Qi Jiao thought for a moment, then looked at Pei Jin with a smile. "In that case, A Jin, you should go to school with A Li."
Pei Jin was taken aback.
Qi Jiao continued, "Leave the money - making to your brother and me. You can just focus on your studies. Reading can help you understand principles and distinguish right from wrong. Both men and women should keep learning."
Suddenly, Pei Jin felt her eyes well up with tears and her nose turn sour.
Pei Jin, of course, knew the many benefits of reading. However, the environment she was in imposed too many restrictions on women.
Women were not allowed to study, take the imperial examinations, or do business.
They couldn't do this or that. It seemed that getting married and having children was the only path left for them.
She didn't want that.
She knew that she could be like Sister Jiao Niang, learning skills, realizing her value, and providing a better life for herself and her family.
But in this world, there were too few ways out for girls. Not every young lady could be as capable as Sister Jiao Niang.
Before Pei Jin could say a word, Tang Guiniang's expression became complicated. "Jiao Niang, I know you mean well, but our family isn't well - off. It's already a stretch to send A Li to school. If we send A Jin too..."
Qi Jiao understood immediately and quickly said, "Mother, don't worry. I'll pay for A Jin's tuition."
With a clear and pure look in her eyes, she said, "Letting A Jin go to school, no matter what the future holds, will make her more open - minded and resilient. She'll naturally exude a certain strength."
Qi Jiao then turned to Tang Guiniang earnestly. "Mother, you don't want A Jin to just revolve around her husband and children in the future, do you? She should have her own life."
Qi Jiao wasn't afraid of offending Tang Guiniang when she said this.
For thousands of years, even illiterate old women knew that "All trades are inferior, only reading is noble."
It wasn't to belittle other occupations, but because reading was truly the only proper way for ordinary people to change their fates.
How difficult it was!
In this era, even if a woman was extremely learned and virtuous, she couldn't become an official.
But at least her heart would be fulfilled and her thinking would be independent. She could live for herself and choose the life she wanted.
Instead of being swept away by the tide of the times and sinking into numbness.
Qi Jiao's decision surprised and deeply touched the Pei family.
Especially Pei Jin. She held Qi Jiao's hand tightly, choking with sobs and unable to speak.
No one knew how much she envied her brothers. They were born with multiple rights, while she was just a young lady.
Even though her parents and brothers loved her very much.
But now, something had changed.
Her sister - in - law, Sister Jiao Niang, was like a beam of light illuminating her world.
All Pei Jin could manage to say through her tears was, "Sister is so good to me. I don't know how to repay you."
Qi Jiao smiled. "It's not a big deal. As long as you're happy, I'm happy."
Pei Xia knew that Qi Jiao was kind - hearted and good - natured, but he never knew she could be so considerate. She was like the finest warm jade from Lantian, silently nourishing others.
At this moment, Pei Xia felt ashamed of himself.
He hadn't thought as comprehensively as Jiao Niang.
He hadn't put himself in A Jin's shoes.
At the same time, an indescribable joy welled up in his heart. How could he be so lucky to be Jiao Niang's husband!
After the New Year's Eve dinner, the fishermen in Yinwan would go to the seaside to burn paper, offer incense, and then pour fruits and food into the sea to sacrifice to the sea god and their ancestors.
Many of the villagers were very skillful. During the New Year, every household would make sea lanterns.
When Qi Jiao and the others arrived at the beach, they saw that the shallow sea area was filled with large and colorful sea lanterns. This year was the Year of the Rabbit. There were pure - white jade rabbits, cute gray rabbits, and nimble white rabbits, and so on.
In addition, there were all kinds of colorful lanterns. Although it wasn't as grand as the lantern festival in the prefectural city, it had its own unique excitement.
The naughty children in the village ran around merrily with maltose in their hands. Lovers sat shoulder to shoulder on the beach, cuddling with each other. The old people squinted into the distance at the bright lanterns and stars, with a peaceful smile on their faces.
