My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 32 Doubts

When Lin Ziping and Zhuzi returned to the Lin residence, the sun was already setting. Granny Liao was already waiting at the door. When she saw Lin Ziping, she stepped forward and took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

"Young Master, it's a bit later than usual today." Granny Liao then looked at Zhu Zi and said, "Zhu Zi, is it because you didn't serve the Young Master well?"

Lin Ziping felt something was off about what Granny Liao said, but after thinking about it carefully, he couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange. He stopped thinking about it and gave Granny Liao a peach blossom he had picked on the way, saying, "I walked a little slowly today, so I came back a little late. Granny, this is a flower for you. Is it pretty?"

Granny Liao took the peach blossom and smiled happily. Indeed, no girl dislikes flowers (‐＾▽＾‐).

Lin Ziping handed the book in his other hand to Zhu Zi, gesturing for him to leave first.

Zhu Zi looked at Granny Liao, who nodded. Zhu Zi then bowed, holding the book, and took his leave.

"Granny, is Uncle home now?" Lin Ziping asked.

"It just so happens that the master is back today."

Lin Ziping stopped walking towards his own courtyard and turned towards Lin Zhong's courtyard: "Granny, I'm going to my uncle's courtyard now."

Granny Liao hugged Lin Ziping: "Young Master, why are you in such a hurry? Look how dirty your hands and face are. Let's go back to the courtyard to wash up first. Master has already arranged for us to have dinner in his courtyard later."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziping looked at his hands. Were they dirty? He hadn't done anything today. However, every day after school, Granny Liao would arrange for him to wash up. Perhaps this was an ancient custom. Although he didn't know the reason, he still chose to respect it.

Lin Ziping turned back from Lin Zhong's courtyard and walked towards his own. After washing up as usual, he strolled around the courtyard before returning to his study to take out a calligraphy copybook and begin practicing calligraphy.

Without a cell phone and watch, he couldn't check the time at any time, and an hour seemed to stretch on endlessly. Without a cell phone, he also lost many forms of entertainment. Lin Ziping was immersed in his own world until Granny Liao called him to Lin Zhong's courtyard for dinner. Only then did he put down his pen, tidy his desk, stretch his slightly sore neck, wash the ink off his hands with water from the basin stand, and follow Granny Liao to Lin Zhong's courtyard.

Lin Zhong was already waiting at the table. After the two finished eating, Lin Zhong tested Lin Ziping on what he had learned, which felt like a parent checking homework. Fortunately, although he was not used to the teacher's teaching style, he still remembered what the teacher said and was able to answer Lin Zhong's questions.

After the examination, Lin Zhong smiled and said, "Ziping has been doing very well in his studies recently, but he can't slack off."

"Yes." Lin Ziping bowed.

"Ziping, when is the next day off?" Lin Zhong asked.

Lin Ziping thought for a moment: "Eight days later."

I am truly grateful that the academy now operates on a ten-day weekend system, adjusting class times according to different seasons and types of classes. Now, elementary school students work from 8 am to 5 pm, no longer needing to experience the "blessing" of 996 and 007 work schedules in this era.

“Perfect timing. Magistrate Ji is preparing a flower-viewing banquet in eight days. You will come with me to the banquet. You should thank Magistrate Ji properly for his help beforehand.”

Lin Ziping was delighted that he could go out and see the banquet. "Great! Uncle, I'd like to go out soon to personally prepare a thank-you gift for Magistrate Ji."

Lin Zhong was taken aback: "Speaking of which, Ziping hasn't gone out much since he fell into the water. He should go out and play with his classmates and friends."

Lin Ziping didn't know what had happened to the original owner, but he had gone out during the Lantern Festival and almost didn't make it back. He had indeed been too much of a homebody and should go out and see the world.

"Take Master Li or Master Zhang with you when you go out, and Zhu Zi should come along too." Lin Zhong seemed to have thought about the Lantern Festival and gave him his instructions with concern.

