chapter 16

When Yuxi saw that Teacher Song disagree with the suggestion, she looked at Qiu Shi with eager eyes.

Qiu Shi smiled and said, “Teacher Song, this child is very eager to learn and quite wise. In less than a month, she had finished learning the Three-Character Classic, the Hundred Surnames and the Thousand-Character Classic. Teacher Song, please give this girl a chance! If she lags behind at that time, needless to say, she will give up by herself.”

Teacher Song was somewhat surprised.

As Qiu Shi noticed that Teacher Song started to loose up a bit, she quickly said, “If Teacher don’t believe me, Teacher can test her.”

Qiu Shi was a member of the Duke Han of the State official residence, so, Teacher Song had to give her some face. She then said to Yuxi, “Fourth Miss, if you can answer my question, I will promise to teach you. “

Yuxi answered frankly, “Okay. “

Teacher Song looked at Yuxi with her self-confidence, and said, “Diligence at start indeed is fine (dǔ chū chéng měi); completeness at ending, duly grand, (shèn zhōng yí lìng); Glorious works as the foundation (róng yè suǒ jī); no limit to one’s reputation (jí shèn wú jìng); Studies superior, step up to serve (xué yōu dēng shì); be given your duties, join government’s work (shè zhí cóng zhèng)… “ She paused here and looked at Yuxi.

Yuxi understood that Teacher Song wanted her to continue. She thought about it for a while before opening her mouth, “Alive, under a sweet pear tree (cún yǐ gān táng); gone, in song of eulogy (qù ér yì yǒng); Music distinct by social rank (yuè shū guì jiàn); rites according to prestige (lǐ bié zūn bēi)… “ Yuxi recited all the following contents in one breath.

They both were reciting a part in Chapter 3 of Thousand-character Classic.

Teacher Song nodded her head and said, “Write two words for me to see.“ This child had good talent, and she didn’t know how the people she had asked to inquire about the Fourth Miss had be ignorant of this. They even said that the child was stupid and unreliable.

Yuxi wrote four big characters of “Heaven rewards diligence (tiān dào chóu qín – Chinese idiom, meaning God help those who help themselves) “.

When Teacher Song saw Yuxi’s writings, she straightened her back, focused her eyes, and nodded secretly in her heart. When she saw the characters written by Yuxi, although they were not good – looking, they were absolutely correct. She said, “It’s very hard to learn from me. You are still young and no need to suffer from it.”

Yuxi said firmly, “As long as Ma’am give me a chance, I will learn it well.” Yuchen was the last disciple taught by Teacher Song in her previous life. After teaching Yuchen, Teacher Song shut herself in the mountain. Of course, Yuchen did not lose her reputation either because of it.

Teacher Song said lightly, “Self – confidence is a good thing, but over-confidence is arrogance.”

Yuxi accepted the criticism modestly, “Ma’am, I will pay attention to it later.”

Teacher Song just nodded her head, “If you can’t keep up with the learning process and drag everyone back, I won’t show you any mercy.”

This made Yuxi fiercely look up at Teacher Song and said , “I won’t hold anyone back.” She would never let such a thing happen. Even if Teacher Song could not admit her as a student, she would still want to go through the first few months of classes.

After agreeing to accept Yuxi as a student, Teacher Song said to the Old Madam, “Old Madam, you know my rules. No one is allowed to raise any objection during my teaching period.” If everyone told her what to do, she would not be bothered to continue teaching.

Old Madam Han actually didn’t want to agree, but in the end said, “Of course.” The so-called ‘strict teacher produces outstanding student’, showed that the students taught by Teacher Song, even those girls who had not managed to become talented women, still had a good reputation in the end. Most importantly, she invited her for Yuchen. She was very sure that she would be satisfied with her.

After that, Qiu Shi personally took Teacher Song to Magnolia Courtyard. While, all four of the Han Residence Young Misses including Yuxi, returned to their own courtyard to prepare for the afternoon class.

