Chapter 13 : Teacher
It was time for lunch when the two people, Yuxi and Mama Shen, had done talking. Every day, Yuxi's daily meals would consist of three dishes and one soup. Today's lunch was no exception. There were steamed perch with scallion and black bean sauce, sautéed shrimps with green vegetables, crispy fried tofu, and Chinese pickled cabbage spareribs with bitter bamboo shoots soup. There were also two side dishes.
T/N: If you interested in the recipe, just click the pictures. It will lead you there. Though, they are mostly written in Chinese...(^▽^;)
Today, Yuxi had a good appetite. She finished a bowl of rice and half of the dishes on the table. After she had finished eating her meal, she drank a cup of soy milk with honey in it. Unfortunately, there was no objective that she needed to fulfill. If she had one, she would have to drink goat milk every day, just like Yuchen.
Then she tried to rest by taking a nap. However, when she was left alone in the room, she opened her eyes and stared at the pattern on the top of the bed, thinking about what had happened just now. She didn’t know whether Mama Shen's words were taught by the Old Lady, but Mama Shen couldn’t say them in respect for her and her aunt. Not to mention, her Grandmother had been indifferent to her in her last life. She had promised that when Yuxi came out of smallpox, she would help cure her. But instead, her doctor had left her to die. This act would surely cut off the affection between a grandparent and a grandchild.
Yuxi did not know why the Old Lady was suddenly being kind to her, but she knew that the Old Lady did so with a definite purpose. Those who lived under the same roof had no choice but to bow their heads. Since she couldn’t leave the residence now, she could only bow her head according to Mama Shen's words.
Since then, every morning, Yuxi would first pay her respects to the Old Lady before doing the same to Qiu Shi. However, her attitude was quite different for both of them. She was more respectful than friendly when she went to the main room. While she would try her best to amuse Qiu Shi when she was in the master courtyard.
Seeing this made Mama Shen worried that what she did was not as good as it used before. She had to think about this matter slowly so that it wouldn’t backfire on her.
On this day, as usual, Yuxi went to pay her respects to Qiu Shi and saw Concubine Lian there again. This time, she wore a pink brocade Hangzhou silk double-breasted summer beizi, with a light purple phoenix tail skirt on her waist. Her hair bun was adorned with a fish-shaped tassel on an enamel-coloured hairpin, which made her looked charming.
When Qiu Shi saw Yuxi coming, she smilingly said to Concubine Lian, "I know your heart, go on!" Hearing this, Concubine Lian immediately went back to her yard. Although all these years, her husband had doted on the concubines, Qiu Shi felt quite blessed by having such a sensible mother-in-law. This feeling of gratitude had also made mother-in-law and daughter-in-law get along extremely well all over these years. But later on, because of Yuxi's affair, she was suddenly afraid of what the Old Lady would do.
This time, the Old Lady had rewarded Concubine Lian to her husband which made Qiu Shi worrying for half a day. It wasn’t because she was afraid of Concubine Lian competing for the Duke’s favor. Her current main priorities were not on her husband but on the internal affairs of her sons and household management. She didn't even care about her husband having many concubines at all. She was only worried about whether her mother-in-law had felt any dissatisfaction with her. However, her concern was dispelled when she saw that Concubine Lian, the currently favoured concubine, was behaving politely towards her, unlike Concubine Rong.
Qiu Shi didn't care, but Concubine Rong was terrified. She had suffered a little grievance before but then, the Duke had always been on her side. But now, she had been under house arrest in Pleasant Courtyard for so long. Instead of trying to get her out of house arrest, Duke Han only went to Pleasant Courtyard twice. Concubine Rong was no better than Qiu Shi. At least, Qiu Shi was the main wife and had sons. She also had a good life without the Duke’s favour. While her, on the other hand, all her life's honours and graces depended on the Duke. Once she lost the Duke’s favor, she would fall into the mire.
When she heard that Duke Han of the State had gone to Concubine Lian's yard again, her face distorted and screamed, "What did you say? The Lord went to that vile woman's house again? "
Xiaojuan answered timidly, "Yes." For more than a month, Duke Han had spent most of his time there. She was afraid of waiting outside for her Master to leave the new concubine yard as the weather had changed for the worst outside.
