Chapter 235: Chapter 217, Eldest Sister’s Style_1
“Master, what should we do with this cart full of vegetables and fruits?” Deshou asked, bracing himself for a reply.
Despite the apparent thaw in the relationship between the master and Meilin Villa since the Dragon Boat Festival this year, he knew all too clear that there were still knots in his master’s heart, some things not so easily put aside.
Nevertheless, if there could be an increase in interactions between the two sides, that would indeed be a good thing.
As servants, they could only have an easier life when their master was in good spirits.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at the cart of food and waved his hand impatiently, “Hurry and take it away. It wasn’t sent for me. What’s it doing in my courtyard? It’s bothersome to the eye!”
Deshou, hearing the latter part, quickly looked towards Deshou, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Deshou was nimble-witted, knowing that his own master had agreed to send the cart’s contents to the villa, and stood up immediately, pulling the cart away as if flying, as if afraid Xiao Yeyang would change his mind.
Meilin Villa.
Looking at a whole cartful of vegetables and fruits, Guo Ruomei’s face and eyes were full of smiles as she said to Mei Shuang and Mei Xue beside her, “The other day, my brother wrote to me saying that Yangyang has become sensible, showing consideration for him by sending a cart of vegetables and fruits from afar because he knew there wasn’t much to eat there, boasting to the full extent.”
“Now I’ve gotten some too. Quick, go prepare ink and paper—I want to write back about this.”
Mei Xue immediately turned away with a smile to fetch the writing materials.
Mei Shuang stepped forward to check the things on the cart and seeing that most were the master’s favorite foods, she immediately smiled, “Look at these fresh green vegetables; you can tell at a glance they’re delicious.”
“Master, the young master has been thinking about you. Knowing you enjoy fruits and that they’re hard to come by in winter, here he is, having sent a full cart over.”
As she spoke, she took a red apple, “It smells so good!” and quickly handed it to Guo Ruomei.
Guo Ruomei held the apple, and even though there was snow all around the mountain, her heart still felt warm, “That’s right. Yangyang has honored me with such food, I should also give him something in return. What do you think would be good to give him?”
“The young master will surely like whatever the master gives.”
“…”
After that, every time Daohua prepared vegetables and fruits for Xiao Yeyang, she would send an extra cart to the villa, and although Xiao Yeyang always seemed impatient, he never refused.
When the villa received these goods, they would in turn send back some items, either a purse or a belt embroidered by Guo Ruomei herself, homemade clothes, or some other curious trinket.
Although Xiao Yeyang would set these things aside and not touch them, the back-and-forth between the two did have the servants talking more and visiting more often, and they would support each other if needed.
This was also a way for the masters of both sides to communicate indirectly with each other.
Of course, Daohua was completely unaware of this; she did not know that her unintended action had actually helped to warm the relationship between Xiao Yeyang and his son.
…
Yan Residence, Virtue and Art Court.
The classroom was heated by a roaring charcoal fire, keeping Daohua and the others seated inside from feeling any cold.
Daohua flipped through the books explaining the arts on her desk while occasionally glancing up at Teacher Shen sitting above.
For some reason, since November, Teacher Shen’s demands on her had become increasingly strict.
Previously, it was sufficient just to learn what was in the textbooks, but now she even had to learn various arts.
“Burning incense, playing chess, appreciating tea, listening to the rain, admiring snow, moon gazing, wine tasting, gardening, seeking solitude, and playing the zither are the ten great delights of refinement among mankind. Ladies need not be knowledgeable in all, but at least they should excel in two or three, so that whether hosting guests or entertaining family, they won’t be without conversation or be seen as dull and boring.”
Teacher Shen sipped tea while slowly explaining, taking in the expressions of the four girls below.
“Eldest Miss, have you decided what you want to learn?”
Hearing the teacher’s question, Daohua quickly sat up straight, “I have made my choice, Teacher— I want to learn to play the zither.” She had wanted to learn to play the guqin in a former life but never had the opportunity.
Teacher Shen smiled and nodded, “Among all instruments, the zither’s virtue is the highest. Playing the zither can cultivate one’s emotions and express inner feelings, understanding nature—a good choice indeed!”
Pleased with the affirmation, Daohua cheerfully placed the zither music at the top of the desk, only for Teacher Shen to ask, “Aside from the zither, is there anything else you’d like to learn?”
Daohua was taken aback, wasn’t playing the zither enough?
Seeing Teacher Shen looking at her with a smiling gaze, Daohua reluctantly bowed her head and flipped through the book introducing the arts again, finally choosing to learn about burning incense.
