needed to return the books after class.

As for brushes and ink, Qiao Mai thought of an idea. She bought twenty stone slates and brushes. When students needed to write, they could dip the brushes in water and then write on the slates. Afterward, they could wipe it off with a cloth and reuse them indefinitely.

Qin Yide thought this was a great idea. If all the students used this method, they could save a lot of money.

Even Madam Liu Qiao stopped buying paper and ink for Bao’er, allowing him to use these slates.

The news of the Qiao family’s school shook the small town of Tianshui. Everyone was busy spreading the word. Even Mayor Qian visited the school. He scratched his beard and said it was a great idea.

Madam Qiao has done another great deed. She truly practices kindness and accumulates virtues.

Although the school was free, the number of children attending wasn’t large. Most children at this age could help with household chores, so they couldn’t afford to spend a whole day at school. Who would do the housework if their children went to school?

Some parents were reluctant to send their children to school because they couldn’t bear it. Qiao Mai was dumbfounded by this and didn’t understand if they were being foolish or if she was.

In any case, she wouldn’t plead with them to come.

However, some clever people understood the value of education and the old saying that “books hold a house of gold.” They were willing to send their children to study, even if it meant some sacrifices.

Fifteen families enrolled their seven to eight-year-old children in the school.

The school’s start date was set for the first day of October, with ten consecutive days of classes and one day off, as Qiao Mai and Qin Yide had discussed.

This arrangement was made to ensure the students didn’t grow tired of learning.

During lunchtime, the children didn’t have to return home. Qiao Mai gave them a hearty meal, ensuring they ate their fill.

Among the students was Chen Hao, the eleven-year-old boy who used to play with Feng’er and others.

He was unhappy at Mr. Lin’s private school, where he received scolding daily. This led him to stop attending the school out of frustration.

Mr. Lin didn’t refund the tuition fees, causing Madam Chen to pay several months of salary for nothing.

This angered Madam Chen, who attributed all of this to how Qiao Mai had offended Mr. Lin.

She kept looking for opportunities to take advantage of the situation, but when confronted with Qiao Mai’s overwhelming presence, she didn’t dare to approach.

Now, she saw an opportunity and forcefully enrolled her Il-year-old son, Chen Hao, in the school.

Qin Yide didn’t say much, as he learned that she was a widow and raising a child on her own wasn’t easy. Since her son was just slightly over the age limit, he agreed to let him attend.

Chen Hao knew this school was run by the Qiao family. He secretly tried to visit Feng’er and his friends at Lucky Garden.

However, he was out of luck. All of them were in class, and the housekeeper didn’t allow him to enter.

Despite not being able to visit his friends, he was excited about his studies and didn’t spend his days cooped up at home.

On the opening day of school, Mayor Qian presented the school with a plaque that read, “Educating and nurturing the next generation for the benefit of all time.”

Parents who sent their children to the school held high hopes for them. Qin Yide, being from a poor background, understood their aspirations well.

He didn’t want to waste the money given by Ruyi’s Master. He taught those children diligently every day. Parents outside could hear the melodious reading of their children, making them feel that all their hard work was worthwhile.

In particular, the midday meal provided by Qiao Mai was a significant help to them. It relieved them of the need to feed their children at home. This simple gesture of saving a meal daily meant they could save a considerable amount of food over a year.

Not to mention, their children could also eat well at the school.

Even though they didn’t have extravagant dishes like fish and meat, the meals sent by Lucky Garden included either rice or steamed buns, and the stir-fried dishes were generously seasoned. Each child received their portion and had different dishes to ensure they ate their fill.

As for those who did not send their children to school, some began to regret their decisions. On the one hand, they didn’t want their children to miss out on household chores. On the other hand, they wanted the good meals provided at the school.

Qiao Mai smiled when she heard about this. Poverty was often the result of such hesitations.

But she didn’t care. If they didn’t want to come, she wouldn’t go out of her way to persuade them.

Upon learning about this, Mr. Lin was deeply irritated. He even went to Mayor Qian’s house to express his grievances.

“Mayor, do you think Madam Qiao has a grudge against me? I set up a private school, and she came to undermine it. Now, she’s starting her own school.. Isn’t she blatantly stealing my students?”