After dressing up as a stepmother, I transformed the whole family into working in the fields

However, there was indeed a shortage of food at home, so Qin Yao said nothing more.

In the two small vegetable gardens in her front yard, the leaves were eaten as soon as they appeared.

As for the newly cultivated vegetable plot behind the house, it will be a month and a half before it can be eaten. There is no farmer's market in the village, so you can buy fresh vegetables every day.

Every household is in need of food, and if you buy it, someone may not be willing to sell it.

The whole family arrived and came to the main room. Liu Ji followed Qin Yao's request, put a bowl of water in front of each person, returned to his seat and sat down.

First family meeting.

Officially begin.

Qin Yao first talked about the theme of the meeting - reading changes destiny.

Liu Ji's heart skipped a beat, no, no, no, it couldn't really be what he had guessed before, right?

Qin Yao gave him a congratulatory look and said:

I have decided that from now on, Liu Ji, you will return to the academy to continue studying and take part in the imperial examination.

The four elder brothers still don't understand what the imperial examination is, and they only understand the sentence return to the academy.

Liu Ji jumped up, Madam, are you kidding me?

No, I'm serious. Qin Yao knocked on the table, Sit down!

Liu Ji sat down with a complicated mood, feeling uneasy. Sure enough, he saw Qin Yao take out a small notebook and read out all the expenses he had spent in the past six months. He really recorded every transaction in the small notebook. , not a penny of mistakes or omissions.

I won't count the small money. You owe me a total of forty taels for the big money!

Qin Yao clicked on the account book and looked at Liu Ji's shocked face. Unexpectedly, she was not just talking, but actually keeping accounts.

Actually, I have studied carefully. With the skills you, Liu Ji, have now, if you want to repay this money by farming, excluding interest and the cost of food, clothing, housing and transportation, it will take about twenty-five years.

If you copy books for others, it will take ten years to pay it back. This is assuming that nothing unexpected happens to you and the market demand for scholars is stable.

Therefore, she concluded a shortcut, that is - take the imperial examination!

As long as you are admitted as a scholar, our family's corvée and taxes will be completely exempted. It only takes two years for you to pay back the debt, and the debts between us will be cleared.

It would be even better if you can pass the examination of Juren. One person can become a chicken or a dog and ascend to heaven!

Liu Ji was stunned for a moment, let alone taking the imperial examination. If Old Man Liu hadn't been willing to spend that sum of money to send him to the academy, a person like him would never have thought that he had anything to do with studying.

And now, Qin Yao actually wants to ask him to take the imperial examination?

Liu Ji raised his hand to touch Qin Yao's forehead to see if she was burning out. No surprise, she was slapped away.

He covered the back of his red hand and tentatively asked Qin Yao: Madam, do you know how old I am now?

Qin Yao: Twenty-four.

Liu Ji couldn't understand it even more, I'm already twenty-four, and I just started studying now. How long will it take to be admitted as a scholar?

Don't you always think that you are extremely talented? It is difficult to become a scholar? Qin Yao asked disdainfully.

Liu Ji: Ah this.

I've been at Ding's wife's house for a month. Do you think I'm just a guard?

Qin Yao spread out the nine books and said, I have already inquired clearly. As long as you can read the Four Books and Five Classics well, it is not difficult to become a scholar.

Besides, am I still here? I will personally tutor you. You believe me. As long as you follow what I say, I guarantee that you will be admitted as a scholar.

What about the money? Liu Ji felt that he was finished, and he was actually a little moved.

Does studying mean that he no longer has to do farm work?

Qin Yao spread out the account book again and calculated the accounts for the five father and son.

Currently, there is only one academy in the county, and only students who study in the academy are eligible to refer, because the academy and the students of the same period need to provide guarantees and other procedures in order to successfully conduct the imperial examination.

So, the first step we have to do is to enter the academy.

The cost of repairing the academy is twenty taels per year, and the accommodation fee is one tael per year. In addition to the pens, inks, paper and inkstones that must be used every year, this is 2 taels, which adds up to five taels of silver per person per year.

With their family's current situation, the first year's expenses are completely affordable.

What about the second year? Liu Ji didn't think he could pass the exam in one year.

Qin Yao smiled and said with a good attitude: We'll see next year. As long as you go to school, you don't need to worry about money in the future.

Hearing this, Liu Ji felt happy. Although he couldn't understand why this woman suddenly wanted to support him in studying, studying was much better than farming, and he would still have face if he told the truth!

Madam, do you really want me to study? Liu Ji confirmed again.

Qin Yao nodded and asked him seriously: Are you willing?

Of course I am willing. Even though I am so old, will the academy still accept me? Liu Ji asked curiously.

Qin Yao felt relieved when he saw that he was willing, and patted his arm with a rare kind smile, Don't worry, I asked at the Ding family, anyone older than you can enter the academy.

However, before the official start, there is still a contract to be signed.

What contract? Liu Ji asked cautiously.

Qin Yao smiled at him, naturally it was a good contract that was difficult for him to bear.

I am now providing you with education. These are my personal investments in you. Investments must be rewarded. Let's set the rules first. Don't worry, I don't like to take advantage of others. I don't want much.

Having said that, there was no mercy at all when writing the contract.

First of all, the first rule is that he is not allowed to unilaterally divorce his wife or divorce. If he wants to divorce or divorce his wife after becoming a scholar, all the property obtained will belong to Qin Yao, and she must be recognized as a sworn sister and continue to share her status as a relative. Prosperity.

Liu Ji glanced at Qin Yao in shock, You are younger than me.

I am also your sister! Qin Yao shouted domineeringly.

Without raising his head, he continued writing the second article.

Without her consent, one cannot take a concubine or marry an equal wife. If violated, the situation will be as above.

The last one is that the contract is valid for thirty years. She can unilaterally terminate it at any time, but Liu Ji cannot.

Okay, if you see that there is nothing wrong, just sign and seal it. Qin Yao dried the ink on the paper, placed it in front of him, and thoughtfully handed over the ink pad and pen.

The words on this paper can only be said to be terrible, but fortunately every word can be seen clearly.

Liu Ji felt a little swollen after reading the contents of the three contracts, Madam, how afraid are you that I will divorce my wife?

Qin Yao forced out a polite smile, I actually don't mind being a widow.

Liu Ji no longer hesitated, quickly took up the pen and signed his name and fingerprint on the unequal contract.

He has never thought about taking concubines and marrying equal wives. He has had enough of Qin Yao, an evil woman!

If he had the chance to divorce his wife, he would be a carefree prodigal by himself, doing whatever he wanted without anyone restraining him.

At that time, he was dating eight girls at the same time, but they didn't get married. It would be interesting to watch them become jealous and fight over him!