Chapter 71: Chapter 59, Character Copybook_2
“Miss Yan, I’ve said it before, girls should copy the delicate and graceful small regular script of Wei Madam’s hairpin flowers. Just look at what you’ve written. Is a young lady like you capable of capturing the essence of the Sage of Calligraphy’s ‘Preface to the Orchid Pavilion’?”
Daohua looked at the red and swollen ruler marks on the back of her hand, her eyes turning cold as she indifferently gazed at Master Qin.
Master Qin furrowed his brows, irritated by her stare, and said harshly, “Miss
Yan I am tasked by Mr. Yan to instruct you. I understand that you are the
County Magistrate’s beloved daughter and your status is honorable, but here in this classroom, I am, after all, your teacher. Shouldn’t you at least show me the minimum of respect?”
Daohua stood up with a ‘swish’, her voice cold, “Teacher? Do you thinkyou deserve that title?”
“You…”
Master Qin was so angry that he was about to say something to suppress
Daohua, when he saw her pickup the paper she had just been copying and instructed Wang Manman, who was outside the classroom, “Manman, come in and help me tidy up the desk.”
With a sneer, Daohua looked at Master Qin, “You’re given an inch and yet think you’re qualified to open a dye house?” Finished speaking, she walked straight out of the classroom.
She left behind a livid Master Qin, and the dumbfounded Yan Yishuang and
others.
Having left the classroom, Daohua didn’t go back to the main house or the
Songhe Courtyard; instead, she took the copied paper directly to the front yard.
In the room where the County Magistrate worked, Teacher Xiao and Teacher Lin were discussing with Yan Zhigao about a trip to the city a few days later.
Yan Zhigao said, “Teacher Xiao, why not accompany me on this work report?” On hearing this, Teacher Xiao smiled and nodded, “Indeed, I also want to visit some old friends in the city.”
Teacher Lin next to him hesitated, wanting to join as well. Even if he could not do anything, it would be good to get to know a few more people in the official circles.
Just as he was about to speak, they heard a voice from outside the door.
“Miss!”
“Is Father busy right now?”
Yan Zhigao, upon hearing Daohua’s voice, was somewhat surprised, considering how his eldest daughter had been intentionally distancing herself from him recently; he immediately responded, “Is that Daohua? Come in!
Daohua, holding the copied paper, walked into the room with a smile and quickly said, “If Father is busy, I can come back later.”
Yan Zhigao gestured dismissively, “It’s alright, we have finished our discussion. What do you need?”
Daohua laid the copied paper on the table in front of Yan Zhigao, “This is my copy of the ‘Preface to the Orchid Pavilion’, I’d like Father to take a look.” Yan Zhigao looked at his eldest daughter with curiosity but soon started to scrutinize the words seriously. After observing, his eyes lit up, “Did you write this?”
Daohua nodded with a smile, “Uncle San gave me the text of the ’Preface to the Orchid Pavilion’, and I’ve been copying it for two years. He said that cursive script suits me.”
Yan Zhigao nodded, “Mm, though it lacks a little in strength, the movement of the brush does possess a certain unrestrained elegance. However, the turns of the brush are not quite subtle enough; you need to practice more.
“The Miss has copied the Sage of Calligraphy’s ‘Preface to the Orchid Pavilion’, let us also have a look,” Teacher Xiao said with a smile as he stepped forward.
Yan Zhigao laughed, “She’s just a little girl playing around; she doesn’t deserve such praise from Teacher Xiao.”
Teacher Xiao had already taken Daohua’s copied writing into his hands and was nodding as he examined it. “Sir, I think the Miss’s writing does indeed show a bit of the Sage’s influence.”
Hearing this, Teacher Lin leaned forward to take a look and then repeatedly glanced at Daohua.
The Yan Family’s eldest girl, although only nine years old, indeed did an excellent job at copying the characters.
Yan Zhigao expressed modesty at the compliments, and then Daohua smilingly asked, “Father, do you think I should train in this script?
Without a second thought, Yan Zhigao nodded, “Of course, you’re doing well.
Why switch to any other script?”
Daohua shook her head, “It’s not that I want to, but Master Qin thinks I should practice Lady Wei’s hairpin-flower small regular script. Today, he gave me a punishment ruler right away, as if I had to change or else.” She finished, extending her hand.
The red and swollen ruler marks instantly exposed in the sight of the three people.
Daohua continued, “Father, I’ve been copying the ‘Preface to the Orchid Pavilion’ for two years now, and I really don’t want to switch to any other script. Lady Wei’s hairpin-flower small regular script is indeed excellent, but it just doesn’t suit me well. Father, could you perhaps speak to Master Qin on my behalf?”
Yan Zhigao’ s expression darkened upon seeing the ruler marks on his daughter’s hand. He had tasked Master Qin to provide good instruction to his eldest daughter, not to punish her arbitrarily.
This could cause chaos in the backyard if his mother and wife found out.
“I understand the matter. Continue to practice the script you’re working on; I will handle Master Qin.” He said firmly.
Daohua nodded with a smile, “Thankyou, Father. I won’t disturb you anymore.” Saying this, she bowed to the two teachers and quickly left.
After Daohua departed, Teacher Xiao chuckled, “The young masters and misses of prominent families are all very learned.”
Yan Zhigao smiled lightly, “That’s about all they are, my eldest daughter’s needlework is quite poor.”
Teacher Xiao’s eyes twinkled, and he said softly, “I find the Miss to be very intelligent. If she truly can’t learn, perhaps it’s the tutor’s teaching that falls short.”
Upon hearing this, Teacher Lin sharply lifted his gaze toward Teacher Xiao, his expression somewhat dark. Teacher Xiao wasn’t one to meddle in others’ business without cause, so why was he starting to side with Miss Yan?
But Yan Zhigao, after hearing Teacher Xiao’ s remark, was lost in thought. That day, Yan Zhigao met with Master Qin in the Shuangxin Courtyard. Master Qin argued that Daohua’s rebellious and unfettered nature meant that if she continued to practice cursive writing, she would become increasingly arrogant and unruly. His words put Yan Zhigao in a difficult position.
Aunt Lin supported him, saying that whatever Master Qin did was for Daohua’s own good.
In the end, Yan Zhigao spoke in a deep voice, “Teach Daohua what she should be taught, but refrain from using corporal punishment at the drop of a hat. Let’s put today’s issue aside; in the future, please be more patient, Master Qin.”
Master Qin nodded in agreement.
Aunt Lin gave Master Qin a reassuring look and then signaled her to leave.
That evening, Aunt Lin, through persuasion, finally calmed Yan Zhigao’s anger. Just when Master Qin and Aunt Lin thought the matter had been settled, to their surprise, the next day, Madam Li directly messaged Master Qin, saying that Daohua would no longer attend his classes.
At this, Master Qin, who hadn’t thought much of it at first, panicked.