Splendid Twins

As soon as Wang Dahu drove to the town entrance, Si Yu was already standing at the intersection waiting neatly with a small bag in his hand. Si Yao saw that he was dressed neatly and his face was clean, and a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. The boy, who was about eight or nine years old, had unusually smooth skin and bright eyes, and he looked very smart.

"Si Yu, come here."

Si Yao waved and shouted, Si Yu heard the voice and looked over, with excitement and joy in his eyes, he trotted over.

"sister."

Hearing this, the two brothers looked a little surprised, and Si Yang asked directly:

"Yaoyao, he called you sister?"

Si Yao reached out her hand and pulled Si Yu into the car, then replied to Si Yang:

"Well, my recognized brother, move aside."

Si Yu shyly called out to Si Qing and Si Yang, "Big brother, second brother."

"Well, sit down."

Si Qing raised his head and greeted him in a gentle tone. He already had a worrying younger brother, so it didn't matter if he had another one...

Si Yang glanced at his sister's expression, and when he heard his elder brother speak, he reached out and put his arm around Si Yu's shoulders:

"Brother, I will protect you from now on."

This was the first time Si Yu had close contact with someone other than Wang Dahu, and his body was somewhat stiff. Seeing Si Yao sitting next to him with a smile, he whispered:

"Brother and sister are so nice."

"Hey, you're quite sweet-talker." Si Yang saw that Si Yu was timid and teased him on purpose.

"These three things are for you as a tuition fee. I'll knock on the door for you, but your behavior after entering is up to you. Keep the amulet close to your body and remember not to let it get wet. I'll replace it for you in three months."

Si Yao took out a large package from behind him, and when he opened it, he found three bundles (ten strips in each bundle) of dried lean meat and one hundred taels of silver notes.

She had prepared the things long ago and placed them in the space. Before going out, she avoided Liu Niang and wrapped them in cloth and put them in the carriage under Wang Dahu's sight.

The three men looked at the meat and silver bills with shock. Si Yao took a look at them, packed the package again, and handed over three amulets.

"Yaoyao, when did you ask for the amulet?"

Si Yang picked up the amulets and handed one to Si Yu and one to his brother, his eyes flashing with interest.

"Why are you asking so many questions? Just take it and see how obedient Xiaoyu is!"

Si Qing scolded softly, this younger brother talks too much!

"Brother, I..."

Si Yang was confused. Did his brother dislike him a little?

"Thank you, sister. I will definitely work hard."

Tears glistened in Si Yu's eyes and his heart felt sore. It was the first time that someone took care of him so well.

"Why are you crying? A man should bleed, not cry!"

Si Yang reached out and patted Si Yu on the shoulder. This little brother is a little weak. He needs to take better care of him in the future...

Wang Dahu's eyes became moist as he listened to the words. He looked up at the sunny weather, blinked and smiled again. Everything is getting better, isn't it?

The next town is called Qingshi Town. Wang Dahu had been there before so he parked his carriage directly in front of the gate of Dongguan College.

Si Yao got out of the car and looked around. The most eye-catching thing was the four large characters of Dongguan College on the plaque. They were majestic and powerful, and it was obvious that the person who wrote them was experienced and vigorous!

There are couplets posted on the pillars on both sides: Learning the Dao requires dedication to work and enjoying the company of others, and cultivating one's character requires enlightenment.

After seeing the plaque of Wencheng Academy with its elegant calligraphy and continuous meaning, she was even more satisfied with it!

Si Yao explained her purpose to the doorman, who looked them around and led them inside.

"The teacher in charge of admissions is not in the academy at the moment. The headmaster is recruiting personally. Don't be nervous when you go in."

The little boy explained as he walked, his tone was very polite, and Si Yao's lips curled up slightly:

"Thank you for your care."

"polite."

Si Yao led Si Qing and the others to meet the president of Dongguan College. When they entered the hall, they saw a middle-aged man in a beige wide-sleeved gown sitting upstairs with a book in his hand. The gown was embroidered with orchids and he wore a rectangular jade pendant around his waist. He had a gentle face and elegant temperament.