Concubine Rong wished she could bite Concubine Lian to death, but now she was under house arrest in Pleasant Courtyard. She tried every method to see the Lord Duke but none managed to bring him to her.
While in Rose Courtyard, Yuxi was feeling stuffy because of the hot weather. She muttered, "It would be nice if it rain next."
Just as the words were said, a flash of white light, like a sword wielded by a swordsman, suddenly could be seen outside. Not for a moment later, a roar of thunder shook the ground. Then big raindrops, the size of soybeans, rained down one after another.
Moju smilingly said, "Miss words are really effective."
Yuxi smiled and answered, "It's just a coincidence."
Summer rain came and went quickly. The rain stopped within a quarter of an hour. After the rain, the sky was blue and the air was very fresh.
Yuxi came out of the house after the rain went away and felt that the air was much cooler.
At this time, Mama Shen returned from the outside and brought good news to her. She smilingly said, "Miss, the Old Lady has invited a teacher for the Young Misses."
Yuxi suddenly remembered something. If she remembered correctly, her Grandmother had invited Teacher Song. Teacher Song’s real name was Song Mingyue. She was born in a literary family. She was a free and intelligent lady. She was also proficient in the four arts and composing ode. At that time, she was known as the first talented woman in Beijing. She then married Lu Zon, the second son of Marquis Zhongyong. Later on, her family met a mishap. It was also rumored that the Lu family wanted her to die of illness because of it. Somehow, in the end, she managed to peacefully separate with Lu Zon using means that were unknown to the public.
After she left her in-laws’ family, Song Mingyue took all her dowry and helped her Song family going through their most difficult time. Later, she combed her hair and started to teach the young ladies of noble families in the capital. As she was also well-known during her younger year, many rich families wanted to invite her to teach their daughters.
Yuxi hide her knowledge and asked, "Who is this teacher?"
Mama Shen smiled and answered, "Miss, the invited teacher is called Teacher Song. She is proficient in the four arts and composing odes. Even by inquiring a bit of knowledge from her, Miss can still enjoy a comfortable life in the future."
Yuxi said hesitantly, "Mama, I heard that Teacher Song's teaching is quite harsh. I'm afraid I can't stand it!" Teacher Song was famous for her teachings, but so was her being harsh during classes and almost abnormal teaching methods. It was said that only a few people could survive while being taught by her. Of course, those who survived could learn a lot of practical things in the end.
Mama Shen passed her a meal and said, "Miss, if you wish to be the best man, you must be prepared to suffer the bitterest of the bitter. As long as Miss can survive, it will path an easier road for Miss to get married in the future."
There were a lot of people who were very interested to invite Teacher Song. Once they employed her, if their young ladies didn’t meet her requirements, she would immediately quit her job. She also had two well-known rules that the families had to follow. The first was that no matter how she taught their children, her employer must not interfere. The second was to teach them for three months first. If no student satisfied her, she would not continue teaching. Many people had been baffled by these two rules. However, the young misses who met Teacher Song's requirements later became famous and married well. This was also why, despite her strict teaching, she was still popular with powerful families.
"I need to think about this again, Mama," said Yuxi with a tangled face.
After Mama Shen went out of the room, Yuxi took off her act and showed an air of determination. There was no need for Mama Shen to convince her. She would surely learn from Teacher Song, just like what Mama Shen said, learning from her would benefit her all her life.
Yuxi stayed in the house for half a day, especially to make Mama Shen think she was struggling. She didn't come out until the evening meal. After she was done with her dinner, she then went directly to the main room to find the Old Lady.
Once there, Yuxi didn't beat around the bush either. She directly stated her purpose, "Grandmother, I heard that our residence will invite Teacher Song. I also want to learn from her."
Old Lady Han frowned. This time she invited Teacher Song without considering Yuxi. It was not that she was biased against Yuxi or anything, but Yuxi was too young. "Teacher Song is very strict in teaching and you are too young to bear it. You're still young. It's not too late to learn from her in another two years. "
Yuxi pleaded, "Grandmother, I will definitely study hard, so that my other three sisters won’t get dragged behind because of me."
