Adorable Kids in Space: Lucky Wife is So Carefree

"Stop! You country bumpkin, can you afford to pay for the damage if you break it?" The waiter had been watching Ruxiu and her group closely since they entered the store. He shouted at Le Ge as soon as he reached out his hand, his face full of disdain.

This rebuke made Brother Le feel ashamed, and he quickly withdrew his hand, not daring to move. He naturally knew that the books were all very expensive.

"Excuse me, waiter, are you from a poor family? Or do you think you're superior just because you're a waiter? Are your books so fragile that they break at the slightest touch? Are you trying to only serve the rich and turn away all the poor folks with your words? Did the manager give you this audacity, or is it your own decision to avoid the historical facts?" How could we let our own children be bullied? We're here to spend money, not to suffer.

"Everyone in my family has been peasants for generations. You eat rice grown by peasants, so what reason do you have to look down on your peasant background?"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. People say it's better to deceive an old man than a snot-nosed child. How do you know that today's peasants won't be able to stir up storms and achieve great things in the future?"

Ru Xiu's angry retorts drew the attention of those nearby, who pointed and whispered about the waiter, since most of the people living there were ordinary folks.

"Are books even for you to read? Can you afford them?" The waiter still had a self-righteous look on his face, clearly indicating that he couldn't afford them, even though Ru Xiu's mannerisms and speech were slightly different from those of ordinary farmers.

"Don't underestimate a young person's potential. As long as the poor work hard, they can become rich one day. I advise you to be kind, not to look down on others, not to fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak, and not to look down on people."

After hearing Ru Xiu's words, Le Ge straightened his back, no longer timid and he made up his mind to study hard in the future and become a respected person.

"Xiao Qi, who gave you the audacity? Apologize to the customer right now!" At this moment, the curtain inside the bookstore was lifted, and a gentle-looking old man in his early fifties, dressed in a gray robe, walked out with a face full of anger. He must be the bookstore owner.

"What kind of guests are they? They don't have any money to buy books," the waiter said arrogantly, glancing sideways as he muttered his excuses.

At this moment, several people who were browsing books in the bookstore gathered around. Among them were three or four who were only about ten years old, dressed in the same white robes and square headscarves. They were probably students from the academy. They all stood up and criticized the waiter.

"Xiao Qi, kneel down, or pack your things and leave right now." If he weren't my own nephew, I would have just sent him away. I've warned him repeatedly, but he just won't listen.

Seeing that his uncle had never been so angry before, and with more and more people gathering around, Xiao Qi knew he could no longer be disobedient and willful. He obediently knelt down and said, "I'm sorry." But he didn't look at anyone, showing no sincerity whatsoever. Ru Xiu didn't look at him either.

"Your speech is quite refined, madam. Are you well-educated?" the shopkeeper asked humbly, trying to ease the awkwardness.

The scholars, accustomed to classical Chinese and reading the Four Books and Five Classics, found it remarkable that a peasant woman like Ru Xiu could speak such words. They found it novel and thought she was far superior to their own mothers in the backyard, so they looked over with deep sympathy.

When Xiao Er saw that no one was paying attention to him, he stood up and ran to the backyard. Before leaving, he glared at Brother Le. Brother Le was no longer afraid and glared back without backing down.

"My father was a poor, pedantic scholar who taught me a thing or two when I was young." Ru Xiu said this naturally, and afterwards she herself was a little surprised.

"No wonder, no wonder, it's a pity he's not a man." The old man looked regretful. If he were a man, he could at least have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.

"I have failed in my teaching, causing the lady and young master to suffer. I gave you this copy of the Thousand Character Classic because you like it. I apologize to you." The old man looked sincere, and Ruxiu naturally wouldn't hold a grudge.

After seeing his mother's tacit approval, Le Ge took the book as if it were a precious treasure, bowed to the shopkeeper, and said, "Thank you."

"I would also like some books for children's early education and inexpensive writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Could you please recommend some?" Ru Xiu was indeed not good at choosing; every era has its own rules.

"Madam, Madam, shall we introduce you? We know them." The four young scholars showed no disdain for Ruxiu and Lege; on the contrary, they introduced them with great enthusiasm.

They had all gone through the rigorous education system, so their choices were naturally sound. Following their recommendations, Ru Xiu selected the *Three Character Classic*, *Hundred Family Surnames*, *Elementary Learning*, and *Zhu Xi's Family Instructions*. She also bought two inkstones, two ink sticks, four writing brushes, and two reams of paper at the shopkeeper's suggestion. The shopkeeper hadn't expected Ru Xiu to want so much; even with a 20% discount, it still cost three taels of silver. No wonder poor people couldn't afford to study in this era.

"Madam, how many children do you have in school?" Buying so many things at once obviously means it's not just one child, and there aren't many families that can afford to send several children to school together.

"The two boys won't start school until next year, so we'd like to give the two girls some early education at home first." The old gentleman couldn't help but look at Ruxiu with newfound respect. It was no easy feat to have such insight. Even girls from wealthy families were only allowed to learn a few words and do some needlework. Girls from poor families were treated like dirt, and it was good enough if they could have enough to eat and wear. They wouldn't be given such importance.

"Are you all students of Wenhua Academy? You have such a scholarly air about you, your grades must be excellent." Ruxiu wanted to know something, and Le Ge also looked envious.

"Did you recognize it at a glance, Madam?"

"Does it really look good?"

The children were very happy. Teenagers love to be praised, just like the article in the Education Digest says: children need to be praised often and given full affirmation. We should often tell them, "Child, you are the best!"

Jia Ruxiu has that kind of insight. Children who go to private schools just learn to recognize a few characters. Those who want to take the imperial examinations still have to go to academies. Without years of exposure to books and calligraphy, how can one develop such a refined demeanor?

"What jobs do you all take? What books do you all study?" Ru Xiu still wanted to find out, after all, it was a rare opportunity. After what happened with Widow Qin this morning, she didn't want to bother asking the village chief and Tang Zijie.

“The three of us will be in Class B next year.” The three shorter ones all nodded.

"I'll be in Class A next year. My teacher said I can take the preliminary examination for the imperial examination next August." The slightly older boy looked quite proud; excellent children are confident.

"Could you write down the books you're reading now for us? Maybe we can use them later." If the children are quick learners, they might be able to learn more; we can always buy more next time we come.

Ru Xiu then asked some questions about how to get into Wenhua Academy. The children answered politely one by one. They explained that they had to register and take the academy's test before classes started after the New Year. Only those who passed the test could be admitted. Le Ge listened carefully to every word the children said, afraid of missing anything.

This took up a lot of time, and the children had to leave. Brother Le watched them go with a bit of reluctance.

"Mom, I feel I've learned a lot today. I want to be like them, and I will definitely study hard."

"Yes, they may not be rich and powerful, but their lives are definitely better than ours. They don't bully the weak, they don't belittle themselves, and they are happy to help others. These are the talents that the country needs, and they are the kind of officials who care about the people."

"Okay, Le'er understands." Le'er is stubborn, but he also has a never-give-up side.