Magnolia Courtyard was located in the west. The atmosphere was very quiet with variety of trees planted all around the property, and the name Magnolia Courtyard was also due to several Magnolias trees that had been planted in the yard.

Image credit: Stevelarese

Magnolia denudata, known as the lilytree or Yulan magnolia (simplified Chinese: 玉兰花; traditional Chinese: 玉蘭花; pinyin: yùlánhuā; literally: “jade orchid/lily”), is native to central and eastern China. It has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD. Its flowers were regarded as a symbol of purity in the Tang Dynasty and it was planted in the grounds of the Emperor’s palace. It is the official city flower of Shanghai. – Wiki

Teacher Song was very satisfied with the arrangement of the courtyard. When she entered the room and looked at the elegant layout inside, she was even more satisfied, “It must had been hard for Madam.”

Qiu Shi just smiled and said, “As long as Teacher likes it.“

After seeing Qiu Shi off, old woman Ding beside Teacher Song said unhappily, “Ma’am, why did you promise them? Even Fourth Miss with so little talent is stuffed under your care. They said that Ma’am would only teach the Third Miss.“ She grew up with Teacher Song from a young age and had been with her all these years.

When there were only two people left in the room, Teacher Song’s face relaxed a lot and she was no longer as strict as before. She said, “Don’t worry.” Although Yuxi was so confident, Teacher Song did not think Yuxi could hold on. It wasn’t that she despised her, but she was too young for her class. She definitely wouldn’t stand those sufferings.

Old woman Ding was very upset in her heart, but she also knew that she had to agree to her Master to some degrees when doing things for others. She said, “Ma’am, don’t take any more jobs after teaching the Third Miss. The money saved over the years is enough for us to live a good life! ”

Teacher Song smiled and said, “Let’s talk about it later. Don’t worry.”

Meanwhile, Mama Shen was feeling very happy when she heard that Teacher Song had promised to let Yuxi followed suit, “Miss, when you go to school, you must study hard. It is good for Miss to learn well.”

Yuxi smilingly said, “Mama, rest assured. I will seriously learn.” It didn’t matter if you looked at Teacher Song more or less, one could clearly see that she was indeed a scholar. She must learn as much as she could! After waiting for a few months, she dismantled the double-sided embroidery and studied the stitching of the double-sided embroidery. Yuxi looked back at her life. What came into mind was her dark past life and her face instantly turned pale.

Mama Shen felt the change in Yuxi and asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Yuxi shook her head and said, “Nothing. Mama, please leave! I want to take a rest.” Every time she thought about things, she was reluctant to have people around her.

Yuxi took out the double-sided embroidery from the cabinet and looked at it in a daze. Why did she studied double-sided embroidery stitches? If she fell into the situation of her previous life, what about her unique embroidery skill? Would this skill save her from trouble? No.

When it was lunch time, Mama Shen went into the house and called Yuxi. Not long after lunch, Yuxi took Moju to Magnolia Courtyard. Since Zhiyi’s incident, Yuxi had acted indifferent to Hongshan.

From Rose Courtyard to Magnolia Courtyard, one had to go through the main garden of the state residence. Therefore, this was the first time Yuxi had visited the garden since she was reborn.

The rockeries and the curved bridge in the state residence were astonishing, The scenery was spectacular, deep and serene. Especially the view of stone peaks or accompanying auspicious trees of other courtyards that could be seen from all directions. The posture was exquisite and peculiar. It was quite impressive that you could even enjoy it by lying down and when people entered the gully, they would feel like they were visiting some famous mountains.

Moju looked at Yuxi and saw that her face was not looking good. She asked carefully, “What’s wrong, Miss?” Looking at her Miss looked worried, made her felt very uneasy.

Yuxi shook her head and replied, “Nothing.” She was still young and had enough time to learn how to protect herself, but she had to plan what she should learn.

