My Lady Always Lacks Ambition-Chapter 275 - 274: The Coffin Shop’s Business

Qin Liuxi tapped the surface of the table, thought for a moment, then shook her head after a long pause: "We’ll see based on his aptitude in the future. If he can be trained and you approve of him, then it’s up to you whether or not to take him under your wing. But for now, there’s no need."

She picked up her tea and took a sip: "Mother’s tolerance is genuine, but his legitimate brother is suffering in the northwest, while he has no worries about food and drink in Li City. If he becomes a famed student of Master Tang, receiving your careful guidance, just as it was before the Qin family’s downfall, what would others think?"

Master Tang remained silent.

"The legitimate mother may not say much, but she probably feels uncomfortable inside. Sometimes, when the thorns are planted deep, and others keep provoking, they can’t be pulled out," Qin Liuxi spoke indifferently: "The legitimate mother is a virtuous and moral person, she has been as tolerant and generous as she can be towards me, Xiao Wu, and my simple-minded concubine. I don’t want to plant thorns in her heart. It’s hard enough for a mother to see her child suffering far away—why should she endure this unequal hardship?"

Master Tang spoke: "You, child, actually have the softest heart."

Qin Liuxi smiled faintly: "She is a good person, and I am willing to acknowledge this goodness."

"Alright."

"Xiao Wu is pure and good, probably not the best material for studying. How much he learns is up to him, but the most important point is, he needs to understand what he should, grasping principles and responsibilities." Qin Liuxi continued: "If he can support his legitimate brother in the future, then his life will be smooth, prosperous, and full of blessings."

Master Tang understood, saying: "If that’s the case, let them come to the academy tomorrow to sit in as auditors. After a month’s assessment, we’ll see if they can stay on as true students."

"Mhm."

Having decided on the matter, Qin Liuxi then took his pulse and prescribed a tonic to strengthen his body, before heading out with him to look for Qin Mingchun.

Zhihe Academy was quite large, divided into several stages of classes, with young students like Qin Mingchun, half-grown ones like Qin Mingqi, and those around fifteen or sixteen years old ready for exams, studying in different classes according to their learning and natural aptitude.

For instance, a twelve-year-old prodigy studying courses typical of fifteen- or sixteen-years-olds could skip grades to study and progress.

Apart from studying the four books and five classics, the academy also taught the six arts of a gentleman, holding monthly assessments. Those who failed would be advised to leave, and although there were cases like Qin Mingchun and Qin Mingqi who squeezed in through connections, ultimately, everyone needed true capability to stay.

So even if Qin Mingchun and his brother entered the academy, wanting to stay depended crucially on outstanding performance; otherwise, they would be advised to leave, which would be even more embarrassing.

It’s progress or retreat—specifically, expulsion from the academy!

Amidst his exploration, Qin Mingchun heard this and immediately felt the pressure mount like a mountain.

This was it; his older sister was serious, not just enrolling him in any ordinary school to casually study, but in a prestigious academy that could "peel off skin"!

As they left the academy, his face still looked withered, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, clearly worried.

"What are you thinking about?"

Qin Mingchun replied, "I’m thinking, if I get kicked out by the academy, would older sister beat me to death?"

Qin Liuxi paused in her step, looking down at him from her elevated stance, her lips curved into a smile, remaining silent.

Would she?

Consider that smile; ponder it well!

Qin Mingchun hurriedly raised his fist in resolve: "I will definitely make an effort."

Never giving you a chance to beat me to death.

Qin Liuxi scoffed and continued walking forward: "I’ve laid out the path for you given our blood relation, but I can’t walk it for you. Whether you can stay in the academy depends on your own ability. If you manage to stay, your path ahead will be much smoother. Qin Mingchun, it’s up to you!"

Carefully considering her words, Qin Mingchun took a while before catching up and gently tugging at her sleeve, asking: "What if I really can’t stay? Could you go easier on me, seeing as we’re from the same mother?"

In the end, he was just afraid of being beaten.

Qin Liuxi sneered coldly: "If you can’t stay, then go up the mountain and become a Daoist."

Become a little god!

Qin Mingchun let out a cry, thinking about the austere life of a Daoist, and decided it was better to give it his all.

Qin Liuxi boarded the carriage, instructing Li Cheng to drive to the Coffin Shop. She couldn’t leave this shop sitting empty forever; something needed to be done.

But what?

Ever since Qin Liuxi took over the Coffin Shop, she had instructed Supervisor Li to clean it up, and now, the shop’s signs had been taken down, the door panels removed. Inside, it was empty, all traces of the previous owner had been cleared out and whitewashed.

However, Qin Liuxi had yet to give any further instructions, so the shop remained unused and devoid of other renovations.

Qin Mingchun walked behind her, looking left and right, not understanding what was so interesting about an empty shop. Soon, he sat down near the door, resting his chin in his hands, contemplating his future life.

"Hmm, this is the place, right? Kid, aren’t you Old Guan’s grandson? No, wait, Old Guan’s grandson has long been dead, who are you?" A middle-aged man in hemp clothing with mourning bands scrutinized Qin Mingchun, then looked further inside.

Qin Mingchun shouted: "Can’t you speak properly? Opening your mouth with talks of death, you ask who I am, so who are you?"

The noise drew Qin Liuxi out from inside, "What’s the matter?"

"Big... brother." Qin Mingchun almost called her sister but changed it to brother.

Because Qin Liuxi was dressed as a man, Qi Huang had once mentioned that it was acceptable to call her brother in front of outsiders when she wore men’s clothes.

Hearing this address, Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow and looked towards the man standing outside, giving him a glance, her eyes half-narrowed, and asked, "You needed something?"

The man, not expecting to see someone as attractive as Qin Liuxi, stepped back and looked at the shop again, cautiously asking: "Isn’t this Old Guan’s Coffin Shop? The coffin for my dearly departed father was ordered here in the past."

Qin Mingchun’s face paled; oh, so this was the Coffin Shop, no wonder he felt a chill.

Qin Liuxi spoke: "It used to be, but not anymore. Old Guan passed away a few days ago."

The man was taken aback: "He died?"

Qin Liuxi nodded.

The man sighed, bowed toward the inside, and said: "Then I’ve disturbed you."

He turned to leave.

"Hold on."

The man paused in his steps and looked back.

"Looking for Old Guan to make a new coffin?"

"You can make one?"

Qin Liuxi said: "Even if you make a new coffin, it won’t solve the current problems at home. The coffin still won’t rise."

The man’s expression changed several times, visibly shocked as he looked at Qin Liuxi, swallowed, and cautiously asked: "What do you know?"

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com