Li Yueshu gently patted Shen Tingyi's head and said, "Besides A Yu needing his enlightenment, Brother Shen Tan and the others also need to study. And A Yi, even though you can't attend the academy, you can't fall behind in your studies either."
Shen Tingyi, momentarily forgetting to pull away, asked, "I have to study too?"
Like her second brother, she detested studying the most.
Shen Tingyi pouted. "But I want to study medicine. Can I not learn those 'Women's Virtues'?"
Seeing her brows furrow, Li Yueshu chuckled. "You don't have to learn the 'Women's Virtues,' but you must learn everything your second brother learns at the academy."
Shen Tingyi froze, and even the young boy fetching books nearby looked over in surprise.
Li Yueshu knew what shocked them. She crouched down to be at eye level with Shen Tingyi. "A Yi, I know that from childhood, the principles you've accepted are that women obey their fathers at home, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husbands die. But I hope you can control your own destiny."
"I can't change this world or send you into the academy, but I can broaden your horizons and enrich your knowledge."
When interacting with her children, she always tried to communicate with them as if they were peers.
"Remember, the reason I want you to study medicine and learn to read and write is simply that when you face the most helpless moments in life, you can still stand on your own two feet."
She didn't know how a young girl from an ordinary family like A Yi became the venomous beauty in the original book who struck fear into the hearts of people worldwide, but it must have involved hardships beyond imagination.
She only hoped that by then, even if she couldn't help, A Yi could help herself.
But she was unaware of the seismic shift her words had caused in Shen Tingyi's heart. "Can women stand on their own two feet?"
Li Yueshu nodded affirmatively. "The process will be arduous, but as long as you don't fear or shrink back, you certainly can."
Shen Tingyi's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a prickling sensation surged within her.
If Mother had held this same idea after Father's death, would she and her brothers not have ended up wandering outside?
Li Yueshu sensed the sadness radiating from her and was momentarily taken aback, unsure which of her words had been wrong.
Just as she was about to say something, Shen Tingyi suddenly smiled and nodded. "I will definitely study hard!"
Seeing this, Li Yueshu didn't press further and patted her head encouragingly.
The young boy, having found the books, carried them over. "If all parents in the world had thoughts like Madam's, it would be wonderful."
Li Yueshu stood up, took the books, and smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
Unbeknownst to her, after she left the bookshop, a woman in a red dress, with a stunning and enchanting beauty, emerged from a private room within.
The woman had a voluptuous figure, and her fox-like eyes watched their retreating backs with interest.
"What an interesting person!"
The woman's red lips parted, and even her voice held a seductive charm.
Then, as if remembering something, she turned her gaze to the young boy, her expression turning cold.
"Tell your master that if he tries to hide from me again next time, this grandmother will burn down his bookshop and drag him to Qingfeng Pavilion to entertain guests!"
The young boy broke out in a sweat and quickly bowed and stammered, "Miss Hong Dai, please rest assured. I will certainly relay your message."
Hong Dai touched the hair at her temples, gave the young boy no further glance, and turned to leave.
...
Li Yueshu placed the books on the ox cart and hurried home.
Shen Tan and the others looked at the large pile of books, a surge of inexpressible emotion filling their hearts.
When they were chosen by Doctor Chen, one of the conditions was literacy.
They had initially thought they would only be reciting pharmacology knowledge and selling medicine at the pharmacy. But they had just heard Madam tell the young lady that they would also be taught.
For ordinary families, it was already difficult to afford education for their own children. Yet Madam was considering them, their servants.
For a moment, the few of them involuntarily recalled Li Yueshu's words when they first met her: "I will make sure you live a life worthy of a person."
...
Li Yueshu, unaware of the children's thoughts, distributed the books to them upon returning home.
"We can't afford too many books at the moment, so you'll have to exchange them to read. If you have any questions, you can ask me, or ask A Min and A Wen when they return."
She paused, then looked at Shen Tan and the other seven. "You also have to study pharmacology and look after the pharmacy. If you find it overwhelming, I won't force you."
Initially, she had only wanted to find employees for the pharmacy who wouldn't betray her. But seeing their tender faces, her heart softened.
If they were willing to learn, she didn't mind lending a hand. At worst, the pharmacy would open a little later and close a little earlier each day.
Shen Tan understood her meaning immediately and knelt down. "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Shen Tan will not forget your trust."
The other children, having understood, also knelt down in unison.
Li Yueshu felt a bit helpless and stepped forward to help them up. "As I said, as long as you don't make any major mistakes or betray me, you won't have to kneel anymore."
Shen Tan and the others remained silent but secretly resolved to serve Madam faithfully for the rest of their lives.
This was the nature of youth; once they identified with someone, they would remember them for a lifetime.
This was also why Li Yueshu had initially asked Doctor Chen to find children.
...
The next day, Li Yueshu personally prepared several packages of items for the two brothers, Shen Tingwen and Shen Zhiyu, and took them to the academy.
Shen Zhiyu, still unaware of what lay before him, snuggled into Shen Wei's arms, curiously observing his surroundings.
Only after entering the academy did Shen Wei set him down.
Li Yueshu patted his head. "A Yu, listen to the teacher carefully at the academy. Mother will pick you up after school this afternoon."
Shen Zhiyu blinked, tilted his head, and asked, "Isn't Stepmother going to the academy?"
Looking at his soft, adorable face, Li Yueshu couldn't resist pinching it. "Mother needs to earn money to support the family. When A Yu learns knowledge at the academy, will you teach Mother when you return?"
Shen Zhiyu tilted his head again. "Stepmother can earn money and cook delicious food. Why should A Yu teach you?"
Li Yueshu: "..."
This question stumped her.
Li Yueshu crouched down. "Because Mother is a woman, and women cannot attend the academy, so Mother needs A Yu to learn well and teach Mother when you return."
"And your father too," she said, pulling Shen Wei down to crouch with them. "Your father hasn't been to the academy either and is waiting for A Yu to teach him when he returns!"
Shen Wei frowned, looking displeased, but said nothing.
He had been to the academy and learned a lot of knowledge, but if his wife said he hadn't, then he hadn't.
Shen Zhiyu was clearly swayed, his eyes shining. "Then A Yu will definitely study hard!"
A three-year-old child's memory is naturally short, and coupled with Li Yueshu's constant presence in their activities during this period, Shen Zhiyu had developed a strong sense of trust in her.
After handing him over to the teacher, Li Yueshu intended to find Shen Yimin to give him and Mo Lian the prepared items.
However, Shen Zhiyu, still clinging to the teacher's hand, was reluctant to enter the room and gazed wistfully at her retreating back.
For some reason, a feeling of grievance welled up in his heart, and his lips immediately turned down.
Just as Li Yueshu's figure was about to disappear around the corner, Shen Zhiyu finally couldn't hold back.
He let go of the teacher's hand and ran after her with his short legs.
"Mother!"