The lanterns were flickering. Qi Jiao looked around, and for the first time, she felt a strong and real sense of belonging to this era.
Suddenly, someone beside her took her hand.
The fingers were cold, but the palm was dry and warm. It was someone she could rely on and trust.
Pei Xia whispered, "Jiao Niang, look."
Qi Jiao shifted her gaze from his handsome side profile. She heard a series of crackling sounds. Someone had set off firecrackers by the sea.
Suddenly, the sound died down, and dazzling and gorgeous fireworks bloomed in the sky, like a magnificent dream.
The sky was ablaze with fireworks, shining brightly.
Qi Jiao looked up and saw countless fireworks exploding. A gentle and peaceful smile appeared on her face. Suddenly, she felt something heavy on her hair.
Pei Xia's sleeve moved away, and it was obvious that there was something new on her head.
Pei Xia stared at her. His eyebrows were cold and handsome, but his eyes were filled with such deep tenderness that it seemed to be overflowing. His voice was as clear as the clashing of metal and stone, and every word hit Qi Jiao's heart. "Jiao Niang, I've fallen for you."
Qi Jiao was stunned for a moment, and then she immediately understood the origin of the seaside fireworks.
She had just seen Zhai Si and A Li waving at them over there.
"Did you prepare all this?"
Pei Xia nodded and gave her a charming smile.
Qi Jiao thought his smile was just as charming and unique as the fireworks.
It was hard not to be captivated by such a Pei Xia.
She reached out and hooked her fingers with Pei Xia's. Her voice, accompanied by the sea breeze, was like a whisper. "I like you too."
Maybe the wind was too strong.
Or maybe Pei Xia had poor hearing.
He asked again, "What did you say?"
Qi Jiao repeated it.
Pei Xia still didn't hear clearly.
Qi Jiao was both angry and amused. She stood on tiptoe, grabbed his ear, and shouted, "You're doing this on purpose! I'm speechless!"
Pei Xia didn't seem to understand her words, but from the bright smile on his face, it was obvious that he had heard what Qi Jiao had said before.
The two of them played around, looking at the sea and the lanterns.
Some talented aunts, uncles, and young people gathered around a bonfire. Everyone danced and sang around it, having a great time.
Pei Xia pulled Qi Jiao into the crowd. Both of them were clumsy dancers.
They either stepped on each other's feet or got their hair tangled, but they enjoyed it so much that they didn't stop until midnight. Then they finally went home reluctantly.
With the continuous sound of firecrackers, the old year passed away.
A new year had arrived.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family was sleeping.
There was nothing to do if you got up early, so going back to bed was the right thing to do.
Qi Jiao woke up early but didn't get out of bed.
She lay in the quilt, playing with the gift Pei Xia had given her last night.
It was a gold hairpin in the shape of a double - petaled hibiscus, elegant and beautiful.
Pei Xia had confessed his love to her with this hairpin, and after they got home, he had formally proposed marriage to her.
Qi Jiao had a sweet smile on her face. Her eyes were filled with so much affection. "Although giving a gold hairpin is a bit clichéd, I like it."
She liked the hairpin, and she liked A Xia. No matter if it was made of gold, jade, or wood, as long as it was from him, she liked it.
Pei Xia was a bit nervous at first, but after she said that, he couldn't help laughing.
He glanced at Qi Jiao. "Really?"
Qi Jiao immediately handed the hairpin to him. "Touch it. My love for you is truer than real gold."
Pei Xia put the hairpin in her hair. His joy was evident, and he couldn't help but kiss her black hair, which smelled faintly of perfume.
When should they get married? They had to pick a good day as soon as possible.
During the New Year, Qi Jiao and the Pei family feasted on fish and meat every day.
Even though Qi Jiao was an excellent cook, the family still got a bit tired of such rich food.
Soon, it was time to pay a New Year visit to the Ye family.