Chapter 63 Reward System

  Under the gaze of three people, a hunchbacked old woman slowly walked in, her white hair disheveled, wearing clothes full of patches, with a cane in her right hand, walking very slowly, as if every step took all her strength, yet her pale and thin face seemed to show some malnutrition.

  Looking at the poor and disheveled old woman, Yun Wanceng's heart moved, and she hurried over to support her, saying softly: "Auntie, what brings you to the academy?"

  The old lady raised her head, slightly opening her cloudy old eyes. She had never seen such a remarkable woman before, truly having the beauty to shame the moon and flowers. Moreover, this young lady was kind-hearted, softly saying: "I'm looking for the Dean of Studies."

  Zhu Ziming looked at her, she came here, should be for her own children, could it be that she also came to make up the class, if so, this old woman might not be able to afford it.

  Yan Yilie glanced at Zhu Brother and smiled: "Auntie, what are you looking for him about?"

  "Is it about your grandson's class assignment?"

  The old lady nodded her head, but then shook it again, leaving people wondering what she meant.

  At her age, the old lady must have been a treasured grandmother whose grandson was studying at Mingli Academy. Yun Wenyin found it strange that there were no other elderly relatives in their household, so why would they send an elderly woman who had difficulty walking to the academy?

  The old lady undoubtedly came in through the back door, and all three of them subconsciously confirmed this.

  However, after the old lady moved her lips a few times, she said: "I came for my grandson, but not for the class division, but rather..."

  The old lady found it hard to speak out, hesitated for half a day and said: "But my wife is useless, can't even pay the tuition fees for our grandson, so I came here, hoping that you young masters and mistresses would be kind and give us a few more days' extension, so that my wife can raise the money to pay the tuition fees."

  The academy of the State of Yan, the overall tuition is three guan per month, and one guan is equal to one or two silver coins. Therefore, these three or two silver coins are difficult for ordinary families to afford, and most of the children who can attend this academy have a relatively affluent family background.

  Mingli Academy, although its rules and regulations are vastly different from other academies, charges the same tuition fees - three to two silver coins. For this poor old lady, it's as difficult as ascending to heaven.

  For her grandson, she gritted her teeth and insisted on sending him to Mingli Academy to study, even if it meant losing face, personally coming to the academy to ask for help.

  Yun Wenyin's eyes became slightly moist, and her voice was somewhat choked as she said: "Grandma, is there anyone else in your household?"

  The old lady shook her head: "His parents died early, leaving only me and him. He studied hard every day and also went to the fields to do some odd jobs. Now that he's entered the academy, he has to study every day and can't supplement the family income anymore. As for me, this old woman, I can only pick some wild vegetables every day to barely get by..."

  Considering the current situation of the old lady, the words "give her a few more days" are somewhat empty talk. All three of them were mentally prepared.

  "My grandson is now studying hard, and in the future he will definitely pass the imperial examination and become a high-ranking official. At that time, he will surely repay you tenfold or even a hundredfold," The old woman had already guessed what they were thinking and hastily said, almost kneeling down.

  "Mother-in-law, we didn't mean it," Yan Yulin said: "May I ask what your grandson's name is."

  "The old lady said: 'His name is Sun Peng.'"

  Sun Peng? Yun Wenyue was stunned for a moment, why did this name sound so familiar. As she muttered to herself, her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up: "Sun Peng, wasn't he the one who got first place in this exam?"

  This old lady's grandson is the top student in the academy? Zhu Ziming was surprised, but he felt that it was indeed a talented person from a humble background, and only those who have suffered know the importance of reading.

  "Mother," Zhu Ziming smiled and said: "It turns out that your grandson is first in class, you worried for nothing."

  The old lady looked at this silent black-faced young man and didn't know what he meant by saying that.

  "Mother-in-law, this is the head teacher you were looking for," Yan Yulin introduced.

  The old lady looked at Zhu Ziming and said in a low voice: "Sir, what did you mean by your words?"

  The teaching director is not considered a big deal, Zhu Ziming smiled and said: "Auntie, you don't know, our academy has a new rule that specially rewards students who study hard. The first place in the exam will be rewarded with 10 taels of silver by the academy, so you don't have to worry at all."

  Is this really happening? The old lady couldn't believe her ears, and in her excitement, the cane she was holding almost fell over due to a tremble in her palm, causing her entire body to nearly fall over. Fortunately, Yun Cairen was by her side to support her.

  Zhu Ziming smiled and nodded: "If your grandson can be the first in class every month, this reward will not only cover his tuition fees but also leave some savings for him to go to Beijing to take the imperial examination."

  Who would have thought that being good at reading books could also earn money? The old lady was delighted, her toothless mouth slightly open with joy. At first, her grandson insisted on coming to Mingli Book Academy, and it turned out he had his reasons.

  Tears glistened in Yun's beautiful eyes, and it was unclear whether she was moved or not. She simply looked at Zhu Ziming gently. When did the academy have this reward system? It must be that he had just thought of it to deceive this old woman. However, his intentions were not something ordinary people could achieve.

  It's a win-win situation where the old lady doesn't have to be so humble, she can rest assured, and it also motivates the top student in the academy to study harder.

  Thought so thoroughly, really painstaking.

  He was indeed a good person with both good and bad qualities, Yun Wenyue's heart rippled with subtle waves as she gazed at him with eyes like spring water, but in her heart, she didn't know what she was thinking.

  Zhu Ziming took out ten taels of silver from the cabinet and handed them over to the old lady. Even if it were a hundred taels of silver, it would not be considered much for Zhu Ziming nowadays. However, these ten taels of silver represented encouragement and help. If there was more money, the meaning would change.

  "Thank you, sir, thank you, sir......" The old woman took the silver with tears of gratitude, holding the ten taels of silver in both hands, yet feeling as if it weighed a thousand catties.

  The old woman said thank you a few more times, then tremblingly held the silver in her palm and slowly walked out of the room.

  "Brother Zhu, ah..." Yan Yining walked over and patted his shoulder, but for a moment didn't know what to say, Brother Zhu having such kindness is truly rare.

  However, Zhu Ziming seemed as if he hadn't heard him speak at all, staring blankly into the distance.

  "Brother Zhu!"

  When Yan Yunli called out again, Zhu Ziming slowly came back to his senses: "I feel like something is off."

  "What's wrong?" Yan Yili asked, perplexed.

  Zhu Ziming's eyes lit up, and he stretched out his hands: "That's right! We've already divided the silver equally, how can I take all ten taels? It should be split evenly, take five taels."

  Both of them fainted.

  ;