Threads 482-Xia Lin 2

“The baroness is insightful. Yes, if the young Miss Cai could normalize this program, I’m sure this training will have good effects.”

Ling Qi considered it, feeling the flickering lights of the many students throughout the building and grotto. “You do not have enough to meet demand, if we are successful. Not without increasing your class sizes greatly.”

Doing so would likely hurt the atmosphere of this place.

“I could convince my fellow donors to give more to this school and expand somewhat, but no, we could not. Such a program sponsored by the heir implies a continuing demand though.”

She stared at the old woman. That was…

“Huh. Guess that’s to be expected of someone who could go under that light and not melt.”

“You think it will encourage others to create their own schools.”

Xia Lin furrowed her brows. “It is unlikely such competitors would all be in the mold you have cast here.”

“Not all, but success breeds imitation,” Mei Lanfen replied. “Do you believe this is something Lady Cai would consider?”

“I do not doubt that she would, ” Ling Qi said.

She knew Renxiang well enough for that. After their successes, Renxiang had been granted an almost overwhelming allowance. The cultivation budget for an adult ducal heir, someone expected to be in the fifth realm, was more than a third realm could possibly spend on cultivation without blowing their meridians out from all the elixirs and enhancers it could buy. So, investments like this were certainly possible.

Ling Qi had a thought. “Mei Lanfen, you mentioned your other donors. How much is the usual contribution?”

The academic raised an eyebrow. “There is nothing so formal among us old men and women. This school began as something informal, for all that some of us are more dedicated than others. I would say between fifty and one hundred green stones in a year.”

Cai Renxiang had told her she should consider investing in things other than her own cultivation…

“Even should Lady Cai find supporting this program unfeasible, I would be able to match the lower end of that,” Ling Qi mused. Fifty green stones in a year was not a trivial amount, but nor was it very onerous.

Xia Lin shot her a bemused look, resting her chin on her hands. Mei Lanfen blinked in surprise.

“That is generous of you, but I did not mean to imply that the Gold Autumn School was pleading for more funding. Lady Cai’s assistance is most needed in bringing new barons in the south around to the notion of investing more in their administration early on.”

“I understand,” Ling Qi said. “However, I have been advised to look for investments while I am here in the capital, and even without an immediate return, this seems like a good one.”

“I suppose it is not bad to have younger donors as well,” Mei Lanfen said slowly. “Among our number, we do not all have descendants willing to continue this hobby of ours.”

“I am more surprised that such funds are required to train first and second-realm scholars and clerks,” Xia Lin commented. “Although,the cost of a knothole space such as this is not insignificant itself.”

“The bulk of the cost lies in teacher salaries and training materials,” Mei Lanfen replied. “We have been making the effort to convert our teaching supplies over to jade slips and slabs. It produces better results.”

“You seem to be aiming for third-realm teachers as well. I suppose such teachers can handle more students.”

“And are more effective, even with fewer,” Mei Lanfen agreed. “I and a few others hold some hope of expanding. A location in the outer boroughs of Xiangmen has been planned.”

“It may not be cost-effective, but additional lower schools may be helpful. Xiangmen needs them less than other places, but other cities might do well with them,” Ling Qi said.

She didn’t normally think about the faceless strangers beyond her reach. Shu Yue’s recent training exercise made it hard not to, though.

“I’m glad you’re not just wallowing in it. Don’t make Momma Ling freak out about spending too much though, yeah? That’ll just make you feel worse.”

Mei Lanfen considered her for a moment. “With such a generous donation, we could certainly consider doing so. I’ve no doubt that you know the children’s schools are not particularly expensive, but being thorough in the checks and divinations of its staff’s background and conduct is a bit more so. I must ask if you are committed to this funding, Baroness. This offer does strike me as impulsive.”

“I suppose it is,” Ling Qi said. “I really should be investigating other opportunities first before deciding.”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“I could offer some advice on this matter, should you wish,” Mei Lanfen said. “Certainly before you commit.”

Ling Qi studied her, sitting up a little straighter in her chair. She supposed if anything the older woman’s reluctance to just take her at her word reaffirmed her resolve. Even knowing her history with the Duchess purges… really looking at her now… this woman was one whose intentions she trusted. She had no idea how to go about helping large numbers of people in the way she could. “No, I might take you up on the advice later, but you will have your fifty stones unless you outright refuse me.”

The older woman searched her face. Whatever it was she was looking for, she eventually seemed satisfied.

“As you wish. I will not do that. We may draw up the terms of the transfer later.”