Chapter 187: Chapter 186 Propose the Suggestion Chapter 187: Chapter 186 Propose the Suggestion Ye Shiqi did understand some musical instruments, but her knowledge was superficial, not proficient.

In the ancient times described in books, she had to learn ancient music.

She knew that to learn an instrument in a farmer family, she had to employ a teacher. He understood some principles of musical instruments, but he didn’t know much about ancient music.

For instance, the pipa, Guqin, and playing the flute, these all required someone to impart knowledge.

Ye Shiqi could only ask her father to hire a teacher, and his response was to try to hire a female teacher.

This suggestion only came up the day before yesterday after meeting Meng Zhaojun. Since this girl was so wary of her and also a transmigrator, why must she expose herself?

Does she not have “space”? Without “space”, there might be a Golden Finger, right?

She had already heard of the girl’s cleverness and quick wit; therefore, her Golden Finger must be because she didn’t drink the Mengpo Soup. This girl was said to be versed in Qin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting.

And she cared so much about Tang Shunyan, aiming to learn in the direction of a talented woman.

Ye Shiqi felt she was a farmer girl, but with sufficient conditions, she too could meet these criteria; it was just a matter of hiring a teacher.

Lately, they had been selling honey, and she had some money hidden away, enough to hire a teacher.

Ye Shiqi brought up hiring a teacher for music lessons and having her father buy musical instruments at the lunch table.

Ye Shiqi’s words made the entire family look at her. Allowing their girls to learn writing and arithmetic was already progressive for a farmer family, only possible because they could afford a teacher.

But hiring a teacher for music lessons and buying instruments was a step too far for everyone at the table, especially her grandparents, who thought she was indulging in fanciful wastes of money.

The aunt who was about to get married also disagreed with her idea and request.

“What a waste of family resources, a girl learning so much, without even considering what she’s made of?” Mrs. Lai was the first to vehemently oppose.

“A girl, hmm? You study needlework, a bit of writing, and arithmetic; the family has already hired a teacher for you. What can such little girls learn? The family money doesn’t fall from the sky; how can you make such unreasonable demands?”

Hongji’s father always thought his granddaughter was a boy in a girl’s body. With her intelligence and agility, if she were a boy, she might have brought glory to their family.

Since the birth of this girl, they also had a grandson, who didn’t seem to have the same brightness as the granddaughter.

Hongji and Mrs. Lai, who never cuddled their granddaughter, were overjoyed at the birth of their grandson. Upon learning it was a boy, Mrs. Lai, who never entered the delivery room, rushed in to hold her grandson.

Carrying the grandson out, the two elders were so jubilant they didn’t even fear dropping him.

During Mrs. Li’s pregnancy until childbirth, the family, hopeful for a new addition, ensured she didn’t perform hard labor. Managing the estate, she just oversaw the work done by others.

They always believed that a pregnant person should not be physically inactive as it wasn’t good for childbirth.

Once they had a bit of money and Hongji had some financial control, of course, he got a midwife for his wife and properly prepared for her confinement.

When Ye Shiqi talked about learning ancient music and asked her father to buy instruments and hire a teacher, Ye Shuzhen pouted and said:
“Tsk, what do you know, little one? The money for the teacher and instruments would be better spent on my dowry. What if you break the instruments playing them? That would be a waste of money, wouldn’t it?”

Ye Shiqi…
“A person should know their place. Even if you can recognize many characters and learn these pieces of ancient music, you’re still a girl born to a farmer family, really thinking you’re some Miss! Tsk tsk!”

Ye Shuzhen’s sarcastic words were met with Ye Shiqi’s silent gaze toward her father and mother. She didn’t want to elaborate further. Suggesting now, in front of her family, was merely offering advice early.

If her family didn’t agree with the proposal this time, when she grew up a bit and gained the ability, she would hire a teacher herself.

Even in her previous life and in ancient times, the principle that knowledge changes destiny has always been unchanging.

Especially in ancient times when there was a lack of medicine and medical knowledge, she wanted to learn medicine if possible–a thought she kept to herself.

She would proceed with each of her ideas step by step, knowing that her family wasn’t yet able to fulfill every one of her requests.

Her parents might be indulgent, but their means were limited.

The other Ye sisters merely looked at Ye Shiqi, then at the adults, not daring to speak up.

Mrs. Li was silent as she fed her son or ate her own meal. It seemed that in this household, she didn’t have the right to make decisions, yet she silently supported her husband and daughters.

Her youngest daughter always had many whimsical ideas, one after another. Her quirky nature sometimes caught her off-guard.

But she did agree with hiring a teacher to educate the children. After several months of working at the Tang Family estate and being around the Young Master, she saw firsthand how children taught by new methods were smarter.

After studying with a teacher for a month or two, the children’s academic performance was quite good, and she, as their mother, also wanted to learn a few characters.

She deeply understood that life was hard for farm girls who knew nothing in their homes.

To say that it was useless for girls to recognize words was wrong; literate girls had higher value, which wasn’t solely about marriage prospects–they could benefit for a lifetime.

If she could afford it, she would also support her daughter learning musical instruments. Her family’s girls were no less than others, perhaps only lacking money. They as a couple would work hard to earn and strive to fulfill all their children’s requests. Like any parents, they hoped for their daughters to soar. Even as a farmer’s wife, she shared this aspiration.

The way Lady Tang treated her several times, she knew it might partly be because the young Master was close to him. Another reason was her being a poor, illiterate farmer’s wife, which led to the disdain.

But what was wrong with being a farmer’s wife? She always believed that as long as she did nothing dishonest, she was not inferior to anyone.

She may not know how to read, but she did not want her children to end up like her. When they grew up, they would have a wider sky to explore.

Who knew if the girls would be limited to just their little piece of land when they grew up?

Over a year ago, she never imagined that today she would be like a landlady, a boss’s wife.

With capability came change, a profound realization she had gained this past year.

Mrs. Li gave her husband a meaningful glance.

Initially, Hongji was confused and hadn’t yet responded. Hearing his parents and family members’ objections, he couldn’t speak up right away.

It wasn’t that he also opposed the idea; he just didn’t understand why his daughter wanted to hire a teacher to teach them music.

Hiring a teacher and buying instruments was no small matter–the instruments were not cheap. Right now, he was investing all his money into the estate, which was why he couldn’t voice his opinion immediately.

After receiving his wife’s glance, the couple shared an understanding. They told the family to think over it and discuss it later.

With Hongji speaking up, the matter was shelved for the time being.

Ye Shiqi didn’t have a big reaction. She had spoken at the dinner table just to inform them; the rest could be discussed slowly with her father.