Previously, Shen Yun would faint during every examination due to his poor health.
Now, with his wife, Xiao Qi, who knows medicine, by his side, he was sure to shine in the imperial examinations next spring.
Zhao Liushun had great confidence in Shen Yun and, as an elder, offered him some words of encouragement.
He then shared with Su Xiao Qi the situation of each student in their small classroom.
He used the scoring and evaluation form that Su Xiao Qi had made for him.
It wasn't just focused on academics; there were five major categories: Morality, Intelligence, Physicality, Aesthetics, and Labor.
Morality covered ideological and moral character, while Intelligence included but was not limited to academics.
Physicality referred to physical education and exercise.
Aesthetics used artistic appreciation as an assessment standard.
Labor was straightforward, simply observing whether the students were diligent and enjoyed manual work.
After all, diligence ensured one would never go hungry, regardless of the era.
Su Xiao Qi carefully reviewed the evaluation form and discovered that Xiao Yi, who rarely attended classes, had the best academic performance.
He also showed great talent in aesthetics, excelling in drawing and possessing strong analytical and summarization skills.
However, his performance in physicality and labor was somewhat lacking.
In Zhao Liushun's words, he was the type who avoided physical exertion, preferring to sit if possible and lie down if given the chance.
Yet, if it was something he was passionate about, he would be the most proactive and exceptionally persistent, only letting go after ensuring it was done perfectly.
"Then this aspect needs to be strengthened," Su Xiao Qi remarked.
The other students, like Xiao Er and Xiao San Zi, were also unbalanced.
Either they excelled in academics, physical activities, or diligence and labor, or they were skilled in drawing. None of them had developed comprehensively.
Su Xiao Qi sighed and looked at Shen Yun, "Am I setting my standards too high?"
Shen Yun pondered for a moment, then calmly revealed, "Whether your standards are high, my wife, I do not know. But you certainly don't need to hold them to my standards."
Su Xiao Qi blinked, initially finding Shen Yun's words reasonable.
Not everyone could be as exceptional as Shen Yun, excelling in everything.
No, but when she saw the expression on Shen Yun's face again, she felt something was amiss with his statement.
Her mind raced, and she understood.
Alright, Shen Yun was teasing her, implying that she shouldn't use him as a benchmark for everyone else since she wasn't looking for a husband.
Su Xiao Qi shot him a glare and said, exasperated, "You are very good, but you are not the best."
He was intelligent, academically gifted, strategic, and would make a good official, but he wasn't the best husband.
At least, not in her heart.
Shen Yun's handsome face darkened slightly, and the light in his eyes instantly sharpened.
He instinctively grasped Su Xiao Qi's hand, "What do you mean by that, my wife?" Did she have someone else in her heart?
Su Xiao Qi felt a sting as Shen Yun's grip tightened. She gently struggled.
She suddenly remembered that Shen Yun was not an easy person to deal with.
She had been foolish to speak her mind so frankly to him just now. Was she tired of living, or did she want Shen Yun to become fixated on her?
She quickly tried to backtrack, her large eyes sparkling, and showered him with sweet words, "No, I mean, husband, you are excellent. Your studies are good, you're handsome, you have a good physique..."
Shen Yun's expression softened slightly. He loosened his grip on Su Xiao Qi's hand but didn't let go.
He heard Su Xiao Qi's internal thoughts: "You scared me half to death! Oh my god, what did I just say? Why would I say that to a future powerful minister who might turn dark? Am I trying to die?"
Su Xiao Qi watched helplessly as Shen Yun's handsome brows furrowed, and an unnamable fire burned in his deep eyes.
A shiver ran down her spine. She wanted to stop, but her inner thoughts seemed to be beyond her control.
Her mind began to wander wildly: "No way, no way, can this powerful minister hear my thoughts? Impossible, he's neither reborn nor transmigrated. Why would he have this golden finger? I'm definitely overthinking it."
Su Xiao Qi calmed herself and secretly glanced at Shen Yun.
She saw him staring at her, his long, narrow eyes fixed on her with an almost tangible sharpness.
She flinched.