Hearing the noise, the man put down his book and looked over. Si Yao stepped forward and saluted:

"Meet the mountain chief."

"Please stand up quickly. Are you here to study?"

The headmaster asked in a deep voice and kind tone.

Si Qing glanced at Si Yao, then walked forward slowly, folded his hands, bowed his head and saluted, his tone respectful:

"My student Si Qing is dull and stupid, I hope the dean can give me some advice."

The headmaster chuckled and looked up at Si Qing. Seeing that he had a straight face, bright eyes, and a calm and reserved temperament, he spoke slowly:

“Have you ever written an article?”

"No, I only taught myself a few words."

"There is a pen and ink on the table next to you. Go over and write a few."

Si Qing bowed calmly and walked to the table before starting to grind ink and write.

The headmaster looked at Si Yang and asked with a kind smile, "Why do you study?"

Si Yang blurted out: "I want to make money."

Si Yao's mouth twitched when she heard this. Her second brother was really quick-witted!

"Haha, that's a good idea."

Seeing that the dean did not blame him for saying the wrong thing, but instead encouraged him, Si Yang immediately spoke:

"Don't be angry, I, I was just talking nonsense. My name is Si Yang, and I want to be a useful person."

The headmaster admired Si Yang's sincerity and nodded:

"Civil officials are promoted for their words, and military generals are rewarded for their achievements in battle. As long as you have the will, your wishes will naturally come true."

Then he looked at Si Yu again, seeing him standing beside him obediently, and considering his young age, he asked in a deep voice:

"What's your name?"

"My name is Si Yu."

"Spacious, wealthy, enriching the country and benefiting the people, a good name."

After trying three people, the headmaster had a rough idea in his mind. He looked at Si Yao and sighed:

"Girl, the salary for three people is not low!"

Si Yao smiled faintly and asked, "Does this mean that the three of them are pretty good?"

"It's OK for now, but it all depends on their luck in the future."

After the dean finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Si Qing, who had just stopped writing and handed the written words to the dean.

"To study hard is to be knowledgeable, to practice diligently is to be benevolent. The way of a gentleman is subtle but ever-brighter..."

The headmaster took it and looked at it with a flash of surprise in his eyes. He first looked at the handwriting and then the content. The more he read, the more satisfied he was. The handwriting was like the person, with clear strokes and rigorous structure. He was a humble and conscientious person.

"This is a gift, please accept it."

Seeing that the dean agreed to let the three of them stay, Si Yao put Shu Xiu on the table.

"The worst thing about studying is laziness. You need to persist for a long time. The academy provides food and accommodation. There is a study room for four people. Each student needs two sets of robes every season. In addition to the Four Books and Five Classics, they also need to learn the Six Arts of a Gentleman. Each person needs about thirty taels of silver per year."

The headmaster put the words written by Si Qing next to him and looked at Si Yao as he spoke. He could see that this girl was the one who made the decision among the group!

"It's already been prepared. Thank you for your trouble."

Si Yao put the 100 taels of silver note aside, and the headmaster nodded and said:

"Since you are well prepared, stay today. I will have someone take you to see the environment, and then give you a test paper later and divide you into Class A, B, and C according to your scores."

"Excuse me."

The servant at the door led them around the academy. In addition to the study and dining hall, there were also corresponding places for etiquette, music, archery, and charioteering. Si Yao was quite satisfied with what she saw. She took the ten taels of silver handed over by the doorman and gave it to Si Qing:

"Brother, you guys just stay here. If you have a day off, don't come back without permission. Wait for me to pick you up."

Si Qing had received many benefits from his sister, so he was no longer polite. He took the silver and said softly:

"Brother knows that Yaoyao will have to work hard for her parents at home."

"It's okay, we're a family, you don't have to be polite, just help me look after Si Yu."

"it is good."

Si Yao nodded and turned to leave. The three people who stayed behind watched her disappear from the room. Then they returned to the dean. The servant boy gave each of them a student certificate. After the three of them kowtowed, they each offered tea to the dean as a sign of respect.

From now on, they are students of Dongguan College.