"Mom, please, if you don't want us, no one else will. We'll just starve to death, sob..." the younger son knelt on the ground, clinging to Su Jinfeng's leg and wailing.
Customers in the shop heard the commotion and gathered around. Some began to persuade Su Jinfeng, "Let it go. Is there any grudge between mother and son that lasts overnight? Besides, you have two sons. If you don't take care of them now, who will look after you in your old age?"
"That's right, look how pitiful the children are crying."
"If a child has done wrong, it's good enough to correct it. Don't hold onto it, after all, they are just children."
Su Jinfeng listened to the words of these "good-hearted people," and her heart ached as if pierced. If these people were not customers in her shop, she would have spat on them fiercely. They were truly speaking from a position of comfort, not understanding the suffering of others, yet urging kindness upon them!
Bai Sheng looked at the two boys and exchanged a look with Consort Mei. Neither of them spoke, waiting for Su Jinfeng to handle the matter herself.
Su Jinfeng calmed her emotions and said coldly to her two sons, "Da Kang, Xiao Kang, you are no longer my sons. If you loved your mother, you wouldn't bear to see her bullied.
Young Master Bai's son, not yet two years old, knows how to protect his mother from being bullied; whereas you, one is fourteen and the other is nine this year, only seek to take from your mother, to gain something. You have no love for your mother in your hearts.
Da Kang, you are fourteen now, capable of independence. I have ten taels of silver here, my entire savings. Take it and find a place to live with your brother, then find a job that can support yourselves. Never come to find me again. If you do, I will not acknowledge you."
After speaking, Su Jinfeng stuffed the ten taels of silver into her elder son's hand and said indifferently, "Go quickly, don't delay the shop's business."
A flicker of joy flashed in the elder son's eyes. He glanced at everyone, then pulled his younger brother and turned to leave.
The two brothers had performed a great deed today and ran home excitedly.
"Dad, that woman has money. She actually took out ten taels of silver at once!" Da Kang handed the money to Lu Dapeng.
Lu Dapeng opened the money bag and looked at it, then smiled, "Yes, very good. The 'Crimson Beauty' shop is very profitable. Su Jinfeng works there, she must have earned quite a bit. Go ask her again in a while."
The two sons were beaming with joy at their father's praise.
Xiao Kang looked at Pan Shi, his stepmother, who was holding a child, and timidly asked, "Mom, can we eat our fill now?"
Pan Shi snorted coldly, "Consider yourselves lucky this time. If you dare to defy me again, I'll beat you to death!"
After scolding her two sons, Pan Shi looked at Lu Dapeng with anger, "Aren't you going to hand over the money quickly? Just like these two stupid sons of yours, all heartless!"
Lu Dapeng fawningly handed the money to his young wife.
Suddenly, his face froze. He saw Su Jinfeng standing at the doorway, her expression extremely angry.
Behind her stood many neighbors, all staring blankly at their family.
Da Kang and Xiao Kang were also stunned. They had never expected their mother to follow them.
Su Jinfeng said to her two sons, her voice trembling:
"Da Kang, Xiao Kang, for the sake of this pair of dogs and bitches, you actually colluded to defraud your own mother. Moreover, you called me 'that woman' and called this lowly creature who treats you like dogs 'Mom.' Heh, since you are willing to be base, then I will fulfill your wishes!
Su Jinfeng's greatest regret in this life is marrying this disgusting man and then giving birth to two sons who disgust me.
Don't worry, I don't want that ten taels of silver anymore. I find it dirty after being touched by those sluts!
However, Lu Da Kang, Lu Xiao Kang, I am telling you today that ten taels of silver have bought out the last shred of kinship between us mother and sons.
From this day on, our mother-son relationship is severed! If you dare to appear before me again, I won't even spare you a glance. Today, these neighbors can bear witness!"
"We can bear witness!" the neighbors said in unison. Someone had paid them ten coins to watch a spectacle and act as witnesses. There was nothing more wonderful in the world.
After speaking, Su Jinfeng turned and left.
Madam was right. It turned out her two good sons had indeed been deceiving her. Fortunately, she had listened to Madam and followed them. Otherwise, she would have been gnawed to the bone by her own flesh and blood, yet still thinking of them. Hah, nothing in this world was more base than this.
However, it was good that she had seen the truth. Although her heart ached immensely and she had lost ten taels of silver, she had completely severed ties with the two pieces of flesh that had fallen from her. She no longer harbored any illusions.
Three days later, the school was ready. Lu Tong drove the carriage to pick up Tutor Zuo.
Along with Tutor Zuo came Zuo Jiuji, who was four years old, Zuo Hai, who was five, Zuo Shan, who was seven, and Zuo An, who was ten.
The four boys were all well-formed and carried themselves with great breeding.
Bai Sheng looked at them and felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. Lu Ye felt the same way, finding a natural sense of familiarity with these children, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why.
Tutor Zuo first had the four children bow deeply to Lu Ye and Bai Sheng. Then, he said with a hint of embarrassment, "Young Master Lu, Madam Lu, Zuo Jiuji and Zuo An are my grandsons. Zuo Shan and Zuo Hai are my second brother's grandsons. They will be studying here, and I will pay their tuition.
Furthermore, my father is seriously ill, and I am very worried. Therefore, I will take the children home every two days. Thus, I will also cover the food and accommodation expenses for the four children at the school. I trouble Young Master Lu and Madam Lu."
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng exchanged glances, understanding that Tutor Zuo was proud and did not wish to take advantage of others, so they did not refuse him.
However, Bai Sheng noticed the absence of any girls and asked, "Does Tutor Zuo not have any granddaughters at home? Why not let your granddaughters study as well?"
Tutor Zuo replied, "My family has two granddaughters among my grandchildren, named Zuo Zhi and Zuo Gui. They began their early education at the age of three. Due to the separation of sexes, the two girls study at home, taught by my second and third brothers."
"Oh, I see," Bai Sheng nodded. Tutor Zuo's actions were quite commendable. After all, he was a person of ancient times, and one could not expect him to be as open-minded as a modern person.
Moreover, the Zuo family was a scholarly lineage, and every member had the ability to be a tutor. The two girls were undoubtedly literate and educated.
With the addition of the Zuo family children, the school now had 14 students.
The students' ages varied, and their learning progress differed. Managing them alone was a considerable task for Tutor Zuo, so Bai Sheng planned to hire another tutor.
Unexpectedly, before the recruitment notice could be posted, her senior brother Qing Feng volunteered.
Qing Feng said he finally knew what he liked to do; he enjoyed being a tutor. In addition to teaching academic subjects, he also planned to teach students musical instruments and theory.
Inspired by Qing Feng, Bai Sheng decided to become an arithmetic teacher, offering two classes every ten days.
Arithmetic was not highly valued in ancient times, but after engaging in business, she realized its great utility. She didn't need to teach it too deeply, just enough for practical use.
With the children's education arranged, Bai Sheng was finally at ease.
Since she was at ease, Lu Ye was also at ease.