Her fear of him was ingrained in her bones, whether it was the original owner's feelings or her own.
In any case, whenever Shen Yun frowned or his expression changed, her heart would falter.
Shen Yun sensed that Su Xiao Qi was actually afraid of him, which hurt him.
He had tried so hard to treat her well; didn't she see it at all?
Moreover, he spoke gently and acted amiably in front of her, never revealing his fierce side. How could she be afraid of him?
Unable to ask these questions in front of her uncle, he had to put them aside for the moment and awkwardly changed the subject, "In the 360 professions, every trade has its master. If academics aren't their forte, learning a craft is also good. Why not ask them what they like and hire masters for each respective trade to teach them?"
Coincidentally, Zhao Liushun sensed the awkward atmosphere between the young couple and naturally followed Shen Yun's lead to change the topic, "Brother Yun is right. Actually, Xiao Qi, you don't need to worry too much. The current conditions are already very good compared to their starting point. Regarding hiring masters, that's a feasible idea."
Zhao Liushun asked Su Xiao Qi to go inside and chat with them individually to see what they liked, then they could find suitable masters for them.
Meanwhile, Shen Yun went to see Shen Er Dan, who was dedicated to his studies.
Zhao Liushun told him that this child was also talented.
Although not as brilliant as Shen Yun once was, he possessed a certain drive.
"From now on, I probably won't be able to teach him anymore," Zhao Liushun suggested that Shen Yun find a more specialized teacher for Shen Er Dan.
After all, he was definitely a promising candidate for the imperial examinations and an official career.
Shen Yun nodded, indicating he would keep this in mind.
At the same time, he began searching internally for someone suitable to be Er Dan's teacher.
Su Xiao Qi walked around the spacious classroom. Everyone was delighted to see her and quickly gathered around.
Coincidentally, Xiao Xique was also there today.
Su Xiao Qi hadn't seen her for quite some time and had genuinely missed her.
So, she asked why Xiao Xique wasn't at Chen Jin Ji today.
Xiao Xique threw herself into her arms, squirming and affectionately saying she missed her. She then explained, "Aunt Chen and Brother Chen have returned. They said Xiao Shi and Xiao Twelve and I have worked hard these past few days, so they specifically gave us two days off to rest at home. I still have quite a few characters I haven't fully recognized, so I came here to learn from Mr. Zhao."
For them, life now was infinitely better than before.
They had food, drink, shelter, clothing, education, and the opportunity to earn money.
Previously, let alone reading and writing, it was difficult even to eat their fill and stay warm.
Therefore, she often told her younger siblings to cherish the current times.
When opportunities to learn arose, they should never waste them.
The money and provisions given by others would eventually run out, but the skills learned were their own.
Hearing Xiao Xique's words, Su Xiao Qi felt a surge of joy.
She gave Xiao Xique a thumbs-up, praising her words and positive outlook.
She didn't regret helping them at all!
In fact, Chen Jin Niang had mentioned to Su Xiao Qi when she went to Yizhou Prefecture that after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the business at the shop would gradually return to normal.
Furthermore, the shop had hired two articulate women to help sell pastries.
So, it wasn't busy right now.
However, Xiao Xique's dedication to actively improving herself outside of work was truly surprising to her.
At the same time, she felt reassured. With their ambition, they would grow faster and eventually become capable of handling matters independently.
"Study hard, and strive to achieve great things in the future," Su Xiao Qi encouraged everyone.
Xiao Xique, however, lifted her chin and said, "I don't want to do great things. I just want to follow you, Sister Xiao Qi. Please don't send me away. Is that okay?"
Su Xiao Qi chuckled. She understood Xiao Xique's attachment to the original owner and immediately promised, "Alright, as long as you study diligently, you will absolutely have endless opportunities following me."
Everyone listening erupted in excitement.
They had watched Sister Xiao Qi grow up.
From being beggars like them, she had now opened so many shops, could support them, and provided them with so many opportunities to work and earn money.
Xiao Xique was very excited. She secretly vowed in her heart to study hard and learn more skills.
In the future, wherever Sister Xiao Qi needed her to go, she would go, and whatever she needed her to do, she would do.