The chatter of the adults was interrupted by the laughter and commotion from the children, and they all turned to look at Chen Lan.
Grandma, carrying Jiayao, walked over and asked Chen Lan what had happened. "Xiao Lan, is Mingzhe being mischievous again?"
Mingzhe pouted unhappily and said, "No, I wasn't! Mother, if you don't believe me, ask Big Sister-in-law!" He added, "Mother, you always accuse me of being naughty without finding out what happened. I wasn't being naughty at all!"
Grandma glanced at Mingzhe and said, "How many times have I told you not to sneakily carry Jiayao and Jiahui? What if you drop them because you can't lift them? Look how dangerous it was just now! Jiahui's foot was already on the ground. And you still say you weren't being naughty?"
Mingzhe retorted indignantly, "Mother, you can't say that about me! I wasn't being naughty at all. I only picked up Jiahui because she was crying. I admit I didn't consider my strength or think things through, but Big Sister-in-law even praised me just now and said I was great!"
Grandma looked at Chen Lan with some disbelief. Chen Lan nodded and explained, "Yes, I did praise all three of them just now."
Grandma, still confused, continued to ask Chen Lan, "Xiao Lan, what exactly happened?"
Chen Lan then explained the whole situation to Grandma. Once Grandma understood the sequence of events, she patted Mingzhe's shoulder happily and said, "Good son, well done, not bad, not bad!"
Mingzhe puffed out his chest proudly, his mouth wide in a grin, and his eyes curved into crescents.
The others, having heard the entire story, also began to discuss it.
Wenrou Niang said, "Children like Wenqi, Wenkai, and Mingzhe should have started their basic education two years ago. We didn't have the conditions then, and now you wouldn't dare hire a tutor even if you wanted to."
Uncle Fu chimed in, "Yes! It's time for them to start their education. They need to learn to read and write, do some arithmetic, and learn the principles of being a good person. They also need to learn proper etiquette."
Uncle De said, "When I was young, I studied with Old Master at a private school. The teacher not only taught reading and writing but also the principles of conduct and the habits of scholars. For example, how to sit, how to stand, and how to walk. It truly lived up to the saying, 'Sit like a bell, stand like a pine, walk like the wind, lie like a bow.'"
He continued, "The teacher also taught us daily etiquette, and there were many types of etiquette alone. Many of these customs have now been abolished, like the ones we still use today, such as the 'Ding Tou Li' (a greeting involving a slight nod and hand gesture), 'Bao Jian Li' (a greeting where one holds their hands together and bows), 'Zhi Shou Li' (shaking hands), and 'Ju Gong Li' (bowing)... There were also rules for different occasions. These are all things that need to be learned."
Grandma added, "They indeed need to learn some rules and etiquette, and how to interact with people."
Wenrou Niang continued, "We also need to cultivate their interests! It can enrich their minds, broaden their horizons, and improve their taste and temperament. That's why people who study art can be immediately distinguished from ordinary people when they stand together."
Chen Lan seized the opportunity and said, "Mother, why don't you teach the art classes?"
Wenrou Niang was surprised. "What? Are you planning to start a private school at home, Lan'er? You can't do that now!"
Chen Lan corrected her, "It's not a private school, it's a family school. It's a school taught at home before we can hire a teacher. A family school is just a private school, isn't it?" Wenrou Niang murmured.
Chen Lan continued to persuade her, "Mother, you attended the Imperial Capital Girls' School. You can be the head of this family school and also teach art. You can teach whatever poetry, songs, and literary works you like, or anything else you wish to teach! Just tell me what teaching aids you need, and I'll get you the best! How about it, Mother? Please agree!"
At this moment, everyone else also chimed in, "Please agree! Please agree! Madam, Mother-in-law, Aunt..."
Mingzhe shouted loudly, "Please agree! Aunt! Agree..."
Wenkai and Wenqi also shouted, "Mother, please agree!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Wenrou Niang blushed and agreed.
Everyone clapped and cheered, making the scene lively.
Chen Lan gestured for everyone to calm down. Once the cheers subsided, she continued, "The art teacher is now settled. Next, we need to select teachers for Chinese classics, arithmetic, etiquette, and domestic affairs."
"These are the initial subjects. We can add more later if needed. Now, let's choose the arithmetic teacher. Uncle Fu, will you teach arithmetic?"
Uncle Fu replied, "Alright! No problem, Xiao Lan. I'll need to buy a few abacuses."
Chen Lan happily replied, "Okay! Uncle Fu, how many do you need? Do you have any preferences? Large ones, small ones?"
Uncle Fu replied, "No particular requirements. Ordinary ones will do. I'll take a large one, and they can have smaller ones."
Chen Lan then asked, "Uncle De, will you teach etiquette and manners, or Chinese classics? Or perhaps both?"
Uncle De quickly declined, "I can't teach Chinese classics anymore. I haven't touched a book in decades, and I've forgotten everything I learned at school. I'll teach etiquette and manners."
"Then, will Mingwei teach Chinese classics? Mingwei, how about it?" Chen Lan asked Mingwei.
Mingwei didn't speak, but her blushing face nodded in agreement.
"Now, for the domestic affairs teacher. Grandma, would you like to be this teacher?"
Grandma was bewildered and stammered, "Domestic affairs? What are those?"
Chen Lan explained, "What I mean by domestic affairs is waking up, folding quilts, dressing, combing hair, cleaning, and even clipping nails, helping with washing dishes. In short, they must know how to do everything they are capable of."
Grandma nodded and said, "I'll be the domestic affairs teacher."
Grandma then asked, "What will you do?" Everyone looked at Chen Lan.
Chen Lan shamelessly said, "I will provide good logistical support, ensuring your food and clothing are taken care of. Oh, and I also need to go treasure hunting and find bargains!" Chen Lan said, half-jokingly.
As she spoke, Chen Lan walked over and took Grandma's hand, saying, "Grandma, when we have time, shall we go bargain hunting and treasure hunting again?"
Grandma nodded and replied with a smile, "Okay, we mother-in-law and daughter-in-law should indeed go hunting for bargains and treasures!"
The others exchanged glances. Were these two really going bargain hunting and treasure hunting?
Wenrou Niang smiled, her eyes twinkling, and remained silent.
Grandma waved her hand with a hint of dominance, "We mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will scour the Imperial Capital for bargains and explore all its treasures!"
Chen Lan quickly stopped her, "Grandma, please speak quietly. Be calm, be calm. If others overhear you, it won't be good. If we get targeted, we're done for."
Grandma asked nervously, "What should we do?"
Chen Lan bluffed, "Have you forgotten? We still have Father-in-law! I'll ask Father-in-law to prepare an electric baton for us mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. If anyone dares to approach, one hit with that baton will knock them out."
Grandma asked with concern, "Will it kill them?"
Chen Lan replied with certainty, "Absolutely not. It will only knock them unconscious."
Uncle Fu still felt uneasy. "It's worrying for you two women to go out alone. There are many spies in the Imperial Capital now, and it's a bit unstable outside. How about this! Every time you go out, you bring me or Deshun with you. What do you think?"
Uncle De agreed, "Yes, that should be the case. Safety first."