Ah Wang explained, "She teaches me how to braid hair, and I teach her basic reading and writing."

He added, "Si Niang goes to school with braids now, haven’t you noticed, madam?"

Qin Yao was taken aback, "Isn’t it Mrs. Li who helps her braid?"

Mrs. Li, busy in the kitchen, was suddenly mentioned and quickly stuck her head out to explain, "Madam, these past few days it’s been Steward Ah Wang braiding the Fourth Miss’s hair."

Qin Yao took a deep breath; indeed, the braids were just average.

Ah Wang said, "Kids also judge people by their appearance. Children who dress well and look more refined are less likely to be bullied."

Qin Yao blatantly supported Song Zhang, the County Magistrate, although the Ding Family wouldn’t openly oppose him; they wouldn’t miss a chance to cause trouble at school.

Qin Yao’s face darkened, but rather than anger, she appeared unusually puzzled.

It was her first time raising children too, and she was unsure how to do it properly for their benefit, relying solely on imitation. But in reality, that was not the case at all.

Every family’s situation is different; each child’s personality is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all model.

Ah Wang said, "They won’t go too far, and these small issues can serve as practice, allowing the siblings to understand the dangers of human nature."

Qin Yao understood Ah Wang’s meaning—he didn’t want the adults to get involved.

She remained calm, "I’m not planning to intervene, but I think it’s time for a short family meeting."

It is quite exasperating that matters are not being discussed with the adults!

Ah Wang looked back towards the village well, where the laughter of Second Lang and Si Niang could be heard from afar, showing just how much fun they were having.

Poor kids, they don’t even know the storm that’s coming. Ah Wang silently lit a row of candles for these siblings in his heart.

However, they should escape tonight’s predicament since the County Magistrate and others haven’t left yet. Qin Yao wouldn’t choose this time to hold a ’discipline the kids’ meeting.

Song Zhang and his entourage left the nursery late at night; it was already too late to rush back to the county town.

Since the village couldn’t accommodate so many people, the village chiefs who lived closer left first, while those who were further away stayed at Liu the carpenter’s guesthouse.

This concept of a guesthouse was introduced to people outside of Liu Family Village for the first time.

As for Song Zhang, he didn’t visit any family or bring anyone with him; instead, he stopped the four Da Lang siblings who were about to return home for dinner and followed them to Qin Yao’s house.

Upon entering, he acted as if he was very familiar with the place, first checking on Mrs. Li in the kitchen, then inspecting the chicken coop in the backyard to see how Little Lai Fu was doing, ensuring they were accustomed to the place from their previous time as masters of the house.

Seeing that they were living joyfully, and with the dishes already served, Mrs. Li and Little Lai Fu left, returning to the main room for dinner.

His white cotton outfit was already soiled and clumped with mud.

Da Lang, being a thoughtful child, with a bit of admiration, a touch of respect, and a sense of politeness, brought a clean set of clothes from Liu Ji for him to change into.

Since the muddy clothes couldn’t dry quickly after washing, they were hung up to be shaken out of the mud chunks tomorrow morning to be worn again.

After changing into Liu Ji’s plain clothes, Song Zhang looked even more down-to-earth. If he didn’t say anything, no one would guess he was the County Magistrate.

Song Zhang was completely unpretentious, showing interest in the children’s hobbies and schoolwork, surprising the Da Lang siblings with such attention.

Si Niang directly said, "Sir, you’re really not like an official lord."

Song Zhang laughed and asked, "I am one—so if I’m not like one, then what is an official lord supposed to be like?"

Si Niang boldly blinked her eyes, and seeing no one stopped her, she knew she could speak freely. She stood up, puffed out her little belly, touched her chin, and walked with her feet turned outwards.

"A big belly, caressing the beard, eyes looking at the ceiling, the chin never pointing downwards; when meeting people, they should shout: ’You audacious commoners! Bow down before this official!’"

The little girl’s act was so comical that Second Lang and Sanlang couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Da Lang also had a smile playing on his lips, trying to suppress his laughter.

Only the adults at the table remained silent, unable to laugh.

Song Zhang sighed, maintaining a forced smile, telling Si Niang that not all officials are like what she portrayed.

"Little Fourth Sister, you must believe that there are more good people in this world."

Si Niang nodded repeatedly, showing her belief.

The little girl explained, "Uncle Magistrate, don’t be angry. I was playing a bad person, not a good person like you."

Song Zhang patted her head, adorning a finely woven bun, thinking how intelligent and adorable this little girl was.

How a fierce mother like Qin Yao raised such a sweet child was beyond understanding.

Having eaten to their fill, Song Zhang rested his chin on his hand, asking, "What kind of husband would you like to marry when you grow up, Si Niang?"

Qin Yao coughed heavily twice, flashing a warning look that almost seemed tangible, ready to pierce him.

Song Zhang quickly shifted the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up, Si Niang?"

Si Niang smiled widely, answering loudly, "When I grow up, I want to overthrow all the bad officials who bully the people!"

Song Zhang was momentarily stunned, realizing it was just a child’s naïve talk, coaxing her:

"Then you must become an Imperial Censor."

Si Niang asked excitedly, "What is an Imperial Censor?"

Song Zhang explained, "The role of an Imperial Censor is to tour on behalf of the Emperor, reporting major issues and making quick decisions on minor ones. Known as ’巡方御史’, they primarily oversee provincial officials, having the authority of a mere seventh-rank position but the power to impeach second-rank and third-rank officials, making them low in rank but high in power."

Si Niang listened intently, repeating every word Song Zhang said, as if to deeply engrave the duties and authority of an Imperial Censor in her heart.

Song Zhang stayed at Qin Yao’s place overnight and went with them to inspect the watermelon field the following morning. After lunch, he finally left.

Before leaving, several villages made repeated attempts to get watermelon seeds from Liu Family Village to grow back home.

Those who had seen it from outside knew that watermelon sold massively in summer and could definitely make a fortune.

Song Zhang intended to let other villages try as well, but Qin Yao didn’t engage.

As if anticipating that he would bring it up again, Qin Yao didn’t even join them for lunch, dealing with only the village chief, Clan Leader, and Liu Dafu throughout.

Liu Dafu, naturally talking in circles, said the watermelon issue was different from rice planting.

One is basic survival—without rice, people can starve to death.

The other is an enterprise that fills up the wallet.

If others’ wallets get fatter, theirs get thinner.

Moreover, not having it just makes one poorer, not dead. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

But if their profitable enterprise is handed over to others, what about the people of Liu Family Village?

On this matter, Liu Dafu couldn’t decide, and even if the County Magistrate intervened, he still couldn’t make this decision. Otherwise, the villagers would kill him.

The village chiefs of other towns were reluctant to give up easily, wanting to learn for their families even if they couldn’t find a way to grow watermelons for the villagers.

It was at this moment that the village chief, seemingly overwhelmed, suddenly started coughing heavily, telling the village chief of Jinshi Town that he intended to resign from his position, letting promising youngsters in the village replace him.

The village chief’s statement shocked everyone, making them forget about the watermelon cultivation method.