Old Lady Han still won't agree.
Yuxi knelt on the ground and begged, "Grandmother, let me learn from Teacher Song together with my sisters! Grandmother, Yuxi beg you."
Old Lady Han's confidant, Mama Luo, said with a smile, "It is rare for Fourth Miss to be so ambitious. Old Lady, please help Fourth Miss!" They all knelt and begged for the Old Lady's permission. If she still refused, then it would be too much.
Old Lady Han frowned and finally said, "Teacher Song is very strict. Even if I promise, it will be in vain if Teacher Song does not agree to this."
Yuxi immediately said, "Grandmother, I will definitely obtain Teacher Song's permission."
After Yuxi left, Old Lady Han said, "This girl is really like a new person now." She did not like Yuxi before. First, it was because she was not fond of Ning Shi, and then she did not like Yuxi. It was because Yuxi always looked depressed as if she had been abused and she also had a weak body. But since she had gotten well, the gloom on her face dissipated. Old Lady Han thought maybe Yuxi had changed because she had experienced life and death. So, the Old Lady felt her mind relaxed a bit.
Mama Luo laughed and flattered the Old Lady, "That's what the Old Lady had taught her. Since Mama Shen went to Rose Courtyard, she has become more and more law-abiding." Fourth Miss used to avoid the Old Lady like a taboo. Now she came to the Old Lady’s courtyard to pay respect every day. She even accompanied the Old Lady to talk. Although it couldn’t be compared with the other three Young Misses, it was still much better compared to how she was before.
Old Lady Han just narrowed her eyes and said nothing more.
Qiu Shi knew about Yuxi asking Old Lady Han to study together with Yuru. When Yuxi visited her the next day, she asked Yuxi, "Teacher Song is very strict in her teaching. If you don't meet her requirements, you will have to work harder than any of your sisters. Aren't you afraid?"
Yuxi answered that she was not afraid.
Qiu Shi sternly told her, "You have to think it over clearly. Once you learn from Teacher Song, no matter how bitter and tired you are, you cannot give up halfway. Otherwise, your reputation will be damaged. Once your reputation is damaged, you will face difficulty in getting married in the future." It was obvious that Qiu Shi was threatening Yuxi. Even if Yuxi couldn't hold on, who would not think about her age? Even if she could not hold on, no one would say anything about it. The main reason was that Teacher Song's teaching method was very abnormal. People who couldn’t carry it still could try multiple times. So, there was still a place for Yuxi if she wanted to learn from her in another year.
Yuxi said with a firm face, "Eldest Aunt, don't worry. I won't give up halfway."
Qiu Shi touched Yuxi's head and felt somewhat relieved. During this period, Yuxi had come to greet her regardless of the wind and rain where she would accompany her to talk. She was so considerate. "Since you have this intention, Aunt will have Teacher Song agree to accept you." After that, Qiu Shi ordered Liu Yin to go to the warehouse and pick up a whole set of stationery.
Everyone's reaction to Teacher Song's arrival was very different. Yuxi and Yuru were eager to learn from this famous person in the capital. Yuchen was very calm. She knew very well that Old Lady had spent so much time inviting Teacher Song for her sake. As for whether Teacher Song would fancy her, it was not for her to think about.
Only Yujing, the Second Miss, would recoil when she heard that Teacher Song could beat her hand. "Mother, that Teacher Song can beat people. I don't want to go," she cried. Concubine Rong could not read a single character before she met Duke Han. Ever since she served him, she could not only read but also write two bad poems. Because of that, Yujing began to understand Chinese characters easily at the age of four. Now, she recognised a lot of Chinese words.
Concubine Rong usually followed suit to any of Yujing’s whim, but she would not follow this time around. She sternly told her, "You must go and learn till Teacher Song accepts you as her student. Once you become one, then you can marry into a rich noble family and do not have to be a dwarf, like your mother."
After listening to her mother's words, Yujing finally succumbed.
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