After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

Upon hearing Gan Cai'er's words, Lan Tingzhi immediately patted his chest and assured her that he would keep a close eye on Lan Tingzhou and would never allow anyone to have the opportunity to harm him.

Lantingzhi has returned from his studies after descending the mountain. Although he is not yet a fully qualified master, Master Xuanshen has taught him everything he could. The rest depends on his diligent practice and gradual comprehension.

Master Xuanshen said that martial arts training cannot be done behind closed doors; it requires improvement through actual combat. Therefore, he sent him down the mountain to gain experience.

He had barely returned home when Gan Cai'er asked him to protect Lan Tingzhou, which he thought was perfect. His spirits immediately soared.

Lan Tingzhou also thought it was a good idea for Lan Tingzhi to go to Luming Academy. It was better to keep him under his watchful eye than to let him run around causing trouble.

Moreover, as the saying goes, "one is influenced by one's company," he did not expect to achieve fame and success through the study of the Orchid Pavilion; he only hoped to read more books under the influence of the academy.

So, Lanting filled the gap in the inkstone supply, disguised himself as Lanting Zhou's page, and moved into Luming Academy with him.

With Lan Tingzhi by Lan Tingzhou's side, Gan Cai'er felt much more at ease. She then set her sights on Huang Lanxiang.

It was easy to recruit Huang Lanxiang into Jinxiufang. Gan Cai'er was determined to recruit her, so the recruitment conditions were almost tailor-made for her, and the salary offered was attractive.

Huang Lanxiang applied for the job almost immediately after seeing the job posting.

Jinxiufang successfully hired her.

Along with Huang Lanxiang, three other embroiderers were recruited into Jinxiufang, because Jinxiufang was booming and was really short of people.

Therefore, Huang Lanxiang had no doubts about joining Jinxiufang. Only Boss Zhang complained to Gan Cai'er in private.

"Xiangniang's embroidery skills are a bit lacking; she can't keep up with the others and is always holding everyone back. Should we find someone else?"

"It's natural that Xiangniang is not quite up to par. I hired her as an apprentice. Originally, I wanted to hire a few semi-skilled workers to train for the shop. But after looking around, I only chose Xiangniang."

"How about this? Xiangniang's salary will be halved, and I'll make up the difference. What do you think, Boss Zhang?"

Upon hearing that Gan Cai'er was going to subsidize his salary, Boss Zhang happily stopped mentioning anything else.

With Huang Lanxiang around, Gan Cai'er would always stand by her side whenever she went to Jinxiufang and chat with her for a while. After a while, they quickly became acquainted.

"Xiangniang, why didn't you come down for dinner again?"

Gan Cai'er handed the food box to Huang Lanxiang. The embroiderers at Jinxiufang work long hours every day, and the shop provides them with three meals a day and a late-night snack.

"I still have some work to do, and I'd like to finish it before I go. Miss Shen needs this skirt this afternoon, so we can't delay."

Gan Cai'er frowned slightly.

"Miss Shen" at Jinxiu Workshop loves to snag urgent orders because they usually cost extra. Huang Lanxiang is already a slow embroiderer, and she still has to go with "Miss Shen" for urgent orders—how desperate for money is she?

"Xiangniang, are you short of money?"

"Mrs. Lan, don't laugh at me, but I'm really short of money. There are many expenses at home." Huang Lanxiang lowered her head and smiled shyly.

“I remember your family owns land and you have three brothers, so how could you be short of money?” Gan Cai’er asked.

"Thanks to the blessings accumulated by our ancestors, our family produced a literary genius. My younger brother was incredibly talented in his studies; he passed the preliminary examination at the age of seven and became a scholar at the age of ten." Huang Lanxiang's face seemed to glow whenever she talked about Huang Tinghai.

"Although we own land, it's barely enough for the family to eat and drink. My younger brother is studying at the academy, which requires a lot of money. We've almost sold off all of our ancestral property, so..."

Huang Lanxiang didn't say anything more, and just lowered her head to continue embroidering.

Gan Cai'er didn't understand.

The academy only charged tuition fees; everything, including writing materials, was included. From what she knew in her previous life, Huang Tinghai's tuition at the academy was subsidized, so he didn't need any money from his family.

Why does it cost so much money for him to study?

"Is the tuition at the academy too expensive?" Gan Cai'er asked tentatively.

“No, that’s not it.” Huang Lanxiang shook her head.

“My younger brother is good at studying. He has been appreciated by a noble person who has paid his tuition at the academy.”

“It’s just that attending various poetry gatherings and tea parties will always cost money. My younger brother said that there should always be give and take among classmates. Most of his classmates are from wealthy families, so the expenses will be even greater.”

Gan Cai'er pursed her lips. It wasn't that there were many children from wealthy families in the academy, but rather that Huang Tinghai wanted to befriend children from wealthy families.

A scene flashed through her mind: Huang Tinghai standing on the periphery of Wu San Gongzi on Nanshan Mountain that day, circling around him.

She knew all too well about the expenses of reading. In his previous life, Lan Tingzhou's expenses on reading, excluding tuition fees, totaled no more than twenty taels of silver a year. Moreover, all of this money was earned by him through copying books or painting.

"Does your younger brother only study and not earn money?" Gan Cai'er continued to inquire.

"How can a scholar make money?" Huang Lanxiang looked at Gan Cai'er strangely.

“Once my younger brother passes the imperial examination, he will become an official in the court and will naturally have plenty of money. Right now, he should focus all his attention on his studies and not be distracted by money.”

The entire family devoted all their resources to supporting Huang Tinghai, no wonder he failed the imperial examinations three times in a row.

The higher the expectations, the greater the pressure. In Huang Lanxiang's words, Huang Tinghai's passing the imperial examination was a foregone conclusion, it was just a matter of time.

Gan Cai'er thought for a moment and took out a silver note from her bosom.

"Xiangniang, I have twenty taels of silver here. Take it and consider it a loan."

"This, this won't do!" Huang Lanxiang was startled and quickly stood up, waving her hands.

Gan Cai'er forcefully stuffed the silver notes into her arms and said with a smile.

"It's rare to meet someone whose family has produced a scholar; consider this a good deed. If you really feel bad about it, once your younger brother becomes a high-ranking official, have him write a nameplate for the shop."

"Lady Lan, you are such a kind person."

Huang Lanxiang finally accepted the silver note.

"Xiangniang, don't rush to finish your embroidery. Don't ruin your health, or the shop will have to hire more people. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell us. If we can help, everyone will lend a hand."

Huang Lanxiang suddenly became hesitant, stammering for a while before finally speaking shyly: "Madam Lan, I see a piece of leftover brocade fabric in the cabinet. Could you sell it to me at a discount?"

Gan Cai'er knew that piece of fabric; it was a dark, gold-colored material, meant for men's clothing. Because the shop didn't receive many orders for men's clothing, the fabric had been used up more than halfway and then sat there untouched.

Before Gan Cai'er could ask further, Huang Lanxiang explained, "Someone has arranged a marriage for my younger brother with the daughter of the Wang family, the county magistrate of Zhushan County. They've invited him to a banquet in a few days, and I was thinking of making him a new outfit so he can look his best then."

Wang Qingming from Zhushan County?

It turns out that Huang Tinghai went to Zhushan County at this time.

Gan Cai'er was overjoyed. She hadn't expected to receive such useful news so soon.