After her birthday, A Jin told her family of her plan.
"I won't go to the private school next semester."
"Why is that?" Qi Jiao was the first to ask.
Looking into Qi Jiao's eyes, A Jin said sincerely, "Sister-in-law, I want to work with you."
A Jin voiced her long - pent - up thoughts, "Sister-in-law, I've been studying with A Li for over a year, but I don't even have the qualification for the imperial examinations. I've thought it over carefully and asked the teacher. Reading is a lifelong pursuit, and I won't easily give it up. But for now, I want to help the family and master the skills as soon as possible."
Qi Jiao understood.
She patted A Jin's hand, "Our A Jin is so sensible. Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles, since you want to come back and help me, then do so. Now that I'm cooperating with Lord Hui, I'm in dire need of capable people. It's good to have you by my side for training."
With Qi Jiao's support, A Jin's eyes curved into a smile, "Sister-in-law is so kind."
Since Qi Jiao and A Jin had reached an agreement, the others naturally had no objections.
In short, as long as it was beneficial to her development, they would fully support her.
The family chatted for a while when they heard the sound of horse bells outside the courtyard.
It turned out that Fang Qian had come.
This time, Fang Qian came alone without his subordinates.
Pei Xia stepped forward to greet him first, "I didn't know you were coming, my lord. I'm sorry I failed to welcome you properly."
Fang Qian waved his hand and followed him into the house.
Tang Guiniang gave a signal, asking Pei Jin and Qi Jiao, the two young ladies, to go into the house.
She went to make tea herself, leaving Pei Xia to talk with Lord Fang first.
Fang Qian looked around the Pei family's house and then took a seat.
He was not one to beat around the bush. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Pei Xia, he got straight to the point, "The Patrol Department needs more manpower. Do you want to join us?"
Pei Xia was taken aback, "What does your lord mean?"
Fang Qian said, "In the case of Master Fu Qi last time, you single - handedly fought against highly skilled assassins, which shows that you're a capable fighter. But more importantly, you're reliable and meticulous. I'm short of someone like you by my side, so I'd like to recruit you. As long as you're willing, once you join the Patrol Department, I'll arrange for you to be my deputy. Although it's just a case - handling clerk position, the treatment is negotiable. If you make contributions in the future, promotion is just a matter of time."
Fang Qian had handled the case of Master Fu Qi very well. He not only won the favors of the Fu and Shu families but also made a name for himself in the County Sheriff's Office in the prefectural city. It was likely that he would be promoted soon.
As the saying goes, heroes cherish heroes. Fang Qian had noticed Pei Xia for a long time and wanted to help him.
Pei Xia knew this very well.
Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, officials and clerks were the classes that common people were eager to join.
So many scholars studied hard for years just for an official position.
Even the eighth - or ninth - rank positions were highly sought after by countless people.
Fang Qian, as the head of the stockade, held an eighth - rank military position, and in Yinwan, he was a figure that everyone had to look up to.
Clerks were different from officials. They had no official ranks and were just errand - runners for the government. Their status and treatment were far inferior.
Most clerks had no salary, but because they were associated with the government, they could act arrogantly in the local area.
Those gentry and officials all tried to get their relatives and children into the yamen, not for the money, but for the real power in the hands of the clerks - it was easier to get things done with connections in the court.
He rubbed his fingertips and looked at Fang Qian. His handsome eyebrows showed a variety of emotions, "Thank you, my lord, for your appreciation. However, I need some time to think it over carefully. Can I give you my answer in three days?"
Fang Qian said, "It's okay. Take your time to consider. I know you have a virtuous and charming wife and a prosperous business. You're bound to achieve great things. It's natural that you may not look down on such a humble position. But I still hope to recruit you to our Yuhua Stockade."
Hearing this, Pei Xia quickly said, "You're overestimating me, my lord."
Fang Qian laughed heartily, "Okay, then give me your answer in three days."
After saying that, Fang Qian left. Tang Guiniang came in with the tea, but he had already stridden out of the courtyard gate. Pei Xia went to see him off.
