Shen Shuangshuang looked at Chuntao, with a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
"It's a good thing that you have a desire to learn. But literacy classes are really not suitable for you."
Shen Shuangshuang thought for a while.
"Well, you can wait for the second period of this literacy class. You can go after this group of people attend class for the second time."
"By then they have a certain foundation, and if you go there, their progress will be able to match yours."
Chuntao looked happy.
"Thank you, madam!" He quickly thanked Shen Shuangshuang.
Shen Shuangshuang waved his hand again, indicating that Chuntao didn't need to be polite.
"By the way, does Xia He know how to read? Is the situation the same as yours?"
While Shen Shuangshuang was asking questions, there was movement outside.
Xia He brought hot water.
Chuntao saw Xia He coming with hot water and hurried to the door to help.
"Give me the water."
"Madam is asking you something, go quickly!" Chuntao said to Xia He who was sweating profusely.
"Yes." Xia He responded, gave the water to Chuntao, and quickly walked towards Shen Shuangshuang.
"Madam." Walking not far away from Shen Shuangshuang, Xia He Yingying saluted Shen Shuangshuang.
She was sweating a lot and didn't dare to get too close to Shen Shuangshuang.
Shen Shuangshuang looked at Xia He and looked up and down at the new maid in her courtyard.
The little girl is about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a round face and a slightly wheatish skin, probably due to exposure to the sun.
Although not as lively and generous as Chuntao, her temperament is also calm.
"Where are you from? Is there anyone else at home? How old are you?" Shen Shuangshuang asked three questions directly.
That girl Chuntao was not from Shangyang Town or even Yongxian County, but came from Kyoto with Magistrate Yan's family.
The girl was sold by her family when she was six years old. After wandering around in the dental shop, she was bought by the Yan family.
Because her family had not contacted her since they sold her, she cut off contact with her family.
Because of these reasons, she valued Chuntao more.
Only a servant who has no family will take the master's family as his own.
"My servant is from Kyoto. At home...there are uncles, aunts and two cousins at home. She is fifteen years old." Xia He slightly replied with fear.
The color of Shen Shuang's eyes fluctuated.
"You have a good relationship with Chuntao?" he asked.
Xia He shrank and looked at Chuntao not far away.
Some are worried that their wrong answers will have a bad impact on their little sisters.
Seeing this, Chuntao smiled and put down the half-filled bucket.
"Haha, Xia He is a fellow villager of this slave. When I was in Yan Mansion, I recognized her as my sister."
"Xiao He, my wife is kind and amiable, and she loves people very much. You don't need to be afraid."
"You can answer whatever Madam asks!"
Shen Shuangshuang glanced at Chuntao and did not refute Chuntao's words.
There is no need to be too harsh on the people in your own courtyard.
Xia He looked at Shen Shuangshuang in awe and felt much relieved when he saw Shen Shuangshuang smiling at him.
He thought to himself: It seems that she misunderstood Madam before. Although my wife often has a straight face when she is in the workshop, she is actually very amiable.
"My slave and Sister Chuntao are indeed sisters." Xia He responded.
Shen Shuangshuang glanced at Chuntao again.
Chuntao twisted the cloth wiping her face and walked towards Shen Shuangshuang with a smile.
Shen Shuangshuang took the cloth and wiped his face.
Although the cloth was hot, after wiping it, the water vapor on his face evaporated, and Shen Shuangshuang still felt a lot more comfortable.
After wiping his face, Shen Shuangshuang wiped his hands again before returning the cloth to Chuntao.
"Just now, Chuntao mentioned to me that she wanted you to attend literacy classes. Are you literate?" she asked.
Xia He was a little surprised.
"No - it doesn't count as literacy." He replied.
"What does 'not count as literate' mean?" Shen Shuangshuang was confused.
The little girl blushed.
"Slave... I don't know much about reading. I can only write my own name."
Shen Shuangshuang was almost amused.
"Then do you want to go to literacy class?" asked.
The maid in the courtyard should be able to write and calculate, so it would be easier for her to use it.
Xia He looked up in surprise.
Then nodded quickly.
"Yes! I am willing!"
Shen Shuangshuang nodded with satisfaction.
"Then I'll count you in."
Xia He was surprised.
He raised his head and looked at Chuntao.
"Why don't you thank Madam soon?" Chuntao prompted with a smile.
"Thank you, madam!" Xia He quickly saluted.
Shen Shuangshuang waved his hand.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Ben, for studying hard after you go to the literacy class."
"You are now the girl in my wife's courtyard. You can't embarrass my wife."
Xia He suddenly became nervous.
"Yes." He responded unconfidently.
Seeing this, Chuntao looked at Xia He with a smile.
"Oh, Madam is encouraging you! You will have to work harder when you enter the literacy class!"
"If you encounter something you don't understand, just ask sir. If it's inconvenient, you can take it back and ask me or Madam for advice." As he said, Chuntao also looked at Shen Shuangshuang.
Shen Shuangshuang glanced at Chuntao and did not refute.
Xia He showed a happy expression, and her shy appearance made Shen Shuangshuang feel good.
After asking, Shen Shuangshuang stood up.
"Change clothes-" He opened his arms and shouted carelessly.
The two girls looked at each other.
"Madam, let's go to the back room." Chuntao smiled and said to Shen Shuangshuang.
Meanwhile, Xia He went to close the door.
Shen Shuangshuang glanced at the two girls and walked towards the back room.
Not long after, the two girls came and together they undressed Shen Shuangshuang, scrubbed her body, and then changed into pajamas.
After brushing her body and putting on her light pajamas, Shen Shuangshuang felt completely comfortable.
"Go to the kitchen to see if lunch is ready?" Shen Shuangshuang said.
"Yes!" Xia He agreed.
He took the tub out, cleaned up the outside, and carried the water out.
Chuntao took the cattail fan and continued to serve Shen Shuangshuang.
Shen Shuangshuang came to the outside room and sat at the table to wait for the meal.
"By the way, the two gentlemen will go to Mongolian School tomorrow. They will definitely bring their families and luggage."
"Later, you go to Butler Zhou and ask him to arrange for two people to wait at Mengxue early tomorrow morning. When the two gentlemen arrive, help carry their luggage and let them settle down."
"Yes." Chuntao agreed with a smile.
Shen Shuangshuang pondered slightly.
"I haven't confirmed the teaching of the literacy class with them yet. After they settle in, I have to meet the talent."
"Let's wait until the people arrive and settle down."
"Mengxue is right next to our Shen Mansion. The two gentlemen are here with their families. Are you still afraid that they will run away?" Chuntao smiled continuously.
Shen Shuangshuang glanced at the girl.
"What do you know?"
"The hot pot restaurant branch will open after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Literacy classes should start early so as not to affect the opening of the branch."
"After discussing with the two gentlemen, I can arrange the purchase of teaching materials. Let's start the literacy class as soon as possible."
"There is also a grocery store. I have told shopkeeper Liu of Cheng Ji Grocery Shop that I will send someone to pick up the goods the next day. When the goods are brought back, they have to be cleaned and inventoried. I haven't hired the shopkeeper of the grocery shop yet."
"By the way, the carpenter's shop needs delivery racks and planks tomorrow..."
"That's all...you can follow me to Mengxue's place to guard tomorrow."
