LOT -Chapter 327 Childhood Arc: Going to School

What kind of things happen day after day? How could a person be so innocent!

Wei Zheng’an didn’t even know how he had become friends with this child. It seemed like the moment they met, they just started playing together.

At least now there was some consolation—there was food. Forget studying; good food was absolutely essential.

After Lin Mo lost her playmates, every day she either dragged a little stool to eat sunflower seeds or caused havoc at home.

She had turned her little courtyard into a wasteland. Whatever she planted died; nothing would grow.

Before, when she lived with Lin Shangshu and Lady Lin, she still messed up the courtyard, but at least some plants survived.

Now that she lived on her own, her courtyard was truly beyond saving.

Causing chaos at home wasn’t enough—now she also wanted to cling to Lin Ran and go to the academy to take a look.

“If you want to go to the academy, I’ll take you there. That way, you can see your brother every day.”

In this era, schooling wasn’t limited to boys; girls could study too. The academy had separate male and female sections, though some classes were mixed.

Lin Mo noticed this world was far more open than she had imagined—sometimes even more open than the present time she knew.

It was perfectly normal for widows to remarry or for girls to go to school.

As long as a family had some wealth, they would send their children to study. Women could engage in business; in the capital, many shop owners were women.

From what her father had said, in the future girls might even be allowed to take exams and become officials—but this plan was still being implemented, and many opposed it.

However, there were already female officials in the court—not in important positions, not high-ranking, but still a significant step forward.

Lin Shangshu also thought of sending Lin Mo to the academy. That way, he and his wife could have a little more peace at home. At the academy, the teachers would supervise her, and at worst, their eldest son could keep an eye on her.

Lin Mo didn’t even hesitate before refusing. “I don’t want to go to school. But I do want to visit it. If it’s good there, I might consider studying.”

Her expression was full of tsundere pride, which made Lin Shangshu want to give her a playful smack on the rear.

So many people wanted to study but couldn’t, and yet this girl was smart but refused the proper path, spending her days thinking up all kinds of mischief.

If she could use that brain for studying, maybe once the policy was fully implemented, she could even become a top-ranking female scholar.

(Lin Mo: “Haha, nice dream. I’ll never study again!”)

In reality, Lin Mo’s education level wasn’t low. Compared to her peers, she was already very advanced, and her mind was sharp.

She was just lazy, always looking for the easiest way to solve problems. If she could solve something by force, she wouldn’t bother thinking.

Looking at this troublesome little one, Lin Shangshu was truly distressed. “Alright, alright. Tomorrow your brother will take you to the academy. But you have to wake up early; your brother gets up very early.”

Technically, they could have hired a private tutor, but Lin Shangshu didn’t think that was the best approach.

One-on-one tutoring was fine, but he wanted his children to experience studying alongside peers.

It would also help foster friendships, which could be useful later if they both took the imperial exams and became officials—a network of connections.

Lin Ran went to school every day, but only for half a day.

Hearing that she would have to wake up early, Lin Mo’s face immediately scrunched up.

Getting up early really drained her; she just couldn’t do it. She decided she wasn’t cut out for school and was destined to laze through life.

“Then maybe I shouldn’t go. I just want to sleep tomorrow. I really am not made for school.”

Lin Shangshu was so angry his temples throbbed. This little rascal was unpredictable every single day—it was infuriating.

“No! Tomorrow you’re going with your brother. You’re still young, so it’s fine to take a look. Your brother Ji Ji also goes to school every day. If you can’t wake up, they’ll just carry you along.”

Lin Mo: …Really, that’s unnecessary. I just said it casually.

Lin Qi and Ji Qianhua were completely against the idea when they heard the news.

“Do we really have to take her? How can we even study if she’s there?” Lin Qi asked earnestly.

At home, that little girl could already turn everything upside down. How could she possibly behave at the academy?

Lan Shan Academy had students of all ages. He truly feared that she would wreak havoc.

Besides, the academy was halfway up the mountain. They were used to walking daily, but this girl was chubby; she would probably get tired after a few steps.

Seeing his son’s displeased expression, Lin Shangshu felt guilty, but there was no way around it.

“Tomorrow, just take her there to experience the academy. I know the headmaster. Let him look after her. You two continue your studies—don’t worry about her.”

Hearing this, the two of them relaxed. With that little troublemaker, studying would be impossible; you never knew what mischief she might cause next.

Early the next morning, Lin Shangshu prepared the carriage. Shoujie carried Lin Mo onto it.

“Wake her when you reach the foot of the mountain. She has decent stamina. Playing outside every day has trained her well, so climbing the mountain shouldn’t be a problem.”

“The food is ready too. If she’s hungry, take out the little basket; it’s all filled with snacks.”

“Once at the academy, hand her over to the headmaster. When school ends in the evening, just bring her back.”

Lin Qi solemnly nodded, taking on the responsibility.

When he was young, he had been sent to school by carriage too. Later, as he grew older, he walked with friends to train his body.

Previously, their father had prepared the food in the carriage. Later, when he grew a bit older, he would buy food from the streets when hungry.

Lin Mo didn’t know that everything had already been arranged. She was currently lying on her little belly, sound asleep.

At that moment, the headmaster of Lan Shan Academy stood at the gate of the mountain campus, feeling a little excited.

She looked so much like Lin Huan, the youngest daughter. The last time she saw this little one was when she turned one year old. Now, she had grown even more to resemble Lin Huan.