After Fang Qian left, Pei Xia went into the house and told Qi Jiao what Fang Qian had said.
Qi Jiao's eyes lit up, "In that case, you should go with Lord Fang. This is a great opportunity!"
Pei Xia had sacrificed a lot for this family.
If he were to start studying for the imperial examinations again, he would surely be unwilling.
Now with Fang Qian's recognition, as long as he joined the Patrol Department, Pei Xia would be a government official.
Regardless of whether he had an official rank or not, the Pei family would take a step forward.
Qi Jiao was really happy for Pei Xia.
But there was no joy on Pei Xia's face. He stared at Qi Jiao's sweet face, "If I go to the Patrol Department and am always at the mercy of others, I won't be able to accompany you often."
Qi Jiao's heart stirred. After weighing for a moment, she took Pei Xia's slightly cool hand, "It's important for you to accompany me, but I know you like going out to sea. If you join the Yuhua Stockade, you can protect the local people, and it won't be a waste of your long - cherished wish. It's good for both sides."
"The only thing I'm worried about is your safety."
Qi Jiao tapped Pei Xia's lips, her eyes full of attachment.
Since Pei Xia had an accident last time, he hadn't stepped on a fishing boat again.
Although life at home was comfortable, he always felt empty - hearted.
Qi Jiao, as his wife, how could she not understand Pei Xia's thoughts?
She sighed softly and buried her head in Pei Xia's warm embrace.
Pei Xia lovingly stroked her long hair and murmured as if making a promise, "How could I let anything happen to myself? How could I leave you alone? If I join the Yuhua Stockade, I may not necessarily have to patrol the sea every day. Moreover, the big fish you know will help me."
Qi Jiao looked up and beamed, "Yes, we still have Little Pearl and Le Bao, these two treasures!"
Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was the eve of the Mid - Autumn Festival.
Qi Jiao gave all the employees in the store a holiday.
Madam Hua and her daughter, as well as Mrs. Lin, had nowhere to go. Qi Jiao always took them back to Baiyun Village during festivals.
As for A Le and Ge Fan, one lived on the outskirts of the city and the other lived in the south of the city. They each went back to their own homes.
What Qi Jiao didn't expect was that this time Ge Fan took Yin Die home with him.
Before leaving, Ge Fan came up to Qi Jiao. He looked rather nervous and hesitated for a long time before saying, "Boss... I want to take Yin Die home for the festival."
Qi Jiao was slightly stunned. In order to prepare the Mid - Autumn mooncakes and festival gift boxes, she had been busy in the inner courtyard for nearly half a month.
Today, they mainly sold mooncakes, and she had been really busy all day. Qi Jiao felt a bit dizzy.
It was Madam Hua beside her who reminded her, and then Qi Jiao reacted.
Yin Die, who was busy at the tea counter, blushed. Although her hands didn't stop moving, she stole glances at them from time to time. She must be waiting nervously for Qi Jiao's reply.
Qi Jiao understood and smiled. It seemed that Ge Fan and Yin Die, these two young people, had fallen for each other.
If Yin Die didn't like Ge Fan, she probably wouldn't have agreed to go home with him.
Ge Fan's family only had his bed - ridden old mother, whose health was very poor.
Maybe he wanted his mother to see Yin Die and be happy.
Qi Jiao was happy to help them. She said loudly, "Okay, I'm entrusting Yin Die to you. Take her home and have a good festival. But you must send her back before it gets dark."
With Qi Jiao's permission, Ge Fan was overjoyed. He immediately bowed deeply to Qi Jiao, "Thank you, boss."
Qi Jiao laughed and waved him off.
After seeing off the last group of customers, Qi Jiao asked Madam Hua to count the money and distributed Mid - Autumn Festival bonuses to everyone in the store - in addition to a reward of two taels of silver, each person got a box of mooncakes and a bottle of osmanthus wine.
Everyone happily received their rewards and went home for the festival.