CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 283: FENG DAQUAN (PART 3)

Yu Xiaolian stood up from the chair, "I heard that Mr. Feng specifically requested to see me?"

Mr. Feng traveled a thousand miles from Ping City, not to seek refuge with another family, but to his daughter’s home.

If you asked how his daughter ended up marrying someone so far in Luocheng from Ping City?

Well, it’s a long story, but to put it simply, when she was young, his daughter was as beautiful as a flower, and caught the eye of Lv Maolin, who was then the County Magistrate in Ping City, and thus married him.

When Lv Maolin was appointed as the County Magistrate in Luocheng after a few years in Ping City, his daughter followed him naturally as they moved to Luocheng.

This son-in-law of his, Lv Maolin, was not an ordinary person; he was the half-brother of the current Imperial Concubine Lv. Although the Imperial Concubine is now old and out of favor, the deeply rooted influence of the Lv Family remains.

After arriving in Luocheng, Mr. Feng found out that the unoccupied residence across the street used to belong to the family of Imperial Concubine Min, and according to the old housekeeper who maintained his son-in-law’s residence, the family of Imperial Concubine Min was always very courteous to Lv Maolin when both families lived there.

And why, you ask? Because Imperial Concubine Min did not bear a Prince, and what good is a favorite concubine without a Prince? Ultimately, like floating duckweed, without roots, unable to stand firm.

On the other hand, Imperial Concubine Lv was different; she had an outstanding son—Prince Jin.

Lv Maolin served as the County Magistrate in Luocheng for another ten years before being promoted and transferred to a Capital Official in the Capital two years ago, but he never sold the estate in Luocheng.

Though the Northern Land was severely drought-stricken, Ping City was not too bad, but Mr. Feng saw it as a good opportunity for the whole family to depend on a powerful and influential son-in-law.

After sending his youngest daughter a letter, Mr. Feng brought his entire family and moved into the Lv Mansion in Luocheng.

The reason he sought out Yu Xiaolian was because he had heard of her reputation and wanted her to teach his daughters as a female teacher.

Last year, Yu Xiaolian gained instant fame when her mathematics problem was selected by Elder Fu as an additional question in the imperial examination.

Among the crowd that queued up to visit the Yu Family, there were also members of the Feng family.

But Yu Xiaolian was quite proud; she refused to meet those visiting her and declined to accept gifts, leaving Mr. Feng in an awkward position, never to return.

Now he heard that after selling off Gao Yishui’s mother, she had ended up working at Yu Xiaolian’s residence, which he saw as an opportunity.

If Yu Xiaolian was unwilling to come to his house as a female teacher, then Madam Gao would not get her son’s indenture contract back.

Upon hearing Mr. Feng’s words, Yu Xiaolian furrowed her brow; was this a threat?

"Mr. Feng, you overestimate me. I have only a shallow understanding of mathematics, and when it comes to etiquette, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, I am entirely unversed.

If you want me to mold your young mistress into a refined lady, I’m afraid I cannot bear the responsibility!"

While on the road, Yu Xiaolian heard from Madam Gao about the Feng family’s situation and knew that his son-in-law was the half-brother of Imperial Concubine Lv, and was Prince Jin’s uncle.

Thinking that the Feng family had solid backing, it would be best not to offend them.

Yu Xiaolian even thought to herself that if she truly couldn’t get someone out, so be it.

It wasn’t worth offending Mr. Feng for Gao Yishui.

Mr. Feng assumed Yu Xiaolian’s words were humble, "Yu Xueguan, you are too modest. I believe that if you diligently teach, my two granddaughters will certainly become as outstanding as you in the future.

I heard that your monthly salary at Shuren Academy is less than ten taels of silver?"

Yu Xiaolian nodded; indeed, it was just seven taels of silver, recently increased from five, and before that, only three. The Dean even said she was the fastest-promoting and salary-increasing teacher in their academy, bar none.

"I am willing to pay you fifty taels of silver per month to teach my two granddaughters." Mr. Feng looked at Yu Xiaolian with a piercing gaze.

Hiring a private tutor for his granddaughters; this old gentleman was indeed willing to spend.

Fifty taels per month would amount to six hundred taels a year; such a salary is indeed generous.

Yet, when they first arrived in Luocheng, Mr. Feng had cut down on household staff significantly to save money and even sold off Madam Gao and her daughter. Why was he being so generous now?

Could it be that his wealthy son-in-law was supplementing his finances?

Seeing Yu Xiaolian silent, Mr. Feng displayed a smug look, for which teacher could refuse such a price?

After a moment, Yu Xiaolian finally said, "There is already a Women’s Virtue Academy in Luocheng; why not send your two granddaughters there, Mr. Feng?"

Mr. Feng laughed, "My two granddaughters are already over thirteen years old and had received their graduation certificates from the Women’s Virtue Academy while in Ping City."

Yu Xiaolian was puzzled, "If your two granddaughters are already so accomplished, Mr. Feng, why...

Why would you send them elsewhere? While women with good mathematical skills cannot take imperial exams, what I know is really quite useless."

Mr. Feng was straightforward, "I want them to become as outstanding as you."

Since ancient times, women have always been the appendages of men, able to be called upon at will, concubines could even be given away as gifts.

Mr. Feng had an ambitious plan; he wanted to raise the two most excellent women, and later have his son-in-law, Lv Maolin, send them to Prince Jin Mansion.

Although his son-in-law wasn’t Prince Jin’s legitimate uncle, Lv Maolin had been close to Imperial Concubine Lv since childhood, and sending two women to his son’s mansion through her was no difficult task.