In ancient times, people’s lives were nearly inseparable from burning incense—it was used for perfuming clothes, fumigating rooms, and was also necessary during sacrificial rites.
There were plenty of uses for it anyway.
Daohua was quite interested in incense burning, especially since she also wanted to mix her own fragrances and particularly aim to create some with healing properties, which would surely be profitable.
“Quiet room, burning incense, leisurely pursuits bring refined pleasure,” said Master Shen with an expanded smile, “Is there anything else?”
This time, Daohua withstood the pressure and did not choose any additional subjects to study.
Her daily schedule was already very full, and now with the addition of playing the zither and incense burning, the free time she had was even shorter. She couldn’t take on any other subjects.
Master Shen seemed somewhat disappointed but did not force Daohua, “Starting from today, your needlework and embroidery lessons will be moved to the morning, while the afternoons will be for learning the zither and incense burning, alternating every day.”
Daohua nodded respectfully, “Yes, Master.”
Afterwards, Master Shen turned his gaze to the three Yan sisters.
For them, Master Shen did not have many demands, allowing each of them to study just one skill.
Yan Yihuan, who enjoyed tranquility, chose to study chess;
Yan Yishuang, who considered herself refined, chose to study tea tasting;
Yan Yile, who loved to play, chose to study flower planting.
After class, Daohua waited for Master Shen to leave before she got up to leave. Just as she reached the door, she heard Yan Yile speaking to Yan Yihuan and the others in a sour tone.
“Master Shen certainly treats our elder sister differently, not only teaching her the unique skill of ‘double-sided three different embroideries’ but now she also gets to learn one more talent than us.”
Daohua stopped in her tracks, turned around, and looked at Yan Yile sternly, “Younger Sister Four, where have your manners and etiquette gone?”
Yan Yile immediately wanted to retort, but Yan Yihuan held her back, “Elder Sister, Younger Sister Four didn’t mean it…”
Daohua interrupted her, “Enough, I’ve grown tired of hearing excuses about frankness, thoughtlessness, and youth. Whether she is using these excuses to vent her dissatisfaction, both you and I know very well.”
With that, Daohua straightened her expression.
“Initially, I did not wish to meddle in your affairs, yet your conduct reflects upon the face of the Yan Family. As such, I cannot help but speak out.”
“Master Shen always teaches according to our abilities. I learn more because I can handle so many courses. Now, ask yourselves, Sisters Three, even if you were allowed to learn, could you manage it?”
She wasn’t truly a child, for her thinking was mature, and she could sit still and concentrate. Moreover, her memory was good, which was why she was able to handle her studies, even if they were more voluminous.
However, the other three really were children, and their learning abilities were simply not as good as hers.
“Besides, if you truly wish to learn, you should directly request Master Shen rather than gossiping and complaining behind his back. It is not the behavior fit for daughters of the Yan Family.”
“We learn about manners and etiquette from Master Shen every day, intending for us to be mindful and watchful in every aspect of life, to integrate courtesy and propriety deeply, not just imitate without understanding. To falter at the first challenge is to invite ridicule.”
“Reflect upon your recent actions, intriguing behind your teacher’s back, full of complaints. Is this the conduct Master Shen has taught us?”
Saying so, she looked at Yan Yile.
“Next year, you will be ten years old, Younger Sister Four. Some mistakes can no longer be excused by youth. Today you plotted against our teacher behind his back, so I am punishing you to copy out a hundred characters to calm your impetuousness.”
Yan Yile’s face flushed with urgency, and she instantly retorted, “I won’t do it.”
Daohua said indifferently, “Whether or not you write is up to you. However, the next time we go out, I dare not take you with us. Otherwise, if you speak your mind again, others might think that the daughters of the Yan Family have no upbringing at all.”
Having said that, she glanced at the other two sisters and then left with her maid.
Yan Yile was desperate and sought help from Yan Yihuan and Yan Yishuang.
Yan Yishuang, indifferent, offered a couple of consoling words before quickly departing.
Yan Yihuan sighed and, taking her sister’s hand, they headed towards the second house’s courtyard, “Let’s go see what Mother has to say.”
After all the young ladies had left, Master Shen, who had seen and heard everything from the main room, shook his head with a smile.
The old servant behind him passed him some tea, chuckling, “It was not in vain that you taught them, Sir. The eldest Miss Yan indeed knows reason and appreciation.”
Taking the tea, Master Shen laughed, “Although this girl is not the most outstanding of my students, she is the most perceptive. She is increasingly taking on the air of a responsible family eldest sister.”