Upon hearing Lin Zhong mention Zhu Zi, Lin Ziping hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Uncle, I'm about to start elementary school, and the academy won't allow servants anymore. What will happen to Zhu Zi then?"

Lin Zhong took a sip of water and said, "It's true that once you start kindergarten, you can't bring a page anymore. Ziping, don't worry about this. I'll discuss it with Steward Tao and Granny Liao."

"Uncle, I think we can arrange for Zhuzi, Shunzi, and Xiaoya to go to school together. That way, I can ask them questions if I don't understand something, and we can also learn from each other. In the future, they will have a skill to rely on when they go to the shop." Seeing that Lin Zhong had not yet considered this matter, Lin Ziping quickly expressed his idea.

Lin Zhong was somewhat surprised. He glanced at Lin Ziping for a moment and said, "Zhu Zi can continue his studies, but he probably can't go to Moshan Academy. I'll have Steward Tao ask other academies. As for Shun Zi, I have other arrangements. Ziping, you don't need to worry."

Seeing that Lin Zhong hadn't made any arrangements for Xiao Ya, Lin Ziping asked, "Where's Xiao Ya?"

"What kind of logic is there for women to read and write?" Lin Zhong frowned. "Besides, Qingyang isn't the capital, so where would you find a girls' academy?"

"Then I..."

"Young Master!"

Lin Ziping was about to blurt out that she was also a girl when she was suddenly interrupted by Liao Mama's stern voice.

Lin Ziping stared blankly at Granny Liao, who was hurrying in.

"Master, it's getting late, I should take the young master back now," said Granny Liao.

Lin Zhong stared at Granny Liao for a while, then looked at Lin Ziping and said, "Ziping, go and rest early. I will take care of Zhuzi, Shunzi, and Xiaoya."

Lin Ziping wanted to say something more, but his hand was gripped so tightly by Granny Liao that it hurt a little. He withdrew what he was about to say, bowed to Lin Zhong, and left Lin Zhong's courtyard with Granny Liao.

Granny Liao walked briskly ahead, carrying a lantern.

Lin Ziping pondered Lin Zhong's words, recalling Ji Xun's mention of Empress Zhou's past rule. If this meant women were already in power in this era, why were women's academies only located in the capital? And why were women's education and literacy restricted? Also, Liao Mama's interruption seemed out of character for the usually disciplined Liao Mama. The atmosphere between Liao Mama and Lin Zhong had also been rather strange…

Full of questions, they returned to the courtyard with Granny Liao, which was pitch black.

“Young master, I know you are kind-hearted, but Zhu Zi, Shun Zi, and Xiao Ya have their own arrangements. You can’t talk to the master like that next time.”

Granny Liao went into the room and lit a candle. The candlelight illuminated her face, which was swaying slightly, perhaps because it was newly lit and not very stable. This also made Granny Liao's face look somewhat distorted.

What did he say to Lin Zhong? Lin Ziping had another question mark above his head, biting his lower lip without saying a word.

"Do you remember when I told you not to let anyone else know you're a girl?"

"Uncle is no one else." Lin Ziping's doubts deepened, but he still shamelessly acted cute and pretended to be aggrieved.

Granny Liao sighed, "I'm worried that others might overhear and harm the young master."

Who would hurt themselves?

Forget it, they won't tell me even if I ask. This Lin residence is acting strangely today!

"Granny, why are there only girls' academies in the capital? Wasn't it the Empress who became His Majesty before?" Lin Ziping pondered another question in his mind.

Granny Liao came over, patted Lin Ziping's head, and said, "Young Master will understand when he grows up. I'll go fetch water for Young Master to wash up."

As we grow up, we realize that the things adults used to tell us when we were little made us look forward to growing up. But as adults, we no longer care about the things we were so eager to know when we were kids.

Lin Ziping didn't ask any more questions. After the maid brought water, he washed himself casually and put today's matters aside for the time being.