When approaching Magnolia Courtyard, Yuxi saw Yuchen and her four maids. Speaking of which, Yuxi wondered that Yuchen had always been indifferent to her in her previous life, but treated her very good in this life. Of course, this was much better compared to her past life.

Yuchen walked up to Yuxi, frowning and said, “The sun is so hot. I don’t know if I should let the maid carry another umbrella.” Yuchen’s personal servant girl, Shishu, was opening a green oilcloth umbrella to shield her from the sun!

Yuxi smiled and said, “No need to worry about me.”

Yuchen did not know why Yuxi was being ignorant, “The sun is poisonous. Not to mention heatstroke, your skin will easily darken if you get too much sun.”

Yuxi said nonchalantly, “It’s okay. I’m still young!”

Yuchen sighed slightly, which was too much of a pity for herself. However, she looked at Yuxi’s indifferent face, and no longer entangled with the matter. “Why do you only take such a little thing?” She couldn’t see anything else besides a box in Moju’s hands. The box was not big either. Just by looking at it, you would know that there was not much could be put inside.

Yuxi scanned the three maids behind Yuchen. Each of them was holding a big box. There were a lot of things. “I only brought the four treasures of the study room (ink brush, ink stick, paper and ink stone) and other utensils. Other things, I think Ma’am will certainly prepare it.“ Yuxi only brought pen and ink with her inkstone, but no paper.

Just as she spoke, Yuru and Yujing also arrived.

Yuru greeted them and smiled gently.

Yujing stared at Yuxi and said, “Your life is already hard enough, with you just survived from the smallpox.” Her mother was placed under house arrest because of this lowly girl. She must pay for this revenge.

Yuxi felt inferior and weak in her previous life, and got scolded by Yujing for her hard life. She endured it all. But now she knew a truth: good people were bullied, good horses were ridden, retreating step by step will only let everyone bullied you to the end. “I can heal not because my life is hard, but because my mother protects me from the heaven!” With that, she glanced at Yujing and said with a smile, “Ah, why didn’t Second Sister wear new clothes and jewelry today?” Yujing usually liked to dress herself up beautifully. They must wear new clothes when receiving visitors at home or went out to socialize, but today she was wearing an old dress.

Yujing was angry. This lowly girl, she dared to ridicule her before she returned her mother’s revenge. But before she could give any response, her personal maid, Yunqi whispered beside her, “Miss, this is Magnolia Courtyard. It would be bad if Teacher Song saw this.” Her Miss was so much older than the Fourth Miss. If they quarreled with each other, her Miss would be the one people said to be with no reason in her mind. If this scene fell into the eyes of Teacher Song, she would surely feel that her Miss was not friendly with her sisters. It was not good for her Miss to leave such a bad impression right away.

Yujing had some misgivings to continue, so she immediately gave Yuxi a vicious glance before they continued moving forward.

As soon as they entered the Magnolia Courtyard, they saw several Magnolia trees. Magnolia bloomed in the third and fourth months, but now the flowers had already withered.

When they entered the Magnolia Courtyard, they were led into a room by a maid. The room was spacious and well lit, with a long case at the top, and four desks and chairs at the bottom.

Yuchen picked the front position on the left.

Yuxi went to the table positioned in front on the right. However, before she could sit down, Yujing walked up to her and said, “You sit at the back.”

Yuxi firmly said, “No. I can’t see anything if I sit at the back.”

Yujing didn’t care so much about that. She directly pushed her away to sit on the chair.

Yuxi sneered and said, “Second Sister, you snatched my porridge early this morning, and now snatching my seat. Do you really like snatching other people stuff so much?” Picked a persimmon with a soft pinch (Chinese phrases, meaning can easily be bullied), but she was not a soft persimmon right now.

Yujing did not expect Yuxi dared to ridicule her. She snorted coldly, “I like it. What can you do?” Yuchen was the apex of the Old Madam’s heart, so she didn’t dare to provoke, but Yuxi… she hadn’t put her in her eyes. Moreover, she and this cheap girl still had a bill to calculate.