Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 334 - 333: He Really Made Me Cry to Death

Liu Fei, eagerly excited, hurriedly opened the package on the cart and let her pick one of the cheap boxes of rouge he bought from the Prefecture.

"Hehe~" The young man scratched his head awkwardly, afraid Qin Yao might misunderstand him, and explained:

"This time when I went to the Prefecture, it happened to be Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Rouge Workshop had some old stock for cheap sale. I thought my mother had never used rouge in her life, so I asked the sisters at the Rouge Workshop to help me pick a box as a tribute to my mother..."

Then I bought a box and suddenly remembered there are three sisters-in-law at home. To avoid unnecessary family conflicts, I went back, gritted my teeth, and bought three more boxes, thinking that when the time comes, everyone in the family will have their share, so no one would covet my mother’s.

Even with the family separated, Qin Yao didn’t expect to have her share, and she hadn’t seen such cosmetics before. She thanked him and expressed her happiness, choosing one with curiosity.

A wooden black box, oval-shaped, larger than she imagined, not something she could easily grasp with one hand.

Before opening it, a faint fragrance wafted through the air, and upon opening the box, there was a layer of oil paper lining, followed by a big pink chunk of rouge paste.

Liu Fei said, "The sisters at the Rouge Workshop said this color looks youthful and can be applied to the face and lips, oh, and can also be used to paint a beauty spot and that something called flower decoration on the brow."

"By the way, they also mentioned before applying this, you should dust your face with a layer of white lead powder. Too bad that powder is too expensive, so I bought this first."

And this has color, can be used in many places, more economical than just face powder.

Qin Yao carefully sealed the box, smirking and said, "It’s nice, beginners should use large areas of color sparingly, what the sisters recommended to you is quite good, they didn’t cheat you."

"Moreover, judging by this amount, it could last all the way until I’m in my coffin." Qin Yao laughed heartily, and Liu Fei didn’t know whether this was praise or not, but figured laughing along was the right response.

Qin Yao rode beside the convoy, the benefit of the widened road is evident; they can travel side by side without obstructing each other.

Liu Bai said, "Once we deliver one more time, this order will be complete; on our return, I asked the steward at Fulong Trading Company, and the shopkeeper said that the sister-in-law needs to settle the remaining payment personally, they won’t give it to us."

Qin Yao had anticipated this, agreed, "You guys depart normally the day after tomorrow, I’ll leave two days later than you, and we’ll meet up at the Prefecture then."

She had to stay at the workshop until Bai Shan’s stationery gift box order was processed before she could head out.

"By the way, there’s some good news, there’s a market for the stationery boxes, it’s from that prior partnership with Manager Bai of Bai Shan. From now on, the stationery box will be renamed as a stationery gift box, take note."

The convoy nodded in agreement, taking note of this.

During the journey, they shared updates to avoid reporting them upon return, allowing Liu Bai to rest for a full day tomorrow.

Qin Yao also mentioned to the two brothers the arrival of an esteemed guest at home.

Having traveled afar and visited the Prefecture, Liu Bai and Liu Fei, with broadened perspectives, were astonished upon hearing Liu Ji had joined the scholars as a disciple.

"I heard from the people over in the Prefecture that if recommended by multiple scholars and court officials simultaneously, one could become an official even without taking the imperial exams." Liu Bai looked at Qin Yao, "Is this true?"

Qin Yao nodded, "It’s true."

Before the brothers could express their joyous surprise, she promptly added: "But! The prerequisite is that the person being recommended possesses real skills, and scholars differ amongst themselves too."

She did not deny that Gongliang Liao had a bit of influence in the court.

But now Gongliang Liao has become a guest of the Qi Family, seemingly invited with great effort, but in truth, he’s leveraging Qi Family’s influence to seek a peaceful retirement.

It’s not hard to discern, just observe that Gongliang Liao lacks anyone belonging to him prior, you can glimpse the truth behind this.

What remains for him is the title of a scholar and his skills, being a teacher, educating is safest and most fitting.

All this information came from Ah Wang’s secret investigation afterward.

Remembering Ah Wang made Qin Yao almost cry with happiness, he truly wants to stay and farm!

Qin Yao didn’t share this information with Liu Bai and Liu Fei, she only mentioned Gongliang Liao had retired and lacked influence in court to directly recommend Liu Ji as an official.

Even so, joining the scholars to learn real skills made Liu Bai and Liu Fei admire and appreciate it for quite some time.

"I now believe in fate." Liu Fei, feeling melancholic, gazed at the sky, wondering if he’d ever have luck as good as his third brother.

"Do you want to study?" Qin Yao suddenly asked.

Liu Fei pointed at himself, unsure if the third sister-in-law meant him, seeing her nod, he awkwardly smiled, "I’m already sixteen, can I still study?"

Qin Yao smiled silently, without answering.

Liu Fei instantly recalled his third brother, over twenty years old, studying together with ten-year-olds in the academy.

He’s only sixteen, maybe it’s possible indeed.

"Would the county academy accept me?" Liu Fei admitted, he was tempted.

Besides, he doesn’t wish to pursue fame, he merely doesn’t want to be ignorant, wants to be able to do arithmetic, sign contracts... just imagining it, Liu Fei became excited, realizing if he studied, he could do a lot of things, and have many life choices.

Qin Yao raised her brow, "Definitely yes, just see Liu Ji for proof." knowing full well the county’s entry requirements aren’t high.

"But going to academy costs a lot of silver, right?" Liu Fei hesitated again.

Qin Yao chuckled, pointed to the rouge he bought, "Aren’t these things all bought with the wages you earned?"

Liu Bai reacted quickly, excitedly waved his whip at Liu Fei behind him, "Finish this year’s work, then take your wages to study at the county academy!"

Thankfully he hasn’t married yet. Liu Bai thought to himself, feeling both envious and fortunate.

Daring to imagine more, if Fourth studies for two years and then discusses marriage, it’d be a completely different story, and he’d be worthy of the girl he wants.

But with Qin Yao present, Liu Bai felt embarrassed to say this topic, only capable of ceaselessly winking and hinting at Liu Fei.

Regrettably, the other party was lost in thought and didn’t notice.

Observing Liu Fei had caught on, Qin Yao sped ahead, arriving in the village before the convoy.

Passing by the old house, she shouted inside: "Sanlang and Si Niang, come home!"

Soon, the Dragon and Phoenix Twins ran out, waved farewell to Jinhua.

Seeing them about to leave, Jinhua beamed, threw aside the writing sand tray, off they go to play.

Si Niang caught sight, while reaching to be hoisted onto horseback by Mother, she grumbled, teacher-like reminding: "Tomorrow afternoon I’ll come again, Sister Jin Hua, don’t slack off, remember to practice today’s characters, I’ll be checking!"

From afar in the old courtyard came a sigh of resignation: "Got it~, my Liu Pingling, Great Teacher!"

Si Niang pouted and turned to Qin Yao, "Mother, look at her! She lacks proper attitude towards learning, how is she going to pass the Ding Family School exam next year?"

"Alright alright, take it slow, no need to rush." Qin Yao patted the little girl’s back gently, while also reminding Sanlang behind to sit tight, calling to the old house: "Big brother and Fourth are back!"

Spurring the horse home, time to eat!